Chapter 6

Hermione lay on her bed, the covers drawn tightly around her not to protect from the chilly night air, magic prevented the temperature dropping too low in the dorms, but to comfort her confused and tired mind. She had tried to sleep, her mind exhausted from the days events, but whenever she did, her thoughts turned to Ron and shouts of protest would echo in her mind from the deepest depths of the castle.

I don't want to know what you and Weasel get up to! Malfoy complained from the furthest reaches of the castle.

I can't very well control my dreams, Malfoy!

You're the best witch in the school, Granger: I'm sure you'll think of something!

I thought you were the great Occlumens?

Apparently it doesn't work with this. I've tried. Believe me: I've tried!

Eventually, exhaustion and dreamless sleep overcame the pair. In the morning, Hermione woke to a pale, grey day that made her already wan skin look even paler. The other girls in her dorm had risen and left before her making Hermione certain she was at least late for breakfast.

Malfoy? Hermione thought tentatively.

There was no reply.

Breathing a ragged sigh of relief, Hermione rose, dressed herself and hurried down to the Great Hall. As she walked through the door, her eyes immediately sought out Ron, obvious by his height and flaming red hair. She hurried over to where he sat by Harry, with Ginny and Neville opposite.

"What happened to you last night?" Ron mumbled, his mouth full as usual.

"Hmm?" Hermione replied sleepily, helping herself to some toast.

"You disappeared! For the whole evening!"

"Ohhh, ummm, it was just some Head Girl stuff."

It wasn't a complete lie, Hermione told herself, but it was stretching the truth a little bit. Quite a big bit actually. Ron finished his breakfast and got up to go.

"So don't I even get a good morning then, before I go off to face the horrors of Herbology?"

"Oh, Ron, I'm so sorry!" Hermione cried, putting down her toast and rising to her feet.

Maybe it was overcompensating a bit, she thought later, but, ignoring the remaining students in the Great Hall, she threw her arms around his neck and planted a firm kiss on Ron's lips. For all her ardour, however, their lips had barely touched when a loud screaming in Hermione's head made her pull away suddenly.

"Wh-what's wrong?" Ron muttered, his ears turning pink.

"I... Um... I just remembered where we were, that's all."

I'm still asleep! This is a nightmare!

As clear as before, Hermione could hear Malfoy's thoughts rambling through her head.

You're awake Malfoy. Now get up: it's nearly time for class!

"Hermione, are you okay?" Ron asked, noticing the distracted look on Hermione's face.

"Fine, fine," she assured him, "Just a little tired. That's all. You'd better get going if you have to get to the greenhouses on time!"

Ron nodded, though still looking unsure, and headed off out of the Great Hall. Hermione watched him go.

This can't be happening!

You've missed breakfast, Malfoy.

That's the least of my worries!

Hurry up and get dressed!

Worried I'm going to miss my lessons?

Hardly! If you hurry up we can go and see Madame Pomphrey and maybe get this whole thing sorted without making ME late for class!

Oh, I'm touched!

Just hurry up and put some clothes on!

You'll forgive me if I seem somewhat startled: I never expected to be hearing a phrase like that from you, Granger!

I'll meet you there, Malfoy.

And I'll be with you every step of the way. In mind, at least!

Five minutes later, Hermione sat in the hospital wing with Madame Pomphrey giving her a running commentary of Malfoy's progress as he made his way through the ancient castle. She had already explained the situation to the school matron as best she could and had watched as the magical medic had sent her patronus, a small, silvery-white barn owl, off with a message. Whether the owl had been sent to Professor Dumbledore or Professor Prospero, Hermione could not tell, but it had passed Malfoy on the stairs a few moments ago.

"He's nearly here," she told the kindly older woman, "He's just coming up the last flight of stairs."

"Is he now," murmured Madame Pomphrey, watching Hermione as if she were about to turn into a werewolf.

A minute or so later, Malfoy burst in at the door, his cheeks tinged pink and his platinum hair uncombed and uncharacteristically tousled.

"I don't know what this thing is," he barked across the room, "but someone had better put a stop to it now. I don't think I can stand another minute of HER nagging!"

Malfoy glared at Hermione as he reached her.

"Yes, well..." Madame Pomphrey, for once, looked lost for words. Her eyes narrowed as she scrutinised the pair closely. "I think I'll just go and check my books again," she sighed, turning away. "See if there's something I've missed perhaps."

As soon as the door of her office swung shut behind the matron, Hermione's head whipped round to face Malfoy. He was still glaring at her.

I wouldn't have to nag if you would get a move on, Malfoy!

Hermione glared back, meeting Malfoy's gaze with equal poison.

I wouldn't sleep in if it weren't for someone's man-crazy thoughts keeping me awake all night! And about Weasley too!

Hermione got to her feet and stepped closer to Malfoy, never breaking the mutual glare.

I wouldn't be in such a rush this morning myself if someone else hadn't kept ME awake all night whining!

I wouldn't have been in such shock this morning if I hadn't been woken up by the thought of kissing Weasley!

Actually it was the thought of Ron kissing ME!

Hermione shut her eyes and forced her mind back to the kiss in the Great Hall. She could hear Malfoy's complaints in her head as she replayed the kiss and her fantasy of how it should have gone had he not interrupted. The first part was exactly what had happened: she flung her arms around him and kissed him. Then came the fantasy part. She and Ron broke apart and this time it was he who initiated the kiss. It was an ordinary kiss, just the same as always between them, but then it changed. Suddenly, in some way Hermione could not pinpoint, it was different. She pulled away from the kiss and looked up into her boyfriend's face.

Hermione's eyes shot open and met an equally shocked pair of grey eyes looking down into her own. They were the same eyes she had looked into as she pulled away from Ron. Except it hadn't been Ron when she pulled away: it was Draco.

Hermione gasped and stepped backwards shakily, almost collapsing into her chair. She looked up at Draco. He looked as though he were about to faint. Suddenly, Madame Pomphrey came back into view, sweeping a chair under the young man as his knees buckled.

"What just happened?" Draco asked weakly.