Authors Note: Well here it is, finally. I'm having a few teething problems with my html format, but I've tried my best to highlight the italic parts that come at the beginning and end of the chapter. Hope you find it to your liking!

Acknowledgements: To ALL my lovely reviewers. Thank you especially to those who like my story enough to add it to their favourites. I am flattered! And the answer to your question, Jade of the long review, is yes. I do write the bits at the beginning and end. As for whom it is watching… Read on and see!

Chapter 5

Temptation. Desire. Passion. The deadliest sins of man. The most powerful thing on earth. It makes you feel a thousand emotions in one small space. The constant beating of your heart is outrun by the thoughts whisking through your mind. You want to laugh. You want to tell the world. You can't. Love forbidden by the resistance of hatred… 

'If we add this… to this …'

Hermione stifled what seemed to have been the thousandth yawn that day. She couldn't remember the exact time she got back to her dorm, but it had seemed quite late. All she could remember was a happy floating feeling that had haunted her dreams. That and the storm. It had raged on all night she recalled. Draco had eventually let go of her and she had snuck back up to her dorm with the most enormous grin on her face. Kissing him had been like heaven, in her mind.

'Hermione? Will this explode if… '

She fell from her memories with a bump. Professor Flitwick had paired her up with Neville, in a hope that nothing would explode. Unfortunately she hadn't been paying attention and the rose that had been about to bloom, with the help of a quick potion and spell, had blown up. She winced slightly at the sight of Neville. His hair was singed slightly and a shocked look seemed imprinted onto his face. Quickly she pulled out her wand and muttered a cleaning spell. The soot and ashes on his face disappeared and his hair rearranged itself into a comb over. He sighed, 'Thanks'.

'I'm sorry Neville,' she said quickly, 'My mind was somewhere else.'

'That's alright. It always happens to me,' He said with a smile.

He was right. Things did always seem to explode when he was around. Hermione pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and stared at the space where the rose bud had been. A sigh escaped her lips. She was annoyed that she hadn't been paying enough attention to what was happening in the lesson. It was all her fault. Slowly, she dropped her forehead down onto the surface of the table and closed her eyes. All she felt like doing was curling up in a ball and sleeping for an eternity.

After five more minutes, that seemed like forever to her, class was dismissed for lunch. She rubbed her stomach. Hunger was beginning to make strange noises in her stomach. Taking a deep breath she swept her books up into her arms and made her way to the door. Glancing to the left she noticed Ron. He was watching her intently. She smiled at him, and waved. Ron looked away immediately and walked briskly up the corridor in the opposite direction.

'Ron!' She called after him loudly, pushing past a few people to get closer to him. She tried again but he seemed not to hear her. Sighing heavily, she rubbed at her forehead. Why was he ignoring her like this? She turned and walked along the corridor holding her books tightly to her chest. Someone crashed into her and she rolled her eyes. People never seemed to look where they were going.

As the thoughts rushed through her mind a hand shot out and pulled her into an empty corridor. She gasped slightly and felt her books drop to the floor as two cool lips pressed against hers. Hands wandered slowly down her body and gently she was pressed up against the wall. The kiss was intense and Hermione instantly returned it, wrapping her arms round his neck and pulling him close. She sighed as their tongues touched. Sharply she pulled back and opened her eyes. 'Hello,' she said in what she hoped was a seductive voice.

Draco was smiling slyly, his eyes burning into her. A shiver ran up her spine at sight. He laughed and ran a finger slowly up her arm. 'Nice to see you too,' he whispered before kissing her gently on the lips. She smiled brightly and blushed slightly. He glanced down at the scattered books on the floor then moved to pick them up. Hermione growled softly, grabbed his robe collar and spun so he was up against the wall. Quickly she leaned in close and began to kiss him. He retaliated quickly and pulled her forward by the hips. Brushing gently at his cheeks, she deepened the kiss. 'Hermione…' he mumbled between kisses. She pulled back a little, confused.

'Sorry,' she said taking a step back, 'I'll go…' Draco sighed and grabbed her roughly round the waist.

'Where do you think your going?' He said with a smile.

'I'm hungry,' she replied icily and tried to pull away. Draco tightened his grip and pulled her to him. Another sly smile played on his lips.

'So am I,' he whispered. With that he kissed her playfully. She tried to stifle the giggle that was building up in her. 'You think that's funny?' He said dangerously and tickled her sides. Hermione squirmed about trying not to shriek at the sensation.

'Stop!' She said in an attempt to sound demanding and firm. His fingers paused for a second. Glancing up at him, she took in his looks. His blond hair was almost perfectly combed back, but a single strand fell down taking away all the order. The silver of his eyes seemed to pierce through her, and his pale skin gave made him look almost angelic. Reaching up with her hand, she pushed the strand of hair out of his face. His jaw was set seriously. 'You look so innocent…' She whispered almost to herself. Draco laughed lightly.

'Shut up,' he said softly as he leaned down closer. Hermione closed her eyes in anticipation and waited. Opening an eye slightly, she saw his face hovering in front of hers, his lips curled into a smile. 'You want me,' he stated. She opened her eyes fully and raised an eyebrow. With a wink, he stepped back. Her jaw dropped slightly. What was he doing?

'I…' She glared at him. 'I do not.' Draco laughed again and crouched down to pick up her books. As he rose he passed them to her, and then planted a kiss on her cheek.

'We'll see about that,' he said and stepped away and into the busy corridor. She watched after him flabbergasted. After a couple of minutes she gulped. Had she missed a part of that conversation? She didn't think so. Well she would show him.

