CHAPTER THIRTY TWO: What Darkness Was Intended For

As planned, Draco and Hermione made their way to breakfast. Hermione was radiant, glad to be out and about again, and Draco couldn't help but absorb her aura. Hermione was unsurprised to see Draco eat heartily; she knew he had been lying. Finished with her meal long before Draco, Hermione sat, leaning back in her chair, staring dreamily out across the snowy hall. Draco kept looking over to her with a smile as he lazily chewed. **She's so pretty when she's happy... and angry... and asleep... and... anything...**

"I hope I never get really sick and have to be hospitalized for an extended period of time; I don't know if I could do it," she said unexpectedly with a laugh. Draco smiled and swallowed before speaking again.

"It's not exactly fun; especially when your parents decide on then as a good time for a heartfelt confession," Draco agreed, remembering his previous episode with the hospital wing.

"You just had to remind me of that, didn't you?" Hermione asked with cheerful sarcasm that sounded rather awkward. Draco smiled and shrugged, taking a final bite of his toast. "So, what do you want to do now?" Hermione wondered out loud, assuming he was finished.

"Library?" he suggested and Hermione shrugged.

"We don't really have a reason, do we? I am so sick of studying for that stupid test," she complained, smile dropping a little.

"What's this then? Hermione Granger doesn't want to go to the library? Love, I think we should go back to the infirmary," Draco said with a smirk and Hermione sent him a glare, but smiled again.

"You know, it's just like you to say something like that," she retorted, scrunching up her nose a little. Draco laughed.

"That's adorable. Alright, so no library... there's always Dumbledore. We haven't actually told him we accept the teaching offer; maybe he'll give us some more information," he reminded her.

"Hey, yeah... I almost forgot about that," Hermione said, straightening in her chair and cheering up considerably. Draco smiled, but Hermione just looked out across the hall. He kept his eyes on her; she looked happy and carefree, like nothing mattered to her except their pitiful meal. "Hey Ace, when are you going to go shopping?" she asked after a moment, finally turning her eyes to him. "If you wait much longer, there won't be anything left."

"I don't know; whenever we find time, I suppose," Draco answered, smile dropping a little at the mention of the horrid pastime.

"Oh no; I'm not going with you this time. You said you'd rather go alone, plus I think you'd get more done. Remember what happened last time?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. Draco's smile dropped completely now; he didn't want to leave her alone.

"I liked THAT part of last time," he reminded her, not taking his eyes from her smiling face.

"Only because you used me as a distraction so you didn't really have to look for anything," Hermione said unenthusiastically, but kept her smile.

"No, Hermione," Draco said, very seriously, without missing a beat. "I would never use you for anything," he told her as if she had said the most preposterous thing he had ever heard, face showing worry as he searched her eyes for pain. He found none and felt a little better. "I chose you over shopping, that's all," he promised and Hermione turned to him, looking apologetic.

"I know. I didn't really mean that; not like it sounded," she told him, keeping her smile and leaning forward for her glass of pumpkin juice. "You do have to go, and if I don't go with you, I have reason to believe that it will substantially cut down your running time," she said and took a sip.

"Damn straight. I'm not planning on leaving you alone for any longer than necessary," he said and Hermione's smile finally broke.

"I'm a big girl, Draco. I don't need a babysitter," she said in a calm and semi-angry tone. Draco looked to her sharply, feeling the rise of foreboding in his stomach that always came when she was upset.

"No, Hermione. That's not what I-" he tried to defend himself, but was cut off.

"Why are you so afraid to leave me alone? I've been alone for just about my entire life; what's so different now?" she asked, sounding a little more angry and forcefully setting her goblet back on the table. Hermione crossed her arms and looked expectantly at Draco.

"Snape hasn't been after you for your entire life," Draco answered solemnly and Hermione sighed in frustration.

"I am so sick of hearing about Snape; it seems like all we ever talk about anymore! I am NOT worried about Snape and I DON'T think he's after me. He's just running on empty without a whole house of Gryffindors to take it out on, so I get all the leftovers as well as my own slice of malice. I don't know why this bothers you so much; he hasn't really been all that bad to me," she finished, her voice trailing off and sounding emotionless. Draco felt a little better; no emotion was better than anger.

