Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of its characters, but I do own this story and any new characters I add to it.

Author's Note: Thanks everybody for reviewing. I really didn't think this fic would do very good being my first one. I'm glad you all like it ^_^.

Chapter 4

Hermione lay awake late at night alone in her room. It had been 2 days since her encounter with Draco Malfoy. As far as she knew, no one knew about it but Ron, Draco, and herself. No one had stopped her i nthe hall to call her a slut so she was pretty sure no one else knew. Ron had ignored her, Harry, and Ginny altogether. For the past 2 days, Hermione had found herself alone most of the time.
Any other time that would've been just fine. Right now it only gave her more time to think about the incident 2 days prior. She had come to terms with how enjoyable the kiss was excluding the beginning and the end. That really wasn't what troubled her. It was how on earth it had ever become enjoyable that she wondered about. It was obvious that he'd meant it to be brutal and only for show. She was sure that the only reaction Draco had wanted and planned to get was Ron's. But it had become more...
War was the word in her mind, but a different kind than had raged between them for the past 7 years. Not on of strength, wit, or even wills. Could she even name it? Describe it at all? Hermione sighed once again looking to window for consolance. The lazy snowfall outside again contrasted with calm her raging mind. Finally, Hermione rose from bed, pulled on her robe, stepped into her slippers, and went to the common room. From there she went out into the hall.
She didn't even worry about Filch. Her never bothered her because even when out late she enver caused trouble. Hermione walked down the dark, silent hall, made a few turns, and stopped at the potrait leading to the Ravenclaw tower. She roused the gaurding painting, gave him the password which was given to her by who she was going to see, and proceeded inside. Cho Chang sat in a chiar before the fire surrounded by books. She glanced up, startled, and looked to Hermione confused. Most the Ravenclaws were used to seeing Hermione in the common room, but not so late at night.
"Where's Zane?" Hermione asked.
"In bed," Cho replied. "Why are you out so late?"
"Is he alone?"
"Amazingly, yes. Why are you out so late?" Cho repeated.
"I need to talk to him."
Cho shrugged and waved her to Zane Martin's Head Boy room. Hermione stepped to the door and stopped for a moment. She'd never been in his room before. She and Zane had grown close having to work together being Head Boy and Girl. She'd gone to him in many times of need, but their meetings had always been at lunch or breaks. They's gone to Hogsmead together many times. Yet somehow going into his room to talk seemed way different. It wasn't even the alone part of it. They'd been alone before in the Gryffindor or Ravenclaw common rooms or even at a table in the 3 Broomsticks. It was the "his room" and the "late at night" that made her hesitate.
"Don't knock," Cho said not looking up from her books. "He won't hear you."
After taking a few deep breaths, Hermione opened the door and stepped in. She shut the door behind her. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the sudden dark. She saw him sprawled in the middled of the bed with the covers about his twisted about his waist. Hermione smiled a little. She moved to the side of his bed and debated for a second on how to wake him. Jerking away the covers always worked for Ron, but she wasn't sure if Zane had anything on beneath his covers. A good shout would always bring Harry up, but she didn't want to wake anyone else. She settled with a little shake.
"Zane," she said softly.
"Hmm... Huh? Hermione?" Zane sat up sleepy and now confused. "Lord, girl, what time is it?"
"It's probably around 2 a.m.," Hermione said. "I... I need to talk to you."
"Must be urgent," Zane yawned running his fingers through his dark hair which stuck out in every way.
"Well... not really," Hermione sat on the edge of his bed.
Zane looked very hard at her. He was very aware of how nervous she was, and it was very obvious to him why. Zane knew how shy Hermione was about things like this, being alone in a boy's room late at night. She'd never had a boyfriend, though she could have easily had many. He was a guy himself, he saw how pretty she was with her long, full hair, bushy as it was, soft, ungaurded eyes, and easy smile. His opinion was that every guy in Hogwarts was lucky that Hermione Granger wasn't even aware of her appeal let alone aware of how to use it. He was wide awake by now.
"So what's up?" he asked.
"I... I did something," Hermione wrung her hands not looking at him. "I... someone kissed me in front of Ron that we don't like - "
"Draco you mean," Zane filled in for her and Hermione flinched.
"Yes," she went on slowly, carefully. "And I kissed him back."
"And now Ron won't speak to you?"
"Yes, but that's not the problem," she sighed. "The kiss... It wasn't supposed to go how it did. He... he meant to hurt me, to scare me and make Ron mad. But... it changed and... and I... I..." she couldn't go on.
"You liked it?" Zane said with a gentle smile. "Hermione, it's ok," he ducked his head to look into her eyes. "It is."
"But it's not!" Hermione wailed. "Draco's horrible! We've hated him since we were 1st years!" the tears finally came. "He's evil! His father's a death eater!"
"But he's now," Zane caught her shoulders. "Did you ever think that maybe all his being evil is just an act? A way to look tough? Have you ever even thought about how awful it might be to live in a world like his? Maybe he just needs a chance to show someone who he really is."
Hermione wiped her eyes nodding slight. Zane opened his arms to her with a soft smile. She leaned hesitantly into his embrace, but was glad she did the moment his strong arms came around her. A chance... Yes, she'd give Draco a chance. But he'd have to come to her for that chance.