A/n: YAY! You guys make me so happy! AHHH! My little thank you list will be at the end of this chap. Thanks a lot guys!

Disclaimer: I wish Harry Potter belonged to be but it doesn't…*tear*

Chapter four

Hermione couldn't stop thinking of what Draco had told her a few days ago. "Since when have you been looking so beautiful?" The same line kept repeating in her head over and over. Draco kept avoiding her gaze whenever she tried to catch his eye. Ron didn't seem to be in speaking terms with either Harry or Ginny and he was often in an angry mood. Harry and Ginny both looked very guilty and sad. Hermione asked them about it but they wouldn't tell her.

One morning, Hermione went downstairs to the Great Hall and found Ron eating by himself in the Gryffindor table.

"Good morning." She greeted.

"Hi." Ron mumbled.

"God Ron, why are you so mad at Harry and Ginny?" Hermione asked frankly. "What did they do now?"

Ron suddenly turned bright red. The image of Harry lying on top of Ginny flashed back in his mind. "I was in the boys' dorm and then they came in and started y-you know…"

"WHAT?" Hermione shrieked.

"No, no they didn't do it…" Ron added quickly. "I just caught Harry lying on top of Ginny-" Hermione's mouth opened in shock. "But they were only snogging. Don't worry. I'm glad my sister wasn't stupid enough to get carried away…"

Hermione was speechless. "You're joking right? Harry and Ginny…" Ron still had the same solemn look he had. "I can't believe it…well…I understand why you would be furious with them but I'm sure Harry didn't mean to do anything bad to Ginny."

"I know, I know." Ron said in an annoyed tone. "He apologized to me 50 times now. But Ginny's my sister…I don't think you guys understand how I feel about this."

"But we try Ron, we really do." Hermione told him.

"It's different. You understand me but you don't know how I feel." Ron argued. He saw a hurt look cross Hermione's face and he softened up a bit. He couldn't bear to see Hermione being sad or hurt. "Sorry. I'm just a little stressed that's all…"

"It's ok, I understand." Hermione smiled. She suddenly realized how much she missed Ron. She remembered all the good times they had together. But then, deep inside here, there was a longing for someone else. And that someone was Draco. No, stop yourself Hermione. He's rude, mean, and obnoxious and he will never like you! She told herself. Her and Ron spent the rest of breakfast together. Then, Ron went to Divination while Hermione went to Arithmancy.

During lunchtime, a small, gray owl dropped a note for Hermione. She quickly opened it and read:

Granger,

We need to get something done for the school soon. I don't want to be known as one of the lamest head boys ever. I don't know about you but I certainly don't. We can discuss this privately in the empty classroom in the second floor at 9:00. When we figure out what to do, we can tell the prefects about it. If you don't show up, I'll do whatever I want and I won't care about what you say.

Malfoy

"Who's it from?" Ginny (who was sitting beside Hermione) asked.

"Oh. From professor Dumbledore." Hermione answered quickly. She didn't want Ginny to ask questions so she lied.

"Alright." Ginny nodded, feeling satisfied with Hermione's answer. Ron was sitting elsewhere and Harry was quieter than usual.

Hermione couldn't stand the awkward silence and said, "So Harry, how's quidditch?"

"Fine." Harry answered.

"I heard you became captain. Is that true?"

Harry nodded.

"Congratulations." Hermione smiled. Harry nodded and continued to eat his lunch. "Listen, I know what happened and I know why Ron is furious with you two. Don't worry, just give it time to pass."

Ginny had tears in her eyes. "Oh Hermione! We didn't mean to! Honest! We really love each other…you know that don't you?"

Hermione smiled and nodded. "I think your love for each other is nothing but beautiful, pure and passionate." Ginny blushed and smiled. Harry turned bright red.

Suddenly Ginny said, "You know what Herm? I wish you and my stubborn brother would get married. He'd need someone like you to show him how stupid he can be sometimes." And with this, Hermione blushed and laughed.

* ~ * ~ *

That night, Hermione and Ron were walking up to the Gryffindor room. They were talking about schoolwork, Snape, the Slytherins and Malfoy.

