Hey everyone! Sorry it took me FOREVER to update but I have been so busy it's not even funny! But to make it up to you it's a long one! Anyways I hope you enjoy the new chapter it's getting pretty intense with Malfoy and William isn't it?

Chapter 13

Hermione woke up Monday morning to find that neither Will or Malfoy were at breakfast. She felt slightly abandoned to find that they were both trying to avoid her. Though they both had good reason.

She was just barely trying to get over the shock of Malfoy expressing his feelings for her. Was it real? Or was it just because Malfoy didn't like seeing Hermione with William? She didn't know, but something in Malfoy's eyes when he said that he might love her made Hermione believe him.

What are you doing to yourself Hermione? She thought. Giving yourself false hope that you or Malfoy could ever… she did not even want to finish that thought.

She made her way through to the Gryffindor table, boys making a way for her looking at her up and down. She blushed and walked faster through the smiling boys and went down to sit between Harry and Ron. You would think she would be used to this by now.

"Hey Hermione, where have you been? I haven't seen you all weekend," Harry said as Hermione took a piece of toast.

Hermione put on a fake smile, "Just catching up with homework and reading,"

Ron scowled at her, "All that reading isn't doing you any good Hermione… you don't look so well,"

Hermione couldn't tell Ron or Harry about Malfoy, what would they think of her liking someone that had caused them so much pain over the years.

"Just tired I guess," Hermione shrugged.

Harry was about to say something else when Hermione felt a hand on her shoulder, her heart gave a leap of hope that it would be William or Malfoy but to her dismay it was far from either of them.

Snape was looking at her snidely as she turned to face him.

"Miss Granger I hope you will be able to have a meeting tonight discussing your curriculum for the ministry application you sent in," Snape said.

Hermione gave him an odd look when she finally caught on, he wanted to have another lesson. She thanked the heavens that Snape had the sense of not speaking about their secret meetings in front of Harry or Ron.

She nodded, "Yes Professor that would be fine,"

He gave a nod and turned away to go sit up at the head table.

Ron gave her a curious look, "What was that about? I didn't know that you wanted to work for the Ministry of Magic?"

Hermione nodded and lied smoothly, "I don't know if I will for sure do it though, I just want to see if it's something I would like doing,"

Before either of them could say anything she got up, "Come on were going to be late for class,"

They made there way down to the Green houses laughing and joking as they made there way down. Hermione thought that she had almost forgotten how to laugh; things had changed so much…

When they arrived at the green houses most of the class was already there. The professor wasn't anywhere to been seen as Harry Ron and Hermione made there way to there usual seats. Hermione's eyes scanned the class room as she caught a sight of William. She hesitated on her step as her heart gave a leap, she followed Ron and Harry toward the table and took there seats.

"Hello William," Hermione said hesitantly as she sat down next to him.

He turned to her with a smile. Although his smile was simply breath taking it didn't reach into his eyes.

"Hey," He said warmly.

Well at least he's talking to me, Hermione thought.

"How was…"William trailed off but Hermione knew what he meant.

"He's alright," Hermione said not really wanting to tell him about what happened.

William only nodded; not wanting to pursue the subject any further. He stared at Hermione for a moment. What could he do to make her see? How could she ever know what she did to him? Didn't she notice how much he wanted to be with her? He memorized every conversation he had with her. He watched her every move, noticed her every thought. Did she realize what she did when she hugged him? It took all his self control to not kiss her right then…

Hermione noticed his eyes staring at her as she looked at him too. He seemed to be searching for something, but what could he be looking for? She looked at him seriously. He was so perfect. Hermione was starting to realize that she couldn't lose William. She knew it was selfish to keep him to herself when she wasn't even sure of her feeling yet.

Suddenly William started to smile, this time it reached his eyes.

"I saw that," He whispered.

Hermione gave him a confused look, "S-saw what?"

"That look you gave me," He said his grin getting wider.

Hermione blushed a deep red, and looked away from him. Was her face really that readable?

William laughed and shook his head at her as the Professor finally came to Hermione's rescue.

For the rest of class Hermione would sneak glances at William. Occasionally he would catch her looking at him and would smile and wink at her. Hermione couldn't help but smile back.

Finally after class was over, the Professor assigned them a mountain load of pages to read for homework.

"I was hoping for a free night to practice Quidditch," Ron complained as they made their way back up to the castle to go to Potions.

Harry nodded in agreement, "We need to start setting up plans for this season as well, I've been thinking of certain play's we could use…"

Hermione blocked there conversation after that. She wasn't into Quidditch that much and she didn't really understand it much.

