Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. Just this fanfiction.

HERMIONE

It had been a long day and Hermione was exhausted.

When she got home, she tossed her bag carelessly on the sofa in the room and immediately went upstairs to take a bath. She stood for a long time under the stream of cold water thinking about Draco and how close he had been to her in Harry's room. Hermione shuddered as she remembered the contact of his hand against her cheek and thought that it had been almost a miracle that she didn't pass out or run away in that instant.

"And now he wants me to be her tutor", she thought as she got out of the shower and dried her hair. Hermione didn't think she could handle spending a few hours with him in a room, so it would be better to forget about accepting that offer.

She wrapped herself in a towel and walked to one of the sinks. She dried her hair and then put short pajamas, because the weather was unusually hot that night. On her way back she went through the kitchen, served a bowl of chocolate cereal, watered it with milk, and then returned to her room.

Ginny was already there and apparently she was getting ready to go out. Hermione sat on her bed to continue eating her cereal while her friend started chattering about the perfect day she had had at the spa, the wonderful massages they had given her and how great she felt tonight. Hermione just nodded and deep inside, she was grateful that Ginny was speaking to her again.

It all started when an excited Hermione told Ginny about Harry's invitation to the movies. The brunette thought it might be an opportunity for the redhead to casually meet him in the cinema and have a date. In Hermione's opinion it was a good plan, but Ginny got angry and told her that she had been selfish accepting Harry's invitation, that Casablanca was too boring, and that Hermione knew that Ginny hated old movies. Finally Ginny accused her friend of wanting to embarrass her in front of Harry. Hermione had tried to explain herself but Ginny didn't give her a chance and after that she hardly spoke to her.

Hermione also knew that Ginny had tried to approach Harry but apparently he continued to reject her.

And as she had promised, she had also tried to change Harry's mind about the redhead, but he didn't seem to want to talk about Ginny, and Hermione didn't want to force things. In the end she gave up and even tried not to see Harry, but he kept asking her out and she ended up surrendering to his good humor; although she still felt a little guilty for being his friend.

"So how do I look?" Ginny turned to her, posing.

"Gorgeous as usual", she smiled giving her thumbs-up. Ginny smirked.

The redhead walked to the vanity table and started applying makeup while humming a song. Hermione instead got lost again in thoughts about Draco and his proposal. But even Harry thinks it's not a good idea, she thought. That had to mean something.

"Ok", she turned to Hermione, "What is wrong with you? You're unusually distracted tonight", Hermione was going to respond evasively but Ginny saw it coming, "And don't say it's nothing because I know you".

Hermione sighed and decided to tell her about the proposal, "Draco approached me this morning", she said nervously touching her hair, "He asked me to be his tutor".

Ginny's hazel eyes, now highlighted by the eyeliner, looked amused at her, "Oh I see. I guess you accepted".

She shook her head, "Of course I didn't accept".

"Why not?" Ginny sat on the bed next to Hermione, "Draco had mentioned it to me, you know? I think it is a great opportunity for you, not to mention that he will pay you three times more than what you earn as an assistant to Professor Walker".

The brunette whispered her reply, "I just don't think it's a good idea".

"It is a good idea", Ginny pointed out, "You always say that you want to save as much as you can to go see your family before the end of semester holidays, if you accept Draco's proposal you can do it".

"I know but…"

"But what? What is really bothering you up?"

Hermione bit her lip, uneasy to say it out loud, but finally sighed, "It's just that...", she cleared her throat, "Draco was acting very strange and... I don't know, I thought that maybe he has ... different intentions".

Ginny raised an eyebrow after listening to her and laughed. Hermione cringed on her bed, "Hermione baby", Ginny's voice was patronizing, "You really don't think that Draco asked you to be his tutor as a way to flirt with you, right?"

"I don't", she automatically responded.

"Good", her friend rolled her eyes, "He asked you because you're super smart. Or do you think he will asked Pansy or Daphne help with his classes?" She snorted, "No, because Pansy and Daphne are his girls for a hooked up, and you would be the perfect girl for academic reasons".

Hermione felt tears in her eyes but forced herself not to let them out, "I guess you're right".

Ginny smiled at her, "Of course I'm right. So now that is all clear, do us both a favor and agree to be his tutor. It will be beneficial to you and Draco".

Hermione just nodded and looked away. Ginny got out of bed and put a little more perfume.

"Now I am ready", she turned to Hermione, "Wish me luck tonight".

"Have a good time Gin".

Ginny blew a kiss with her hand and left the room.

