AN: Sorry this chapter took about twice as long. I haven't had much time to work on any personal writing. Thankfully midterms are over and I'm on spring break so hopefully I'll be able to knock out at least another two chapters this week. Thanks again to my reviewers, it means a lot that you take the time to come back and continuing reading my story each week. Also, I took the advice and enabled anonymous reviews. I hope you all like this chapter too. I'm particularly fond of Daphne Greengrass (I love writing bitchy characters) so you'll be seeing more of her later.

Also, J.K.Rowling owns all the characters... I'm just playing with them for awhile.

Chapter 4

"She hexed you? That's… interesting. Your kissing didn't used to be that bad," Daphne Greengrass said with a smirk.

She was perched on the edge of his bed watching him with amusement in her dark Latin eyes while Malfoy recounted his experience with Hermione a few days ago. He'd been in a rather foul mood, having woken on the floor with Loony Lovegood poking him and Granger long gone. While Draco felt that he'd made good progress, her avoidance of him lately had almost prompted him to just chuck the bag of galleons at Nott's head and call it quits.

"Very funny," he replied. "I'm asking for your advice as a woman. If you have none, then get out of my room."

"Alright," she muttered, idly examining her perfectly manicured nails. "Keep your robes on and give me a moment to think. Granger isn't like a normal girl so this will be harder than simply buying her something shiny and ridiculously expensive."

The air of complete disinterest she put on was easy for Draco to see through because he knew her well. The raven-haired beauty was a pureblood witch that his parents had been trying to tie him to practically since they were toddlers. For some reason neither of them were romantically inclined toward the other but she was his oldest and closest female friend.

"You know, I wonder how you manage to kiss the mudblood without gagging," Daphne sneered.

"She's not bad," replied Draco. "I've definitely seen worse."

"You're dating worse," Daphne muttered cattily.

He laughed. "Don't remind me…." He really would need to get rid of Pansy soon. "I do think that Hermione is pretty. Besides, she was good enough for Krum. He had most of the girls in the castle panting after him and he chose Granger so that has to say something."

"I suppose she's not completely unfortunate," Daphne agreed reluctantly, tossing the long sheet of inky black hair over one tanned shoulder that was provocatively exposed from her barely buttoned Slytherin uniform shirt.

Knowing what she was hinting at Draco responded, "She has nothing on you though."

"Of course not. Really, who could?" she sniffed. This was one of the many reasons that he had never pursed Daphne - she was even more arrogant and high maintenance than himself. "My best guess would be that she's attracted to you but feels incredibly guilty about it because she's supposed to hate you. Just keep doing whatever it was that got her interested. Be persistent but patient and she'll crack."

"Oh however did I survive without your vast knowledge?" he asked sarcastically as he rolled onto his side and propped his golden head up on one elbow.

She shrugged and slid gracefully off the bed. "I'm self-centered. Why would I care about what any other girl but myself would want? Speaking of what I want: entertainment. This was fun for awhile but I'm bored. Bye, love." Daphne blew him a kiss and stalked towards the door. "And obviously I expect to be kept updated if youexpect me to stay quiet about your slumming," she called over her shoulder before she disappeared.

"Just so you can have all the facts straight when you tell everyone about it later, right? Bitch," he murmured affectionately as he watched her leave.

Granger had skillfully avoided him for days and it did nothing to improve his mood but he let her have her space for a bit. Draco decided to take Daphne's advice and push what little advantage he had . It was lucky for him that Hermione was a creature of habit and he knew eventually she would have to go to the library for some assignment and that Potty and the Weasel would not accompany her. Draco took to haunting the library between classes and it only took another day for him to get his chance.

Hermione hurried down the fourth floor corridor with an overstuffed book bag slung over one shoulder, obviously headed for the library. Her brown curls bounced appealingly with every step she took and Malfoy took a moment to admire it. When Draco realized what he was doing he shook his head in disgust, slipped out from behind the statue he was using as cover and grabbed Hermione's arm. She hadn't seen him coming and her brown eyes widened in shock.

"You've been avoiding me," he said quietly, accusation coloring his tone.

"I- W-well," she stammered, her eyes flicking around the corridor.Looking for an escape?, Malfoy thought, Or making sure they weren't overhead?

