Keeping up with all of her classes and N.E.W.T. studies was considerably overloading for Hermione. She had never worked this hard since her 3rd year when she had taken all those strenuous classes. She sat at her table with her books lain out in front of her... five or six stacks of paper set neatly on the side separated my paper clips. Her quill made an annoying scratchy noise along the piece of parchment. She had written about a foot long... and was not nearly done.

Draco sat comfortably on the couch... reading a chapter out of a book Hermione had lent him. It was apparently a very good book and she had pushed it into his hands demanding that he should read it. She always did that to him... suggest books or get heated up in a political argument... or perhaps the House Elf situation.

He looked back to his book and began to read the next sentence... but something kept on getting in the way...

::scratch:: ::scratch::

He looked over to where the noise was coming from. Hermione's hand ran across the parchment with increasing speed and the quill moved up and down. He looked back down at the book.

::scratch:: ::scratch:: ::scratch::

Draco closed the book marking his place and annoyed he sighed. He looked to her, who hadn't noticed how exasperated and annoyed Draco sounded, and she kept writing.

"Granger.... easy on the quill... really. That paper is due in 2 weeks..."

"Well when you are procrastinating... I'll be having a Pumpking Juice and relaxing." Hermione said in a matter-of-fact like tone.

Draco rolled his eyes and reopened the book. He scanned the page to where he was left off...

::scratch:: ::scratch:: ::scratch::

"Granger I've been reading the same sentence over again for 15 minute...."

"Then go to another room...."

::I'm not budging... she can't make me leave:: Draco thought annoyingly. For the 1 millionth time he reopened the book and looked for the sentence. He knew where it was by now... he had looked for it before.

::scratch:: ::scratch:: ::scratch::

Draco couldn't take it. He closed the book and slammed it on the table. He swiftly walked over to her table and snatched the quill out of her hands.

"What is that for!!"

"So you can stop..."

"I need to write my paper."

"Write it somewhere else or don't write it at all."

"I can do whatever I please Draco Malfoy... I live here too."

He took the quill and snapped it in half with one hand. Hermione's jaw dropped. It had been a month and a half since that night they had had the fight. Hermione was able to stop tutoring Blaise after Draco had told the Headmaster what he was doing. Hermione had been reluctant to do it.... she was embarassed and thought she could take care of it on her own... but Draco had insisted knowing her stubborn attitude. He was now getting counseling. Draco laughed as he thought of Blaise Zabini getting counseled.

It was now around November... the air had gotten even more chilly than it had been unusually in September. Kids were now starting to countdown to Christmas break...

"That... was uncalled for you prat."

"I get that a lot."

"Arghh"

Draco threw the broken quill away into the dustbin and sat back down on the couch. He reopened the book and finally began to progress in the story... until he sensed a pair of eyes on him. Without looking up...

"Yes Granger, I am extremely sexy... but I'm trying to read so could you please go upstairs and dream about me and not make it so obvious down here."

He looked up to Hermione. Her arms were crossed over her chest and she looked very angry.

"Sit here..."

"What?"

"SIT here.... I want to talk to you."

Hermione reluctantly got up from her seat and sat down at the other end of the sofa.

"What do you want?" She said after a few moments of silence.

Draco put down the book and looked her in the eye.

"Let's play a game shall we?"

"A game?"

"Yes. I ask you a question and you must answer it. We can alternate."

"Okay..."

"Favorite color?"

"Pink"

"Typical"

"Okay my turn... what is your favorite color"

"Green"

"Typical" Hermione replied.

"Lowest grade Ms. Granger"

"I missed a point once in a Potion's assignment. I think Snape had a bit too much fun. I got the point back by talking to Professor McGonagoll. I told her it was unfair and that I indeed did have the correct answer."

"Picky... Alright first kiss?"

The question hit Hermione... why was he asking this?

"You just asked a question, it's my turn"

"No the rules just changed."

"You can't just do that...!!"

"I just did. So first kiss... who was it?"

Hermione looked to her feet that she had curled up onto the sofa.

"It was me wasn't it??" Draco said as a wide grin appeared on his face. "Well yes... I actually thought it would be Seamus."

Draco began to inch to the right... getting closer to Hermione... she noticed this and tried to inch away but she was already at the end of the sofa.

"How about we have another one."

"How about NO"

"You can't refuse it."

