Chapter 2: Beds are burning:

A/N: Alright alright. Second chapter. Woohoo. Beware - this chapter may suck. I don't know...
readreview if you don't mind of course. I'm working on the third chapter ... should be up, hopefully, sometime this week. Maybe this weekend, I'll have to see how my schedule goes. Laterdays!


Hermione ate dinner with Ginny, though she was mad about what happened, evidently it was not Ginny's fault. Ginny had comforted her right after… well… Draco did. Hermione sighed. She couldn't stop thinking about the little encounter with Draco. She has deeply wished that he was there when Ron was being stupid.She looked to her left. Ron was sitting with Harry but was looking down at his plate. Harry was looking at Hermione with apologetic eyes. He smiled, she smiled back. It was not Harry's fault either and she didn't want to lose Harry; he was her best friend and she couldn't bear to lose someone else.

Ron was in a deep trance. He wanted Hermione's forgiveness but he knew she hated him. All of the sudden he got up and ran out of the Great Hall. Hermione looked up, noticing it was only Ron, and went back to her dinner. She turned to Ginny, "How demented is your brother?" Ginny smiled.

"Pretty fucking demented. I mean, he left you for that slut! Who fucking does that?" Hermione knew that Ginny was partially faking what she was saying for Hermione's sake, and also because of Ron. He was her brother and as much as he fucked up, she loved him and Hermione understood.

"Ha, thanks Ginny. You know how to make me feel better." She took one more bit of her steak. "I really want to find out where these Head "quarters" are." She laughed at her own little joke. Ginny laughed with her.

"No idea, but maybe Malfoy knows and here's your chance... he's coming this way," Ginny stopped laughing.

"Granger! We gotta go meet up with McGonagall ASAP if you don't mind." Draco sounded like he was in a bad mood, so Hermione didn't bother back-talking. She got up, waved to Ginny and started walking with Draco. "So Granger… how was vacation?" Hermione was a tad shocked. He was being nice. Her first thought: he's up to something. She was hoping he wasn't but knowing Malfoy…

"Fine, thanks, how was yours?" She smiled.

"Not so well. My father made me go to Jamaica with him for some "special event" and that sort. It wasn't pleasant. I would have much rather stayed with my mother."

Hermione was shocked; he was talking to her civilly, like they were friends. "What is up with you Malfoy? You seem all weird today, well, since the train." Hermione thought about what happened, she smiled, he noticed.

She liked it, score! He thought. "What's it too you? I can't be nice to someone I'm going to have to live with for the rest of the year. I'd rather us not fight every night and make this harder, so being nice is the only alternative. You know it's not that hard after all." He smiled.

They met up with the professor, who looked a little rushed. "Come along now. I shall show you to your room." She led the way.

"So Malfoy… what does all of this mean?" Hermione looked at the "changed" person walking beside her.

"Well, right now… I don't know. I guess we could be friends, but keep it on the down low… at least for the time being." Malfoy smiled.

Their common room was beautiful. Hermione expected Red, Gold, Silver and Green, the house colors. But instead the walls of the common room were a dark gray, the floors were hardwood; dark brown. On the left of the door was the fireplace, along with two big black leather chairs and one big black leather sofa. Against the opposite wall was a book case, a huge bookcase, and on the sides of it were two identical desks. Straight across from the door were two other doorways, one had a door but the other one didn't. On the door of the first room hung a silver decoration that read "DM" it had a snake carved into it. Draco opened the door and walked in.

He was taken aback. It was truly beautiful, even Draco would have to admit that. His walls were a dark green, his furniture metal, futuristic and classy silver. The covers on his bed were a plaid like mixture of greens and silver. He looked around, defiantly for me. He wondered if Granger's room was going to be red andgold. Man, why can't I stop thinking about her?

To get to her room Hermione had to walk up a small flight of stairs. She then got to a door with a gold decoration that read "HG" and had a lion engraved on it. She opened the door… Hermione was gazing around her room. She loved it, she had decided. It wasn't what she expected either. Her walls weren't red like her house colour but a dark blue, and her furniture was light wood, bed and all. Her bed was covered in a white duvet, with red sheets plated with gold. I love it. It's perfect. I wonder what Draco's room looks like...

"Hey! Nice room!" Hermione spun around to see Draco standing in her doorway. He had a huge smile on and Hermione couldn't help but smile back.

