Disclaimer: I hereby disclaim the characters, the original setting and all of J.K.'s works . . . only the story is mine and mine alone

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Chapter Four

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The next morning, Hermione woke up early with a splitting headache. The term 'haven't slept well' was too understated when describing what she had experienced last night. But this time, it was for a different reason.

She had a bad dream . . . or more like a nightmare.

She had dreamt that she and Draco were walking down the lake and Harry and Ginny were there too. Upon seeing them, Hermione had stiffened in panic and surprisingly; as Draco placed his arms protectively around her shoulders and pulled her closer, she didn't feel weird. It felt as if it was the most natural thing. It even felt good.

"What the hell are you doing here, Potter?"

"To get Hermione back," Harry answered firmly as Hermione's eyes widened and her gaze diverted to Ginny, who was looking at her contemptuously,

"Well you can't have her because she's already with me,"

Draco pulled out his wand as swiftly as Harry did, and suddenly they were surrounded by total darkness. Hermione tried to tell them to stop but she couldn't find her voice. She tried to shout out but no sound would come out from her mouth. Suddenly her surroundings started to swirl around and she could see Ginny's condescending brown eyes staring at her as Draco and Harry dueled with each other, yelling out curses and hexes.

"Harry, stop it! Don't hurt him! Don't hurt Draco!" she finally shouted and that's when she woke up.

Hermione wiped the sweat from her brow as she looked around her room.

She squinted as the first rays of sunshine shone through her window directly to her face before she stepped out of bed, put on her peignoir and went down to the common room.

What a weird dream. And why, in her dream, was Malfoy fighting for her? And most of all: why oh why was she actually worried about him getting hurt? It felt so real that it was creeping her out. She even called him by his first name.

She tried not to think about it; after all, it was only a dream, a futile, meaningless dream.

It was a little after lunch that Hermione decided to finish all her homework in the library. She had seen Malfoy at breakfast and luckily, he was engaged in a conversation with another Slytherin she didn't recognize, that he obviously didn't notice her. It felt as if the whole incident at the library with him didn't happen. And she tried to convince herself that maybe it was part of her odd dream, but it wasn't. It definitely did happen. It was all too real, even if it was still a bit unbelievable, but Hermione could never forget how handsome he looked and how her heart was beating faster and harder when she agreed to go out with him.

Hermione shook her head. How crazy could she be to actually be attracted to Draco Malfoy? Maybe she's too depressed to think straight. She knew she loved Harry and in fact, she still does. She's absolutely sure of that.

Then as if on cue, Harry's jet-black, tousled hair came to sight along with Ginny's red, wavy hair. They were talking and smiling at each other and they haven't noticed her. Yet. Hermione panicked. She had to get away from there. She had to hide. But where? The corridor to the library was long and straight and the only route was the way back and even if she'll turn around and run back, they would still see her. She just hoped that they would be too engrossed with each other that they wont even notice her. She just pressed her back rigidly against the wall and pretended to read, trying to be very quiet.

"Hermione," Harry's voice spoke. So much for that hope.

She looked up at his beautiful green eyes and shrugged, as she motioned to walk past them, then she felt Ginny's hand on her wrist.

"Hermione, please," Ginny's pleading eyes were on her and Hermione tried to control her breathing. She was tired of blowing up and feeling angry. They should just leave her alone, but no. They had to 'help' her. As if they'd be able to.

"What?" she snapped, although not as spitefully as she would've wanted,

"Please, let's talk, Hermione," Ginny pleaded and Hermione just took a deep breath,

"What is there to talk about?" she asked, trying to remain calm and sound patient but her voice was strained. Maybe if she'd humor them for a few minutes, they'd finally leave her alone, and if she's lucky, even for the rest of the year. But she didn't dare look at Harry, afraid that if she'll see his face, she might totally lose it and break down as always.

There was a pause before Ginny continued. "I just want us to be friends again, Hermione. I miss you,"

Hermione looked at Ginny's moist eyes then she sighed, "Well, we can't have everything we want, can we Ginny?"

