Chapter Nine- Cold

Note: I got a massively promising response for the risqué scene last chapter, and I am so pleased you took it the way I wanted you to... I genuinely thought the story needed it, it wasn't some blatant chance to write sex. This chapter is really, really short because it's straight to the point really, and nothing much happens till later on.

Gazy- Hope these few chapters keep you going for a while- please keep reviewing, your one of the reviews I most look forward to seeing! I can always rely on an honest, in depth review. Thanks!

Windfaring scent- I don't take offence at anything in my reviews, I just try and keep it in mind when I write in future. And cheers about my story.

Natyslacks- lol who DOESN'T love Draco/Tom? And the dimples bit… hehe; I added that for my own personal pleasure! I think dimples are really cute… moving on, I ramble too much!

Evilbunnys-playmate- * jumps in the air alongside you * YAY Evilbunnys' review! And I did notice you were following my story- it's great to know I have some avid reviewers. Thanks and keep `em coming!

Danihell- it's up now- and I add cliffhangers just so y'all have to keep on reading… muhahahaha! Aww shucks did you really like it? * giggles * wasn't too raunchy then eh? Thanks girl J

Posy- hey, I'm glad you decided to read mine, because your review made me smile! Thanks, it brightens my day. And as for Ron? You'll just have to keep reading… muhahaha (I really should stop doing that shouldn't I? Never mind!


"Draco!" Hermione called out urgently, spotting him slouching outside a classroom with Crabbe and Goyle. All three of them looked worse for wear from the hectic night, particularly Crabbe, who looked like he was about to empty his stomach at any minute. Malfoy made eye contact with her for one sizzling second, but no familiarity was in his stare... it was like nothing had happened.

"What do you want, Mudblood?" he demanded coolly, Crabbe and Goyle sniggering automatically.

"About, about last night…" Hermione said, confused. How could she talk about it if he was being like this?

"Nothing happened at your stupid pathetic party," Draco hissed. "Nothing. Nothing's changed."

"Everything's changed!" Hermione shouted, not caring how loud her voice was. She felt a stone drop in the bottom of her stomach. He didn't want to know... and everything had happened! She'd lost her virginity which had been so sacred to her, she'd always said she'd only lose it for love... and true, a drunken encounter wasn't stuff of fairytales. But he couldn't pretend it didn't exist! The love they'd felt, the pleasure and the power... and he said NOTHING HAD CHANGED?

"Shut up, will you," Draco said. Crabbe and Goyle were looking curious, which was unusual for them, and it obviously worried Malfoy. He had a calculating look on his green-tinged face. Though sickly, he still retained the arrogant aura that defined his proud character.

"I won't, it's important," she said angrily.

"All that happened was, I turned up at your stupid party. I only came because my friends were going." This was evidently Draco's cover. As soon as he muttered this, Crabbe and Goyle were satisfied with the shaky story. They would never guess anything had happened between Draco and Hermione.

"But-"

"Look, piss off Granger. I don't want to know, okay? Is that SO hard to get into your mind? At the end of the day, you're a Mudblood- you're below me. So get on with your life and let me live mine." The words chilled Hermione into her heart, and she stood, frozen to the spot, as Crabbe, Goyle and Malfoy walked off. She was too numb for tears. He'd used her. He was making out she was the one who'd done running, she wanted him so badly and he didn't want her. She refused to accept this was it- what about the way he'd touched her? That wasn't a one night stand!

I'm too naive, she thought despairingly. I should have known this was all he wanted. He chewed me up, spat me out... it was just sex. I was romanticising it.. there was no love.

As the three Slytherins walked away, unbeknown to Hermione, Draco was also feeling the depths of despair. He had to put her behind him and accept it was just sex... true, it was wonderful, but at the end of the day it was only just that, and he couldn't see her again. His design had always been just to lay her, so why did he feel more? Why had he attached feelings to her that didn't exist? He'd slept with girls before and dumped them. Why was this any different?

Convincing himself it was for the best, for both of them, he pushed it to the back of his mind. "Had to be done," he whispered to himself.

"What?" Crabbe asked.

"Nothing," said Malfoy.