Chapter 18

Disclaimer: N O T H I N G

A/N: This chapter is for Elora Nova, Slyswyn 28, Sweetygirl 420, Sweetbutsour 253, Silent Serpent, Ginny rules the world, Sugar n Spice 522, Dracosgirl 15, fantasy-princess09, Crystal of Dark, Jass 123, XxPaDfOoTiExX, George-and-Mione, Lolarak, W1cked angel, Toms Pink, Moon-Dancer 721, SLytHeRiNcHiCk 101, oscurita, Kara Black, Popcornx5, HuGs N kIsSeS 1411. ::HANDS OUT DOUBLE FUDGE BROWNIES:: (By request of Elora Nova lol)

At first Hermione stood there rigid, unsure of what to do, but then Draco pulled her in with his arms around her waist.

She relaxed and brought her arms up to wrap them around his neck, they continued fighting with each others tongues until finally Hermione came up for breathe.

Both of them were breathing heavily and there lips were bruised. For some reason every sound could be heard. The wind blowing the trees outside, the roaring fire in the fire place, even Sir Cadogen running through the paintings in the corridors. They were both locked in each others trance, not once breaking there little staring competition.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

"Herms open up I need to talk to you now!" It was Harry.

Draco looked at the door then back to Hermione. She could see the sadness in his eyes, something she was not accustomed to seeing. He quickly snapped out of it and plastered his famous smirk on his face.

"Well Granger your lover is here to save the day once again. I best be off before he supposedly hexes me to next week." He picked up his cloak but before he could leave she grabbed his hand and entwined it with hers.

"Malfoy." She gave him a look of 'I'm here for you'. But he didn't need or take pity. Instead he pulled his hand away from hers.

"Don't touch me Granger; you wouldn't want to make your little stooge jealous now would you?" And he turned around and opened the door to reveal a pissed off Harry.

"Ah evening loser, your highness is inside waiting for you." He smirked at them and headed towards the Slytherin Common room.

"I swear to God one day he'll get his." Harry said before enveloping Hermione in a big hug.

"You didn't come down for lunch or dinner so I thought it'd be good to come and check on you. Is everything okay? I mean I know somehow Malfoy forced you to do that little thing in the library but don't worry, Harry's here now." He started to stroke her arm, much to her surprise.

What the hell is he doing stroking my arm? And since when does he speak in third person?

She pushed away from his embrace. "Look Harry, I know you mean well but if you wouldn't mind I'd like to have some time to myself thank you."

He stepped back and took a good look at Hermione; she noticed this and felt like a caged animal.

"What."

He hugged her again, this time tighter if possible. "What has he done to you, I mean there was a time when you and I were inseparable, now it seems like I see you once a week if I'm lucky."

"You mean you, I and Ron were inseparable."

He gave her a somewhat fake smile. He let go of her, to Hermione's pleasure, and placed his hands on her shoulder.

"Herms, I've been very observant over the past few weeks and I've noticed that you and I have become closer in the time we have spent together."

Hermione's eyes sprung open in surprise. "Harry, what do you-"

But Harry brought his index finger up and placed it on her lips. "Please Hermione let me finish."

She went quiet immediately.

"Anyway, and I hear what you are trying to say. You fancy me more than you like Ron. It's alright all you had to do was say the word, now we decided this morning that the ball would be in two weeks from tonight, Valentines day."

He stopped and stood up to display his full height. "Hermione Emma Granger, would you like to accompany to the ball."

She stood there absolutely stunned. What the hell?! When did Harry become so big-headed? And when have I given any signal of interest in him, I don't remember. I have to say no.

But before she could answer he stopped her once again.

"Don't worry, sleep on it and then tell me your decision tomorrow morning okay." He kissed her lightly on the forehead.

"Now sleep my angel and give me the answer I long for in the morning." He opened the door and just before he left kissed his hand and blew it towards her. She smiled stiffly and waved.

As soon as the door shut she ran into her room and slammed the door behind her. What had she gotten herself into?

Well Hermione you've really done it this time haven't you. First Draco pours his heart out to you about both physical and sexual abuse and how I'm a burden in his life, then he kisses me and not only that but I kiss him in return. AND I LIKE IT. Then Harry-self absorbed-Potter thinks he can just fly in here and sweep me off my feet. If he thinks that he's got another thing coming that's for sure.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

"Oh for fuck sake will everybody just leave me alone." She lazily made her way to the door and opened it to reveal.

"Ron, what's wrong." Instead of answering he pushed right past her and entered the common room.

"Sure you can come in." She said in a sarcastic tone.

"Okay Herms I've been thinking a lot lately." He said ignoring her remark while pacing up and down the living room.

"About what?" She said taking a seat in her sofa.

He looked down at her and held out his hand. She took this as a hint and grabbed it. He then pulled her up and held both of her hands up to his chest.

"I know that you done that little show to get my attention. I know that you probably gave Malfoy some little sum to get me jealous." He stepped closer to her now.

"I know what you're trying to say. Now I may be an idiot majority of the time but the only reason why I'm like that is because I don't know how to act around you. It's not that I'm uncomfortable it's just, well I feel like I'm walking on egg shells around you. In a good way though. Anyway straight to the point, this morning we decided that the ball would be two weeks from tonight, Valentines Day and I was wondering if you would give me the honour of associating me to the ball."

She (for the second time in five minutes) gave him a very shocked expression.

He saw this and recoiled a bit. "Look I know this is sudden so I'll give you the night and you can tell me at breakfast."

But unlike Harry who took his time strolling to the door, Ron sprinted like his life depended on it.

"IF ANYBODY ELSE WANTS TO TALK TO ME SPEAK NOW OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE." Hermione shouted to no one in particular.

'Tap tap tap.'

She looked across the room to see an owl tapping on the window.

"Why did I even ask?" She said to herself.

She took the letter from the owl and noticed immediately the Hogwarts crest on the top.

Miss Granger,

Good evening, I am in need of your company at present. Come to my office immediately, my password is orange sherbet.

Regards, professor Dumbledore.

She threw the letter up in the air in annoyance.

"Now what does he want."

A/N: There's chapter 18 hope you guys love it. Please keep reviewing. Sorry I know it's another cliff hanger. Lol.