"I'm sorry; I just get a really bad vibe from that git. I don't trust the gum on his stupid spit shined shoes and I know what he's capable of. I don't want you to get hurt, love, and I know Snape would do it as easily as he would assign detention. THAT'S why this bothers me so much," Draco explained and was relieved to see Hermione smile. He leaned in to kiss behind her ear and she let him. At least his girl was somewhat happy again.

"Let's go see Dumbledore; I think that sounds like the best thing to do," Hermione suggested and turned to him.

"Alright, Mia," he agreed once again and Hermione smiled before kissing him.

* * * * * * * * * *

Together and smiling, Hermione and Draco walked hand-in-hand to Dumbledore's office. Hermione was obviously happy, but Draco noticed that she had been much more so before breakfast. He didn't comment, however; at least she was happy... Draco didn't want to jeopardize that as well.

Dumbledore was seated in his office when they arrived and he called the couple in immediately. Hermione and Draco informed him of their acceptance of his request, and Dumbledore couldn't have looked happier. Neither teen had ever seen the headmaster this excited. The old man had actually given them each a burly hug, creating smiles all around.

After repeatedly telling them how happy he and the staff would be and how proud of them they all were, the headmaster gave them each a large folder full of information and time-tables. Hermione looked even more excited now than she had when informed of the job. She energetically thanked Dumbledore and bid him goodbye, then grabbed Draco's hand. He smiled before hurrying to follow her out the door.

"Calm down, love. It'll still be there in ten minutes," Draco said, walking beside Hermione as she practically skipped down the hall, still holding his hand. She giggled.

"I know; I can't help it. I haven't had any homework in months, what else am I supposed to get excited about?" she said, radiating happiness again. Draco couldn't help but be happy as well. It would have been impossible to be upset when Hermione was like this, even if he had reason to be.

"My god, how do you make it though the summer?" he asked, laughing. Hermione grinned.

"I do all the homework twice to make sure everything is perfect, but it's usually done within the first few weeks. There's more to do over the summer, though, more people and opportunities. Plus, you can go outside without a nurse jumping at your neck." Draco laughed and unclasped their hands, moving his arm around her waist. Hermione smiled and kissed Draco's cheek. "How do you spend your summer, Ace?" Draco shrugged.

"I used to spend them in our dungeons; my father's apprentice. I now can free myself of any means of restraint and know enough spells to protect myself or someone else from any curse but the unforgivables, thanks to that. Last summer was strange for me; I didn't set foot in the dungeons once. I did manage to find six rooms I didn't know we had, including a second library. Most of last summer I spent looking through everything," he told her, their pace slowing as the couple neared the common room entrance.

"You have a library?" she asked, only meagerly shocked; his house certainly was big enough.

"Of course, don't you?" he asked, in reality very surprised. As much as Hermione loved to read, it was somewhat shocking to learn that she didn't have at least one room dedicated to her books. Hermione shook her head, but kept her smile.

"My house isn't quite as big as yours, Ace. I don't have room for more than a bookshelf," she told him, flipping the folder in her hands.

"I'll show you the next time you come. The main library has mostly dark arts books, so I don't know how much you'd like that one... but the new one has a lot of old stuff. I found some rather interesting books there. My library is by far the best, although not the biggest, but of course I'd think that as I hand chose everything there," Draco said and Hermione told the ebony haired man and his daughter the password before she responded. The two occupants of the painting politely remained silent.

"You have your OWN library? Okay; now I'm jealous," she said and broke away from him, walking into the common room. Draco laughed and watched Hermione as she walked away from him and settled herself on the floor, her back against the couch.

"It's nothing much, just a converted walk-in closet." He shrugged. "I didn't need three." Hermione looked up at him with a smile while she fiddled with the clasp on the folder. Draco just watched her for a moment, then his eyes sparked with curiosity. "How old are you, Mia?" he asked and Hermione looked up again.

"Sixteen; why?" she answered, surprisingly unsuspicious.

"And your birthday is?" he asked and Hermione's eyebrow rose.