"Please, Hermione,"

"I mean, you chose him over me. So you just have to deal with it,"

"I never chose . . ."

"Forget it," she waved her hands dismissively but this time, it was Harry who gripped her wrist, and she rolled her eyes irritably as she finally dared to face him

"Hermione just let me explain,"

Hermione's blood finally rose up to her head and all her contained fury erupted

"I don't want to hear your lame, overdue explanations, Harry, because as far as I'm concerned, no explanation, no matter how greatly prepared, would atone for what you did to me! Nothing! Do you hear me? Nothing!" she cried as she pulled her hand from his grip and ran to the nearest girls' lavatory.

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Harry stared blankly at the long hallway where Hermione ran off. He felt his heart sink at the sight of her tear-streaked face and hurt expression. How could he have done this to his best friend? If he wasn't so stupid and selfish, maybe he would've seen this coming and maybe be able to do something to prevent it.

When he heard shallow breaths beside him, it was only then he realized Ginny's presence beside him. He turned to look at her and saw that her eyes were damp and her lips quivered violently,

"Gin, are you okay?" he asked quietly.

Ginny turned to him; her rosy cheeks grew redder as she regarded him with a sad gaze,

"I can't take this anymore, Harry," she whispered and Harry couldn't quite comprehend where she was getting at.

"I think it's best if we . . . if we should stop seeing each other," she said and Harry gaped at her

"What? Why? Gin, I don't under-"

Ginny took a deep breath, "I hate it that Hermione's mad at me. . . at us. She's my best friend, Harry and I know you hate it as much as I do to see a great friendship crumble down like this,"

Harry looked at her. Ginny's acting pretty maturely for a sixteen year old and he felt a bit embarrassed. He should have been the mature one, not her.

"I guess you're right, Gin. I think I was a little too selfish for thinking that I could have you and Hermione. But I know that it's far from possible. Maybe all we need is time," he nodded and Ginny's face fell for a split second before she nodded,

"So, I guess I'll be seeing you around," she whispered brokenly as a single tear rolled down her cheek. Harry nodded firmly as he awkwardly patted her shoulder,

"Sure. See you around, Gin," he said before he turned away just as tears formed in his eyes.

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A sob escaped from Ginny's throat as she watched Harry's retreating back. For seven years, she had adored him, hoped that he'll finally notice her. And when he finally did, no one was happier than her. She never hoped and thought it would all end up like this.

She tried to steady her breathing as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand before she headed the opposite way.

Maybe now Hermione would listen to her. Now that she wasn't with Harry anymore. Maybe Hermione would finally realize how important she was to Ginny. Which she were. She pushed the heavy door to the girls' lavatory and instantly found Hermione sitting on the sink, and staring blankly into space. Her face was streaked with damp tears and her eyes were red and puffy.

Hermione had lost much weight, she noted, and she looked very exhausted.

"Hermione?" she called softly and if it weren't for the clenching of her jaw, Ginny would've thought that Hermione didn't notice her, "I just wanted to talk to you. I hope you'd listen to me, even for only now," she spoke cautiously and Hermione only blinked a couple of times as reply.

Ginny sighed exhaustedly, "Please Hermione, I really need to talk to you, to straighten things out,"

Silence.

"I- I've broken up with Harry," she said desperately, trying to find the right thing to say to make Hermione snap out of her cold reverie, "We've decided th-that our f-friendship with you is f-far more important t-than our r-relationship," her lips quivered as she tried to get a hold of herself. She slowly, warily stepped closer to Hermione and she saw tears form in her friend's eyes,

"Hermione, please, will you forgive me? I don't like not being able to talk to you and share things with you or simply just have fun with you anymore. I want things to be back as they were two years ago,"

Hermione finally looked at her and Ginny stiffened, preparing herself for her friend's blow, but instead, her voice was soft and broken,

"I loved him, Ginny. I loved him with all my heart. You just don't know how much it hurt when he left me without any apparent reason,"

Hermione's face was now covered with fresh tears and all Ginny wanted was to comfort her and tell her that it's okay, but she can't, because she knew that she was a big part of the cause of the hurt that Hermione had felt, and was still feeling now.

