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

Hermione couldn't stay in bed any longer so she decided to take a bath in order to clear her mind. She prolonged the shower trying not to think about Ginny's words, but couldn't manage to do so. Sighing, she tied a towel around her body and looked at her reflection in the bathroom mirror.

Harry used to say that she was pretty, but she didn't feel pretty.

Hermione remembered her friends in Chicago and their sleepovers during high school. It was all so simple back then. She never questioned her appearance with the girls. But once she got to college everything changed. She met Ginny and the redhead convinced Hermione to enter a world where she didn't quite fit in, but that somehow fascinated her.

Hermione thought about her sorority sisters. They were all physically different, yes, but at the same time they all looked so feminine and graceful. She was definitely not like that. "Am I enough for Draco?" she wondered, repeating Ginny's insinuations in her mind. A tear rolled down her cheek and others would have followed had it not been for Stacey, one of the pledges who walked into the bathroom at that moment. Hermione greeted her and then quickly returned to her room.

Hermione spent the morning and part of the afternoon wandering around the house, and keeping busy until she received a text from Draco. Despite her doubts, she opened it and read the content with a smile.

"Hermione, I miss you. Are you at the house? Can I come and see you?"

She sent a quick response and a few minutes later he arrived, smiling wildly. "Hello girlfriend" he whispered against her hair while hugging her, "Sorry I didn't come before but I was a busy at the house".

The girl's mind automatically went to Ginny's words at hearing Draco, "Busy?" she asked while they sat on the porch.

Draco nodded and then yawned, "Some of the brothers made a stupid joke at the Ball yesterday, one of them recorder everything and the video was leaked online. The National board called Marcus and we had to put up with his reprimand while trying to solve the problem," he smiled sarcastically. "I could hardly rest because of those jerks"

"You do look very tired," she said and added, "Perhaps you should go and sleep for a while"

He shook his head and smiled, "I'd rather be with you. Where do you want to go today?" he asked caressing her cheek with his fingers.

"Follow me. I have an idea", she took his hand.

Hermione guided him back to the sorority's house and into the library. The place was obviously empty, so she sat on the huge white leather sofa and Draco sat next to her.

He smirked, "I thought boys weren't allowed in the house".

"My sisters are always breaking that rule," she shrugged, "Besides they're probably still sleeping or hungover so they won't find out. You can rest here"

Draco lay down on Hermione's legs and closed his eyes. She gently stroked his face and his platinum blonde hair. He smiled as he took Hermione's free hand and entwined it with his own, "I swear you're the most thoughtful person I know Hermione," he whispered before falling asleep.

Draco woke up a couple of hours later. Hermione was still by his side, immersed in reading a novel that she held with one hand, as the other was still attached to the boy's. She smiled when she noticed that he was awake, "Feeling better?" She asked him.

"Yeah, much better," he kissed her hand before sitting by her side, "Thank you Hermione. I hope I didn't sleep too much".

Draco hugged her around the waist and brought their lips together in a tender kiss. Hermione placed her arms around Draco's neck and buried her hands in his blond hair. The boy bit the brunette's lower lip and she moaned. That little sound brought out a primal instinct in Draco, who pressed her against his body as he moved his mouth down the girl's neck. Feeling his lips suck on the sensitive skin on her neck, she shuddered. And that made Draco react, so he began to gradually separating from his girlfriend.

"Easy now Draco. Don't get too carried away", he thought, trying to calm himself when all he wanted was to snogged her senseless. He had to be patient. Draco looked at Hermione's rosy face and smiled at her. "Should we go out for something to eat?" He asked trying to sound as casual as he could.

"Sure," she smiled too, "I'm going to get my jacket"

Hermione returned a few moments later and they walked out of the house to a nearby pizzeria. They had dinner between laughs and kisses and then Draco took her back to the sorority, where he said goodbye to her feeling a high sense of content.

TWO WEEKS LATER

GINNY AND HARRY

Ginny walked into Harry's room and smiled when she saw him sitting at his desk and completely focused on his laptop. "Hi babe," she came up behind the chair and placed a kiss on his cheek

"Ginny," he put aside the laptop and stood up to hug her and kiss her properly, "Did you have a good time with the girls?"

She nodded, "I had a lot of fun, but I missed you". Lately she was spontaneously admitting that kind of corny things.

He smiled and replied, "I missed you too. Give me a minute ok? I'll just save this changes and I'm all yours".

"I like the sound of that," she laughed, "But what is all that?" she asked, curious.

Harry's voice sounded thrilled, "These are application forms for an internship with Senator Crouch. If I can pass all the stages, I can be part of his team and work with him during summer"

"Oh my, what does that mean exactly?" Ginny feigned excitement too, although she hadn't liked the idea of him working all the summer. At least not on their first summer together.

