Ah yes. That was a fun, eventful chapter wasn't it? Now, at the end of this chapter…I'm sure most of you will be squealing like little fan-girls who just got to meet the Backstreet Boys in person. Well…this chapter is nice. Next chapter…not so much. Next chapter will probably make you feel as horrible as you did when you realized that they were never going to love you. Well, you know the drill…at the beep, please record your review………………….

Chapter Nine

Beautiful Day

After Hermione had finished crying, Draco pulled a blanket up around her and told her to rest. She did just that. The day was still early, so after lunch, which she did not go to, Hermione went back to Gryffindor Tower. Harry and Ginny were sitting by the fire having a light conversation. Harry's eyes widened when they rested upon Hermione. He jumped up from the couch and hurried over to her.

"Hermione. What are you doing here? How's your head?" Harry asked hurriedly as he approached her.

"I'm fine, Harry. I need to talk to Ron. Where is he?" Hermione asked cautiously. Harry's eyes narrowed.

"Hermione, I don't think you need to be around him right now." Harry said, resting a hand on her shoulder, trying to lead her towards where Ginny was seated.

"No Harry. I need to talk to him. Is he in the dorm?" Hermione said firmly. Harry sighed and nodded slowly. Hermione pushed his hand off of her shoulder as she walked up the stairs to the boys' dorm. She knocked once before hearing a 'go away' come from inside the room. She recognized Ron's voice instantly and opened the door.

"Can you not understand bloody English?" Ron spat. He was laying on his side, not facing the door.

"We need to talk." Hermione said softly. Ron went rigid and Hermione contemplated turning around and walking as quickly as she could out of that room. She resisted the urge and stood strong where she was. Ron sat up on his bed, swinging his legs over the side. He never turned to face Hermione. She took a deep breath and walked around the beds to face Ron. His eyes were glued to the floor and his face was set in that same angry expression that agitated Weasleys were famous for.

"I have nothing to say to you." Ron said coldly. He paused for a moment before adding in a slightly gentler tone, "I'm sorry about what happened earlier. I didn't mean for you to get hurt."

"I'm sorry Ron. I wish you hadn't found out that way." Hermione said softly, kneeling beside him. Ron turned his head slightly. His mouth clenched tightly.

"I think you should go." He said tersely. Hermione sighed and stood up.

"I am sorry it had to be this way." She whispered, placing a chaste kiss atop his fiery red hair. She felt his body tense up under her and she quickly left. When she walked downstairs, Harry jumped up to talk to her but she just shook her head and climbed out of the Portrait Hole.

She made the journey back to her private dorm with every intention of soaking herself in the very large tub in her bathroom. A warm, aroma filled, bubble-bath seemed like just the ticket after such a trying day. However, when she arrived in her dorm, the bathroom door was locked and Hermione heard the sound of the shower going. She sighed and stripped her clothing off of her body. She grabbed her simple robe, nothing compared to Draco's heavenly material, and wrapped it around her body.

As always, a warm fire was crackling away in the large fireplace in the Common Room. Hermione laid down on the sofa, holding the robe tightly to her body. The snow began to fall outside and Hermione watched as each individual flake fell from the sky. The warmth of the fire and the serenity of the snow quickly lulled her into a light sleep.

Draco stepped out of the bathroom dressed in a pair of boxers. He walked into the Common Room to retrieve his book when he noticed the brown-haired lioness dozing on the sofa. He walked over to her, smiling softly when he saw that she was sleeping. His hand brushed a few stray hairs out of her face. She stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open.

"Didn't mean to wake you." Draco said softly. Hermione sat up slowly, making sure her robe stayed closed.

"Don't worry. I was just dozing." Hermione said quietly, looking into Draco's steely gray eyes.

He didn't quite know why, but Draco found himself wanting to kiss her deeply. His hand cupped her cheek and he pressed his lips to hers. Hermione was more than confused at Draco's sudden actions, but her body and mind were not protesting. As Draco's hand moved from her cheek to twisting itself in her hair, Hermione's hand wrapped around the back of Draco's neck, holding him tightly. Draco maneuvered them so they were both laying down on the sofa, lips never leaving the other.

His hands moved down to the sash of the robe, untying it slowly. The robe fell open slightly, exposing a bit more of Hermione's soft flesh. Hermione moaned softly as his hand slipped inside of her robe, his strong, skilled hands moving expertly over her naked abdomen. She arched her hips as he slid the robe off of her shoulders, their lips breaking apart as he moved them down across her neck. Her hand moved to the waistband of his boxers, tugging on them gently. Draco took the hint and removed the material, leaning back down to continue ravishing Hermione's body with his lips and hands.

Draco's head rested on Hermione's chest as their bodies slowly came down from their peak. Hermione's chest rose and fell quickly, as she regulated her breathing. Her hands were still wrapped around Draco's back, holding him to her. The sun had set, the sky was dark outside yet Hermione could still make out snow falling heavily from the sky.

The only sounds in the room were the sounds of the fire crackling and the sounds of two very exhausted students. After several long, serene moments, Draco removed his head from her bosom. He stood up and pulled his boxers up, stretching and scratching his chest.

"I'm starving," he said simply. "Would you like anything from the kitchens?"

Hermione nodded as she pulled her robe on. Draco walked into his room without a word. Moments later he returned dressed in slacks and a sweater.

"I'll be back with some food in a bit." He said as he exited the Head Dorm. Hermione went into her bedroom and changed into her sleeveless nightgown. She pulled the robe back on, but did not tie it.

She heard the sound of someone entering the Common Room and walked out of her bedroom. Draco was walking in, followed by a House Elf carrying a tray of dinner. Hermione silently berated Draco for having a House Elf deliver a tray he was perfectly capable of carrying himself.

"Tarri will remove trays tonight, sir and miss. Tarri hopes sir and miss enjoy dinner." The small House Elf said, bowing low to the ground before scampering out. Draco sat down at the table that Tarri had set the food on and Hermione sat across from him.

After a silent dinner, the two headed to their respectable bedrooms for sleep. Hermione laid in bed for hours, begging sleep to come. It would not. When the clock struck midnight and sleep still had not come to Hermione, she got out of her bed, not bothering to pull on her robe. She quickly made her way through the bathroom to Draco's room. He was sleeping peacefully in his bed. She pulled back the comforter and slipped in between the sheets. Draco's eyes fluttered open and he sat up in bed.

"Hermione?" He called out to the darkness.

"Yes. I didn't mean to wake you." She said softly, moving to get out of the bed. He wrapped his hand around her wrist, stopping her.

"What's wrong?" He asked, gently pulling her back towards the center of the bed.

"I couldn't sleep." She whispered. She heard Draco let out a sigh before he laid back down.

"Well, hurry up and get in." He sighed. Hermione smiled and laid down, pulling the comforter up around her. She turned towards Draco and scooted closer to him. She decided to be bold and rested her head in the crook of Draco's neck.

His next move would forever be burned in Hermione's memory.

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, holding her to him.

It was at this moment, Hermione was hit by a startling revelation.

She was in love with Draco Malfoy.

………..BEEP! Please leave your messages now. I hope you enjoyed this!