"May 19th. Where are you going with this?"

"Hmm," was Draco's answer. He seemed to think for a moment, then shrugged it off and moved to sit beside Hermione on the floor.

"Draco?" she asked and he smiled.

"I was just thinking; after this whole training thing is over, I'll be legally able to teach Apparation. I can teach you over the summer, then you can go wherever you want and you won't have to have me tagging along behind you," he explained and Hermione smiled. She gave him a quick kiss on the lips, then extracted a pile of papers from her folder.

"And exactly what does that have to do with your library?" Hermione asked while she skimmed though the documents.

"Nothing really, but I was hoping you would come and visit me over the summer. You know, as little as we'll see each other when classes start, it'll be even less after we graduate; at least until next year," Draco reminded her. Hermione sighed heavily with a frown.

"I know," she said sadly. Draco smiled and kissed her ear, placing a hand on her opposite cheek.

"We'll think of something, love," he reassured her and Hermione smiled. She nodded slowly and turned her face to him. Draco let their lips touch briefly, a gentle kiss which plainly said 'I'm here now'. Hermione smiled a little more and Draco was glad; everything always seemed better when she smiled.

"I still don't see what that has to do with anything we were talking about," she pointed out and Draco smirked.

"Why can't we just talk? Why does it always have to be about something?" he quoted her and Hermione laughed.

"Are you going to open your folder, Ace?" she asked and turned back to her own. Draco let his hand melt away from her cheek. "I want to see your time- table." Hermione glanced to Draco, then back to her papers.

"Sure, Mia," he said with a smile and picked up the packed beside him, tearing it open with no regard to the troublesome clasp, and extracted the contents.

Hermione had already separated her papers into two piles: one of tables and lists, the other of information packets and other things which demanded detailed reading. Draco flipped through his own papers, glancing at each and mentally noting what was there.

"Ah," he said and pulled once sheet from the pile of parchment. Draco held the paper out to Hermione before even looking over it and Hermione smiled as she took it, holding the sheet in one hand, her own time-table in the other. Draco watched her eyes as they darted between each sheet and noticed that Hermione's smile dropped a little with each glance. **Oh no,** he thought as he saw the hope in her oculi rapidly dissipate.

"I can't believe it," Hermione said after a long and silent pause. "There's nothing; absolutely nothing," she finished, dropping her hands and shoulders.

"What? Not even potions?" Draco asked, surprised as well and disappointed.

"You don't even have potions, Ace. Lucky bastard," she told him, saying the last two words with just enough volume for Draco to hear. He would have smiled or laughed, but Draco was too busy trying to digest the information. "Look," Hermione said, holding the papers out to him. "Nothing," she repeated. Draco looked uneasily at her, but took the papers and scanned them with his eyes.

He hoped that Hermione was playing a joke and that it wasn't true, but something deep down told him it was. Comparing the tables confirmed it; they had absolutely no classes or training classes together. Draco looked up from the parchment to Hermione, who was sitting with her back against the couch and her knees drawn up, arms wrapped around her legs, chin rested between her knees. She wasn't crying, but looked miserable none the same, and Draco felt his breath catch again; he hated that look more than he would have tears. It was a depressing contrast from her mood moments before.

"It's alright love, don't worry," Draco told Hermione and tied an arm around her shoulders.

"I knew there wouldn't be much, but I expected something. I'm addicted to you, Ace. I don't think I can quit you cold turkey," Hermione said, closing her eyes.

"Shh, Mia. I'll still see you at lunch and between classes. It'll be alright," he tried to reassure her, but Hermione didn't seem much happier. "Plus, I'm pretty sure an addiction like this isn't very healthy," Draco tried, in a lapse attempt to make her smile. He sighed. "Hermione, if it's that important to you, we could talk to Dumbledore; ask him to reconsider some things," he suggested, placing his hand on her knee. Hermione looked up at him.

"What do you mean, 'if it's that important to me'? Isn't it important to you?" she asked, hopeful.

