Disclaimer: As much as I want to own the characters, I don't. J.K Rowling does! *sigh*

A/N: Thanks to those who reviewed!

Chapter Six

The week passed by in a bliss with no suicide attempt from Hermione. They were loaded with homework and tests but Hermione didn't seem to care. They both agreed on keeping their relationship a secret. Even Harry and Ron didn't know. In Hermione's opinion, it was more fun that way. Draco knew he was asking for trouble when he kissed Hermione, especially now that he had decided not to become a Death Eater like his father.

It was Saturday afternoon and he was going to accompany Hermione to Hogsmeade. He always hated going there because Pansy always tagged along, but now, he could hardly wait! He knew that Hermione's birthday was close and he wanted to give her a special present. They met in the entrance of the Great Hall and walked towards the train headed for Hogsmeade. They talked a lot on the way there and Draco told her about not wanting to be a death eater and his plans. He never told anyone plans but he felt good opening up to Hermione.

"Mione?" Draco called when they reached Hogsmeade.

"Yeah?" she answered

"Would you mind much if I went around alone for a while?" he asked

Hermione gave him a puzzled look. "Ok. Just meet me in the bookshop in an hour?" she asked.

"Sure. I'll see you then." He said and kissed her.

Hermione spent the entire hour in the bookshop. She purchased a book then waited for Draco. He appeared shortly after with a small paper bag at hand.

"I want to take you to this café for butterbeer I saw awhile ago. It's called the Three Witches Café." Draco said.

"Isn't that the classy café on Elm Street?" Hermione asked. He nodded.

"But Draco, it's too- -" she was going to say expensive but she remembered she was with Draco Malfoy. She smiled and he gave her a puzzled look.

"Never mind. Let's go." Hermione said.

As they walked they talked and looked at some shops. They came laughing out of one because the lady tried to sell them used candles.

"Who in their right mind would buy used candles?" Draco asked still trying to catch his breath.

"I can't believe she tried to persuade us that they were unused! You could clearly see that the wicks were black!" Hermione replied still panting from their laughing fit.

They reached the café. There were a lot of people waiting to be seated but when the owner found out Draco was a Malfoy, he quickly lead them to a table, receiving glares from the people ahead of them. Hermione smiled meekly at them as Draco glared back. They talked and ordered butterbeer. The café was gorgeous. Although the sun was still up, it gave the illusion of a dimly lit room complete with an orchestra playing all day long. The candles were bewitched to float above them.

They talked some more and Hermione told Draco about her fear of heights and other more serious things like her mother's death. Draco held her hand when she was telling him this. He wished he had been there to comfort her. Draco, in turn told her about how it was to live the life of a Malfoy, his parents' situation and about his mother. She squeezed his hand to comfort him. They talked about a lot of other things like school and teachers. After a while they stood up and headed for Hogwarts.

***

They were seated in Hermione's common room when she stood up and announced that she was going to the library.

"Are you working on the Potions paper?" Draco asked her

"Nope. I finished that two days ago! I'm working on the Transfiguration paper." She said as she gathered the things that she would need to bring to the library on her desk.

"But that's not due till next week!" He said. He stood up and walked over to her.

"I know… but still!" she replied. He grinned and kissed her.

"Get away from me Malfoy!" she said playfully pushing Draco aside.

"In your dreams Granger!" He replied, kissing her again.

"I really have to go and work now. It's almost dinner!" she said heading for the doorway.

He watched her retreating back then stood up and headed for the Slytherin common room. He settled himself on a couch in front of the fireplace and was in deep thought when he felt something or someone on his lap. He groaned in frustration when he found out it was Pansy.

"What do you want Parkinson?" he sneered.

"Draco. Honey. Where were you? I wanted to take you to Hogsmeade!" she purred.

"None of your goddamn business." Draco replied coldly. "Get the hell of me."

Instead of getting up, Pansy kissed Draco. He felt sick and pushed her away in disgust.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" Draco screamed at Pansy.

"The question is what the hell is wrong with you Malfoy? You're not the same anymore. You changed" she snarled.

"It has nothing to do with you so leave me the fuck alone." He snapped and walked up to his dormitory.

"YOUR FATHER WILL HEAR ABOUT THIS! YOU HEAR ME DRACO?" Pansy screamed as a last attempt to get his attention.

He calmly walked back down to the common room till his face was a few inches away from Pansy's.

"If you tell him anything, I swear to god I am going to KILL you" he hissed.

"Is that a threat I hear Draco? I'm not the one in love with a mud blood" she replied innocently, too innocently for his liking.

"I am not in love with her! get that through your thick head" he said coldly.

Somehow Draco didn't believe what he said. Neither did Pansy.

"Prove It!" Pansy commanded as she stormed out of the common room.

"Shit" Malfoy whispered.