Hallowrain8587: Thank you for your review! I appreciate your point on the jealousy. I've decided to back it down a bit for now. I can't promise it won't reappear later in the story but for now I think Ron has been put in his place and will at least temporarily grudgingly come around. Also as for my commas that has always been my weak point in grammar though I will try to work harder on it.

Honoria Granger: Thanks for the review! As I'm sure u just read I'm toning it down for the time being but that doesn't mean explosive Ron wont make a reappearance later on: P

Once outside Hermione didn't know what to say or do. She was still embarrassed for the way Ron had reacted and confused by Draco's actions. They walked silently down to the black lake where he laid his robe on the grass and sat on it.

"Care to join me Granger?" He asked she sighed and nodded before taking a seat next to him.

"Thank you for- for earlier." She muttered Draco turned to look at her.

"I don't know what Weasleys deal is but he obviously does not know how to treat a lady." He said she scoffed. "Granger," He began as he placed his fingers under her chin turning her head to look at him. "I don't know why you're so insecure but you have no reason to be. You are beautiful and bloody brilliant." He whispered they locked eyes and she could see the seriousness in the deep blue pools.

"Malfoy I-"she was interrupted by his lips on hers. She sat there frozen for a moment before she wrapped her arms up and around his neck. He pulled her closer to him and broke the kiss. His forehead was touching hers, one arm was wrapped around her waist and the other had found its way into her hair.

"Your also an excellent kisser." He said as he tried to regain his breath.

"You're not so bad yourself." She smiled before she leaned forward kissing him. He obliged and pulled her back so they were both lying down. When they finally pulled away he curled up against his side laying her head on his shoulder. He lightly ran his hand up and down her back as he stared up at the sky. "Malfoy?"

"Hmm?" she moved her head to look up at him.

"I- I don't want to get hurt." She whispered her eyes shown with tears he leaned down and kissed her again his hand cupped her cheek.

"I don't either." He said when he finally broke the kiss. She laid her head back down on his shoulder and began tracing patterns on his chest. "I've never been close to anyone Granger. I feel like I've got a connection with you." He sighed Hermione sat up and turned to look at him.

"This doesn't have to do with your aunt does it?" she ask accusingly. He sat up quickly immediately missing the warmth of her body next to his. "Because I will not base this off of pity."

"What No! Granger listen to me." He lightly took hold of her hand. Her heart jumped into her throat. She wasn't sure what she was feeling but she knew it excited her. "What happened this summer was awful and I won't deny that I felt something for you then. What I feel now is different. I don't know how to explain it but fuck it I like you." He said. Her eyes widened and he smiled at her genuinely. She smiled back at him.

"I like you too Malfoy." She leaned in and kissed him again. He pulled her into his arms and held her on his lap. She pulled away and laid her head on his shoulder, he felt her sigh against him.

"What's wrong?" He ask she giggled

"Nothing's wrong, actually everything is the way I have always wanted it to be."

"Always? How long have you had a crush on me Granger?" he ask she could almost feel him smirking. She pulled back from him and looked at him mischievously.

"That is something you'll have to catch me to find out." Before he could react she had stood and took off running toward the castle. He quickly and took off after her. She had just reached the castle doors when she looked over her shoulder he was closing in on her. She waved and took off again running up the steps, she had just jumped onto one of the moving staircases as he entered. He was watching her closely as she leaned on the rail and waved before making her way up to the second floor. He turned and walked out of sight. She watched the spot where he had been standing carefully before climbing the stairs to the third floor. She kept climbing smiling to herself knowing she had won. By the time she had reached the fifth floor she was rather smug until she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Caught you." He said she turned around and stared at the man in disbelief. He landed the broom he had been on and smirked at her.

"Not fair!"

"You did not say I had to be fair you just said I had to catch you. "She glared at him and put her hands on her hips.

"I'm still not telling you." He stepped closer to her slowly backing her into the wall. Once he had her pinned he looked down at her.

"I'm not letting you go until you do." He said, his hand moved to her hair and she heard the clatter of his broomstick as he let it fall to the floor. His free hand now went to her hip and he smiled down at her. She looked up at him and he could see the change in them.

"Fine." She huffed but wrapped her arms around his neck. They were lost in their own world, neither of them noticed the students that passed by. "Third Year." She mumbled

"Before or after you punched me?" he asked this caused her to laugh. He touched the side of her face with his hand.

"I'm not sure," she answered honestly "You were a bit of a prat with the whole Buckbeak thing." She mumbled lost in his gaze.

"Er, Hermione?" Harry ask he was slowly descending the stairs beside them she turned her head and bit her bottom lip unsure of his reaction.

"Um… Hi Harry." Her face was flushed red but she didn't move.

"Is everything ok?" he ask his tone was a worried one.

"Yes, everything is fine Harry. How's Ron?" She asked. Draco pulled away but only slightly so that she could have a proper conversation with her friend.

"Madame Pomfree set him right; he's currently in the common room suffering a deflated ego. Ginny Let into him as soon as I explained what happened and then went off to write her mother. By the time I left he had received his second howler and will no doubt have a third." Harry was smiling at this last comment.

"Three howlers?" Hermione asked Harry nodded

"Turns out Fred and George don't take to kindly to their sister being manhandled. " Hermione laughed.

"I guess it serves him right."

"He deserves it bloody git." Draco growled and Hermione looked up at him.

"So um Malfoy I guess I'll be seeing a lot more of you now?" Harry asked Hermione's face reddened and she hid it in Draco's chest. He smiled triumphantly.

"Better get used to me potter, doesn't look like I'm going anywhere for awhile."