A/N: I'm so sorry guys, I really am. I should have posted a chapter a long time ago, but my life is really crazy right now. Sorry again. Hope you will enjoy this one, let me know if you do. And thanks Green Eyed Lana Lee for the comments, you're awesome!

Chapter XII

After our little talk, Hermione got back to her meddling self. She has this way to make you feel at ease, like you don't really have to do much to get comfortable with her. We talk every night after getting back to our common room. It's not something big the majority of the things we talk about are books or homework. But there are little moments when she tells me about her childhood, and what it was like to live around muggles and think magic was a trick.

I came to really enjoy this night talks, to the point that I would wish to just get out of class and head straight to the Heads common room. It was a little disturbing at the beginning, but I came to terms with it. Hermione is a good person, and she makes me relax when we are together.

The fact that she is really an enjoyable view in her little nightshirt may or may not help. After that time when I complimented her nice choice of clothes, I was almost sure she would stop using it. But fortunately for me, she didn't. And I have to say she has a nice body ridden under her robes.

And with that thought in mind, I got trough the portrait hole and into an empty common room. I almost got a little disappointed, but the feeling was gone before I could really formulate it. Leaving my bag on my desk, I grabbed some clothes and walked to the bathroom.

But when I got to the door, I smelled it - that disturbing, unknown, delicious smell. I stood for a moment just enjoying the scent. But my bliss was shortly interrupted, because I started to hear some sniffing. And when I pushed the door, and noticed that it was opened in the first place, I found her.

Hermione sat on the bathroom floor, her head between her arms, which were propped on her knees. Her hair was wet, and she was shaking like someone trying not to cry too laud. I registered the fact that she had just got out of a bath, and that she wasn't completely dry, and that she was only wearing a towel, but I was surprised to discover that I was more concerned about why she was crying.

I really have to stop listening to what Blaise talks, this is not good. She seemed not to have noticed that I was there, so I dropped my clothes on the sink, and bent down beside her. That couth her attention and she looked up at my face.

-Hey.

She was a little surprised, and it took her a few seconds to respond.

-Hi.

Her voice was broken, like she was trying to hold back a sob. I decided that it probably would take some time, so I sat beside her on the floor. She looked at a point on the wall, and it seemed like she was deep in thought. I was beginning to feel a little awkward. It was like I shouldn't be there.

-So you wanna tell me why you're here?

She shifted but didn't look at me again.

-It's something personal.

-Ah, sorry.

It wasn't my place to ask about it, especially after our little disagreement last week. So I just sat there with her. After some time my back was really hurting me, and I was considering just getting up and going back to my room, but I couldn't let her alone like that. And that's why I was so relieved when she started to speak.

-Today is their wedding anniversary.

I was a little stunned when I heard that. It wasn't really anything I was expecting.

-Who?

-My parents.

-Oh.

Sometimes I get an uncontrollably urge to punch myself. Really Draco, that's the better you can do? Oh?

-When we were in the war I had to change their memories. It was for their safety. But I miss them so much Draco.

She started to sob again, and I was at a lost. I don't really know what to say to someone on this condition. It will be okay? You did the right thing? Don't blame yourself? In the end it doesn't matter because it will still hurt. The war will be with us for the rest of our lives, all the scars will remain like a cruel reminder of what we did, and what we didn't.

So the only thing I could do for her was to put my arms around her waist and bring her head to my shoulder. It was really nice, and she smelled like that mysterious scent. After some time she stopped, and we were just there, sitting on the floor in silence. I was so at ease at that moment, that I didn't even noticed what I was doing, and couldn't stop it.

-Draco, did you just sniff me?

-Hum….no?

She sat upright and stared at me with a disbelieving face.

-You did!

And I bloody hell could feel my cheeks reddening. That's what you get for trying to be a good guy.

-Quit being so worked up, it's your fault. I don't know what you got there, but it smells amazing.

She chuckled a little before shaking her head, and consequently making her hair brush against my shirt.

-It's a potion for my skin. Ron gave it to me on the holydays.

-I'm surprised that Weasley have the brains to pick something like this. Didn't know he had it in him.

