Hermione wound a ringlet tightly around her little finger as she mindlessly scanned the book before her. She wasn't even sure of what it was called, and she most certainly was not taking in the words before her.

Time was she could retreat to the library to clear her head and make sense of things, but it seemed that not even her favourite hiding spot could make her forget the ache that had developed inside of her since Ron and Harry had left only two days ago.

Her put her elbows on the desk and rested her head in her hands, letting out a small sigh as images of her new-found beau filled her head. She had always felt something special for Ron, but until his lips had been pressed against hers she had not realised it was attraction. Now she felt silly for not realising it before; the sweet looks they shared, the passion when they fought, the tingle she felt when he brushed past her not to mention the whole Yule ball incident.

Now she had him in her sights and he had to leave for three weeks "For god's sake Hermione, pull yourself together," She said quietly to herself "He'll be back before you know it…"

She turned her head, and stared out of the window at the stars, remembering how hard it was to say goodbye.

Her goodbye to Harry had been short and sweet, a hug, words of good luck and a promise to write. But after they left the lake hand in hand, Ron's goodbye had been a desperate declaration of longing, and he had openly kissed her before the entire quiddich team. She couldn't help but swoon as she remembered his sad departure.

"I'll write as soon as possible," He said sadly; Harry was practically pulling at his arm to tear him away from Hermione.

"C'mon Ron, we've got to go!" Harry said giving Hermione an apologetic look.

"Hurry up Weasley!" Angelina shouted, packing the last of the brooms into the back of a large carriage. The team were all waiting outside of the door for Ron and Harry to join them "We don't want to be late."

"I'm coming!" He snapped, but didn't move. His eyes were firmly fixed on the girl before him. She seemed much smaller than he remembered, yet her eyes shone with a fire that ignited his senses "'Mione, I know that we've already talked about this and that… we've only just…and it would be silly to…but…" He pulled her away from the prying ears of his team-mates "where do we stand? Honestly"

"I don't know Ron." she said sadly "I mean we're not exactly…" She paused, unsure of what to say "…but then we're not exactly not are we." She took a deep breath to collect her thoughts "we decided to keep things as they are, I think it's for the best. We need to be mature about this Ron."

"Yeah…mature…" they spent a while in silence, both unsure of what to say.

"You…you have to go." Hermione said with a sad smile, smoothing out her skirt nervously. He couldn't take it, she just looked so damn perfect that he had to kiss her just once more.

There was a moment in time as they stared into each others eyes and it seemed the rest of the world had melted away before Harry began shouting at him "Ron! C'mon now! You two are getting a little scary."

He rested his forehead on hers "Go Ron, go and win that damn cup." She said firmly "Good luck,"

He kissed her again softly this time, and then allowed Harry to drag him off "What was that all about?" Harry said under his breath, but Ron just smiled and disappeared into the carriage, not to be seen again for three whole weeks.

She shook her head sharply and refused to let her emotions get the better of her again. She had another three chapters of her book to pretend to read before she could allow herself to sink into the brief memories of Ron's touches.

She took a few notes from the page she was reading thought she had no idea exactly what it was she was writing down. She sighed and put her quill down, her attention distracted by a flapping sound at the window.

She saw a large majestic looking black owl tapping on the glass, with a roll of parchment tied to it's leg. She quickly stood up and opened the window, allowing the bird to soar around the ceiling for a few moments before landing gracefully on the table before her.

"Hello there…" She said in patronizing voice "Do you have something for me? Is it from Ron?" The owl hooted in return, causing Madam Pince to hurry over, whispering incoherently about animals in the library.

"Sorry," Hermione said stroking the owl gently as she removed the letter, excited at getting the prospect of news from Ron so soon. Madam Pince shook her head and disappeared back to her desk.

The owl nuzzled her hand and she unravelled the parchment and padded around a little, it was obviously waiting for a reply.

Granger

I need to speak to you. ASAP. It's very very important. Can you meet me in by the third painting after Snape's office in ten minutes? It's the only place we can be sure not to be overheard. Send your answer back with Thor.

Malfoy

p.s. make sure you're not wearing your Gryffindor robes, you wont want to draw attention to yourself…

She quickly re-read the letter before deciding that if Malfoy were writing to her it must be important. She pulled a piece of parchment out of her bag and wrote back in her neat, loopy handwriting;

Draco

I'll be there.

H. Granger

She neatly tied the reply to the leg of the owl and watched as it soared out of the window, which she quickly closed to stop the evening draft. She picked her bag up off the table and headed towards the door muttering an apology to the librarian as she disappeared into the corridor.

Her disappointment at not hearing from Ron was at the back of her mind as she wondered what Malfoy wanted to see her for.

"Hmpf…probably wants to inform me of my impending doom again…." She said under her breath as she began to make her way down the stairs that would lead to the entrance hall.

She was almost on the ground floor when she bumped into small group of Slytherin third years, who all immediately started throwing her filthy looks and whispering nasty things to one another.

"What?" one of them asked in shrill annoying voice "He wouldn't!"

"I know he's changed, and everyone's saying that he's gone soft…..but a Gryffindor?" a particularly unattractive blonde added with a venomous tone.

"If you continue to loiter, I will take house points away from you…" Hermione said sharply, briskly passing by them.

The ground floor was unusually empty for early evening, which made her a little uncomfortable as she walked towards the dungeons. She clutched her bag tightly to her side and sank into the shadows that littered the dungeon hall. She passed the potions master's room and stepped quietly towards the silhouette that leant against the wall near to a large painting.

"You're early," He drawled looking down at her with a small grin "I thought as much." He stepped into the dim candle light, his sharp features eloquently highlighted.

"Well?" She asked raising an eyebrow quizzically.

"We can't talk out here." He whispered something inaudible and the portrait behind him swung open revealing a dark passageway "Follow me…."

"into the mouth of hell…" She whispered under her breath and took her first step into her decent.