Hermione treaded quietly on the hundreds of stone steps leading to the astronomy tower. It was three minutes before twelve, and she had kept her word, leaving with little difficulty as girl after girl danced with Harry, mostly in the second and third years.

She had last seen Harry's face in a tight smile, as he tried very much, not to break the hearts of the younger girls who had so asked him to dance with them.

"A swarm of fan girls," Ron had said with a laugh.

Ron was busy stuffing his face and talking about the Chudley Cannons latest exploits with ferocity to the other boys.

It was quiet and a soft breeze was playing against her skin. She had no idea what was in store for her. The main room was locked. She looked sideways.

She approached an open door to her right, an antechamber to the astronomy tower where most of the telescopes were kept. It had a little rooftop beside the cabinets and tables. Snow was falling on her feet.

A few feet away, she saw a figure dressed in a rich color of silver and dark green, looking very much like Venetian royalty.

Draco was standing calmly, leaning against a wall, his arms crossed. His hair had returned into its pale blonde color. His serious face broke into a small smile.

He stared at her for a few seconds, he memorized how she looked, and he wanted to remember it forever. The dress, a rich white with golden beads at the scooped neckline and at the hem, the hair, swept up with a few strands loose, framing her oval face, her eyes…beautiful under the dark red mask…her skin…her lips…everything! He finally opened his mouth.

" You came- again. " He laughed and so did she.

She nodded. " What were you going to show me? " she asked.

He placed a finger on his lips. " Shh…"

Her eyes narrowed and she looked at him quizzically. But she went quiet.

He was looking at the sky. " I told you you'd get something right? Your accolade- well aside from the rose- " he grinned. "Could you close your eyes please?"

" You're not going to push me off this rooftop to my death? " she asked. For a moment, she felt like Draco was jesting around her again.

He shook his head seriously and Hermione sighed and closed her eyes, convincing herself he wouldn't hurt her in any way.

She felt silly, really. What was Draco thinking? What was he going to show her? She felt oddly nervous and all. And she just couldn't imagine what she was doing up here.

" Open your eyes only when I tell you to, " he said.

She shrugged.

She heard him breathe deeply, muttering under his breath words she couldn't place. He had said it too softly. She could smell the cold air, and it stung her nostrils. It was a cold night after all, but the snow wasn't too heavy, and she could also feel the snowflakes falling on her skin.

" Open your eyes, " he finally said. Draco felt a little nervous, that she might not like it, but what the heck!

And when she did, she gasped and quickly removed the mask covering half of her face.

" Oh my, " she whispered, staring at the night sky.

The stars were strangely scattered and she could see the multitude of colors across the dark sky. They shone brighter than ever, and with every glitter, it changed hues. Pink to red to a bright diamond blue like sheen…

" Are they- are they moving? Dancing? " she asked breathless.

Draco nodded.

" How did you-? " She smiled a large smile across her face.

He grinned and pointed to the space above them. Her eyes sparkled under the stars. They were moving so fast! She had never seen stars behave that way before!

" I suppose you want a logical explanation for all of this? " Draco began as he looked at an impressed Hermione.

She nodded once and slowly.

" You drive me manic, you know… you're my star, " he said. " You're my manic star. "

TBC…so…I wonder what'll be the next chapter like…teehee! guesses? ideas?

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