The following days felt torturous. She felt his eyes on her when she wasn't looking at him and she could tell he wanted to approach her but didn't know how. They couldn't very well do it in front of others.

The weeks that passed consisted of stolen glances, but nothing more. Hermione got invited to Slughorn's party. She attended and it was a slow event until Malfoy showed up looking angry and crazy. He took one look at her and seemed to sober up, letting Snape escort him from the room.

She decided to leave the party, not wanting to spend more time with the random group Sloughorn had assembled. And as she walked through the silent, echoing halls she thought of Malfoy. His fury and sadness had changed her humor, leaving her thinking that there was something wrong with him. There was something broken about him.

"You're out late, Hermione," she heard Luna say.

"Oh, hey Luna, how's your night going."

"Good. Harry left the party. Not sure why, he seemed distracted tonight, no?"

"Yeah maybe, I'm not sure."

"It was still splendid though. I had a wonderful time, you?"

Hermione looked at Luna, all dressed up, and smiled. She felt happy for her, always optimistic and never paid any mind, but Luna still managed a smile after all she had endured.

"Yes, I had a pleasant night as well. Thanks for asking, Luna."

"Mmm," she twirled. "Well, I better be off to bed. I've got a big potions essay to finish tomorrow."

"Alright, goodnight Luna. Sleep well."

"You too Hermione."

Her conversation with Luna made her think about her own project that she had to start for Herbology. It was due two weeks from then. Passing the library, she decided to take a few minutes to look for some books she knew she needed. Ten minutes later she had a stack of possible books that would help her. She was flipping through the pages of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi when she heard someone's echoing steps.

"It's rather late to be alone in the library."

Hermione, having jumped at first, recognized it and relaxed. "It's Hogwarts, everyone is safe here."

Malfoy appeared beside her. He hummed, "of course."

"I'm sorry you were kicked out."

He smiled. "Didn't want to be there anyway."

Hermione cocked her head and grinned. "Why did you want to be there?"

Malfoy rolled his eyes. "I was-"

"Insulted?" Hermione grinned again. "How come Draco Malfoy isn't invited to this exclusive party," she mocked. But her anxiety was growing, scared she crossed a line.

His eyes narrowed, his mouth frowning. She winced, feeling small. "I'm sorry."

He turned and made his way back to a table where books were stacked. That's when Hermione realized he was holding one. "It's for the best. I shouldn't have left the library anyway. I just knew-" he looked at her. "that you'd be there."

Hermione blushed as she walked up to the table. "What are you looking for."

"Nothing. Useless things," he concluded, placing the small book inside his robes.

Hermione leaned on the desk and crossed her arms across her chest, looking around. There was no one there and it was so quiet. She looked towards Malfoy when he walked up to her. Close. As close as he was weeks ago when they had almost-

"You look pretty tonight, Granger."

"You always look pretty, Malfoy," she countered, surprised by her ability to make jokes. He chuckled and her knees buckled. "Actually," she said, looking up at him. "You look different this year."

Malfoy stepped towards her and she had to look up at him now. "You appear sad all the time, you look like you barely sleep. You don't eat-"

"You watch me that intently, Granger?"

She blushed. He grinned.

"I only mean that there's something off about you. And I'm concerned."

"Concerned?" He asked, placing his hands on either side of waist, making Hermione gasp. Their bodies were basically pressed up against each other and she was living for it.

"Yes," she whispered and gulped.

"Why? Why do you care about me?"

"I, well I don't know," she let her words hang in the air. His eyes were so intense it was making her feel like she could melt into a puddle.

"Malfoy," she breathed.

"Yes?" he answered darkly and her body was drawn to him like a magnet.

"Can you please-" she paused looking into his eyes. "just finish what you started weeks ago and kiss-"

He did. Their lips crashed together and Hermione's body responded on instinct, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, her hands tangling themselves into his hair. He pulled her hips towards his and she gasped, his tongue entering her mouth faster than she could register it. She moaned and he immediately pulled her body on top of the desk, opening her thighs so he could stand in between them.

