Chapter 2 – New Home

"Acid pop" said Draco as he and Hermione approached the entrance to the headmaster's office. The stone gargoyle lept aside and Hermione and Draco walked up the stairs to the office door. Draco knocked on the door. When they heard a faint "enter", they opened the door and walked into the office.

"Ah, Mr Malfoy, Miss Granger. What do I owe you the pleasure for visiting at this hour?" he asked cheerfully from behind his desk.

"I'm really sorry that its late professor, but we really need to discuss something with you." He said as he and Hermione retold their story to the headmaster. When they had finished, Dumbledore leaned forward in his chair and looked up at his two students, his face full of anger and concern.

"I'm happy to see that you care so much for Miss Granger's safety, but I will not allow a resorting or for her to sleep in the Slytherin tower," Dumbledore said quietly. Draco nodded his head to show that he understood. He looked over at Hermione and saw that she was very pale and silent tears were falling rapidly from her cheeks. It hurt Draco so much to see her crying and he suddenly wanted to comfort her, but before he could do anything, the headmaster spoke again.

"However, I am willing to allow you both to sleep in the spare tower next to the prefect's bathroom. You may stay there for as long as you like. But the only reason I am allowing Draco stay with you Miss Granger is because I believe that he will always be there to protect you. Also, no one will be allowed in that tower except for you two, me and professors McGonagall and Snape. If there are any problems then report to those people and we will take care of the matter.

"Right, its getting very late so you both may leave." Dumbledore said as the two students got up to leave.

"Oh Draco" said Dumbledore quickly.

"Yes?"

"The password is Lions Den."

"Thank you so much professor." Draco said as he went through the door and then he and Hermione retreated to their new dormitory. They reached the end of the corridor and were facing a portrait of the four Hogwarts founders.

"Password?" they said in union.

"Lions den" said Draco. The portrait swung open and when they stepped inside they both gasped in surprised. The common room was a large circular room with bright red walls. The fireplace on the other side of the room was lit, making the room warm. In front of the fireplace there were two big, squashy armchairs and two desks in the middle of the room. On the opposite wall, there was a very large bookcase which made Hermione's eyes go wide in delight.

At the sight of Hermione's face Draco smiled. He knew that he was falling very hard for Hermione but he didn't want to do anything in case it ruined their friendship.

"Draco? Draco? Earth to Draco. What are you smiling at?" she asked while laughing at him. Draco realised that he had been smiling while thinking about Hermione.

"God! I really am falling for her! But I cant have her, she doesn't think of me in that way."

Hermione was now laughing at him so hard that her face was going bright red and she was holding her stomach.

"Right, that's it…you're going down!" he said playfully. Hermione screamed as Draco grabbed at her sides and started to tickle her. All of a sudden, Hermione tripped over a chair leg and fell to the floor, bringing Draco down on top of her, making their lips brush together. At the feeling of their lips brushing together, they looked into each other's eyes.

Not being able to take it anymore, Draco placed his hand on her cheek, leaned down and kissed her passionately. After a few seconds, he felt Hermione's hand gently push him away, and she slowly rose to her feet.

"I'm…er…going to bed now. I'll see you in the morning. Don't stay up to late okay." She said to him as she climbed up to the stairs to her bedroom.

Draco got up from the floor and sunk into the closest armchair to the fire. "What have I done? Why the hell did I do that? God she probably thinks I'm some sort of sleazy git!" He thought angrily to himself as he fell asleep by the fire.

Up in her bedroom, Hermione was getting ready for bed. When she got into bed, she went over what had just happened. As she went to turn off the light, she smiled to herself and then fell asleep.