"It means I would get to work in his office in D.C. and maybe travel with him and his staff across the country on a campaign. A real political campaign. It's a huge opportunity Gin"

Ginny fixed her gaze on the laptop's screen, "And all you have to do is filling out those forms?"

He sighed, "No, this is just the signing forms. Then there will be a selection process through interviews. I know hundreds, no, thousands of other people will apply but I will try anyway"

Harry's excitement at the prospect of getting that job was palpable. Ginny, on the other hand, didn't feel so happy. Their relationship was going better than ever and she had already made plans for them to spend the summer together in Italy, and did not want to abandon those plans for a boring internship.

She forced herself to give him a huge smile and hugged him, "I'm sure you can do this, babe. I know you can," she gave him a short kiss; "You're the best".

Harry caught her lips again and his hands went down to Ginny's butt. She giggled as she helped him take off his jacket but then they were interrupted by Seamus.

"Oh sorry, sorry," he said looking as uncomfortable as they.

Harry shook his head, "It is ok Seamus. We were leaving anyway," Harry took his jacket and Ginny's hand. She was inwardly sulking at what Seamus's arrival had interrupted. "Later. I promise", Harry whispered in the car when he noticed her annoyance.

Ginny smiled and kissed him deeply before they set off to get to the restaurant where Hermione and Draco would join them for dinner. "A double date, what a ridiculous idea", she thought. If it was up to her, this would have never happened. But Harry had insisted mentioning something about a promise he had made to Hermione or a crap like that.

Their friends hadn't yet arrived when Harry parked his car. Fortunately they didn't have to wait much longer for Draco's car appeared in that moment.

As soon as Hermione was out the car, Harry approached her. That small gesture made Ginny's anger increased. So when the boys went to talk to the valet she came near Hermione and entwined their arms together, "You're looking really good this night Hermione baby," she said with a perfect smile.

"Oh thanks Ginny," the brunette gave her a big smile, "You look as beautiful as always"

"Just a little tip for the next time," Ginny whispered in Hermione's ear, "You shouldn't use that kind of skirts, you just don't have the height for it, so it makes you look chubbier," she noticed Hermione stiffen beside her and continued, "Oh, and those shoes are just out of fashion. Hermione, seriously, try to be more careful next time, ok? You can always ask for my advice"

She walked away from Hermione to go back to Harry, but noticed that the girl looked down to examine her outfit. She smiled inwardly, feeling a little better and gave Harry a short kiss.

Draco caught up with Hermione a few moments later and put a hand around her waist encouraging her to enter the restaurant. Harry and Ginny followed them and sat at a table near the back of the room. The waiter brought the menu and Draco ordered a bottle of wine.

"Are you ok Mione? You're very quiet," Harry asked looking at her with concern as she had been staring blankly at the napkin in her hands.

She replied quickly, "I'm fine. Just a bit tired, I think it might be the flu"

Draco scowled at her as he gently stroked her hand, "You were fine this morning".

"It's nothing, really" she said.

Harry was going to add something, but that was too much for Ginny, so she changed the topic, "Harry, why don't you tell them about the job you're applying for?" she said turning to see her boyfriend.

Hermione also looked at him, "A job?"

"An internship actually," he explained. "I had mentioned this to you Mione".

She nodded, "Oh Senator Crouch's internship," she smiled fondly, "So you decided to apply"

Ginny clutched the napkin in her hands, furious that Hermione knew these things about Harry before she did.

Draco asked politely, "Is it a good opportunity Potter?"

"An excellent one," Harry replied, and then he launched into explaining the advantages that being accepted for that internship would give him.

The waiter returned with his orders but when he left the conversation resumed. It wasn't Ginny's favorite topic but she was the perfect girlfriend, praising Harry's capacities at all times.

When they finished dinner they drank their wine and continued talking about various topics. That until Ginny, bored, slid her hand up Harry's thigh.

The boy shifted restlessly in the chair but Ginny continued, slowly ascending as she circled the skin over the fabric. Harry rested his green eyes on hers for a few seconds, and she took the opportunity to finally reach the area she wanted to touch.

Then, suddenly, Harry said, "I think we should go now"

"Really? But it's still so early. Maybe we could go somewhere else," Hermione seemed disappointed.

Harry replied after clearing his throat, "Actually, Ginny and I had other plans in advance". Ginny looked at him with a mischievous expression and nodded.

Draco smirked, recognizing the situation. "More private plans, I'm sure". Hermione elbowed him.

Harry couldn't help but smile, "See you later Mione" and then gave her a short hug before left the restaurant.

Ginny took Harry's hand and they got into the car together. When they stopped at a traffic light, Ginny took the opportunity to remove her seat belt and settling into the seat, lowered her head until she was level with Harry's pants.

