Hello, my darlings. After such fantastic reviews and requests for a continuation of Something Blue, I felt compelled to grant your wishes. So as I commuted to and from work, I sat on the train and penned this sequel of sorts. I'll probably do one last part to finish this up, but I can't promise how quickly it will get done. I have 2 other fics that I have to finish up (or else my reviewers will mostly likely have me drawn and quartered).

Work has been super busy and we're in the process of buying a new house and selling the current house, so things are a bit crazy.

Oh, I threw in a few more lines from Buffy, but from a different episode. These lines were from Season Five's 'The Crush'. If you find them, you get 10 points for your house. Again, all hail to Joss and Ms. Rowling….I own nothing.

Anyway, sit back, relax and take a read. As always, I'm a sucker for reviews so please let me know what you think. Enjoy!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

SOMETHING BLUE

PART 2-ish

The week after the potion incident was odd to say the least. Everyone was taking their midyear exams, cramming for the next test in between classes. No one was openly discussing what went on with Hermione and Draco, but that didn't mean they weren't secretly whispering about it in the lavatories and in their common rooms. Anyone who witnessed Draco and Hermione's scene in the foyer outside the Great Hall weren't ready to let this juicy bit of gossip go. Everyone was waiting to see if it was going to happen again.

Hermione spent her free time hiding behind a pile of books in the back corner of the library…the very corner where she spilled Pansy's potion. Harry and Ron gave her the space she requested. After she and Draco drank the antidote, Hermione sat with Ron and Harry and went over everything that occurred trying her best to reassure them that she and Draco were in fact, completely back to their old normal selves. They understood it was clearly not her fault, but they still had a hard time getting the thought of her and Malfoy joined at the lips out of their heads. It was decided by Dumbledore, though not for lack of trying by Ron and Harry, that a memory charm would not be plausible since it would have to be administered to the entire school. The headmaster told Harry and Ron to give it some time and that he was sure once everyone returned from the holiday, it would be forgotten and the students would be gossiping about something else.

The truth of the matter was, though she remembered it all, something wasn't back to normal. After spending barely a whole day under the spell of the love potion, she didn't feel the usual dislike for Malfoy and she found that her mind kept wandering to thoughts of him. What he was thinking, how he was doing on his tests, if he had spoken to Pansy yet. Since that day, he hadn't flung any smarmy comments towards her, let alone even glanced her way. He hadn't even started with Harry or Ron, which is completely out of character, to say the least. And, true to their word to Hermione, neither Harry nor Ron bothered Draco. Draco was a victim as well as she was and it wasn't going to solve anything if they took their anger out on him. After all, it was Pansy's fault.

Professor Snape, being very protective of Draco, gave Pansy a month of detention to be served in January when the students returned from the break.

Draco was also engrossed in his studies. It seemed to be the only thing to take his mind off Hermione. He spent the majority of his free time anywhere she wasn't. Things were uncomfortable and felt it best to avoid her altogether. He got up earlier and was finished eating in the Great Hall by the time she came in with the rest of her Gryffindors. He studied in his room or in an empty classroom, knowing full well she would probably be in the library. Thankfully, classes this week consisted of exams so there was no class interaction, and since he was in the second half of the alphabet, he typically sat somewhere behind her and could slip in and out of the classrooms quickly.

The day they spent 'engaged' to each other seemed to change their whole dynamic. He's a pureblood and has been conditioned his entire life to hate her kind. But he just couldn't get past the way she looked at him when they were still under the spell of the potion. She looked at him with total and unconditional love. He was all she cared for, wanted, needed. Not Potter, not Wheasley….him. She loved him so much and he loved her back with the same intensity. So intensely, in fact, that the thought of not loving her hurt him to his core. Now that they were back to 'normal' he didn't know what to feel when it came to her. He knew that their situation wasn't real, but the memories were. Draco was completely torn. He knew how he should feel. Disgusted, angry, sickened, revolted, but he just couldn't do it. The memory of their 'time' together seemed to haunt his thoughts….sleeping and waking.

