"HERMIONE!" She ran as fast as her legs could carry her. Hermione's body screamed in protest as the feeling of Draco's intense, bold, warm presence left. It wanted to so badly to go back. Her body tugged and pulled and tried to free itself to return to that crazy feeling she just had. Hermione's brain didn't let her.

"I-I can't go up the steps." She frantically ran past the balcony stairs. "No-no I can't go back to the p-party. I need to hide-I have to stay away-I-I can't believe this is happening!" She screeched inside her head. Thoughts flooded her mind as she desperately pushed them away. Questions, doubts, insults, fears, and uncertainty erupted all the while her body was hoping, aching to go back to Draco. "NO!" She commanded her thumping heart. Making several sharp turns, she ran through the open front doors and tore up the stairs.

She ducked past the guests in the library and found herself walking quickly among the rows and rows of books. She found a dark corner near the back and sat down, burying her head into her arms.

Hermione let out a soft groan. Her heart was still beating wildly, as if it was trying to burst through her chest and float out the window. The cool feeling of Malfoy's wet hands on her neck had disappeared long ago. It was replaced by white hot embarrassment and shame. Tears surprisingly flooded her eyes. She hugged her knees and tried as hard as she could to block the memories from coming back.

But no matter how hard Hermione tried, she could not keep the memories away. She could not keep the feeling away. She could not forget what it felt like when Draco's hands crawled down her back. She could not stop thinking about when his lips met hers.

Hermione's heart let out a sharp pang. Draco was her friend…she couldn't…they wouldn't be able to…this wasn't supposed to happen…he won't…but wasn't he the one that started it all? Hermione paused. Wasn't Draco the one that kissed her? She…she kissed him back, but wasn't it Draco who began?

"But that's got to be wrong." Hermione whispered softly. But then again, why not? That other day…when he threw her in the water because she was too tense…and when they went riding later…wasn't that a-a special moment? And some time before that…she made her first shot at the bulls eye…she had never done that before. Thoughts spilled through her mind. What about the time they spent that whole afternoon in the library? Didn't they laugh together at that silly book? And what about that time they went racing? Or that time they looked at the stars together? Wasn't she the only one that knew that Draco liked to look at stars? Wasn't she the only one that knew about Draco's…nightmares?

"But it's Draco! Draco has insulted you! He's called you mudblood! He's mocked you and made you miserable here." Hermione's mind slipped to when he ridiculed her that day she ran into him in his room. But hadn't that helped out in the long run…causing her to go and find help for the house elves? And that time he yelled at her about the ministry…wasn't it because of that they now call each other by their first names? And when they teased each other in the stargazing room…that was the first time he smiled at her.

And that dream she had this morning…the one where she was dancing with Draco…Hermione desperately shook her head, too many questions were flooding her brain.

"—Yes, I believe they keep that book somewhere back here, you check that aisle and I'll check this one…" Hermione let out a startled gasp and scrambled back up to her feet. The voices grew steadily louder as she hurriedly fixed her appearance and came up with a quick alibi. Fixing a smile on her face, she kindly walked up to the approaching guest. She would think about Draco later, after the party. Hermione spent the rest of the time with the visitors in the library and ballroom, smiling as if nothing was wrong.

Draco

"HERMIONE!" Draco darted through the gardens, although he knew he would never catch up with her. She had escaped from him so fast. "HERMIONE!" He roared. Draco had no idea why he was chasing her. What would he say when he found her? He had no idea what he just did. Pausing slightly, Malfoy ran back towards the house and up the stairs. Bursting through the ballroom, his eyes searched for the beautiful brown hair and stunning dress... she wasn't there.

"Draco! There you are! Come, come, meet my siste-" Draco pushed himself past the guest and ran out of the ballroom into the hallway. "Think. Think!" Biting his lip, he lunged down the stairs and ran back up to Hermione's room.

"HERMIONE!" He pounded on the door. Grabbing the knob, he forced his way through, only to find an empty bedroom. He let out a frustrated noise. Draco seized the closet door and flew it open. He then fell down onto his knees and searched under her bed. He became more and more frantic as he unfruitfully searched her room.

When he finally emerged from behind her desk, Draco gave one last look around her room. Breathing heavily, he stalked out the room and slammed the door. Where could she have possibly gone? "Idiot! You IDIOT!" He swore in the comforts of his room. What did you just DO? What will happen NOW? What-WHY did you do it? Sudden images of Hermione popped into his head, but he pushed them away.

However, Hermione in her green dress emerged into his head anyway. Her hair was beautiful; it looked like nothing he had ever seen. And her skin, her back, she just looked so stunning. Draco knew that he couldn't help it even if he wanted to. He couldn't tear his eyes off of her. The water, that was just so he could stop looking at her…but it backfired.

Malfoy laid flat on his back. He closed his eyes, remembering what her skin felt like against his fingertips. He could almost feel her hands running through his hair. Draco imagined the taste of her mouth on his lips…his mouth turned dry. The feeling was almost unbearable…if only it could happen again…if only he could just feel her in his arms again…

Draco has never neglected his instincts. If he felt the need to mock someone…he would. If he ever felt the need to lie…he would. Draco opened his eyes lazily. He had followed his instincts tonight…it was almost like a beast overcame him…a beast that only he would let Hermione tame.

After all, wasn't it the beast that caused him to show her her room the night she was lost? Wasn't it the beast that drove him to confide into Hermione his deepest secret? Wasn't it the beast that wanted Hermione to always be near him…like sitting together on a horse…or dangling her over his shoulder…or hugging him when she hit the bulls eye?

The beast told him to go and find Hermione.

He left his room again, feeling confident. Draco knew that Hermione wasn't in her room…he would have heard her. Instead, he headed back to the party.

Once there, he tried to avoid the guests as much as possible. Draco crossed into the ballroom, glancing every which way for the long green dress with brown hair. He saw her across the floor, talking distractingly with some couple.

Draco quickly set off, his steps long and stride full. "Hermione, could I speak to you for a moment?"

"Oh, um…if you're wondering about the food…we have plenty." She answered, not meeting his eyes. Draco's confidence dropped…she didn't want to talk to him.

"Oh, it's not about the food," he quickly glanced at the guests she was talking to. "Do you think perhaps I could have several minutes?" The guests nodded and left.

"I think I hear somebody calling me," Hermione mumbled as she brushed past his shoulder, her head down.

"Wait, no Hermione, let's talk for a bit." Draco pressed.

"No, no. I-I can't leave the party right now. Quite busy, you see." A troubled and uncomfortable expression crossed her face. "I've got to make sure things are running smoothly…maybe sometime later…" Hermione quickly left without another word, leaving a very uneasy and restless Draco behind.

Author's note: Hello all! I must say, thank you so much for waiting! I seriously concidered chopping this chapter into two chapters, one of Hermione's and one of Draco's. But I decided not to. :) THANKS BUNCHES TO FIREFLY PHOENIX FOR BETA-ING! from HPFF Anyways, I'd love to hear your comments and constructive critisms! That lovely button down there with the text box would be an EXCELLENT way to tell me. or, you COULD pm me or email me..but i perfer reviews. Anyways, thanks again for waiting