"Oh, Flint… I, uh, I'll be going," Hermione pushed past Flint and sprang towards the Gryffindor common room. When she got there the Fat Lady, who was a bit tipsy, greeted her with a huge smile.

"Well, hello, hello, hello, its great to see you. I missed you so-ooooo much dear," the Fat Lady giggled and poured herself a glass of 'Fire Whiskey'.

"Uh, yeah. Quiddich," the portrait swung open and Hermione rushed inside. Luckily Harry had fallen asleep on the couch, and Ron was on the floor also asleep. Hermione rushed over to them both.

"Harry! Ron! Come on, wake up. Fucking hell, wake up dammit!" Ron rolled over and looked at Hermione.

" 'Mione! Do you have any idea… hey what's wrong?" Harry was suddenly awake when he heard Ron ask that.

"Hermione? Are you okay?" Hermione shook her head and proceeded to tell them everything that had happened since the feast.

"Bloody hell, I'm gonna kill Zambini, Harry can take on Malfoy, as for Flint, if he does anything like that, we'll both kill him!"

Hermione smiled at her friends and hugged them. Tears were running from her eyes now, and she felt so scared but, at the same time, grateful to have them.

"You guys are the best ever!" Harry laughed and slung his arm around her shoulders.

"Anything for our 'Mione, right Ron?" Ron nodded and beamed.

"Yep! Now go to bed! I'm sure that Malfoy'd be in bed by now, and if he isn't give him a kick in the nuts from me, hey?" Hermione laughed and got up.

"I sure will, see you in the morning!" with that she walked out.

Walking out of the tower, Hermione felt a lot better.

Maybe I'll even be able to face Malfoy, she stopped. Okay maybe not! Hermione started walking again, but suddenly felt eyes on her. Turning around she was met by the very grin she didn't want to see.

"Flint! Shouldn't you be in bed?" Hermione asked, pissed off that he hadn't left.

"Yes," Flint said as he came out of the shadows. "But I was just wondering if I could walk you to the Head Common Room?" Flint wasn't grinning, or mocking, but was just being…

Civilized? Hermione was confused but nodded anyway. Flint smiled, yes actually smiled, and they started to walk.

"So, what classes are you taking this year, Hermione?" Flint asked. Hermione was surprised that he had used her first name.

"Just Ancient Ruins, Muggle Studies, C.O.M.C, Potions, D.A.D.A… the usual," Hermione shrugged.

"Interesting, how are you doing in Ancient Ruins, I always found it interesting but I never did get around to applying for it," Hermione was startled, Flint like Ancient Ruins?

"Well this is the Common Room," Hermione said as they came to the portrait. "Thanks for walking me here," Flint smiled.

"Maybe we could meet in the library some time?" he asked hopefully. Hermione smiled, Flint was actually a nice guy.

"I'd like that," she said. Flint smiled, leant down, and kissed Hermione's cheek.

"See you then," he said before turning and going back down the stairs.

MARCUS FLINT'S P.O.V:

'I'd like that,'

Her words circled in his head. It was true; he did like Ancient Ruins, but something about the way she had said that, it had sent Marcus's heart in a flurry.

What's going on with you, Marcus? He asked himself as he went down the stairs to the dungeon.

"Marcus!" Marcus looked over to see Blaise sitting on the ground behind a statue.

"What are you doing down there?" Marcus asked him, confused.

"I forgot the password!" Blaise snapped. He was obviously in a bad mood.

"Hey what's eating you?" Marcus asked, not at all bothered that Blaise had just snapped at him. Blaise sighed, rubbing his temples.

"Granger bolted on me, I just talked to Draco and she did the same to him," Blaise started hitting the back of his head on the wall he was sitting against.

"So that's why she was so on edge," Marcus said, talking more to himself than to Blaise. "Oh well, let's go in, Pride," the statue split in two and they walked into the Common Room.

Well, I guess that one Study Date won't hurt, Marcus thought as her climbed the stairs to the boys' dorm. Climbing sleepily into bed, Marcus smiled. His last thought before falling into a deep sleep was…

I'm just plain lucky!