And even after they drank the counter-potion…the last kiss they shared held such heartfelt emotion he knew only one thing for sure – it wasn't hate. It was pure, white-hot passion.

It was Thursday evening and there was only 1 exam left to take. The 7th years taking advanced potions had their test scheduled for Friday morning at 11:00am. Hermione was in her usual spot in the library. Harry and Ron and all the other students who were done with their mid-year exams were in their respective common rooms celebrating that the test week was finally over! Most students were leaving on Saturday for the holiday so this gave everyone some time to discuss who was doing what over Christmas.

Draco was spread out in the Great Hall. He had just finished reviewing the elements of Veritaserum and now he was listing the effects of using Honeysuckle in sleeping draughts. But he was stuck. Going over the ingredient list for the sleeping draught in question, he wasn't sure if it was 3 parts or 2 parts Honeysuckle. He thought he remembered Snape saying 2, but he wrote 3 in his notes. If he put too much or too little, the results would be disastrous and he would surely fail the exam. He couldn't find reference in any of the books he had in front of him. He sighed and gathered his things then walked to the library. Stepping in, he noticed it was empty. Not even Madam Pince was anywhere to be seen.

He walked toward the rear of the library examining the spines of his books as he went. While he was here, he might as well put away the books he was finished with. 'Where did I find these? Oh, right…back corner, top shelf and middle shelf.' He proceeded into the last row of stacks and stopped short. Granger was sitting at the table, elbow on the table with her head cradled in her hand intently reading a large text while her quill silently tapped a piece of parchment with notes all over it. 'Damn it.' Malfoy took a deep breath and put his books down on the edge of the table. The movement broke her concentration and she jumped in her seat. Clutching her heart she practically yelled, "Good Lord, Malfoy you scared me!"

He didn't say anything he just looked at her. She had called him 'Malfoy', God how he missed her calling him Draco…even if it was just for half a day. It was times like this when he wished Dumbledore did perform a memory charm.

"What are you doing here?", she asked still trying to get her heart to calm down.

"I was in the Great Hall studying for potions and I had conflicting bits of information, I came in here to sort it out….I didn't expect anyone to still be in here. Where's Madam Pince?"

Hermione turned back to her text trying to concentrate and avoid Malfoy's deep blue eyes. "She left about an hour ago, said she didn't want to wait until I finished. She gave me a pass if Filch came in and said for me to lock up when I left."

She heard him pull out the chair and sit down next to her. Hermione shifted in her seat, a little nervous with him sitting so close after barely seeing each other all week. This was their first conversation since they left Dumbledore's office.

Draco was trying to remain cool and aloof, but being this close to her brought back the subtle feelings about that day. The way she smelled, the way her hair hung loose around her face. Right now, their goodbye kiss was secondary - though usually in the forefront of his mind – and he realized that though he exuded the Malfoy-esque presence, his palms were sweating and he had to force himself to sit because his knees were too weak to keep him standing. He also shifted a little in his seat, attempting to look like he was settling himself, but then nonchalantly wiped his hands on his pants.

"What information where you trying to confirm?", she asked.

He had been staring at her unable to keep his mind from pondering the softness of her lips. Her question brought him back to reality. "Huh?" She looked up at him. "Oh, uh…how many parts of honeysuckle in a 5 day sleeping draught…2 or 3?

"3", she answered simply while searching through the pile of books in front of her. She stood up and leaned over the table stretching to reach a book at the opposite side. Draco's mouth was suddenly dry. He didn't take his eyes off her bum until she sat back down and handed him the book. He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

"Here", she said. "It's toward the front of the book, somewhere in the 100's". Malfoy swallowed hard and managed to get out a small 'thanks' before she turned back to her book. She was trying to ignore the fluttering feeling in the pit of her stomach. He made her nervous. She wished more than ever that they could just go back to the way things were before the potion incident. She was crazy not to have wanted the memory charm….and crazy not to beg Dumbledore for it.