"It was like a knife stabbing in my heart," Hermione winced as she spoke then she turned away, "You just don't know how much it hurts when I see both of you. . . happy and blissful and. . ." She trailed off and after a brief silence, she shook her head and hopped down from the sinks and straightened her skirt.

"I'm sorry Hermione, I really am. . . I guess I was just too caught up in my own happiness that I. . . You know how much I've liked Harry, you know that and for him to finally notice me. . . " she trailed off,

"Gin," Hermione interrupted and Ginny felt a tiny pleasure at the use of her nickname, "I'm the one who should be sorry. I was childish and selfish, and I don't want you to be dragged down by my self-centeredness. And I- I think you should get back with Harry."

Ginny looked at her in concerned, "No, Hermione, I can't. . ."

"Don't worry about me, I'm okay now," she said unconvincingly and Ginny only half-smiled.

Hermione clearly wasn't okay despite what she had just said. She still looked grim and gloomy and seemed incapable of smiling,

"No, it's okay. We're okay. We talked about it," Ginny answered and Hermione shook her head, still not changing moods.

"I just don't want to be the cause of your break-up,"

Ginny fidgeted with her sweater nervously, feeling bad, knowing that she was the cause of Hermione and Harry's break-up. It took a while before Ginny shook her head,

"No, you're not," she assured her firmly, "so- are we friends again?" she asked and Hermione paused for a moment before she looked at her with her wide, light, hazel eyes,

"Sure," she shrugged and Ginny was so delighted that she pulled Hermione into a tight hug, which she weakly returned

When they pulled away, Hermione was slightly smiling,

"I'm glad we're friends again," Ginny said

"Me too," Hermione replied

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Hermione looked at herself in the mirror that evening and sighed, feeling a bit better and lighter now after her long, warm, bath and the fact that she had finally made up with Ginny.

She tightened her bathrobe before she picked up her hairbrush and absentmindedly ran it through her damp, wavy curls. Glancing at her timepiece, she realized that dinner was at least halfway through.

She purposefully missed dinner, for the fear of encountering Harry, which she still wasn't ready for. She didn't realize she was spacing until her reflection snapped her fingers to get her attention.

"Hey! You better get dressed if you don't wanna be late,"

Hermione stared blankly at her reflection before it finally spoke again,

"You have a date with Malfoy, remember?"

Hermione's heart leaped in panic as she stood up.

"Oh my god! You're right!"

She dug through her closet and finally pulled out the first thing she got her hands on: A navy wool turtleneck and black, slim fitting pants.

She quickly put it on, reminding herself that she needn't need to get all dolled up for Malfoy but it wouldn't hurt if she looked at least a bit presentable, wouldn't it?

She glanced briefly at her reflection, deciding to put on a little blush and lip-gloss and then she put on her simple silver hoop earrings.

She gave her hair one last toss to add volume and glanced at her timepiece. Five minutes more and the dinner was over. She started to pace around her room, just to kill time but after a few minutes, she decided to just head over to the lake, where they would meet.

She tried to steady her breathing as she slowly ambled towards the door, smiling briefly at some of the students she knew, who were apparently done with dinner and were headed to their common rooms or wherever they're going.

She took a deep breath before she finally stepped out of the castle and walked to the lake, where she saw Malfoy, with his back to hers and his foot propped casually on a rock, his head slightly tilted upward as if gazing at the moon. He looked so sophisticated and mysterious, somehow.

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Draco could feel a presence behind him and as he quickly turned to see who's behind him, he saw her.

