Disclaimer: I only own the plot; the rest is J.K.R.'s.

Cat-like Instincts

Chapter 5: One Kiss

Hermione's eyes snapped open. It wasn't another nightmare that had awakened her, but excitement. Today was Halloween. Since it was a Friday, the students still had classes to attend. The feast began at seven, so between the end of classes and then, they could get ready with their costumes. At the feast there would be music and a dance floor for anybody who wanted to dance. Hermione couldn't wait.

When she was done getting ready, Hermione practically skipped down the stairs and into the common room to grab her book bag.

"Glad to see somebody's in such a great mood this morning," Draco remarked from the kitchen where he sat eating his breakfast.

Hermione just smiled, "It's Halloween or did you forget?"

"No, but I never thought a bookworm like you would get so worked up over a little party."

Hermione frowned slightly, "I generally don't, but it's nice to go out and have some fun every once in a while. Although I suppose I could have just as much fun staying in and reading…"

"I'm not trying to discourage you from going," Draco said with a laugh, "Actually I'm far from it. So, what are you dressing up as?"

Hermione smiled mysteriously, "It's a surprise. But, what's your costume? If you don't mind me asking."

"I don't mind, but I'm not going to tell you," Draco answered with a smirk.

"Fine," Hermione said looking a little put-out, "Well, I'm going to just head to my classes then if you're going to be like that."

"Ah, Hermione, don't be that way," Draco said as she started towards the door.

"Too late," Hermione laughed as she left Draco and common room and walked down the hallway.



Hermione once again sat next to Neville during her classes. Ron was still upset at her for almost kissing Draco and she wasn't sure what Harry was feeling since he hadn't said much about it at all.

However, Hermione was angry at the both of them for spying on her whereabouts through the Marauder's Map. After the whole episode Harry admitted they had been watching her with the Map. While Hermione was touched that they were worried, it did not excuse the fact that they were spying on her. As Hermione had told Harry and Ron many times before, she could take care of herself and did not need them watching out for her. She'd even confiscated the Marauder's Map so they wouldn't be tempted to sneak a peek at her again. Of course they were furious with Hermione after that, but it was her duty, and right, as Head Girl to do so.

Plus, Hermione didn't think they even needed the Map anymore. Voldemort was dead, so no real threat could hurt anyone inside the walls of Hogwarts. Nevertheless, she did not hand the Marauder's Map over to Filch. She knew how precious it was to Harry and she fully intended to return it to him once she was positive that he and Ron would not feel the need to spy on her again. Which meant she was keeping it indefinitely or at least until they graduated.

At the end of the last class of the day Harry walked up to Hermione with a sulking Ron trailing behind him.

"Hermione," Harry began, "we're really sorry about watching you and everything. It's just, something's up with you and we were worried."

"As we should be with you snogging the ferret and all," Ron interjected, but Harry elbowed him quickly.

"I mean," Ron stated grudgingly, "I'm sorry about spying, but you shouldn't be kissing Malfoy for Merlin's sake."

Harry rolled his eyes at Ron's last comment, "What we really mean is that we'd like to start over. Forget what happened for the last couple weeks and enjoy our last year at Hogwarts together starting with tonight's feast. What do you say?"

Hermione looked at Ron suspiciously for a moment, then smiled at Harry. "Alright, just promise me no more spying."

"Deal," Harry said.

Ron was quiet a moment before finally muttering, "Okay."

"So," Harry started awkwardly, "What's you're costume?"

"It's a surprise," Hermione laughed.

Harry frowned, "Jeez, what's with you girls and surprises? Ginny won't tell me what she is dressing as either."

"Oh, really? Why so interested? Did you want to wear matching costumes?" Hermione teased since she knew that Harry liked Ginny and vice versa.

Ron looked curiously at Harry and asked innocently, "Is that why you really wanted to know what Ginny's costume was?"

"Well…um…I…" Harry stuttered as a blush began to redden his face.

"I was just joking," Hermione said trying to relieve some of the tension before turning to leave, "I have to start getting ready. See you guys later."

Ten minutes later Hermione entered the Head's common room and was about to rush up to her room when Draco rose from the couch. He then leaned against the stairwell effectively blocking the path to her bedroom.

"Draco, you're in my way," Hermione told him exasperated. She couldn't image what he was up to now.

Draco smiled mischievously, "Going to get ready for the feast?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I am and I'd appreciate it if you would get out of my way," Hermione curtly replied.

"No problem," Draco said as he made a move to get out of the way. However, as Hermione was passing him, Draco pushed her against the wall that made up the right side of the stairwell. He placed his hands on either side of her face which trapped Hermione between the wall and Draco's equally hard body. Hermione's heart began to beat significantly faster.

Nothing like being stuck between a rock and a hard place Hermione thought dazed then snapped out of it Get a grip, Hermione! What is he doing? What am I doing? Start protesting NOW. This is not acceptable behavior.

But, Hermione couldn't seem to make her voice work acceptable behavior or not. It was getting harder for her to think clearly as she felt the exhilarating warmth of Draco's body even through their layers of clothing.

Finally Hermione managed to say at least somewhat sternly, "Draco, what are you doing? Let me go."

Draco didn't say anything, but stared into Hermione's eyes. She could swear that, for a moment, his piercing silver gaze could see straight into her soul. Hermione quickly turned her head and looked elsewhere so Draco couldn't unnerve her further.

"Draco," Hermione said and prayed that he did not hear the slight tremble in her voice, "what are you trying to do? Stare me to death?"

"Hardly," Draco answered at last, "I'm just trying to intimidate you into telling me what your costume is."

"That's it?" Hermione was slightly relieved and…disappointed?

Get real Hermione chided herself What did you expect? A kiss? You wouldn't want him kissing you anyway.

