DISCLAIMER-i am not JK Rowling. Never have been, likely, never will be.

Sorry about the long wait, but I just moved cross country (toronto to vancouver) and i have yet to get my computer here. Enjoy!

Hermione was at her desk, as usual, doing her homework. It was Potions homework that Snape had given them, 3 feet of parchment on the properties of blood stone due next class. Hermione was just finishing it up when the fireplace in her room flared blue. She jumped with surprise.

Who in Merlins name would be trying to floo her?

It was the middle of the day. Both Harry and Ron had class, she was also fairly certain that Ginny did as well.

She got up from her desk and walked to the fireplace. She was curious as to who it was, as her mind filtered through the names of people who it might be, dismissing each as it popped up.

She was still at a complete loss when she reached the fireplace. She uncharmed the fireplace-Merlin knew she didn't want just anyone walking through when she was changing-and seeing who it was, fainted dead away.

Brilliant.

Just fucking brilliant, Draco though. I came to tell the chit that I needed her help, and to tell her the truth about how I feel, and she faints. Women.

Draco pondered the current predicament he'd gotten himself into. He was stuck at St. Mungos, recovering from Merlin knew what spell, his mother didn't have the balls to come see him, Snape (he was guessing on this one) was trying to meddle in his affairs, and now, the girl he wanted to help him had fainted.

Brilliant.

It was frustrating, to say the least. First Snape, his mother, and then Hermione.

If he could get through the damn fireplace, he'd make sure that she was alright, revive her, perhaps, but St. Mungos didn't trust its patients not to run. It was a one way only

thing, in this place.

Draco paced across the floor.

Already, he was regretting calling her. What was he supposed to do when she came to? Why, and this was important, did he call her in the first place? And that bit earlier, about hoe he truly felt about her-what DID he fell for her? Sure, he wanted to get to know her, of course he was attracted to her, she was bloody gorgeous, how could be not be attracted?

But, beyond that, he didn't know.

Whenever he tried to figure it out for himself, his mind closed down, and his heart began to race. The proverbial butterflies took off in his stomach, making him feel ill, but in a vaguely pleasant way. He got hot skin, and his breathing increased. The first time it happened, he worried about a fever, but, as soon as he started thinking about it, and not about Hermione, he went back to normal.

"Draco…."

"Quiet, I'm still thinking" Draco barked.

How did he truly feel about her? He knew about the butterflies, which were currently making an appearance, but..

"Draco, for Merlins sake." Hermione snapped at him crossly.

Draco turned to find the object of his butterfly inducing thoughts still on the floor, but fully conscious and fully angry.

Wait.

Didn't he just tell her to shut up?

Fuck.

"Granger. Hermione. Sorry that I spooked you. I had no intentions of doing that." Draco said, trying, he knew unsuccessfully, to regain some sort of control in the conversation. She was pissed, and, moreso, confused. He could see it in her honey eyes, which flickered between confusion, anger and a little bit of pain.

"I hope you are alright from the fall." Draco said, putting the concern he felt into his voice. It sounded strange, even to his own ears. He almost never cared about anyone, and had never expressed it before. His parents made sure that he never felt this. In fact, they made sure that he never felt anything but contempt for anyone, especially one that was Muggle born. It was a new feeling for him, one that he would have to remember, especially when dealing with Hermione.

"Oh…yes. I'm alright." Was the response. Hermione faltered. She was as puzzled now as she was when she saw that it was Draco at her fireplace. It was a shock to her system, one that brought on a flurry of different feelings.

She was vaguely queasy as if her stomach had decided to go dancing without the rest of her body. She was also completely baffled as to WHY Draco was here. It made absolutely no sense, no matter what way she looked thought about it. Draco was staring at her, and she realized, belatedly, that he had said something.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" she asked, still reeling from the flurry of emotion.

"I said that I am glad you are alright."

Draco looked down at his feet. This was insane. What was he supposed to say to her now? He called on her, afterall. He couldn't leaveThankfully, she spoke, breaking the very awkward silence.

"I'm glad to see that you are doing better." Hermione said. She wanted to know what had happened to him, but, didn't want to press him. She still had no idea why he was here, or, rather, at St. Mungos, afterall.

"Do you think you'll be back to school sometime soon?"

"A few days" Draco replied coolly. Inside his mind was in a frenzy. What in the bloody hell was he supposed to say to her? Could he tell her the truth? What was the truth? The truth about his father, or about the butterflies that was still tumbling around his stomach. He certainly couldn't just leave, she was looking at him expectantly.

Fuck.

There was only one thing he could do. He knew that he would, most likely, regret this as well, but, he needed her help. He wanted to be normal, or, as normal as possible.

"Hermione, would you come here? I would like to talk to you, and it may take some time"

He saw Hermione hesitate, and, understanding why, added "I promise that I will not hurt you. You'll be safe here."

Still she hesitated.

"Please?"

Hermione smiled

"Alright."

end transmission