Her golden hair, illuminated by the moonlight, was framing her face and tumbling artfully past her shoulders. Her eyes were wide, probably from nervousness or surprise- he couldn't tell, and her beautiful lips were slightly parted. He also noticed that her breathing was fast and shallow.

His mouth twisted into a quick smirk, glad that she was at least nervous about their date because he was on the verge of slapping himself silly just for thinking how beautiful she looked and he was afraid he was the one who would lose control.

"Well, glad you made it," he said, trying not to sound too glad as he glanced at his watch, "Late, but still made it,"

She finally cleared her throat, "I actually almost forgot," she admitted and Draco couldn't control the next thing that came out from his mouth,

"Well, considering how ditzy you've become lately, I guess I shouldn't be surprised,"

Her golden eyes flashed as her cheeks turned pink, "Well, if this is what's in store for the rest of the evening, then I guess I won't waste my time here then! I could always get Malfoy insults any time of the day," she motioned to walk away when Draco finally caught himself,

"Wait! I'm sorry!" he called out and she turned to him, eyes wide with surprise.

He, too, was surprised. He never heard himself say those words for a long, long time and obviously, so has Hermione. If there's one thing about Draco Malfoy, it's that he never apologizes, even if he knows he's wrong, for anything. Ever. Hermione looked at him and finally sighed, "Okay, Malfoy," she said as she walked over to him, stopping just a few feet away from him.

Draco finally swallowed hard as he reached for the bouquet of glowing fireflowers concealed by the huge rock and handed it to her, watching her mouth open with surprise and amazement,

"Th-thank you. . . it's beautiful," she stammered as she received them.

Draco felt weird and really lame as he struggled to find the right words.

"It's nothing," he shrugged and Hermione finally smiled at him. And surprisingly, he found himself smiling back.

"So, wanna take a walk?" he asked and she nodded, coming closer.

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They walked in awkward silence and Hermione knew that he also found the situation uncomfortable. Just as she was scanning her brain for any possible topic to be able to talk about, Malfoy cleared his throat,

"Nice night, isn't it?" he said in a lame attempt to start a conversation and Hermione just looked at him.

He gave her a sideways glance and his mouth lifted into a lopsided grin that seemed apologetic at his lame attempt.

Hermione couldn't help but smile back. She just couldn't resist his disarming smile.

"That was pretty lame," she said jokingly and he finally smiled wider,

"You noticed it too?" he replied. She laughed and pretty soon, he joined in.

"So. . ." he began after their laughter died down, looking as if he was scanning his brain for something to talk about,

Hermione glanced at him patiently before he continued,

"How's your studies going?" he finally asked and Hermione just smiled,

"It's going great. I'm still pretty worried about the N.E.W.T.s though," she shrugged and Draco raised a brow,

"Really? Why? You've got nothing to be worried about. You're a smart girl," he spoke and Hermione couldn't believe her ears.

Somehow, his voice and the compliment sounded weird together.

"Are you feeling fine? Did you just give me a compliment?" she joked and he shrugged, his face straight,

"I'm not that heartless, you know," he spoke and Hermione felt a bit bad,

"Um. . . I never meant it that way. . ."

"Chill out. I was just kidding. . . couldn't blame you, though," he smirked and she finally relaxed,

"Well, thanks, Malfoy,"

"My name's Draco, you know," he said, glancing at her and Hermione smiled ruefully,

"Okay, um. . . Draco," she said a bit ineptly. Somehow, saying his first name felt kind of weird and. . . strangely intimate.

Draco smiled, "I like the sound of my name on your lips," he commented as they stopped walking. She looked at the moon's reflection on the calm lake and sat on the grass.

Draco. . . Draco. . . she kept repeating in her mind, trying to get used to the name, which she might add, has a highly erotic and sexy ring to it.

She could just imagine him, pulling her closer with his strong arms encircling her body as she whispered his name.

Draco. . . Draco. . . she sighed dreamily, wondering how it would feel to have his lips against hers,

Draco leaned casually against a tree and crossed his arms over his chest, eyeing her observantly, and smirking knowingly,

"Would you care to share what's on your mind?"