"I just did"

::She doesn't sound too confident:: Draco thought.

He lifted his hand and caressed her cheek. Leaning in, he captured her lips lightly. Gently he carressed his with hers and slid her down so that she was laying on her back on the sofa. He deepened the kiss and Hermione responded intently. He broke off the kisses and began to trail down her jawline... kissing her lips was not enough to taste her. He trailed down to her neck and placed soft kisses. He designed the kiss so that they were in a D form soon traveling to her weak spot... underneath her ear. Stopping just beneath, he nipped at her ear and kissed it just beneath the ear lobe.

"Malfoy?"

"Hmmm." He was a bit busy to be talking

"I have a quesiton... "

"Not now I'm busy." He said simply as he mumbled into her hair while kissing her beneath her ear.

Hermione pulled him away. Draco was now annoyed... ::Perfectly good time and she pulls me away now::

"What Granger?" he said annoyingly

"Well don't you feel uncomfortable doing something like this... kissing me?" She said uneasily

"No not really..." he bent back down to continue on until she pulled him back again.

"Well... I feel uncomfortable?"

Draco sat back up and as he sighed in defeat. She really was impossible.

"Granger... sometimes I can't stand you."

"Well it's same both ways Malfoy, trust me."

Hermione and Draco sat in silence for a few more seconds. Hermione looked to her paper wondering if she should get up from where she was sitting and finish her work. She looked at her book and then looked back to Draco. He was deep in thought, pinching his lips between his two fingers and staring out into space. Hermione took in a deep breath before speaking again...

"Tell me about your family Malfoy."

Taken aback, Draco widened his eyes slightly and looked to Hermione. He put up a front automatically.

"What about my family?" he said abruptly.

"Well your family is just so mysterious.. I just wanted to know."

"It's none of your business what my family is like and plus why should I tell you when you are in cahoots with that scar head... who is probably out to get me mind you...!"

"Well if you knew me at all... which you don't... then you would know that I don't snoop in places that don't need to be snooped in."

Draco began to remember the first night in the new common room and smiled to himself...

"My family is not that interesting Granger."

"Well if you tell me about yours, I'll tell you about mine."

"Fine, I have a mother and father... just like everyone else. And I'm an only child. There happy?"

"Well... what is your mother and father like? What is it like being an only child? Maybe that's why you're so spoiled" Hermione laughed.

He liked her laugh... but just not when it was directed to him. He picked up a cushion and hit her hard in the face.

"I'm not spoiled!"

"Yes, you really are Malfoy. Okay sorry go on."

"There is nothing else to say!"

"Well... what does your father work as?" Hermione knew this answer but wanted to hear what Draco had to say.

"He... well I think you know what he is Granger... even you aren't that dimwitted."

"You're right... I do know. So then what does your mother do?"

"She's my mother..."

"Why did your mother and father fall in love?"

"What is with all these questions?"

"I'm just asking! Plus, you can ask as many after I'm done."

"She's not what she seems like. People think she's some stuck up woman who only married my father for his money.... which frankly could be half true.... but she cares about us. And she does love my father."

"What is she like to you?"

"What every mother is like to her only son Granger" Draco said annoyed.

"What about your father? What is he like to you"

"Granger... I really don't want to go there."

"Well why not? Is it that bad?"

"All my father wants is for me to be a death eater... so that he can get inside information to Hogwarts. Basically he uses me for his own duties... otherwise he dies." Draco said in a rush... he really wanted to avoid this.

"Oh... do you want to do this?"

"NO I don't want to do this Granger, what do you think of me??"

"When do you see your parents next?"

"Summer." Said Draco blandly.

"Why not Christmas break?"

"My father has some... business... to take care of"

"Well... would you like to visit my house... just for a few days. Two or maybe three?"

Draco sat up from Hermione and looked at her awestruck.

"Me? At your house?"

"Yes..."

"Why?"

"Well you have no where else to go. You might be bored."

"And what is your family like exactly?"

"Well, I'm an only child as well."

"And you said I was spoiled?"

"Well I have responsibilities at home... you don't!"

"And you are the only witch?"

"Yes..."

"That would be just too weird. Me? Stay at a Mud- muggleborns home? With muggles walking around... muggle things, muggle artifacts, muggles themselves?"

"Well it's not really that bad..." Hermione said as she looked at him with disgust.

"Well.... No I don't want to go."

