It was early morning when Hermione awoke. Thin rays of orange-gold sunlight peeked shyly through the crack in the badly drawn curtains, illuminating the girls face.

She squinted as the uninvited fire stung her eyes and was about to struggle into a sitting position, when a small moan of protest came from beside her.

Of course! How could she forget? Hermione could vaguely recall Draco telling her that he was feeling ill and could he please sleep in her bed just in case?

Then the other realisation struck her painfully across the head like a ridiculously large sack of bricks, wielded by Santa's evil doppelganger, giving her concussion and a peculiar craving for ice cream…chocolate, with sprinkles if that's not too much trouble?

Slowly, with obvious foreboding, Hermione looked down at the figure sleeping next to her.

No longer was Draco Malfoy the adorable six year old she had grown to love so much, instead, a thirteen year old boy with floppy white-blonde hair was curled up beside her, thumb stuck adamantly in to his mouth

Hermione felt like crying.

Would he remember everything that had happened? Would they still be friends or…would they just go back to their previous animosity? Would he keep to his promise he had so readily agreed to last night?

She doubted it.

But as she continued to watch him, she was sure she could see just the faintest sparkle of innocence still around him. Not much, but still a bit. Maybe the potion hadn't worn off completely yet… but that would mean for certain that soon would. And, if she was being totally honest with herself, Hermione didn't actually think it a good idea if Draco were to wake up in the same bed as her. Especially if he was feeling fragile

So said, Hermione tried to climb out of ed, as silently as she could, wanting desperately not to awaken the slumbering Draco and deciding that she definitely needed a good ol' cup o' tea…

"N-no…" She froze as a pitiful voice crept through her ears, "No Mione don't go…you said you wouldn't leave…" Hermione looked round, slightly alarmed, but still Draco's eyes were closed.

As she tried to leave a second time, again the voice, sounding so weak and confused, spoke up,

"M-Mione…?" And, sure enough, when the girl looked, a tear was running it's course silently down Draco's cheek,

'He's still just a kid.' She realised, moving damp hair gently away from his face, 'Still just a baby.' And, as if he'd heard her, a slight scow passed across his features, as ever, contradicting her. Hermione laughed,

"I suppose I really ought to make the most of this, shouldn't I?" She murmured, slipping back under the duvet, "In a couple of hours, you probably won't even want to look at me." A wave of sadness washed over her, making the girl give a little shiver.

As though sensing her emotions, Hermione felt a tentative hand rest on hers. She smiled and gently resting her head against Draco's,

"Why can't it stay like this forever?" She whispered, closing her own eyes, "Why do you have to grow up?"

A/N:Woot! Congratulations to muppetmadness for being review 666! Does a random devil dance in celebration

Ahem, hope you like the poem, sorry for it not being a proper chappie but it was funny to read some of your reactions (Yes, I'm looking at you Slytherin Corps! Lol! )Caramel centred chocolate dragon hugs to following perfect ppl...

Takes a deep breath Golden Angel 71, Katie Malfoy 19, -addicted-2-hp-, Slytherin Corps, Nikki's Evil Doppelganger, Tamika DanarDraco(and Jim), TimaMage0955, Hogaboom, Sailor Hecate, PerfectPureBlood, Secretly in love, Twighlight Dragoness, blueeyedchibi, Dark Princesses, flufeeness, Elf-cat, pinkalarmclock, 13BackAngels, lilmissgullable and muppetmadness,