Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, or any of its' characters, names, or settings.

Chapter 18- The 1st Astronomy Class With The Slytherins

Thanks for the reviews. . .

Darkening Sky, Sonia, paprika90, tRuE2U, Emma Knight, Some12, mystical-kitty, DracoHottie4Life, hothunnies16, psychonite, padfoot-prongs-and-moony-rox, NiNiz cRaZi. And. . .

GEmory: LOL. . . you're always my first reviewer for each of the chapters that I post up. Thanks. . . I really appreciate it. About the whole house rivalry thing. . . I found it SO ridiculous. . . it's not even funny. But, it really is amazing how J.K. Rowling's writing is so convincing, that when the Slytherins ARE mentioned in her books, people immediately think of trouble and hate.

Mz.Undastood-Actress: Lmao. . . thanks for your review, and you kinda did sound weird for a second there. Maybe it was all that caffeine. . . ? Anyways, I checked your story out, and I really liked it, so please update soon! Oh, and by the way. . . also read your little 'bio'. . . and it turns out that you and me like the EXACT same stuff. Isn't that weird? Family Guy is my favorite show out there, but it might have to compete with Whose Line Is It Anyways. Hermione and Ron pairings are SO boring. . . no drama in it whatsoever, and Hermione and Harry are too much of the brotherly-sisterly type. When you say you love hard rock, what is your favorite band? I seriously need an example of 'hard rock', cuz EVERYONE thinks of it as something different, so I got no clue.

gazy: Thanks again for your review gazy. I really appreciated it, cuz you are one of my constant reviewers. I really feel grateful, cuz then I know that people are actually enjoying my fic, so then I want to update sooner. Just forget about that whole thing.

Sparcle girl: Lol. . . thanks a lot for your suggestions, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to use them. It's because I already have most of the story planned out, and I don't think it would go too well with the plot. But, thanks anyways, and I hope you don't mind. I'm still going to try to use some of your past suggestions though. Answering to your second review, don't worry about it, cuz I don't even know if I'll have anything posted up by January 5th. . . as you can tell, I've been taking a LONG time to update. . . BUT I'm TRYING!

SubliminalMsgs: LMAO. . . I honestly have nothing to say to your review, except thanks for the little tip. . . and I can easily say that you are the weirdest reviewer that has ever reviewed my story. (I mean that in the good way)


'I don't know how much more of this I can take,' Hermione thought in dismay. 'Now they're telling the whole school lies about me? Gee. . . I wonder what could possibly happen next.'

The sun had already set outside, completing the long and tiring day. It was now the evening, and all of the staff and students were dining in the Great Hall. The sounds of the loud laughter, talking and the clinking of the cutlery and the glasses swept across the large hall, as everyone worked their way through the satisfying well-cooked meal that was laid before them on the 4 long house tables.

Hermione, however, had her pretty eyes cast downward to her plate that contained her uneaten supper. Her left elbow was propped up on the table, where her head rested on her left hand. Holding a fork with her right hand, she slowly played with her supper, which that night, consisted of mashed potatoes and roast beef.

A deep, troubled sigh that had stayed bottled up in Hermione's throat for quite some time now, finally let itself out, as she quietly thought, 'Why does everything have to be so different these days?'

"'Mione, you ok?" Neville asked, noticing the stormy look that was on her face.

"Yah. . . I'm fine," she replied shaking her head, as she finally placed the fork back down on the table beside her plate. "Thanks a lot you guys. . . for sticking up for me like that. I know I should've done something, but I already made myself a deal that I would just have to ignore them completely, in order for me to stop caring and to just move on. I hope you guys understand."

"Hey. . . don't worry about it," Luna reassured her. "But, I'm pretty sure they won't say anything else after what just happened this morning."

"Oh, I wouldn't be too sure about that," Hermione muttered, as she gave her a side-glance with her face filled with doubt. "They'll now probably want to do anything to get back at us. I still feel totally guilty though, because now you guys are involved, and I've put you in the middle of this whole situation. You must feel bad having to turn on your own friends just to defend me."

