A/N: Hi peeps! I posted new one now. I hope you like this one. Some people don't like it when I don't put them fall in love quicker… that's just my style. Oh well, in this chapter happens something ;) Nothing super-fluffy though… but something…. ;)

Many people said that they liked the previous chapter's pillow fight. :D

DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything. Seriously, I don't. Just this computer. Oh wait! It's my dad's… I don't own anything…

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CHAPTER XIII - Sudden change

Soon Christmas was over and students were back at school. Hermione had got lot of presents from her parents, Harry and Ron. Well Ron had given her just a book about famous muggleborn wizards. Hermione liked it very much and had already read the 1000 pages long book. She had thought to show it to Draco and prove him that there are some famous muggleborns too.

It felt absolutely good to be back at school again. Hermione couldn't wait to get to her first lessons, except potions. And the ball that was coming closer was also something Hermione was enthusiastic about. Unfortunately she didn't have a partner yet. Nor did Harry or Ron but that didn't make her feel better. Harry would get anyone he ever wanted to. And Ron? Well, maybe he would get someone too…

If Hermione couldn't get anyone to take her, she'd have to go with Draco. Which didn't sound that bad though… Secretly, somewhere in the deepest part of her brain (or heart) she wanted to go with him. Hermione couldn't understand that feeling. Why did she all of a sudden like Draco? Why did she want to go with him? And why did she find him sexy?!

Hermione guessed it must have been either his charms or her hormones. He just was so attractive.

But though she liked the picture of Draco and her dancing forever, she waited someone else to ask her. She waited and waited. No one asked.

Few weeks after the holidays and no one even did make move to ask her. Hermione had tried to be friendly and talk with some Ravenclaw boys more than once so they would notice that she was a girl. A girl without a partner. But it was useless. They obviously didn't take a hint and Hermione didn't want to be the one who was going to ask. It should be the boy. It would seem that she was pathetic and lonely if she asked someone to be her partner… Now that she thought about the time when Neville wanted to go with her, she got angry to herself. Hermione felt pretty stupid when she remember how she had ran away from him every time he had tried to ask her the certain question. She would have a partner now if it wasn't her stupid attitude, because now Neville and Ginny had both said to each other that they wanted a new partner. Neville was going with some fifth year Gryffindor and Ginny with sixth year Hufflepuff. Hermione could never ask Neville anymore! He already had a partner, who he even liked. But then again, there was always Draco…

"does he even have a partner?" Ron had asked Hermione when they had herbology.

Hermione already knew the answer: of course he has! Who else would he go with but Pansy Parkinson?! The pattern was clear: Pansy liked him and he liked Pansy. Eventually they'd get married and get lots of little Malfoys and Parkinsons. That feeling made Hermione sad.

During the Christmas had Hermione bought herself a dress robe for the ball. It was purple and black, and fitted perfectly to her. It showed her lines well and made her look very elegant. Actually very beautiful.

"I hope Draco likes it", Hermione had mumbled to the mirror a wide smile on her face.

She realized what she had said but didn't care. It would be stupid to deny she liked him a little. But what did she feel exactly? It wasn't love, it couldn't be. A crush maybe? Something sexual? No. It couldn't. She didn't want him in that way. At least not always…

It was now three weeks after Christmas and Hermione was killing time in the library between her classes. Actually she was hiding from people. There were those times when she needed time alone. It was her Hermione-time. Those times she didn't want to talk to anyone or be around anyone. She had found that library would be very idyllic place for her Hermione-time because no-one visited there so much.

Hermione read 'Magical feasts and how to plan them'. Joking candles was the only thing now she and Draco would realize for the ball. The other stuff at the book were pretty childish in Hermione's opinion. Draco had basically liked every single thing that the book had. Exploding muffins, hilarious skeletons (which laugh non-stop), tickling ghosts (but those you have to order from some ghost company) and etc.

She sighed and closed the book. What about the music then? Should they order a Dj or what?

Hermione's thoughts were cut off by quiet footsteps that came closer. There were two people actually, Hermione could tell that. Who ever they were, they were ruining her quality time.

She saw Harry and Ron step into the library.

'oh my God!', Hermione thought.

She grabbed her book and slid quickly under the table so they couldn't see her. Hermione was very sure that they would never leave her alone if they saw her. She needed her own time now!

'this is stupid! They are my friends! I shouldn't be hiding from them', she told herself but stayed still.

Hermione heard the footsteps coming closer. Then she saw Ron's shoes. Hermione was on her knees under the table and that made Hermione's legs hurt. She tried to change her position but couldn't without making a little "ow!".

The steps stopped…and then Hermione heard him say:

"Harry! She's not here."

So they were looking for her!

"what are we going to do now?" Hermione heard Harry's voice.

She was still facing Ron's shoes.

'go away! Go away!' Hermione ordered him mentally.

"I dunno… maybe we could ask someone else…"

"like who Ron? There's no-one else in Hogwarts who would know these things", Harry said.

'what things?' Hermione got curious.

"yes… you're right. Maybe we should just try to find her or…"

'what things?!' Hermione's head screamed.

"…just forget it", Ron finished his sentence.

"yeah. You're right."

And with that they left. Or that's at least what Hermione thought they did. When their footsteps faded she heard them coming back.

'what!? Why do they come here again!?! Go away!'

This time there were only one pair of shoes.