She punched my arm and frowned.

-What have I told you about telling things about Harry and Ron.

-That I could if they were the truth.

-Draco…

-You know I'm right.

She signed and leaned on me again. I started to move my hand through her hair, and I could feel her snuggling on my side. After what I think were some minutes, I thought she had slept, but her faint voice proved me wrong.

-Thanks Draco.

I didn't felt like I did anything really helpful, but it was still nice to hear her say that. And that's when I remembered something.

-So Hermione, in the end you were the one that got me in the bathroom. I knew you liked me, I don't blame you, I know you couldn't help it.

-You are hopeless.

But after she said this she started laughing, and I was more relieved than I should.

In the end I ended up sitting on the couch in the common room, after being dragged out of the bathroom. Slazar help me, this girl is crazy. One moment she is all thankful and cozy, and then she starts to tell me that I'm a git and to get out from the bathroom because "I'm only in a towel jerk, be more considerate". Griffindors are crazy.

I was just beginning to get sleepy after looking at the fireplace for the last ten minutes, and petting the orange monster currently on my lap, when she got out of the bathroom. And there it was - that lovely, sexy and dangerously short piece of art. I'm beginning to appreciate muggle clothes.

-Tomorrow the students are going to Hogsmeade.

My mind took a moment to process what she was talking about. And the fact that she was trying to hold her hair in a messy bun, which consequently made her nightshirt up a little too dangerous for my thoughts, helped to distract me.

-I know.

When she finished with her hair, she went to the couch and sat next to me. All the sleep vanished from my mind, and I started to notice that the piece she was wearing tonight provides a good view from her cleavage. I'm starting to think she wear this things just to tempt me. What I wouldn't pay to see Weasley's face if he saw we like this.

-So you know that you are going too.

-No, I'm not.

She scowled at that, and by the way her nose twisted I knew she was going to begin a speech.

-Draco you have to get out of here at some time, it's not healthy to be locked in the castle full time. You don't play anymore, don't watch the matches and it's being almost a month since you got back from home. I'm sure your mother wouldn't like to know that you are isolating yourself from everybody.

-I'm sure she would understand.

-Draco.

-No Hermione, I don't want to and I won't. I'm fine here, don't worry.

-You can't be fine you don't even talk with anyone.

-Yes, I do.

-Me and Blaise don't count. And he is worried about you too. Come on Draco, I promise it will be fun.

I looked at her for a moment. She was smiling at me, and her face has that hopeful expression on, like she truly wanted me to accept. It's funny when you think that at this time last year she probably would prefer to get chased for a Werewolf than going anywhere with me. She truly has to stop being so open to people.

-I'm sorry Hermione, but not this time.

Her face fell at that, and she looked at the floor. But a second after she looked at me again with a determinate look on.

-If you're going to be like this so be it, I'm staying with you.

I was really surprised at that, and I got that warm felling at the pit of my stomach.

-No you won't.

-Yes I will, and you can't do anything to stop me.

One of her eyebrows shot up like she was daring me to say something. I smirked at that.

-Think about what your dear boyfriend will think if he gets word that you stayed with me, selfish, jerk, dangerous Malfoy, alone in the castle. Knowing Weasley he will probably be as red as his hair, and Saint Potter will try to put some sense in his head, which will fail. Think about all the rumors about what I could be doing with you…..Hum, after thinking about it I think I don't mind that that much.

The look of pure outrage and fury on her face almost made me laugh.

-You wouldn't dare.

-Oh I most certainly would love.

She sighed and got up from the couch with fluffy ball in her arms. The look of disappointment on her face almost made me change my mind.

-I'm only trying to help Draco.

-Maybe you're trying too much.

That came out wrong, and the hurt in her eyes really made me want to punch myself this time. She turned and started to walk toward her bedroom.

-Wait Hermione, please. I'm sorry, that came out wrong.

She stopped, but didn't look back at me nor said anything.

-It's not that I don't appreciate what you're doing for me, I really do. I just need a little more time okay? I promise that the next time I'll go with you.

I saw her shoulders relax, and I sighed with relief.

-Okay.