"Who said they were our friends?" asked Neville suddenly looking up. Hermione noticed that his tone of voice sounded slightly offended and shocked, as if the answer was totally obvious. He continued, "Who would possibly be stupid enough to call those four people friends? I mean, I'm sorry. . . but do REAL friends backstab and ditch each other? No. . . and that's why me and Luna feel it totally right to stick up for you, because we can't let them do that to you, or to either of us."

"Um. . . thanks," Hermione replied awkwardly, for she felt that she didn't really have much to say. She still felt a pang of guilt, and now also a little bit of confusion.

'It seems so unlike Luna and Neville,' she thought while observing, as they, along with everybody else in the Great Hall, slowly finished up their supper. She watched as Neville and Luna filled up their glass bowls with ice cream that came in a great variety of different flavors. 'But, I guess we've all matured a lot since last year. More than others though. . . '

Here, she thought about the immature way that Ron, Harry, Ginny and Padma chose to act.

'I still find it really weird though. Oh well. . . no one told me that this year would be just an average normal year. . . and it's not like I really ever did have a normal year at Hogwarts before. To think about it, this year is pretty calm and boring compared to all that I've experienced with Ron and Harry. . .'

With this last thought, she quickly shook her head.

The sudden sound of hundreds of Hogwarts students getting up from their house tables, startled her, as she jerked her head up to see what was going on.

"Earth to Hermione," Neville called, as he leant in forward and started to snap his fingers in front of the eyes of a dazed Hermione. "You really have to stop thinking so deeply, or you'll soon just be in your own little world all the time. Supper is over. Are you going to come with us, or are you just going to sit here?"

"Huh?" asked Hermione sounding confused. After blinking her eyes a couple of times and shaking her head, she replied, "Yah, I'm coming, I'm coming."

She got up from the table, and along side Luna and Neville she made her way out of the Great Hall. As they approached the wide staircase that led up to the second story, they came across a small group of about 6 Slytherin fifth years. They were also about to climb up the thick-carpeted stairs.

'Not trying to categorize them, but why are they always such a cranky bunch?' Hermione thought, as she observed the sour and cold expressions that were pasted on their faces as soon as they turned around to face them.

She turned to her left when she suddenly felt Luna's hand grabbing her left elbow. Luna was also holding onto Neville's right elbow as she pulled them both slightly back, leaving room for the Slytherins to pass by them and climb up the staircase.

Hermione almost let out a giggle at the sight of the Slytherins' new reactions, but she held it back, leaving the laughter to bubble in the center of her throat. It seemed to her, that at the exact same time right after they moved over for them to pass by, their frowning cold faces, quickly turned expressionless, as they observed the trio. Hermione found it greatly amusing to watch the Slytherins' attempts at holding back their confusion as they marched by them and up the stairs.

'Hm,' Hermione thought. 'They didn't even say anything to us. I guess there's a first time for everything.'

When the Slytherins were well out of earshot, Neville spoke, as the three of them started to also walk up the stairs.

"Ummm. . . what was that about Luna?"

Turning to Neville, she replied, "Well. . . since we already discussed the stupidity of different house rivalry this morning, I thought it would be nice to start acting civil towards the Slytherins, instead of the usual pushing-right-past-them-and-cursing-them thing."

"Oh, I see," Neville said nodding.

They had now reached the second landing, but before Luna turned around and went her separate way to her common room, she said, "Goodnight you guys. I'll see you tomorrow at the same place. . . in front of the map of Argyllshire."

"Ok, goodnight Luna!" Hermione and Neville both called out to her retreating back. Turning around, they both walked down the long corridors.

"Are you going to be heading for the Heads Quarter now before we go to our astronomy class tonight?" Neville asked.

"Actually, I was wondering if you could walk with me there, because I just want to pick up my school bag from my room, for I want to join you in the Gryfinndor common room," Hermione replied. "You know, I haven't been there in ages, and it would be great seeing some of the old Gryfinndors again."