Draco looked at all the books and materials spread out in front of her. "Granger, how long have you been studying?"

"Since after dinner".

He looked at the clock levitating in the corner. It was just past midnight – she had been studying for about 6 hours. "What are you reviewing?"

"The principles of using concentrated beetle wings for apparating potions used in the 14th century".

"Snape hasn't even taught us that yet, he won't test us on something he hasn't covered in class".

"You don't know that, he could….just to throw us off", she said running her fingers through her hair and grabbing another open book.

"Granger…" , he was shaking his head.

"Malfoy…you know how he is. He could put something in from next term just to see how serious and committed I…we are about the class, about our education about our roles in wizarding society after graduation". She was rambling. The strain from studying so hard was clearly getting to her. She ran her hands though her hair again trying to keep it from hanging in her eyes. Draco watched as she began closing books that were strewn out all over the table, stacking them and then carry them into the row of stacks behind them.

"Granger, calm down", he said following her, but was cut off as she continued her rant.

"He's always implying that my work isn't good enough….noooo, not for the head of Slytherin, you don't know how it is….he loves everyone in his house…always turning things around so that extra points go to your house and get taken away from mine. It doesn't matter how hard I try, he just twists my words and calls me a know-it-all….well, obviously I don't know it all if he keeps giving me grades that are less than perfect…there's always one little, tiny, insignificant fact that I leave out, thinking to myself 'watch it, Hermione don't put too much information in the answer or he'll deduct points for it'. Only to be marked wrong for leaving it out! She was checking the spines of the books in her hand and slamming them into place on the shelves.

Malfoy couldn't get a word in. He had opened his mouth a few times, but all the words were lost. She was right. Snape did favor the students in his own house and it wasn't fair. But he didn't get a chance to tell her because she had started to hyperventilate. Hermione tried to continue to put the rest of the books away but she really couldn't catch her breath. She had dropped to her knees and was panting like a lunatic.

"Granger, stop it! Calm down. You're having a panic attack." Malfoy was helpless, there was nothing he could do for her. She had to calm herself down and try and control her breathing. He knelt down in front of her and took the other book from her. He put his hands on her shoulders.

"Take a deep breath……slowly and try to relax. You'll do fine on the exam tomorrow…you always do". Without realizing it, he moved one hand to the back of her neck and the other pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. His voice was soft and soothing. "Just try and calm down…deep, slow breaths, okay?" She nodded her head and continued to breathe the way he told her. After a few minutes, she seemed to calm down a bit. He was gently rubbing the back of her neck when she looked at him.

"Sorry about that", she said softly, embarrassed by her display.

"Lord Granger, you know this stuff inside out", he said looking directly into her eyes.

He stood and held his hand out to her. She took it and he helped her up and forgot to let go. "What are you so worried about? You're the first in our class, you ace every test…"

"Except for potions….", she blurted starting to get riled up again.

"Okay, but you've never failed a potion's test, right? Snape always challenges the more advanced students. It's what he does", he tried to reason calmly. "Why do you think I'm up so late studying?", he said with a small smile. "You always get so worked up about tests", he said as he guided her back to the table and sat down, arranging her on his lap. "That's probably why you don't ace his tests…you study too much". He slipped an arm around her waist while gently placing a kiss on the hand he was still holding. He held her to him, holding her like one would a small child waking after a nightmare. She instinctively cuddled against him putting an arm around his neck.

He was gently rubbing her back when suddenly Hermione realized the position she was in.

"Malfoy?"

"hmmm?"

"What….what are you doing?", she asked softly.

"What do you mean?"

"You seem to have placed me in your lap", she said calmly.

"What?", he said as if waking from a dream. "Oh….so I have", he said clearing his throat and looking at her a little confused.

"Why?", Hermione asked simply.

"I don't know….it just felt like a natural thing to do. You were losing it and I was…soothing you", he finished lamely.