Gently, he ran the hand that was clutching her elbow up her arm to rest lightly on her shoulder. Draco felt her give the slightest shiver and he barely concealed a triumphant smile. Indicating a different empty classroom than the one they'd met in last week, he asked, "Can we talk in private? Please?" Draco added.

The further plea did as he expected. Hermione's expression softened and she nodded, heading for the classroom. He closed the door after himself and for good measure, he pulled out his wand and placed a locking charm on it to ensure they wouldn't be interrupted. Turning around, he said "Hermione, I-"

"Look," she cut in, "I can't explain why I kissed you so if that's what you want to know, I don't have an answer." Hermione kept rambling so Malfoy drew up a chair and made himself comfortable.

When she paused for breath he interjected, "That's not what I wanted to talk about."

That seemed to take the wind out of her sails and Hermione looked at him in confusion. "It's not? Then what did you want?"

"Just to talk to you."

"About what?"

"You. Tell me something about yourself that I don't know."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "You're annoying me. That's something."

"I mean it. Tell me… what your favorite book is," he said, staring with something easy.

Automatically she replied, "Hogwarts, A History. It's the first magical text I ever read. I was always a logical girl so I never believed somewhere like this," she waved one hand, indicating the castle as a whole, "existed."

"Thank you. Now will you please sit?"

"Fine, fine." Granger relented and sat down across from him though she crossed her arms stubbornly over her chest and adopted a surly look. "But I still don't get you, Malfoy. Why do you want to talk?"

"Well I figured that after you assaulted me-" Hermione blushed delightfully pink. "-that you could at least reconsider my proposal of friendship. What's your favorite color?"

"Purple. Why do you care?"

Draco ignored her question and asked another, "What's your favorite song?"

"Doesn't matter. You wouldn't know it." He waited patiently for her response and she couldn't help squirming a little under the intense scrutiny. Part of her was wondering why she was even bothering to stay and answer him. She could just leave. Nothing was stopping her… "Für Elise. Beethoven. I like classical. It's soothing."

They continued in their game for awhile with Malfoy's questions ranging from personal to downright silly. Soon she was beginning to enjoy herself and they were laughing together. The time flew and eventually Hermione became comfortable enough that she answered all inquiries honestly with the first thing that came to mind, even if it was ridiculous.

"Cheddar or mozzarella?"

"Mozzarella. I figure it's the most natural cheese since it's white," she joked. He only raised an eyebrow in response to that one.

Draco asked, "Favorite time of day?"

"Sunrise. It wipes the world clean and reminds me that there's always a new day."

"Silver or gold?"

"Definitely silver. It goes better with my skin tone." That one earned a smile from him but didn't deter his inquisition.

"Can I kiss you right now?"

"Yes," Hermione answered immediately. "No!… I mean…" She trailed off, confusion furrowing her brow. "What the hell?" The confusion was quickly turning into anger. "Damn it, I am tired of playing your games! Stop messing with-" she broke off and shook her head in frustration, glaring at him. "What do you want Malfoy? Really?"

"You," he replied smoothly.

"Shut up!" cried Hermione, exasperated.

Draco crossed his arms and raised one pale eyebrow. "Don't be mad at me because you want me too."

"I do not!" she screamed, her face flushed with anger…and passion. "You slimy, arrogant git!" Hermione barraged him with a stream of curses, growing more colorful with each one.

When she fell into a steamed silence, he put in casually, "Maybe… but I'm not wrong. You said yes to me and you meant it. So why are you pretending that you don't want what you want? You never struck me as the type of girl to be afraid of her desires."

To his surprise, Hermione's brown eyes welled with tears. Uncomfortable, he held out one hand helplessly, "Whoa, hey don't cry…" This girl is mad, Draco thought. One minute she's yelling and the next she's leaking all over the place.

She closed her eyes and one lone tear tracked down her cheek. An unfamiliar emotion swept through him; for a moment Malfoy felt like he was going crazy because he wanted to wipe away that tear. He cared that she seemed to be in pain and that deeply unsettled him. Hermione gathered herself because when she looked at him her eyes were bright but dry.

"Look, I know that you're different…well at least around me, and- and maybe you are right… Merlin help me but I never thought I'd ever say this to you," Hermione said, standing and running one hand through her hair as she paced the room aimlessly. "I like you, Draco…a lot. But this is impossible! Ron and Harry absolutely despise you, they would never understand. No one would."

