"Yes... I did"

Draco looked at the freckled face and wondered what plan was being hatched up inside of that Weasley mind.

"Hermione and I have talked about this situation before and well, she isn't sure if Harry's love is genuine. And I think she has a point..."

"And how exactly will we show Mr. Scarhead that he's been mistaken? And what if he isn't? You can't exactly just take away his cruddy feelings for Granger, especially if they are genuine."

"Well if there was just some way we could have Harry take the love potion..."

Draco's eyes lit up... it was so obvious. The only way to show Harry's true feelings would be for him to retake the potion... but hadn't Harry distinctly seen Hermione in the potion? When he himself had taken it, the only person he could see was Hermione and only Hermione... it was very obvious who the answer was.

"I don't think that will work..."

"Well... why not?" Ginny replied

"I took the love potion as well, and when I looked around, I couldn't see anything but ... her. It's very distinct... atleast for me it was."

"But Malfoy, this is the only way!"

"Look, I'll look into the affects of the potion... but it won't work."

"Well don't just shoot down the idea now... research it, see what will happen, ask Snape if those are the only affects."

"Weasley... why are you even doing this with me? Aren't you best friends with Granger?"

Ginny's blue eyes darted down to the cobblestoned floor... uncertainty apparent on her face.

"She is my best friend.... but even she knows that Harry is just confused. He won't even look at me..." Ginny said in a small whisper. "All he can talk about is Hermione to me... and I listen... I really do. I take it and I listen just for him. I've gotten to know him in the past two years... and I like him even more. Hermione doesn't even acknowledge it... then how am I hurting her?" Tears slipped down Ginny's freckled cheeks. "I don't want to hurt her... I just want to be recognized for who I am and what I've done for him... and... and how I feel for him. I love him."

::She really does love him...:: Draco thought ::Who could even love a scar head like that?::

"How do you know you love him? Are you sure it isn't just an infatuation?"

"I took the love potion..."

"You what??"

"I took it. I made it.... and I took it.... I don't know how I got away with it but I did. Ron was telling me about it and I was just so confused about how I felt that I needed to see what was going on. It was my last resort."

"Well look, we'll think of something... but I have to go."

Draco reached for his bag off the table...

"Wait Malfoy..."

"What?"

"Who did you see in the love potion?" Ginny asked quizzically

Draco fiddled around with the buckle of his messenger bag.

"Who do you think Weasley?"

With that Draco buckled his bag and swung it over his shoulder... leaving Ginny in the middle of the library... her mouth agape. He didn't know why he had said that... Ginny knew now that he was in love with Hermione... but could he explain that to himself?

Hermione sat by the stone fountain in the deserted, chilly courtyard reading a book of poems. She wore a thick set of Hogwarts winter robes, a Gryffindor scarf tied snuggly under her chin, and cottom maroon gloves flipped the pages. It was a bit cold out but she still needed the fresh air. A light snow fall began to litter the ground and her brown hair.

Out of the corner of her eye, Hermione saw a someone approaching her... it was Draco. She looked up and watched him approach... cautiously.

"And what is a bookworm such as yourself doing out in the cold reading another book."

Hermione sighed and closed the book of poems.

"I needed fresh air..."

"You have a balcony..."

"I needed a change of environment... is that so wrong?"

"No I suppose not. What are you reading?"

"Book of poems and quotes..."

"Poems? Poems never really intrigued me... they bore me really."

"There are so many poems in the world that can be interpreted in so many different ways... it's comforting."

"Anything with a binding is comforting to you Granger."

Draco genuinely smirked at Hermione. She smiled back up at him and reopened her book. Draco took a seat next to her on the fountain. Her small voice began...

"Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous. Love is never boastful and conceited..." she looked up at him and began to recite ... "It is never rude or selfish, It does not take offense, and it is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people's sins but delights in truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes"

Draco looked down at the poem and snatched the book out of her hands.

"What kind of poem is this??"

Hermione snatched the book back into her hands.

"A beautiful one..."

Draco looked at Hermione's side profile as she looked down at her book and traced the pages with her fingers. She smiled slightly... she looked into his eyes ... staring them down with her warm brown orbs... still smiling...

"It's a beautiful poem."

There was a brief moment of silence that fit the air just perfectly. She looked back down at the book... Draco focused on her... He broke the silence.