"Sure," he agreed. "And it would be really great having someone to do my homework with."

"Password?"

"Corn on the cob," Neville replied to the Fat Lady portrait.

He and Hermione were standing right outside the Gryfinndor common room. The portrait door swung open, and as they both climbed in, Neville said happily, "It's just one of those few passwords that I can actually remember."

"What are you talking about?" Hermione exclaimed. "Neville, if I didn't know any better, you are becoming less and less forgetful everyday. Of course you can remember the password."

"Thanks 'Mione," he said.

But before she could say anything more, they had reached the common room and hearing the sounds of their voices, most of the Gryfinndors in the room turned their heads in their direction.

"Oh God! Not again. . ."

Calls of "Hey you guys!", "Nice to see you again Hermione!" and "You two come sit here with us!" swept through the warm and cozy common room.

"Well. . . I guess it's not too hard for you to find a homework buddy now, huh Nev'?" Hermione whispered into his ear, sounding very amused but slightly embarrassed because of all the attention that she was getting.

Straightening up and clutching onto her bag, she followed Neville to a large group of sixth years that sat near one of the corners of the room. Several of them moved over, making room for the both of them to sit down and spread out their work in front of them.

"Thanks you guys," Hermione said gratefully. "Was a little worried that now that I don't live here anymore, I would have no place here."

"You don't!"

Hermione felt herself cringe at the sound of Ginny's cold and hard voice that silenced the people that sat around her and Neville. Looking up, she saw Ginny standing with Harry and Ron, not too far away from the group. In fact, after observing closely, Hermione noticed that they had got up and were just leaving by the way they were clutching onto their bags, quills, parchment, and books.

'Oh shit!' Hermione thought, exasperatedly. 'How pathetic is this!'

She could feel everyone's eyes on her, waiting for her to say something.

'Well. . . I'm not going to let anyone talk for me this time,' she told herself. 'Don't want to be a coward again. . . '

"Get lost," Neville muttered.

This angered Ginny and Harry. . . but surprisingly, Ron showed no trace of anger on his face. In fact, after observing him closer, Hermione noticed that he looked kind of like he didn't even want to be there. She could tell this by the way he kept looking so uneasy and uncomfortable.

"You just shut the hell up!" Ginny snapped angrily.

"You know what Ginny," Hermione said quietly, staring at her straight in the eye. "I don't know what the hell is wrong with you. . . maybe you're just p.m.s.ing. . . or maybe you're just being cranky about the fact that your attempts at fucking someone as pathetic as Harry to make you more popular and well-known have failed. . . but I think you should do all of us a big favor by just screwing off and leaving us alone. I'm pretty sure that no one even wants to see your ugly little face right now.."

"Don't talk to her like that!" Harry yelled angrily.

This sudden outburst startled everyone, as they stared at him. Harry's face was red with anger, and his usual bright emerald green eyes, were now blazing behind his glasses. Both of his hands that hung on his sides, were balled up in fists. Everyone recognized this side of Harry, for they witnessed a lot of it in their fifth year every time Umbridge had provoked him.

Hermione however was the only one who looked calm and un-shook by it. In fact, she had a look of pity on her face as she stared back at Harry.

"Wow Harry. . ." she told him, shaking her head. "You are so pathetic, that I could cry for you right here, right now. Do you not have anything else better to do then to come here and get told off by us? Just PLEASE go away. I've already wasted 5 valuable years of my life being friends with people who didn't even appreciate me, and I really don't want to waste anymore of my time being betrayed by you, Ron and Ginny."

At these words, Ron's ears turned a bright crimson shade, but he only frowned and remained silent Harry, however, opened his mouth to retort, but was surprisingly interrupted by none other than Colin Creevey, a Gryfinndor fifth year.

"Yah. . . just go and get lost. . . unless you want another telling off similar to the one that you just got this morning."

