CHAPTER 4

The next day Hermione woke up still upset. The events of last night kept playing in her head.

She dressed and went to the common room where she found Draco. She ignored him and made her way downstairs for breakfast.

At the Great Hall she found Ron, Harry and Ginny sitting together. She couldn't help giving Harry her meanest look.

" I have to go. I've got a little homework left. I'll see you guys a little later," said Harry abruptly and left.

" I should go too," said Hermione. " But you just got here," said Ginny.

" I'm …I'm not that hungry. I'll you at lunch," said Hermione before leaving.

" Isn't that weird?" Ginny asked Ron. Ron just shrugged.

Hermione ran up the corridor and caught up with Harry.

" You haven't told her yet. What are you waiting for?" asked Hermione.

"It isn't that easy, okay," said Harry indignantly. " Well you should have that about that before cheating on her," said Hermione annoyed.

" I … I … just need time. I will when I'm ready. Just leave me alone, please," said Harry before moving away and leaving Hermione alone.

The next night Hermione was patrolling the corridors with Draco when they heard the sound of someone crying from a nearby classroom.

Hermione's face fell when she saw Ginny. " Go ahead. I think I can continue alone," said Draco.

Hermione went up to the classroom. " Ginny, what's wrong?" asked Hermione. " Hermione! It's … its Harry. He's been cheating on me," said a crestfallen Ginny. " I'm really sorry," said Hermione. "Everything hasn't been great recently but he means so much to me. I really liked him. I … I … trusted him and he betrayed my trust," continued Ginny.

Hermione got back to the Heads dormitory hours later. She went straight to her room and fell asleep.

At breakfast the next day Hermione didn't find Harry or Ginny. She found Ron sitting alone. When she spoke to him, it was apparent that he didn't know about Harry and Ginny. Hermione didn't think it right for her to tell him. Harry was absent even from class.

That night Hermione and Draco were patrolling the corridors when Draco spoke, " So they broke up?" " Yeah but I'd rather not talk about it," replied Hermione. " Oh … okay," said Draco.

" Uh … that night, you … you were going to kiss me … you know … before everything happened," said Hermione.

" Uh … well that was a mistake. I … I'm sorry about that. I … I didn't really know what I was doing . I don't know what got into me," fumbled Draco.

" Right. It was a mistake," said Hermione.

" You know we haven't done that T.V. thing for quite a while no," said Draco.

" Well with everything that's happened I haven't really had the time," said Hermione.

" We should do that more often. It's a lot of fun," said Draco.

" Yeah, we should," replied Hermione smiling.

The next night Hermione couldn't sleep so she went to the common room to read. After a while, she saw footprints leading to the door. She went to the door to touch the invisible figure and instead pulled off a cloak.

" Draco!" exclaimed an astonished Hermione.

" I … I thought it was Harry. You have an Invisibility Cloak?" asked Hermione.

" Potty isn't the only one with an Invisibility Cloak you know? How is it that you're up so late?" asked Draco.

" I couldn't sleep. What are you doing up?" asked Hermione.

" Same here. You're not really doing anything now, are you?" asked Draco.

" Well no… not really. Why?" asked Hermione.

" Do you always have to reply with a question? Well anyway there's a place I want you to see. Come with me," said Draco before putting the cloak over both of them.

It was then Hermione noticed the broom.

" We're flying. Where are we going? This … this is wrong," said Hermione.

" Don't worry. You've got to break the rules sometimes," said Draco smiling.

He led her to the Astronomy tower. He removed his cloak and went to the window where he got onto his broom.

" You know Draco I … I should just get back to the dormitory. Flying's not really my thing. You go ahead though, okay," said Hermione. " Trust me on this," said Draco earnestly.

Hermione looked at him then took a deep breath and got on the broom.

" You will not go fast and you will nit under any circumstance perform any stunts or anything like that," warned Hermione.

" Okay mother," said Draco chuckling.

" Hey!" retorted Hermione smiling.

Hermione closed her eyes and dug her fingers into Draco's back as soon as she felt the broom move under her. After a couple of minutes, which to Hermione felt like eternity, they stopped.

Hermione opened her eyes and saw one of the most beautiful sights she had ever seen. They were at a clearing on the banks of the Great Lake with the moon shining down upon them.

" Draco, this is so beautiful," said Hermione. " I come here when I want to be alone and when I want to think. It's a peaceful place," explained Draco.

" Draco you never fail to surprise me," said Hermione. " Uh … Draco are there any creatures in this part of the lake, at least in the shallow bit?" asked Hermione.

" Not that I know of. Why?" asked Draco.

" Well care for a swim?" asked Hermione before taking off her T-shirt and jeans and diving in. Darco stared at her dumbfounded, unable to move.

" What are you waiting for sissy?" called out Hermione playfully.

" Hey who you calling a sissy?" said Draco before diving in after her.

Hermione started swimming away from him but Draco was faster than her. He caught up with her and held her in his arms.

" Now back to that comment of yours. Sissy huh," said Draco playfully.

" Draco stop you idiot brain. You're a complete goof," said Hermione smiling.

She tried to escape his grip but he tightened his arms around her.

" Oh … no. you aren't going anywhere. You will have to pay for what you said," said Draco.

She struggled to get away from him unsuccessfully. She then became aware of how close he was, they were barely a few inches apart.

Darco leaned in and kissed her squarely on her lips. Hermione at first was too surprised to react but after a few seconds she moved her lips apart and kissed him back.

The kiss deepened, and Draco slipped his tongue inside, found hers and their tongues mingled. How long they kissed Hermione couldn't have said, but it felt as if their lips had somehow fused together and she no longer knew where hers began and his left off.

Hermione thought of pulling away and then decided a few more seconds wouldn't hurt. She strained against him and was sorry when he raised his head.

" We … we should probably get back. It's getting late," said Draco. When they reached the bank they both got dressed.

Hermione got ready to get on the broom when Draco remarked, " Hey! How is it that you're dry? I'm soaking,"

Hermione uttered a simple spell that she knew. The words were barely left her mouth; Draco was as dry as an Arab in the Sahara desert. " I really should pay more attention in class, shouldn't I?" asked Draco before kissing Hermione on her forehead.

That night Hermione fell asleep with a smile on her face.

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