"Of course it is, Hermione. I miss you when you take a shower, I have no idea how I'll make it through this either, but you can't remind yourself of that. It just makes it worse," Draco told her and Hermione closed her eyes again. Draco placed his forehead against her ear and kissed Hermione's neck a little. "Do you want to talk to Dumbledore?" he asked after a moment. Hermione took a stuttered breath, then paused before answering.

"No," she whispered and Draco was surprised. Hermione waited just a moment before she explained. "Dumbledore does everything for a reason; there's probably some subliminal lesson here. I'd rather not get our hopes up," she said and Draco silently agreed. He sighed and lifted his head to kiss her ear again. "And, like you said, we'll be together even less over the summer. Maybe it's better this way," she continued.

Draco smiled and pulled his head away, sitting up a little. Hermione opened her eyes and looked to him with a crooked smile. Draco was smiling as well and pulled her head a little closer, moving to meet her lips with his. The kiss was long, but uneventful, and both were smiling as it ended, which always seemed to be the case. Draco kissed her once more before getting to his feet. Hermione looked up and him and Draco shrugged.

"Shower," he explained and she nodded once, still smiling. Hermione reached up to touch his hand and sighed. Draco waited a moment until Hermione's hand melted away, then started slowly toward the bathroom. Hermione watched as he walked away and smiled back when he turned to her with one before entering the lavatory. She sighed when the door was fully closed behind him and turned back to her papers.

* * * * * * * * * *

Draco showered thoroughly and dressed in an outfit similar to his previous one. He spent a while in front of the mirror, surveying himself, and decided once and for all that he liked his hair better without gel. Of course, Hermione agreed, so it was no surprise that Draco had no trouble accepting his decision. After a sigh and a bit more prepping, Draco emerged from the bathroom and looked up to see Hermione, still on the floor as she had been before, but now held her clipboard and a quill, evidently taking notes form one of the large packets found in the folder.

Draco smiled at her, crossed his arms, and leaned against the doorframe; she was obliviant to his entrance and continued to look from packet to parchment, mouth making silent words and branding them into her memory. She smiled after a few minutes, but did not stop her work.

"Catch an eyeful yet, Ace? " she asked unexpectedly. Evidently, Hermione knew more about Draco's presence than he thought she did. "Has anyone ever told you that you're unbelievably distracting?" Draco shook his head a little, then walked back over to her and sat down, a little farther away than he had been before.

Hermione made no notice but to smile while she attempted to memorize her reading material. Draco sighed and crossed his legs beneath him, then re- extracted the papers from his folder. He picked up the top packet and opened it; just reading, unlike Hermione. Hermione stopped writing for a moment and turned her page, then looked to her side, at Draco.

"Aren't you even going to say hello to me or something?" she asked and Draco smiled, but his eyes continued to scan the page in front of him.

"You were busy," he explained and turned his page. Hermione smiled and kissed his cheek, needing to put her hand to the floor to keep herself from toppling over. Draco hardly made any reaction; simply kept his smile and continued to scan his page.

"Alright then," Hermione said and pulled back away again. She resumed her writing and all was quiet, save the scratch of a quill and the periodical turn of a page.

* * * * * * * * * *

It was over four hours before either of them spoke again. Hermione sighed and dropped her quill, then brought her fingers up to rub her eyes. She took a deep breath and dropped her hands to her side, then looked over to Draco, who was still sitting beside her. He too was still reading and Hermione noticed the slightly green tinge of the packet he was holding.

"Weren't you reading that like an hour ago?" she asked and Draco nodded, eyes still scanning the page.

"I read them all; I had to start over," he said and flipped the page. Hermione turned her head to the pile of unexplored material which still was larger than the pile of thoroughly read packets.

"Why?" she asked, turning back to him. Draco shrugged and closed his packet.

"That's how I learn things I have to remember. I only take written notes on things I find boring, and then only to stay focused," he explained and Hermione nodded.

"Go with what works," she said, then smiled. "Draco, do you remember when we used to go to dinner at exactly six thirty every night just because we knew we would both be there?" she asked and Draco joined her expression.

"That's why I came; I never knew that's why you did," he told her and Hermione smiled.

"Why else would I come? I don't like being spontaneous?" she asked, a little smartly.

