Chapter 7-

AN- Hullo. I'm back again!! Hope you like it.

This chapter Is dedicated to one of my reviewers whose birthday just passed (the 12th I think)… jenjen147. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Congrats on turning 16!!! I will be 18 in August!!!

On with the story…

Last Time

'Why did he kiss me? Why didn't I stop him?' these question continued echoing in her mind as the night progressed. But one question haunted her the most, 'I couldn't…like him, could I?'

Both Draco and Hermione had a very restless night as they tried to figure out their feeling for each other. They only finally got rest when they decided that it was not liking but hormones that attracted them to each other. There was no real attraction.

The next morning, Hermione got up early to take a shower. She was showered and dressed before Draco even left his room. She walked into the kitchen to make breakfast. She decided to make her favorite breakfast, pigs in a blanket.

Draco, who had been awake for quite a while, listened to the shower go on and off. He wanted to get up, but he couldn't think of what to say to her. He couldn't possibly just go out there and say, "Hey, Hermione. I just wanted you to know that I don't like you. I just kissed you because of my raging hormones." 'Yep,' thought Draco. 'That would definitely not be the right thing to say.'

As he was contemplating this, the faint smell of sausages flooded the room. His stomach rumbled at the thought of breakfast, so he decided to get up. He showered quickly and got dressed.

He walked into the kitchen ten minutes later, looking as put together as always. He saw Hermione by the stove cooking pancakes and sausages. 'What to say, what to say?' he asked himself over and over. "G'mornin'" he said finally.

"Good morning." she replied without turning to face him.

"So, d-did you…sleep well?" he asked, awkwardly.

"Yeah, fine. You?" she replied, still not turning to him.

"Great. I slept great." he replied only to leave the room in complete silence. "So, what'cha makin'?" he asked in a effort to start a conversation.

"Pigs in a Blanket." she replied without explanation.

"Wha?"

"Pigs in--"

"--I heard what you said." he said, cutting her off. "What is it?"

"It's sausages wrapped in pancakes. They taste great together." she answered, finally looking at him for a few seconds before turning back to the stove.

"Oh." Draco said, beginning another awkward silence. After a few minutes, he couldn't take it anymore. He put his Malfoy pride aside and said, "Look, I am sorry about yesterday. I didn't mean to insult you."

Hermione turned to him once again. She scanned his eyes for and insincerity but found none. She smiled and nodded. "It's okay. I overreacted. I guess I am just not used to having you as something other than an enemy."

'Something?' thought Draco. 'What does that mean? Maybe she liked the kiss yesterday? No, that couldn't be it. Maybe she doesn't consider me her friend just not an enemy.'

"Draco, are you listening?" Hermione asked after a few seconds of trying to get his attention.

"Wha? Sorry. What did you say?" he asked.

"I was saying, why don't you go sit down and I will bring your food to you in a minute."

"Oh. Okay." he said and he went in the dining room to wait.

After that day, Hermione and Draco were both trying desperately to figure out their feelings and what the other person thought of them. They never mentioned the kiss, but both of them wanted to talk about it.

Draco tried to forget that it happened, but he found himself wanting to feel those soft lips on his more and more often. They would be talking about school, books, life, family…and he would find himself wanting to just pull her close and press his lips to hers. He tired blaming it on hormones, but he knew that there was a lot more to it than just hormones. After a few more days with Hermione, he finally admitted to himself that he was crushing on his archenemy's best friend, Hermione 'Mudblood' Granger.

Hermione tried to forget about the kiss too, but she also found it impossible. It haunted her day and night. She knew she was starting to like Draco 'Ferret Boy' Malfoy. Not only was he hott, but he was smart, sweet (when he wanted to be), rich (not that she cared), and he understood her problems. He listened to her and let her cry on his shoulder and she couldn't stop the feeling that welled inside her no matter how hard she tried to push them away. She also loved talking to him. He had a mind of his own and liked to talk about things other than Quidditch (Unlike Harry and Ron.) The thought of her two best friends made her want to talk to them, so she decided to owl them.

She got out a parchment and a quill, but couldn't find the words to say. She didn't know if she wanted to tell them about her father or about the fact that she was alone. She definitely didn't want to tell them that she was alone with their number one enemy. 'Maybe I shouldn't write them after all. Wait, I don't have an owl, so I can't write them anyway.' she thought as she began to put away the ink.

Just then, Draco walked in. "What'cha doing, 'Mione?" he asked.

"My name is HER-mione!" she said. He had started saying that because it irritated her. "And, I was going to write a letter to Harry and Ron, but I don't have an owl."

"I have one." he said.

"No it--you do? How came I have never seen it?" she asked.

"Well, he's not a people person. He followed me here. You can use him. He only likes people that I trust." he said with a smile. "Go ahead, write your letter and I'll go get him."

"Oh, okay." she said as she tried to decided what to write.

Dear Harry and Ron,

Sorry that I haven't written you guys yet this summer. It has been a kind of bad summer for me. My mum died and my dad has sort of violent ways of handling his pain. He also drinks a lot.

I was forced to run away a couple weeks into the summer. I am staying with an old friend and I think it is best if I stay here for a little while. I am trying to keep under wraps so that my father won't find me.

Use this owl to write back if you want to write back. He knows where I am.

Love, Hermione

When she was finished, she handed the parchment to Draco who immediately rolled it up out of respect for her privacy.

"You can read it if you like." she said after he made the kind gesture.

He nodded and read the letter. He was kind of disappointed at the 'old friend' part, but didn't let it show. He out on his normal Malfoy smirk and said, "Old friend?"

"Uh, yeah. I didn't think that it was best to tell them about you seeing as they hate you. They might get worried about me and try to find me." she replied awkwardly.

"Oh. That's probably for the best. I am kind of hiding from my father too." he said with a smile. He then, rolled up the parchment and tied it to his owls leg. "Where do I send it?"

"It's called the Burrow."

"Typical--Sorry?"

Hermione smiled. "It's okay."

"Alright Xavier, take this to a place called the Burrow. Can you find it?" he said to his owl, who hooted in response before flying out an open window.

Hermione,

It was good to hear from you, but I am sorry about everything that has happened to you over the summer. I wish I could be there for you. Your father actually beats you? I don't understand hoe any parent could do that. I wish you could come stay here with me. I really miss you. You are always welcome here. Owl me if you need anything.

Love, Ron

P.S. Harry's not here. He is staying at Hogwarts for the rest of the summer. You-Know-Who's pets killed the Dursleys a couple weeks ago. He isn't sad or anything, but Dumbledore wanted him to be safe at Hogwarts anyway. I sent your note to him. You should be getting a letter form him as well.

P.P.S. Who's owl is this anyway? It bit me like fifty times already!! It seems like the spawn of Ferret Boy.

P.P.S.S. Ginny says 'Hi' and she misses you a lot.

Hermione smiled. 'Ron is so sweet.' she thought. 'Poor Harry. At Hogwarts all alone. Well, not for long. Ron, Ginny and I will be joining him soon.' Hermione's thoughts were suddenly cut short when she heard a knock at the door.

'Who could that be?' she wondered as she headed towards the door. 'Oh, it must be Draco. I know I told him not to forget the key before he went to the grocery store.' Hermione reached the door and pulled it open…