Disclaimer: Harry Potter does not belong to me, it belongs to J.K. Rowling, and, like, her publishing company, and maybe Warner Bros., I'm not totally sure.

Author's Note: I am very surprised at how well threatening you guys worked. I'm not going to threaten you in this chapter, I'm just going to thank everyone who gave me ideas, and hope I get more. All of the ideas I was given will probably be used at some point in this story. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Chapter Nine

Draco stayed in the empty classroom about ten minutes after Hermione left. Then, the spell that had been unknowingly cast on him forced him to leave the room. He began walking to the Slytherin common room, and thinking about Hermione.

Ever since school started, and the two students had been giving the job of Head Boy and Girl, Draco had been feeling an odd attraction to Hermione. At first, he assumed it was because of her appearance. The only reason any male at Hogwarts could not be attracted to Hermione was if he was dead (or, well, gay).

Over the last few days, though, especially as Hermione and Harry's relationship progressed, Draco had started noticing more. He started wanting to be in the room whenever Hermione was, talk to her whenever he was lonely or bored, be as close to her as Harry was.

Once Draco realized how close he wanted to be to Hermione, he began to wonder if his feelings were stronger than he thought. And then he began to wonder if she felt that way about him. He didn't think he had a crush on Hermione, or fancied her, or anything, just a sense of wanting to be around her, and a sense of wanting to have her in his life for a while.

As he thought about the kiss, Draco began to realize that he had meant to do what he did. At least, his subconscious did. He felt this way, because he wanted to kiss Hermione again and again and again, until they both passed out from sheer exhaustion.

And he didn't want to only kiss her. He wanted to have conversations with her, he wanted to cuddle with her, he wanted to make her happy. He had never felt that way about a girl before, and it scared him. He wasn't sure what to label this feeling. He definitely didn't think love, as love was too strong an emotion to even think about having. He finally settled on attraction. That was it; he was attracted to Hermione. He felt much better after realizing this, and figured he could handle talking to Blaise, or anyone else who got in his way. About fifteen minutes before, anyone who tried to talk to him, he would have blasted away with a simple spell.

Draco entered the Slytherin common room, and, after a quick glance, walked over to Blaise, who was slouched on one of the couches, staring into space. Draco plopped down next to his friend, neither speaking.

After about ten minutes of complete silence, Blaise turned to Draco. "I find Granger extremely attractive, and wondered if you thought she would let me make a move on her."

Draco was silent for a few moments. He was completely stunned. He had noticed that Blaise flirted with Hermione a lot, whenever he was around her, actually, but Draco knew Blaise was like that with every female he meant. Blaise was very charming, and a bit of a player. Draco just hadn't thought that he liked Hermione. He was so worried about his own feelings for the girl, he didn't even imagine anyone else would like her like that.

Draco wasn't sure how to respond. If he told Blaise that he thought it wasn't a good idea to make a move, Blaise might assume that he liked Hermione. Draco was just accepting that fact that he liked Hermione; he wasn't ready for anybody else to know. On the other hand, if he made it seem like Hermione had feelings for Blaise, in any way, Blaise would jump at the chance.

"Hello? Dude?" Blaise waved his hand in front of Draco's face. "Anyone home?"

Draco mentally shook his head, clearing his thoughts. "Sorry," he said. "What was the question again?"

Blaise sighed, exasperated. "Do you think Hermione would respond if I made a move on her?"

"Well, she probably wouldn't respond, because of Potter. Hermione seems like she would be a faithful girlfriend."

Blaise thought for a moment. "You are probably right. Of course, I could convince her to break up with him."

Draco smirked involuntarily. "How exactly are you going to do that?"

"I dunno. I've been told, though, that I am very convincing and persuasive, and I imagine that I will be able break them up."

Draco thought for a moment. He was pretty sure that Hermione liked him more than Blaise, and, if she split from Harry, he would have a better chance of dating her that Blaise.

"I think if you believe that you can break them up," he said, "then you should go for it. I do doubt, though, that you can make it work."

Blaise smirked, and leaned back in his seat. "Fantastic."

Draco hoped he hadn't started something horrible.

Okay, I know it has been awhile and that this is really short, but I could not think of anything else to put, and am not sure how I will write the party scene. Please give me more ideas. I may wait a little bit before I begin the next chapter, but I will write it, probably before Halloween. Thanks to all my reviewers!!