"I don't know, I never really thought about it. I knew you would be there; that was good enough for me," he said with a smile, then looked over to the clock on the mantle. "Well, it's almost six thirty. What say we keep tradition alive and go to dinner?" Draco suggested and Hermione smiled, then nodded.

Draco stood, using the couch as support as he placed his weight on his cramped legs. Gentlemanly, he held out a hand to Hermione and, as always, she took it. Hermione stood, her face a few inches from Draco's, and smiled. Draco knew what she wanted and was in no position not to give it to her. The kiss was long and fairly deep, a definite win on both parties. Hermione took Draco's hand and they stepped carefully over the grounded papers before walking to the common room door.

* * * * * * * * * *

"Hey Mia, since when have you been all buddy-buddy with McGonagall?" Draco asked when they were a bit down the hall. Hermione seemed happy, as well as tired, and she answered with a smile.

"Since forever. In case you haven't noticed, I'm a total suck-up. I guess she admires that or something. Plus, she IS my head of house... we've always been close.... Are you jealous?" she told him and said the last sentence with sarcastic mock-suspicion. Draco pretended not to hear the last bit.

"Snape is my head of house, and I hate every aspect of him," Draco reminded her, looking angry at the thought of the potions master.

"You haven't always hated Snape," she pointed out, still smiling.

"He was never my best friend," Draco retorted, not wanting to admit to ever seeing Snape as anything more than the evil man he now believed him to be.

"McGonagall is only like Snape in that she IS rather strict and she DOES favor her own house. To me, she's like a distant grandmother," Hermione explained, smiling and looking ahead.

"If you say so, love," Draco said and kissed her cheek. Hermione kept her smile and squeezed his hand a little as they entered the lobby. "Hey, you know what would be funny? If we made the ice slippery just as everyone comes in. They won't expect it and they'll all comically fall down," Draco said with a smirk, expecting Hermione to turn to him with a warning expression, but she smirked.

"You mean like you did?" she asked, then shrugged. "I don't know; some of those people can really hold a grudge. We should wait for the first years to come across the lake; they'll be scared of us; no risk," she said, totally serious. Draco smiled and shook his head.

"I was kidding, Mia." Hermione shrugged again.

"Oh," she said, not really paying much attention. Then, she smiled and looked up at him.

"I really am a bad influence on you, love," he said and took a step ahead to open the door for her.

"Yeah, well... I'm a good influence on you, so it evens out," she said and walked through the door, holding his hand as Draco followed behind her.

"You won't be much longer if I make you evil," he said and Hermione looked warningly at him. "Oh, sorry..." he said with a sarcastic smirk. "Ethically challenged." Hermione smiled and walked with Draco to the head table. No one was in the great hall and she stopped a moment to view their work from two days prior. It was the first time she had really taken the time to notice them since they had left that day.

"Well, Ace, I must say that you do have a knack for decorating. You may not be able to dress yourself, but you certainly can dress a room," Hermione said with a smirk as they sat down in their usual seats at the head table.

"Thanks, I think," he said and kissed her ear. Hermione giggled and leaned in to once again look at the snow globes.

"They still can't skate," she pointed out, smiling as the blonde skater slipped.

"Of course they can't; they're 'adorable' this way," he said sarcastically, mocking her previous opinion.

"I agree, but I though you would have changed them when you went to dinner last night," she told him, smiling as the bubble's miniature Hermione helped the tiny Draco up and he kissed her cheek sweetly. "Aww, I've never seen them do that before," she said, watching intently.

"They do that all the time. You told me not to change them, so I didn't. Plus, last night I was too worried about you to even notice them, much less take the time to change them. I was only here for about five minutes; long enough to make a sandwich and pull myself away from Dumbledore and McGonagall," he told her and Hermione looked to him casually, keeping her smile.

"You didn't tell me they were here," she said, taking a small bite of the meal which had materialized in front of her. Draco, who's meal had also appeared, smiled and swallowed.

"It wasn't a big deal; they asked how you were doing and why I was there so late, but that was about it," he said with a shrug.

