Hello All! I feel quite pleased that this chapter got up before 2015 since I haven't felt like writing at all for a while. However I did have an inspirational hour in which I managed to write this entire chapter. I will start the next one immediately (A.K.A next week). Thank you again to my reviewers. I promise -yes PROMISE!- to speed this story up. I just didn't want to rush the start of it. Ok, onwards!

Previously:

I practically felt the snap. Jumping to her feet she glared at the now slightly cowering redhead.

"Honestly Ronald, would you grow up already?" Slipping out of her seat Hermione stormed out of the Great Hall. I saw Blaise, Weaslette and Potty all go to stand. I hurriedly got to my feet and followed her out of the hall before any of them could. I may not be the person she wanted to see right now but I was absolutely the person that wanted to talk to her right now.

Chapter 14

I knew she would go to the library; it was her sanctuary, her escape. I almost felt bad for intruding on it- almost. Pushing open the doors I peeked my head in. The whole place was deserted. Stealthily slipping in I made my way through the dusted old bookshelves. She wasn't at the desk we'd used earlier so I kept wandering the shelves. I was just about to give up and go to bed when I heard quiet sobs coming from the restricted section. Following my senses I found her huddled on a chair, a book clasped firmly in one hand, her wand in the other, casting a small beam of light over the page. She looked up as I moved out of the shadows. Even in the dim light I could make out her red eyes and tear stained cheeks.

"Hey." I greeted softly.

"Wha-what do you wa-want Ma-al-fo-foy." She sobbed. I slid into the chair opposite her and relaxed myself back into the seat.

"I thought we agreed we were using first names." I reminded her. She looked away and roughly rubbed her cheeks trying to smudge away the tears.

"Fine. Draco. Now please go away." I shook my head once and sat up.

"Weasel was out of line." I said pulling a handkerchief from my pocket and offering it to her.

"Don't call him that." She protested half-heartedly, dabbing her eyes delicately.

"Why not? That's what he is." She sighed resignedly, obviously too tired to pursue the argument, wisely opting to change the subject instead.

"Do you always carry these with you?"

"Yeah," I smiled wryly, "I seem to have a habit of making people cry." She laughed quietly.

"Thanks, Draco." I only smiled in reply.

"I know you probably won't believe me," I began slowly "But you look really pretty right now."

"You're right I don't believe you." She replied evenly. I smirked in triumph and she quickly looked down at her hands folded in her lap. Slowly, I lifted my hand to gently brush aside a lock of hair that had fallen into her eyes. Her head jerked up, taken off guard by the caring gesture.

"Well why don't you trust me just this once?" I whispered. Her lips parted slightly as though she were about to speak but she quickly shut them again and shook her head as though clearing it. For some reason quiet unbeknownst to me nothing she'd said could have infuriated me more at that moment than her silence.

I leaned forward suddenly and she nearly jumped out of her chair.

"Why are you always so guarded with me?" I murmured, struggling to control my voice. She looked up into my eyes and for a moment I couldn't breathe.

"Why should I trust you Draco?" She replied softly. I moved even closer so that our noses were almost touching. I heard her swallow nervously. I decided to go with the truth.

"You shouldn't."

I inched my lips closer till I could practically feel her breath on my lips-

THUMP (AN: yes I like my sound effects)

We leapt apart as the heavy door to the library swung open. Hermione gasped audibly and I automatically moved in front of her protectively. Idiot! There's no danger- yet.

"Who's in here?" Came an unmistakable voice.

"Filch." Hermione stated sounding relieved. I nearly growled in frustration. So close! Hermione started to scramble to her feet much like she had earlier today.

"Hermione." I called almost desperately reaching for her. She stepped quickly out of my reach and turned away from me.

"I'm head girl. You hide and I'll say I was doing some extra patrolling because I heard some 1st years we're going to sneak in here." I wanted to argue but I knew it was pointless. What was I meant to say? "No I'd rather get caught snogging you and get detention than have to leave"? How pathetic.

So I sulkily turned and quickly slipped into the shadows as Hermione moved out to meet filch. I could hear her repeating the story in a calm, authoritive tone to the obviously disappointed Filch. Well that makes 2 of us. I thought grumpily.

When I leaned forward a moment later to try and see what was happening all I saw was Filches retreating silhouette following Hermione out of the library. I cursed under my breath. Running from me again.

As soon as I deemed it safe I exited the library and snuck back to the common room still glowering. Dam my luck!

Hermione POV

OMM! OMM! I can't believe I nearly kissed Draco! Have I gone INSANE? I used to hate him! Why could I POSSIBLY want to snog him senseless now? This is a disaster! Thank Merlin Filch interrupted. I may have nearly made the biggest mistake of my life.

I quickly supplied the password to the fat lady and ran through the common room and up the stairs. I wasn't headed to bed though; oh no -there'd be no sleep tonight, or for weeks for that matter.

"Ginny!" I hissed knocking furiously on the door to her dormitory. I heard footsteps padding over to the door.

"Wha-a-at?" A disgruntled Ginny whined. Her expression changed in a blink to one of alarm as she took in my disheveled appearance. "What happened? Are you okay? Where were you?" I sniffed pathetically trying not to cry.

"Oh Ginny! I nearly did something SO awful!" -too late. Ginny opened her arms and I fell into her warm embrace.

"Shh it'll be okay. That's it, calm down and tell me everything." Ginny soothed leading me over to her bed. I sat down on the edge and brought my knees up to my chest. Ginny cast a quick silencing spell around us so as to not disturb the other girls before perching herself on the edge of the bed next to me.

"Well…I…I almost…" Ginny put a comforting hand on my shoulder as I tried to get out the horrible truth. "I almost kissed Malfoy." I whispered.

"What?" Ginny exclaimed. I was extremely relieved that she'd cast a silencing spell. The last thing I wanted was a bunch of eve droppers pretending to be asleep spreading rumors tomorrow.

"Why didn't you snog him?" She continued in her incredulous tone.

"Ginny!" I cried in surprise. Didn't she understand the awfulness of the situation? "This is Draco we're talking about. Draco Malfoy! I should never even talk to him let alone snog him." Ginny threw one of her arms into the air in exasperation.

"Hermione, have you seen him? He's like, I don't know, gorgeous! Like heaven on earth gorgeous! Don't get me wrong I love Harry. But really, if I had been in your situation, phew" she whistled "I would still be in that library."

"Ginny!" I couldn't take any more of this. I'd wanted some comfort, yes, but I also wanted to be chastised for my actions- and not for ceasing them! "I have to go to bed." I called already half way to the door.

"Oh alright, run! Just like you are from Malfoy." I scowled at her in the doorway before attempting to slam the door. However it was too heavy for me to slam so it just closed quietly and perfectly as intended. I kicked it in frustration. Stupid old wood! And with that I went to bed.

Yay! Okay so the fight/quiditich/accident is all next chapter so get excited! I promise! By this time next week the chapter will be up! And our first proper kiss is coming too. Also a ball, pretty dresses and lots and lots of jealousy! Also, Draco –to his mortification- finds himself and Ron have something in common! Read On… but review first! :)