Disclaimer: Two character names that couldn't be found in the four HP books released--of course you wouldn't be able to find it there 'coz they're MINE as well as the plot for this one, so rest assured that all rights reserved for everything else belonged to the HP book author--you all know who she is.

Author's Note: I'm inspired to write chapter after chapter. I don't know how I'll write this fourth chapter here, but I'll probably know as I go along so please don't forget to leave your mark in the reviews area!

Summary: Hermione & Draco received a nasty blow to the head when an out of control bludger careened towards where they stood bickering during a Quidditch practice. They woke up in the hospital wing not knowing each other--but they know everyone else--and an instant attraction towards each other soon formed.

Setting: 6th year

Pairings: I still can't think of any other pair than Draco & Hermione for now...I'm sure in later chapters other characters will finally find somebody else to pine for!

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IV. Moonlight Over the Lake

Draco appeared from the shadow of the big tree near where Hermione stood. He saw her get up from the Gryffindor table and headed out. Since he has completely lost his appetite after hearing from Pansy that Slytherin lost yesterday against Gryffindor and that they found a sorry-arse excuse of a Seeker to replace him for yesterday's game, he figured he might as well get up and leave the Great Hall and follow the lovely Gryffindor girl to wherever she will be going.

"Did I scare you?" he asked sheepishly when she saw her dark eyes grew wide and stared at him in horror.

"Uh...I'd be lying if I say no." she manage to reply after she regained her voice. "I wasn't expecting anybody to be out here."

"I didn't plan to be out here. I saw you leave your table and since I already lost my appetite I figured I might as well leave the Great Hall." he shrugged, closing the distance between them. "I hope you don't mind my company."

"Why would I mind?" she asked flippantly, a ghost of a smile hovering over her lips. "After all I did spend two nights sleeping with you and I woke up without any complaints."

Draco blushed at that. God, what was wrong with him? A simple innuendo from this enchanting girl makes him blush. That has never happened to him before.

"Uh...uhm...let's walk further down the lake. There's a full moon tonight and the lake often reflects the moon's glow." he took hold of her elbow and nudged her to walk further down the lake with him.

Hermione pulled her neck all the way back and looked up at the clear night sky. True enough there was a full moon shining down on them, casting the lake and everything around it in eerie white light.

"It's a beautiful night. I always loved autumn." she sighed, rubbing her arms faster to keep the chills from making her shiver. She turned to the guy beside her and smiled, "Don't you like the colour of autumn?"

Draco tore his gaze from the inky black lake and rested it on the angelic-face of the Gryffindor girl who has been occupying his mind lately. Smiling slowly he gave a shrug and sighed, "I hardly like any colour. If you call black a colour then it's what I like."

Hermione gave him a quizzical look, "You're kidding, right?"

"No. Actually I'm being perfectly honest with you." he replied without any qualms.

"Weird."

"I know, eh? Well, let's just say that I grew up in a home that doesn't really reek with love and care from each family member." he gave a careless shrug and took off his robe, laying it on the grass beneath them, he made a gesture and asked her to sit down.

"Thanks." Hermione smiled and sat on his robe.

Draco smiled and joined her, both their needs pulled against their chest and their gazes fixed on the lake where the giant squid often makes an appearance every now and then.

"You know, since you're friends with Potter and Weasley, I'm assuming that you're a sixth year student here like myself," he began, looking at his companion sideways, "But in all honesty, Hermione, I have no recollection of every meeting you before we woke up in the hospital wing this morning!"

"Really?" Hermione looked relieved and Draco could only wonder why. "You know what? I feel the same too. I mean, about not knowing anything about you when I seem to know everybody else."

"Isn't that weird?" he asked.

"Completely and utterly weird if you ask me!" she agreed, tearing her gaze from his and stared back at the lake where moonlight shone on it. "I wonder why Harry and Ron hates your gut so much." she mused out loud.

"That's easy. That's because I made their lives miserable right from day one during our first year." he replied.

Hermione's eyebrow rose and she whipped her gaze back to the boy seated beside her, "You're kidding, right?"

"Why would I be? That's the truth."

"Somehow you don't strike me as somebody who would do that."

"Really?" it was Draco's turn to be surprised. All his life he was trained, taught, and molded to become somebody more ferocious than anybody else in the magic world. He was taught to become somebody people--Muggle and Magic people alike--feared. That was all he knew. That was all he ever wanted to be. But right now sitting here beside this very engaging young woman who knew nothing about him--even though he could bet they have been schoolmates, or classmates even, during the six years they attended Hogwarts--showed him a different light to the life he chose to follow.

"Yes, really." she smiled at him tenderly, her face alight with honesty and innocence it was hard for Draco to ignore the sudden surge of electricity that shot through his spine when he received that megawatt smile of hers.

Uh-oh. Draco thought, Better watch out, Draco ol' boy or you'll be wearing your heart on your robe sleeves soon when this girl's concerned.

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to be continued...

A/N: Alrighty, I think this chapter will have to do for now until I get some more inspiration. Actually I have another Draco/Hermione fic formulating in my head just as I was writing this chapter. But I better concentrate on finishing this and hopefully steer it towards some humorous road ahead. Of course the love story between this two totally new Hermione & Draco couldn't not be explored a bit further...hmm...some "naughty" thoughts formulating in my head right now...*wink, wink* But you'll just have to wait and see what happens next for I myself am not sure where this story is heading...