Hermione picked herself up and rushed back out the door and straight into Nott. Looking flustered and mumbling apologies as the each made their way down the corridor to their respective best friends' rooms. Hermione couldn't help but wonder if he had felt the same connection she had. If he was rushing to Malfoy for the same reason, he was rushing to Ginny.

She watched as he walked straight into Malfoy's room without so much as a knock, shaking her head she tapped three times on Ginny's door. As the door in front of her opened so did the one behind her, Astoria Greengrass was now shuffling down the hall back to the Slytherin common rooms.

"What's up Mione?" the redhead chirped, obviously having had a good first day of classes.

Her thoughts were slightly askew, "What's with Malfoy and Greengrass?"

"Marriage contract, they are in the courting phase, though she technically isn't allowed to be alone with him, especially not in his bedroom"

Hermione raised an eyebrow, curious to the customs, Ginny shrugged "Purebloods are weird"

"Very true, but not the reason I came here."

"I figured as much, so spill."

"I think I'm in trouble Gin."

Hermione paced around the room as she began explaining everything that had happened. How Nott came back from dinner and found her on the floor in the shower, how he had checked on her in the night, how she had climbed into his bed and ran her fingers through his hair to calm him after his nightmare, telling her about his mother, their hands touching, how he not only didn't flinch at her scar but had touched it affectionately and this feeling of connection between them. At first, she was certain Ginny thought she was insane. She had this wide-eyed look and somewhat pinched expression

"I just can't explain it Ginny, I just feel drawn to him. I'm so stupid." Hermione sunk to the floor at the foot of Ginny's bed.

"You're not stupid Hermione. Perhaps have terrible taste in men, but that doesn't make you stupid. Firstly, are you okay? Why did you pass out in the shower? Why didn't you tell me? Also, you got in his bed. There's that Gryffindor courage."

"I am fine, just too much calming draught, I didn't want to worry you. And I didn't realise what I had done till I did it so shush. What do I do Gin?"

Ginny paused for a moment, "that depends, what outcome are you wanting? If you want the feeling to go away then nothing, you ignore him, you don't speak to him or sit with him. But if you want to see where this might lead, for which my brother and boyfriend may murder us both just so you know, then you will have to make the first move."

"What, why do I have to make the first move! He's the boy!"

"For two reasons, firstly, feminism missy you shouldn't have to wait for him and secondly, he is a Slytherin, need I say more, they don't exactly put themselves on the line. You really think shy Theodore Nott is going to risk looking like a fool to ask out the Gryffindor princess? Add in the fact his dad literally tried to kill you…"

"Yes, yes I remember, I was there. I hate that nickname. " Hermione huffed.

"I know you do but we are talking the snakes here, they deal with perception as reality. Least you managed to pick a hot one without the dark mark."

Both girls couldn't help laughing at that "Always with the silver lining Gin."

"Always, now, let's figure out what you are going to do."

Hermione sat in silence as Ginny started running through a million and one plans as to how Hermione could approach Theo. Most of which involved some skimpy outfit or public declaration, needless to say these ideas were shot down pretty quickly. Though sitting there listening to Ginny, Hermione was thankful to have the redhead in her life. Who despite everything they had gone through, all the people they had lost, Ginny was always ready to forgive if it meant happiness for those she cared about?