(All the characters in this story belong to JK Rowling. Sorry for taking a long time to update, I haven't really had enough time. I hope you like it!)

The next few weeks passed without incident, Hermione's prefect duties continued and the gossiping about Harry's relationship with Ginny had died. In fact, November was almost upon them before anything interesting happened.

Hogwarts was silent, night had fallen and inside the castle Hermione and Malfoy where pacing the fifth floor corridor. Having become used to them, Hermione was finding these duties surprisingly fun and she had a sneaky feeling that Malfoy felt the same. She had found out much more about him and had even found herself warming to him. She regularly woke with a smile across her face after another dream about the blonde haired Slytherin. She watched as he strolled beside her, hands in pockets and chatting casually. She hadn't told Ron and Harry about Malfoy yet, she knew that Ron would probably pass out if he heard that Malfoy had a nice side. Whenever she saw Malfoy in the corridors during school hours they nodded covertly to each other and walked on. She didn't know how she felt, but every time they accidently brushed each other, she felt a strange tingling sensation in her stomach. She just wished that Ron and Harry knew the real Malfoy and that they could see how nice he was.

'Granger!' Hermione awoke from her thoughts with a start; Malfoy had stopped and was looking at her suspiciously. 'Are you even listening?'

'Yes, you were talking about…' Hermione stopped abruptly as he smirked at her, 'I was just thinking, why you couldn't call me by my first name instead of using Granger all the time?' It was her turn to smirk as he opened and closed his mouth like a fish. 'Go on?'

He paused before answering, going slowly red in the face he said, 'Because, you look sexy when I say Granger.' He looked at her for a second before turning sharply and beginning to walk again. She stood still speechless, staring after his retreating back. He was nearly at the end of the corridor when she caught him up and grabbed his arm. He turned and looked at her; his face was bright scarlet now.

'What is that meant to mean?' She said, looking deep into his grey eyes. He didn't answer but looked back at her. She was about to break the silence but swallowed her words he took her hand in his and moved slowly towards her. He caught her other hand and entwined their fingers. Her breath caught in her throat as she lowered his face to hers. She could feel his warm breath on her face and could almost feel his eyes burning passionately into hers. After what seemed like an age, his lips brushed against hers pleasurably. The tingling sensation was back as his hand found her face and caressed her cheek. Her hands where on his chest and she could feel his heart beating furiously against his ribs. Was this really Malfoy? Was this really Malfoy kissing her? She deepened the kiss, allowing his tongue to enter her mouth as she put her arms around his neck. He was pushing her gently back to the wall, one hand at the small of her back, the other in her hair. Suddenly, as though somebody had turned on a switch, she jumped back. Her stared at her in shock as she rubbed her hands nervously through her hair.

'We shouldn't…' She said, 'we shouldn't be doing this.' She looked up at him and seeing the hurt expression in his face stopped talking. She stepped slowly towards him and held out a hand but he just looked at it. 'I'm sorry.' He didn't answer but turned away from her. After a pause she placed a wary hand on his shoulder, he shuddered under her touch but shrug her away.

'I'm sorry, it's my fault.' He turned facing her again and placed a hand on hers. 'I shouldn't have kissed you, I had no right to.' She looked at him, her brain whirring as many thoughts rushed through it. Then after a long moment she took his face in her hands and brought her lips to his. He closed the gap between them and was kissing her back, more passionately than last time. Hermione could feel the heat radiating from him as once he ran his hands through her hair and down her back.

This time it was Malfoy who broke the kiss and her turn to look at him in shock. He shook his head and put a finger to her lips. 'I loved every second of that, but look where we are. What would happen if someone came round the corner and found us, what if it was Weasley or Potter?'

'It's Ron and Harry,' she replied, 'okay, you're right, but what are we going to do?'

'We'll keep it a secret' he said, looking up and down the corridor nervously and checking his watch, 'we'll have to talk tomorrow; Crabbe and Goyle will wonder where I am.' She nodded sadly and shoved her hands in her pockets; he stopped looking around and smiled at her, taking her hand once more. 'Don't worry, everything will be alright, we'll be together.' He leant forward and left a burning kiss on her lips then; touching her cheek he turned and walked back down the corridor. Just before he descended the step he looked back at her, 'Goodnight' he called waving a hand in farewell. She smiled and waved back, watching as he disappeared down the stairs.

