Chapter 10: Dirty Little Secret

Disclaimer: All rights reserved to JK.

She sat at the desk surrounded by crumpled pieces of paper, ink pots and spills, and a many broken quills. Hermione was completely frustrated. It had been 5 days since Draco left, 4 days since Gerard came back without a reply to her note, 3 since her first attempt at a comfort letter, 2 days since she left her room, and one day full of frustration of not being able to find the words. Really, this was a lot harder than she had ever imagined.

Hermione crumpled another piece of paper and threw it behind her; she huffed loudly and then lit a cigarette. Then suddenly a piece of parchment smacked her in the back of the head. She twirled around in surprise. There was Draco with a few bags.

"If you had actually been aiming I would have said nice shot." He said quietly. "Not the best welcome home I've ever had."

She shook her head in confusion, "You weren't supposed to be back for another two days."

By now he had moved his bags next to the couch in the common room and was standing a few feet away from her. He shrugged, "I finished business early and there was no reason for me to miss an extra day."

"Oh."

"Miss me much?"

"Not really. I was quite peaceful without you here." She said it so seriously he really could take her seriously. She cracked a smile when he feigned a shocked expression. "Seriously, no one missed you pompous ass."

"Awe, that hurts me deeply." He said as he walked towards her. She shifted her weight uncomfortably as he made his way closer. "Really, I make you that uncomfortable?"

She looked at him shyly and nodded her head. He laughed lightly and took the cigarette out of her hand. He took a quick drag and then began to examine it. Hermione could not tear her eyes off the boy that stood in front of her. True, he was no longer a boy, actually far from it, but she still saw the 11 year old boy that she met on the train. She couldn't imagine him any other way.

For a second or two they stared at each other. Both dying to say something to the other, but neither having the words to say anything. Draco took another drag then handed it back to her. "Menthol and apple, not that bad."

"You could have asked."

"Could have, but didn't." He smiled and ran his hand through his hair.

"Thank you by the way. You know, for the…" She held up the cigarette and got uncommonly nervous. "What do I owe you?"

"Nothing, don't worry about it." He turned away from her in order to avoid an argument.

"But-" She was interrupted by a popping sound.

"Master Malfoy!" It was Dobby, of all creatures. "Dobby has heard what has happened to Mistress Malfoy. Dobby is so sorry Master Malfoy. So sorry." Dobby ran towards Malfoy and hugged him. But what shocked Hermione even more, was Draco hugged Dobby back.

"She's all better Dobby, she's safe now. You know that."

"How is the little Malfoy Sir?" Dobby said wiping his eyes and sniffing.

"There's two little Malfoy's now. Derrick is fine though. He's getting to be -" Dobby cut him off.

"I'm sorry Master Malfoy, but they require my help in the kitchen. Call me if you need anything."

Hermione stood there shocked. She was adjusting to kind thoughtful Malfoy, but this was just a blow to mind. She tired to keep herself from sputtering and making a scene. But seriously, Malfoy just hugged a house elf! H saw her staring and he blushed.

"Jesus. First you hug a house elf and now you're blushing. Who are you and what have you done to my Malfoy?" She said jokingly.

"Your Malfoy? Since when do you own me Granger?"

She laughed, "Since I could publicly humiliate you and destroy your reputation." As she spoke she walked toward him jabbing her finger towards him to make a point, when she reached him she poked him in the chest to punctuate her point. She left her finger on his chest and smiled smugly at him. He smirked right back at her. Swiftly, he grabbed her hand and spun her around. Her arms held to her chest with his arms. Hermione was needless to say startled. Her breathe hitched and her body was froze.

"Do you really want to talk about ruining reputations? Because I know your dirty little secret and it's so much worse than mine." He whispered in her ear. She didn't know if she shuddered because of fear or because of the proximity of their bodies. She let out a short breath and then stood completely still. "Scared Granger?"

"Should I be?" After all this time she really wasn't at all scared of him, just unsure of herself around him. Hermione was unsure of his intentions, unsure of his motive, and unsure of her feelings.

She expected him to let her go, but he didn't. Instead he held her close. She didn't talk, move, and barely breathed. His breathe on the back of her neck was sending chills down her spine. He moved his arms away from hers and lightly grazed her waist. As soon as his hands made contact with her midsection she tried to jerked away and squirmed. She screamed no in terror.

He started laughing, she was ticklish. When he realized this he took full advantage. He pulled her towards him and started poking at her stomach. Hermione squealed playfully and tried to get away. He pushed against the arm rest of the couch and she fell backward. She was laughing and tried to sit up but he feel on her grabbing her waist again.

"No. Please stop." She was breathless and red in the face. Draco was straddling her hips and laughing at her. After a moment or two, the two realized their position was rather intimate. Hermione wiggled slightly beneath him, struggle with the uncomfortable weight placed upon her. Draco leaned downward. His face was inches away from hers. His hands were on either side her head supporting his weight, so he didn't crush her. Hermione closed her eyes, scared to look him in the eyes, for whatever reason, she didn't really know.

"So, did you miss me?" She opened her eyes and bit her lip. She moved a strand of hair that had been covering his eyes. His eyes, always entrancing, always captivating, but always deceiving. There was no expression in his eyes. She didn't know what to make of his question. She didn't know what to make of his actions. She lifted her head and captured his lips in a tentative kiss.

Draco got what he wanted, he always did.

A/N: This is way short. And I'm sorry for the extra long delay. I broke my computer. I busted the hard drive…again.

Okay a few notes. I want reviewers to know that I really appreciate there comments, suggestions, and encouragements. I really feel special when I get reviews it makes me feel like writing isn't a waste of time, therefore I update faster. So review.

Two: My other story is dead. People keep going there and reviewing not realizing it hasn't been updated in..2 years. I went back to read it to see if I could maybe fix it a little and start writing it again. It was so bad it made me cry.

That's it. Much love to my reviews.

Jenn