Hermione curled up in her bed and couldn't stop the tears escape from her eyes as she reprimanded herself for how silly she had been. Of course he's not interested in me, she thought, Boys like him don't notice girls like me". And with that idea in mind, she fell asleep.

The next morning she met Harry for breakfast, but decided not yet to tell him about her decision of been Draco's tutor. Part of her still believed it wasn't a good idea, but just like Ginny had pointed out she could use the extra money.

Towards the end of the afternoon Hermione had no idea how to let Draco know that she agreed to tutor him, but the problem was solved when she found him doing his workout routine outside his house. Hermione took two deep breaths and crossed the sidewalk to chat with him. "Draco", she said softly.

He looked up at her, for he was making planks, and stood up in a skillful movement, "Hermione Granger", he smirked while messing his platinum hair plagued with sweat drops.

"Hi… I came here to tell you that I decided to accept your offer", she replied avoiding his face.

He came a little closer to her, "Excellent. Fancy a dinner with me tonight to look over the details of our sessions?"

"I can't tonight", she immediately replied, "I still have to go see Professor Walker to tell him that I won't be able to continue being his assistant", she lied.

"Too bad, but we can reschedule our dinner"

She continued, "I can teach you on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Do those days suit you?"

"Mondays and Wednesdays, yes, Fridays... not really", he ran his tongue over her wet lips and Hermione had to look away, "Is something wrong?"

She cleared her throat, "Nothing, I guess we can figure it out later".

"I'll see you on Monday then… professor", Draco, "Three o'clock in your room?"

"What? My room? No", she opened her chocolate eyes.

Draco laughed at Hermione's reaction and ruffled his hair again, "Let's use our library then", he pointed to the fraternity in which he lived, "Many brothers use it to study, I think it will be the perfect place".

"Good", she accepted, "Until Monday then".

And without saying anything else, she turned her back on Draco and walked away as fast as she could, although she managed to hear the "goodbye" that he dedicated to her and the giggle that accompanied it.

What Hermione really wanted in that moment was to shut herself up in her room and sleep so she didn't have to think that since Monday, she would spend three days a week in the company of Draco Malfoy. But speaking to him made her realize that she still needed to resign from her job with Professor Walker.

The Professor was quite upset with her but in the end he agreed to let her go with so little notice, as long as she worked the weekend leaving everything in order. Hermione accepted and that's what she did on Saturday and most of Sunday.

On Monday she could barely taste her breakfast. Fortunately the classes helped her to relax a bit and after meeting Harry she was feeling more confident. At 2:40 pm, Hermione was back in her room staring her phone while pacing and mentally asking if she was wearing a nice outfit. She thought about choosing something different but Ginny's words echoed in her head; so she sat on her bed, feeling defeated.

Suddenly it was only a couple of minutes before three in the afternoon, so Hermione grabbed a few books, her big purse and left the house.

Hermione crossed the sidewalk and, taking a deep breath, rang the doorbell of the fraternity. A few moments later Theodore Nott, a tall boy with dark hair and blue eyes, opened the door, "Hi, I'm looking for Draco", she said.

"I'll go call him. Come in", he turned away from the door for Hermione to enter and then got lost inside of the house.

Hermione had been to the house a couple of times before and had always liked the style it had. She liked that it was permanently tidy and smelled good, which contrasted with what you would expect from a bunch of guys living together, but it was what was expected from the best fraternity on campus.

Theodore returned a few minutes later accompanied by Draco.

"Granger", Draco approached her and Nott got lost in the house again.

"Hi Draco", she tried to smile and waved at him.

"Come with me, I'll show you the place I told you about", he took Hermione's purse and smiled at her.

Hermione followed him down a long hallway to a large mahogany-colored room with a long wooden table, a white leather sofa, and a library crammed with various volumes. "Lovely", she said softly as she admired the place.

"Sorry, did you say something?" Draco left the purse on the table.

"No, nothing. Shall we start?"

"Sure", he patted the seat next to him on the long table, "Come here".

She swallowed, sighed, and sat next to him,

He put on a pretty serious expression, "Granger I think we should start talking about our schedule. I was thinking that we could meet on Thursdays instead of Fridays".

She nodded, "That works for me, But on Thursdays I could teach you at five o'clock in the afternoon".

"That's ok", he smiled again and his expression was once more playful and nonchalant, "And now let's discusses business, what you say about fifty dollars an hour?"

Hermione widened her eyes. Ginny had said that Draco would pay him three times more than Professor Walker but this was way more, it was excessive.

"Is it too little?" He asked.

She replied immediately, "I think it's actually too much".

"I believe it's a fair price. Beside this job requires discretion".

