Chapter 5 "In the Forest".

A week later…

Hermione woke up late, and went down to breakfast in a hurry. She felt proud of herself, finally, Malfoy was out of the hospital wing, and it was all thanks to her. She met with two of the trio, and together the made their way down to the great hall. She settled at their table, saluting Ginny and Seamus, who were sitting together, arm in arm, and choosing some bacon and eggs to start off her day. Then, the usual routine of swooping owls into the hall started. Suddenly, Hermione's breakfast splattered over the table, an owl made bad landing on her plate. In its beak was a single note, folded tightly into a little ball. She cautiously unfolded the note and read its contents.

'Ms. Granger and Mr. Malfoy, it is my duty to inform you that at 7 o'clock you are expected to proceed to the edge of the forbidden forest to discuss a special assignment I shall give to replace the big amount of work you missed due to Mr. Malfoy's illness.

Professor Snape'

Wondering what on earth they could do in the forbidden forest that had to do with potions, Hermione stood up from the table and went to get her bag, with her head full of worries about the up coming day.

At seven, she went out of Hogwarts, and into the Hogwarts grounds. Snow was everywhere, and Hagrid's pumpkins looked like massive snowballs. In the distance, the trees of the Forbidden Forest swayed dangerously and apart from them, darkness was all that could be seen. There, she saw Draco and started towards him. His hair swayed in the breeze, and even from such distance, she could clearly see his piercing blue eyes. As always, black robes drastically contrasted with his pale face, with small scratches in the places on his cheek where his cuts had been.

She waved to him, and he merely nodded (apparently now being out of the hospital, and no longer requiring Hermione's help, he had changed back into his usual self, no smile, just the trademark smirk, and the "we're back to being just Granger the muggleborn, and Malfoy the pureblood" attitude.)

As she came closer she could see his features more distinctly, those long eyelashes, and the serious

face. She joined him and together, they made their way down, past Hagrid's cabin and to the edge of the forest.

"Where do you think he is?" It's not like Snape isn't punctual, it's nearly a miracle that he didn't come on time," wondered Hermione.

"I don't know. Anyway, why did he tell us to come here? It's not like there's anything in the forbidden forest that's to do with potions," replied Draco in a bored voice.

"Maybe he's in there just he forgot to mention exactly where we're supposed to meet,' she suggested, gesturing towards the darkness inside the forest.

"Yea, let's go in," he agreed and they stepped into the forest, minding their step so as not to trip on a root in the dark. It was very dark inside and even thought the presence of the fireflies made it more welcoming and even romantic, Draco felt shivers ran up his spine. Of course in no way was he going to show this weakness to his enemy, so he boldly went first and guided her further and further into the forest.

All of a sudden, Hermione lost her footing and fell over, trying to hold onto Draco, but eventually pulling him down as well. He fell on top of her, and suddenly they felt being pulled to each other. They realized they were enemies, and they also realized they were just a few centimeters apart. Apparently such a mixture proves to be quite effective, Draco leaned in, and a swarm of nearby fireflies enlightened his face. Now, so close he could count the number of eyelashes on her eyes, or even kiss her, he chose the second. His lips, moist with zeal and excitement, touched hers and her eyelids fluttered shut. Hermione felt his breath full of impatience on her cheek, as he kissed her more vigorously, his mind was full of fiery sensation. She felt him finger the buttons on her robe, as he pulled her up, and he leant on a tree as she saddled his hips. She brushed his hair back with passion as he kissed her neck, brushing his hand past her bum softly. Just as he reached to undo her bra, they heard a rustle of leaves, then sniggers, and then hurrying footsteps disappearing into the distance.

The couple looked at the trees trying to figure out who exactly was spying on them, but whoever it was, they were far away already, maybe telling their friends what they had just seen, maybe taking some hallucination precautions.