A/N: Hey everyone! Just got back from the Philippines awhile ago and it's gooooood to be back in California! So many reviews while I was gone, yay! Sorry I left you guys hanging with chapter 5, but here's another chapter (finally!!). but my computer still has a couple of problems so it may take a while for chapters to come on regularly so please don't hate me! And to answer some of your questions: Draco is in denial that he likes Hermione, and Hermione is just really confused about her feelings. Let the drama begin!

Disclaimer: Yes I do own Harry Potter. (no I don't, c'mon now…P)

Chapter 6: An Interesting Saturday Night

Draco was tossing and turning in his bed. He was way too excited to sleep. I'm so close…I've just got to get a little closer. He decided that it was no use to just lie there wide awake. So, he got up, dressed warmly, and went for a walk.

Meanwhile, Hermione too was tossing and turning. She couldn't believe that the reason for her insomnia was Draco Malfoy. Knowing that a small walk would probably help, she dressed up and went out the door.

Draco strolled down the dimly lit corridors. His ears perked up as he heard separate footsteps behind him. He sharply turned around…but saw nothing. Still unconvinced that no one was following him, he hid in the shadows until someone crossed his path. Much to his delight, he saw none other than the Gryffindor bookworm. He couldn't help but notice how she looked. She's even pretty when she's about to go to sleep…ugh! He pushed this thought out of his head and waited until Hermione was inches away from him.

That's funny…I could've sworn I saw someone walk through here… she looked around cautiously. The last thing she needed was a detention from Filch or Snape.

Draco was careful about making his timing just right. Then, once Hermione was in front of him, he jumped from the dark and shoved her against the wall.

"Hello, love."

Hermione's eyes widened. "Oh my-!" she started shouting, but her words were interrupted by Draco's hand.

"Sshh!! You want to get caught??" Hermione's breathing was sharp and fast. Too much had happened in two seconds. She swatted Draco's hand away with success.

"What are you trying to do, kill me??"

"Now do you really want me to answer that, Granger?" Hermione growled and made to march away from him, but before she could, he grabbed her right arm and spun her towards him.

"Mind your manners Granger. It's a bit rude to walk away from someone without so much as a 'good night'…don't you agree?"

"Yes…I agree…but I think you're an exception." Just at that moment, Hermione remembered something. She was supposed to be playing Draco's game. Stop with the insults!

"Oo a bit grouchy tonight aren't we? I, of course, will settle for a good night kiss…" he said softly as he pulled her closer.

Ew. Ew. Ew. Ew. Ew… "Would you now?" She asked him, sliding her left hand up his chest to his shoulder. She felt him inhale deeply and loosen his grip on her arm.

"Yes…" was all he could manage to say. Draco was in shock. He had definitely not expected this from the conservative mudblood. Without thinking, he put his hands around her waist.

This inspired Hermione to take both her hands and put it behind his head. This time, she was the one who stepped closer until they were inches away. She noticed Draco had not yet blinked. Then, she softly played with his hair. Time for payback, ferret. She leaned in…Draco closed his eyes and prepared…but instead of feeling her lips on his, he felt her hair tickling his chin as she whispered in his ear…

"Good night, Draco." Hermione then swiftly patted Draco on his chest and walked away with a Malfoy-worthy smirk on her lips.

Draco slowly opened his eyes and groaned. "Oh that was low, Granger!!" he called after her.

### It was another boring night in Hogwarts. It was Thursday and the Great Hall was filled with lazy murmurs. There couldn't have been more than 25 people in there. Ron was playing chess with Dean Thomas. Everyone else was sluggishly watching the game. There was nothing else to do and no one had the energy to try and entertain themselves.

"Checkmate." Ron said yawning. Dean groaned as he took out a few gold coins and rested them on the chess board.

"How about it Hermione? A game?" Ron turned to his left to ask her. She had her head idly on Harry's shoulder.

"No thanks Ron." She yawned for about the hundredth time that evening.

"I'll have a go at it." came an all too familiar voice. Ugh…I'm not in the mood for this, thought Hermione. She glimpsed at Ron who gave her an unsure expression. Draco emerged from the lazy people sitting down on the tables.

