Author's note : I know it took me forever to write this, but I really hope you like it. For hervissa, who wanted a little more of Dramione in the story. Well here it is! Chapter 9. Wow, I hadn't even thought I'd write so much. Please read and review! Any suggestions are also welcome.

A big Thank you to everyone who reviewed the previous chapter.

Listen to : Crush by Paramore.

Disclaimer : All belongs to Rowling

The second task was over. Potter emerged as the one of the winners once again, his imbecility disguised by his apparently noble gesture. Draco snorted when he heard the points given by Dumbledore, Maxime and Bagman. Apparently Karkaroff was the only one who saw Potter's blunder and gave him the marks he deserved.

But what enraged him though was the sight of Krum hovering near Granger like an oversized butterfly, desperate for her to notice him. Granger on the other hand, he noted with satisfaction, was completely oblivious to his presence, chattering away with Potter and Weasely. Weasely was glaring at Krum with the same loathing that he usually reserved for the Slytherins.

Finally the Headmaster ordered them to go back to the castle. The classes had been cancelled for the day. Which made him wonder where Granger would spend her day. The library maybe? Perhaps he could catch up with her there and tell her what he had in store for her...

At that precise moment, someone shoved into him roughly, knocking him side ways. It was Krum. He was walking away in a huff, clearly annoyed.

Draco could only imagine the million watt smile displayed across his own face at the moment. He walked towards the castle slowly, enjoying the chilly February wind and more importantly, the weird sensation in his body that came with the anticipation of what would happen when the night arrived.

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She had noticed him staring at her when she was huddled in a blanket next to Harry and Ron but she didn't respond, knowing very well that Harry would surely notice despite being overwhelmed by his result.

She returned to the castle with them, having a great time reminiscing the little adventure, happy that the tension of the previous night had finally lifted, for them to enjoy the aftermath. Krum had retreated, muttering something about going to the ship. She supposed she should've given him a bit more attention. After all, he had rescued her. But at the moment, she just didn't care. She was too happy. Harry had made it!

The third task was months away and there was nothing to stop them from having a nice time in the common room.

They strolled up to the Gryffindor Common room and then to their dormitories to change out of their wet clothes. She had just slipped out of hers and wrapped a dressing gown when she heard a tap at the window. And sure enough, there was the handsome eagle owl from Malfoy.

Wondering what he could want from her this time, she opened the window. The gush of cold wind made her shudder like a dry leaf. The owl extended his leg and she tore off the note in one fluid movement.

Quidditch pitch.

Midnight.

~D.

That was it. Nothing more. Trying to get rid of the disappointment at the few words, she pulled out a ball pen out of her bag (she found them much better than quills anyway), she scribbled down a reply.

Fine.
-H.

The rest of the day passed in a wink, with Ron chatting animatedly with whoever asked him about the task. It was hilarious how his version of the event became more and more dramamtic with the last version involving him in a single handed fight against forty merpeople.

'What were you going to do, snore at them?' she said waspishly after which his exaggerated narrations stopped and he solemnly reverted to the original version.

Hermione didn't notice when Ginny sipped into the armchair next to hers.

'What's up?' she said cheerfully.

Hermione felt her spirits lift instantly. There was something wondeful about Ginny that always brightened her up. Her cheerfulness was contagious.

'Feels great doesn't it? He did it after all! I'm so happy for Harry' said Hermione.

'Oh, is this really about Harry or is it due to a certain eagle owl that flew out of your window sometime back?' she winked at her best friend.

Hermione choked on her pumpkin juice, looking stunned.

'Oh Merlin, your expression!' Ginny laughed heartily.

'How d'you always know everything?' she muttered grumpily.

'Ha ha I gotcha. I just made a guess, and your reaction confirms what I suspected! So tell me, where is it this time? I hope he doesn't make you pant and puff like last time, that would be so unromantic...' she chattered on and on.

'Quidditch pitch' Hermione managed to interrupt when Ginny paused for a breath.