***

The dew covered grass seemed to twinkle appealingly as Draco walked out into the bright, yet dingy, grounds. All around him the effects of the storm had taken their toll. Trees were frozen in a fixed sway and a slight chill lingered on the breeze. Looking round he began to think about Hermione. Maybe he shouldn't have been so callous and calculating. He was finding it difficult to ease up around her. The mental tug of war was beginning to tire him out.

Last night in the storm it had seemed so right. He had ignored his head and followed his heart. It had felt so good. Just to feel had been enough. Normally all he felt was a passionate hatred, but this was different. It was new in every single way. His heart told him to hold her. Make her love him the way he loved her. It whispered for him to ignore the thoughts running through his mind. That loving someone was nothing to be ashamed of. His head on the other hand, hissed that he was acting like a fool. This wasn't the Malfoy way at all. If he had wanted her so badly, he should have used her for his will then discarded her. Draco was disgusted by himself. This time he refused to follow the rules set by his predictability.

'Malfoy!'

Draco spun on his heel and almost crashed into Hermione. He raised an eyebrow questioningly. The usual glare was fixed on her face, and her chin was held high. Something told him she wasn't happy.

'Granger,' he said softly gazing into her eyes.

The glare swiftly melted away and Draco smiled. People milled round them in a constant flow and the chattering echoed round the walls of Hogwarts. She was taking a risk following him out into such a crowded place.

'I just thought I would clarify that I don't,' she said firmly.

'If you think so,' he replied with a cruel smile. He suspected that she, like him, was also having a mental tug of war. It would explain a lot of things.

'I don't!' She shrilled angrily.

'Ok,' he chuckled and turned away from her. Playing with Hermione was beginning to become his favourite sport. She always took the offensive and got especially annoyed if he backed down. Hermione loved the fight. The adrenaline of it all. He could tell from the sparkle it always gave her eyes. Slowly he walked down the path and onto the Quiddich pitch. Empty.

'Don't walk away from me!' She called after him.

Draco turned to face her and laughed. 'What would you rather I did? Stay and publicly humiliate you?'

She growled and stalked over to him. The anger flared up in her eyes and he was tempted to kiss her then and there. It would take the fun out of teasing her though, and he was enjoying that too much. Words that sprung to mind about her present state were Fiery Temptress. The merest glance, he thought, might send him over the edge. 'Listen, just because we kissed...' she began.

'A few times,' Draco cut in with a cold laugh.

'Doesn't mean I want you!' She finished with a fresh scowl.

Before she could continue the argument he leaned in and crushed his lips against hers passionately. He could feel her instantly relax into the kiss and folded her into his arms. A soft moan escaped her and her fingers clung to the top of his robes. Slowly, he moved his hands down to her waist and rubbed the base of her spine with his fingers. She was pushing herself closer and he could feel her warmth seeping into his skin. He hoisted her up a bit, urging her closer still. Gradually, he ended the kiss and opened his eyes with a smile. There was nothing in the world half as good as kissing Hermione and he was the first to admit that. He glanced down at her lips and saw her bite it nervously.

'Don't do that,' he whispered, 'You'll bruise them. That's my job.'

Her silvery laugh chilled him to the bone. It wasn't often he made her truly laugh and the experience was exhilarating. A broad smile spread across his face. He felt truly alive. Everything in the world was content.

'Even if you don't want me,' he said gently, 'I defiantly want you.'

The smile on her face slowly faded away and she gazed up at him seriously. He tensed up, ready for her caustic remark. This was the first time he had opened up to her. He didn't think she was completely prepared for the reality of his true emotions. He wanted to tell her he loved her, but the deepest fear of rejection made the words stick in his throat. It was all too soon, he thought.

***

Hermione walked up the steps to the Gryffindor tower in a happy daze. She hadn't expected the day to take the turn it had. All she could think of was his face when he told her he wanted her. She had come to expect that Draco took what he wanted, but he hadn't. Instead he had kissed her, told her, and left her to think about it. Now the only thing she could do was think about it. He wanted her. It couldn't have been a lie.

'Hermione, there you are!' Cried a voice from along the corridor. Looking around she saw Ginny, bright eyed and bushy tailed. She waved and walked over.

'Where you looking for me?'

'Yeah. I saw you with Malfoy earlier and…'

Hermione felt her heart race. What had Ginny seen? She tried to keep herself calm. Maybe Ginny was wrong. 'Where?' she asked quickly.

'Out in the Courtyard. It seemed pretty intense, if you ask me.' Ginny said softly.

'Intense? Intense how?' Hermione said with a frown.

Ginny looked up at the clock and muttered something under her breath. 'Look I have to go now; I'll be late for Potions.' And with that she darted off up the corridor. Hermione watched her with a worried face. She needed to know what Ginny had seen. It was probably just her own paranoia getting the better of her.

Accepting this she climbed into the Gryffindor Common Room and walked up to her dorm. Shrugging off her robes she slipped into her room. Over on the bed a small piece of parchment rested neatly on her pillow. The paper was tinted green; her name was neatly printed on the front. With a slight frown she picked it up for a closer examination. The only thing that seemed unusual about it was the fact it was in her room. She shrugged. It was probably just Ron or Harry. Her fingers moved along the crisp crease and slowly she unfolded it.

Written neatly in the centre of the page where the words: "How do you fall in love?"

...Fool's rush in where Angels fear to tread, they say. Even with the best of intentions Angels fall from heaven, from the grace of others. Others whose jealousy nips at your heart. You want the world to stop for just one second. For your head to stop spinning with the thoughts. The questions. Betray your loved ones or your own beating heart?

Author's Note 2: There we go then! What do you think? Review and let me know.