Chapter Fourteen-Out

Hermione barely slept that night. The hours had gone by and all she could think of was what she'd done wrong. He wasn't complaining, he seemed really into it, but…Hermione couldn't figure out what happened, but then a thought occurred…maybe he knew. Maybe Hannah told him, or maybe he figured it out, or…She just couldn't see how he would know. Hermione turned her head and stared at the clock that flashed 6:00am. She sat up and decided to take a shower.

When she reached the bathroom and opened the door, she encountered Draco lying with his eyes closed in the tub. Hermione froze and didn't do anything but stare at him. His expression looked troubled yet peaceful. Draco felt he wasn't alone and opened his eyes to face Hermione.

"Get out, Granger" he said.

"Why?" she asked in a small voice. She wanted to understand why his personality changed so much all the time. She felt as if she knew that Draco could be gentle and calm, even loving,…like the previous night.

"That's a stupid question, Granger, but I'll answer it. Because, if you haven't noticed, I'm naked in here and I don't fancy letting a mudblood see me".

The word felt like a punch but she kept her composure. She closed the door behind her and began to approach him.

"What are you doing?" he asked startled.

Hermione sat down next to the tub. She contemplated her words carefully. "Why were you in my bedroom last night?"

Draco remained expressionless, but his eyes told otherwise. He was battling inside because he couldn't tell her the truth, he couldn't possibly tell her that he's been thinking about her nonstop. "I heard a noise in your room and thought that perhaps there was someone…" He really couldn't come up with anything.

"Fine, I'll accept that "excuse". Why did you kiss me?" she asked.

This time Draco couldn't look at her in the eye. He honestly couldn't explain why, it was an impulse, just an impulse…or was it? He became angry and frustrated. "Look, would you stop interrogating me? It was nothing special, it was just an insignificant little kiss!"

"Little kiss!" Hermione was fuming "Malfoy, I would hardly call you getting into my bed, touching me in my most intimate places, and your whole tongue inside my mouth a "little kiss"!"

Draco was taken aback by her sudden outburst. He knew she was right (duh!) and for once he couldn't reply.

"Why did you have to leave me?" asked Hermione in tears "Did you even consider for a second when you stopped how I would feel? I thought…"

The words were stuck in her throat. The more she thought about it, the more stupid she felt. Why would Draco Malfoy like her?

"Listen, Hermione" began Draco "I wont deny that what happened last night" he took a deep breath "was something that I wanted to do, but I felt as if…as if I was betraying someone"

Hermione said "You mean there's someone else?" She thought of Pansy Parkinson.

"Yes, I mean…sort of. She's…" he gave a small laugh "to be honest, I don't even know her name, and strange enough, I've never even kissed her"

Hermione's eyes widened. He couldn't possibly…

"See, I don't even see her regularly" He looked at her and her expression "Im sorry about this, its not what I wanted to happen"

Hermione didn't know whether she should be happy or outraged. She wanted to tell him the truth, but thought better of it. She would tell him when she's her "other self" instead. She looked at him

"Its alright, but could you cut it off with the name calling"

Draco grinned "I can't guarantee you anything in public. You know, my reputation must stay intact" Hermione rolled her eyes "Well, it's a start"

After that, Hermione left the bathroom and waited for him to finish. She was glad that they were in good terms and she was a bit anxious because it was only a matter of time before he found out who she really was.

Morning classes passed smoothly, but before lunch Hermione finally noticed Harry. He was serious and had a frustrated look about him. Hermione was worried that it had something to do with Voldemort. When the bell for the end of Charms rang, she pulled him aside "Harry, what's the matter?"

He looked at her "Ginny told me everything"

"Oh" was all she could say.They skipped lunch and walked together outside.

"I mean" said Harry "I'm not mad or anything, just…shocked. It's great that it turned out to be Ginny"

Hermione smiled "I knew you had something for her"

Harry blushed and smiled back "Yeah, but my concern is" he was serious again "who you're dealing with".

Hermione bit her lip; she was already expecting this. "I know, Harry, I know. At first I couldn't believe what I was doing but now…its different. I…I like him and he's so…different when he's there."

"But that's only because he doesn't know who you are" said Harry.

"Not exactly" and she told him what happened the previous night, leaving out the fondling obviously.

Harry was speechless.

When he regained his speaking abilities, he said "Malfoy kissed you? Are you positive it was real and not a dream?"

Hermione laughed "Yes, Harry, I'm sure"

"I can't tell you that I approve of the guy, I hate the stupid ferret, but if you must like him…then I guess I wont stop you"

Hermione hugged him "Thanks, Harry, but you cant tell Ron! Not yet." "You don't need to tell me twice" he said.

The bell rang for Herbology and they made their way back. The Gryffindors had it with the Slytherins and Hermione was paired with Draco (how original!).

"Hermione" whispered Draco as they worked "what were you going to say when you said you thought I thought something?"

Hermione frowned "What are you talking about?"

"When you told me that I wasn't considering how you felt when…when I left you. You said you thought something, what was it?"

"Oh yeah" Hermione blushed "I was going to say that I thought you liked me"

Draco looked away and kept working. They didn't exchange words except for the occasional "pass me this". When the bell rang, Draco stood and left quickly. Hermione sighed; she should've said she didn't remember.

"Hermione!" yelled Ginny as she ran toward her. She reached her and paused for a moment to take a breath "Tomorrow, Room of Requirements, same time"

"Ok" said Hermione "I'll be there"

A/N: Guys, this is the part where I tell you that the story's ending is close. Please read and review.Thnx!