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A/N: Finally!!!!! Chapter 4! Sorry about the wait, but this is my first opportunity to get it to you all. I hope you liked the last chapter. I got heaps of reviews from you all so thanks heaps for that. Anyway…on with the show…or the story…whatever. Oh…& Draco's character might not be exactly the same as it is in the book but it would be impossible to write this story unless I changed it…so sorry about that.

Chapter 4

The train finally pulled up to the station about half an hour's drive from the cabin, and Hermione dreaded the moment when she had to get off. Apologising to Malfoy was definitely not something she would relish doing. In fact, she'd rather have detention for a month with Professor Snape than say sorry to the spoiled, egotistical, arrogant snob that was Hogwarts' future head boy.

"Come on Hermione dear, or the train will go with you still on it. And that would be a terrible thing to happen." Elspeth Granger bustled into Hermione's cabin and started fussing over her –straightening the straps of her top, pushing her hair off her face and generally annoying Hermione.

"I'm coming Mum, I'm coming. Let's just get off this train before I die of claustrophobia."

Picking up her bag and following her mother off the train, Hermione took a deep breath and wondered if she'd ever be able to sleep on a train again without remembering the night she'd spent in Dra- Malfoy's arms. "I hope so," she whispered to herself.

"What's that dear?" Her mother questioned her.

"Oh, nothing Mum, just talking to myself."

"Talking to yourself, Granger? First sign of madness, you know."

Hermione stiffened and turned around to face the owner of the voice. "Good morning Malfoy. Manage to insult anyone else yet? Or did you save your first insult of the day for lil' ole me? I'm touched – really I am."

"As you should be, as you should be. But perhaps I should wait until we reach your little cabin to give you another one, or else our dear mothers will leave us behind." Draco motioned to the two women, who had fetched a taxi, loaded their luggage into it, and were indeed in the process of getting inside it.

"Wait… Draco…There's something I have to know…"

"Well what is it? Come on…I don't fancy walking all the way there."

"Last night…why didn't you tell me that you were in bed with me to warm me up? All I can remember is being freezing, then warm, and then screaming at you for taking advantage of me. And…well…I just wanted to know…why did you do it? And why didn't you tell me this morning?"

"Well, it wasn't really something I thought about. You were absolutely freezing, and it seemed like the quickest way to get you warm was to jump in with you. As for not telling you…my reputation would have been ruined." Here Draco's mouth twisted in a harsh smile. " Can't you just imagine what people would say? Draco Malfoy in bed with a mudblood. I'd be humiliated."

At the word mudblood Hermione stepped back, shaken. So much for apologising. He can't have just said it, not after his tenderness last night. No. She hated that word. It made her feel incompetent and inferior. As if she wasn't worthy enough to stand in the presence of 'The Great Draco Malfoy'. Huh. As if. Despite the fact that tears were welling up in her eyes, she lifted her head high –and her hand- and did something she'd wanted to do since she had done it in third year. She slapped him hard straight across his smug aristocratic face.

Then she smiled radiantly at him. "Anytime you feel like another handprint on your other cheek to match that one, feel free to use that word again." Despite the fact that she was sure her voice wobbled halfway through her small speech, Hermione felt a lot better having wiped the twisted smile off his face.

Draco stared as Hermione strode towards the car where their mothers' waited. Well hell. He hadn't known that she hated the word that much. Sure, it was a pretty bad insult. But he'd said it countless times since they started at Hogwarts.

You fool. It's not just the word that riled her this time. You did something nice for her last night –for the first time in your life you did something for someone else. And she figured it out. Is that what pissed you off? The fact that she caught you out? You do realise she was probably going to say sorry to you for yelling at you last night? What else could she have been leading up to? And you insulted her with the worst possible slur you could have thought of in a month of Sundays. So she slapped you. I'm not surprised really. You deserved it. I only hope you get to figuring out the real reason for your sudden pleasantness before it's too late. Oh…and if I were you –which I am technically- I'd apologise to her before she realises what a complete jerk you are.

Getting lectured by a little voice in his head was not one of Draco's favourite pastimes. In fact, it made him wonder just who was displaying the first signs of madness. Rubbing his cheek softly, he gathered up his bag and headed for the car, only to find that the only spare seat was next Hermione. A very upset and angry looking Hermione. Even though she had the remnants of tears streaming down her face, her lips were set in a stubborn line, and her arms were folded tightly across her chest. Her lusciously curved, enticing chest. Draco groaned to himself as he realised that sitting next to Hermione would entail pressing his side up against hers. Which was liable to make his present state worse. And annoy Hermione even more.

As Draco climbed into the cab, Hermione looked up at him. Gritting her teeth and lowering her voice so that no one else in the car could here her, she lay down the rules for the trip.

"Okay, here's the deal. Our mothers' think that sitting next to each other will help us get along. But so help me God if you intentionally touch me during this trip I swear I'll give you marks to match that one," here she gestured to his cheek, "in places that'll make it impossible for you to sit down for a month."

Matching is voice tone and pitch to hers, Draco replied to Hermione before he could even censor the words that leapt out of his mouth. "Hermione dear. You never told me you were so kinky. You should have, you know. We could have such fun."

The cheap remark earned him a scowl as black as thunder and a retort including such language that he wondered whether his initial judgement of Hermione as a goody-two-shoes was correct.

Either way it's going to be a long journey, boyo. And I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for Hermione to forgive you either. Another ice age is likely to occur before that happens.

A/N: Well I'm not sure if I like that chapter so I might change it…we'll see how it goes. Review and tell me what you think.