It had been two weeks now. The snow still hung around Hogwarts castle and there was a bout of flu and Ron, unluckily, had been one of the victims.

" Honestly, " Ron muttered. " And just when practice had to come- "

Harry grinned. " Don't worry, the snow's heavy today, it's not like we'd want to practice out there now- "

" Where's 'Mione? " he asked sneezing afterwards.

Harry was about to reply when Hermione burst in the hospital with a smile on her face.

"Hello, Ron, " she said bringing him a cup of hot cocoa. " I asked this from the house elves, " her voice dropped into a whisper.

" Alright! " he hissed and took it greedily.

Harry eyed her. She looked at him. It still felt fairly uncomfortable. She sighed and pounced on Ron.

" Careful-! " she said bossily. " It's not like it's lukewarm! "

Ron nodded fanning his tongue. " Right. "

Harry laughed.

" I'll be getting your homework, " Hermione said to him. " We have an essay for the weekend, care of Professor McGonagall- "

" Don't I have sick leave? " Ron groaned.

Hermione shook her head. " Get well, and fast- "

Ron nodded, muttering. " I don't believe this! Homework! Weekend? And I'm sick! "

Hermione hurried to grab her coat in the dormitory. She was running a little late. It was going to be her first date with him, at Hogsmeade.

She reached the entrance hall a little breathless and proceeded to step outside when someone shoved her shoulder roughly.

" Hey- " she began.

" Watch where you're going, mudblood, " the person said roughly.

Pansy.

She said nothing and looked at Pansy as she sauntered ahead of her, and Hermione wondered if she was going to Hogsmeade. And her heart pounded. Pansy might know. She waited for a few more minutes in the entrance hall, just to be sure. Pansy was no longer in sight. But something told her that she should be careful.

She reached Hogsmeade and proceeded for a small lane, left to the main Hogsmeade stores and bars. All she could see was white. Her eyes searched for the landscape for any sign of him. Perhaps…Pansy had found him- detained him-

" Hey, " a voice said.

She spun around and saw him, wearing a black turtleneck over his school robes. " Hey. I thought that- "

" I wouldn't come? I wouldn't miss this for the world- " he laughed and took her hand. " In for a walk? "

She nodded. " Where? "

" Oh, around- " he said.

" I saw Pansy- "

He smiled. " Did she bitch on you again? "

She shrugged. " Well- she hit my shoulder- "

" Typical- "

" Does she know? About-? "

" Us? No. Not at all. But she does know that I'm infatuated on you. She doesn't know it's more than that. "

Hermione's cheeks reddened.

They reached another bend and Draco steered her with his arm around hers. Draco smiled and felt something inside him stir. It wasn't lust, mind you. It was something else. For the first time in his life- he was genuinely happy, of a genuine feeling. It was real. This was real.

Hermione was real.

He was all hers.

Hermione looked at him and saw the calm look on his face. She couldn't help but be drawn to it. There was something so warm about it. And she knew it was real. Draco was real.

" Hermione- " he began.

" Hmm? "

" You don't mind do you-? "

" Of what? "

" Me wanting to kiss you all the time? "

" It's just a want, Draco, " she said.

" Okay. Let me rephrase that. I need to kiss you. "

She laughed as he kissed her cheek. It was a simple kiss. But she felt loved.

She kissed him back. And he smiled. And Hermione saw how unguarded Draco was. He was acting calmly, like he was used to this, like they had been together for years. Like she was all that mattered to him…

Eyes were glaring, looking intently. It was picture perfect. It was a hateful sight. How could he! How could she! Suddenly, they seemed like the perfect couple. Jealousy, hate…they were both there.

There was, of course, a way to deal with him, and her...

TBC…

Cliffhanger!

I got amazing reviews that made me grin, really grin widely! So much thanks to:

Emma ( I've never read that long a review, thanks so much! ), angelraine, Legendkillerfan, Aeris1172, Steelo, Kichou, Ameliandre, Marissa, brooklyntiger

i'm happy because I've never ventured this far in fan fiction before, I'm on a record breaking 14 chapters, thanks to all of you readers!