"Hmm," Hermione said, her mouth full. She chewed slowly, not wanting the blessed hunger to go away too quickly. Hermione liked that feeling, it made her feel good, like keeping it was doing something good for her. She liked it much better than the unbelievably full feeling she knew she would have when this dinner was over. She swallowed, then paused a moment. "I have to write to Mum," she said, reminding herself out loud. "I haven't told them about this job thing; she should probably know." Draco nodded and finished his bite of food as well.

"Me too. Are you going to tell Harry and Ron?" he asked, pushing his food around on his plate.

"Oh no; I didn't tell them either; did I? They won't appreciate that much. I better wait until they get here. If I write them now, they'll be mad I didn't tell them sooner, but if I wait, I can say I wanted to surprise them," she decided, explaining to herself as well as Draco.

"Yeah, that might be a better idea," he agreed, flashing a smile at her. Hermione made a happy sigh and took a very large bite of her meal. **Might as well get this over with,** she thought and chewed the gallant morsel.

The rest of the meal was almost silent, but comfortable and happy. Both Draco and Hermione were content in simply eating and being close to each other. When Hermione finished, she set down her fork and propped her elbow on the table, resting her head on it and looking out across the hall.

"It's probably good that you don't have potions, Ace. I don't know if you could last at least an hour a day that close to Snape," she said after a minute or two of gazing at nothing.

"That's probably WHY I don't have potions," Draco pointed out, no longer eating, but mixing the leftover food on his plate. "Both Snape and Dumbledore know I hate him, I wouldn't doubt if Snape arranged it out of fear," Draco finished with an evil smile directed at his rapidly mutating plate of food. Hermione smiled and shook her head at his childishness.

"I'm scared, why shouldn't he be?" she asked and Draco turned to her, looking almost scared himself.

"Do I scare you, Hermione?" he asked, serious. Hermione's mouth dropped a fraction, surprised at his question.

"Yes, Draco. I'm absolutely terrified of you. Look, I'm quivering, see?" she said and twitched her upper body, screwing up her face and looking ridiculous.

"Now THAT'S attractive," Draco said sarcastically with a short laugh. Hermione stopped and laughed too, then smiled at him and shrugged.

"You told me not to be so pretty, I'm just living up to my promise," she explained and Draco smiled, then leaned in a little closer.

"I think I'm withdrawing my request," he said and Hermione smiled.

"Oh, really?" she retorted, not reacting to his subtle hints and small advances, although she definitely noticed them.

"Really," he stated, smiling.

"Well, that's just too bad for you, then. You can't take it back; sorry," she said, folding her arms and lifting her chin, eyes closed.

"They're just words; they mean nothing," Draco said in defense, almost worried that she might be angry. Hermione brought her eyes to meet his in an almost cold glare. She smirked for a split second, then brought her lips back to the harsh line they had previously been.

"Is 'I love you' just words?" she asked, internally struggling to keep the pseudo fog in her eyes, giving them the illusion of coldness. Draco's small smile dropped with his jaw as he heard her question. The shock wore off quickly and Draco realized that he still needed to answer her. He smiled as a smooth comment came to him.

"No, Mia. 'I love you' is a spell," he said and kissed her before she could react. Hermione was into the kiss in no time, moving her hands to his shoulders. Draco's hands were on her sides, being tickled by Hermione's hair as her head moved with the kiss. She smiled when it was over and stood, taking a step so that she was nearly behind Draco's chair. He looked up at her, smiling.

"That chicken was better than I expected," she stated, running her hand along the back of his chair as she walked around the head table and started for the main floor of the great hall. Draco stood and followed her, but Hermione wasn't planning on leaving without him. She stopped and waited.

"Wait," Draco said, pausing a few feet away. "You didn't have chicken; I...did," he said, trailing off as he realized what she meant. Hermione giggled and took a step toward him. "That grosses me out in ways I never thought possible. I really wish you would keep such thoughts to yourself, love," he said as Hermione took his hand. She kissed his cheek and smiled.

"You took my gum," she reminded him and Draco smiled a little.

"Well, I didn't tell you how it tasted, did I?" he pointed out and Hermione laughed.

"I suppose that's true," she said as Draco began to walk toward the doors, hand in hand with his Gryffindor.