'What about it?' said Ron who had just settled on the arm of Hermione's armchair.

'Oh Hermione reckons the third task might be held over there' lied Ginny effortlessly, winking at Hermione again.

'Mione, stop wondering about that right now! the third task is ages away!' said Ron.

'That's what you said about the second task after the first one! If you ask me, Harry should start preparing for the third task from tomorrow itself, looking up spells and jinxes. I think I've read about a few useful ones in a book ...'

Ginny and Ron made a snoring noise and pretended to fall asleep at that.

'Hey! It's not that boring' said Hermione indignantly before aiming a cushion at Ginny's face. Soon enough they were playing cushion fight with Harry , Fred and George joining them.

Before they knew it, it was time to go to the Great Hall for dinner.

They walked down together, laughing and making fun of the teachers, especially Snape, who had looked as if he had swallowed a tankard of Skele-Gro after Harry had emerged from the lake alive.

They took their seats at the table, Hermione once again between Ron and Ginny.

This time however, she sat facing the Slytherin table.

And there was Draco, staring at her again.

Frankly speaking, it made her uncomfortable, the was his eyes raked over her, as if he wanted to take in each and every bit of her, like Sherlock Holmes deducing his subject. She gave him a tiny nod which elicited a fit of giggles from Ginny and earned her a glare from Hermione.

Once they were done, they went for a walk to the grounds. It was really chilly. Hermione shivered involuntarily and was presently surprised when Ron offered her his jacket. She thanked him and put it on. It was just like him, she thought, dark, tough on the outside, surprisingly warm on the inside. She hugged herself and rubbed her palms together to keep them warm. What she missed though was the way Ginny was frowning at her brother...

Hermione was in her dormitory when the clock struck midnight. She considered just staying in her bed and falling asleep. It was so warm thanks to the roaring wood fire. Finally, she decided to go anyway since she'd already owled him confirming that she'd be there.

She put on the jumper had sent her for Christmas, a pair of woolen mittens, a knit cap and finally her cloak. Bundled up like this, she stole her way out of the Gryffindor common room and sneaked out of the gates, carefully avoiding Filch and Mrs. Norris.

She started shivering again as she walked across the grounds to the Quidditch pitch. Damn Malfoy! Why did he always call her to places where she'd either be perspiring or shivering? She hugged the cloak closer to herself, glad that she had put on so many layers of clothing.

She had reached the pitch but he was nowhere to be seen. She looked around once again. The pitch was absolutely devoid of anyone. She shook her head in disbelief. Was this his idea of a joke? Keeping her waiting on the chilly pitch alone till she froze to death? She knew him better than that and yet, she couldn't eradicate the doubt from her mind. 'He's made a fool of you Hermione, probably to boast to his friends about how he made you stand all alone in the middle of a cold winter night..' said a voice in her head, which sounded weirdly like Ron. She could only imagine Ron's expression if he found out that she was here to meet Draco of all people...

'Penny for your thoughts' said a voice right behind her, nearly making her jump out of her skin.

'Gosh, you scared me! And why did you call me here of all places? The temperature is around 2 degrees in case you haven't noticed!' she managed to say despite her chattering teeth.

'Because, Granger, I have a little something planned for you that'll take your breath away' he said, the Slytherin smirk already adorning his pale face. She noticed he was dressed in casually in a pair of jeans and a dark green sweatshirt. He also had his cloak on. He looked so damn handsome that she had to struggle to stop staring at him.

'Oh really?' she smirked back at him, trying to conceal the thrill of anticipation from her voice.

'You'll see' he said mysteriously before casually draping an arm over her shoulders and pulling her close to him before leading her to the changing room where a single black Nimbus 2001 hung mid air, at the exact position for its owner to mount it.

A/N : I love Ginny. She is so vivacious!

And of course, Draco too. :)

Like it? Hate it? Let me know.

Love always

Aditi xoxoxox