"Thanks, I really like it. It's me, I guess." Hermione all of the sudden felt intimidated by this "new" Draco. "How was your room? Like it?"

"Yeah, sure, my room at the Manor is much better, but this one will have to do." He said, but Hermione could hear the sarcastic tone.

"Well then. Let me see!" She started to walk past Malfoy but he stopped her and turned her face towards his. He looked at her lips, her perfect, heart shaped, full lips. He felt his mouth go dry and he took a deep breath. Draco lowered his head to Hermione's ear.

"Kiss me. Or I may die." Hermione giggled. She didn't know where it came from. She was defiantly not the giggling type. What is wrong with me! Frantically, Hermione backed away.

"I can't. I just…" Hermione couldn't find her words, she stepped back so she wouldn't be tempted to jump on the poor guy.

"Hermione… please… I'm not Ron, I'm not like Ron. Believe me." He actually looked hurt. Draco Malfoy actually looked hurt.

"I know you're not Ron. That's it though; you are like the complete opposite of Ron. I need time to think, to be by myself." Then something clued into her, "You called me Hermione. You called me by my name. Malfoy, I swear, what are you playing at! I can't believe that I didn't even notice. What, do you have like a bet with your Slytherin pals that you can get me into bed? I'm not like that Malfoy. Fuck you!" With that, she stormed off.

It's not like that at all. Malfoy wanted to say. But couldn't. He decided that he would give his "Slytherin pals" a little visit. Well, pal.

He walked into the commons area of the Slytherin house. Took a deep breath and hoped for the best. Best being Pansy wouldn't be there.

"DRAKEY! You came to visit!" Her annoying squeal came out of the doorway to the girls dormitories. Oh god, save me! He thought to himself. Before he said anything he saw Blaise Zabini walking towards him. THANK YOU GOD! He ignored Pansy and walked straight to Zabini.

"Hey buddy. How's it going?" Zabini asked.

"Not too shabby, you?" Draco looked around the room. It was crowded with mostly first years getting acquainted with one another. "Look, can we get out of here, Parkinson is driving me mad." He whispered the last part, not wanting to make a big scence with her.

"Drakey, can't we talk? Please?" She looked at him desperatly.

"Not now. I have to go." He looked at Blaise and smiled as Pansy ran away almost in tears.

"What? You two are no more?" Zabini didn't look shocked, just like he wanted to know what happened.

"No more! We were never… "together." Its Parkinson's deranged brain. God, she's the most annoying fucking creature alive and if we don't get out of here now, I SWEAR. I will kill her!"

"Okay! Okay, going, going… GONE!" He laughed as the walked out of the portrait hole.

"So, Zabini, whatcha think of Granger this year?" Malfoy showed no expression on his face, hoping Zabini wouldn't get anything out of it. But Blaise was too wise.

"So you like her eh?" He laughed again, "Just kidding Malfoy, just kidding. Put the wand away. No... alright, honestly?"

"Yes, honestly!" Malfoy slipped his wand back into his robes.

"She's damn fine. She's defiantly grown up eh? Filled out I would have to say, she's fucking hot. I'd do her."

"Zabini, you'd do anything." Zabini punched him in that 'best friend' way. Both of them laughed.

"I have to tell you something but you can't tell anyone or I will kill you along with Parkinson!"

"Why Pansy?" Zabini laughed.

"Well, might as well, seeing as I would be in the "killing mood"?" Malfoy got back to his seriousness. "But really, don't tell anyone what I'm going to tell you." They were wandering the halls, and it was getting late.

"Hurry up then, mate! I promise I won't tell anyone!" Zabini said.

"Alright! Okay." He took a deep breath. "IhinkIikeRanger" He mumbled, trying to force his embarrassment away.

"What was that? You like rangers? Huh?" Zabini looked at Malfoy with such a confused look on his face that Malfoy couldn't help but laugh.

"I said, I think I like Granger!" Malfoy looked away, feeling a little ashamed.

It took a minute for Blaise to respond "Well, I guessthat alright. She is fine and you are living with her," He winked at Draco, Draco gave him the evil eye. "But I mean, what would your dad say? He'll pop you one for sure. She's a fucking mudblood, Malfoy."

"I know and the amazing thing is… I don't care! I fucking don't care. I want to tell the world how I feel, but you know how it is! Yes, my father would probably kill me. But he's never felt love before. I don't know. Maybe what I'm feeling is just this long desire to fuck the hell out of Granger. But there's something more. Something passionate about it all."