"I feel sorry for you." Ron was saying. "I can't believe he's head boy! What was Dumbledore thinking?"
Hermione said skeptically, "Maybe he sees something in Dra – Malfoy – that we don't."

Ron frowned. "Don't tell me you actually feel sorry for that git! Remember how he acted like such a prick around you? Remember all the times he called you 'mud…'you know…"

"It's alright, Ron." Hermione said. "Maybe he's insecure and he's hiding something."

Finally, they reached the common room.

"Aren't you coming inside?" Ron asked.

"No. I – I –er – have some patrolling to do." Hermione excused herself. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Alright. Good-bye." Ron said, feeling slightly disappointed. He had been looking forward to spend time with Hermione. For some reason, he leaned forward and gave her a quick hug.

"Uh…thanks Ron." Hermione said unsurely, though she did like the feeling of being in Ron's strong arms.

Ron turned bright red, said the password, and went in the common room. Hermione sighed and went downstairs. She passed by the ghost of Nearly headless Nick and Peeves.

"Ummm, sir Nicholas…do you know where the empty classroom in the second floor is?" Hermione asked.

"Of course my dear!" Sir Nicholas beamed. "You go straight down the stairs, turn left, go straight in the hallway, turn right and make a left at the first corner. Then you'll see a long line of doors. Go to the very last one and there you are!"

"My, my, miss Granger! Sneaking off into empty classrooms! What are you going to do in there hmmm?" Peeves asked.

"It's none of our concern Peeves." Nick said. "Let's go. I hope you find it Miss Granger."

"Thank you." Hermione said politely. Man, why did Malfoy have to pick a room that's so far! She thought. He better be there by the time I get there! She went down the stairs, turned left, went straight down the hallway, turned right and made a left. She felt quite nervous because Hogwarts seemed pretty spooky when it was all quiet and dimly lighted. She slowly walked to the last door in the empty hallway. Her legs felt tired from all the walking she had done all day. She slowly opened the door and saw a dark, shadowy figure sitting on top of a table.

"Malfoy? Is that you?" Hermione asked cautiously.

"Took you long enough to get here, Granger." The voice snickered. The figure turned around and Hermione saw Malfoy's face. Draco was carrying a small lantern.

"Why did you want to meet me here? I had to ask Nearly headless Nick for directions and I'm quite tired and - " Hermione kept ranting but then Draco stood up and walked towards her. Suddenly, he wrapped his arms around her slim body.

He took a deep breath and smelled her hair. "Hermione…I – I brought you here because I wanted to tell you something." He looked down at her. Hermione gazed at his bright, silver eyes. "I've been watching you ever since our 4th year…you've certainly changed from a plain miss-know-it-all to a beautiful, smart woman."

"Mal - " Hermione began. Her brain told her arms to push Draco away, but for some reason, they wouldn't listen.

"I don't know what I feel for you…but I wish you felt the same way as I do." Draco said. His face slowly came down and was merely 2 inches away from Hermione's. "I think I love you."

Hermione was shocked. Push him away! Get out of here Hermione! She was telling herself but she felt petrified. "Why are y-you acting all nice to me, huh Malfoy?" Her voice quivered. She suddenly felt weak. Draco leaned forward and kissed her softly on the lips. Hermione heard him drop the lantern and it was dark. Everything else seemed like a blur.

A/n: Ahhh! Here's a list of thank yous to:

Sabrina Weasley – you'll find the answer to your question soon!

RonsInnerVoice – hey I updated today! I'm glad you like my story! I reviewed on one of your fics too!

Aries11 – Yay! Thank you for liking my story too!

Karri-Granger – thanks for the compliment!

RonandHerm4eva – Thank you!!!!!

Mariët – aww shucks you make me feel special lol

DonL – yes this is my first time writing a full-fledged story. I wrote a short, two chapter fic and I uploaded it. Check it out if you want!

Lupin's Niece AJ – Yes I'm writing more! I just wanted to get more reviews!

Brit – yes I will

****ME**** - are you the same person as 'me'? if you're not, then thanks for liking my fic!

Me – I like my story too! lol. Thanks to you too!