The silence that followed this remark was so still and quiet, that a pin could've been heard if it were dropped onto the floor.

'Oh my gosh!' Hermione thought feeling utterly shocked.

She was not the only one who felt this way, for half the common room sat still as they watched the exchange with wide-eyed surprise.

Harry, who was completely caught off guard at what Colin just said, clamped his mouth shut, as a look of bewilderment now appeared on his face.

Hermione and Neville could not help the amusement that they now felt as they each exchanged a slight smile.

'I don't know how many more surprises I can take,' Hermione thought, chuckling silently to herself.

Ever since Colin had stepped foot at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he had idolized and worshiped Harry, to the point where he started to follow in his footsteps or started to take things after him. Colin, and even his year younger brother Dennis, looked up to Harry and respected him for everything he was, as if he was an older brother or a father. Harry found this to be extremely annoying and irritating, and soon got fed up when they sometimes took their idolizing too far.

'I guess Colin has finally grown out of that stage,' Hermione suggested to herself. 'I mean, I can't still look at him as that same old first year who kept flashing his camera at everything. He's 15 years old now, and is obviously way passed that. But, still. . .'

"Yo!" Katie's voice suddenly called out. "Didn't Colin just ask you to leave?"

This again completely surprised and shocked Hermione.

'What's going on?' she found herself asking, as she felt totally lost and bewildered. 'Why are people standing up for me?'

Hermione felt like this, because it was just this morning when Ginny and Harry were telling almost all of the Gryfinndors about what a terrible person she was. Even after the harsh telling off that they both received from Luna and Neville, they continued spreading false rumors and accusations about her to the whole student body during the rest of the school day.

Even thinking about it, Hermione felt sick with fury remembering how everyone gave her strange looks or snaked right past her as they tried to get to each of their classes. This had spoiled her mood right up to dinnertime, but she had worked hard up to now, to shrug off the uncertainty that she felt about what others might be thinking about her. Now, however, she was starting to get a faint idea.

Ginny took Harry's hand, and she muttered, "Just forget them. . . they're not worth our time," as she gently pulled him away from the group.

Harry's teeth were still clenched together in anger, but he also turned around and marched with Ginny to the other side of the Gryfinndor common room, where he was closely followed by an unsure and silent Ron.

As everyone turned back to their work, Hermione and Neville exchanged confused glances.

"Thanks for sticking up for me you guys," Hermione said gratefully. "But why exactly did you do it?"

"Oh please," Katie snorted, sounding as if the answer to that question was totally obvious. "Like we'd let them do more stuff to you than they've already done?"

Hermione, feeling some of her uncertainty drifting away, still felt a little doubt as she asked, "But what about all that stuff that they've been saying about me today?"

"What about it?" Dean asked.

"Even after all of the things that they said about me, you guys still want to be my friends?" Hermione questioned quietly.

This made the Gryfinndors highly amused as many of them laughed.

"'Mione," Alicia spoke up, when the laughter had died down. "Do you really think we'd believe THEM? I mean, come on! How can we possibly believe what they have been saying about you?"

"I know," piped up Parvati, matter-of-factly. "'Mione, we have known and lived with you for about 5 years now, and we know that you are not possibly like what they say you are to be."

As she said this, Hermione looked around to all of the Gryfinndors that were sitting around her. Some of them were listening as they had their heads bent down in front of their work, and some of them were looking up and nodding along, silently agreeing to what was now being said.

"And how can we possibly believe Ginny over you?" Lavender added. "It's so obvious that they are only jealous and are trying to do everything they can to make your life miserable."

"Hermione, just forget about it, okay. You have no reason to sweat about it, because you know all of that is just a load of crap," Seamus told her, before he and everyone else bent back down over their schoolwork.

This left Hermione speechless, as she felt all of her fears and doubts dissolve. But with only one side-glance that Neville gave her, it was enough to tell him that she was truly grateful, pleased, and shocked.

