Chapter Twelve: Please Note

Last time:

She stood up quickly, walking rapidly over to him. The cat meowed in protest when he was yanked off Draco's lap.

"Well what'd you do that for?" Draco demanded, a gleam in his eye. "He was perfectly content there!"

Hermione fixed him with a hard glare, and said nothing.

"Frigid little bitch, aren't you?" Draco sneered. "What, jealous that your cat beat you there?"

Even from across the room, he could see the bright blush on her cheeks. "Sod off, Malfoy. You have no idea what you're talking about!"

Standing, he folded his arms across his chest. "So enlighten me," Draco challenged.

---

Hermione scoffed. "No thanks, I have better things to do than discuss this with you."

She began towards her room, when Draco stepped in front of her.

"I don't think so, Granger. I want an explanation…for all of this," he ordered, crossing his slender arms on his chest again.

"Fine. First off, what makes you think I would even think of touching you like that?"

"Maybe the fact that just a month or so ago, you were all over me?" Draco reminded her smugly.

Hermione rolled her eyes, stepping back. "I'll grant you that. But it's not like I was the only one. Takes two to tango, you know."

He sighed, smirking. "Yeah, too bad your friends had to interrupt that 'dance'. Tango's one of my favorites."

She glared at him. Inside, she felt the childish need to laugh. After getting to know him, she knew that comments like these served for two purposes. One, being to try and annoy the bugger out of her (and it was working). Two, because it was his twisted sense of humor.

"You're so sick, Malfoy!" she said instead. "If you want to know what I'm talking about, I suggest you stop that now."

Draco huffed, and gave her a look. "Whatever, Granger."

"Thank you, Malfoy."

"Well?"

"Well what?" Hermione asked irately.

"Aren't you going to enlighten me about what I don't know?"

She sighed. Smirking much like he did, she replied, "Maybe later." And with that, she waltzed off, a grin plastered on her face.

She knew he was still there, mouth hanging open. She knew he wasn't moving, still in shock.

But most of all…she knew she had him.

---

Draco woke up, two days later, still anticipating when Hermione would explain her strange behavior. Maybe he'd get to apologize.

Sitting, he noticed a piece of a raggedly torn parchment rolled on his nightstand.

Who in Merlin's name would send me a note? he wondered curiously, picking it up hesitantly.

Dear Malfoy,

Meet me in the Astronomy Tower at eleven o' clock tonight.

Don't even consider being late.

Hermione

Draco scoffed, but had to wonder why Hermione would want to meet him in the Astronomy Tower so late. They could just as well have a conversation in their rooms.

Folding up the note, he smirked. She would just have a cow if he came five minutes late.

He leisurely got up, and walked slowly over to his closet, containing the school uniform and robes.

Draco had just slipped on his best Slytherin robe, when his door opened a bit, with a ginger head poking through.

"Crookshanks," he said quietly, slipping over to the cat. Swiftly, he picked it up, and placed him on the bed.

His cat was perched tensely on the bed, and relaxed once she saw Crookshanks. Crookshanks curled up next to her, and they looked expectantly up at Draco.

He scowled. "I'm not feeding you until tonight, and you know that. Oh bugger, I'm talking to my own cat. What in Merlin's name has that mudblood done to me?"

Frowning, he swept out of his room majestically, pausing only at the exit.

By the sounds of it, Hermione was still bustling about in her room. Should he wait for her? The Great Hall was quite a hike from here…she would get awfully lonely…

Draco shook his head, scowling again. Stupid Granger.

He purposely walked quickly to breakfast, not stopping for anyone. Not even for Crabbe and Goyle, who were headed to the Kitchens, for an early snack.

Noting that he was fifteen minutes too early, and there was barely anyone there, he took out his quill, inkpot, and tore off some parchment.

Quickly, but neatly, Draco scribbled a response to Hermione, with the intentions of giving it to her either in class, or later tonight.

---

Hermione strode into the Great Hall five minutes late, keeping her head forward. By no means would she look at Draco.

Quietly taking her seat. She pursed her lips, refusing to look at Harry and Ron as well.

Even though Kyle had protested it, she refused to talk to the two gits. They had no right taking it out on him. If they were pissed off at her, it should have been brought to her attention, not his!

"Hermione," Harry said softly, nudging her.

Hermione swallowed, blinking. Don't answer him, don't answer him, don't answer him, she repeated over and over in her head.

"Hermione," he repeated, more loudly and desperately.

Biting her lip, Hermione looked up at Harry, eyes big and curious. "What?" she asked harshly.

Harry blinked back his surprise to her harsh tone. "Er, we'd like to apologize, Hermione."

She risked a glance at Ron. He was tense, shoveling food into his mouth at a rapid pace. His head was bowed, so she couldn't see his face. But she knew he was scowling.

"So would I, except I haven't much to apologize about, Potter," Hermione snapped, her eyes flashing.

Harry was definitely taken aback at her sharp tone, and the hateful use of his last name. Even Ron stopped eating, and snapped his head up to look at her.

Hermione felt a bit more confident, now that she had insulted them. Continuing, she said, "What I do is my business. I haven't asked the two of you who you two go about sleeping with. I expect it to go the same way."

