A/N: Hi Guys!! Again, I'm so sorry for taking this long to update but school's keeping me busy.

Here's the new chapter. This one is more about the characters' thoughts but there's also a little bit of action ;)

Thanks again to the reviewers!!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of it's characters.

Chapter 7: Not so defensive

Hermione walked out of the library a little sad. She wanted to stay. She wanted to be in his presence, to be able to see him. It was strange how comfortable she was now with this thoughts. Some days ago, she would have mentally slapped herself for thinking about him. But since the night of the rounds it seemed to be Ok.

Well, it's not like I'm the only one. He admitted it first. And there is also the whole Goyle-Lavender thing. Besides I'm free to like who ever I want. He's a Slytherin, so what? And yes, his family is known to hate muggleborns but we could sort that out right?

What should I do? Should I follow what I feel and forget about everyone else or should I just get over it and pretend like all of this never happened? I'm so confused. I wish I could talk to someone about it, but who would understand? I know none of my friends would be able to see past the fact that he's Draco Malfoy.

She went back to reality and realized she was now int the common room with Ron and Harry. She had been walking around the castle like a zombie. She tried to get her mind off the deal and go back to work. She still had to do that runes essay for the next day. She sat at a chair by the fire and got her books out.

Draco sat at the Slytherin common room with his friends. Zabini looked at him estranged by his attitude lately.

"What is up with you, Malfoy?"

"What do you mean?"

"You've been strange lately. I don't know, quiet and thoughtful."

"I don't know what your talking about." He turned his face away from Blaise like afraid that he might read his thoughts.

"I know some thing's going on, something big. I've never seen you this way before."

Draco hesitated. He wanted to talk to someone about this, but he didn't have the courage and he didn't really trust that many people. Would he understand?

He decided not to talk about it yet. He had to think this throughly. He turned back to his friend, a half smirk half smile on his face.

"I had an argument with Father, that's all. Nothing to worry about. How did it go with you and that girl the other day anyway?" He changed the subject. Something he was good at.

Zabini started telling him about the date he had with a Ravenclaw girl, but Draco was barely listening.

Every thing Blaise said just made him feel jealous. Jealous at the fact that his friend was able to go out with the girl he liked. To kiss her. To hold her in his arms. He didn't have to worry about whether this girl hated him for what he'd done in the past. About what his family and friends would say if he actually dated her.

Why is life so complicated? Why can't they just be like Zabini and whats-her-name?

He stayed there, listening to his friend. After all, he was the only true friend he had.

The next morning, there was a complete change in the atmosphere at the school. You could feel the tiredness and boredom of the students in the morning anticipating the long day of classes ahead. Everyone walked quietly, feet heavy and heads hung low.

Hermione walked slowly with her two best friends towards the Great Hall. Harry and Ron talked about their quidditch game against Slytherin the next day, but Hermione never had anything to say about the subject. She just walked quietly immersed in her own thoughts. This was her last week of detention. The detention that had caused her nightmares which, with the days had turned into dreams.

She didn't know whether she felt relieved or sad about it. On one hand, she had more time to study and do her work. But on the other, she would miss the little time she had to spend with Malfoy. Yes, she saw him every day in class, but it was different. It was as if the night allowed her to see this other side of him that was hidden in the shadows. She could see how his eyes sparkled differently in the dark and the moon light turned his smirks into soft smiles.

Well, I don't remember actually seeing him smile but let me have my full fantasy.

She felt more confused by the moment. Yes, he had told her that he had feelings for her, but he hadn't actually showed her that. Apart from the jealousy scene the day before. And here she was, day dreaming about him all the time.

She didn't know if she was actually living the reality or getting lost in her own imagination. Was he really staring at her? Did he said that to me? Or was she just reading the signs where there wasn't anything to be read at all.

Some days she woke up feeling invigorated and satisfied with the situation, but others she just felt depressed. She couldn't make up her mind. How was she supposed to respond? Was this just another game for him or was he serious about it? What was she supposed to do?

