It seemed to Hermione that in the days that followed Draco was avoiding her at all costs. He sat as far away as he could in Advanced History of Magic and bolted for the door as soon as class was dismissed. He hadn't even bothered to insult her in Care of Magical Creatures. He didn't show up at lunch and had been volunteering nearly every night for patrolling. Even taking some of the hours she was supposed to do. On weekends he spent his time locked up in his room. As the first Hogsmeade weekend approached Hermione found herself wishing that Draco would ask her to go with him.

She didn't know what had come over her. She used to hate him and now she was praying he would ask her out. She could simply imagine the looks they would get walking into the Three Broomsticks together. The Slytherin Prince and the Gryffindor bookworm. She giggled as she imagined Harry and Ron's faces. As she sat daydreaming on the common room couch she hadn't noticed Draco walk into the room. He eyed her strangely as she laughed.

"What's so funny?" Hermione snapped out of her dream to find Draco staring rather oddly at her.

"Err...Nothing, Just thinking about something." Draco nodded and began to walk to his room.

"Draco?" He stopped walking.

"Can we talk...Please?" Draco sighed and turned around throwing himself on the far end of the couch.

Moment of truth he thought. Hermione turned and faced him.

"Why are you avoiding me?" She asked. He was stunned for a split second. He hadn't expected her to be so straightforward with him.

Well no point in lying. Just tell her. Draco tried to organize his thoughts but the only thing that came out was

"Why the hell do you care?"

Wrong.

Hermione bit her lip. She hadn't expected such a sharp tone.

"Fine..." She muttered pushing herself off the couch and walking away.

"Bloody hell, Hermione I didn't mean it." He pleaded. She stopped and slowly turned around.

"That's the first time you've said my name..." She practically whispered. He ran a hand through his hair and laughed nervously.

"Yeah it is isn't it?" She slowly walked over and sat down again; slightly closer to him this time.

"Look," He started nervously.

"I don't mean to act like such a..." He paused trying to find a word.

"Jerk?" Hermione suggested grinning at him.

"Ouch, yeah I suppose that'd be one way to say it." He said grinning back.

"Well look, you know Hogsmeade is on Saturday and well if you aren't busy with Potter and Weasely I'd like it if you would go with me." Hermione blushed and resisted the urge to jump up and down with joy.

"I'd like that but what would the Slytherins think of you dating a filthy mud blood?" Draco flinched as she spat the word out.

"They don't run my life and they certainly don't decide who I do or do not date. Besides, the Dark Lord is dead. Potter made sure of that. Even if he was still alive, no one could stop me." Hermione smiled.

"So shall I pick you up at say 5:30?" Hermione nodded.

"Sure, you know where I live." Hermione slowly stood up.

"Well we'd better get to bed, classes tomorrow." Draco nodded and stood. They stood across from each other. Neither sure what to do. Finally Hermione leaned over and gave Draco a quick hug before muttering a goodnight and practically running to her room. Draco smiled and watched her until she reached her room and shut the door.

"So far so good..." He thought as he made his way back to his and to bed.