Title: Dance Fever and Some Bad Dreams

Disclaimer: Not mine

Muse's Note: SHE FOUND ANOTHER COMPUTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She can now type it up, send it to me, and it will get POSTED!!!! Hehe!!! Here it comes! *drum roll…*


~~~~~~Chapter: Dreamless Sleep and Could it be L...?
She was a dream,

I thought as she held my hand and led me down stone steps. Everything about her made me feel cared for. I had never had one person really care. The way she looks at me with those warm chocolate brown eyes I knew she had feeling for me.


The touch of her fingers under my eyes were more caring then my mother's had been. Who knew Hermione a Muggle and one of my worst enemies could have this effect on me.


I was tugged out of my train of thought when I found that Hermione had led me to the Potions door, "Snape's going to kill me." I muttered before being dragged into the room.



"Only if we're caught." Whispered Hermione. She looked around to me before walking further, "Don't worry, Draco. I've done this hundreds of times." She turned back to walking to Snape's restricted closet of potions.



"And why, may I ask, have you done this hundreds of times?" I whispered back. She pulled out her wand and tapped the door knob muttered a spell. The knob glowed gold before clicking open,


"You know Harry, Ron, and myself were always up to something. We've had to sneak down here tons of times for various potions." Hermione pushed the door open gently and walked in, "Come on."



I hesitated to look around the potions room just to double check that Snape wasn't hiding in a dark corner then finally stepped into the closet. All around us were twisted bottles of different potions. Some bright orange and some just containing swirls of mist, "Ok, look for a bottle that reads Dreamless Sleep on it." Hermione said.



I would have done exactly as she told me to do except for the fact that I was completely distracted by the sweet smell coming from Hermione's hair and not to mention how close she was to me. I needed to think about something else," So…er…um…how do you know about this…er…Dreamless Sleep stuff anyway?"



Smooth, Draco. Real smooth.


Hermione didn't seem to notice my pathetic excuse to talk, "Fourth year I remember Harry talking about some Dreamless Sleep stuff that Dumbledore gave him so he wouldn't have nightmares about his experience with…Voldemort." At this she turned to me with sadness in her eyes.



I felt my stomach tickle from her caring eyes. Though it also hurt to see the sadness in her eyes. So to lighten the moment I grinned and teased, "Sounds like my kind of stuff, then."


She rolled her eyes but couldn't hold back a smile, "Well come on. We need to be searching for the potion." She said turning back to the shelves of bottles. We shifted through about three shelves before Hermione let out a hushed squeal of delight, "Got it!"


She dangled the flask of purple stuff in front of my nose, "I have to drink that stuff?" I asked unable to hide the disgust from my voice. Hermione laughed and pushed past me to get out of the cabinet, "Sorry but yes."


I followed her out and was about to crack another joke when I heard something like wood on stone. Hermione had apparently not heard a thing and was about to say something to me before I instinctively put my hand to her mouth and dragged her under Snape's desk which was a couple of feet away.


And just when we had hidden the door flew open and although I could not see the person who walked in, the swift loud footsteps could not mistaken as Snape's stiff walk. But once he entered the room there were other footsteps trailing in after.



I looked to Hermione and I could tell she was just as clueless as who it could be until,



"Professor, please, let me just skip tonight! I have three papers due tomorrow that I need to finish up."



Potter?


"Potter! I am shocked that you would rather finish some essays then work on protecting that pathetic excuse for a mind!"


There was a moment of silence before Snape spoke up again," As you wish, Potter- But I expect a full three hours next lesson. Understood?"


"Fine, yes." Harry muttered. Without another word Snape walked swiftly past Harry grumbling,
"I have a few matters of my own to attend to anyway."


Snape's footsteps had gone up the staircase and were now out of earshot. Although as for Harry's, I could not tell if he had left with Snape or stayed. But when I made to lift up my head and take a peek at the classroom, I had misjudged the distance my head was from the open air, and brought my head up into the underside of the desk.


The sound was not that loud but the pain was great. I couldn't help but hiss under my breath, "Damn English oak!" and a couple other colorful words. I felt Hermione's body next to mine shake with silent giggles. If it had been anyone else I would have scowled and remained moody for a long time, however the effect of Hermione's laughter was- dare I say- heart warming.



Once I heard Potter's footsteps depart from the classroom I slowly scooted myself out from under the desk, making sure that there was no damn English frigging oak above my head while Hermione burst into her musical laugh.


She crawled out from under the desk and then allowed me to help her up. Her cheeks were rosy and eyes bright when she apologized, "I'm sorry. You're just so cute when you're mad- that is, when you mad at things like wood."


Even I couldn't resist her coy charm, as my lips broke into the biggest smile I have worn in a long time. Her cheeks blossomed into a rosy blush probably realizing she had just paid me a compliment, "Um…Come on let's get out of here."


With that she tucked her wavy tresses behind one ear and took my hand in hers, "Who knows when Snape will come back." From the moment the skin of her hand touched mine I felt like I just wanted to kiss her again. The way her faced glowed and eyes brightened when she looked at me…I had never had that happen to me, where I actually returned the same feelings (maybe more).


For it was true that I had practically four fifths of the girls at Hogwarts in the palm of my hand, I'm not going to deny that. But I had never been put in the situation where I felt for that person. I was thrilled and scared all at once. Thrilled that I had found the only girl who I truly adore and scared that I would wake up and it would all be just a dream.


A very good dream.


"Right, then. Shall we?" I said lacing my fingers around hers. She grinned and blushed,
"We shall."