"Hermione, wait up," William called. Hermione turned around finding him walking toward her. Hermione told Harry and Ron she would catch up with them in Potions. Harry looked confused at first but understood as he spotted William coming. He nodded and winked at Hermione jokingly while Ron rolled his eyes but none the less nodded as well.

Hermione stopped to let William catch up with her.

"Mind if I walk you to Potions?" William asked with a handsome voice. Hermione smiled and nodded.

They continued walking in silence as Hermione felt a stare on her. She looked at Will curious on why he was staring at her, but as she looked at him, he was not the one looking at her. Hermione looked around them…there was no one else here, but she could have sworn there was someone watching her. The feeling of someone staring would not go away but William said something to pull her out of her daze.

"Are you ok Hermione?" Will asked watching her worrying looks.

Hermione lied, "Oh I'm fine just thinking,"

William stopped walking, his face suddenly growing serious. Hermione stopped to give him a curious look.

"Will?" Hermione said carefully.

Something in Will's eyes scared Hermione. It was something she had never seen in them so severely… it was hate. His normal blue eyes were as dark as the bottom of an ocean now, as he glared at Hermione.

Hermione took an unwilling step back.

"Do people follow you often Hermione? Or do you just not see them?" Will finally said in a cold voice.

Hermione stared at him in shock, what on earth was he so upset about, and what he talking about?

"I-I um" Hermione couldn't even get out a sentence.

He took Hermione's hand and led her toward the castle away from the grounds.

"If you didn't notice Hermione, about half of the school is looking at you in ways that I should tare them apart for," William said as his grip on her hand tightened, "There are about five of them right now looking at you from a window thinking about…" He trailed off obviously angry.

Hermione gulped, so that was the stare she felt. William had a point, Hermione had been trying to walk unnerved by the looks that some boys gave her, she didn't know what else to do, what could she do, walk around with a paper bag over her head?

"Disgusting," William said under his breath.

Hermione looked at Will surprised she had never seen him like this.

"Just…stay away from Zabini alright? He's bad news," Will said coldly.

"Is…is he one of the ones up there?" Hermione asked.

William nodded slowly.

Hermione looked away from him taking her hand out of his and folding her arms. They were in the hallway now. The watchful looks had gone away with just Hermione and William in the halls.

Hermione didn't know what to say to William, anything she said would probably make him explode. But Hermione wasn't as scared as she should have been about Zabini, right now she was more scared about what Will would do to them.

They walked in silence as the potion room neared.

It was nice to know William cared so much for her. Having someone to count on made Hermione feel safe and wanted. Malfoy made her feel the same way…only in a different way.

Hermione caught herself smiling and was just about to let it slip of her face when William caught the look.

"Why are you smiling?" He growled obviously mad about my lack of seriousness about the situation.

Hermione shrugged and kept walking.

She herd Will give a sigh, "I'm sorry I shouldn't have snapped,"

She looked at Will as he looked at her. She found that he was genuinely sorry.

"It's alright Will, I know your just being a good friend," Hermione said smiling weakly.

Will looked at her seriously pausing for a moment, "If anything happened to you Hermione…I couldn't," He paused looking at her sadly, "Just promise me you'll be safe and not do anything stupid,"

Hermione was caught by surprise on that statement; she finally noticed that he was waiting for a reply.

"I will…as if the smartest witch of her age could do something stupid," Hermione said jokingly.

William smiled sweetly as he nodded thanking her in a way. His smile faded as he looked at her seriously again…but a different serious.

Hermione noticed William was a lot closer than he was before. Her face must have shown a little bit of surprise by the way William smiled again.

He leaned so close she was sure he was going to kiss her.

He leaned down to her and slowly gave her a kiss on the cheek. Hermione stiffened as his sent filled her lungs.

"Goodbye Hermione, remember your promise," William said softly as he turned to leave.

Hermione watched him go. She felt her heart twist in a way…somehow she got the feeling that that goodbye was probably for along time…

********

Malfoy wasn't anywhere to be found. He wasn't in potions or anywhere in the halls. Hermione felt her heart drop as she went back to the common room, she was hoping to at least catch a glimpse of him in the hall way, but luckily she had a lot of homework to do to keep her mind away from him, but with her new abilities she knew she would be able to think about him soon enough again.

She entered the common room in hopes to find Harry and Ron, after having potions with them she needed to go to the library to find a source for her transfiguration essay. Now she was done and coming back from the library.

The Common room was empty except Neville's toad that he had been looking for which was on the counter. She felt exhausted as she plopped on the couch to do her homework. She got out her supplies and buried herself in it.

