A/N: I'm hoping to get this one done a bit faster so I can update every other day or so. That way, I have a day to get over my writer's block, and you guys have a chance to mull over your thoughts!! R&R!

Chapter XII: Rainy Days

Hermione was almost bowled over by a frantic, yet bubbly Ginny.

"Look! Look Hermione!" Ginny handed Hermione her piece of toast.

"Um, that's really erm, nice, Ginny. I didn't know you liked marmalade."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "No Mio! Read it!"

Hermione sat her script aside, and looked at the toast. She read it out loud. "Wil…Lyougot… otheb.. Allwi… thme?" Hermione looked up at Ginny, suspiciously. "Have you gotten into your brother's stash of Butterbeer again?"

"No!" insisted Ginny, grabbing back the now squished toast. "Harry just asked me to the Winter Ball!"

Hermione's mouth dropped. She squealed with excitement. "Oh Ginny, we have to go to Hogsmeade this weekend and get dresses!"

Ginny looked Hermione over. "But you don't have a date, do you?"

Hermione sighed. "Oh yeah, I don't. Oh man!" remembered Hermione "I have to go to the Great Hall today! We're rehearsing the last scene, then we have fittings for the costumes! I have to go, see you Ginny!"

Hermione grabbed her script book from the table it was on, then raced to the Great Hall. When she had sat, Hermione noticed that it was only she and Draco there. Confused she looked at Dumbledore. Dumbledore just smiled.

"You are here to rehearse the last scene of the play." said Dumbledore. "And I thought, because you both have…" He cleared his throat. "Reputations, that we would rehearse this with just the two of you, so you could get used to it." Dumbledore smiled.

Hermione's heart beat quickly. She knew what was coming. "I wish I had brushed my teeth before I came." she secretly thought.

"We need to begin now, so that tomorrow we can run through the whole thing." Dumbledore insisted. "So come now, both of you up to the stage."

Hermione lay on the table that was her 'bed' until the props had been made. She heard Draco walk up to the bed, and she felt his breath on her face. Hermione's hands began to sweat. Then she felt his lips on hers. His kiss was tender, and she almost forgot to open her eyes at the end.

"Not bad, eh?" whispered Draco.

Hermione blushed and pushed him off to the side forcefully. Draco shrugged his shoulders at Dumbledore, who raised his eyebrows, but approved of the scene, then just smiled and dismissed them both to separate rooms to be fitted for their costumes.

After Hermione had been fitted for no less than five costumes, she headed back to the common room. She was on her way when Draco turned the corner. Hermione looked his way, put her head down, and began to run.

"Mio, wait, please!" Draco called.

Tears streamed down her face as she ran, slowing down steadily. When she had turned a corner, she put her head against the wall and cried. Tears fell for the feud between her and Ron. They fell for Harry and Cho, and for Ginny. They fell for her and all the stress from the homework and play. And most of all, they fell for her and Draco. The couple that couldn't exist even if they wanted to. "We have reputations, even Dumbledore knows that" she thought to herself.

She heard footsteps behind her, and started running again, tears still pouring from her eyes. When she reached the common room, she flew up the stairs, threw herself on her bed, and sobbed hysterically. She was almost asleep when she heard Ginny come in and close her curtains, then leave for dinner.

A little while later, Hermione sat up, and decided to use the half-bathroom located on their dorm floor. While she was washing her face and combing her hair, she heard music coming from the balcony. When she went out to investigate, she saw Draco sitting on the railing with his broomstick, and a guitar. She opened the door to the balcony, and went out.

"Hi." she said, not looking up.

"Listen, Mio, about today…" Draco started.

"I don't want to talk about it." Hermione snapped. Thunder clouds suddenly rolled overhead.

"But we can't keep living like we don't know what's between us."

Hermione turned back into the dorm, and shut the door angrily. Then she heard Draco singing and playing his guitar.

"Beauty queen of only sixteen, she had some troubles with herself. He was always there to taunt her, she always was doing something else. I rode for windows and windows and wound up at you door. I've wanted you so many times but right now, it's so much more. I don't mind spending every day, out on your corner in the pouring rain. Look for the girl with the broken smile, and ask her if she wants to stay awhile."

Hermione looked back, and sure enough, Draco was standing out on her balcony playing his guitar and singing the revised lyrics, in the rain. She couldn't help but smile. Hermione walked back over to the door, opened it, and stepped out.

"Tap on my window, knock on my door, I want to make you feel beautiful. It's not always rainbows and butterflies, it's compromise that moves us along." Draco continued singing.

Hermione sat on the railing, and listened to Draco as he finished his song, rain soaking her hair and body. When he finished, Hermione walked over to him and hugged him hard. Draco returned the hug, and whispered to her.

"Come to the dance with me, Mio."

Hermione shut her eyes, knowing that the decision she was about to make would probably change her life forever.

"Ususally I'm not one for taking risks, Draco, But I will for you."

Draco smiled and released her from his hug. "So, it's raining, we both have homework, and we're at your place. Mind letting me in?"

Hermione giggled. "Of course." she said, and with that, they went inside to the Gryffindor common room, and began studying.

When it was time to be expecting others back from dinner, Hermione ushered Draco out of the portrait with a quick goodbye. Hermione went up stairs, opened her Herbology book a lesson, and quickly began to write her essay. A few minutes later, Ginny came up the stairs with some food she had nicked from the kitchens.

"How are you doing, Mio?" she asked nervously, putting the basket of goodies next to Hermione.

Hermione put down her quill. "I'm fine, just was under a bit of stress. Thanks for getting me the food."

"No problem, Mio. My, it's chilly in here. No wonder, the door to the balcony's open!" Ginny walked over to the door.

"Hermione?"

"Yes?"

"Why is there a guitar and a broomstick sitting on our balcony?"

A/N: Sorry, no big romance yet. Maroon Five's "She will be loved" is a favorite of mine. Apologies to those of you who don't like it, you're missing out. Also, apologies to those of you who read this as a humor thing. Not much in this chapter. As always, read and review!