~~~Herm's POV~~~ (A/N- I don't what the Slytherin door looks like so I'm just going to make one up. Just a heads up)


We started out the door and down the dimly lit corridor towards the Slytherin entrance. I didn't really know where we were going for I had never gone anywhere near the Slytherin Wing. Only in second year had I even considered going near the place.



As we walked hand in hand I couldn't get my mind off of the thought that his hand felt so right laced with mine. Everything about me, a Muggle, and Draco, a pure blood, was so very wrong. But whenever his eyes met with mine all doubts fled and I could not help but be swept away by everything about him.



Even the little things that I have noticed he does made my heart warm and smile. Like whenever he smiles, there is the slightest twinkle in his eyes. Or when he does that brushing his thumb across my lips before we kiss, almost teasing me. The list goes on…and on…and on


I felt him slowing down and come to a stop. He turned to me, "The entrance is just beyond that corner. I nodded and searched my pocket and held out the flask of Dreamless Sleep potion. He slowly raised his hand and wrapped his fingers around it, "Thanks." He said in a hushed voice like he was thinking on something.



He placed the flask in his own pocket and turned his attention back to me. With his hand still entwined in mine he gently pulled me inches from himself. My heartbeat thundered under my chest as his face came down to mine and he rested a tender kiss on my lips.



Even though it wasn't a long lip-locking kiss, I felt just as much care in the kiss as the first time he kissed me. This one even seemed to make me feel even more cared for if possible. He pulled away leaving me breathless.


"Well…umm…I hope the potion…err…works. Yes, good luck." What the hell was I saying? Good luck? I'm such a dork. But my dork behavior seemed to be amusing to him. I could see the edges of his mouth curl up just a bit, which only made me start blushing. Jeez, I had to get out of here. I was making a complete fool of myself!



I stepped back breaking the hand holding and said, "I'll see you tomorrow. Umm…be sure to tell me how the potion worked out for you." I turned around and was about to speed walk down the corridor, up the stairs, to the Gryffindor Common, throw my face in a pillow, and scream, when Draco called out,


"Wait!" I stopped and turned around to face him. His half grin had disappeared and was no replaced by a sheepish shy face that was new to me. He shuffled a few steps closer and shoved his hands into his pockets. This was very new, indeed. Though surprisingly satisfying to know that Draco Malfoy had emotions such as nervousness and embarrassment.



"Would you- could you-er…will you possibly stay with me for the night?" I widened my eyes showing and feeling clearly not ready for what he just asked of me. Seeing the look on my face made him stammer over more words, "You wouldn't have to sleep in my bed or anything- or you could even have the bed and I'll take the floor. I just…I- what I'm trying to say is…will you please just stay with me for the night."



In all my years at Hogwarts, I had never heard Draco stumble on so many words at once. But his last words made me feel that he had no sneaky intentions of any sort. Something inside made me think that this was it.



A test of trust and gentleman conduct. And another part quivered with delight thinking that this would be fun. I set aside the embarrassed side to me and walked up to Draco and said in a rather coy voice, "I would be more than happy to stay with you for the night."



I could see his nerves melt away to be replaced with relief. He took my hand and guided me around the corner to a large picture of a dark forest with a snake hovering in the center; "Password?" hissed the snake in English


"Serpentsocio" spoke Draco. The snake hissed and the Portrait hole opened up to a large door. Draco tugged it open with one good jerk, "Ladies first."


I smiled and stepped into the Slytherin Wing and waited for Draco to close the door. Their Common room was decorated in depressing tones of green and solid blacks. The furniture was leather and unwelcoming. And the room had a certain iciness that chilled the tips of my fingers. Just then I thought that I had just made history. I was probably the first Muggle-born to enter the Slytherin wing in ages.



