Disclaimer: Due to a funding miracle I now own my favorite HP characters and will play about with them at will!!! Guess which part of that was actually true…

A/N: Wow! I am totally and completely stunned by the response to the last chapter, and this story in general. 35 may not seem like a lot to some, but I am over the moon! Ah yes, big hugs, and chocolate covered Dracos to everyone who reviewed. And a HUGE virtual sugar cookie (with frosting!) for my beta, Stellafiore. She's not feeling well right now, but has still managed to help me get out the chapters on time. Everyone give her a big round of applause!

Ch.8

A Sticky Situation

She pulled away quickly as they appeared in a room that, quite obviously, belonged to Draco.

It was green and black with small silver accents scattered around the room. Hermione had just a moment to think, how clichéd, before Draco pulled her back into his arms, tilting her head back for another breathtaking kiss.

Unfortunately for him, she moved her head and he got a mouthful of her cheek.

"Damn it Granger!" He yelled, frustrated by her resistance.

"What the bloody hell were you thinking Malfoy?! You had no right to do that!" She was furious; neck twisting, hands-on-her-hips, yelling right in his face, kind of furious.

So, he did the only thing he could do…and yelled right back.

"He was way too close to you and you didn't even notice him! He could have hurt you!"

"And what do you care about that?"

He was stunned, obviously unable to think of a response to Hermione's question.

Shit, why DID I care? I didn't, I just umm… "Bloody hell!"

Hermione, taking his silence as a sign that they were finished, had tried to apparate out of the house. As a result, she was now stuck in the (literal) web that surrounded the house.

"Malfoy, get your ass out here and unstick me! NOW!"

Obviously, Hermione was displeased.

Sodding Granger! How does she always get into these messes?

Once again, Hermione's irate voice cut through his thoughts. "I do NOT have all night for this Draco."

"Aargh! Just a second Granger! And will you please quiet down! I really don't want to wake up my father."

Somehow I don't think he would be too pleased to see me fraternizing with a Mudblood, even if he doesn't want me to "Muggle-bait."

Draco walked out onto his balcony and took out his wand, beginning to disable that particular section of wards.

"You know Malfoy, it's really pretty pathetic that you still live with your parents."

"Look, Granger, I'm trying to get you out of the mess that you put yourself in," Draco responded, "so can you please keep your irritating Muggle culture out of this discussion?"

Hermione was dumbfounded. "What do you mean Muggle?"

"Hermione, in the wizarding world, if one's family happens to be blessed with an estate large enough to house a couple armies, like my family is, it is not seen as necessary to move out of one's luxurious home and into a tiny, unsatisfying apartment. Do you understand?"

Hermione nodded, quite interested by this insight into upper-crust culture.

Draco smirked. "Good, then shut up and let me do this."

Ten minutes of absolute silence passed until Draco stopped and said, "Alright, try apparating back into my room now."

Hermione complied and within seconds was standing by Draco's bed. "Thank you," she grudgingly replied.

"Next time, just wait for me to finish what I'm saying, and I'll let down the wards then. It's much easier if there isn't a person stuck inside of them."

Hermione opened and closed her mouth, giving her a startling resemblance to a fish, before responding with, "Well, it's not like you were being very reasonable, were you? Now, can I please go home?"

Draco sighed, massaging the bridge of his nose where he could feel a lovely migraine forming, "Yes, fine, go."

And with a flick of her wand, she was gone.

Hermione arrived in her bedroom and promptly fell asleep on her bed, relishing the comfort of familiar surroundings. Draco, however, did not find sleep so easily…

What is it about her that affects me like this?

It really is rather frustrating.

I don't understand.

Hermione's last question ran through his mind all night, leaving him still contemplating as the sun peeked over the horizon.