A/N: Ok, ok, I know I've been horrible with not posting a new chapter on this story, I'm really sorry! I've started college and it's taking up SO much of my time. Plus, all the assignments I have to do sort of saps all creative juices I possess. But, I managed to get this chapter out (finally) and hopefully the story will get back on track now.

You'll also notice that I've changed the rating to R. This chapter doesn't need such a strong rating, but I'm getting there.

Thanks to all of you who have reviewed or emailed, and all of those who have been reading. Sorry for the wait!

By the way, for every review I get the grocery store sponsors me a carrot to give to the plot bunnies. So, the more you review, the more likely I am to be inspired. Hint hint, nudge nudge…

Chapter 9

Fire

"Cut the crap, Malfoy. Did you, or did you not send Hermione the necklace?" The youngest male Weasley stood before Draco, his hands on his hips in a decisively angry-Weasley-woman stance. Draco suppressed a snicker at the thought of pointing out the resemblance to the muggle lover.

"How many times do I have to tell you, Weasley? I'd rather take a bite out of my own ass than send Granger any form of present that won't do her serious bodily harm." Draco smirked. "Pissed off that the Mudblood isn't falling head over heals for you? But then, why would she? Neither of you have any charm or sex appeal."

Ron flushed a nasty shade of red. "You're one to talk, Ferret."

Draco laughed. "Unlike you, Weasel, I get laid on a regular basis."

"Only because you pay for it, Malfoy." The-Boy-Who-Won't-Die chipped in from the side.

"So original Potter; your wit leaves me speechless." Draco flashed them a nasty grin. For a moment he contemplated telling them that he, Draco Malfoy, had no more than twenty-four hours ago had the youngest Weasley on Flitwick's desk, snogging the life out of her. And he hadn't paid a knut for it. He dismissed the idea for two reasons. Firstly, two against one weren't such great odds in his favour, and secondly, he would prefer to be able to have the youngest Weasley in the position again; which would not work if her brother kept her locked in her room for ever.

Potter glowered at him. "If we ever find out that you are harassing Hermione…" He must have thought his tone was threatening.

"I wouldn't touch Granger with a foot-long pole, Potty." He sneered. "Besides, I live in the same dormitory as she does. If I was her secret lover – Merlin forbid – she wouldn't have to sneak out all the time, would she?"

Both boys went an ugly shade of purple. "You lie." Weasley's voice was dangerously low.

Draco shrugged. "If you say so."

"What's going on here?" Draco looked up to see Ginny walking towards them. A slow smile crossed his lips as he admired the way her hips moved when she walked.

Potter and his sidekick whirled around at the sound of her voice.

"Draco's accusing 'Mione of sneaking out of the dormitory in the middle of the night." Weasley almost had a whining tone to his voice.

Ginny raised an amused eyebrow and shook her head. "Ron, even if it were true, Hermione is a free person. She has all the right in the world to go for evening walks without getting your permission."

Weasley flushed.

"I can't believe how childish the two of you are!" Ginny glared at both of them. "Are you guys going to interrogate every single male in Hogwarts about the stupid necklace?"

Potter looked really ashamed of himself. Draco felt a surge of satisfaction and shot Ginny an admiring look, which her brother thankfully didn't catch.

"Leave Hermione's love-life alone. She can see whoever she wants to. Even if neither of you likes it!" Ginny shot them both an angry look before flashing Draco a look that could melt the clothes off his body.

He smiled viciously, and made sure she saw it.

"Now, go back up to the Common room and stop this shit. Or you can be sure Mom will hear about this, Ronald." Ginny glared at them, hands on hips till both the Gryffindors nodded and apologized.

"Good, I'm going to the library." She called after their retreating backs, before turning back to Draco.

"And you," she whispered walking closer to him. "Better make sure I don't get there."

Draco grinned and fumbled with the door handle of the broom closet behind him.

"So, what was that about?" Draco asks as we finally break our kiss off.

I sigh and lean back against the wall, my arms wrapped loosely around his shoulders.

"Hermione got a necklace from a secret admirer, and naturally the two love-sick fools started jumping to conclusions." I laugh softly.

"If only they knew, hmm?" Draco's breath is warm against my skin, and he nibbles at my earlobe. I moan in response, and I can feel his smile as he draws kisses down my neck.