'Oh my God!' she thought to herself, feeling utterly surprised and pleased as she watched all of her friends in awe. They were now all talking to each other, or bent down over their work, scribbling away.

Hermione's honey eyes shone with happiness as they wandered from person to person, and she thought, 'So this is what it's like to have true, understanding friends who hold so much faith in you, that they wouldn't believe a false rumor for even a second. For the past 5 years, I've been so used to being in a horrible friendship with Ron and Harry, where I was filled with misery every time something was blamed on me. Either it was because of a rat, Viktor Krum, or even a broomstick, they always took sides with each other against me, never even trying to understand or listen to my side. Who would've thought that this is the first time in my life where I truly understand how important friends are. . .'


In the large fireplace of the Gryfinndor common room, the dying embers of the small, red flames cast the large room with a dim glow. The shadows lurking behind each chair, couch or person, danced with the luminosity, when each of the small flames rippled with the tiniest breath of air. The quiet and lingering echoes of the crackling flames that erupted from within each dying blaze, and the soft radiance of the room, created quite the soothing, calm and relaxing atmosphere.

The pretty 16-year old sat not too far way from the fireplace, with her legs stretched out in front of her as she leant her back against the foot of a red chair. She watched the flickering flames in a daze, as she drifted in her thoughts, unaware of the small group of sixth years that sat around her. She took no notice of the scribbling of quills, the rustling of parchment or the flipping pages of thick, dusty volumes of encyclopedias as the common room occupants labored over the large amounts of work that were given to them.

Hermione Granger had long completed her studious amount of homework, and had even doubled checked each of her answers. Having no desire to disturb everyone else by striking up a conversation, she quietly packed up her books, notes, quills, parchment and ink into her backpack.

Slowly looking around the common room to see if there was anything else to do, her eyes were drawn to the fireplace. Its rippling flames illuminated her eyes to an irresistible, fiery and an almost golden color. The uneven movement of the scorching, red-orange flames hypnotized Hermione, as thoughts started to pass through her mind.

They were thoughts of her parents and Sharon back in the muggle world, thoughts about Ron and Harry and their relationships with their new girlfriends, thoughts of Luna, Neville, and all of her new friends, and thoughts of how Hogwarts would be like without the 4 houses dividing up the students.

And now as Hermione gazed into the fire, her thoughts were on a certain Slytherin. . . Draco Malfoy.

How he suddenly came into her head, she did not know. But, she did know that thoughts of him kept drifting unwillingly into her mind. Although she had tried hard thinking about other things, the many thoughts and images she had about Draco, kept emerging into the back of her mind, until she finally just gave up and let her mind wander to the last time that they had actually spoken to each other, which was only this morning.

'Why is it that I'm driven crazy by what Draco Malfoy says to me, which is actually very little?' she asked herself. 'I mean, he hardly says anything to me anymore, but when he actually does, why is that his words stay stuck in my head?'

She was thinking about this morning, when they had run into each other. He had barely said anything, except for 'No problem', and Hermione still felt quite shaken up by it.

'What is wrong with me?' she asked herself exasperatedly. 'Why do I care so much?'

Hermione felt completely confused that these thoughts suddenly came screaming at her, tormenting her, until she had no choice but to give in and satisfy her conscience's needs by spending some time alone to herself, just to ponder over the many unanswered questions that sprang up into her mind, all because of one guy. . . Draco.

'Why is it that I care so much?' she again asked herself the same question. 'I mean, whatever happened to just plain old Malfoy Ferret Face?'

But Hermione already knew the answer to that. She finally understood that she could no longer just look at him in that way. In fact. . . she now saw that there was a lot more to him than she thought, and this was all because he had changed so drastically.

After sitting and thinking in front of the fire for a while longer, she finally realized something.