Silent and unanimously, the couple decided to return to the common room. They were together on the couch for the next few hours, Hermione sat with her legs over Draco's, book on her lap, parchment in her hand, and Draco let her, holding his book in one hand, the other behind Hermione, stroking the hair which fell over her back. Both were comfortable with their position and moved only when necessary, for the most part summoning things they needed.

When Hermione finished her seventh packet and saw that she still had three more to go, she was ready and willing to quit for the night. She threw her book and parchment down on the floor with a thump and Draco looked at her from his packet, watching her as she reached down for her wand, which rested on the ground near her book.

She silently summoned a book and Draco smiled, glad she didn't want to move either. Hermione shifted a little and kissed his cheek, then relaxed again and opened her book. Draco switched his packet from one hand to the other and rested the now unoccupied hand on Hermione's leg. She smiled, but didn't look up from her book.

It was ten thirty before either of them moved again. Draco closed the back page of the pale green packet and tossed it on the cushion beside him. He had read every packet four times, word for word, and was now ready for a well deserved break.

He sighed deeply and leaned his head back, closing his eyes and placing his now free hands on Hermione legs. She looked up from her book with a smile and the sound, not really wanting to read anyway.

"Draco?" she asked, although she wasn't worried.

"Did you know what Apparation originated in Scotland, discovered by a man named London Fitzpatrick? He was planning a vacation with his family in the year of 1014 and closed his eyes to think of a place to escape too, then opened them to find himself on a remote island with wild boars and passion fruit. It took him three years to figure out how to get back," he told her, keeping his eyes closed. Hermione smiled.

"That's very interesting," she stated in an attempt at being supportive. Draco snorted and lifted his head, turning to look at her.

"Sure, you think that now. Try re-reading it four times along with god knows how much more equally un-enjoyable information, most of which you already know," he complained and Hermione swung her legs so that her feet were on the floor.

"That was your choice, my dear," she said and kissed him quickly before breaking herself away and heading for the bathroom. Draco picked his head up and opened his eyes to watch her go. As she had a habit of doing, Hermione looked back and smiled before slipping into the room.

Draco just sat in the common room and waited for her, twirling his wand in one hand. He wasn't really thinking about anything, just what Hermione looked like just before she left and what he hoped might happen when she returned.

She was only gone for about ten minutes, then exited the washroom prepared for bed. Draco smiled and Hermione walked over to him, planting a kiss firmly on his lips. She paused for a moment and smiled before standing straight and walking toward the bedroom. Draco watched her go with a smile and once again, Hermione looked back before leaving his view.

Draco sighed when she was gone and stood. Going to bed sounded like a pretty good idea in itself, but knowing Hermione would be there made up Draco's mind. He grabbed his wand and followed Hermione's path; first to the bathroom, then the couch to retrieve his book, then to the bedroom; his final destination.

Hermione was in bed, lying on her stomach, pillow under her chest and a book above it. She smiled when she heard him enter, but otherwise did not move. Draco walked to the bed, placing his wand and book on the night table to be forgotten. Hermione looked over to him now, not able to keep her eyes away any longer, and Draco smiled. He climbed into bed beside her, lying on his back. Hermione gently slid her book across the bed, letting it fall noiselessly off and into a pile of something soft. She turned onto her side and propped her head on an elbow, facing her boyfriend with a smile.

"What are you thinking about?" Hermione asked, placing a hand on Draco's chest. He smiled and turned his head to her.

"You," he said simply and Hermione kissed him. Draco kissed back, moving onto his side to gain a little more dominance. The kiss was hard and deep, more so than even the kisses they had shared that morning. Hermione had taken to pushing Draco onward, tempting him to go deeper, and he couldn't help but comply.

Pushing ever farther, Draco rolled Hermione onto her back and climbed on top of her, never breaking the kiss. Hermione seemed to hesitate, then pushed him gently away.

"Draco," she whispered, holding him to her so he wouldn't attempt to get up. "If we start this here, I won't be able to stop it," she told him, a bit breathless from the excitement. Draco waited a moment, then visibly swallowed.