"What do you say Weasley? Care for another match?"

"I'm not sure. Why? What do you want this time Malfoy?"

"Same thing. Granger for another night." He replied casually and not looking at Hermione. The students were sitting up at this point, paying attention. He obviously didn't know that Hermione and Ron had broken up.

"What do I get if I win?" Draco took out a pouch of galleons.

"30 galleons." Murmurs could be heard from the once silent students. Ron looked over at Hermione. At first her expression was a mix of surprise and anger which turned into deep thought. Why would Malfoy risk 30 galleons for another date? Because of what happened last night? Is he actually…interested? Draco's motivation still stumped her.

She nodded at Ron's direction to approve and Ron returned with a confused, but grateful look.

"Alright Malfoy."

"Excellent."

Draco took a seat across from Ron. But before doing so, he gave Hermione a small seductive smile. This brought chills up her spine, but nonetheless, she gave a small smile back.

"'Mione…what was that about?" Harry whispered baffled.

"Um…I-I don't know…" she replied, hoping Harry didn't see her smiling back.

Draco and Ron played a game of chess once again. Every once in a while, Draco's pieces would take Ron's and she'd noticeably flinch. Harry had observed this and would put a comforting arm around her. I still think this game is totally barbaric…

"Check." Said Ron. Draco showed no sign of anxiety at all. In fact, he looked more confident than ever. Why does he have to be so damn confident? "Check…mate." Draco said in an annoyingly amused tone. He looked at Hermione. "I guess I'll be seeing you Saturday night, Granger." Hermione's eyes were still locked on the chess board, staring at all the scattered pieces…

Ron groaned and slammed his head into the table…several times. Draco took his pouch of galleons back then paused. He took out one single coin and dropped it on the board. Ron looked up.

"You really are a pity, you know that?" He smirked as he swiftly walked away.

"Psshh…who said I needed his charity?" Ron said as he ever so 'discreetly' put Draco's galleon into his pocket.

"I'm really sorry, Hermione." He sighed.

"No, it's ok…one more night with Malfoy. Can't be that bad…………can it?" She turned to Harry who shrugged, then to Ron who gave his usual vacant expression.

"Right…ok thanks for your direct answers." Just then, she had a notion. This was the perfect time to test her theory.

### It was Saturday night already and Draco was getting ready for his date with Hermione. He had dressed very meticulously this time. In fact, he went through what seemed like hundreds of clothes before deciding what to wear. He looked at himself in the mirror. Hm I wonder what Granger will think? He caught himself immediately. Why do I care what that mudblood thinks? Then Draco had a momentary feeling of guilt…then a disgust at his own guilt. Trying to convince myself that I'm not falling for Granger…if father dearest could see me now… he thought bitterly.

### "Another date? Jesus Christ Hermione, I think he may fancy you!"

"Please Ginny don't make me laugh." Hermione replied as she brushed her silky tresses. It was another Saturday night and her date with Draco was just a half and hour away.

"You're excited about this. I ask…'why'?" asked a questioning Ginny. Hermione smiled at her through her mirror. She really had no idea why she was looking forward to it.

"Let's just say...if Malfoy thinks he's in control of this date, he's got another thing coming."

"Uh-oh…do I sense a scheme?"

"Maybe…"

"Oh come on 'Mione!! I'm your best friend and you're not going to tell me exactly what you're planning?" Hermione sighed deeply.

"Ok…If I tell you…you have to swear on your life that you won't tell Harry or Ron. Oh god especially Ron."

"Ok ok I promise! Now what are you planning??"

"I…I have an assumption that…that maybe you're right…"

"About?"

"About Malfoy fancying me…" Ginny let out a loud gasp.

"What makes you think that??"

"Well…Yesterday I caught him staring at me…several times. And in potions was the weirdest…I mean, he…he touched me…" Hermione whispered that last part as if she were ashamed of it.

And yet, another gasp from a blushed Ginny. "Where?"

"GINNY! I meant on my knee!"

"OH. Haha. Well…was it on accident?"

