A/N: Sorry this one took a bit longer than a day to produce, I just really have to be in the mood to write sometimes! As always, read and review please!!

Chapter VIIII: Help

Hermione excused herself from McGonagall's class right after lunch. Hurrying, she walked to the Great Hall. She took a deep breath, and opened the doors. The tables had been cleared away, and instead, there were chairs and a stage. Draco was sitting in one of the chairs, silently studying his lines. When Hermione walked over to where Draco was sitting, he smiled at her, then continued to read from his script. Hermione sat down a few seats down from Draco, and also began to look over her lines.

There was a loud "Eh hem". Dumbledore was standing in front of them. "Are we ready to begin?" he asked patiently. Both students nodded.

"Alright then, first things first. I know that I should have mentioned this last night to you, but I figure that you are both mature enough to handle this. It comes at the end of the play". Dumbledore looked up to make sure he still held attention, then continued.

"The erm, scene I am talking about is when Prince Philip" Dumbledore nodded towards Draco "Awakens Princess Aurora" he nodded to Hermione "With a kiss." He paused dramatically, seeming to be waiting for either one of them to scream, faint, or run out frantically. When no one did, he seemed satisfied.

"Alright then, turn to page one of your scripts".

Hermione groaned and threw herself onto her bed. "It's just no use, Ginny. We rehearsed for hours today, and I still have only the first few lines memorized, and then there's Draco. Oh my gosh, I seriously think that Shakespeare was one of his long lost ancestors. He does everything with absolute grace and poise; and to top things off, now I have all this homework to do."

Ginny patted her friends head in one of those manners that you would pet a loved animal. "It's ok, Mio. I'll help you if you want."

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Alicia stuck her head in.

"Hermione, Harry said that someone is downstairs and wants to see you."

Hermione groaned, picked up her books, bid farewell to Ginny, and headed off to the common room. When she got there, she was astonished to see Fred, George and Lee Jordan all standing around a half opened doorway. They seemed to be talking, more or rather, taunting, someone.

Hermione squinted her eyes to get a better look. Was that Draco? It certainly was! Hermione grumbled and briskly walked to the door. Now was not the time for taunting.

When she approached, Draco called out to her. "God Granger, I didn't know that for a little assistance I needed to get past your security system."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "What do you want, Malfoy?"

"I just told you! A little assistance, please!"

Then Hermione remembered her promise. "Alright, let's go, Malfoy." She grabbed his arm, and led him past the baffled looks and to the library.

The walk to the library was silent. When they reached the door, Draco stretched his arm out across it.

"Listen, Granger."

"Yes, I am listening."

"I want you to call me Draco."

"Ok. Then you call me Hermione."

"Alright, Granger."

"Hermione" she corrected.

Draco looked at the floor sheepishly. "Um, I can't."

Hermione looked at him, completely confused. "Why can't you address me by my first name?"

"Because I can't say it." Mumbled Draco, turning red.

It took everything Hermione had not to laugh. Draco, not being able to say her name? That cleared up why he had never called her by Hermione.

"Alright then. Call me Mio."

"Ok, Mio."

Draco smiled at her, and held the door for her as they entered the library. Hermione chose the furthest table from everyone else, and motioned for Draco to follow her. When they had seated themselves, Hermione started to help Draco with his homework, and attempt to finish hers. After a few quiet minutes of studying, Draco whispered to her.

"Mio, what is a kestrel?"

Hermione quickly leaned over to explain what a kestrel was, when she accidentally knocked her pencil off the table. She and Draco both went for it, causing a collision of their heads. After apologies and checking sure they were both ok, Draco leaned over and picked up her pencil. When he gave it back, his hand lingered on hers for a moment, sending shivers up her spine. He tossed his hair (or lack of), leaned over to her, and whispered into her ear.

"Mio, I love you, and I need you, baby."

Then he kissed her tenderly, then a bit more intimate.

"Oh Mio…" he whispered.

"Mio? Mio?"

Hermione sat bolt upright in her chair. It had all been a dream; a daydream. Why in the world was she dreaming about Draco?

Hurriedly, she made sure that none of her emotions had shown, though by the expression on Draco's face, she had been out for a little bit. Calmly, she answered him.

"Yes, Draco?"

""Erm, I was asking you if you wanted your pencil back."

Hermione blushed, took back her pencil, and continued to explain Draco's homework.

A/N: I tried to add a bit of humor to this chapter, but I really just didn't have a huge backbone plot for this one. Just needed to get the play started!! As always, R&R!!