"Ginny," he warned hoarsely but she ignored him.

"Just drive and enjoy Harry", she asked while unbuttoning his pants

And so he did.

TWO WEEKS LATER

HERMIONE AND DRACO

Hermione watched Draco's face filled with concentration as he worked through the chemistry exercises, unable to stop thinking about what Ginny had told her a few weeks ago.

The simple idea of Draco seeking "distractions" because she wouldn't have sex with him yet was disturbing. And although Hermione was telling herself that she needed to trust the boy –which she did- the thought didn't left her mind. Her brain was now tormenting her with the possibility of Draco growing bored of her. Until now he had been the best boyfriend, always considerate, kind and very loving, but as Ginny had reminded him, he was used to more… physical contact.

Hermione cringed and Draco noticed, so he turned to her and questioned her with his gaze. She smiled at him to reassure him but he noticed her embarrassment, so he put down the pencil and the notebook aside and took her hand, "What is it Hermione? What's wrong?" he demanded.

She answered quickly, "Nothing is wrong, I was just analyzing your exercises"

Draco watched her, narrowing his grey eyes and sighed, "You know… I've been able to notice that something is worrying you. Not just today but for a while now"

"That's not true, I'm just…" she started but he sighed again and stood up, reaching to hold her hand.

They walked to the leather couch and he sat facing her and looking into her eyes, "Now be honest Hermione. What is it bothering you?"

Hermione was silent and looked down trying to find an excuse to justify herself without having to confess the truth

"Don't you trust me?" Draco's voice sounded hurt.

Hearing him, Hermione instantly looked up at him, "It's not that," she answered quickly. "It's just that..." her voice broke and finally she sighed, "I was thinking about something Ginny told me some time ago."

Draco tensed when he heard Ginny's name involved in this matter and was scared at the thought of the things she might have told her, "What did she say to you?" he wanted to know.

Hermione's face was colored with an intense red before answering; "She said… she just said that…" she couldn't seem to continue speaking

"Hermione go on," he said, moving a little closer to her. "What did Ginny tell you?"

She sighed, "It was the morning after the Ball. She suggested that well… she implied that, maybe… that maybe you would have expected something else to happen," she tilted her head, nervous. "Don't blame her, okay? She only said that because she thought it was the most... natural thing to do. And I understand her reasoning because it's what practically all our friends do"

Draco heard her explanation and suddenly realized what Hermione was trying to tell him. He was going to speak but rapidly she continued, "Draco, I know you've had girlfriends before and that you were intimate with them and... that's why I... I mean," Hermione shifted uncomfortably.

"What do you mean?" the blonde asked with a soft voice and encouraged her to continue, "What is really worrying you Hermione? What else did Ginevra tell you?" he detected the redhead's poisonous tongue behind all this.

Hermione finally blurted out and then began to speak very quickly, "Ginny suggested that maybe you were looking for distractions elsewhere. Draco I can't be that intimate with you, at least not yet and I understand that you may get bored due to it but..."

Draco silenced her putting two of his fingers over her lips, ""Hermione listen to me," he gently took her face and looked into her chocolate eyes, "Yes I did have sex with my previous girlfriends, but I don't want them anymore. I don't want any other girl because they're not you. I want you Hermione Granger," he repeated caressing her cheek, "I know that, before, I wasn't exactly the type of guy looking for a serious relationship. I know that I had fun with the girls I used to date, without looking for anything else than sex, but I no longer want that. I want to be with you. I am happy being by your side, I feel good when I am with you and I don't have to look for distractions in someone else because you give me everything I need"

She bit her lips, "Do you really mean it?"

"Completely" he nodded immediately

"So you don't mind if I'm not ready?"

He gave her a shot kiss before answering, "Of course I don't mind. I'm happy with the thing we have," he assured her, "Although I'll admit I've thought about it," Draco shifted uncomfortably in the couch and Hermione turned redder, if that was possible, "But I would never press you for sex. It's your decision. And if at some point you decide that the time has come for us to go further, I don't deny that I would be the happiest boyfriend in the world," he smirked, "But, again, that is only your decision, pretty girl"

Hermione considered his words for a few moments and finally smiled too, "Thank you," she told him before throwing herself into his arms, smelling his familiar perfume.

"But just to be clear about this," he said and Hermione broke the hug to look at him, "Do you really believed that I was having sex with other girls?" His voice sounded hurt once again.

She responded at once, "No, no Draco, I didn't. I'm sorry if I hurt you. I must admit it crossed my mind that it might happen when Ginny put it that way but I trust you. I know you wouldn't do that"

Draco was reassured by her answer and smiled at her again. He joined their lips for a long kiss and when they parted, he left their foreheads together and their faces remained very close, "You're important to me Hermione" he whispered with his eyes still close.