When he had gone she slid down the wall she was leaning all and began to cry. Why couldn't life ever be simple?

*

True to their word, nobody found out about Hermione and Malfoy's secret relationship. In fact, they only ever saw each other during prefect duties when all the other students where in their common rooms. Even though she was head girl, Hermione spent these duties making the most of the time she had with Malfoy. Though she was continually worrying about betraying Ron and Harry, she couldn't help thinking about Malfoy. She had to ask teachers to repeat questions in class because she was too busy thinking about the Slytherin and it took her all Sunday to finish her homework; something that surprised Ron and Harry.

It was Monday night and Hermione was sat in the common room with Ron who was struggling with a difficult potions essay. He kept sneaking glances at Hermione's work but she was too busy checking her watch to shout at him. After a few minutes Ron shoved his work abruptly away from him and slouched with a sigh in his chair. He rubbed his eyes and yawned while Hermione pretended to read a book.

'Hermione?' Ron asked, after a moment.

'Yes?' She replied from behind A History of Magic.

'You know there's a Hogsmeade trip next weekend?' He stammered, Hermione peered over her book; his ears where turning their usual red.

'Yes' she said suspiciously, closing her book and putting it down on the table.

'Well, I was wondering, only if you want to,' he was looking at his shoes as he spoke, 'do you want to go with me?'

'Erm…' Hermione said and Ron looked up. What should I do? She thought as his ears turned even redder. 'Well, alright then.' He sighed in relief and ran a hand through his hair.

'Thanks a million Hermione' he said, she smiled sadly at him as he rubbed his eyes again.

'I assume Harry's going with Ginny?' Hermione asked, picking her book back up and finding her page.

'Yeah, he told me this morning, I just hope he doesn't' Ron began, 'well you know.' He got up and stretched, 'I'm going to bed, goodnight.' He picked up his homework, gave Hermione a cheery wave and climbed the stairs to the boy's dormitories. When he had left, Hermione smacked her hand to her forehead in frustration, why do I have to make life so complicated. Everyone thinks I like Ron and when they see me in Hogsmeade with him they will think we're an item. What will Malfoy say? Questions ran through her head until a voice made her jump.

'Erm, Hermione, shouldn't you be on prefect duty?' It was Ginny.

'Oh yeah, thanks Ginny,' Hermione replied, flustered she climbed to her feet and picked up her work. 'I was just about to go, will you look after Crookshanks?' Hermione's ginger cat came stalking into view and clambered onto Ginny's knee.

'Are you alright, Hermione?' Ginny asked, stroking Crookshanks, 'you've seemed touchy these last few weeks, you've not been yourself.'

'It's nothing,' Hermione replied, 'I've just had lots of work to do.'

'It's Malfoy isn't it' Ginny said promptly as Hermione picked up her bag.

'What?' Hermione spun around and looked at Ginny in shock.

'I said,' Ginny asked, staring suspiciously at Hermione, 'it's Malfoy; he's annoying you isn't he?'

'Malfoy,' Hermione sighed in relief, 'no, he's alright. I've been up against worse people.' She laughed and bid Ginny goodnight as she headed up to the Girl's dormitories. When she reached her dormitory she put her books away and sat on the bed. She knew she had Prefect Duty but she didn't know how she should tell Draco that she was going to Hogsmeade with Ron. She wasn't going to go at all; she was hoping to spend a day with Draco, well that plan was well and truly over now. Checking her watch once again she climbed to her and stretched. She picked up her cloak from her bed and threw it over her, it was still winter and the corridors where freezing at night. She opened the door and stepped out onto the stairs.

'You'll just have to tell him your going with Ron' Hermione said to herself as she fixed her coat, 'Draco, I can't stay with you next Saturday because Ron has asked me to go to Hogsmeade with him.' She shook her head, 'no Hermione that's too blunt.' Shaking her head she carried on down the steps to the common room. What she didn't see was the flash of red hair as the sixth year dormitory door closed quickly as she passed.

(Well there you have it, chapter three is done and chapter four should be on its way very soon. I hope you liked it, please tell me what you thought. Thanks Beebbop.)