"Is that alright?" he asked, also in a whisper. Hermione couldn't help but be surprised that he was asking this; she definitely hadn't expected it. This close to Draco and the one thing she wanted so much from him, despite the fact that every fiber of her being screamed no, Hermione couldn't refuse him. It felt so right, she couldn't say no. Instead she nodded eagerly and Draco smiled before he kissed her again; getting them into something they had no intention of getting out of.

A/N That's all the smut you guys are getting from me. This fic STAYS PG13, and that's final, haha. Just because they're doing 'the deed' doesn't mean I have to give details, does it? No, I didn't think so, so don't be expecting them from the next chapter. Coming Soon: The morning after; are there regrets? Does Draco have knees? Are there teams in strip poker? And how many brooms can one kid HAVE?

PRF:

Kara Malfoy: Okay, even I have to say that was a little uncalled for. Thanx for backing me up though, and although many of those things my be true, I can't actually say that, because I don't know this Lirawen person at all, other than she thinks pretty high of herself and assumes that because she's been writing longer that makes her better that everyone else... but anyway. Thanx for liking my story so much, but every post seems to bring with it another person who hates it and I'm starting to believe them... which in no way means I'm going to stop; just something to think about.

Hasapi: Thanx! Lirawen is still on my case, which I think is kind of immature, but whatever..., let her have her fun. Works for me. Haha.

Envision: I told you the real problem, didn't I? Oh, maybe it's in this chapter... Mia's whole problem was that it was a side-effect of the freaking curse thing, when in reality I just needed them in the hospital wing so I can tie up some loose ends... haha...

*gigglinggurly*: Soon? No, not really, lol... but that will be about the end; when the students come back... hehe.

Tom Felton's Babe: You'll see about Snape... along with everyone else, lol

Draco's Dragon: Hey, I might have gotten it from the Princess Diaries... I never really thought of that, but now that you mention it, that could be why I think it sounds that way... I dunno, lol.

Starry Skies: Yes yes, everyone is freaking out about Snape... I swear, he's not the bad guy! ::snort:: okay, so he is... but Percy's in jail, and I needed conflict, and Snape creeps me out!

Cilla: Cool! People were waiting! That's awesome! Haha... no, it was a side effect from that Singtransion curse thingy from Percy... I think I said that... ok, well...

Lirawen: I have nothing to say to you anymore, except that I appreciate your apology. I don't think you've ever apologized to me before, and I swear that I didn't do anything to you. So, yeah...

Malfoy: Haha, like YOU have telepathy....**What a fruitcake** lol, wait; You didn't hear that, DID you? Oh crap...

J: very interesting penname you have there. MIB rules. Anyway. I appreciate your concern and criticism, really I do... but you have to remember that I am fifteen and writing Harry Potter fanfiction. Who gives a shit if it doesn't make sense? Pay attention to the little quirks and stuff, that's why they're there. And the Percy thing wasn't the only conflict to resolve! We still have this whole Snape thing going on and what not... which I know didn't show up until AFTER the Percy thing, and I realize that, if I were smart, I would have broken it into Flames and the sequel to Flames, but it's too late now, so I'll wait until I've finished my Snape crisis to deal with what to do next. Thanx though. And yes, I know I suck... it's like, my best feature. I do know HOW to write a story; I'm just not very good at it.

JoeBob1379: Hey, if somebody told me he fell from heaven, I wouldn't argue with them about it... haha. That WOULD be awesome... "Hey, what's that? Is it superman? No, it's Super Stud! Dun dun dun!" Haha... and yeah, I've heard that song! It's the only hit the Weathergirls ever had, because they were very unattractive...lol

Lily Rainwater: Thanx. You're always so nice to me. I really don't deserve it. Thanx for standing up for me too, I know these guys are just being way too meticulous. Be ruthless! Be a rogue! Shut the hell up! Lol. But I'm not going to talk about Lirawen, because I'm really getting sick of her. All she does is say the same things over and over again. "I'm better than you" "I'm a professional" "I am all mighty and powerful, please bow down to ME" okay, so maybe she doesn't say please.... lol...
owed Hermione'a in itself, but knowing Hermione would be there made up Draco'en when she retur