Author's Note: Sorry for another late chapter. Thanks to my wonderful beta MizSphinx for all the help, and thank you to everyone who reviews and reads this story, your support means the world to me.

Disclaimer: I own nothing Harry Potter related JK Rowling does, I'm just messing with her characters for a bit.

Chapter Ten

Draco's P.O.V

I was floating somewhere between sleep and wakefulness, the events of last night clouding my brain. I felt intensely guilty for having betrayed Ron but I couldn't escape the happiness I felt this morning. I was jogged entirely into wakefulness by feeling someone move beside me and I became a aware of someone staring at me.

"You know it's rude to stare," I said keeping my eyes shut and was rewarded by the bed shifting suddenly as his body shock in surprise.

"How long have you been awake?"

"Long enough to know you were watching me sleep. Do you always watch the women you share a bed with sleep?" I asked opening my eyes to be greeted with the gorgeously handsome face of Draco Malfoy.

"I've never shared my bed with a women overnight before," I felt my eyes widen in shock at his admission, how could that be true? But I could see the truth in his eyes.

"So you just love them and leave them then?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Not with you," he answered, and my heart jolted at the meaning of his words.

"Why not me?" I asked needing to know what I meant to him.

"Because your special," He replied, cupping my cheek lightly in his hand as he did so. No one had ever said anything like that to me before – not even Ron.

"I'm special?" I asked disbelievingly, even though his words had warmed my heart.

"Yes you are. Look at what you've done for our world. I seriously doubt Potter and Weasley could have done all that Horcrux searching without you – you are the smartest witch of our age." He replied, and again I was humbled and flattered by his words.

"I never thought I'd hear such a compliment from you," I teased.

"Well, I couldn't tell you how I really felt about you before, could I? Not the way my life was then… I'm just a coward really." He said, a sad look on his face.

Seeing him like that almost broke my heart, it was a complete contrast to how he usually appeared – so sure of himself. I'd seen him mad, self-assured, scared even but never sad. It really shocked me.

"You were trying to save your life the only way you knew how", I said and I meant it. I knew he had endured intense pressure during the war and leading up to it, not only from Lord Voldemort but from almost his entire family. I held nothing against Draco for his actions in the war – I understood completely why he did what he did.

"Not always," he replied.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I asked, desperate to ease his painful past somehow.

"Not right now," he said, and I was slightly hurt by his unwillingness to confide in me. However, at the same time I didn't want to rush him, and I knew he would tell me when he was ready. "There's something I'd rather spend the time doing before we have to get up." A grin spreading over his face as he learned toward me and kissed me.

Immediately, I felt my stomach flutter with desire as I eagerly returned the kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck, wanting him as close to me as possible, and began to gently play with the hair at the nape of his neck. I liked running my hands through his silky hair as his lips moved demandingly over mine. I couldn't help but moan as my desire for him doubled in intensity.

My eyes drifted shut as I felt his hand gently glide down my neck and I let out another moan as I felt him gently caress my collar bone. I couldn't stop my body from involuntarily arching up against his and his touch reached my breasts.

I forced my lips away from his as I breathed deeply. His lips, however, never broke contact from me. Instead, they continued down the path of my neck. Sensation took complete control of me, leaving me helplessly moaning and rubbing my body against his, suddenly desperate for something only he could give me. I returned to my senses only at the feel of his fingers lingering against my shorts.

"Draco, don't. Not now, please," I begged, suddenly very aware of how close I had come to crossing the line and letting him continue with what he was about to do. That road would have led to something much more serious which I wasn't quite ready for yet.

Draco, however, seemed to be just as overcome with passion as I had been because he seemed oblivious to my protest. Instead, his lips continued kissing the sensitive skin of my neck and his fingers moved dangerously close to the waistband of my shorts.

Just when I thought I'd have to repeat myself, he abruptly pulled himself away from me and rolled onto his back, separating the contact between us completely.

"I'm sorry, Draco," I said, rolling onto my side so I could look at him better. "I'm just scared – I don't know what I'm doing when it comes to this stuff." I felt slightly embarrassed admitting my inexperience to him but I had to be honest. Draco rolled over to face me.

"So you haven't slept with Weasley?" he asked, surprising me. That had been the last thing I had expected him to say. I felt my face redden slightly, as I shook my head.

"No we haven't – we haven't done anything," I said pointedly as I held his startled gaze and anxiousness filled my stomach as I awaited his reply.

"That's ok Hermione. I like that you don't know much. It means I get to teach you. Besides, I really don't like to share."

Pleasure and relief filled me at his answer.

"I told you, I can't end things with Ron now," I reasoned.

"I know and I understand. But I can't not be with you – not now," he said and my heart softened at his words.

"So what happens now? Do we see each other in secret?" he asked.

"I suppose so," I replied and I couldn't wait for the day when we could be together publicly.

"Thank you Draco," I knew how difficult this must be for him and I was pleased at his mature approach to our situation.

"For what?"

"Understanding," I answered before kissing him.

Whilst we kissed gently, a memory of a promise I'd made the previous day crossed my mind – making me pull away from his embrace. "What time is it?"

I watched as he turned away to check the time then rolled back before answering, "7.30."

I felt my eyes widen with shock. "Oh no, I'm supposed to meet Ron for breakfast." I was going to be late, and Ron would wonder where I was… I quickly got out of bed and turned to Draco, "I'll see you later in class," I said, bending down to kiss him one last time before leaving his room to quickly get dressed.