Hermione blushed furiously, "Um, nothing important. You wouldn't be interested," she said hastily,

"Why? If it involves me, I think I'd definitely be interested,"

"No!" she cried defensively, "It absolutely doesn't include you! Nope, nada. Not you," she shook her head vigorously

He smirked, "Ok. If you say so," he shrugged, looking amused

"I'm positive," she answered, looking away

She heard Draco chuckle softly as he came nearer and sat beside her. They were silently gazing at the still waters.

"Have I mentioned how nice you look tonight?" he broke the silence and Hermione was taken aback as she looked down at her dark blue sweater,

"Um, well. . . " she stammered, nervously rubbing her hands against her jeans and his eyes traveled down to her thighs, "Er, don't you ever feel, I don't know, weird when you give compliments like that?"

Looking at her from the corner of his eye, "Why should I?" he answered simply,

"Because," she reasoned, "Don't you feel even just a bit uneasy when you say things you don't actually say the truth?"

"No," he said bluntly and Hermione was about to retort when he continued, "But what I said to you was true,"

She looked at him, unable to believe what he had just said, "I don't believe you. It's either you're lying or you've gone mad," she finally said, shaking her head dismissively and he didn't even flinch.

"Why do you refuse to believe every good thing people say about you?" and then he finally turned to her, "Don't you know yourself?"

Hermione flushed. Who knew Draco Malfoy could say something this. . . profound?

"Oh but I do know myself and one thing I'm sure of is that I am not what you say I am. I may know a lot of things but that's because I learn from books. And I'm definitely not-" she paused, struggling for words, "nice looking," she finished and Draco shook his head,

"Well I think you are and that's that," he stated firmly and she blushed furiously,

"Oh," she managed to say. Surprised at his statement. "Erm, thanks, I guess," she shrugged

Draco smirked, "I guess me giving you compliments still need a little getting used to," he said and she nodded,

"You're right. It's just so. . . new and. . ."

"Not me?"

Hermione smiled lamely, "Sort of," she raised a shoulder, he gave a quick smile,

"I know," he said and there was silence again.

"So, why did you ask me out?"

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Draco looked at her wide, expressive brown eyes, unable to answer her question. He couldn't very well tell her the truth. Not yet. Until he breaks up with her, which will be in a month. Less if he's lucky.

Then his stomach gave an odd flop at the thought of breaking up with her. Or maybe it was from his scanty dinner. He convinced himself of the latter.

"Like I said, I find you interesting,"

"Why? After seven years of tormenting me, you suddenly find me interesting?" she tilted her head, eyeing him, challenging him

Draco admired her bluntness and smiled.

"Okay," he finally breathed, "I'm attracted to you," he admitted and Hermione's expression changed from surprise to shy to suspicion to defeat,

"Are you playing games?"

"No. It's true. Since the beginning of this year," he answered simply, marveling how easy the truth slid from his mouth. Sure, he had found her beautiful since two years ago but she didn't need to know that.

Hermione, however, is anything but gullible. She also was stubborn.

"I haven't changed," she stated firmly and he shook his head,

"Yes you have. Maybe you just didn't notice it,"

She was silent for a moment before she sighed, and gave him a weak lopsided smile, "I guess misery and depression does me good, doesn't it?" she joked, but her eyes lost their sparkle and Draco had to fight the urge to gag at the thought of Potter's hands touching her.

He wasn't worth a girl as hot and beautiful as Hermione. He's be better off with Ginny Weasley. But he didn't tell her that. Instead, he mentally scolded himself.

Focus, Draco! Don't let this beguiling witch entrance you! You've been more intimate with girls more beautiful than she is. . . but none of them had her sweetness and innocence that made her more sexy and provocative and her unawareness of this makes her even more appealing.

