Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, they are the brilliant works of the marvelous J.K.Rowling. I also do not own Coldplay or To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee.

CHAPTER 17

The next day after DADA, Hermione had a free period and decided she would go and visit the hospital wing after all. First she stopped at her room to put her books in, and dawdled around for a while after that. She was stalling. Though she was curious about what happened, a small part of her was worried about what she was about to find out. She eventually reached the hospital wing, and decided it was time to face the music. She pushed through the doors and saw Madame Pomfrey making up one of the sick beds. When she heard the doors close she turned around and smiled warmly at Hermione. The two had become quite acquainted over the years, what with all of Harry's trips to the wing, and Hermione had often visited him when he was there.

"I was wondering if I could speak with you for a moment?" Hermione asked timidly. She thought it was impolite to ask about someone else's business, and she was rather nervous.

"Of course dear! Have a seat" As the mediwitch said this she magicked a pair of stools for the two to sit down. Hermione sat down and looked at the floor for a minute, thinking of how to put what she wanted to say.

"I was wondering about Draco… Do you remember a few weeks ago when I brought him in for a blackout?" Hermione looked up at the mediwitch and noticed that she looked a little nervous at the mention of the incident. She continued anyway.

"I was wondering… Did you ever find out what happened? Why he passed out I mean? There must be a reason, I mean people don't just –" She was cut off when Madam Pomfrey got up and continued making the bed. Hermione got up and followed her.

"Please tell me. I'm worried about him and –" Now there was a look of sheer terror in the nurse's eyes. She grabbed Hermione by the shoulders and came in close to her, looking around nervously as if to make sure they were alone.

"Listen to me. That boy is dangerous. You get away from him and be careful not to let him sneak up on you. He has serious problems and I don't want you getting mixed up in any of them." Hermione did not understand what she was talking about but she had not answered her question. If she did not find out soon, she never would. She looked at Madam Pomfrey pleadingly.

"Please, if you know anything. Even if it is just a guess. Please tell me." Still holding onto her shoulders, she led her over to the stools and sat her down gently, drawing her stool closer to the young student.

"I really shouldn't say anything. I'd be fired from the school if anyone found out, especially with such a sensitive case." She paused, and thought for a moment. When she spoke again, it was in a hushed voice.

"This is all I will tell you. You are smart and will figure the rest out for yourself I've no doubt. You must not tell anyone what I have told you, and for god's sake, don't breathe a word to master Malfoy himself." Hermione nodded in understanding to hurry things along.

"Let me just say… He's got a lot of problems that boy. What with his father abusing him and all. He's pretty messed up. Maybe he just wanted… Maybe he just wanted it all to be over." The mediwitch stood, walked into her office and closed the door. Hermione was left sitting there in disbelief.

It took a moment for her to fully register what she had been told. She felt sick. Had Draco really tried to… kill himself? That couldn't be. But deep inside, Hermione was starting to piece it all together. The broken glass, the sudden tantrums, the innumerable times she had found him talking to himself. Was Draco really going mad? No. There's no way. If he's distressed it's probably just because deep down he is upset that his father is in Azkaban. To add to that, school work is a major stress and the N.E.W.T's are coming up at the end of the year. He has all these new responsibilities now being Head Boy and let's face it, what teenager wouldn't get freaked out by all of that? By the time Hermione left the hospital wing she had convinced herself that Draco was fine and just being a normal teenage boy. Though, deep down there was a part of her that had other ideas. It was this part of her that Hermione chose to ignore.

Hermione was determined to prove herself right. That night Hermione left dinner earlier than she usually did and went back to her dorm. Once there, she went up to her room and put on her bathers, a hot red two-piece she had picked up last summer. She ran a bath in her bathroom and poured in all the lotions and gels necessary to make the perfect bubble bath. Shortly after she had finished, she heard the common room door open and she called to Draco for him to come upstairs. When he arrived, he found Hermione sitting in only her to piece suit on the side of an enormous bath tub filled with bubbles. She looked at him suggestively and it did not take him long to act. Within about 3 seconds he had stripped down to his silky boxer shorts and was more than ready to jump into the tub. This massive bath tub was more like a mini swimming pool, and was more than big enough for the two of them to swim around in. The two climbed in and sunk into the deep mass of bubbles and hot scented water.

"So what's the occasion?" Draco asked.

"Dunno. Just felt like it" Hermione replied, as she made her way over to Draco. She sat on his lap and straddled him and leant forward so their foreheads were touching. They seemed to sit like this for quite a while, until Draco lifted her chin to look into her eyes. He kissed her softly on the lips and stroked her hair.

"Hermione?" He whispered.

"Yes?" She was excited at what she thought he was about to say.

"I don't think you're wet enough yet." She opened her eyes to see a cheeky grin on his face and before she could act he was swinging her backwards and under the surface of the water. When she resurfaced she looked anything but pleased, but smiled when she saw that he was laughing hysterically. With all her effort she flicked a jet of water at him and it hit him square in the face. The water fight continued until they were both totally wet and so was the rest of the bathroom. By this time it was getting rather late and Hermione and Draco were pretty tired. Reluctantly, they both got out of the bath and towelled off.

Hermione didn't know why, but she decided to lay on the couch by the fire for a little while. Hermione lay on her back and stretched out her full height. The couch was longer than she was and she had her head at the very top of one end. Draco wandered over to where she was and decided to join her. Since it was the only way he could fit, he laid on top of her but only half way down, with his head rested on her stomach. They were still in their bathing outfits and the skin on skin contact felt good.

Hermione was stroking Draco's silky blonde hair and pretty soon Draco's regular and measured breathing gave away the fact that he had fallen asleep. Hermione had had so much fun with him that evening, and was happy that she had proved to her self that Draco was not crazy, and that he was just a regular guy. Her regular guy. As far as she was concerned, it was Hermione 1, Pomfrey 0. She smiled and pretty soon she too fell asleep.