I heard the door close behind me and soon after I felt Draco's hand around my cold one. He leaned in and whispered, "We don't want to stick around here. Come on." He led the way to his own room.


He pushed one of his doors slightly open and slid inside with me following. A small 'o' appeared on my lips when I saw the luxury of the room, which Draco caught. He said two words, " Dearest daddy," which explained all. While he was busy locking his door I took the time to walk around his room examining his bookshelf of dusty, untouched books, a small gold framed picture of his mother and father, over to two doors that led out to a balcony over looking the lake, and then my eyes wandered over to his king size bed with black satin sheets, and a dark green comforter.


I turned around to Draco who was taking off his shirt by his dresser. I snapped my head back around to look at anything else that wouldn't make me blush like crazy. But it was too late. I could already feel the heat rising up in my neck and cheeks.


"You blushing over there, Herm?" He said in his low voice. I sighed and turned around to show his my flushed cheeks. But it was when my eyes traveled around his bare chest did my cheeks only grow more rosy,



"Just a bit." I mumbled taking in his strong shoulders, leading down to toned abs and then over to his sturdy arms yet smiling at his black boxers with little dragons on it. Draco grinned and offered," I could put a shirt on if this makes you uncomfortable-"


"No, that's ok." I answered far too fast. I didn't even have to look at his face to know he was putting on his devilishly hansom grin on.


He walked over to the bed, with his potion in one hand, grabbed one of the pillows and dropped it on the floor. I expected him to walk over to his closet and get a blanket or something to cover him with but instead he just sat back and rested his head in the pillow.



I frowned thinking, how will he ever be able to get to sleep like that? But I didn't argue. I slipped off my cloak, took off my shoes, and then socks, and I walked around in my school skirt and blouse to the side Draco was and crawled into his bed.


All the while I could feel Draco's eyes on me. However it was uncomfortable for me. In fact it made me smile to know I was keeping his interest. I turned over to his and rested the side of my head on my hand to look down on Draco who was looking right back at me.


"Are you sure that you're going to be able to get to sleep down there?" at this, Draco looked away and shook his head slightly, "Have you taken the potion yet?" again he shook his head.


I frowned, "Draco, how do think your ever going to get any rest if you don't use the help I'm giving you?" Draco turned his head to me and smiled weakly,


"Don't worry, love. I just need to think about some stuff before I go to sleep and cloud up my mind with potion. I promise that I will take the potion and get some sleep." Everything about him was sincere as his eyes bore into mine, "But it's getting late and you need to get some sleep." He extended a hand up to brush the little hair that was in my face.


And right when I felt his fingers brush my cheek I felt instantly tired. And I gave Draco one last worried look before I let my head gently fall back on my pillow. Soon after I closed my eyes I was asleep.



I found myself staring up at the sea of sky above me, admiring the scattered stars winking back at me. While sitting cross-legged on the chilling ground, a breeze ran icy fingers over my cheeks and nose. I shrank into my cloak and noticed that with every breath I took I could see puffs of clouds in front of my nose.


After staring at the sky for a few more moments I absentmindedly started to brush the brisk and dewy grass on either side of me.



I raised my hands to look at the dew that had clung to the tips of my fingers from the blades of grass to delicate to handle the wait of the droplets of water. As I stared intently at my fingers I could hear the familiar sound of soft slashes in the water ahead of me.


I turned my attention away from the dew and to a boy swimming in the water. It didn't take more than a millisecond to know whom the boy was.


Draco. My Draco.


His arms raised one at a time and then plunged back into the water pushing him further and further through the water. .


Till he would reach a certain point and his head would break the surface of the water and he would start back the other way. After a couple minutes of admiring his superb body his head broke the surface once again.


But the difference of this time, what the fact that he turned to me, grinned and began to trudge back to the edge of the lake. The beads of water trickled down his chest and his hair was messy yet oddly hansom on such a high-class wizard.



He was just a few yards away he opened his mouth to say something that looked like,
"Hey, beautiful."


But then he stopped walking and stood ridged looking with icy eyes at someone-or something over my shoulder.



I was just about to turn around when I felt a sharp heated shot of green magic crack past my cheek and all I could see was that blinding green light all around me. I closed my eyes tightly until lightening green had died as soon as it had come.


I opened my eyes and felt my blood run cold. Everything seemed to stop in time. The lake was motionless, the breeze was gone, the stars had dimmed, as the moon showered light on a vision of dread.


There lying with his back in the sand and his arms sprawled out to his sides was Draco…


Motionless.



My eyes snapped open and I took a sharp in take of breath. It was when I saw the bed post above me and felt the warm covers on top of me did my racing heart start to loose it's rapid speed.



