Hey Guys!

Just wanted to apologize for the late reply! I had literally FIVE 10-12page essays to write! I'm a history major, hence why essays have been my life lately! But alas, the story can continue... :)

Please Read & Review!

Disclaimer: As much as i would love to take credit, Harry Potter is not mine.

Chapter Six

The day progressed by so slowly that Hermione actually wished she could just skip her classes to go to the library and wait for Draco.

She wasn't prepared for what she would say to him. She realized that she does not know all that much about him so she had no idea how she would sway him to talk to her. But she knew that she had to at least try.

Five hours later…

Draco intently stared at Hermione through out dinner. One more hour. Then we can settle this, I will make sure you don't get in the way of my plans.

Draco was taken aback when he saw Hermione play with her food for a couple of minutes then abruptly stopped and dismissed herself from the Great Hall.

Perfect. I could see what the hell she is up to now that Potter and Weasley are still stuffing their big mouths. Draco quickly walked out of the Great Hall and made for the library where he knew he would find her.

"Pertificulous" Draco shouted the spell as he approached Hermione in the unsupervised "Silent Study Rooms" section of the library.

Instantly, Hermione began to fall backwards as stiff as a board. Without thinking, Draco quickly rushed towards her and caught her before she hit the floor. Fuckin instincts. I should have just let her fall. What do I care if the precious mudblood princess broke her neck?

Draco propped her against one of the tall bookshelves surrounding the library.

"Listen here mudblood" Draco said as he took a step towards her; taunting her by practically whispering in her ear. I could enjoy this… No. This is Granger, you don't want to enjoy any part of her… except.. maybe Draco got distracted as he found himself staring at her breasts.

He managed to regain his focus as he knew that even though Hermione was petrified, she still could hear and see the things going around her. More importantly, the spell would weaken in a few minutes and she would quickly be able to cast the counter spell without the aid of her wand.

"What ever you have planned" Draco began, taking a step back. "You better mind your own God damn business. Or else I'll have to start getting violent. Don't think I won't Hermione." FUCK! Not her Fuckin Name!

"Bitch." he continued "Don't think you would be the only one I take vengeance out on either. Your little boyfriends will also pay if you meddle in my business… So I suggest you just leave me the fuck alone. You don't know anything."

Draco noticed Hermione's eyes blink. Damn. She is a stronger witch then I give her credit for if the spell is already weakening, guess there is more than just brains to her.

Just as his thoughts were finishing the sentence, he suddenly heard he fimilar voice..

"Fuck You"

….. (silence)...

To say Draco was shocked was an understatement. How did she get over the spell so quickly? And since when did Her.. She swear? Who the hell is this? This can't be the mudblood, she is far too proper for this.

"Oh don't look so surprised Malfoy. Did you really think I was going to meet up with you without putting any charms on first?" Hermione took a moment to enjoy his reaction before continuing.

"I might not think you're truly evil, but that does not mean I trust you." Hermione said while attempted to suppress the urge of beaming with pride. This is the first time she actually felt independent. Not that she ever minded having Harry and Ron around to provide her support and courage when she needed it the most, it was just about time she began to try it out on her own. Maybe they would even be proud of me!

"But… you fell… and you went completely stiff. I wouldn't be so proud becauseyou musthave been under my spell Mudblood" Draco snarled at her.

"Wow. You really do like embarrassing yourself, huh? I happen to love acting. Remember Umbrigde? I never thought acting camp would be useful… but even I like a break from school every now and then. Of course I would study when I get…. This is besides the point. First of all, only a ferret would cast a spell behind someones back. I thought you would have learnt your lesson by now, MALFOY."

"What… The… Fuck.. IS YOUR FUCKING POINT" Draco shouted. Here I am with the most difficult mission ever given to a wizard and I can't even help but get out done by Mudblood here. I'm more screwed than I thought.

Good thing I placed a silenco spell around this quarter. "My point is I tested you in that split second. In that split moment you could have let me fall… but you didn't. You could have hurt me while you thought i was petrified, but you didn't. You are no Death Eater Draco" she said in a matter-of-factly voice.

Draco looked around the library panicking incase someone heard her say that. "Watch your mouth mudblood. You're lucky no one is around to hear to you say that… but then again, maybe you are unlucky, because no one will be around to hear you if I make you scream. Plus, I am not a Death Eater, you proved my father was but you are not going to prove the same about me. You won't get to send another person to Azkaban and ruin more lives, Mudblood."

Hermione mustered up as much courage as she could, looked him straight in the face, and said "I read your poem, Draco. I know you have the mark of a Death Eater, but you are not truly one. You are arrogant, you are self-centered, and you do not know anything about love. But since I don't believe that its all your fault, or that you are evil, I am going to give you one chance to talk to me before I report to Dumbledore about how you became another puppet, just like your father, to Lord Voldermort"

"You don't know anything" Draco said flatly. She is going to rat on me. I know it. How the hell can I fulfill my mission if i get suspended. If i get suspended, not only would I die, but so would my mother. Fuck. What am I going to do... I need to stall her until I have a plan.

"You know that I know. I haven't told anyone yet. Not even Harry or Ron... YET." Hermione said.

"Oh yeah, what's wrong? Scared they will get jealous - not having the glory of figuring things out themselves? So WHY are you not telling them?" Draco asked... Must think of something...

"Because I want to know why" Hermione answered in a small voice.

"Why what? Why I hate you? Thats easy, you are a bushy, buck tooth, ugly, naive know-it-all mudblood! How could anyone I like you? Your just good to use for homework help, I bet even your boyfriends don't really like you!" Draco responded.

He knew he hit a cord when he say Hermiones eyes water slightly. But just as quickly as her eyes began to water, she once again put on her strong Gryffindor mask.

"You will tell me everything. I don't expect you to tell it to me in one shot... I don't even want to be around you for long periods of time. But I need to understand more about this Death Eater shit, and you are my key. You will meet me here tomorrow, same time, same place. If you do not, I will tell Dumbledore right away. MARK MY WORDS" with that Hermione ran out of the room. She never told him the real reason why she wanted to talk to him, she never told him that she wants to help him.

Not that I like him... I hate him... I just don't want to loose someone, no matter who, to the Dark side.

SugarN'SpiceRin: Thank You ) Sorry to have made you wait so long! University work piles up in one shot - pretty soon i got exams (Blah!)and then break! Wohoo!

Question to Readers: Do you guys mind that the relationship is building up slowly? Or should I try to heat it up more quickly? ANY input is Great :)