But Hermione knew she was lying to herself. Some part of her, for some unfathomable reason, wanted Draco to kiss her.

Draco smirked, "Yes, that's it. Did you want something more?"

"No," Hermione replied quickly. Maybe a little too quickly.

Draco raised an eyebrow and moved closer so that his chest gently brushed hers. He bent his head down and whispered, "Are you sure?"

Draco's hot breath tickled Hermione's ear and all she could manage to do at the moment was nod.

"Too bad. I thought Gryffindors were supposed to be brave," Draco mocked, "Scared of a little kiss, Hermione?"

That made Hermione angry. She was a lot of things, but she was not, under any circumstances, a coward.

"Fine," Hermione shouted recklessly, "One lousy kiss won't hurt anybody and it will prove to you that I never back down from a challenge."

Draco smirked, "Who said it would be lousy?"

Hermione realized too late that she had been baited. But, that thought quickly slipped away as Draco's body pressed hers into the wall.

"Hermione," Draco said a little out of breath, "Have you ever been kissed by someone before?"

"Of course, don't be stupid," Hermione replied insulted that Draco thought she was too much of a good girl to even kiss a boy before.

"Well," Draco began in a self-assured tone, "after me, you won't think about those other kisses ever again."

"Oh, really? That's very presumptuous of you," Hermione said skeptically.

"It's the truth," Draco countered then lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers.

Hermione could no longer speak, could no longer think. Her heart began pounding even faster than before as heat shot through her body. All she was sure of was that Draco's lips on hers felt so right that she must have been wrong about everything else before this moment.

Draco's mouth moved from hers lips and kissed a path down the side of her neck. Hermione shivered. She felt him smiling at her response. Then, she slowly started to realize something long and hard was pushed against her stomach and she scrunched her face in confusion. Hermione gasped when her sluggish brain finally registered what it was. Draco was pressing his erection against her. In reaction, her nipples tightened and her breasts grew heavy.

For a second, Hermione was torn. It felt so good and it was thrilling to know Draco was attracted to her, but it was unfair of her to lead him on when all she wanted was a kiss. Her goody-two shoes side won out.

"Draco, I think we should stop. This is starting to get a little out of control," Hermione stated breathlessly.

Draco nibbled on her earlobe, "Honey, I'm just warming up."

Hermione's protest turned into a low moan as Draco licked her neck and ground his hips against her. In the meantime, his hands had trailed down Hermione's sides to rest on her hips. Heat began tightly coiling in her lower belly and Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck. Once again, Draco's mouth found hers and his tongue flicked against Hermione's lips seeking an entrance.

At first, Hermione refused. However, Draco roughly pushed one leg between hers so that her sensitive core rested on his thigh. Hermione moaned once again and Draco pushed his tongue inside. As Draco explored her mouth, Hermione remain motionless unsure of what to do.

"Kiss me back," Draco growled huskily.

Hermione timidly started to respond, but grew bolder as her own desire grew stronger. She unconsciously began to grind herself against Draco's thigh. He groaned into her mouth as they both were consumed with need. Draco pushed aside Hermione's robe and began to unbutton her blouse.

Hermione immediately returned to reality when she realized what Draco was doing.

"Draco, stop," Hermione objected as she fought to get away from him.

Draco became aware that things had gone a little too far and struggled to get himself under control. He ground his teeth, released Hermione, and took a step back.

They both panted heavily as they stared at each other.

"Draco," Hermione said unsure of what to say. She could not deny that she had felt something. It was a blatant lie, but she didn't know what to do. Their relationship had just grown more complex than it already was and Hermione now had to be wary of her own desires.

What did I just do? Hermione thought anxiously I never knew I was that sexually aware until a few moments ago. A kiss is one thing; sex is a whole other ballgame. It seems that I am attracted to Draco whether I want be or not. I have to be careful around him from now on so I never get this carried away ever again.

"Hermione," Draco said stopping her mental tirade, "I didn't mean for it to go this far, but I'm not sorry."

"You arrogant-"

"I've had a taste of you," Draco continued ignoring Hermione's outburst, "and I want more. But, I promise not to push you until your ready, until you beg for me to be inside you."

Hermione reddened from rage and embarrassment, "That will never happen you conceited-"

"Never say never," Draco interrupted Hermione once again, "I'll be more than happy to give you what you desire once you say the word."

Hermione glared at him, "So I'm not dead. Sue me. Any normal person would react that way in that situation, but I won't let it happen again. I will control myself and I would appreciate it if you tried to as well."

Draco just smirked, "Have fun tonight."

He started back toward his room as Hermione stared after his retreating figure. Draco suddenly turned around.

"Oh, Hermione. One more thing," Draco said.

"What?" Hermione asked both suspicious and annoyed.

Draco requested innocently, "Will you save a dance for me?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and headed up the stairs to her room uncertain if he was serious or not.



Once Draco was in his room he quietly shut the door, then slammed his fist against it. He couldn't believe how out of control he had gotten.

Draco had been with many girls and he was amazing which was why people referred to him as the sex god of Slytherin. However, he had never felt the way he did with Hermione only minutes before. He couldn't think, couldn't control himself at all when it came to the Gryffindor bookworm. When he was with Hermione, it felt like he couldn't exist without her.

I must be going insane Draco thought And I must have a death wish. If Pothead and Weasel ever find out I want to shag Hermione, they'd kill me, bring me back to life, then kill me again.

Draco shook his head trying to rid himself of the unpleasant thoughts. He had grown accustomed to the relationship he and Hermione had built over the last couple months and didn't want to mess it up.

But, what if, in exchange, we create something more? Draco shook his head yet again, then looked down at the bulge in his pants Either way, I better take a cold shower or I'm in for one hell of a night.