But then all the sudden I was thrown into panic once again. I had fallen asleep! I should have kept an eye on Draco so to see if the potion had worked. What if he hadn't even drank the potion!


I looked over the edge of my bed and saw that his sleeping ground with the pillow was empty. It was only when I raised my eyes up to the balcony doors did my heart slow down. There was Draco with his shirt off and his black boxers, leaning against one of the open doors, and looking down on the grounds.


I slide out from under the covers and placed a foot on the carpeted floor. However before I got up from the bed he practically whispered,


"I can't, Hermione."


"Can't what?" I asked in almost just the same whisper. His head bent down, allowing the soft beams of moonlight to trickle down his back, as he muttered,


"Sleep." I breathed a sigh hoping that he wouldn't hear the pity in my breath,


"Did you take the potion?" I asked calmly. His head slowly tilted up to look up at the moon and the moonlight that had once been sliding gently down his back, turned into shadow


"No."


Upon hearing he did not take the potion I brought my right hand to my forehead and massaged a aching head from further pain. How on earth would I get him to sleep? Draco is far more stubborn than any guy I had ever met...and far more confusing.



I pushed myself off the bed and walked steadily toward Draco. As I decreased the distance from Draco and myself I started to feel the bitter chill of winter, from the open balcony doors, nipping at my cheeks.


Once I was standing a about a half a foot behind him I don't know what made me place my hand within his. Although I could not say that I wasn't thrilled when he intertwined his fingers around mine.


However my joy was mixed with worry as I felt the iciness of his hand,


"Draco, will you please come away from the window? You're going to catch your death out here."


Draco's head turned to me. Yet there was no grin, smirk, or any other "Malfoy looks" on his face. Instead, his eyes had become more silver then ever I had seen, more curious than a little boy looking at snow for the first time, and still more fear than any I had seen.



However under what was frosted outside layer of his eyes was something more than simply fear and curiosity. I stared right back knowing that something was under what he was already showing. I had no idea what it was or could be.



Though, there was something about it that made me feel warm and safe and all together a feeling unknown to me until this night. Is it possible it could be...


No. Never could a Malfoy have that sort of emotion for a muggle-born Granger.
The mix of emotion in his eyes made me almost forget to breath. I felt his hand give a squeeze before he dropped it. Just as he dropped my hand, the curious, frightened, and unknown feeling instantly sunk back into the depths of his mind and were no longer to be seen through his silver eyes.



"I'm ready for the potion now." He murmured. Then he turned around and marched back into the shadows of his room. Utterly confused, I shut the balcony doors and walked swiftly back into Draco's room.



After that it was as though Draco had snapped out of whatever day dream he was in. For he when I came back form closing the doors he was looking at the bottle of Dreamless Sleep Potion with disgust. And when he saw me gazing at him he grinned,


"Doesn't look very appetizing, does it?"


I slowly smiled unsure if what had happened on the balcony, had indeed happened...


He yanked the cork free from it's place, put the bottle to his lips, then tilted his head back. I watched Draco swallow the potion in two large gulps and place the bottle back on the bed side table. He made a face,



"Disgusting stuff. Too bad you can't add a little spice or something." His eyes were now as warm as his smile, " I suggest you get off to bed now, pet. We're both going to have to wake up early in order to sneak you out of here."


I nodded and walked over to the side of Draco's bed and slid under the covers once more while Draco was shaking out his pillow on the floor.



After I had made myself comfortable I peeked over the edge of the bed to see Draco already on his back with his hands behind his head, bare chest rising and falling, and eyes staring up at me.


His eye lids were slowly slipping over his eyes and he was asleep. I lay there on the side of the bed for a minute or so contemplating on whether to keep watch over him or obey my strong urge to let myself fall into the deep sleep it needed.


And it was a few seconds after I decided that I had to keep an eye on him, did I hear from his very own sleeping lips a soft murmur of,


"Don't worry, love."


I stared a couple moments, smiled, and thought, That's good enough for me. Then I fell into the need deep sleep.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~

I Am soooo sorry that I haven't updated in a long long long (long) while. But I'm telling you that it's not that I haven't wanted to. It's b/c i have this virus on my comp. And my comp completely crashed! My main comp still has a virus but I have found another way. I have an old old comp that im using so it might take longer then before to update. ANYWAY i thank those of you that have stuck with me on this.

PLease keep reading and reviewing!!!! I have lots of good ideas stored up in my little mind so please I beg of you to keep readign. And also i want to thank some of you for giving me some fantastic ideas that I might alter but am so going to use them.

Review PLEASE!!!!
p.s. it's great to be writing again!!!!!!!! LUV ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!
Muse's Note: Mwahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!

*end muse's note*