It only took her close to an hour to get everything done. She stretched herself on the couch and gazed into the fire. The flames seemed to comfort her as she watched them dance around. Hermione let her mind wander to Malfoy; she hadn't been able to see him all day. Did he regret what he said? Did he not mean it? Hermione's heart ached at the thought of him not even caring for her…but maybe it was best this way, she was in no condition to let anyone in right now, she could hurt him and she could never live with herself if she did.

She let out a sigh. The flames slowly drawing her to sleep…

The sun was setting as Hermione sat on a ledge overlooking Hogwarts and the black lake. The weight of the world felt as if it was on her shoulders. It will be dark soon, she thought, I better get back before the moon comes out. She stood up carefully trying not to slip on the mossy rock. She stood up until she was firm and waited, the rocks felt firm under her feet enough.

"Hermione?" A voice called.

Hermione quickly turned around and as a result her foot slipped out from under her. Her body hit the ledge with a thud as she started sliding down it, she screamed.

Suddenly she felt a strong arm catch her. She clung on to it tightly as he hoisted her up back onto the ledge. Hermione looked up to see who was her savior, all she saw was an outline of a face staring back at her...

"Hermione?" Harry's voice rung through her ears, "Hermione wake up,"

Hermione blinked as her blurred vision made out a black haired and red head leaning over her.

"Told you she would be sleeping," Ron said to Harry as he went and sat on Hermione.

"Ouch! Ron get off," Hermione said.

Ron only smiled and nodded Harry to join. Harry jumped on her as well as he began to tickle her.

"You guys…st-stop!" Hermione said in between laughs as she pushed them off of her onto the floor.

"Time to give you a piece of your own medicine!" Hermione said grabbing a pillow and whacking Ron in the head with it.

Harry burst out laughing as Hermione hit him as well.

"Oh no you didn't!" Harry and Ron said as they grabbed pillows as well.

They went on like this for it seemed like hours. After Hermione called Ron "Ronny kins!" and Harry, "Potty," that's when she got the best whacks as they laughed carelessly.

They finally stopped when Ron said, "I give up!" He said putting his hands in the air.

"I second that," Hermione said sitting down once again laughing as Ron pilled out a feather from his mouth.

"Alas! I the champion beat the peasants!" Harry said getting on top of the table.

Ron and Hermione threw there pillows at him as he chuckled and sat down as well.

"I have missed our fights," Hermione said pulling out a feather from her hair.

"Yes I will have to win more often," Harry said.

Ron rolled his eyes, "I only let you win so you wouldn't lose…again!"

Hermione laughed as Harry smiled.

Silence filled the room as Hermione looked outside the window, it was dark outside…oh no!

"What time is it?" Hermione asked Harry and Ron.

"It's eight thirty, why?" Ron asked curious.

Hermione's jaw dropped, "Eight thirty!" She ran and got her bag and went out the door, "I'll see you guy's later,"
"Hermione wait-" She heard Harry call but she was already a half hour late to Snape's lesson and didn't want to wait for him to finish.

She ran through the corridor with quick strides, ignoring watchful looks from people. The boy's whistling as she passed them.

She came to the potions door and quickly knocked.

"You may enter," Snape's voice came through.

Hermione quickly went through the door and shut it.

"Professor I'm sorry I'm late I-" Hermione started, but something she saw made her stop.

Malfoy was in the room as well, he was in front of Snape with a large pile of parchment beside him. As soon as she entered his eyes snapped onto her. Hermione felt her heart go cold.

"Do not mind Mr. Malfoy Miss Granger, he is merely doing his detention for skipping classes," Snape said glaring at Malfoy. Malfoy took his eyes away from Hermione as he glared at Snape and went back to the large stack of parchment.

Hermione made her way carefully to the front, not able to tear her eyes away from Malfoy until Snape finally spoke.

"I'm sorry I was late Professor I-" Hermione tried to apologize again.

"Miss Granger just don't let it happen again," Snape said icily making Hermione silent, "Now…today I think we should-" He started but the door opened again.

"Snape," Professor McGonagall said as she peeked through the door, "Would you come help me please, I'm in great need of you assistance," She said not looking at Hermione or Malfoy.

Professor Snape let out a sigh, "Granger keep an eye over Malfoy I'll be back shortly,"

Hermione tried to protest but by the time she opened her mouth he was out the door.

An awkward silence filled the room as Hermione took a deep breath and sat down on the other side of the room. She snuck a glace at Malfoy; his eyes never left the parchment in front of him.