'weird…'

Hermione bit her lower lip when the person stopped just few inches in front of her. Hermione gulped and wished that he (which she assumed to be Harry or Ron) wouldn't see her. That would be so awkward! What would she say?! "Oh, hi Ron! I just love the smell of the library floor that I have to come here every time I have a chance." No that wouldn't be good.

Of course with her luck, the person kneeled and faced her. But it wasn't Ron. No, it wasn't Harry either. It was who else but Draco Malfoy. Hermione was totally surprised. Where did he come from? Like million students in Hogwarts and the one she had to bump into was Draco. Draco!

A wide smirk spread across his face. Cute, some might say, but that made Hermione blush.

'why does he always have to be where I am?!' She thought angrily.

There was a second of silence and then Draco did the obvious: opened his mouth.

"well well, look who's here", he said smirking and holding his laugh.

"and what might Miss know-it-all do under the table…umm…what could it possibly be?" Draco said playing stupid.

"just drop it, will you", Hermione grumbled.

Draco burst out laughing.

"you should've seen yourself! Hahaha! You had that… hahaha …look!"

"hmph!"

Hermione stood up and dusted her robes.

"I still can't understand what you were doing under that table", Draco laughed.

"nothing special. Nothing you should know", Hermione said and grabbed the 'Magical feasts and how to plan them' with her and started walking.

"where are you going?" Draco said coming beside her.

"what's that to you? And why are you following me?" Hermione snapped.

"why are you so grumpy?" Draco asked smirking ignoring her question. "Are you angry because I found your hideaway?"

Hermione gave him a glare and quickened her pace. Draco did too.

"no, of course not. It's just…", Hermione trailed off.

"'it's just' what?" Draco asked.

"you always seem to find reasons to laugh at me."

Draco rolled his eyes and Hermione saw it. She got angrier.

"why are you following me!?"

"you've already asked that", Draco said.

"so why are you? Don't you have anything better to do than follow me?!"

"we could fight", Draco suggested.

Hermione stopped and turned to look at him.

"what do you think we are doing now?"

"you tell me."

"you are annoying!"

"no I'm not… or am I?" He smirked.

"stop that!"

"stop what?" Draco asked.

"forget it."

Hermione started walking again. She almost ran. Draco ran next to her again.

"when are we going to do plans again?", he asked pointing the 'Magical feasts and how to plan them'.

"later", Hermione answered coolly.

They walked and walked, never stopping.

"how long are you going to follow me?" Hermione asked.

"I dunno… depends."

"on what?"

"how long you are going to walk", he said simply.

"argh", Hermione sighed.

"aww come on! Don't be such a baby, Granger", he said.

She gave him a glare, once again.

Hermione was about to turn right but Draco stopped her putting his hand to the wall so that she bumped into his chest. She quickly took few steps back and looked at him puzzled. Hermione turned to leave but Draco put his other hand on the wall too. She was totally surrounded. Hermione looked at him now even more puzzled. What did he want?

She was pressed against the wall and Draco was so close that she almost melted in his warmth. Her heart started beating harder and she was afraid that Draco could hear it. Her stomach felt funny and she didn't know what to do or say. Draco was looking straight into her eyes. She couldn't look back, otherwise he would've seen something in them. Feelings…? This was the first time she actually was this close to any boy, if Harry and Ron doesn't count. Hermione looked nervously down blushing a bit. He started smirking. Hermione glanced him. He was still looking at her! Still straight into her eyes! It was like he could see through her or hear her thoughts. Maybe he did…

"are you blushing?" He asked.

Now Hermione blushed even more. She gulped again.

"no", she said still looking down.

Draco laughed softly.

"you seem bit tense", Draco said examining her.

"I-I'm not", Hermione tried to convince him.

She failed.

"so are you angry?" Draco asked not moving.

"umm. Er. What?"

"are you still angry that I found your hiding place?" Draco repeated smirking more widely.

"er.. no.."

"are you nervous around me?" Draco asked looking deeper in her eyes when she turned her eyes to his.

"no. Would you mind…" Hermione tried to push through but Draco didn't move.

Hermione stopped once again. Draco smoothed a strand of her hair behind her ear. Hermione got shivers when his hand touched delicately her skin.

"good", he said, gave a last smirk and left.

Hermione stood looking at him her mouth open. What had just happen was something…no, she couldn't describe it. Draco… it couldn't be Draco. The Draco Malfoy she knew wouldn't just flirt and touch her like that.

Hermione must've stood there a while because she missed her next lesson, Defence against the dark arts. She missed a lesson! And all this because of Draco Malfoy. What did he want from her?

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A/N: I did it! I made a longer chapter this time!! This is something to celebrate about!! *opens a champagne bottle* LOL!

Remember to review! A review makes my day :)

Special thanks to:

JemG - I try to :)

Joely - Thank you so much! :D

CrackHead - LOL Thank you for reviewing!

Shy - Thank you :)

Hildie - I will, thank you for reviewing!

Blue eyes - I know my chapters are so short. But it could be worse… or could it? ;) hehe.. well anyway, I try to. :)

Totaloser - I guess you're right… but he really hadn't any reason to be angry at her so maybe he just was confused and got quickly over it ;) Boys are so mysterious sometimes. Lol

Seom - lol!

Meg - Yeah… I guess that would've been kinda un-Draco if he bought her a present… good suggestion though. :)

~Angel Innocent~