"What you mean by discretion?" She asked.

"Just that my father doesn't want others to know that his precious son needs tutoring in order to not to lose the semester", he rolled his eyes, dismissing the matter, but Hermione could perceive that the subject made him uncomfortable.

She nodded, "I understand. And don't worry, I won't mention this lessons with anyone. But I still think fifty dollars it's too much".

"I disagree", his voice was firm, "Fifty dollars it's the last offer".

Hermione wanted to continue discussing the money issue but he didn't allowed it. In the end she sighed, defeated, and promised herself that she would teach him the best she could so that he had the best grades in his classes.

After that brief exchange Draco indicated the classes he was having troubles with: logic, chemistry and biology. Hermione found unexpected that the blonde was studying those subjects. Draco apparently noticed the brunette's confusion and explained her that his family's main businesses were pharmaceutical companies, so his father considered it necessary for him to have some knowledge of the matter. Hermione did not ask for more explanations and prepared to explain the topics, thanking inwardly that they were things that she handled.

At first, Draco was quite distracted and did nothing more than ask about Hermione's social life or tell her things about the weekend parties on campus; but she imposed replying with short or evasive answers until he gave up and concentrated on understanding the topics.

At six in the afternoon, when she said goodbye to Draco and walked back home, she became tremendously relieved. She had been nervous most of the time, having Draco so close to her always smiling and been playful, but she had survived. "It could be worst. It could have been much worse" she thought as she lay down on her bed.

Hermione rang the fraternity bell on Wednesday and waited for a few seconds until Marcus Flint, the president, opened the door and greeted her with a smile. "Hello Hermione, what brings you here?" He asked.

"I'm looking for Draco", she replied.

Flint stepped aside and allowed her to enter the house, "Right, he mentioned it the other night. I'll go find him but you can wait for him in the library if you want"

"Thank you", she smiled at him and headed there.

Hermione opened the library door and set her purse on the table to approach the huge bookshelves. They have very good books, she whispered ass he ran her hand over Oscar Wilde's storybook cover.

"I'm here", Draco's whispering voice sounded very close to his ear, so she turned around jumping, "Hey, calm down, it's me", he said with a huge smile on his face

"Draco, you scared me", she said quietly, trying to control her breathing.

Malfoy looked down Hermione's neck to her prominent breasts, which were exposed in the pink blouse she was wearing and which now rose and fell rapidly. He wet his lips with the tip of his tongue and looked back at her, a mischievous smile on his lips.

"I was just ... I was looking at the books", she said quietly, feeling Draco's deep gray gaze on her and thinking about how beautiful his big eyes were.

"It's fine, it's not like you've been doing something wrong", he laughed and, reaching out his hand, gently caressed her cheek until he reached the beginning of her lips.

Hermione shivered at the cold skin of Draco and, forcing herself to react, turned away from him and cleared her throat.

"We should start now", she replied with a firm voice.

Draco was a little disappointed to hear her return to her usual tone of voice, but anyway approached her again, "Could you wait for me here? I was working out and I didn't notice the time", he said.

Hermione looked down at him for the first time since he had entered the library and realized that he was shirtless and his body was cover with sweat drops. Without being able to avoid it, she noticed her strong muscles and her snowy skin, "I'll be here", she whispered tilting her head.

Draco left the room after giving her one last smile and quickly went up to his room.

After a quick shower, he tied his body around the waist in a black towel and fixed his hair while thinking that maybe he should be a little more direct with Granger. I just need to be a little more persuasive, he said to himself as he dried his body and put on a black T-shirt and jeans.

When he returned to the library, he found Hermione absorbed in a book. He wanted to surprise her again but she looked up at him and closed the book immediately, "Treasure Island", he read sitting next to her, "Sounds interesting, what's about?"

"Hmm pirates and travels to remote islands", she replied unable to contain a huge smile.

"Adventure then. Funny, I didn't think that would be your type of book", he smirked.

"I read it when I was a kid; it holds a special place within my heart", she explained after a few seconds, "Besides I love that I can explore those kinds of distant places trough books".

Hermione's voice had sounded so dreamy that made Draco smiled, "Would you like to explore the world?" He asked really wanting to know the answer and forgetting for a moment about his seductive pose.

"I'd love to".

"So do I", he admitted without thinking.

"Where would you start?" She dared to ask.

"Africa probably… a safari. Some friends went last year and they said it's amazing. Besides I really enjoy the nature", he smiled, "I would love to watch the wild animals in their habitat".

"Then why haven't you gone to Africa yet?"