She needed him to do something to assure her that this was real.

They entered the Great Hall and sat at the table with the other Gryffindors. Hermione joined Ginny, who was talking to Parvati.

Hermione was less chatty than usual and Ginny noticed this. When Parvati got up to go find Lavender, Ginny took the chance to talk to her friend.

"What's going on, Hermi?"

"What do you mean?" said Hermione playing with the food in her plate

"I mean this. You seem down lately. You barely eat, barely talk to us... Some thing's got to be wrong."

"I'm just a little bit tired. With all this detention and homework, I barely have time to sleep." This isn't a complete lie after all. Thought the brunette, apologetically.

"Well. This is your last week, isn't it? And the next weekend we have Hogsmeade visit so we can have a small break. I'll plan something for us, you'll see!" Said Ginny smiling brightly at her friend and holding her hand.

After the long day of classes, Hermione was forced by her friends to take a nap and leave her homework for the next day. When she woke up, it was only twenty minutes for her detention. She decided to take a shower before heading outside.

When she was finally out of her common room, she had to run to meet Professor McGonagall in time. When she got to the professor's office, she noticed Malfoy wasn't there.

"Miss Granger, please come in" said the professor looking up from the parchment she was reading. "For tonights assignment, you were supposed to help in the library organizing books while Mr. Malfoy helped Mr. Filch in the Trophy Room. However, seeing as Mr. Malfoy isn't here, you are to find him first and lead him to Mr. Filch"

Right! Like his going to do as I say!

"If there aren't any questions, you may start"

"Yes, Professor's" she simply said and got out of her office.

How am I supposed to know where the bloody hell Malfoy is?! Ok Hermine, think... I can't go in the Slytherin Common Room so I'll leave that as last resource. Library? Yeah right, because he's really the reading type.

Maybe the quidditch field. After all, he has a big game tomorrow, he should be practicing.

She headed towards the quidditch field not seeing anything at first, but as she got closer, she saw a small blond figure flying in the distance. She waited to see if he would come any closer so she could tell him to come down. After a couple of minutes, the figure got a little bit closer and the Gryffindor called his name.

Draco flew carelessly but fast, high up in the sky. He could feel the fresh air hitting his face. This had always relaxed him. He thought he heard something but didn't play attention at first. But as he flew, lower and lower, he realized there was someone standing in the field calling after him.

He descended and as he got closer to the ground, he realized it was Granger. His heart started beating faster as he thought of a reason why she would be there. And then it hit him. Detention! He had totally forgotten. This usually happened when he flew. He forgot about everything else and time seemed to stop when he was in the air.

When he hit the ground and got off his broom, Hermione just stared at him with he arms crossed.

"Yes, I know. I forgot. I just wanted to practice a little more." said the blond, the smirk not leaving his face.

"It's Ok" said the Gryffindor gently. She didn't want to start an argument with him again. She was sick of it. If he really liked her and she liked him, it was stupid for them to be fighting all the time.

"You're supposed to help Filch in the Trophy Room"

Draco noticed her tone and was glad. He didn't know why he always took that tone with her. He was always defensive when he talked to her.

"On no! Not Filch again!"

Hermione laughed a little at his remark. "Tough luck!"

"What are you going to be doing?"

"I have to help organize the library."

"That's not fair! You like books! That's not a punishment for you! It's like a prize"

Hermione laughed harder this time.

So they made her way towards the castle and then each headed towards their own assignments. Only this time, they had a smile on their faces.

A/N: Ok, so that was it... What do you thin

I know for some people Malfoy might seem too soft but I've never thought of him as the heartless unable to smile iceberg. Give him a break!

I don't know when I'll be able to update again but I'll try to do it soon (Got a maths test coming up and I really really suck at it so I have too study :P)

Please let me know what you think!! What could happen next? Or any suggestions or comments :P

Thanks for reading!!