Disclaimer- I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters. They all belong to the wonderful J.K. Rowling.

Chapter Four

The awkwardness still hung over Hermione and Draco as they walked into the bright sunshine. The grounds were deserted, and the only sound that could be heard was the birds singing from nearby trees.

"Where do you want to go?" Draco asked, being the first to break the barrier of silence between the two of them.

Hermione shrugged her shoulders, but then spotted a large tree that provided plenty of shade next to a large lake. Medium-sized flat rocks lay in random spots around the tree.

The pair of them headed towards the lake and sat beneath the large tree, its branches blocking out all of the sun.

The two of them sat there in silence, not knowing what to say to each other. Hermione mindlessly twisted her hair around one of her fingers, staring out onto the bright blue water.

Draco was the first to break the silence, "I probably shouldn't ask you this, but why, you don't have to answer if you don't want to, but why did you turn away from me?"

Without even letting Hermione answer, he continued talking, "I know. It was a stupid and heartless question. Just forget I said anything."

Hermione looked up at Draco, trying to gain eye contact, but Draco was looking in the other direction, nervously smoothing back his blonde hair.

Finally, he did look in Hermione's direction, deciding not to put it off any longer.

Hermione didn't yell at him, or hit him for being a jerk. She just smiled. "Honestly," she began, "I wasn't sure if I had a boyfriend. If I do I wouldn't want to kiss someone else."

Draco nodded in understanding. He hadn't even thought of that. "What if he had a girlfriend?" he thought to himself. "Oh well, she can't be more wonderful than Hermione."

At that moment, Draco stood up and grabbed one of the flat rocks. He flung it out into the lake, causing it to skip six times, making soft ripples. He then picked up another one and threw it. This rock skipped seven times.

"How do you do that?" a curious voice said from behind Draco. He turned around. Hermione had left the shade of the tree and was now holding one of the smooth, flat rocks in her head.

Draco himself picked up another rock, and beckoned Hermione closer to the water's edge. Hermione timidly step towards him, as if a rock would attack her if she stepped too hard.

"First," Draco began, "you hold the rock on top of your four fingers and then hold it in place with your thumb."

Hermione followed his instructions, so Draco continued, "Then, bend your wrist towards you."

Hermione did what Draco told her. "Flick you wrist, don't even think about the rock. It will do its own job."

Hermione did as she was told, but the rock just landed with a loud thunk only a few feet away. Draco's however soared gracefully and created six beautiful ripples, each exactly the same.

"Try again," Draco urged, "but this time, bend your knees a little bit so you are more even with the water. That may help."

Hermione nodded as she picked up another rock. She bent her knees a little bit and flicked her wrist. This time, she was more successful. The rock went farther and made two ripples.

Draco smiled at Hermione, "That was good. In no time you'll send them that whole way across the lake."

"Thanks," Hermione said, retreating back to the shade of the oak tree. She wiped sweat off of her forehead with her sleeve as she sat down.

Draco sat down next to her, a little close than last time and put his arm around her waist. This time, Hermione didn't mind.

Draco looked over at Hermione, "You're beautiful." he said softly, as he leaned forward a little more.

Hermione blushed and leaned her head against his shoulder. Suddenly feeling very tired, Hermione closed her eyes and fell in a very relaxing sleep.

A/N-I know that was a short chapter, but this is where I wanted to stop. I'll post the next chapter soon. Thanks for reviewing.