"That's the thing….I really don't know. I mean, it could've been…considering the mental state I was in, but he made it seem like it wasn't." Ginny just stared back wide-eyed. "Gin? Ginny?" She waved a hand in front of her face.

"Hermione…do you…do you like Draco Malfoy?" Small pause.

"No."

"You hesitated."

"No I didn't."

"Yes you did."

"No I didn't"

"Yeah…you did."

"NO…I didn't." Hermione said with a final tone. Ginny held up her hands giving up.

"Fine…fine. I thought that we promised not to keep secrets from one another, but hey you want to bend the rules…go right ahead." She examined her fingernails nonchalantly.

"Why do you have to be so convincing?"

"It's a gift. And you still didn't tell me what you're planning."

"Eh…I'd rather not. But tell you what…if all things go according to plan, I'll tell you everything first thing in the morning."

"Alright. You better!"

"But again, I am telling you: I have no intention whatsoever to fall in love with a Slytherin, let alone a certain bleached blonde Slytherin. So if you don't mind," Hermione grabbed her jacket from her door. "I have a date." And walked out leaving Ginny.

"Use protection!!"

Hermione groaned as she closed the door. Once she turned around, she faced Draco.

"Malfoy! Oh my God…you scared me. How…how did you get in here?"

"It's not like I've never been in the girls' dorm before." He shrugged as Hermione rolled her eyes. "Protection eh? Hmm, not precisely what I had in mind for tonight, but if you insist…" he continued, giving her a suggesting look.

"Oh…poor Malfoy. Not getting enough from Pansy?"

"No, I think I've worn her out…"

"Ew."

"So, ready?" Draco asked holding his arm out. Hermione looked at his arm cautiously then took it.

"Definitely."

Oh Granger, I'm going to have you wrapped around my little finger…

Oh Malfoy, I'm going to make you wish you were never born…

### Hermione and Draco walked towards the exit of Hogsmede. It has been an entertaining evening so far…for Hermione anyways. When Draco said that he would be treating tonight, Hermione took full advantage. She ordered more than they could both eat at the restaurant (and left over enough food to satisfy a dragon's appetite), and she also probably raided every shop as well.

Hm…getting a little sleepy. Spending all of Malfoy's money is more tiring than I thought… Hermione thought smiling slightly.

Be patient…be patient…you've got more money…it's no total loss…All that matters is that Granger is having a good time…be patient…just be "damn, bloody patient…" Malfoy said quietly through gritted teeth as he held six bags full of Hermione's shopping.

Hermione could tell Malfoy was having a terrible time. He was mumbling to himself and she had probably almost spent the entire Malfoy fortune. There was just one more thing Hermione had to do.

Just ask him…if you don't do it now, you'll torture yourself all night…… she took a deep breath.

"Malfoy…I just need to ask you something."

"What?" He said sharply. "I mean…yes?"

"Why did you risk 30 galleons to go on another date with me?"

To make you, Pothead, and Weasel King suffer... "I just…well…I enjoyed our other date last week…" Draco tried to sound convincing. But it was hard carrying six very heavy bags. When he saw Hermione's confusion, he let a small smirk. Hermione glanced over at him and he quickly switched back to a neutral expression.

"So you admit it? You actually enjoy my company?" She asked, puzzled.

"Well….yes. Is that such a crime?" he replied, a little too nonchalantly.

"No……no of course not…" Well…so much for my brilliant plan. Hermione starting questioning her little theory. Maybe he does like me…or maybe I'm just being paranoid again…

Oh…I've got her eating out of the palm of my hands…They reached the exit and a small carriage stopped in front of them. The driver took opened the door and Draco shoved all the bags into the poor man's arms. The man staggered a bit, but regained his balance.

"After you." Draco said pushing the driver out of the way to hold the door open. Hermione made eye contact with Draco for the first time and forced a smile as she went in. Draco felt his heart pound faster and a strange sensation he never felt before in the pit of his stomach.

A/N: Ok the 7th chapter is already half typed. My comp is STILL not cooperating (grr…) so it'll take a while for me to post. I'll try a friend's comp. anywayz…you know what to do! Review!!! Oh and i THINK OOC means "out of character"……right? lol