"Oh, I see how it is."

She got up from the sofa and began to walk for the staircase until a hand grabbed her by her jumper and pulled her back down.

"I didn't mean it like that."

"Then how?"

"I would feel uncomfortable... it's somewhere where I have never been. And meeting your parents... isn't that a big commitment? We aren't even... together."

"No I can just say you are my friend... and you are right?"

"...yes..." Draco choked in... The words seemed foreign.

::I'm her friend? Wow Malfoy... you really have changed::

"I mean no..."

"What?"

"No I mean yes"

"What do you mean?"

"Yes... I mean yes. I think"

"I just want you to meet them."

Draco gulped and decided that he had no way out of it. This is what happened when you got involved with a girl who actually had morals and did not have sex.

"I can't... "

"Hmm... well It's alright I guess. The offer is still up come Christmas break."

"What are your parents like?"

"Both are dentists... those are..."

"I know what they are Granger, I'm not that stupid."

Hermione let out a long sigh

"Well... I must get a new quill since my other one was completely snapped in half... for no apparent reason. And you can sit here and listen to the scratching... but you can't stop me"

As Hermione went up the staircase to get a new quill... Draco watched as she left.

::What would it be like to stay at her house?::

Hermione finished her essay... which was a foot and a half over the required amount... and decided to head down to the Gryffindor common room. She had missed her friends and frankly, her own common room was getting a bit dull. Draco was stuck up in his room practicing spells for the upcoming test.... cramming really.

"Ron pass me a chocolate frog" Hermione said as she popped in another Bertie Bott's... she had inspected it carefully before eating it... her last encounter had been horrible. She had gotten a grass flavored one.

Ron absentmindedly threw a chocolate frog at Hermione face. It bounced off her head.

"Ron... what is wrong with you?"

He was looking in the direction of Lavender

"I'm going to ask her out..."

"What?"

"I just don't know when? When should I do it? Now? No not now... tomorrow. No I have to get it over with today... I might lose my chance."

"Hermione he's been doing this all week... Don't mind him." Harry chimed in as he read from a large book.

"Ron... RON!"

"Hermione?? Do you just love having this knack for interrupting people?"

"If you want to ask her out... do it now. She has other potential boys just waiting to be her boyfriends."

"Well how do you know that?"

"Because I'm a girl..."

"Way to be subtle Hermione."

"Go... do it now."

Hermione pulled Ron up by the arm and pushed him in Lavender's direction. Hermione and Harry watched with fascination as Ron began to talk to the blonde girl. She cracked a pearly white smile and nodded her head. Ron smiled back and waved goodbye.

"She said yes!"

"When is your first date?"

"Next Hogsmeade weekend. This is exciting... she's bloody hot isn't she Harry?"

"I'd have to agree she is."

Hermione cracked a smile as she looked at her two best friends. She laughed.

"You two are such boys you know that?"

"Yes well... we did realize that... especially when we look down in the shower..."

"Ron... disgusting... really please do shutup"

Hermione bit into her Chocolate Frog. The chocolate melted immediately into her mouth and it filled with a bittersweet taste. Ron opened up his book and began to read...

"Well that's good... you're actually starting to work"

Ron gave Hermione a dirty look and looked back down at his text.

"I'm not incapable of studying Hermione."

"Oh yes you are."

Five minutes passed by...

"Harry let's play exploding snap!" Ron snapped the book shut.

"Alright!" Harry enthusiastically said as he shut his book and put away his parchments and quills.

"You two are impossible. One minute you say that you can be studious... the next minute you drop everything to play exploding snap... right before a test?"

"It's just the way we work Hermione... deal with it" Ron said with a sarcastic smile. "I'll go get it from our room..."

Ron sat up and left leaving Harry and Hermione to themselves.

"So..."

"So..."

"Did he try anything with you?"

Hermione looked at the floor... she knew she shouldn't lie... but to prevent anything from happening she had to.

"No he... he didn't. I went to the library after that"

"Hmm... well I'm not really sure of my place... or what to say. Or really what to do. I know you can handle yourself 'Mione but I really don't want him even touching you. You have a whole year to survive with him. If you ever need... come to our common room and we can hang out by the fire and just talk... if he tries anything again."

"Thanks Harry I appreciate it. But I'm a big girl now..."

"I know... but your still our Hermione... and well I just cant stand to see someone do that to you... especially you" Harry gave a feeble smile and blushed.

