Disclaimer: I do not own them! Except James, who sadly enough, is modeled after one of my best friends.

A/N: So, here it is! Woo-hoo! Finally! I thought that this chapter, which is a turning point in the story, even though it may not seem like it now, would never be done. Thank you so, so much to everyone who reviewed. Let's see if we can make it to 200 this chapter! If you requested an email, you should get one. I definitely don't want anyone to forget about this story. Even though it may seem like it takes just too darn long. Strangely enough, the characters themselves dictated how this chapter went; I really had no say in it. Hope you all enjoy it.

A/N 2: THIS IS ABOUT UPDATING! I will update this story every weekend. Probably on Sunday, but sometimes on a Saturday. If I have extra time during the week (and it's looking like I probably won't) then I will update then, as well as during the weekend. I know that we're all hoping I have extra time, especially me. So, please continue to read and review, even though updates won't be as often. I LOVE YOU ALL!

A/N 3: I know, I know, these things just won't stop! This one is for my very special beta. Thank you ever so much Stellafiore! By the way, she's my baby sister. Quick, everyone say 'Awww!" Lol, ok now onto the show!

Ch. 19

A Respite

Draco paced the floor of his room, wondering why on earth he was at home. He had things to do and people he needed to see. There was one person in particular that he needed to see.

He was actually in a slightly better mood since talking to James. It had helped him vocalize his confusion. The only problem was, he was still confused!

And there was only one thing he could do about that. He had to go to the source of all his recent confusion!

Draco, seized by this revelation, grabbed his wand without hesitation, and with a swish and a flick, he was gone.

Hermione was deep into her movie when yet another visitor startled her.

This time it was most definitely someone she was not in the mood to see.

Draco was momentarily surprised at the very irritated glower on Hermione's face; surprised, that is, until he remembered the last time she had seen him.

He held his hands up in a sign for peace, and also as a handy way of keeping her from getting too close. "Look, Hermione, I just want to talk to you."

Hermione crossed her arms belligerently. "Fine, talk."

Draco sighed exasperatedly. "Well, I didn't want to do all the talking myself. I wanted to ask you something, and maybe, just maybe, you could actually respond."

Hermione raised one delicate eyebrow. "Ask away." Her posture and her expression were just daring him to try something stupid.

Draco ran a hand through his hair, a gesture that always seemed to happen when he was nervous or unsure. "I just want to know what I did to make you so angry. I thought we were getting along pretty well for a bit."

Hermione was, for some reason, entirely disarmed by the sheer honesty and confusion that was written all over Draco's face. She just didn't know how to respond. So, she didn't.

Draco's confusion got even worse as Hermione headed towards the kitchen, rifled through a drawer of some sort and opened a strange rectangular, white thing. When Hermione walked back into the living room she was carrying the rest of her Cherries Garcia and two spoons.

The truth of the matter was that she just didn't have enough energy left in her for this conversation. It would just have to wait until later. For now, she needed a good, healthy sugar buzz.

Draco almost fell over in shock as Hermione dragged him over to the couch, pushed him down onto it, and handed him a spoon. He looked at it for a moment, before turning to look at Hermione. She was curled up against her side of the couch and was holding a cardboard container of some kind out to him. When he looked inside he was relieved.

Ice cream! He knew what that was. Finally, food that existed in both worlds!

Draco, realizing that the silence between them was a good thing, opted to stretch out along the couch. He lay in one fairly uncomfortable position after another, until finally he just got fed up. He laid himself across the couch, and, startling the crap out of Hermione, plopped his head into her lap.

He smiled innocently up at Hermione, before turning his head to watch the movie; he was actually quite fascinated by it. Hermione was left staring at the side of his head, and wondering how exactly she had gotten herself into this.

He looks so sweet this way, almost as if he was a good person. The last thought stuck in her mind, simply because she knew that part of it was wrong. Fine, he is a good person, now at least. He has changed, much as I hate to admit it. Maybe, just maybe, we can work this out.

What sounded like a rather doubtful thought inside her head would have been extremely uplifting for Draco. He was still very unsure as to what terms they were on. Thankfully the movie had completely distracted him, or he would have been rather terrified of Hermione all evening.

When the movie ended and Draco stood up and stretched, Hermione was unhealthily intrigued by the sliver of toned stomach that peeked out from under his shirt. She sulked to herself, wondering why he was so attractive. Suddenly, James' words earlier that day came back to her mind. "Katy thinks he's pretty cute."

Draco had walked in with Katy today. He was with her…doing what? James' voice boomed through her head, seemingly growing louder with each repetition.

That, that rat! How dare he flirt with her, when we are…when we are…well…actually…we're not doing anything.

In the time that Hermione had taken to realize that she didn't like not having the right to be mad at Draco, the man in question had realized that something was about to get him in very big trouble.

The proverbial thunderclouds forming above Hermione's head were just one indicating factor. Therefore, Draco was unduly relieved when she shook her head and stood up next to him.

She looked at Draco for a moment, and then decided to just go ahead and say it. If he reacts badly, then it isn't meant to be anyways. And if he reacts positively, then…who knows?

"Draco," she took a deep breath, "wouldyoumaybeliketogoouttomorrow?"

Draco was highly amused by this. He finally had Hermione nervous about him, and not the other way around. This looks like it could be highly enjoyable…

He raised an eyebrow, and in a voice as snarky as he dared, he said, "Care to repeat that for me? I didn't quite catch it."

Hermione gritted her teeth, but realized that his behavior was suddenly becoming more endearing, than annoying. Something that was utterly terrifying to her.

"I said, would you maybe like to go out tomorrow?"

The effort that saying those words cost her was suddenly worth it when Draco dropped his act and beamed. His smile was just about to crack his face in half when he said, "Like, you and me, on a real date?"

Hermione just laughed. He sounded so much like a student again, just a prepubescent little boy. She nodded and said, "Yes, you and me, on like a real date."

Draco smiled and said, "Well, in that case, I would love to. I'll pick you up here tomorrow?"

Hermione nodded, "Yup. And I'm picking the place, so dress casual and comfortable. Be here at 6-ish?"

He nodded, and moving so that they were almost lip-to-lip, he looked down at her and asked, "Will you get mad at me if I kiss you now?"

In response Hermione leaned upwards on her tiptoes and pulled his head down to hers. She pecked his lips briefly, and placing her hand on his chest pushed him back a couple of steps.

"And that's all you're getting tonight. Now go home! Don't you have classes tomorrow?"

Draco clapped his hand to his chest, "Oh cruel woman! Thou shalt not deny me thy sweet lips tomorrow!"

Hermione just smirked in response. And Draco, after waving goodbye, swished and flicked himself home.