There was so much sincerity in his words that Hermione's heart skipped a beat upon hearing Draco's confession. She caressed his cheek gently and he opened his eyes at the contact.

"I trust you Draco. I trust you won't hurt me", she said and sighed, "Because I care about you"

Draco's eyes widened in surprise but soon a smile settled on his face and that increasingly familiar feeling of warmth ran through his body. He pulled Hermione closer to him and kissed her again. When they parted for lack of air, they lay side by side on the couch and were silent for a long time repeating in their minds what each had just said.

Ginny parked her car in front of Harry's building and buttoned her brown coat up to her neck as the cold was especially strong this afternoon. She took her purse and walked into the place.

The elevator was already fixed which Ginny was grateful for, as she didn't fancy the prospect of walking up two flights of stairs in her high heels boots. The girl pressed the button and waited a few minutes for the elevator to arrive. Ginny stepped into the booth and glanced at her reflection briefly before pressing number three. The doors were about to close when a tall figure entered, panting. "Draco," she greeted with a smile when she recognized him.

Draco's gaze hardened as he watched her. He strode the space between them and carelessly cornered Ginny against the wall, "What the hell is wrong with you?" She asked trying to get out of his grip, "Are you coming now to look for what Hermione doesn't give you? Too late dear, my offer has expired"

"That was precisely what I wanted to talk to you about" he hissed. "Stop filling Hermione's head with your bullshit, Ginevra or I swear you will regret it"

"So she went straight to you about our little chat. Well she certainly took her time," he tightened his grip a bit more and Ginny moaned.

Draco repeated his words, "Stop filling Hermione's head with your bullshit", his eyes were flaring with contained fury and Ginny was afraid for the first time of what he might do to her.

The elevator stopped and he released her, stepping aside to exit the booth. Ginny took a deep breath to calm before following him, "Do not threaten me again Draco", she said softly when she approached him, "Because if I decide to talk I will not be the only one who ends up regretting what I have to say"

He stood in the hall after hearing her and Ginny smiled to herself at the effect of her words. She took the opportunity to pass him and walked the few steps that separated them from Harry's bedroom.

"I must admit, Draco is behaving much better than I expected," Harry agreed reluctantly as he sat on the bed in his bedroom.

Hermione smiled at him and continued pulling the food they just bought from the grocery bags, "Thanks for making an effort with him Harry," she said, "I know he can be a bit possessive and childish at times, but I'm glad because both of you are doing your part".

Harry rolled his eyes but in the end he smiled too, "Leave that Mione," Harry said when he saw that she began to order the food in his refrigerator, "I'll do it later"

"You always say that," she pointed, "If it weren't for Seamus this room would be a mess." She put the milk on top of the fridge, "Beside I also like to help you"

"You are an angel," he stood up and gave her a kiss on the back of her head.

Hermione turned to him and smiled widely, "You should admit that you can't live without me," she said jokingly as she poked a finger in his chest.

"I'll admit that's funny to see your face turn red every time for any reason," he replied jokingly

She narrowed her eyes, "You jerk," she said laughing.

He laughed too, "But you know, been serious now, I'm grateful for you Mione," he smiled, "Love you"

"Love you too Harry" she smiled as well.

Someone cleared the throat behind them and they both turned instantly.

Ginny was on the threshold of the door looking at them with a smile on her lips that did not reach her hazel eyes. Hermione pulled away from Harry instantly and held up a cereal box staring at her best friend.

"Ginny! You're here," Harry gave her a huge smile

She entered the room and approached her boyfriend, planting a passionate kiss that he responded very animatedly. Hermione blushed and waited a few seconds for the kiss to end, but neither of them seemed to want to stop the contact and Ginny's hands were now running down the boy's back. So Hermione put the cereal box aside, grabbed her purse, and left the room. She took a few steps walking with her head down and covering her mouth to contain her laughter, so she didn't notice and almost collided with Draco, who caught her in his arms.

"Draco," she sighed, relieved to see that he was the one holding her.

"Why were you walking so distracted?" he asked looking at her insightfully

She nibbled her lips, "Well... I was talking to Harry but Ginny came and things got pretty heated in there. I swear those two are pure fire," she couldn't contain another giggle.

"I see", he smiled sideways but without the typical spark he used to have when these situations between their friends happened, "Let's get going? Please"

He seemed nervous so Hermione just nodded and they left Harry's building. "Are you okay Draco?" she asked when they were again in the library of the fraternity

"Just a little tired", he replied smiling, "Come here" he asked and she snuggled her into his chest. "Now I feel much better Hermione"

Hermione smiled at him and kissed the line of his jaw. Draco flinched at the contact and pulled her closer to him, whispering lovely word softly.

A/N: Any thought is welcome! :)