"I've been meaning to talk to you Harry..."

"About the love potion?"

"Yes... but I don't know where to begin. It's just all too confusing."

"I know, it is to me too."

"Harry if all of a sudden you fall in love with me just because a silly potion said so... and a minute before that... you only saw me as a friend... how is that possible?'

"Hmm.."

"Harry, all I'm saying is to think about it."

Harry looked to the fire, lost in his own thoughts.

"Harry...?"

"Let me show you something... Before Ron comes down."

Harry got up from the squishy armchair and took hold of Hermione's hand and pulled her up. He walked over to the large bookshelf on the left side of the common room. The whole common room had been deserted except for Trevor... Neville's toad. It croaked happily on the table...

"There's a book here I wanted to give you..." Harry said as he scanned the book titles. He pulled out a dusty book... a muggle book surprisingly.

"I used to steal this from Dudley's room and read it... he was too dull and stupid to read... so I made use for them."

"Thanks Harry." Hermione said as she took hold of the book. She looked up and saw Harry looking at her intently. He leaned in and touched his lips with her. He pushed her curly hair back and deepened the kiss. The world was spinning for Hermione... she couldn't keep up this sherade... it was wrong. She was leading him on. Hermione pushed Harry away gently.

"Harry... this is very wrong."

"Why is it so wrong Hermione? I love you?"

"No... you need to think about this. This isn't right."

Harry looked at her with dissapointment.

Hermione stood on her tiptoes and kissed Harry on the cheek. She left the portrait hole and headed for the library.

It was her sanctuary... she had no business being there... but she was in need for some quiet time. This was all just too confusing. She felt herself fall deeper and deeper into Draco's shadow... falling deeper and deeper in love with him... but she couldn't bring herself to say it.

Hermione walked through the semi-dark aisles looking for a good book to read... she ran her fingers along the broken or dusty spines. She pulled out a book she found interesting. As she pulled the book out of its place she saw a flash of blonde hair, shrieked, and jumped back.

"Malfoy?"

Apparentley Draco had been surprised as well....

"Granger? Do you do this for a living? Scare people when they least expect it?"

He walked around the bookcase and came towards her. Pulling her up...

"What do you just love following me everywhere?"

"You wish Malfoy."

Draco mumbled something inaudible and walked towards the row of tables and chairs at the end of the aisle. He sat down and began to read. Hermione followed...

"What are you reading...?"

"None of your business"

"What's up your ass Malfoy?"

"Nothing...."

Hermione sat across from him and opened up her book.

"Did I ask you to sit here?"

"What?"

"People will see.. Sit somewhere else Mudblood."

Hermione looked at him bewildered.

Hermione got up from the table and walked back to where the book belonged. She slipped the book in and angrily began to walk away. Draco pushed the chair back hard and ran for her. He grabbed her arm and pulled her back... letting her lean against the book case. She had no where to go.

"You know I didn't mean that."

"You don't mean a lot of things Malfoy but you still do them right?"

"I just need to watch what I say." Draco gave a lopsided smile... it looked genuine.

Hermione snickered ... and broke into a wide grin.

"Prat..."

She punched him hard on the shoulder playfully. Draco grabbed her hand and held it. He smiled down at her and bent down. Kissing her gently was the nicest thing ever... he could do it forever. He held her by her waist and pulled her in closer so that there was no space left between them. She hungrily responded and wrapped her arms around his neck... kissing him intently back. Running his hands along her back, he traveled to her hair and his hand became lost in the shroud of curls. As they kissed on... the world spun around and vanished. In the back of Draco's mind he heard shuffling behind him... but chose to ignore it and savored in Hermione's embrace.

Draco sat on the windowsill in the library. A small smile was placed on his lips... a content real smile. He fiddle around with a quill that he had found abandoned on the floor... twirling it around his fingers absentmindedly. Hermione had left to catch up on her homework in the common room... so typical Draco thought. He didn't mind...

As he looked up at the semi-dark sky as fiery red-haired girl walked up to him and poked him hard on the shoulder. He broke his gaze away from the sky and annoyingly looked at her.

"Weasley... should have known. What is it?"

"You were kissing her...!"

"Oh so that was you that was snooping. Yes I was kissing her but guess what... she was kissing me."

"Don't you dare hurt her your disgusting stupid little ferret."