"They'd kill you." I say as he slips his hands beneath my sweater and the shirt I'm wearing beneath it, drawing his fingertips across the bare skin of my back.

Goosebumps break out across my skin, and I bite my lower lip while arching my body away from his ticklish touch. He laughs at this and licks the hollow of my throat, making me shiver as the delicious tingling in my stomach increases.

"I'll take my chances." He murmurs, drawing his hands down my back and over my hips and upper thighs.

"I'm sure you will." I tighten my arms around his neck as he continues to run his hands up and down the side of my body, making me shiver as he lightly bites the junction between my neck and shoulder.

"Draco…"

He pulls back and grins at me, full knowing what he was doing to me with his touch. I growl at the look in his eyes.

"Kiss me." I whisper and fortunately I don't need to tell him twice. Draco's kiss is hard as he thrusts his tongue into my mouth, while his left hand moves upward to lightly brush across my breast. I gasp against his mouth as pure sensation floods through me, and he pulls away from me, chuckling.

"This is only the tip of the iceberg, little Weasel, you have no idea what I can do to you." His grin is feral, and his silver-grey eyes darkened by lust. The promise behind those eyes is enough to make me want to swoon. Merlin help me, it's not fair that any man can be so darn hot. Or have such an influence on me.

He leans forward and bites my neck – hard enough this time to make me moan. "I can make you scream my name, beautiful, till your throat is raw. Would you like that?" He breathes this close to my ear, and I have to fight the urge to rip his clothes off. That tone…

I can' trust myself to speak, so I simply nod, drawing a ragged breath and watching his grin widen. He kisses me again, trapping my hips against the wall with his own and making it very clear exactly how much he wants me.

Draco's about to pull my sweater over my head when he suddenly stops and listens intently. For a brief moment I consider protesting, but then the same sound catches my attention. Footsteps…and someone muttering about a broom closet.

The footsteps draw nearer and suddenly I can make out more of the conversation.

"…Common room too busy…" I recognised Hermione's voice.

"But a broom closet?" Ron's voice piped up. I shoot Draco a petrified glance, but he only raised an eyebrow and put a finger to his lips.

"Don't be daft Ron." Harry sounded irritated. Probably he was pissed off because he couldn't get 'Mione alone in the broom closet. "No-one can eavesdrop on us if we're in there. They'll think the whispers come from some couple making out."

Draco and I roll our eyes at the same time. I glance at the door as their footsteps suddenly fall silent. Fortunately Draco had thought to lock it behind us…if the Dream Team had come barging in here... I shudder slightly at the thought.

The handle of the door turned, and I heard Harry curse it for being locked.

"I'll open it." Hermione said exasperatedly, and I can almost see her drawing her wand.

"Not a fuck you will, Mudblood." It is Draco who speaks up. "Find another place to snog Scarhead and his sidekick, this closet's taken."

"Malfoy?" Three shocked voices come from the other side of the door. I have to keep myself from giggling. I hate it when Draco calls Mione 'mudblood', but it is pretty funny to watch him take the wind out of my brother and Harry. They are working on my nerves these days.

Draco sneers. "Yes, now do leave."

"Which poor girl do you have trapped in there?" I wish Harry would keep his trap shut. "Are you ok in there? Is Malfoy forcing you to do anything against your will?"

I feel a sudden urge to rip out Harry's throat.

"Potter, you might have to coerce women into these situations, but I don't." Draco's tone is vicious but it softens when he turns his gaze to me. "Did I force you into this, pretty?" He speaks loudly enough for them to hear his question through the door.

I raise the pitch of my voice, making it sound false to my own ears, praying with all my heart that one of them won't recognize it.

"Of course not Drakie darling." He gives me a dour look at this and I grin. "Now go away please."

Ron mutters something and I hear them walk away – thankfully. It is only when we can no longer hear their footsteps that I relax.

"Merlin, that was too close." I breathe a sigh of relief.

"Drakie darling?" Draco gave me a look of complete disgust. "I'll have to get you for that…"

A/N: Ok, that's the end of chapter 9. Not a particularly good chapter, but please let me know what you think! Remember, for every review you give, a hungry plot bunny will get a carrot! So review.