Draco was going to make up some lame excuse about the lack of time but, seeing the expectant face of the brunette, he decided to tell the truth. "I think father wouldn't let me travel on my own", he answered and then specified, "He is aware of my wishes to travel and see the world, but the truth is that I only manage to leave the country when I travel with him. Generally for company meetings", Draco smirked, "I suppose he thinks that if he let me go, I wouldn't return to fulfill my obligations to the family". Hermione was beginning to realize that anything related to Draco's father, upsetted him. She wanted to say something but he was faster, "What place would you visit if you could travel right now?" He asked.

"Right now?" She repeated and he nodded, "Chicago".

"Chicago?" He asked feeling somewhat disappointed.

The girl was about to answer but they were interrupted by Gregory Goyle, "We're busy", Draco hissed, glaring at Goyle.

"Fuck, ok… I thought… I'll go to the living room I guess", the boy answered before leaving the library.

"I think we should start the class now", Hermione said, "It isn't fair that we monopolize the room".

Hermione opened the books from last class and started to go over the topics with Draco.

He sighed, feeling a bit annoyed at his brother's interruption, but seeing her focused on the class reminded him that he must try to win her over, not be his friend. He had already revealed a lot of himself to her, "So Granger", he said brushing her hand, "What will you do this weekend?"

"Not much", she replied, not wanting Draco to stray from the topic.

"I heard there's a new bar in town. All the girls of your sorority are going to the opening. My brothers and I are going to, of course", he gave her a charming smile. Hermione flushed, "Would I see you there?"

She shook her head, "Not likely. Draco what you need to understand about this chemical reactions is that…"

"You have other plans?" He pushed.

"I'll go out with Harry".

Draco closed his hands into a fist upon hearing her response, but forced his face not to denote his irritation, "I guess you can go with him", he continued, thinking in how much fun he could have by flirting with Granger in Potter's presence.

"Draco, I can't really teach you anything if you're not paying attention", she replied, "To be honest there's no point in continuing with this classes if you're not committed with learning".

Hermione didn't know where she got the courage to speak to him that way, but she didn't like feeling as disarmed and weak as when he used that whispering tone with her.

She knew he was just being nice, that he had no romantic interest in her - as Ginny had already made clear to her - but his simple presence disturbed her and she didn't want that to keep happening.

Hearing her sharp tone, Draco was tempted to say something rude, because no one had ever spoken to him like that; but the truth is that Hermione's comment had made him feel embarrassed. So he just nodded and concentrated on paying attention, discovering that the class was more entertaining and the topics not as difficult as he thought.

The class lasted for a couple of hours and when it was over Hermione said goodbye quickly and left the fraternity.

And so two and a half months of tutoring passed.

Hermione had managed to handle everything very well in her new routine. Now that she was no longer Professor Walker's assistant, she had more free time to read and do other things. Furthermore, the college's board of directors had decided to postpone the Greek Week until after the Christmas holidays, so Hermione didn't have much work in the sorority.

As always, she was doing very well on her classes and thanks to everything she had saved with the salary Draco paid her, she had sent a good amount of money home and had even bought plane tickets to travel to see her family in Chicago.

She still met with Harry a lot and their friendship grew stronger over time. They used to go out several times a week and she had found great support in him as well as someone with whom he shared many interests. Hermione was always relaxed and laughing with him. But there was nothing romantic about it. Hermione didn't see Harry as a man, but rather as the older brother she would have liked to have.

Quite the opposite happened with Draco.

Even though she had decided to always be serious and curt when she was with him, she couldn't stop her heart from pounding every time he got closer to her to solve an exercise, or when he accidentally brushed his hand to point something in the notebook where they practiced chemical formulas.

Hermione had long accepted that she was in love with Draco, and always believed that she was destined to see him in the distance, accompanied by beautiful, graceful girls. But being by his side for hours in the library house, having a somewhat closer relationship with him, made it harder for her to get over him. And in reality she wasn't even sure that she wanted to.

And her relationship with Ginny was just as complicated. Lately the redhead had been in a very bad mood and although Hermione tried to talk to her, her friend ignored her. This situation made Hermione feel really sad an anxious, but at the same time the brunette was really happy, form in in just a few days she would see her parents and siblings.

With that cheerful thought in mind Hermione took her coat –the weather was really cold even though it hadn't snowed yet - and left the house for another of her classes with Draco.

A/N: So, what do you think? In the next chap we'll have some Draco insights.
Also there will be more of Ginny and Harry, just not yet.
Hope you liked this chapter. Magical huggs for all of you, readers.

PS: don't forget to leave a comment please :)