"Oh. And the reason I'm still in your lap?", she asked blushing a bit from her own embarrassment and confusion.

"I….well…..you seem to fit quite well in it", he said with a devilish tone to his voice. He recovered smoothly and was now fully back into his debonair Malfoy persona. He released her hand and snaked his other arm around her waist holding her firmly, as if sensing she was about to get up.

"Yes, well, be that as it may…", she said softly trying not to get flustered by his captivating eyes. "…the test, I have to finish studying". That's when she did try and get up, but he tightened his grip.

"No more studying tonight", he said with finality to his words.

"But…"

"No buts", he said slightly shaking his head. "You can't know the material any better than you already do". He tucked an unruly lock of her hair behind her ear again.

The air around them seemed to be electrified by the closeness of their bodies. Draco was looking intensely and directly into Hermione's chocolate brown eyes. He could tell she felt a little uneasy, and truth be told, he did too. But she felt so good and so right, it out-weighed any apprehension he had. He was holding her and touching her in such loving and intimate ways; he wasn't sure what had come over him. He was lost in the moment and then he realized something that he was afraid to admit to himself. He had been wanting, no, aching to hold her since they left Dumbledore's office last week.

He broke their gaze first and looked down, his brows furrowed. "Granger? Do you ever think about that last kiss? The one after we drank the antidote?" He looked back up at her waiting for an answer.

"I….what?", her voice was hushed….her mouth had suddenly gone dry.

In his best purr he explained, "you know…do you think about how good it was?" He pushed their chair a little further away from the table. "Ever wonder how much longer it would have lasted had the headmaster not knocked and interrupted us?" Hermione tried to answer but she couldn't seem to form any words. With his hands on her waist, he lifted her up off his lap, shifted her and sat her back down so that she was now straddling him. She was shocked to say the least, but for some unknown reason, she didn't fight him. She was still quite lost in heat of his gaze. He continued, "How much further we would have gone, left all alone in Dumbledore's office?" His fingers were lightly making circular patterns on her hips and then he answered his own question…

"Well I do…." He grabbed her hips and pulled her closer to him "….all the time", he growled. A shocked gasp escaped her lips. "That kiss. It took my breath away; it knocked my self-control off kilter, Granger. And I feel the only way I'll be able to get through my very important potion's exam is to kiss you again….just to clear my head, so I can concentrate tomorrow." He began, ever so slowly and ever so slightly, to rock her hips back and forth against him. For a second his eyes rolled back in his head at the feel of her against him and he took a deep breath before continuing, "what do you say, Granger? You do want me to make a good grade tomorrow, don't you?", he asked with mischief in his voice. He ran his hands up her sides to cup her face gently. Draco's eyes were sparklingly blue and she was completely transfixed by them….and his words. She had continued to rock against him without even realizing it.

"I…."

"Please Granger", he practically begged. "It's just a kiss". He slowly brought her mouth to meet his. Just as before, their kiss started off slow and gradually their passion increased. His hands dropped back down to her hips and fisted themselves in the material of her jeans. Her hands were in his hair, so soft like golden silk.

After what seemed like a lifetime, they pulled apart to breathe, both panting for air.

"Merlin, Granger. Who taught you to kiss like that?"

She blushed and looked away. Her heart was pounding out of her chest. She couldn't believe what she…they, had just done. Her eyes were unwillingly drawn back to him.

Hermione tried to regain some semblance of control and whispered, "you got your kiss….we should get to bed".

"Why Granger, you little vixen", the purr back in his voice, he moved his hands to cup her bottom. Leaning in, he began kissing and nibbling her neck, right below her left ear.

Now, her eyes rolled back in her head. He had her completely flustered….this was Malfoy. Last week he would have used his mouth to insult and torment her, but now…oh Merlin, he was doing such wonderful things with that same mouth. She shuddered at the thought of his dirty, hateful mouth nibbling her neck so lovingly. She felt her stomach do a flip and she instinctively ground herself into him a bit harder. She was trying to control her breathing. "No, to sleep…. separately", she clarified. "Malfoy, we have the test tomorrow and we should…"

"Don't call me that", he broke in. "Ever since the potion, whenever you call me 'Malfoy' it grates me the wrong way. I remember, you know. When you loved me, you called me Draco….that's what I want you to call me".

