Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Author's Note: I was having trouble thinking how I was going to get Hermione and Draco together, but I have figured it out. And I really like it. Hope you guys do too! Thanks so much for all the reviews, I really appreciate it. It's nice to know that other people like my writing as much as I do. Keep up the reviews! A bit of bad news: If you haven't found out already, I deleted The Bet, one of my stories. There was no reason for me to keep it, as I wasn't going to finish writing it. I'm already planning another story after I finish this one. I'm sorry to everyone who wanted to keep reading that story. Keep reading my other stories please! They're just as good, I promise!

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Hermione and Draco walked to the Great Hall together. They separated at the door and Hermione looked around the hall for Ginny. She noticed her sitting across from Harry and Ron. Hermione took her seat next to Ginny.

The four talked contentedly, and Hermione waited for an opportunity to tell Ginny about Blaise. She leaned in close to her friend. "I need to talk to you after dinner," she said, her voice low.

Dinner passed quickly and the two friends walked to the Head's common room together. Draco wasn't back from dinner yet, for which Hermione was somewhat happy. She didn't want to be interrupted.

Hermione and Ginny sat on her bed across from each other. Hermione followed her hands in her lap.

"So, what's up?" Ginny asked.

"It's about Blaise." Hermione thought she saw Ginny's face light up a bit, but wasn't completely sure.

"You're not planning on getting back together with him, are you?" Ginny asked.

Hermione shook her head. "But how would you feel if I told that I was thinking about it?"

"Well, I'd say you're an idiot, because you're meant to be with Draco. I still don't know why you guys haven't gotten together yet."

"So that's the only reason you'd be upset? Because you think I should date Draco? There's no other reason?"

"What are you getting at?"

"Do you have feelings for Blaise?"

"W-what?" Ginny asked. "W-why would you ask that?"

"Blaise told me earlier today that he likes you. He wanted me to find out if you return his feelings."

"I-I don't think we should be having this conversation right now--"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Gin, I am so over Blaise. If you like him, you should let him know. So, do you?"

Ginny cast her eyes down, but nodded meekly. Hermione's face broke out in a smile and she clapped her hands together gleefully. Ginny looked at her confused. "You're seriously happy?"

"Of course! Blaise is a great catch! Why shouldn't you go out?"

"Well," Ginny said slowly. "I guess if you're okay with it."

"I am!" She stood, pulling Ginny up with her. "Let's go find him!"

"But wait," Ginny said, as Hermione pulled her out of her room. "How will we find him?"

Hermione scanned the common room. Draco was sitting on one of the couches, reading a book. He looked up when the two girls entered the room and smiled.

"Hey, Hermione, Ginny. What are you guys up to?" he asked, closing his book.

"Do you know where Blaise is?" Hermione asked.

"Um, I think he's in the library. He had a report to finish or some--" He didn't get his sentence out because Hermione had already pulled Ginny out of the room, yelling, "Thanks!" over her shoulder. He smiled, shaking his head, then went back to his book.

Hermione and Ginny hurried to the library. They found Blaise seated at one of the back tables, paper spread out around him. Ginny sat down across from Blaise, but Hermione didn't.

"Blaise," she said, ignoring Ginny's panicked looks. "Ginny needs to talk to you about something." She backed away from the table, mouthing, "Good luck," and giving her a thumbs up. She didn't look back as she left the library, hoping that everything was going to be okay.

Hermione went back to the Head's dorm. Draco was still sitting on the couch, and she plopped down next to him.

"I'm bored," she said. "Entertain me, please."

Draco smirked. He could think of about one hundred things he could do that would keep her entertained all night long, but he was sure if she would be up for any of his ideas. "What did you have in mind?"

"I dunno. I mean, Ginny and Blaise are trying to decide if they want to date, so I just need something to keep me busy for the next, like, thirty minutes."

"Blaise and Ginny are going to go out? Are you okay with that?"

"Oh, yeah," Hermione said nonchalant. "I'm totally over Blaise. I want to see both of them happy, and, apparently, being together will make them happy. Now, we just have to find someone for you," she added, playfully smacking his thigh.

Draco's smirk grew. He swung his arm around Hermione's shoulders and brought her closer to him. "I think we know exactly who should be with me."

She struggled against him, but, thinking better of it, just snuggled into the crook of his arm. "Can we not talk about that right now, and just sit here, talking? I haven't totally decided on my feelings, and you're not making it any easier." She intertwined her fingers with his and leaned her head against his chest.

"So you're telling me that, by practically sitting on my lap, is helping you with your feelings?"

Hermione smiled. "You'd be surprised, but yes."

She didn't want to admit it, but she enjoyed being so close to him. She really did love him. However, she didn't think she was ready to start a new relationship, and so she didn't say anything. She liked teasing him a bit, and it was fun. She just hoped she didn't take it too far.

Hermione and Draco spent more and more time together over the next couple days. She loved being in his company, listening to him talk, laughing at his jokes, snuggling against him. Had anyone asked, she would have said they were just good friends. She knew, though, that friends didn't think the kind of things she was thinking about their other friends, or want to spend the entire day wrapped in their friends' arms. Which is exactly what she did. She laid awake at night thinking about him, wandering what he was doing in his room, if he was thinking of her. She had to control herself not to go into his room and take him right there, on his bed. She always tried to keep those thoughts out of her head, because they made her upset.

Hermione woke up bright and early on a Saturday morning. She was planning on meeting Ginny for breakfast, who was going to tell her all about her 'date' with Blaise. Ginny and Blaise had gotten together at the library that fateful night, and Hermione was happy for them, really happy. She hopped out of bed, tied her short, blue, silk robe tightly around her waist, and walked over to the bathroom. A note on her door stopped her.

She pulled it down and unfolded the parchment, which had something written on it.

Dear Hermione,

This is a scavenger hunt. Over the next hour or so, you will follow these clues all throughout Hogwarts. They lead to a prize, which you will discover if you complete the hunt. I will know if you cheat, and there will be consequences if you do. Please don't cheat.

Your first clue is this: Your food is made in this place, but eaten somewhere else. Don't forget to say hi to the elf.

Yours truly,

Hermione stared quizzically at the note, her head cocked to the side. She had no idea what it meant, but knew that she needed to go to the kitchens. Apparently, the next clue would be there.

She quickly changed into jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, slipped her feet into a pair of sneakers, and ran a brush through her hair, leaving it down. She made sure the common room was tidy before leaving the room. It was going to be an interesting day.