Disclaimer: Ní liomsa Harry Potter. Is le J.K. Rowling é.

Chapter 5

Draco sank down on his bed and threw off his shirt before lying stretched out over his covers.

He was hot, almost to the point of feverish. How had he let himself get so carried away? He had practically screamed his whole sob story at Hermione; he wouldn't blame her if she never wanted to talk to him again.

He had been so furious at everything, especially himself, and he had taken it all out on her. He thought back to what McGonagall had said "Don't mess up". He supposed from her point of view he hadn't. Hermione had agreed to tolerate him in the classes they were paired for, so no more fighting. Success, right?

He snorted. His outburst would surely have only pushed Hermione further away, making it harder for him to forge any connection with her. Why had his cast iron control chosen that moment to crumble away to nothing? He felt stupid, and guilty for the way he had spoken to Hermione.

He sighed as he heard the bell ring. He hadn't gone back to class after finding Hermione but instead had wandered the castle aimlessly before returning to the dungeon. Classes had finished and that bell had tolled the start of dinner but he couldn't bring himself to face the Great Hall right now, where surely every student would be staring at him, whispering under their breath and making assumptions about him based on his actions during the war, just as they had every time they saw him since the start of the year. You'd think they'd have found something else to talk about but apparently not.

He'd go to the kitchens after the initial rush in the corridors had died down and get the house-elves to make him something.

He rolled off his bed and redressed sloppily, his blond hair falling into his eyes. It was 20 minutes since the bell had rung and he was sure that the corridors would be reasonably empty.

Just as he was nearing the painting that led to the kitchens he saw someone coming the other way.

FF~FF~FF~FF~FF~FF

Ginny Weasley had been visiting the kitchens looking for Hermione. She had not seen her since she had stormed out of Transfiguration, followed by Draco Malfoy.

Speak of the devil, she thought as she saw the Slytherin coming down the corridor towards her. She stormed up to him.

"Where is she" she demanded. He must have had something to do with her friend's disappearance.

"What are you talking about Weasley?

"Hermione" she replied impatiently. "I haven't seen her since Transfiguration, now what did you do to her?"

There was a flash of worry in Draco's eyes but it was quickly hidden. "I don't know where she is Weasley and for the record, do you really think I'd be able to take on Hermione, the best witch in our year"

She shot him an odd look. It was quite unsettling to hear Malfoy say something so… humble. She continued regardless. "But you were the last one to see her Malfoy. Don't think that because the teachers have decided to trust you again I will do the same. I know you did something to Hermione, now where is she" the fiery redhead almost screamed.

Just as she said that, they were interrupted by the witch in question coming round the corner.

"Ginny" said Hermione, obviously surprised "I heard shouting, I didn't realise it was you"

Ginny shot Malfoy a dangerous look before plastering on a smile for her friend. "Oh, that was nothing Hermione; I was just asking Malfoy where you were"

Hermione still looked suspicious but she let it slide.

Ginny rushed on; glad her friend had appeared before she'd had to hex Malfoy. "Are you coming to dinner Hermione?" She didn't wait for an answer before dragging her friend away from the kitchen corridor. She wanted to get away from Malfoy as fast as possible and didn't even stop to acknowledge him before running down the corridor, Hermione in tow.

"What was that Ginny" Hermione asked once they were out of earshot.

"Oh nothing, I just didn't want to talk to the ferret anymore, that's all" She said nonchalantly. Hermione didn't reply and she didn't seem to hear Ginny when she asked her where she had been all day. She was quiet all through dinner and the moment her plate was clean she leapt to her feet saying that she needed to go to the library.

Ginny stared at her friend's retreat back in confusion and frustration. Hermione had been distant lately and she had no idea why. It was troubling her. She finished the rest of her dinner quietly and then made her way back to Gryffindor tower, her mind still buzzing.

She wanted Hermione to trust her enough to confide in her but she didn't know what to do now that she had shut her out. Her mind was still uneasy when she lay down to sleep, later that night, and she tossed and turned for hours before falling into a restless sleep.

Authors Note: In case you were wondering that disclaimer was not the first sign of madness, but Irish:D Thanks for the reviews and follows, I'm sorry if this chapter seems a little rushed, I had very little time to write today. I hope you liked it so please tell me what you think:) Is there anything you'd like me to change about the story?

ShHpBookworm xxx