'I think. . .' she began, as a new idea started to materialize in her head. '. . . that all of these things that I am feeling, is only based on my confusion I mean, it all makes sense now. He never insults me or anybody else anymore, and he isn't always seeking the center of attention from all of the other Slytherins. I've been so used to and accustomed to his harassing and taunting, so of course I would be completely curious and baffled by the sudden change. . . anyone would. And that's exactly why I can't get him out of my head, because of the fact that I want to know why he's treating me so differently.'

At this reassuring thought, Hermione sighed in relief, as she shook her head. She no longer felt uncomfortable at the thought of Draco, because she knew that the only feeling she felt over him, was confusion. . . and absolutely nothing more.

'Augh!' she thought in sudden discouragement. 'I want to know SO badly why he's acting like this. I can't help feeling curious. What if he's just playing around, actually trying to act differently, just to confuse me? This makes everything so confusing! Or, what if. . .'

Hermione's next thought was suddenly interrupted when she felt something tugging on her right arm. Looking up, she saw Neville standing up beside her, tugging on her right sleeve, trying to get her attention.

"Finally!" he said impatiently. "'Mione, I've been trying to get your attention for about 6 minutes now. Where were you? Were you daydreaming again?"

When she nodded, he replied, "Well, I just wanted to tell you that we're all done our work now, and we're waiting for you to come with us."

"Umm. . ." Hermione spoke sounding bewildered. "Where exactly are we going, and who is this 'we' that you're talking about?"

Neville exhaled deeply. It sounded to Hermione as if he was trying to gain some of his old patience, before answering, "'Mione, it's 11:45 p.m. The 'we' that I am talking about, is you, I, and some of the other Gryfinndor sixth years."

When she just blinked cluelessly, he sighed and continued, "It's time for us to go to our Astronomy class like scheduled, remember?"

"Ohhh!" she exclaimed, suddenly taking in what Neville had just said. "Well. . . you better hurry up Nev', because we're going to be late. . ."


"Augh!" Lavender's annoyed and tired whine was heard from above, as her voice traveled down to Hermione and Neville. "Why does the Astronomy class have to be all the way up at the TOP of the tower? Why can't we just take an elevator or something, instead of walking up so high?"

"What's an elevator?" Hermione and Neville heard Katie ask her from high above.

Lavender's amused titters rang through the tower, and they heard her reply, "Well, I learned in Muggle Studies that an elevator is a device, or a machine that the muggles use to travel upwards, instead of taking the stairs."

"Oh, do you also mean like the ones in the Ministry of Magic?" Katie asked her.

"Yup," she replied again. "Those are the ones I'm talking about. You know, muggles really are pretty clever."

As the small group of Gryfinndor sixth years climbed up the long, narrow spiraling staircase, their footsteps echoed loudly through the tower as their steps bounced off each stone stair. Each noise or sound that they made ricocheted off the stonewalls. Although the tower was slightly bleak and dark, Hermione found the atmosphere of the tower slightly comforting, but still very mysterious . . . as if there was something else behind the stonewalls. . . but Hermione just couldn't put her finger on it.

"Why do you think that our Astronomy class has been moved to midnight?" Hermione asked Neville, as she turned to look at him. "It wasn't usually this late."

They had now reached the tall black doors that were at the top of the staircase. Lavender was holding the doors open for them from behind her, and when they had passed her and walked out into the large sundeck (or in this case, just the top deck of the tower), they thanked her, before Neville turned to her.

"I'm not sure," he replied honestly. "I'm thinking that it was probably because both Professor Sinistra and Professor Dumbledore thought that having it on midnight was better for our lessons, since we can probably observe the sky better."

Then, he asked Hermione a question, as they made their way across the top deck of the tower to the railings that were built around the edges of the tall structure.

"Hermione, I thought you didn't believe in fortune telling?"

"I know," she said nodding. She looked over the railing and down towards the wide, stretching grounds, before continuing, "I'm only taking these classes because I really like the scenery from here."

Neville laughed, and he exclaimed, "You know 'Mione, that's really unlike you."

