The next 2 days were peaceful. They stayed away from each other for they knew that if they spent too much time together, all hell would break loose.

Hermione explored the cabin further to and came upon a study with a wonderful collection of books. She grabbed a few and went to one of the rooms in the back. Ironically enough, her room was decked out in gold and red. She peeked into the second bedroom and saw it had been decorated with green and silver.

"Dumbledore must have thought this through, a long time ago." She thought to herself.

A few hours later ( and two books as well) Hermione wandered out of her room.

"Where is Malfoy? He's been gone a long time." She walked out of the cabin. She heard the distinct sound of a babbling brook or river. Sure enough, there was one nestled behind the cabin.

She walked closer to the embankment and sat down. The cool water rushed through the small rocks, fast. The sound was so comforting. She took her shoes off and let the water flow through her toes. It was a mildly hot day and the idea of swimming sounded great. So she went to the cabin to see if there were any swim clothes in the dresser drawers.

Of course there were. Just a plain , red , one piece bathing suit. She grabbed a towel and went back towards the river.

She waded in until the water came to her waist. She just kind of stood there for a while. Enjoying nature and the chilly water. Just then, something splashed her in the face.

She turned around but was confronted with another splash.

"MALFOY!!! What do you think you're doing?"

"Lighten up , Granger. Have a little fun." He smirked as he splashed her again.

"This is NOT funny! Stop this instant!"

"Or what? Will you nag me to death?"

"GRRRRRR" She growled as she started for the sand. He grabbed her feet and pulled her under.

"Where do you think you're going?" He asked as he pulled her up.

"Any where away from YOU!" She screamed.

He held her arms down as she squirmed at her sides.

"I don't have a disease , you know. So quit acting like you're going to catch something." He said softly, but with an angry face.

"What do you expect? You started splashing me with water, attacking me. You're rude to me all the time. You're hateful. So if that's what its like to be around you, than no thanks. I'd rather not." She said huffily.

He let her go and swam in the opposite direction.

"Suit yourself, Granger." She watched him as he had his back turned. He was looking towards the sky.

She did try to act nice towards her. Tried to interact with her. He didn't call her mudblood. He was civil.

"Malfoy, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude. I… apologize. But you just scared me and embarrassed me. " She yelled to him.

He looked at her and shrugged.

She got back in the water and swam towards him.

"How long were you in here?" She asked him.

" Before you. I was laying down those rocks earlier. I fell asleep. I think I'm sun burnt." He said , grimacing.

She giggled. "Serves you right. You should have worn sunscreen."

The corners of his mouth tugged in as if he were going to smile. It was the first honest look , she ever saw.

"I don't have any obviously. I'm in the middle of nowhere."

"Not necessarily. If you need something, the cabin produces it." She said , matter of factly.

" Like the 'Room of Requirement'?" He asked, eyebrows raised.

"You know about the 'Room of Requirement' ?" She asked, swimming closer to him.

"Of course I know about it."

"How?"

" I don't sleep well. I usually wonder around the castle at night. I came upon it. Simple as that."

"Why did you see when you walked inside? What were you in need of?"

" A place to get away."

"What do you mean?" She asked, floating in front of him.

" When I opened the door, it was a garden. It had a swing. The most comfortable swing ever. It was the garden at the Manor. It almost transported me home. But it was better than home. Because I was alone." He said. As he described it, his eyes lit up. His eyebrows moved to every exciting word.

"Wow, that sounds wonderful. Just being alone. In nature. The best times , I've found, are ones where I'm alone." Hermione said, looking off into the distance.

"Are you kidding me? I thought you loved being apart of the 'Trio' and going on special adventures to save the world."

"Things have changed." Hermione said quietly, looking towards the water.

"Oh, because of Weasley, right?" He questioned. She expected him to taunt her any minute now. But it never came. He sat there awaiting her response.

"Yes, because of Ron."

"So, I really did hit a sour note earlier then."

"Yes. It just goes to show, the ones you love the most hurt you the worst."

"Of course they do. Because you don't expect it." He said, knowingly.

" Have you ever had your heart broken before?" She daringly asked.

" Why is that important?"

" I was just wondering if you were speaking from experience."