"I would do anything anything right now to kiss you..."

"Anything?"

He gulped...

"Anything Hermione."

"Then kiss me..."

Hermione clutched the book tightly to her chest and walked aimlessly in the hallways, a small smile played on her lips...

It was different how she felt when she was with him... Surprisingly she felt safe and like she had always belonged in his arms... counting his heartbeats... slowly one by one.

The only question was... was if he felt the same way. It was hard for her to feel this way. Diving into her feelings, plunging into them... without no regard to what he was like before or is like now... to how many ways he hurt her before... to how many times he had hurt her best friends... those who she really cared for with all her heart. All she really thought about was the way he looked at her at times... genuinely... truthfully.

A pair of running footsteps brought her out of her daze... it was Seamus.

"Hermione! I wanted to ask you something"

"Oh hello Seamus, how are you?"

"Fine thanks. I know this is really formal... but I was wondering... umm will you be my girlfriend. It seems really cliche to ask you like this..."

Hermione was taken aback by the question Seamus had asked...

"Seamus, I'm ... flattered.... I really am... but I don't think I'm ready for that kind of a relationship..."

"Oh I see..."

"No please don't get me wrong Seamus, you are a wonderful guy... and I really had such a wonderful time with you at Hogsmeade... but I don't see myself in a relationship right now..."

And Hermione didn't see it... not even with the one she was forbidden to love.

"It's alright Hermione... maybe we can hang out some other time?"

"That would be great."

Seamus walked back from where he came from... hands in his robe pockets. She had turned him down... but wasn't upset at all.

Draco paced in the deserted Charms room. He had aimlessly walked into the classroom after he had met up with Hermione... he came to sort everything out. But as he sorted his thoughts... they became even more jumbled and beclouded. He pulled at his hair whenever he thought about the way she looked at him... the words of the poem shot through his mind over and over again... love... love... love. It ate him inside.

As he paced the Charms classroom, Pansy stealthily walked in. Startled he looked up...

"What are you doing here??"

"Couple of first years saw you walking into the Charms room... thought I'd pay you a visit hmm?"

"I don't need any visits from you Parkinson. You... are used goods."

Pansy pouted...

"That never bothered you before Draco." She moved in closer and layed a hand on his chest beneath his robes. She trail her hand up to the side of his face and lay her lips on his own. As Pansy kissed Draco with vigor, he opened his eyes and look down to her face... wondering if he should respond.... and he did. His hands lay limp by his sides... she let his face go.

"Draco... what's wrong?"

"Nothing..."

She leaned in again and began to kiss him... he lay his hand on a hard object on the desk behind him and it immediately clunked over and fell. He broke away from her to look down but she grabbed his face with her fingers towards her and feverishly kissed him once more...

Hermione walked towards her common room slowly. She decided that walking aimlessly in the hallways was a waste of time and she still had a bit more homework to do...

As she walked passed the Charms room, she heard a large clunk hit the floor from inside. Stopping immediately... she wondered what was going on. Slowly opening the door she peered inside.... two people were against the front desk... kissing. Hermione walked in slowly to tell them off.... but before she did that... she realized who it was.

She watched as the Slytherin boy's eyes opened. They immediately widened and he pushed the girl off of him. His lips were bright red and he looked at Hermione with apparent shock... and fear. Pansy was now on the floor looking between the both of them... confused.

Hermione's heartbeat raced as she witnessed what she had seen... she had just given herself up to his affection... two seconds after, she had seen this. Tears welled up in her eyes... but they were motionless... as if they knew that if she let herself cry... she would let herself break down. Draco stepped forward... not sure of what to do. He suddenly walked swiftly towards her. Knowing that Draco would grab her before she could leave, she turned around and opened the door slamming it behind her. She picked up her legs and ran as fast as she could to the common room... fighting back tears... she would not let herself break down now.

As he watched the door slam behind her, Draco slammed his fist against the door. He lay his forehead on the door and shut his eyes.

::Mistake... stupid mistake...::

"Draco...?"

He turned around and looked over to where Pansy stood...

"What has gotten into you?"

"Nothing... I'm fine."

"I talked to Blaise... he told me about what happened... in the potion's dungeon with that mudblood... you've changed"

"I haven't changed Parkinson, I'm exactly the same as I was."