Hermione could feel the heat pull in her navel as her dress rose up mid-thigh. She was more exposed than ever before and it made her feel alive. It gave her courage she didn't know she had as she found her power to overtake Draco, changing their kiss from soft to passionate, desperate. Her hands were everywhere, in his hair, under his robes, wanting to feel his heartbeat and his warmth.

She was almost sad when his lips left hers, but she was not prepared for the tingles that erupted when they met her jawline, as they dragged down her neck and found a spot on her throat. She moaned and then whimpered when she heard the sound Malfoy made in response.

There was a clicking sound from far away that made them pause, breathing hard and looking around. Hermione was the first one who heard the footsteps, but she wasn't going to let them ruin this moment. She was feeling reckless.

Grabbing Malfoy's hand, she pulled him towards the maze of bookshelves. Walking backwards she pulled Malfoy against her, finding his lips again and he wasn't complaining because he took control, walking her over to the dead end of the maze, backing her up against the shelf. Hermione never felt more excited, attractive, or... safe. She loved the way his hands felt as they traveled across her neck, down to her sides and lower back. They always stopped before they got to the places that made her heart race. His lips moved down to her neck again and she whimpered, loving it.

Malfoy's hands tightened around her as he lifted her up against the shelf so she was sitting on the small tabletop that ran along all the shelves.

"You love having me in this position, don't you?" she said, breathlessly.

Malfoy smiled against her neck. "Yes."

"Why," Hermione asked, feeling flirty.

"Because," he mumbled. " I can get closer to you," he stated and then proceeded to use his hands to spread her thighs slightly so he could fit in. Hermione's head fell back against the books and her eyes fluttered shut as Malfoy went back to kissing her neck.

"God," she muttered. "Any other reason?" she found herself saying, wanting more and she saw Draco's eyes darken with desire. He looked down.

"Your dress," he paused, mesmerized. "Is so short." Her tulle skirt had indeed risen with the way she was sitting.

Hermione held her breath as he reached to play with the ends of the fabric. Her body tingled when the backs of his fingers touched her thighs. "And you like that?"

Malfoy smiled. "What kind of question is that, Granger."

"Why do you like it?" Hermione asked breathlessly. His hands gripped her thighs slightly, his thumb making circles. Her body responded to the feeling growing deep inside her and she widened her thighs even more, moaning softly.

Malfoy sucked in a breath. "I like seeing you react to the way I touch you," he said as his fingers inched up towards where her body wanted them most.

He was staring at her with his intense eyes as his fingers left fire as they caressed the inside of her thighs. Another moan escaped her and she bit her lip, her gaze never leaving his, making it that much more alluring. He gave her a smirk as he leaned in to kiss her lips.

It was soft and slow, as if to distract her from the fact that his hands were touching the fabric of her pants, caressing her hip bones.

"Wait," Hermione gasped. "Wait, wait." She turned her head to the side, her hands finding his over her dress. "I-" she bit her lip, feeling guilty.

"What is it?"

"I'm sorry. This isn't me." She began pushing his hands away. "I'm," she paused, "not ready. I'm sorry for making you think-"

"Granger," he said, his voice so soft. "It's okay, I don't care."

She looked at him and he was staring at her, his eyes soft, lips parted slightly. "You don't?"

He smiled. "I just wanted to kiss you; I wanted to know what it would be like to finally kiss the golden girl." That made Hermione blush and chuckle.

He kissed her softly again and she melted. "How do we get out of here?" She said into the kiss eventually. "If there might be someone lurking about."

He shrugged and then grabbed her by the waist to help her down.

Turns out it had been the librarian. Irma Pince. She was leaving and seemed to have missed Hermione reading. Otherwise she would have scolded her repeatedly and forced her out. For a second Hermione paled at the idea of being discovered with Malfoy of all people.

Malfoy and Hermione exited the library and looked at each other. "I guess I'll see you around, Granger," he said smirking.

Hermione formed a line with her lips and then smiled. "Mhm." Her body was buzzing with excitement and nerves that she couldn't speak.

"Sleep well," he whispered, passing her and giving her arm a light squeeze. That alone made Hermione's body sing. She made it back to her bed with her heart still racing, thinking of him. And it was safe to say she did something she had never done before: pleasure herself to the thought of Draco Malfoy. Four times to be exact before she was able to catch even a wink of sleep.