"Potter doesn't know what he's missing," he said, trying to lessen the bitterness from his voice. Hermione smiled gratefully,

"Thanks. But let's not talk about it anymore,"

He smiled, glad she felt the same way as he does. She looked at her watch and gasped,

"Oh my god, I didn't realize it was so late," she said as she stood up and dusted herself. Draco followed her and spoke casually,

"We're head students, remember? We're granted two hours later curfew than others,"

Hermione shook her head, "I know that but those hours were supposed to be devoted for patrolling,"

He smirked, "Always the responsible one," he joked, "So, let's go patrol," he invited and she smiled at him apologetically.

"I'm sorry our date had to end like this. I really had a won. . ."

"Who said our date has ended?" he smiled mischievously and she only laughed as they headed inside the castle.

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An hour and a half later, they were both laughing as they headed for their common room.

"Did you just see Blaise's expression when we caught them under the table?" Draco laughed and Hermione wiped a tear from her eye,

"Oh I think I would've died!" she laughed, "And what about Lavender?"

"Now SHE could've died right there and then," Draco supplied as he turned the knob in complicated directions and finally poked at a grape from the bundle on the portrait and the portrait swung open.

Their laughter died down as they sat on the overstuffed sofa and suddenly, Hermione felt awkward.

Here she was, laughing and having a blast with the guy she hated for almost seven years, and admiring how handsome he looked.

"Um, I had a wonderful time. Thanks," she said sincerely and Draco smiled back,

"Me too," he said.

Then, before she knew what happened, his face was already inching towards her and finally, his soft lips touched hers.

Chills ran up and down her spine as his hands slowly encircled her waist and pulled her closer.

She responded his kisses with equal emotion as his tongue slowly ran across her lips and between them, urging them to open. It didn't take long for Hermione to give in to his demand as she quickly followed the rhythm of his tongue, engaging in a hot and sensual kiss.

She had never before felt this way when Harry kissed her. This was all too different. . . and somewhat exciting.

She felt his hands go up and down her back and she marveled at how an insulting, arrogant little prat could be this gentle and caressing.

She moaned and he deepened the kiss even more, considering her reaction as a signal. He pulled her into his lap until his legs were between hers, and he drove his hands under her blouse, unhooking her bra expertly.

She pulled away slightly, looking at him in knowing amusement and he smiled before she kissed him again, slowly unbuttoning his shirt.

She knew she shouldn't continue but kissing him was like a drug. A drug that she just couldn't resist and stop taking.

Then as if an electric jolt went through him, he abruptly pulled away, his face a mask of horror.

"Uh, I don't think we should be doing this," he said but there was reluctance in his eyes which Hermione failed to notice since she was too stunned to react. He slowly lifted her up and set her down beside him. He stood up and jammed his hands in his front pockets, and looked at her, almost longingly.

"B-but, I don't understand," she stammered lamely, blushing furiously as he exhaled and rubbed his temples as if having a headache,

"I just think we're going. . . too fast," he finally said and Hermione would've understood him, even be touched by his reason, if it wasn't Draco who was talking. Draco Malfoy, who has slept with more than half of Hogwarts' female student population.

No, she took it as rejection, with a pitiful attempt to sugar coat his real purpose.

Mustering all the pride she had left, she stood up, straightened her sweater and her hair and raised her chin.

"You're right!" she said smugly, "We are going too fast and in the wrong way, if I might add,"

Draco frowned in confusion and worry, "Listen, I didn't mean that. . ."

"You're right! I realize now how stupid I am for letting. . . lust get the better of me," she exploded, "Maybe I'm more desperate than I thought!"

His jaw clenched as he watched her pace furiously around the common room.

"Hermione, would you just listen even for a minute?"

Hermione glared at him then sighed in retreat, "I'm tired," she said then headed up to her room and slammed the door so hard.

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Author's notes: Hey, I hope you liked this chapter. I'm sorry it took so long to post but I've just been so busy lately and I've got some sort of writer's block, if you can call it that.( anyways, still want to hear your reviews! Thanks a bunch to all of you!