Hermione pulled out her book and started to read as she settled down to get comfortable. Her eyes were scanning the page and her eye's were reading but her mind was totally on someone else in the room.

"I don't bite Granger," Malfoy said finally not looking up from his parchment sheet.

Hermione head snapped up as she heard Malfoy's voice but didn't say anything. Was he talking to her? Of course he is, a voice in her head snapped at her, you're the only one in the room and the only one named Granger.

She slowly got her bag and made her way over to him. She felt him get tense but he didn't care to look up at her, he kept concentrated on the parchment.

She slid into the seat next to him and tried to keep from staring at him.

"Where were you today?" She asked innocently.

Malfoy's quill paused but kept writing quickly, "I just didn't feel like going to class is that alright with you," He snapped coldly.

Hermione winced unwillingly.

Malfoy realized his mistake as soon as he looked at Granger and how she flinched away from him. He made a promise to himself not be like his father...

Malfoy took a deep sigh, "Granger I think you know why I didn't go to classes today,"
Hermione looked at him confused then understood, "Oh I see you didn't mean what you said the other…" She said trailing off but Malfoy's expression silenced her.

"No Granger use the brain I know you have, it's because I was scared that…" He said looking away from her. Malfoy was mad at himself for not being in control like he usually was, when Hermione came around it was like he was turning vulnerable…he hated it.

"Scared that I wouldn't feel the same way," Hermione finished for him.

Malfoy snapped his head toward her. Hermione's eyes looking into his and making it so he had no where to run. She looked so perfect then, making it seem like she had known him all of her life…he wanted to let her in like that.

Malfoy nodded looking away not being able to find the words.

Hermione looked at Malfoy studying him. He was holding back because he was afraid. He should be, Hermione thought, he deserves better than a girl that can't control her emotions.

It was then Hermione did something unexpected. She stretched her hand out shakily and rested it on the side of Malfoy's face.

As soon as she did so Malfoy tensed, but immediately relaxed and put his hand over hers to keep it there. He let it sit there for a moment then slowly moved her hand upward to make her run her hands through his hair. Malfoy closed his eyes soaking in the feeling of her hand; he did not want it to go away. He kept moving her hand toward him so she came closer and closer to his face.

Malfoy saw Hermione realize what he was doing as shock spread over her face. Malfoy smiled lightly at this.

"Are you scared of me Hermione?" Malfoy said.

Hermione heart skipped a beat. That was the first time Malfoy had ever used her first name.

She took a shaky breath as she shook her head, "No,"

Malfoy looked in her eyes and found it to be true. Somehow this made him happy that she wasn't afraid of him.

"But I am afraid for you," She whispered.

Malfoy looked at her, "Why would you say that?"

She looked at him, "I know you fear me Malfoy I can see it in your eyes…its understandable," She said softly looking away from him.

Malfoy looked at her surprised, "I'm not scared of you Hermione…only scared of what you do to me,"

Hermione looked at him adoringly and then hurried and looked at the desk blushing.

Malfoy smiled wide.

"What?" Hermione said catching the smile.

"I love it when you blush," He said still smiling.

She went redder.

Malfoy laughed at this, "Don't worry Granger it's what makes us human…That's the reason I left you at the bathroom that day…I thought if I stayed any longer I would have probably kissed you right then and there,"

Hermione eyes went wide, she had no idea…

Hermione suddenly found that she and Malfoy were very close. Malfoy looking at her with eager eyes as he unknowingly leaned forward towards Hermione's face slowly.

Hermione shivered as his cheek brushed against hers, "I don't know what you're doing to me Hermione… but I don't want it to stop," He whispered in her ear.

He brought he face back slowly to face her and looked into her eyes. Hermione felt his breath on her as he did so making her wake up a little.

Malfoy wrapped both of his hands slowly around Hermione's small neck bringing her closer to him. Hermione was all for letting him when words that she had read came back to haunt her.

If I kiss a person, the person will NEVER be able to love another. Their power of emotion is stronger then anyone could know…

Hermione unwillingly put up her hands to stop him.

Malfoy looked at her wondering if he had just made a mistake.

"Trust me Malfoy…your better off without me," Hermione said tears threatening to come forth as she quickly got up from her seat and fled out of the potions class room.

Malfoy watched her go as he stayed frozen to his seat hearing the door slam. How could she possibly think that? If it was anything it would be the other way around. Malfoy knew he saw something in her eyes which told him she felt the exact way that he felt about her…

She was the only one who could ever hold his heart…he knew without a doubt that he couldn't live without her now.