Disclaimer: I don't own it. I don't need to.

Chapter 4: The Next Meeting

Hermione sat under the beech tree next to the lake. Harry had schedule a quidditch practice so Hermione was left by herself for the afternoon. Harry, Ron, Ginny and Sam were all at Quidditch. Lavender and Parvati hadn't been seen all day and rose was off helping Seamus with his homework. 'Yea right.' She thought and turned back to the Book on her lap. Hermione had no idea what time it was, only that practice was still on. Footsteps behind her made her look up.

"What do you want Malfoy?" She sneered at Draco Malfoy.

"Only to talk to you." He answered. Hermione went back to reading trying to ignore the slytherin sitting down next to her. "You know Granger. I was worried Yesterday. When you didn't turn up to class."

"Piss off, Malfoy."

"It was me who sent you that note. Just so you know." He went to stand but Hermione grabbed his arm and pulled him back down.

"You."

"Ahh Yes-s."

"Why?"

Draco looked confused "Why did you send it?" Hermione repeated, her face very stern. It reminded Draco of McGonagall, But he could still see the innocence in her eyes. He search his mind for the answer to her question. The truth was that he wanted to get her attention, with out being to obvious.

"I-I wanted to get hold of you." Was Draco's only answer. Hermione could see the truth in his eyes, His amazingly lovely eyes, that she couldn't stop looking at. "Hermione, I know that you won't believe me, But it's the truth."

" So… It doesn't mean anything." She said coldly. Oblivious of what he was doing Draco lent forward he was so close to her. Then it hit him, square in the face. Her fist collided with his nose which immediately started to gush blood. Hermione stood sweeping her hair over her shoulder and stalked back to the castle leaving Draco under the lone tree.

Draco conjured a cloth and held it against his face. 'Why would she do that. Why? I could have sworn she liked me.' He could see her heading back to the castle, her head hung low trying not to draw attention to herself. It was the second time she had managed to hit him since they had started here. And it wasn't going to happen again.

Hermione was having a mental fight. 'He deserved that… but he looked so sincere… It was a lie, he doesn't like you… I know he loves me… he's such a jerk… I just don't know him yet…' She swore after Sirius died that she would never cry again and she wasn't going to now. Each of her steps seemed to take a life time, even though she was running as fast as she could. 'What's the point, Nobody's in the tower… at least no one I want to talk to'. In the entrance hall she headed toward the kitchens knowing most people didn't idea where it was. It had been a week since she had talked to the house-elves. Dobby was probably getting anxious from all the waiting around. 'Good thing Malfoy can't follow me there.' She tickled the green pear just as she heard footsteps in the next corridor. Hermione practically dived through the hole.

"Hello, Miss Hermione." Dobby called from across the kitchen.

"Hello, Dobby. How are you today?"

"Oh miss. Dobby is happy now that you're here." The house-elves did not like the way that dobby talked to Hermione or Harry, Ron and Ginny as well for that matter. "Miss. Do you want something?" Asked a little elf.

"Of Course. Something with Chocolate." Hermione knew that Chocolate cured everything or so was said by many. Ginny included even Remus said so. Dobby came over with a bottle of butterbeer for Hermione while the other house-elves brought some trays of every food imaginable covered in chocolate. The door swung open and Hermione looked up to see not a student but once again Oliver Wood.

" We have a habit of meeting here, don't we Hermione." He said cheerfully. His robes were covered in mud. Hermione eyed him suspiciously. " I couldn't help myself, I mean my old team was training and I just happened to turn up with my broom."

Hermione laughed "Of course. How are they flying?"

"Great. Wish I could play one game. It was so much fun out there today, and Harry makes a great captain." He looked like a ten year old child the same way Harry did when he had won. "I wish he had been my captain."

They sat together eating chocolate and drinking butterbeer, until the house-elves told them they needed to serve dinner. Hermione looked at her watch.

"Oh, God, Practice finished ages ago, I have to go sorry."

"It's alright, How about I walk with you up to the Great hall,"

"Sure."

Draco was one of the first to Dinner that night. After Hermione had successfully crushed him, He didn't want to be in the company of others. Halfway through his main course a familiar laugh floated toward him. 'She's probably laughing with Potter about this afternoon.' His assumption was not however true. Hermione walked in joking away with Professor Wood. 'Why didn't I guess, She's into older guys.' They were shaking hands halfway down Gryffindor table. As Wood turned away, She looked over at Draco to see him looking in her direction. Her gaze fell to floor.

Hermione walked into the Hall with Professor… No…Oliver. He was telling her a story about Harry's first training session ever. She laughed with him through it.

"I have had a great time with you Hermione." He said Shaking her hand.

"Me too." Hermione replied. He walked toward the staff table. Just as she went to sit down She caught Draco's eye. His face looked awe struck as though…As though what? Hermione could put her finger on what exactly Draco was feeling. She looked away awkwardly from him. Her shoes were the only thing she saw as she sat down at Gryffindor table.

Harry, Ron and Ginny turned up just as Hermione started her desert. Which she didn't really feel like eating but it was fun to play with.

"Where have you been all afternoon, you weren't in the tower when we got back." Ginny asked curiously. Hermione felt her cheeks flush slightly.

"I was in the Kitchen and Oliv… Professor Wood turned up."

"Oo' er' oin' oo' al' m' ovr'" Ron said through a mouth full of food. Hermione blushed more, Knowing what Ron was getting at. Everyone ate in silenced for awhile. Harry was looking over Ron's shoulder at Slytherin table. A glaring expression on his face.

"What's up with Malfoy, Looks like someone's got his broomstick.'' Harry asked happily. Indeed Malfoy looked incredibly pissed off.

" I had a run in with him, He came off a little worse then myself." Hermione smiled at the thought of the memory. A smile growing on her face, But she wasn't thinking of hitting him, She was thinking about the sincere look in his eyes when he looked into hers. 'He meant it, he really had meant it'.

Draco could see Potter giving a very sly look. He said something to Hermione who looked Happy. She answered and he laughed. Hermione stood to leave Potter and the Weasley's followed. Hermione paused to flick Draco a smile. A warm smile that made he gooey. A feeling the Malfoy's weren't allowed to feel. 'If only… If only she …believed.'

Hermione spent all night contemplating Draco. When she had finished I was only 10:30. 'Ginny will still be awake.' She went across the hall to the 5th year dorms.

"Gin's you awake." She whispered quietly to the closest bed. The red drapes pulled open.

"What?" She asked. Mione jumped onto the bed laying down next to her friend.

"I have to tell you what happened today?"

"Does this have anything to do with Malfoy."

"It might"…

(A/N: What did you think? Tell me in a Review. I really love them. They make me feel loved and I hate to break it to you but people aren't very good at loving in this day 'n' age. This world needs more love. Do you think? Hope to hear from you in Reviews. I can take constructive criticism. Anyone else not like big words. LOL.

Cheers

dracosal