"And why do you think I would hurt her?" Draco said amused.

"Because that is just how you are Malfoy. You use people for your own benefits. Don't you dare use her."

Draco's amused state turned into an angry one. Being accused of hurting and using the one that he most truly desired made him rage. He grabbed Ginny's arm and yanked her against the stone wall.

"Don't... EVER accuse me of using Hermione."

"Then why else would you kiss her?" Ginny replied weakly.

Draco let go of Ginny's arm and ran his hand through his hair.

"It just happened..."

"And I bet it's been happening a lot."

"Yes..."

"I think you need to sort out your priorities." Ginny said in a matter-of- fact tone.

"They are already sorted thank you very much"

"I think you need to find out why you feel different around her."

"Look you don't need to tell me what to do and what not to do, I can handle this on my own"

"That's apparent" Ginny said as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Don't patronize me."

"If Harry and Ron ever find out what you are doing..."

"First of all your precious Potter has already found out, second... I am not the only one doing it... Granger is too."

"This is why you don't want Harry in the picture isn't it?"

"I already told you that."

"Well... anyway I had an idea about our plan."

Draco's ears perked up.

"Oh did you?"

"Yes... I did."

Alexian-Goddess - The slap was scary to put in! lol... but yes Draco is very complex... he is going against everything he ever lived for right?

Hi Im Crazy - Haha thanks and keep reviewing... I don't care if you are crazy hehe I love those types of reviews. They are so much fun to read cuz get really happy :) Come back for chapter 11

Applescm - Don't worry it'll come. I promise. I am just saving it for a great part coming up hehe

Saturn's Candlesticks - Don't you love cliffhangers? I hate them lol! And you! You keep updating your story... cuz im attached to it now

Chillkat - hehe thanks!

TriGemini - Draco is a prat... don't worry he will admit to himself what is going on.

Potterspayne - I'm 16 years old... and dying because of junior year, but look its already may and it's almost over! Yay in 20 days I'm gonna be a senior! Hehe thanks.

LadieGigglez - Yea I tend to stay away from the falling in love at first sight... cuz that is just not Hermione and Draco... they hate each other! Not for long though!

Nurriel Evenstar - Yea school does get in the way but I'm almost done! Yay!

OBXglider - It does get annoying.. But builds tons of suspense

Dracohehe - yea it does add to it even though it's a bit risky. Ah!

Hannah - Haha my friend Rachel gives me threats everyday in school to update...!

? - I can't remember but did hermione slap draco in the beginning? Wow I don't even know my own story, how sad lol

Imogenhm - Look updated! Hehe

Rikku - Final Fantasy - Your name sounds indian? Is it? And yea I know half the reviewers are getting annoyed at Draco ... so is this author haha

Lion vs Snake - Thanks :)

Pricelessprostitude - Ahhh i can't answer any of those questions!! It'll ruin the story! Haha and don't worry I won't have voldemort come into this becuase 1) I am so bad at writing action 2) This is purely romance and Voldemort will only be mentioned a few times because of Draco's father. Other than that, Voldemort will not be a main character.

TheevilCrayon - I love bad boys :) Like Draco Malfoy.

Amber - Yea I liked the way I ended that last chapter. The whole part with Harry leaving... I kind of have to agree with you... after reading that it did seem like Harry just left. But I think later on it will make up for it :) And I think this chapter will be the start of Draco question who he really is, what he really wants, and what his father expects of him. Which will be very hard for Draco. Sometimes I have to question my parents everyday lol! Like every other 16 yr old... Oh and give me some suggestions on that kind of a scene... that would be hard to write... but I'll look into It definitely. I won't have Hermione giving up that much for Draco unless she really wants to, I don't see Hermione as that kind of girl...she has to admit that she loves him and wants to be with him forever. I'm so old fashioned lol but don't you agree? I mean Hermione can't just go and have sex right? Lol keep reviewing !

Gesym - My brother always wants to pound me when I am on the computer. But he is ten so I can kill him back :)

I Love Draco 4 Life - I hope this chapter lives up to the last one lol!

Rachel - I don't know why I am doing this on ... because really I see you everyday in school haha! But when you told me about your review I got so happy! And I'll try and update more... I already told you all this stuff in school haha. I love bad boy Draco Malfoy!

Fan - Thanks :)

Next Friday everyone.... ! Maybe even sooner, I'm not sure hehe