She looked at him, his eyes were pleading once more. With a slight nod she accepted his plea.

"Draco".

"mmmmm", he encircled his arms around her and stood up, lifting her with him. He sat her down on the table and stood there before her, her legs on either side of him. Leaning in, he gently stroked his thumb on her lower lip, then curled his finger under her chin and guided her lips to his. He kissed her again, this time quick and urgent, like he was trying to quench some unknown thirst.

She pulled away abruptly. His eyes were dark and questioning but just for a moment. He quickly leaned back in and captured her neck once more. "Draco, are you purposely trying to get me frazzled before the test?" That stopped him. He looked at her with all seriousness.

"No", he said simply.

"I….", he took both her hands and laced them with his, then leaned his forehead against hers, "….the memory of you, of us, is too strong. I thought I could handle it. That I could go back to, well, hating you. But I can't. Something's changed. Don't you sense it? Something's different".

"You ignored me all week, avoided me. I figured you changed your mind, that you really wanted to forget everything and I respected that…..and now all this talk about that last kiss? You're flirting with me, Draco….with me, mudblood Granger, the person you've most hated, besides Harry, since first year. This isn't like you and you know it".

"I can't help what I feel. My mind is telling me it wasn't real, but my heart is telling me something different. All I do is think about you. Kissing you, loving you….wanting you. It won't stop, no matter how hard I try to block everything out….it's all in here", he said grabbing his head and beginning to pace. "You think I like having you in here? Destroying everything that was me, until all that's left is you, in a dead shell. Because this, with you, is wrong. I know it. It goes against everything I've known and it scares the bloody hell out of me. This is all new for me Granger, loving someone like this".

"But that was the potion…."

"No. It's time I stopped pretending and trying to hide. It's always been you, from the very beginning. I just never saw it for what it was. You're all I bloody think about. Dream about. You're in my gut.…my throat.…I'm drowning in you, Granger, I'm drowning in you". His tone was almost desperate as he stood in front of her again. "You can't tell me that there isn't anything there between you and me. I know you feel something. I can feel your passion when I kiss you, don't deny it".

She couldn't deny it, he was right. She did want him. Her feelings for Draco were just as strong as the ones he had for her. She didn't know what to say. This was going to be complicated.

"Draco, I…."

"Tell me", he demanded. Tell me how the memories are for you".

Hermione closed her eyes. "Strong, comforting, protective", she looked at him, "wonderful".

"And when I hold you, like this?", he wrapped his arms around her.

She put her arms around his neck, "I never want you to let go"

"And when I kiss you…like this?", he leaned in and kissed her slow and soft and then pulled away just enough so she could answer him.

Hermione sighed against his mouth, "I don't want you to stop".

He growled deep in his throat and took her mouth again. After quite a few minutes of snogging, they pulled apart.

"Meet me tomorrow after the exam", he said.

"I don't know, Harry and Ron will want to…" He just looked at her, eyebrows slightly raised.

She gave him a small smile. "Alright, I'll meet you after the exam. Where?"

"Here".

Her smile widened. "Alright".

He smiled genuinely at her and helped her off the table. They gathered the rest of their things and left the library. They came upon the entrance to the dungeons first and Draco turned towards Hermione. "Good luck on the exam tomorrow, even though you don't need it".

"You too", she replied. He gently took her hand and brought it to his lips.

"Good night Granger", and he kissed her hand gently.

"Good night….Draco".

He watched as she turned and walked upstairs towards Gryffindor tower before leaning against the wall and closing his eyes. Draco sighed. "What has she done to me", he said aloud, then turned and went to his own bed, hoping for a restful night's sleep.