Hermione just smiled and said, "I couldn't resist signing up for this. I mean, having a lesson at midnight is pretty cool. Apart from arithmancy, I guess this would also have to be my favorite class."

"Oh," he said. "You know, I think Herbology will always be my favorite."

Just then, the soft voice of Professor Sinistra came floating up from behind them.

"Welcome everyone," she greeted, and Hermione and Neville spun around to face her. She was about the same height as Hermione, and her long black hair was tied up in a knot behind her head. Although she was often mistaken for a smaller version of Professor McGonagall, her face was tired looking and gentle, instead of the stern expression that Professor McGonagall usually held.

As she was waiting for everyone's attention, she stood quietly in the middle of the floor looking around to all of the Gryfinndor and Slytherin students. Most of them were facing her as they were leaning against the railings.

When everyone had settled down, she continued in the same soft voice, "Welcome to your third year in Astronomy lessons. As I understand it, this is the first time that Gryfinndors and Slytherins have ever had this lesson together. I hope that you will get along well in my classes.

Since tonight is just your first lesson into the year, I only want this period to be a little sky-sightseeing session. This is because I want you to just silently observe the skies above and get familiar to what is up there, before we get started on our actual lessons, which will be sometime later on in this week. Are there any questions?"

When no one spoke or said anything, Professor Sinistra continued on, "Ok. . . well then, I would like all of you to just find a place by yourself to stand and watch the actions that are happening up there. Remember, I don't want any talking, for I am going to ask you in our next lesson about what you all saw."

Silently, everyone made their way to a spot around the railings. Since it was quite dark by now except for the moonlight that shone down on the top deck, it was very difficult to differentiate between the Slytherins and the Gryfinndors, so everyone just split up and walked over to a spot where they thought would suit them better for sightseeing. Neville walked towards the right side of the tower, where it kind of seemed that it was where a lot of people stood, but Hermione preferred where she was already standing. Turning around, she gazed into the dark scenery in front of her.

Hermione let out a sigh. This was what she had secretly been looking forward to all day.

Looking out into what appeared to be the never-ending distance, she felt completely safe and secure. The darkness hovering protectively over her made her feel in peace of mind. The shadows was only cut by the silver moon and starlight that shone from up above the inky black sky, when they emerged from behind the gray clouds. The faint eerie rays lit up different areas.

Tonight, the green rolling lawns of Hogwarts were the color of ebony. They gave the appearance that it had rained that moment, because of the way the silver lights shone on the lawns, creating the illusion of sparkling water droplets clinging onto each blade of the perfectly trimmed grass. Hagrid's cabin sat in the distance silhouetting against the other dark shadows. Even the Forbidden Forest did not look so foreboding that night, as the moon shone down on each leaf or branch of the trees that were planted together.

Hermione felt at complete ease as she stood perfectly still, letting the dim scenery spellbound her. She was enjoying the solitaire, until she felt someone else's presence. . . not too far away.

Looking over to her far left, she could make out the outline of a person leaning forward, with his arms stretched slightly out to each side as they held onto the railing. The outline of the person told Hermione one thing. . . whoever this person was, looked completely cool, relaxed and at home. She found herself watching the figure for sometime, and the only actions that she could make out, was the gentle inhaling and exhaling of his calm breathing. Suddenly, the moon emerged from behind a cloud, and faintly lighting up the top of the Astronomy Tower, she finally made out whom she was observing.

It was Draco Lucius Malfoy.

Hermione's heart suddenly stopped, and she could no longer breathe. This was because the bright radiance of the moon and the stars, brought out his eyes to a piercing and flawless gray. It frightened her. . . terrified her. . . mystified her. . . because she had never in her whole life seen any eyes like his. No matter how eerie she felt when she stared at his eyes, she felt completely protected and restful at the look on his face. . . Draco Malfoy had the most tranquil, still and quiet expression on his face. She had never seen this side of him, but it was almost like he was wearing an unrecognizable disguise. . .


Author's Note: I really hope that this chapter was worth your LONG wait!