Hermione woke the following morning feeling refreshed and ready for the day ahead. She dressed in her Hogwarts uniform and walked steadily down to breakfast. She took a seat opposite Ginny and helped herself to a glass of juice and a slice of toast.

"You look happy" Ginny noticed the huge smile across Hermione's face, "You sleep well?"

"Yes, I did actually. I had the most marvellous dream" referring to the time she had spent in the Slytherin common room without letting anything secret escape.

"Care to share?"

"Not really, I don't really remember it" She lied. It wasn't really a lie, she could remember everything about last night yet it was not a dream and she was talking about a dream, which made it only a re-arrangement of the facts.

Hermione's eyes drifted towards the Slytherin who had just entered to hall. Her eyes followed him to his seat, taking in every detail of how he moved.

"Hermione? Hermione?" The voice of her friend snapped her back to reality so suddenly that she knocked over her glass of juice.

"Are you sure you slept ok? You're not acting like your usual self. And it's not just today; you've been acting weird all week." Ginny looked at her in concern as she mopped up the spilt juice with a wave of her wand.

"Yes, yes, of course I'm ok. Why wouldn't I be? I was just thinking"

"You were staring over there" Ginny nodded towards the Slytherin table

"Oh, I have double potions later and I was thinking what a terrible end to the week that is"

"Hmm" Ginny didn't look convinced but, feeling rather tired of the topic, changed the subject to the new book she had bought in Hogsmeade last week.

Later that day when all her classes had finished for the week, Hermione went outside for a walk in the cool Spring breeze. She sat on the steps which led up to the castle's huge wooden doors, and stared into the setting sun. She was finding her secret hard to keep. Every time he came near her she needed to gasp for air and her pulse quickened. Hermione longed for her feelings to just die or for her friends to accept him as a friend and not an enemy. Today had been a particularly bad day; Ginny had almost guessed Hermione was hiding something and twice in potions she lost points for Gryffindor because she had been staring into the blue instead of listening to Snape. Tears began to trickle down her cheeks as she thought to herself.

Someone was approaching her, well they were heading for the steps. As they drew closer she noticed the green strip and the serpent on his cloak...a Slytherin, not just any Slytherins but her Slytherin.

As I rest against this cold hard wall

Oh will you pass me by

Will you criticize me as I sit and cry?

As he climbed the steps to the castle she couldn't look at him, she couldn't allow him to know her feelings. He stopped when he reached where Hermione was sitting. He opened his mouth as if to say something but stopped when he saw she was crying. He couldn't help noticing how pretty she looked today, even with the tears flowing down her cheeks. Hermione felt his eyes on her and looked up.

"What do you want?" She snapped

"Nothing from you" He replied coldly as a fresh stream of tears fell down her cheeks. Something inside him told him he had said something wrong.

"Look, Granger it's getting cold, you'd better come inside" His cold tone softened slightly and she looked up at him in surprise. He didn't know why but he had an impulse to help her to her feet. He held out his hand and she took it wearily. Her hand was considerably smaller than his but it fit perfect and her skin was extremely soft and warm. With a gentle tug he pulled to her feet.

"Thanks" she mumbled as she stared at the ground, hoping he could not see her blush.

"Don't get used to it" His cold tone was returning and he opened the huge doors to the castle. He stopped and turned to her.

"You coming or what?" He held the door open as she stepped out of the cold.

"Thanks" She repeated again looking at the floor.

"Like I said don't get used to it" He turned and walked towards the dungeons leaving Hermione to stare in amazement after him. Had he just helped her to her feet and then held the door open for her? She couldn't believe it, he had. Once the Slytherin was out of sight she headed for Gryffindor tower, still unable to believe what had just happened.

As he lay awake thinking of Hermione something inside him changed, the coldness of his heart filled with warmth at the thought of her hand touching his. As he stared at the green canvas at the top of his four-poster bed, a song filled his mind.

Ten thirty one more Friday night

I got my space

So won't be getting heavy anymore

Bring on the one to save me

To you it might sound crazy

Way down inside my heart I'm drowning

I'm in too deep

Too deep too deep alright

Let's take it easy cool it down

In too deep gotta hold it back some how

Can't help the way I'm feeling

In too deep in too deep alright

I'm trying not to let it show

In too deep I can't let you go

Please please please tell me what you think!!