A/N: Even though things in Half Blood Prince are quite a bit different from this, I'm going to keep writing this the way I intended. I mean, it's not like JK was ever going to put Hermione/Draco together anyway. Sadly.
I'm really sorry if this chapter sucks. I got my wisdom teeth out yesterday, I'm miserable, and I'm totally drugged up on vicadin. So, thanks for understanding ;)
Special Notes to All My Chapter 12 Reviewers:
HeyJude23: I know, Draco can be such an arse. But it wouldn't be very fun if he were nice all the time, would it?
PolandRox: Thanks for such a nice review. I'm glad you find my story different--it's not fun to be the same. Are you from Poland/currently living in Poland?
Morf21489: Great to have a new reviewer. I am glad you like the way I portray Draco. I have too hard a time making him sweet ;)
AMI MIZUNO 1: Aw, don't kill Draco, haha!
willow fairy: As always, thanks for reviewing.
Yellowrosesinateacup: I promise you, If they don't make up, I will personally force Draco to confess his undying love to her---naked.
Rilicious: You're very welcome. The Zabini mistake is a huge one I see, so no worries. Thanks for reviewing!
Antanaqui: You are kind of evil :P But I don't mind, haha. Thanks for reviewing!
Dragongirl81: Thanks so much for your review!
MrsBMadden: I don't think you have to worry. Thanks for the review!
Draco watched as her face flickered with fury, her eyes darting toward her mashed potato filled plate. Hermione Granger was sandwiched between Ron and Ginny Weasley at the Gryffindor table, the latter shooting him looks of utter disdain. It had been a week since the winning Quidditch match, seven days of pure torture. Though his house was making him out to be some sort of hero, Granger refused to talk to him point blank. Since he wasn't required to do tutoring anymore, he couldn't even coerce her into conversation. It was miserable. He was, obviously, surprised at the turn of events. He, who hated mudbloods, spending all his time mooning over one? He watched, entranced, as she stood, pulling her gray shrug tightly around her shoulders. Her eyes flickered over to his for a millisecond and she bit her lip. He managed to hold her gaze for a few short seconds before she turned her head and sauntered out the Great Hall. He stood, wiping his mouth on the sleeve of his shirt, and followed her, desperate, for some reason, to rectify the situation.
"Granger!" He called to her retreating back. She stopped for a second, unmoving, and then spun around, her eyes alit with anger.
"What do you want?" Draco was surprised by her forward stance--she seemed different somehow, stronger.
"What's your problem?" He leaned against the stone wall, digging into his pockets.
"What's my problem? My problem? Last time I checked, I was a filthy mudblood who, how do I say this?" She rubbed her chin icily for a second, then continued. "Oh, that's it. Wets my panties for you." She pressed her hands against her hips and frowned, venomous.
"Look, I'm sorry."
"As surprised as I am that you just uttered those words, sorry isn't going to cut it, Malfoy."
"You don't have to be so goddamn picky, Granger."
"Don't even start. Being picky would be ignoring you point-blank simply because you're Draco Malfoy. I'm just choosing not to associate with assholes."
"I'm sorry, I said it already. I was a prick, you're right. It's my nature." Draco regained his posture and closed in on her, frowning.
"Why do you even care if I'm angry, anyway?"
"To be honest," Draco pressed a hand to her shoulder, smirking. "You're the only person in this school with a big enough brain to impress my permanently numbed brain. You're one of the few things that isn't completely dull."
"Really?" Hermione stared at him, disbelievingly. He nodded and began walking. She followed him, cautiously, her hands tightly at her sides.
"My father is having an acceptance ball on New Year's Eve. I'm going."
"I'll go too."
"You can't."
"I want to."
"It's too dangerous."
"I can take care of myself, Malfoy." She smiled up at him. He noticed for the first time the dimples that highlighted her cheeks.
"Can I show you something?" She nodded and he held out a hand. Nervously, she took it, his cool fingers electricity against her warm skin.
Hermione sat down next to Draco, her thigh dangerously close to his. The pair were sitting in the Astronomy Tower, admiring the snow falling outside. Christmas was coming close and snow had been reluctant to come at first. But in the last two weeks it had started to dump.
"It's nice up here." Hermione shivered. The tower, completely built in stone and void of a fireplace, left little room to be warm. Draco turned away from her for a second and made quite a commotion, turning back around with two bottles of Fire Whisky in hand.
"Here. It'll warm you up."
"I don't drink."
"Now you do." Draco took a long drink from his and swallowed.
"Where'd you get this anyway?" Draco scooted back a few feet to reveal a loose stone in the floor.
"I've got to have my stash, don't I?" He whispered, his eyes glinting maliciously. Hermione laughed softly and took a sip, sputtering.
"This is disgusting! I can't believe I'm drinking this. Scratch that. I'm can't believe I'm here. With you."
"Why?"
"Because you're you. And I don't hate it." Draco took another swig of his whisky and smiled.
"Good to know." He brought an arm around her shivering shoulder and tugged in her. She stiffened, then relaxed into his grip. "Calm down." His breath came out smoky in the cool atmosphere.
"I am calm." He kissed her forehead tentatively and she squeaked a bit.
"You're not." He kissed her cheek and her hand tightened it's grip on the her bottle, knuckles stark white.
"Am too."
"Stop lying." He kissed a line down her jawbone, his lips soft against the supple skin.
"Honest." He kissed her chastely on the lips and she held her breath.
"I make you nervous." He pulled away, grinning from ear to ear.
"You do." He pressed his palm to her cheek, feeling gentler than he'd ever expected from himself. "I make you nervous, as well." She accused, narrowing her eyes.
"Don't kid yourself." He laughed and arched an eyebrow. She set her bottle down with a clank and placed her hand on the hem of his shirt. Slowly, teasingly, she slid it upwards, over his stomach, across his chest, higher. Her thumb grazed his lip and she moved back down, resting finally across his heart. It was beating a mile a minute. Draco was aware of this and it angered him. He didn't let anyone see him vulnerable.
"I do make you nervous. Your heart." He shrugged. She smiled and he forgot that she was Hermione Granger. That he was Draco Malfoy. That, they, by all means, were utterly wrong for each other. He forgot that she was bossy and irritating and that he was too good for her. He kissed her, his hands grappling to grab handfuls of hair from the back of her hand, pushing his full weight upon her. She didn't pull away. Or squeal. Or make any notion to suggest she was anything but calm. The kiss was warm--a contradiction in the freezing room. He pushed his weight, her body leaning back into the stone floor. Never moving his lips from hers, he slid his fingers to the hem of her tee shirt, pushing it up just a few inches to reveal the smooth skin of her belly. The further he pushed it up, the more nervous he felt, his hand warm on her smooth skin. His fingertips explored--roaming the plane of her belly, rounded just by the bellybutton, the rise of her breasts, the jut of her collarbone. He removed his hand, reluctantly, as he felt the kiss coming to a close, pulled away, and rolled over.
Neither spoke for several minutes. He, with his mussed hair and racing heartbeat, she with her pushed-up shirt and reddened cheeks, lay in silence.
"Ron asked me to the Yule Ball." She sputtered out suddenly, her voice melting the icy calm they'd carefully constructed.
"What?" He said a little too forcefully. She laughed.
"I said no."
"Good. I don't like others touching what's mine."
"Who said I was yours?"
"Me." He kissed her cheek and ran a hand across her belly. "And I'm right."
"That you are."
A/N Thanks for reading. Short chapter, I know.