" Yes, I have." He said, moving away from her. "But lets talk about you a little more. What exactly did Weasel do?"

She hesitated. Why should she trust him with this? How would she know that he wouldn't use it against her, when they returned to school?

" He uh, well. Its hard to talk about."

" Let me guess. He was your first sexual encounter. You pledged your love. He cheated on you. You can't stand to be near him because he betrayed you. And you cant be with Potter unless he's there too. SO you got screwed in the deal." He said swimming around her.

" Yes. Pretty much." She said blushing.

He nodded knowingly. "Everyone has that happen to them at least once in their lifetime. You'll get over it."

"Get over it? " She scoffed. "Easier said than done." She huffed, folding her arms across her chest.

"Granger, you're 16. You have a full life ahead of you. Don't think that is the last time you'll love or get hurt. For someone so smart, you can be so dense."

She rolled her eyes. "I've taken that into consideration, Malfoy. I'm not thick." He smiled.

"You'd be surprised."

She wanted to smirk at him. To throw a witty comeback. But she couldn't. She laughed. Malfoy actually made her laugh.

She began to think over and over about why he would do that. Why wasn't he insulting her. She didn't know how to handle the attitude adjustment.

"Quit over analyzing everything, Granger. Honestly. I can be a decent human being when I want to." He said, almost reading her thoughts.

"But why do you want to?"

"Why not?"

" Not this again." She laughed.

"What?" He asked, smirking.

" Please quit replying in only questions."

"What do you mean, Granger? I don't understand? " he said again.

"You know bloody well what I'm talking about. Go on with yourself." She said smiling.

" But I thought you liked when I questioned you?"

"STOP! Seriously!" She laughed even more. He swam closer to her. "Stop what?"

"Malfoy!" she said laughing , swimming backwards.

He swam after her and grabbed her ankles again. She tried to kick free. Laughing the entire time. Finally he got a good grip and pulled her towards him.

They were inches apart. He was smiling at her. A genuine smile.

" You should smile more often." She said above a whisper.

"Why is that?" He asked smiling more.

"You like a completely different person."

"How so?"

She growled with a smile. " You just do!" She stated. Getting nervous she started to back up.

Things were quiet as they swam in a circle. Him staring at her, her staring at the sky.

" You should smile more often too, you know." He said.

"I DO smile!" She said.

"Yes, but you never mean it."

" Of course I do." She stated, lying.

" No you don't, Hermione." He said, sweetly.

She gasped loudly, which made him smile wider and look away.

She stared at him longer not understanding but soon smiled herself.

The sun started to go down and there was a chill in the air so they decided to head into the cabin.

" I didn't even know that so much time passed by. Did you?" She asked.

" Not really. I wasn't paying attention to that." He said as they swam towards the shore. She blushed to herself.

But she blushed even more when she saw him come out of the water. He was in swimming trunks. His body was very sculpted. Something she never really paid attention to. His back was covered with scars though. Like someone lashed him with a whip. It made her cringe, but she quickly hid it as he turned around.

"Like what you see , Granger?" He asked smirking.

She laughed airily. " Of course not. You're not my type. " He laughed. A real laugh.

"And just what exactly IS your type? A librarian?"

"No, you git. The sensitive, poetic, non bad boy. That's my type."

"Oh. I see. So you mean Longbottom? Never knew you were keen on him. Thanks for the information." he teased. She just laughed.

They were both exhausted so they decided to head to their rooms.

"Today was weird." he said , before they entered the rooms.

" I agree. But it was pleasant." she said. "Good night…..Draco." She said as she closed her door.

He stood there for a minute before whispering, " Goodnight Hermione."

He couldn't speak or think. Never had his name sounded so wonderful, as it did from her mouth.

What was happening to him? Why was he having feelings for her? A mudblood no less? Did that bloody Dumbledore bewitch him? No. He couldn't have. Did she? No.

He was just so desperate for love. For acceptance, that he now looked for it , in her.

But that wasn't so bad was it?

Of course it wasn't here. Here they could be their selves. But when they returned to Hogwarts, he would have to resume his old persona.

But did he really want to? He liked being himself.

And strangely , he liked being himself with her.