"So," interrupted Draco as he stood and caught her by the shoulders to hold her still, "that begs the question: why tell them? Why tell anyone?"

She looked at him as if he were crazy. "And what, we'll just sneak around the castle and have some kind of 'secret' relationship?"

"We practically already are," he pointed out helpfully as he trailed his hands lower down her arms. She seemed to like when he did that.

Hermione opened her mouth then closed it again. He could see the thoughts flickering in her brown eyes. That big brain of Granger's was working overtime. Draco was sure that the smile he gave her must have been sickeningly sweet but it seemed to be doing the job. Finally she returned it with one of her own and said softly, "I don't know who's crazier here but since I'm going to go along with this then it must be me."

He pulled her into his arms and she melted against him. Malfoy had actually expected her to lean into him for a kiss but she tucked her head under his chin and seemed content with a prolonged hug. He bit the inside of his cheek in frustration but said nothing. After several long moments Hermione pulled away.

"It's late," she explained, looking up into his stormy grey eyes. "I should go. Good night."

"Don't I get a goodnight kiss?"

She considered that, then ordered him to close his eyes and promise not to move an inch. Draco only had to wait a few seconds before he felt her soft lips against his. When she did nothing but leave them there in a lingering, close-mouthed kiss he was very tempted to break the stupid promise. The light pressure disappeared and when he opened his eyes, she was gone too.

Malfoy turned and saw the door swinging shut. He raised one hand and rubbed his mouth absently. Though it seemed like he got what he needed to effectively win his bet, somehow this night had not quite gone the way he'd expected. He was not supposed to be the one standing here, wanting more. Definitely not part of the plan.

Hermione was scanning her Arithmancy book during breakfast on Friday. Harry and Ron were on her left, their dorm mates and Ginny across from them. Her back was to the Slytherin table and she could feel Draco's gaze whenever it touched her. Occasionally she glanced over her shoulder but each time he never looked at her. It was probably better that way.

The morning post streamed into the great hall. She wasn't expecting anything and was surprised to realize that a barn owl had landed at her right elbow. It pecked her impatiently so Hermione untied the bit of parchment tied to its leg and unfolded it. The bird flew off as she read. In an elegant script was one single line of writing that caused her heartbeat to speed up.

Meet me at the Astronomy tower tonight at eight? I want to see you.

The note was unsigned but it could only be from one person. She traced her fingertip over the words. Would she go? She wanted to… and being a prefect, she could excusably be out-of-bounds. There really was no reason not to…

"What's that?" Ron asked curiously, leaning over to read it as well. She quickly stuffed the note into her book and shut it.

"Nothing important," she replied with a smile. Soon enough he lost interest and she went back to her internal debate about tonight. Finally Hermione glanced over her shoulder again. This time Draco met her gaze and in that split second, she made her choice. She gave him a small smile and nodded once in assent.

It had been surprisingly easy to slip past Ron and Harry in the common room. She climbed out of the portrait hole and just as it swung closed behind her, Ginny Weasley rounded the corner. "Hey!" the redhead called. "Going in?"

"Out actually," replied Hermione. "Prefect duties."

"Oh? Where's Ron then?"

Damn. She'd forgotten he was the other Gryffindor prefect. Already there was a hole in her story. "He's… not coming… yet," she finished lamely.

She frowned and studied Hermione attentively. "Well, I'll tell him I saw you and send him along. Maybe he can catch up to you," said Ginny shrewdly.

"That's not necessary." It was a achievement that she didn't stutter.

"Oh no, I insist. Unless you want to tell me where you're really going."

Hermione sighed and looked down at her feet. She could try to lie to the girl but she was already deceiving so many others. "I'm going to see Draco," she muttered.

"I figured as much," Ginny replied softly. She stepped closer so they could speak more quietly. "So you're actually doing the whole tutoring thing?"

"Not exactly," she admitted sheepishly. "I- I'm just meeting him. To sort of… I guess you could say… hang out."

"Huh," was all Ginny could manage. She stared at Hermione as if the older girl had just announced herself to be an extraterrestrial. "I guess I would ask why but I don't think I'd understand even if you explained it to me. I'm gonna go now… Be careful," she urged as she brushed past her and gave the password to the Fat Lady.

Hermione wondered if telling Ginny had damaged their relationship. She hoped that her honesty would at least count for something. With some effort she pushed aside that worry and headed for the tower.