"Well, Hermione, it isn't as though we knew you wanted to know. Much less that you have slept with someone. Slytherin, no less," Ron replied bitterly.

Hermione knew he was fighting back the anger for her sake. And she appreciated it. But she refused to let them off the hook. Let them think of some creative way to apologize for acting so terribly. Honestly, you would have thought she had slept with the Devil himself, rather than Kyle.

"I didn't want to know! I figured if I didn't ask you, you wouldn't ask me. It's a silent understanding. I knew you'd react like this! And you wonder why I haven't told anything!" Hermione hissed loudly, bolting up.

Grabbing a bagel, she stormed out of the Great Hall once more.

---

"She's right, you know," Harry whispered to Ron, watching the doors swing back and forth.

Ron said nothing, just shoved another egg into his mouth.

"Come on, Ron. We have to do something," Harry pleaded, finally tearing his gaze from the doors. "Hermione's our friend."

Ron still said nothing, just stared, red-faced, at his plate, clenching his fists. Finally he cleared his throat, and looked at Harry. "She kept it a secret, Harry. Didn't even hint around that she had done it!"

Harry chewed on a piece of bread, feeling guilty. "We never really did, either," he pointed out.

Furiously, Ron waved around a sausage, saying loudly, "But the fact of the matter is she knew. Bugger, I just can't believe she wouldn't trust us!"

"But, Ron…she knew you'd react like this!" he protested.

"Like what? I'm acting like 'this', because she didn't trust us enough to tell us!" Ron countered.

"No, Hermione didn't trust us. You want to know why, mate?" Harry asked, waiting for the go-ahead. "Because remember what we did when she admitted she liked Kyle a little bit?"

Ron fell silent, and had nothing else to say. Defeated, he inquired, "Fine…what exactly are we going to do about this?"

Harry tilted his head in thought. "I was thinking of writing her a note—from you, because it would mean more—and just be nice. Maybe even give her some flowers, like we used to. A good book, maybe?"

"Bloody hell, Harry! We didn't do anything that bad!" Ron exclaimed, jumping up.

Harry tugged him back down. "Well, we kind of did…"

---

Hermione looked curiously at the portrait, which had flowers sticking out.

Excitedly, the new portrait giggled. The little girl whirled around, stopping to look back at Hermione. "A very cute boy came by and put this here. Said it was for you!"

She had to wonder which 'very cute boy' would drop it off. Malfoy?

Hermione jerked back, furious that Malfoy was the first cute boy to come to her head. Determinedly, she ticked through 'cute boys' who would send her them. Kyle? Harry? Ron?

"Who was it?" she demanded, unable to contain her curiosity.

The girl in the pink frilly robe giggled again. "Told me not to say. Said you should know by his handwriting."

"Handwriting?" Hermione asked, puzzled. Searching for a card, she grabbed the flowers.

Sure enough, a card fell out. The only thing scribbled on the note was:

I'm sorry.

Hermione sighed, frustrated. That didn't narrow it down at all! All four of them could be sorry!

Malfoy for being an arse, and spilling the beans. Kyle, because he was a sweetheart, and would apologize for anything that upset her. Harry and Ron for being even bigger arses, and overreacting.

Looking again at the untidy scribble, she ruled out Draco, because his writing was neat, and proper. Like a snotty little rich kid's writing should be.

Hermione growled, and murmured the password.

Stepping into the familiar common room, she noticed Draco sprawled on a sofa, reading a book.

"Malfoy," she said simply.

Draco turned, grinning. "Well, if it isn't my favorite Gryffindor?" he said sarcastically.

Returning the favor, Hermione retorted, "Well, if it isn't my favorite Slytherin?"

"Really?" Draco asked, pretending to sound excited. "I always thought Thompson would be at a place higher than myself…"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I'm going to study for Charms. If you could please get me when it's time for class…" she trailed off, looking expectantly at Draco.

He smirked. "Only if you give me a kiss," Draco taunted.

She sighed, knowing that he was only joking. Well, she hoped he was…

Turning to leave, she blew him an exaggerated kiss, and walked toward her room. Just as the door was closing, his hand shot out, stopping it. Leaning against the frame, he crossed his arms once again.

"What, you thought I was kidding?" he demanded.

Hermione looked up, her gaze locked with his. "Of course," she replied smugly. "What, you thought I would actually kiss you?"

Draco scowled.

"Fine, but just a peck. I mean, Merlin forbid that the almighty God was upset," Hermione stated dramatically.

Crossing over to him, she fully intended on just giving him a peck on the cheek. It was fairly obvious that wasn't what Draco was going for.

He turned his head just in time to catch her lips. Shocked, Hermione just stood there, her mouth pressed lightly against his.

Taking advantage of her hesitation, Draco gripped her waist firmly, pulling her into a real kiss, like the ones they shared before.

She was definitely caught off guard, and let herself sink into the delightful little sin. Hermione never realized how much she missed this…his primal need for her. Her response.

