It was 7:45pm and Hermione knew she had to leave if she wanted to meet Malfoy on time. Why she was even trying to be punctual with him was a mystery. As far as Hermione was concerned Malfoy could fall off the Astronomy Tower and she wouldn't care. But she had to admit she was intrigued. If this was a new leaf for Malfoy, which she still highly doubted, what was she meant to expect? And that line in the library?! She felt foolish for letting that render her speechless. But was it all true? The thought troubled her. Making her way downstairs to the common room she past a group of giggling first years. As she reached the portrait hole she thanked the stars Harry and Ron had decided to go outside and do some flying. Slipping through the hole she started wandering over to the Astronomy Tower her thoughts landing once again on the enigma that is Draco Malfoy. It wasn't long till she had reached the bottom of the steps and it frustrated her that she was no closer to sussing him out. She had her foot on the first step when she heard footsteps heading her way. Knowing being out would get her into trouble she took the stairs two at a time and flew through the door straight into the arms of Malfoy. Looking up she cursed her cheeks for blushing and she shook him off standing straight. A smirk appeared at the corner of Malfoy's lips, "didn't know you were so eager Granger." He teased, seeming unaffected by having to catch the weight of a full grown girl. Hermione scowled, "you wish Malfoy, i just heard someone's footsteps and didn't want to get caught!" Malfoy carried on smiling and gestured to two chairs in the middle of the tower. Hermione's scowl faded as she realised Malfoy would have had to set this whole thing up and wondered how long he had been here. Sitting down she turned to voice her query's but Malfoy had begun to talk. "Here's the deal Granger, being the arrogant pureblood I am, I don't get to read many books and if I do it's only them that specialise in Magic" He only paused for breath and carried on, " so I came back to Hogwarts and went straight to the library, knowing my father would never find out if i read muggle novels here, I picked up a Jane Austen novel at random and fell in love." At that last part Malfoy's eye's went down and Hermione felt her heart tug. She didn't know what her life would be like without her precious books so feeling sympathy came instantly. Before she realised what she was doing, Hermione's hand stretched out and lightly touched the back of Malfoy's. As he looked up their eyes met and she said with all seriousness, "you don't have to worry, i won't tell anyone." Then she let her hand fall and looked away before she had time to blush and she heard Malfoy give a nervous cough. "Err...thanks Granger, it's appreciated." Silence followed and soon the two began to fidget. Where are we meant to go from here? Hermione thought and then she had an idea. "So how are you finding the books?" She asked. Eager for a topic to cling on to Malfoy began to describe his opinion of the story in immense detail. Hermione just sat and listened, commenting every now and again, just amazed at how observant he was. The two sat for what seemed like hours until the talking dwindled and Hermione glanced at her watch. Holy crap it was 9:45! She jumped up startling Malfoy and headed for the door. "I'm sorry Malfoy," she garbled, "I've got to get back before Harry and Ron know i'm gone." Malfoy just nodded and she all but chucked herself down the stairs. She was meant to keep an eye on the time but it just slipped away. Malfoy was quite interesting. Hitting the portrait she whispered the password and threw herself through the hole. Relief washed over her as she saw the common room empty. Creeping over to the stairs her foot touched the first one when someone moved behind her. Hermione froze. Slowly turning round she cringed as she spotted Harry in an armchair at the far corner of the room. His face half masked in shadows. "And where have you been?" He asked. Oh Crap?!