"You pick... right now... where to go Draco. I'm right here." Pansy said as she lay her hand on her hip smoothly and seductively.

Draco took one last look at Pansy... he had been with her so many times before her... had been so close to her body. But not one spark flew out. He knew where he had to be. Draco turned around and slammed the door behind him and began to run towards the common room.

Draco ran towards the portrait hole and gave the password. As he stepped inside he saw Hermione in the middle of the common room pacing. She looked up as she heard him enter. He saw anger swell up inside of her and she began to swiftly make her way up to her room. Draco hurriedly walked towards her and grabbed both her arms from behind her.

"Granger..."

"Let me ... GO"

He pulled her around so that their arms were tangled against each other. He leaned in... but he was stopped by a small... but hurtful slap across his cheek. He pushed her away and looked at her... no one had ever slapped him.

"No one ... EVER slaps me..."

"Oh and so you have the right to slap me?"

He grabbed her wrist and twisted it. Her face was contorted into hurt...

"What are you doing??? Why should I be getting this kind of punishment?? You kissed HER!"

He immediately loosened his grip on her wrist and looked at it... it was red from his mark and would definitely bruise.

"I... I'm sorry."

"No you are NOT! Plus why would you be sorry... it's not like you are obligated to me or anything... you can kiss who ever you want."

"Is that so??"

"Yes..."

"By the way, she kissed me... I didn't kiss her..."

"Oh and your lips just happened to respond... It's okay anyway... you are not attached to me in anyway... you obviously enjoy kissing her more than you .... do to me."

"That is completely not true..."

"Well it looked like it Malfoy. Let me go now!"

But he wouldn't let her go. He dragged her over to the squishy armchair and pushed her down into it. He put his hands on either side of her and leaned in very close.

"You will never know what I feel when I kiss you..."

Hermione sunk lower into the armchair.

"And frankly... what I feel when I'm even TALKING TO YOU... scares me."

"Then if you feel so different around me... what is the point in kissing a girl like her?" she said in a very small voice.

He let go of the arm chair and pulled her up into standing position.

"I was.... in the Charms room.... thinking. And she came in because she had seen me walk in. Then she just started to come on to me... and she kissed me. I was confused... so I kissed her back. It was a mistake."

"You don't have to explain yourself to me Malfoy. I am not an obligation to you. You can... kiss whoever you want to kiss."

"I know you don't mean that."

"It's true though."

"I only choose you."

A tear slipped down her cheek. He wiped it away softly with his thumb.

"Do you like kissing her?"

He laughed. "What??"

"I mean... well... do you like being with her? I know you've been with her in that way."

He ran his thumb across her lips. She closed her eyes and lifted her hand and held his.

"No... I don't like her like that."

"Is she a good kisser?" Hermione whispered.

"Yes... she is a good kisser..."

"Oh, I see"

"But there are different kinds of kissing Granger..."

"What kind am I?"

"The kind that I've never experience in my life ever before..."

Hermione heaved out a sigh and looked up to him. He looked into her brown eyes and watched as the pupils overtook her brown colored eyes. He took her by the hand and sat her down on the couch.

"I know I've said sorry so many times before..."

"I forgive you."

Draco smiled and leaned in to kiss her... but Hermione turned her head away. Draco pulled back...

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing..."

Hermione gently pushed Draco down onto the couch. She gently rest her head beneath his chin, on his chest.. playing with the ends of his collar... counting his heartbeat... one by one. Draco circled a pattern on her back... he stared up at the ceiling... her warmth putting him to sleep.

He was walking in a dark hallway... doors on either side of him.... and one door in particular on the other end. As he walked the hallway the door on the other end came closer into viewing. It was an old broken down wooden door... knawed away after years of standing in that same exact spot. As he approached the door... he turned the door handle. He peered inside and saw a girl with long brown hair standing in the middle. The sun shone through the window and onto her fair face... it glistened. Her eyes were danced in a light of many different colored browns... amber, cinnamon, gold. They were illuminated, and glowed from the sun that peered through that only window. Her lips were a cherry red... as if she had just bitten them... an apparent blush lay on her fair cheeks. She wore a strapless dress that flowed down to her knees... a blue ribbon just underneath her breast... tied in a a small bow. She was barefoot against the dirty floors and surroundings. As he entered, the girl smiled gently at him.

