A/N: Writer's block sucks! That is all :-)

I got glares from her friends during breakfast the next morning. I wasn't sure if she knew I meant well, or if she thought the mistake was malicious. I didn't sleep last night, but I knew if I had my dreams would have been filled with her soft skin and my nightmares with my mistakes.

I had to let her know I meant well. I wrote her a letter that afternoon, spending far too long figuring out the right wording.

Hermione, the letter read, I want to talk about last night. Meet me in the Astronomy tower at ten tonight? - Millicent. It was short, but said everything it needed to say. Hermione's ankle was fine now, after I levitated her to Madam Pomfrey last night, but I had the feeling she was upset with me. And for good reason.

I tied the letter to my owl's leg and sent him out the window. I wasn't sure Hermione was going to show up, but I needed to let her know that I meant well. As I watched my owl fly across the Hogwarts grounds to Hermione's room, my heart flooded with anxiety.

I was in the Astronomy tower nearly a half hour early. I wanted to clear my thoughts, as well as relive last night. I looked over to the window where Hermione once stood, about 24 hours ago, and despite my nervousness, I was filled with a modicum of lust when I thought about how she looked that evening, with the moonlight laying softly across her face, outlining her beautiful features.

I leaned against the windowsill and stared out into the starry sky. It was a clear sky today, no rain, and plenty of stars. I sighed, and suddenly felt very depressed. My emotions usually swing in the other direction when something bothers me, more towards anger and violence, but tonight I felt quite morose.

Suddenly I heard steps from behind me. I turned around and caught a glimpse of Hermione's hair as she was coming up the stairs. I flipped quickly back around to looking out the window, pretending I didn't see her. The steps got louder and louder until they stopped, and I knew she was standing just a few meters behind me.

"You wanted to talk to me?" It was hard to discern her tone; it wasn't quite irritated, but it wasn't friendly, either.

My heart pounded as I turned around to face her. "Irritated" was the right word to fit her tone, I now realized. She looked annoyed, and I suddenly became desperate to explain the truth.

"I wanted you to know that I didn't mess up that spell on purpose," I explained in a calm tone, looking at the ground instead of her eyes.

I could feel her studying me, trying to figure out my scheme. "But it was such a simple spell," she said in that know-it-all tone of hers.

"You know me…I'm not really that talented." I spoke softly, honestly, and looked into her eyes. Her expression softened, but only slightly.

"You're a Slytherin. And practically best friends with Pansy, who I know would cause me harm whenever she had the chance," Hermione's face was a little red now, probably recalling all of the embarrassing moments dear Pansy had caused her over the years.

"I'm not Pansy!" I spat out, taking a few steps towards her. She folded her arms defensively. "I don't care about this stupid…house rivalry!"

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "You really just messed up the spell then?" She asked.

"Yes," I breathed. I took another step towards her. We were just a meter away now.

She seemed curious about my behavior. "Why didn't you take the opportunity to hurt me?"

"I don't know," I lied. It came out as a croak. I couldn't think straight. Her scent was intoxicating, and being so close to her was torture. I have wanted her for so long, and she was right in front of me…

I took a small involuntary step forward, and she unfolded her arms in surprise, as if to back away, but she didn't. We were so close now.

"I guess it just didn't…seem right," I spoke, in almost a whisper. I wanted to kiss her, so badly. She seemed frozen, unsure of what was happening as I leaned in towards her. I felt like I could feel her hot breath on my face, as tantalizing as it was. My hands moved to grab her waist…I was so high, so out of my mind! Luckily, some fragment of reason within me kicked in. Using all the willpower I had, I pushed her to the side and ran down the stairs, out of the tower. She didn't say anything that I could hear. I can't believe I almost…

I threw myself on my bed and breathed heavily into the sheets. I don't know what I was feeling; it could be anger, it could be disappointment; it could be, Merlin help me, regret.

To top off my wonderful night, Pansy came in the dorm and slammed the door behind her. "What's with you Bulstrode?" Anger flooded my veins, and I got up from bed and grabbed her by the collar.

"Leave me the fuck…" I began, staring into her face with rage. She looked like she was petrified with fear, and I liked it. But the anger that so quickly flared up was gone just as fast. I let go of her collar and my expression went back to neutral, and I walked out of the room without another look at Pansy.