"Bloody Hell! It's the first fucking day back. Give it some time! You're going insane! You'll have plenty of time to think this over."

"Well, that's good I guess. Because so far I haven't gotten very far. She hates me, I think. She thinks that this is all a bet of who can bed her first. How fucking ridiculous!"

"Malfoy, she has a point. I mean, she must realize she's changed and become more attractive, alright? So, you've been mean to her since day one and then suddenly change your attitude towards her and you just expect her to like you back? Unlikely."

"Well, on the train she kissed me back as though she wanted me."

"So that's where you went. We were wondering where you had gone."

"Well, I had to get Hermione for our Head duties and then all of the sudden we were making out."

"Wasn't she going out with that Weasley kid? And just for the record, you keep calling her Hermione. I don't know if you want to do that around other Slytherin people. They might get suspicious!"

"Whoops. I didn't even notice. It's becoming natural, I guess. Alright, well I suppose you are right. Mr. Zabini, I thank you."

"No problemo. Always here to help." He smiled.

Malfoy decided to get back to the Head dormitories quickly because he knew that Filch would be out and looking for someone to catch out outside of curfew. Though, being Head Boy, Malfoy probably had an advantage of getting out of trouble.

"I'm outta here Zabini. See you tomorrow?"

"Sure. Later Drake." Zabini turned and started heading back too.

Hermione didn't know what to do with herself; she was bored out of her mind. So she decided to write a quick letter to Hagrid. She grabbed her quill and some parchment and sat down at the desk she claimed as hers, the one of the left of the bookcase.

Hagrid,

How have you been? We're back again, but for our final time. I feel sad about leavingbut there is still a long time to go. I was wondering if you wanted to do something on Saturday. I would invite Harry and Ron but there have been some troubles. I don't know who else to talk to but you. Write back as soon as you can. By the way this owl is mine, her name is Layla, my mother bought her for me as a present (for the good grades). Anyways, hope to see you Saturday

With Love,
Hermione

She went into her room and got Layla, tied the parchment onto her leg and watched her as she flew away. Hermione sighed. She wanted to go visit Ginny and Harry and for some reason, Ron. Even though she hated him so much right now. She wanted to be by familiar people not by herself. She could tell it was going to be a lonely year. Malfoy was toying with her, Ron and her were no more, Harry; well she wasn't sure about Harry. Ginny was still there for her. She decided to write to Ginny too, because it probably was too late to go out and visit her. This time, though, she stayed in her room and wrote on the desk in there.

Ginny,

Hey, sorry I didn't come and visit. I was just getting settled in and exploring. I hope all is well there. Give Ron a little smack from me but don't say it's from me. –he he he- Alright, I was just wondering if on Saturday night you want to come and have a sleepover in my room. I'm sure Malfoy wouldn't mind, seeing as he's already not around. Jeez! Anyways, see you tomorrow.

HG

Hermione decided she liked the mystery of just using your initials to sign. It looked good too. She sighed and looked out the window right in front of her. She waited for Layla to come back. Hermione spotted her flying carefully back to the window, which was fairly high up.

"Hey darling. Oh, you have a reply. Yay, let's see." Hermione untied the letter. "By the way Layla you have another letter to deliver." The owl looked at her with a sweet, yet annoyed, look. "I know, I know. Sorry sweetie but I promise that that is it for awhile." She tied the new letter onto her owl's leg again and off she went. Hermione remember about the reply from Hagrid.

Hermione,

Harry and Ron causing trouble again? Always here to help. Saturday will work. Tea at my place around noon?

Until then,
Hagrid

Hermione sighed. She really wasn't looking forward to telling Hagrid everything. She could tell that she was going to cry and Hagrid was going to get all awkward and not know what to do. She got up from the desk and noticed that Draco was standing in her doorway watching her.

"What the hell are you doing in here? GET OUT!" She pointed to the door, but he didn't move. Seeing as he wasn't going to get out she might as well say something else,"Were you trying to scare me to death?"

"Sorry, I was coming up here to talk to you but you were talking to Layla, was that her name? And I just couldn't disturb you."

"Oh, I'm sure that's it. Now get out!" Hermione turned around and sat on her bed quickly.

"I said I wanted to talk to you. But I guess you don't want to listen to me. Oh well." He walked out but before he got too far Hermione caught up with him.

"What did you want to talk about Malfoy?"