"Draco..." She held out a delicate white pearly hand.

He walked towards her and held her hand in his. He trailed his hand up her arm and over her soft, bare shoulders. He leaned in and lightly kissed her crimson lips. He looked back up at her and searched her face... for an answer... for why he was here.

"Why am I here?"

"I've been waiting for you Draco..."

He looked into her eyes... they were so familiar. But before he could do anything her eyes looked over his shoulder and they widened with fear... he turned around and stood beside her and watched as a curse was placed upon her.

"Crucio"

The girl fell to the ground and writhed in pain. Draco fell to his knees and picked her up into his arms. He felt a tear slip down his cheek...

With a gasp of breath, Draco awoke from the dream and sat up right, bringing Hermione with him.

"Malfoy... what's wrong??" She took his face into her hands.

Draco looked to Hermione and looked into her eyes... the same amber and cinnamon danced lightly in her eyes... the same delicate soft hand that he had touched.... it was her... she was the girl. The girl in his dreams... the girl of his dreams.

Okay I know this is really early.... but I was really bored, and I was so not pleased with that last chapter... I think I had writer's block while I wrote that lol. Anyway, since I hated that chapter... I wrote the next ... and I guess the writer's block left. So I'm sure you guys are happy that I updated about two days after the last chapter... so much for a cliff hanger ! My time is actually getting lesser and lesser because my dad is on this rampage of studying for SATs. I freaking HATE the SATs now. I cannot spend another minute learning about special right triangles. Please wish me luck on them!! Cuz i DO NOT want to have to take them over again. Grr. I will update though don't worry... for some reason i just felt like wasting my time this weekend hehe and I wrote another chapter within two days. Crazy me! Here we go....

Rachel - Hey darling :) I am not sure if Draco will actually go to Hermione's house during winter break... you will just have to stick to the story and find out. And yes it would go against everything that he ever lived for... so that would be weird, but then again this is a time for him to change because he is falling in love with a girl who is the complete opposite of him.

TriGemini - Hmm I'm not sure if I can reply to anything you said because I don't want to give it away! It'll ruin the story for you! Don't worry though, Ginny does not want to hurt Hermione in anyway... she just wants to be recognized for the things she does and sacrifices for him. I have felt like that a million times: doing something for someone but not getting that same affection in return... it sucks! Keep reading and you will find out more about this little plan that is hatching up inside of her head!

Gesym - Yea a lot of people are not happy with the complication but the thing is... that is what makes this story interesting. If i just had them fall in love, then that would be really bland and boring. I need something to keep the story going. I'm glad you like it though, I think you really see where I'm going with this. And I'm sorry it's snowing like mad up in Canada, it's really nice here in Pennsylvania --- 80 degrees !!

HiImCrazy - I updated before Friday! Yea my friend Rachel gives me enough threats to update... i love that girl! Yea I love writing in Draco's mood swings... they are most fun to write about. Again, I put complication in there to spice up the story, so I'm really hoping you are liking it! Thanks for your awesome review... !

RikkuFinalFantasy- Yea I think Rikku is an asian name, maybe that's why it striked me like that. And probably because I'm Asian as well... lol. Thanks, come back and review some more!

Malfoy4Ever - Don't you love cliffhangers? I hate them!! Grrr

Alexian Goddess - I'm scared for when RON finds out! You know his temper

Chillkat - Thanks for your review :)

LadieGigglez - Thanks again!

Imogenhm - Haha I am glad you are coming back and reading more and reviewing more, devoted read... I like I like

PotterSpayne - Awesome, I have a reader from Austraila. How are things down under? Lol!

Applescm - Thanks! Keep reading

Rinaula - Thanks for reviewing!

Devilsh - Don't worry I won't just stop in the middle. Plus, school is about to end and I will have all the free time in the world!

Nephiel Nephilim - Awee noo the story made you cry?? I showed my friend Kaitlin your review and i just got so happy (umm not because it made you sad i don't want you to be sad) but because it actually had that effect. Wow! I really hope you keep reading!! Thanks so much for your review

Alright guys... probably by Friday I'll have another chapter... again i'm watching 3 movies in school because I am done with my AP studying and stuff (yay for me) but my dad is being mean and making me study a lot. Wow academic? Heh.. yea, okay, right... whatever. Lol come back for some more!