Chapter 9

(Rewritten July 06)

After hours of fun, kissing and laughter, Draco and Hermione decided that it was time to retire. Even though they were Head Boy and Girl, this behavior of their's wasn't exactly appropriate for this hour, especially in such a public area.

Hermione grinned as the two ascended the stairs to their corridor. Draco's arm was wrapped lazily around her shoulders while she carried the basket of picnic equipment.

"Tonight was wonderful," she whispered into Draco's chest as they entered the common room.

"But of course it was," Draco responded as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, "Because I put it together."

Hermione laughed and wrapped her arms around his waist. "For once, could you please just take the compliment without enlarging your ego?"

Draco kissed the top of her forehead. "If you insist."

"Good."

"Do you insist on some late night company, then?"

Hermione pulled Draco closer. "No, but I wouldn't mind a good night kiss."

"Are you sure you want one?"

"Positive."

"We might not be able to stop, though," Draco pointed out. Hermione laughed.

"I think we will. Now plant it on me, lover boy."

And he did, soft and gentle.

'He's such a tease,' Hermione thought as she pulled away. Draco began to pout.

"Oh, stop it, Draco," Hermione grinned. "I'm going to bed now. You should too."

Draco nodded and stalked off to his room in mock disappointment. Hermione rolled her eyes. When she arrived in her room, she jumped on to her bed, hugged a pillow and fell asleep.

Oh, this was going to be one hell of a year if this little fling of hers began to get serious but she didn't mind. Right now her head was swimming with that Slytherin blonde and how talented his lips were...

"Ginnnnny," Hermione squealed as she jumped upon Ginny's bed the next morning. Ginny groaned and threw the sheets over her head. "Ginny, wake up, wake up!"

"No, it's too early," she moaned.

"But Ginny, don't you want to hear about last night?"

"I slept last night. There's nothing more exciting and fulfilling than that."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "You're pathetic when you're sleepy." Ginny groaned again. "So, you don't want to hear about the luscious kisses he planted on my lips?"

Ginny threw the sheets off of her bed.

"What? He kissed you again!"

Hermione nodded enthusiastically and explained the whole ordeal.

"Wow, wow, wow," Ginny stuttered, "You are so lucky, it's ridiculous."

"I know," Hermione grinned, "I'll have to agree with you on that account."

"But are you going out, like dating?"

Hermione shook her head. "No. I mean, Draco doesn't even know about the other admirer who sent the second letter."

"Well, you've only received one letter from that other guy," Ginny pointed out and Hermione nodded in agreement. "So, I don't know -," But she was cut off by a tapping at the window. Another love letter.

Hermione grabbed it and opened it with shaking fingers. She wasn't sure why she was so scared. Maybe it was because she was afraid of the possibility of falling for another and actually having to be the person to break someone's heart, a task she's never had to complete before.

"Well, what does it say," Ginny begged.

Hermione read it aloud.

Hermione,
I have fallen, head over heels.
My heart is hopelessly attached to the thought of you and I.
Don't hurt me now.
Give me a chance.
I need you.

"Damn," Hermione shouted, "The name of the sender is smudged but I know for a fact that this isn't Draco. Ugh. I don't know what to do. I mean, I want to know who this is from but I'm perfectly satisfied right now. I know Draco and I aren't really anything more than lustful interactions, which may not even continue, but I don't know. I really don't."

"Well, I could always meet him for you," Ginny offered. "Or, well, maybe not. What if it's Crabbe or something? Ew."

Hermione shuddered at the thought.

"Well, we'll just have to wait and see," she replied with a disappointed shrug.

Never had she been so wanted. It was frightening but it boosted her confidence. No wonder why good looking people are so full of it.

It had been a week since Hermione had received another note from her second admirer and for that she was thankful. But on top of that, Hermione hadn't been able to talk to Draco. Sure they had their fights in Potions which was done purposefully but that was never enough. The only person who knew that their relationship had completed a 360 was Ginny.

But that still didn't make up for the fact that Hermione hadn't seen Draco in a week outside of Potions.

As she was returning from the library after hours, and mulling over these depressing thoughts, a closet door bursted open and she was pulled inside.

"What the hell, get off me," she shouted but a hand was placed over her mouth.

"Shh," the voice told her, "It's me."

Hermione relaxed against the wall. "Draco, Merlin, you almost gave me a heart attack."

"A what," he asked.

"Never mind."

"Mm, but, I do believe that I've made a worthy decision when I pulled you into the closet. Don't you agree?"

Hermione shrugged. "I'm not quite sure yet. Prove to me that you're worth my time."

Draco leaned forward and pushed his body softly against Hermione's and whispered into her ear. "If you insist, princess."

Hermione shivered as his lips claimed hers.With skill, Draco slide his knee between Hermione's legs as she mounted it and wrapped her legs around his waist. His lips then traveled along her jaw bone and down her neck.

"Ohh, Draco," she moaned. Her back arched in lust.Draco quickly pulled back and smiled.

"What? Why are you stopping," Hermione asked in alarm.

Draco smirked and leaned down to whisper into her ear, "I only wanted to hear you moan those two words. My work here is done."

Hermione glared. "You're brilliant, Draco, if you think that's how you're going to keep girls coming back."

Draco shrugged and smiled, "You keep coming back, don't you?"

Hermione blushed. "We'll see about that. This is the first time you've done that to me and it will be the last." Draco growled.

"You're sexy when you're mad." Hermione couldn't help but to smile."But, I have to go now," he continued. "I need to talk to someone quickly. I'll meet you in our dorm later, okay?" Hermione nodded and left.

Draco's entrance into the Slytherin common room wasn't unnoticed. Every first year that was occupying the chairs around the fireplace dispersed quickly leaving only Draco's fellow seventh year, Blaise.

"Oh, good, you're here," Draco drawled as he sat across from the boy.

"What is it that you want," Blaise growled as he glanced up from his papers. Draco's eyes iced over.

"Just to thank you," he retorted through gritted teeth.

"That's all?"

Draco rolled his eyes. "It's been a pleasure," he replied and then left.

Once Draco had exited, Blaise pulled out a blank piece of parchment and scribbled:

Master,
Our plan is working. We will soon have both of them under control.
-Blaise