Disclaimer: I don't own any of the orginial Harry Potter character because I am not that creative...but I wish i was...I only own the plot and my characters

WHERE YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND ME

Over the next two months, life at Hogwarts resembled that of a monster rollercoaster. Ups, Downs, side to side and of course loopity loops. Draco and Hermione mangaged to develop a strong friendship between midnight and dawn several times a week. They talked about everything from music to relationships. By day they were sworn enemies and by night they were like childhood friends. Draco maintained his relationship with Anna which pleased his father and devastated Pansy. Harry was head over heels for Cheyan and managed to ask her to be his girlfriend on the first Hogsmeade trip of the year and was sealed with a gorgeous heart pendant with their names on it just before Halloween. Ron had finally gotten up the courage to ask Katie on a date just a week after Halloween and she accepted after a slight deliberation. Gryffindor and Slytherin were in a dead heat for the Quidditch Cup but had not played each yet. That would happen just before Christmas. All in all life was pretty good. Except for Hermione that is. She was still alone. Although she was elated for her friends, she was beginning to wonder what was wrong with her. It was true that she was extremely busy with all her classes, homework, prefect duties and spending time with her friends but she wanted someone of her own. She had went to Hogsmeade with a 7th year boy named Simon DeKalb but all he wanted to do was talk about himself and how great his was. He didn't even try to hold her hand let alone kiss her. So naturally, her loneliness was intensifying and she began to look at Draco with an unspeakable longing. They were having such awesome talks and he had opened himself up to her. There was even a few times that she thought she saw him thinking about kissing her. But that was all and she couldn't understand why. After talking to Ginny one afternoon, Hermione decided to just ask him. I mean, he had had the courage to ask her for help and confide his deepest secrets and desires, why shouldn't she do the same? She would just have to wait for the perfect opportunity and as luck would have it, it came just a few days before Thanksgiving. Pansy wasn't speaking to Draco because of his relationship with Anna and Ron was all to consumed with Katie to help begin planning for the Christmas ball. Therefore, all the details were left to the two of them (Draco and Hermione). They were going over ideas for the theme when Hermione decided to make her move.

"Draco, do you think that you'll marry Anna?" she asked.

"Not if we succeed in stopping Voldemort."

"You used his name. I am so proud of you because as you know fear of the name only promotes fear of the thing itself. So you don't love her?"

"No she's too easy..no thrill of the chase if you know what I mean."

"Actually, I don't I haven't had date since the Hogsmeade weekend."

"Do you want to know why?" he inquired.

"Sure but be kind."

"You're very pretty and very smart..that's very intimidating to most guys."

"Yeah right.." she scoffed.

"No really. Listen Hermione, most of the guys in this school would love to go out with you but they wonder what they may have to offer you that you couldn't get for yourself."

"How about someone to hold at night? What about you?" she pressed further almost holding her breath.

With that he stopped what he was doing and looked at her. He could see it written all over her face...she was prodding to find out his feelings for her. He had wondered when this day would come because he had felt the tension between them for several weeks now. Many times he had to fight the urge to kiss her or confess his curiosity for fear it would ruin what they now had. He had planned for this moment in case it came so as not to hurt her, himself or their friendship.

"For the past few months I have had to live a double life. Evil by day, angelic by night and you've been the reason it has been bearable. When I look in your eyes, I see the reflection of the man I want to be, the man you deserve to be with. A thousand times I have wanted to take you into my arms and never let you go but at least for now that is only a dream. I don't care who your parents are but everyone else does so I can't openly embrace you. Would you really want to be with someone who would have to hide you away while carrying on with another girl right in front of you?" he confessed to her.

"Are you saying you have feelings for me?" she countered.

"What I'm saying is that you need to try to find someone who can treat you the way you deserve and if we are able to rid of Voldemort and you are still willing then we could try to be more."

"I understand and thank you for your honesty. But should you change your mind or need me, you know where you can always find me." and with that she got up, handed him a piece of paper and said goodnight.

Draco felt so alone and guilty, wondering if she was angry or hurt by him. He was so stupid to have said so much. Frustrated, he got up and went to his room and got ready for bed. As he was laying down listening to the song that reminded him of her, letting the words fuel his desires in the hopes of pleasant dreams, he opened the note and stared at it in shock.....