After I got dressed in record time, I raced down the stairs, across the common room and through the portrait room. I was so preoccupied worrying about my lateness that I almost walked straight past Ron.

"Your late," he said as I turned to see him leaning against the wall.

"Sorry, I had a late night," I replied, as I hugged him.

"I bet you were studying again. It's just like you to be working so hard when it's only the second day of term," he said, grinning at me as he took my hand and we began our walk to the Great Hall.

"You know me, I like to have a head start," I answered feeling guilty as I remembered what I had actually been doing last night.

"Can I come over tonight and spend some time with you?"

His question made me feel twice as awful, as I thought of how I would rather spend my time with Draco. I plastered a smile on my face and replied with as much enthusiasm as I could muster, "Yeah sure, as long as you don't stay too late. I have homework to do."

Luckily, Ron didn't notice my weak excuse, "That's ok 'Mione. I just want to get away from Harry and Ginny for a night. I know I gave them my permission but it's another matter seeing them together all the time."

"Don't you dare interfere, Ronald. They are happy that's all that matters."

"I know but it's my little sister and my best friend. Sometimes it's a little weird for me."

"I know, but they're in love and I'm sure Harry feels the same way about us sometimes. We are his best friends."

"I suppose your right…but they don't have to keep snogging in front of me all the time."

I didn't reply. I knew it would not help. Ron always had to have the last word. We reached the Great Hall and began scanning our house table for Harry and Ginny. We found them sitting by themselves about half way down the Gryffindor table. They faced each other as they conversed. Harry was stroking Ginny's hand as they stared deeply into each other's eyes.

They didn't break eye contact until Ron and I had reached the table and Ron had slammed his bag on the bench with unnecessary force. I scowled at him annoyed at his blatant rudeness. The happy couple smiled their welcome as I took my seat next to Ron.

Unlike him, I was happy for my best friends and thought their displays of affection were cute and heart-warming.

As I reached for some toast, awareness rolled through me like a hot wave and I knew, Draco had just entered the Hall. I looked towards the door and, sure enough, there he was. He seemed to notice me at the same time because he looked straight at me and our gazes met. Could he bas as aware of me as I was of him? I smiled at him before returning my attention to my friends.

"Ron, we've got Quidditch practise tonight – I just booked the pitch," Harry said.

"But I was going to spend the evening with Hermione," Ron protested.

"Sorry, mate. The pitch is booked for after dinner, so maybe you could go to 'Mione's dorm later?" Harry asked.

"I suppose… if that's ok with you 'Mione?" Ron asked turning his attention to me.

"It's fine with me." This new plan gave me time to explain to Draco about Ron's arrival – as well as allowing us some time together before Ron came over.

"It gives you time to do your homework before I get there so I can stay later," Ron smiled at me.

"Sounds wonderful," I returned his smile with a fake one of my own. Merlin only knew how Draco would react to this…

After breakfast, we headed towards Potions class. I enjoyed Potions, the methodical way of making the required Potion always had to have my full attention and the time usually seemed to fly by. Proffessor Slughorn gave us another Potion to make before he retired to his office, and we all got started. As I was chopping the Boomslang skin, I was flooded with the same sense of awareness as I had been in the Great Hall.

I looked up to see Draco gazing at me again. I smiled at him – pleased that he continued to stare at me, and I saw him return my smile with a gorgeous one of his own before I returned to preparing my ingredients.

After a few minutes of adding the appropriate ingredients to the simmering Potion, I noticed I didn't have enough snake fangs for the next stage. I quickly told Ron and Harry where I was going and headed to the storeroom.

I hastily searched the selves until I found the jar of snake fangs, taking the correct amount I needed, pocketing them and replacing the lid.

"You know we can't keep meeting in here like this," the voice startled me so much I almost dropped the jar. Realisation of who spoke hit me as I placed the jar safely onto the self before turning to face him.

"Can't you be away from me for even one hour?" I teased.

"Not when you look that beautiful," he replied, his words making me blush.

"Ron and Harry are going to wonder where I am," I finally said, yet I made no move to leave.

"Well, we had better be quick then," he closed the distance between us, and began to kiss me deeply. Our kiss became heated as it continued and he pulled me tighter against his body. I desperately clutched his hair as his mouth moved passionately against mine.

After a few moments of blissful kissing, I pulled away, "Draco I have to get back," I protested breathlessly.

"Must you?" he asked as he played with my hair and I couldn't help but be pleased at his reluctance for me to leave.

"Draco Malfoy, I will not let my potion got to ruin for a few extra minutes kissing you," I paused before adding, "We have all of tonight though." A mischievous grin appeared on my face before I walked out of the storeroom and back to my potion.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of spells and charms. I spent no more time with Draco, although we shared lingering looks throughout the day. I rushed through dinner in my eagerness to be reunited with him. I left the Great Hall after saying goodnight to both Harry and Ginny and promising to see Ron in an hour, and hurried back to the Head's dormitories.

As I entered the common room, I was pleased to see Draco sat in one of the arm chairs that surrounded the fire. "How was your d-?" I trailed off as I processed his stony expression and I realised something was wrong. Suddenly feeling panicked, I asked, "What is it? What's wrong?"

"Blaise knows about us."