AN: Yet another encounter between Hermione and Draco.

For weeks after that encounter, I had to struggle to concentrate in class. My mind kept drifting back and thinking about what Malfoy had done, what he'd made me feel. I couldn't forget about it. Every time I saw him around Hogwarts, I'd start to blush. If no-one else was around, he'd wink at me, or something. Ok, so maybe I did sit in the Great Hall at mealtimes and stare at him, but he did the same.

It was ages before we had time to meet again, in fact, it wasn't until the night after our last NEWT exam. I was on the Astronomy tower, having gone up there for a bit of peace. The rest of Gryffindor was throwing a party, but I didn't feel like going. No doubt Slytherin were celebrating as well. I hadn't expected Draco Malfoy to find me there, of all places.

"So, this is it. Seven years are over." I jumped, spun around.

"What are you going to do now? When we leave at the end of the week?"

He shrugged, apparently unconcerned.

"I'm expected to find a nice pureblood girl, marry her and produce an heir, preferably as soon as possible. How about you?"

I couldn't help the look of disappointment. I was being silly, even I knew that. It wouldn't do for a Malfoy to be seen consorting with a mudblood. Still, I had to answer his question.

"I've been accepted at St Mungo's, to train as a Healer."

"Very… worthwhile."

He moved closer and wrapped his arms around me.

"We haven't left Hogwarts yet, Hermione."

Taking my hand, he led me down the stairs, all the way to the entrance hall. Then, he surprised me – he produced a broomstick, pushed open the main doors, and flew us both to Hogsmeade. It turned out he'd reserved a room in Hogsmeade's only hotel, and that's where he took me.

"Why did you do this?" I looked around in amazement – the room was exquisite, and a huge bouquet of flowers were on a table by the window.

"I had a feeling you wouldn't want to be partying at Hogwarts tonight."

He brushed a kiss on the nape of my neck, then untied my hair, letting it tumble down my back.

"Come have a shower with me."

I let him lead me into the bathroom, and he gently undressed me, while encouraging me to do the same to him.

As he started to wash my hair, I sighed and began to relax. It felt so luxurious, having someone do that for me. Closing my eyes, I leaned back against him, only to be startled by a groan in my ear. Then I realised I was pressed against a particular portion of his anatomy. With a smirk that even he would have been proud of, I let my fingers drift over his body until they reached that part, then ran them gently, slowly, up and down.

"Granger," he almost growled, "you don't know what you're starting."

I applied more pressure, wrapping my hand fully around him. That time, he did growl, and spun me around to face him. He kissed me fiercely, before sinking to his knees and burying his face between my legs. He was holding my hips, pressing me against the wall, but even so, I don't know how he expected me to stay upright.

It wasn't long before I sank to the floor, shaking and clinging to Draco, who started to plant kisses all over my body. It wasn't until I opened my eyes and saw him shivering that I even noticed the water had run cold.

"Perhaps it's time to get out of the shower." He nodded, turned the water off, and reached for a towel. Instead of wrapping it around himself, as I expected, he started to dry me with it. Suddenly embarrassed, I tried to cover myself.

"Don't." He reached for my hands, dropping the towel as he did so. I realised this was the first time I'd seen him fully undressed – the time in the bath didn't count – we were in the water.

"Don't hide from me, Hermione."

It was the look in his eyes that made me give in, that told me he wanted me, needed me. And god help me but I wanted him as well.

I don't know who made the first move, but the next thing I remember is we were kissing desperately, hands (his and mine) going everywhere, exploring each other. I still think there's something really sexy about the feel of skin on skin, vulnerable, exciting, passionate.

He picked me up and carried me back to the bed, setting me carefully down. We quickly resumed out explorations, as he lay down next to me.

"Tell me," he whispered, "if you want me to stop."

I smiled, and pulled him towards me, not that we could really get much closer. I wanted to feel his body over mine, I wanted him. He looked surprised at this, and I whispered back.

"I don't want you to stop."

He picked up his wand from the bedside table, and murmured a spell that I couldn't quite hear.

"Contraceptive spell."

I nodded, grateful he'd remembered.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yes." I'd never been so sure about anything. I knew it would hurt, and right now I didn't care. But that didn't stop me biting my lip in pain as he pushed into me.

"I'm so sorry, Hermione."

"Just… just go slowly." And he did. It took a while, but the pain faded.

Afterwards, we lay, wrapped in each others arms. Now I was even more certain that I couldn't walk away from him, pretend all this never happened. I'm pretty sure he didn't want to either.

AN: So, it's nearly the end of the year. Draco's told her what he's supposed to do, but what will he really do? Tell me what you think.