*Disclaimer* I'm just going to make something up and just say it over and over and over and over again ... so ... if you're not already skipping this part now ... after reading this ... you can from now on ... if that makes any sense! : ) ::laughs:: ahh ... great stuff ... anyway ... The characters and places in the following story are owned by J. K. Rowling, not me.

A/n ~ Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry it took so long! I don't know what was wrong with me! Anyway, sorry to keep you waiting ... if I have any dedicated readers ... with out further adu ... chapter 7!

~*~ *Chapter 7*

Draco quickened his speed when he heard Hermione yell after him. He had been slightly embarrassed at his actions. *Why did I kiss her? Or did she kiss me? What was I thinking? We are going to be living together! This should be interesting.*

Hermione realized that when she called out to Malfoy that he had not only ignored her but quickened his pace. She didn't know what to do, exactly. If she caught up to him, she didn't know what to say and it would be awkward. If she just let him go, it would be even more awkward when they reached Dumbledore's office and were shown their new common room.

Draco heard students pouring into the hall behind him. He thought that he might be able to loose Hermione if the hall was too crowded. He had thought wrong. Hermione quickly caught up to Draco and said, "What just happened?"

Draco tried to keep his cool, but then lost all hope when he said, "What do you mean?"

Hermione was peeved by this and responded with, "What do you mean 'What do you mean'? Do you just expect me to forget it and pretend it never happened?"

"Why not? Why can't we just forget and pretend? Wouldn't that make things a lot easier for the both of us?"

"No! Of course not! We ARE going to be LIVING together for the rest of the year!"

"YOU were the one who got us in to that mess! Why were you so eager to live with me anyway? It's not like Dumbledore would have been hurt or something if we didn't go along with his plan. He could just give the next Head Boy and Girl the common room!"

"For one thing, he WOULD have been hurt, and another, he CAN'T do it with the next Head Boy and Girl!"

"And why is that?"

"Are you really that dim? Dumbledore is leaving after this year. He's going to retire. How could you not have known that?"

Draco was too stunned to say anything 'Dumbledore is leaving? Why?' Draco had had the most respect for Dumbledore than for anyone else. He didn't know why, exactly? It didn't make any sense.

"Did you hear me?" Hermione was pissed.

"I heard you."

"Then say something!"

Draco paused. "Why?"

That was the last word Hermione had expected to come from Malfoy's mouth at that moment. "I-I don't know why. Why does it bother you that much?"

"It doesn't! I was just shocked! That's all!"

"You don't have to get so upset! It was just a simple question!" Hermione was very surprised at the way Malfoy was acting. As surprised as she was, she didn't expect him to say what he was about to.

An almost inaudible "Sorry" came from Draco's mouth.

"What did you just say?"

"I said 'Sorry'! It's not that big of a deal! Can you just leave me alone for two seconds?"

Hermione couldn't deny the sweetness that was slowly starting to show through Malfoy's icy exterior. "All I was trying to do was see what was going on with you ... and me. I didn't realize you would get so upset. I'll see you at Dumbledore's office." Hermione granted Malfoy's wish and left him alone. Hermione walked away confused as to what had just happened. She shook herself of her hew feelings for Malfoy and headed to the old statue in the empty corridor.

A/n ~ I really try to make these chapters longer! I really do! It just never works that well! Chapter 8 will be up soon so don't worry! (not that any of you would) tee hee!