A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed my very boring last chapter, but in the words of Prof. Hullabub, "All that mushy love stuff had to get out somehow." It means sooo much! Thanks to Hullabub and Cortex for reviewing the last chapter too, which is good since I didn't say "Ton" instead of "Ron" again. Hehe. Sorry this took so long, I had it written on my dads laptop, and I was too lazy to get it until lately. Well enjoy this one!

In this one, it's so sweet and there's some fluff at the end!

Disclaimer: Nothing but the plot is mine, everyone is JKR's.

Chapter 9: Questions Answered

Days had passed since the potion wore off and Draco still felt what he felt since the first Hermione-less day. He couldn't help but feel jealous of Harry and Ron. After all, they were with Hermione all the time. They see her smile and laugh. They made her smile and laugh. Every time she smiled at him, in Potions, Arithmancy, or in their common room, he couldn't help but smile and his heart would skip a beat. They shared a common room, slept but two rooms apart from each other, she was so close, yet so far away.

~ Hermione's POV ~

Every time I see him I can't help but smile, and surprisingly, he smiles back. Things aren't the same. He isn't right next to me anymore. There were no strolls around the lake anymore. Sure I'm with Harry and Ron again, but I'm missing him in my life. I can't just lean on him anymore because he's not here to lean on.

~ End POV ~

Yup, they were feeling those feelings. Both of them at the same time. Finally Draco couldn't withstand them anymore and had to let the out as soon as possible.

One morning he woke up, took a shower, the usual, and went to Hermione's room. He knocked…no answer, knocked again…no answer, opened the door… "Damn, not here." He thought. "Potions! I can do it then! Oh but Potter and Weasley are there. Screw them, I'll shoo them off first." He settled his mind and raced out of the room.

He was already late for breakfast so he quickly sat at the Slytherin table. "Damn. She's already gone." He thought as he quickly canned the Gryffindor table.

Potions would start in 15 minutes. He shoveled food into his mouth and took a swig of orange juice. Then he raced to the dungeons. 5 minutes left! He made it just in time. He quickly took his seat next to her. She smiled then turned her attention back on Snape.

He couldn't pay attention to the lesson and carelessly threw the ingredients Hermione told him to. He was too caught up in when he would tell her and how. He also hadn't made fun of Weasley or Potter lately so he had to squeeze that in too. Soon enough the bell rang and he quickly packed up and waited outside the room.

Minutes later Hermione came out, flanked by Potter and Weasley. He waited until they passed him and spoke up. "Ms. Granger I am in need of your valuable time." He said, arms crossed.

They spun around and Ron asked, "And what pray tell is her valuable time needed for?"

Hermione stepped in front of the two but Draco already said, rather calmly, "Nothing that concerns you Weasley. And not like you'll understand valuables. Nothing of yours is."

Hermione gasped and hit Malfoy on the shoulder. He didn't move, just raised an amused eyebrow. Furious, Ron said, "Screw off Malfoy!"

"I don't think so Weasley. I'm not attracted to members of the same sex." He quickly looked Hermione over when he said that, "Although Potter here would be glad to do the honours. Now if you excuse me, I need to talk with my girlfriend."

Still fuming, Harry laughed, "Ha! Girlfriend! You! Did you pay Pansy or did you finally give in to her pug face?"

"As yes, that reminds me. Hermione, dear, could I escort you to our common room to retrieve your books?" Draco offered his arm.

Blushing, she turned to Harry and Ron (each of whom were giving her the you-better-not look) "I'll meet you in charms. Tell Flitwick I have Head Girl stuff."

They left, shocked she had blown them off for Malfoy. She turned to him, "Now is there another reason you need my time? And what's the whole girlfriend thing?" she lowered his arm but walked next to him.

"That's why I need your time. Hermione, I don't know if you felt it too, but during the Halloween Ball, I felt the potion wear off. And even after that, I felt love for you. So this has been bugging me for a while now so I'll let it out. Herm, I love you and will you be my girlfriend?"

Hermione halted to a stop, shock written on her face. "Oh my gosh! Did he say what I thought he said? Oh my gosh! He did! I did sort of notice the tingly feeling go away, but I thought it was nervousness. Oh hell, I like him but I don't know!!" her mind was racing. She looked up at him and blushed. "Er…um…Draco? I…don't know. Can I think about it? Please? I really need to sort out my thoughts."

"Um…sure." He had never been told to wait before. But then again, he had never loved someone before, "Just get back to me soon OK? Now let's get our stuff and leave, the bell's about to ring."

They walked in separate directions to their respective classes. Draco was upset, "I've never been told to wait before. At least she didn't say no right away." Hermione was confused, "Why didn't I say yes? I know I like him a lot. When he said he loved me, I felt all light and bubbly, like when I kissed him in the hospital wing two months ago. I guess I do love him too. But enough to be his girlfriend? Who am I kidding? I've missed him for days and here's my chance to make it better. That settles it, I'll tell him later.

She found herself outside the Charms room. She went in and took a seat with Ron and Harry. "So Herm, what did Malfoy want?" asked Harry.

She blushed at the remembrance at her encounter. "He just wanted to talk. That's all really."

The boys shrugged and they all listened to the lesson.

When it was over, Hermione grinned. "Yay! Arithmancy! I can tell Draco then!"

Unfortunately, he didn't show up. "I can't tell him during Care of Magical Creatures. Pansy'll be hanging all over him. And I don't have anymore classes with him! Argh!" she thought.

After all the classes were done, she went back to the common room. She knocked on Draco's door. He opened it. "Hi. What do you want?" he asked.

"Why weren't you in Arithmancy and Care of Magical Creatures today? You were perfectly fine when you…I mean…after Potions." She didn't want him to ask her if she had an answer, even though she did.

"Oh yeah. Some stupid, bloody, 4th year Hufflepuff accidently tripped me and his wand rolled to me which happened to give me a bad case of boils. The same ones Goyle got in our 4th year. Remember? When Potter and I dueled and I hit your tee--…" he sighed and looked at the ground.

Yeah Hermione remembered. That was the time her teeth had grown past her chin, but she had them magically shrunken and made them normal. "Yeah. I remember. I was just wondering where you were. Bye then." She hesitantly turned and walked away slowly.

Draco looked up and when seeing her walk away, he silently closed the door. Sighing he fell back on his bed.

~*~

Hermione felt miserable inside. She let her chance get away from open fingers. She slowly walked to her room but thought, "Hey! He's only right there! I have another shot!" she quickly turned and ran to his door. She knocked quickly and tried to calm herself down. He opened it and drawled, "What do y—"

Hermione took his face in her hands and kissed him full on the lips. She slid her arms around his head and pulled him close. Then she pulled away and looked at him. He was shocked, yet flushed. "Um…er…yeah…um…what was that for?"

She falsely pouted and said, "Why? You didn't like it?"

"No, I mean, yeah, but yeah." He stammered.

She laughed. "Well I answered your question didn't I?" she laughed again at his confused face. "Yes I'll be your girlfriend."

His face brightened and hugged her close. "And I love you too." She added.

~ End Chapter 9 ~

A/N: Oooo wasn't that sweet!