Finally coming to her senses, Hermione pulled back roughly, and kicking his shin. She knew by now he always expected a slap, and would be waiting to catch her tiny wrist.

"How dare you," she hissed, glaring daggers at Draco. "After all of this…completely ruining my life for weeks…!"

"Always had a flair for the dramatics, didn't you, Granger?" Draco sneered.

---

Draco fought back at grin at Hermione huffing.

All he had wanted to know was if the previous events had killed any of the 'feelings' in their 'relationship'. By the feel of it, and how long it took her struggle, Draco had to say it was still there, going strong. Maybe even stronger, due to the absences.

What was that idiotic muggle phrase again? Oh yes. 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder'.

"Get out of my room, Malfoy!" Hermione shrieked, panting. "Just get out!"

Obligingly, Draco left her dorm. He had completely forgotten all about his response to her note in all the excitement.

---

Hermione was fuming, and stalking through the halls, looking for a way to calm down.

Draco, thinking he could do whatever he damn well pleased with her! How dare he? Who did he think he was?

She turned a corner, and ran right into Ricky Jackson, the comedian of Slytherin.

"Oh, sorry, Granger," he said distractedly, running his hands along the wall. "I'll be going now…"

Hermione looked at him suspiciously, and just a little disturbed that he was feeling up walls. "Erm, looking for something?" she asked against her better judgement.

Ricky shook his head, still running his fingers along the wall in different places. "No, I'm alright, thanks. Bye."

She watched, a little worried for his sanity, as he sped up with the process, turning the corner she had just been at.

Whatever he was looking for, she had a feeling he wouldn't find it. Curiously, she peaked back and surpressed a giggle, watching Ricky run his hands against the wall, seeming more intimate now that she was gone.

"Come on…where is it?" he hissed loud enough for Hermione to hear.

She looked astounded, when he laughed triumphantly, and stepped through the wall, already tugging down his trousers.

Hermione walked away quickly, feeling scarred for life.

She felt someone touch her elbow, and she whirled around. "Ron?" she asked quietly, looking at her friend.

He grinned sheepishly, brushing back his flaming hair. "Yeah…Hermione, I know I've been a git, and, well…I'm sorry. I know," he added quickly, seeing her look, "that you aren't going to let it go that easily. So that note and surprise in your frame…it was from me. Harry got the flowers, I wrote the note."

"Who put it there?"

"Erm, me…" Ron answered, looking nervous. "Why…?"

Hermione tried her best not to look joyful, but she laughed, covering her mouth. "The portrait thinks you're cute," she managed to gasp out.

Ron flushed, and ducked his head. "Great, a portrait wants me," he grumbled. "Alert the Daily Prophet."

"Yeah…"

He looked up. "Are things…ok, between us?" he asked apprehensively.

Hermione looked at him, and his distressed, upset, and worried face. She didn't have the heart to tell him no. She bit her lip, all of her game plans flying out the window. "I s'pose," she said finally. "I'm still not happy about it, but what can you do? You two are my best friends, and…" she trailed off.

Ron nodded, looking like she had just given him all the Galleons in the world. "Great. I'll tell Harry…aw, Hermione, he'll be so happy!"

She wiped her eyes, which were growing moist. "Ok," she croaked, watching him bound off.

Hermione wandered a little more, thoughts of the year running through her head. It wasn't even December yet, and she felt like the entire year had passed by. She was exhausted.

---

Draco glanced at the clock, and saw it was 10:49.

He threw on his Invisibility Cloak, and opened the portrait leading to the halls. Sneaking out swiftly, he glanced around, seeing no one.

Satisfied that he was ok, he bounded away from the rooms, towards the Astronomy Tower.

Draco paused, waiting only until Mrs. Norris was finally gone, and continued. He couldn't help but glance into the dark Library, wondrous at how long it had been since he'd stepped into it for educational purposes.

Tilting his head, Draco mentally wondered how long ago it had been since Hermione had stepped foot in there for educational purposes as well. Probably about the same day that Draco had last been in there.

The day they almost had sex.

He finally reached the steps to the tower, and eagerly climbed up them, wondering what Hermione was going to say to him.

Draco eased the large door shut, glancing about the room. She was nowhere to be found, and Draco was pleased he had beat her there.

He whipped around on his head when he heard the door creak open, a shadow looking about tentatively.

Just to be prepared, Draco reflexively gripped his wand.

---

"Albus…" Minerva began, in a warning tone. "I don't think it's right for us to watch this."

Sighing, Albus nodded. "Of course not. I just wanted to make sure it was who I thought it was. And indeed, I don't think we should watch this."

Severus cleared his throat, and looked up questioningly at Dumbledore. "May I, Headmaster?" he asked, holding the Pensieve.

"Of course, Severus."

Nodding, Professor Snape gripped the bowl, and carried it over to its rightful place. "I don't think we should use this to spy anytime soon."

A/N: Yeah, yeah… I'm finally reposting these chapters. For some ungodly reason, ff.net took it down, along with my authors note chapter. So that totally messed up my whole thing. My review thing is completely off. But just in case something else happens, I am saving all of my reviews. Lol, thanks for being so patient. This is for any newbies!!