Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, only JK Rowling does. But I wouldn't mind owning Malfoy

Chapter Four

Four weeks had passed since Ron and Hermione's confessions on the train had taken place. Their new role as boyfriend and girlfriend did shock some, but mostly nobody was surprised. Dean Thomas actually told them that he had been expecting them to get together since their third year. Things seemed to change as much as they stayed the same. Despite their new status, a fight could be expected between Ron and Hermione at least three times a week. But, the difference was that instead of hearing Hermione call Ron a prat, and then confining herself to her dorm for the night, Ron had usually apologized by the time she got to the second step. The sincerity of these moments pleasured many, but sickened most.

Their relationship had also changed their friendship with Harry, Now, Harry was still Ron's best friend but he found that a girlfriend took up a lot of his time. Not that this bothered Harry. After Ron walked into the common room at a late hour, and was surprised with quite a display of, uh, passion, he discovered that he was not the only one with a girlfriend. To the surprise of Hermione, Ron did not forbid Harry and Ginny's new "friendship" as they called it. After the standard death threat to Harry if he broke his sisters' heart, Ron marched up the stairs to his dorm, cheerful as can be.

It may have surprised some, but Ron was actually quite happy that his best friend and his sister were a couple. Not only was Harry the only guy that Ron could have probably dealt with seeing Ginny with, but he knew that they were good for each other. What other girl had been possessed by Voldemort? Ginny had been haunted by what happened, as had Harry, so the two could share their feelings with each other, knowing that the other would understand. Plus, Harry strongly disliked crowds of people. Ginny did not have many friends so Harry always felt comfortable around her, and she around him. Hermione felt that they were the perfect match.

Because of their prefect duty, Ron and Hermione were able to spend a lot of time alone. These times were often the favorites of both; they influenced each other and were able to show their feelings for each other without being stared at. (Both were a bit shy when it came to public displays of affection.) Hermione even got Ron to read one of her favorite muggle books "Pride and Prejudice." Hermione loved Mr. Darcy and she told Ron "I want you to read about the other love of my life." Just to see what was so damn wonderful about Darcy, Ron read it. The worst part was that he finished it. And liked it.

One night, Hermione was walking through the castle alone for her prefect patrol duties. Ron had quidditch practice that evening so was he was unable to accompany her. She had brought a book "Potions and their remedies" with her. She decided that with all the things that were happening with the rise of Voldemort, she should be prepared as much as she could. She was walking through the Charms corridor, reading, when she turned the corner and bumped into someone. The impact caused her to thump right onto the floor. She was looking up, preparing to apologize, when she saw that she had ran into none other than Draco Malfoy.

'Oh God, kill me now. I don't want to deal with this rubbish right now' she thought from her position on the floor. She was waiting for him to pass and let her be, but he did not move. She really, really wanted him to leave her in peace; he had started to creep her out this year because sometimes he was relatively civil to her. Oh he did have an obnoxious comment once in a while. Still, not one "Mudblood" from his lips since they had started school; and he had many chances in potions, and prefect meetings.

She was preparing to lift herself up and go away, when he spoke.

"Hello" Draco said. Now Hermione was really shocked. A greeting? Who would have thought it possible from him?

"Uh, hello Malfoy."

He extended a hand to help her up, which almost made her have a heart attack.

'What's he going to do? Does he have something in his hand? This is a dreamactually a nightmare' she thought. At the end of her paranoia filled thoughts she cautiously took his hand, stood up, and let go right away.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"I'm on Prefect duty. Patrolling."

"Well Hermione that's what I'm doing too!"

Draco grinned. Hermione shuddered. He had said her name.

"How about we keep each other company?" he asked.

Hermione was getting even more nervous. This was too weird for her, and she did not like it! Why was he suddenly being so polite? There had to be some ulterior motive. Hermione wished he had just insulted and left her alone. She brushed her hair behind he ear and looked up into his colorless eyes. She looked for a sign of mischief or mockery in his glance, but found nothing. She took a deep breath. 'Well' she thought 'what if he's decided to be a decent human being? Maybe he's realized what a horrid person he was. I should be decent in return until he does something that shows what he's always been. He's acting okay'

"UmSure Malfoy" she answered.

They turned the corner Hermione had been turning and began to walk together. Draco was the one who was starting the conversation. They spoke of classes, teachers and, amazingly to Hermione, books. 'He's intelligent' she thought to herself. 'This night is one I won't forget. I, a muggle born, holding a civil conversation with Draco Malfoy. Why is he being so nice? He hasn't even insulted Harry or Ron!'

In the middle of Hermiones speech about how Snape should try positive reinforcement with his students, Draco stopped her and put his finger on her lips. His eyes were wide, and a little nervous.

"Please, I must tell you something. Don't speak until I've finished, this is hard to do." He took a deep breath and began.

"Hermione, I have feelings for you. Maybe a love, I'm not certain about that part. I can't explain why. You're intelligent which earns some admiration; how could I possibly be with a dense girl, even if she was beautiful? I've felt this way about you for awhile, but when I saw you on the train with Weasley" as he said Weasley his face formed a sneer, "They've been getting stronger and I knew I couldn't possibly keep them in. I can't lose you to him. What I feel is wrong; shameful when you consider my family and my position in Slytherin. If the house knew; If my family knew, I don't know what would happen. But " he smiled at Hermione as he said this and brushed back a strand of her hair, "I'm willing to risk it, even if you are just a muggle born. I'd like for you to be my girlfriend. " he lifted his finger from her lips showing that his speech was over.

Hermione stood there in shock. Shock over his feelings and shock over the way he presented himself. 'Does he realize that most of what he said to me was completely insulting?' she thought to herself.

"Malfoy, Ron is my boyfriend." She stepped back a few paces because he was a little to close for comfort.

"Well, that's not really a problem. It's not like you can't break it off with Weasley or anything. Hell, I could tell him what's happened with us if you'd like." He stepped towards her and grabbed her by her shoulders. He looked deep into her eyes, and said softer than she thought was possible for him "We could be great together. I could give you so much more than Weasley could. And, I would." Then he pulled her towards him a placed a fierce kiss on her lips.

Authors Note: Thanks to all my reviewers! Chapter five is on the way.