Author's note : Hi. Hmm. If you want to throw rotten eggs at me, you're totally allowed to. After all, I've been breaking promises left right and centre and not updating in months. And now this chapter... I hope you'll read it. Next one will be Lord Voldemort's return and that will be a major turning point in our bushy brunette and the ferret's relationship. I love you all, you don't know how much. Please leave a review!

'What are you doing here?' she breathed, fearing the worst. Ron had found out about her and Draco and that was why he was glaring at her. And now came the aftermath...

'I was waiting for Harry! D'you know he hasn't come up to the dormitory after dinner?' he said, obviously annoyed with Harry. However, what he had said made her uneasy. Harry hadn't come up to the tower? It was almost half past one in the night. Where could he be?

'I'm worried Ron. The third task is coming up and Harry's scar has been hurting and all these things about Voldemort getting stronger.. Should we go and look for him?' she asked anxiously.

'No need for that. He's in Dumbledore's office, look' he said, showing her the Marauder's map.

'Wonder what Dumbledore would want from him at such an hour. Oh look, Hagrid's with him. You're right, there's no need to worry' she said with a sigh and sank into the nearest armchair. The fire was ablaze and it made her feel great after spending the past two hours outside in the cold. She leaned forwards to warm her hands when Ron suddenly asked, 'So how did you come in so late? I thought you went to bed with Ginny after that cushion fight.'

She gulped. Quick think of something, something clever, she thought fervently while Ron raised his eyebrows, looking at her questioningly.
'Umm... I was in the kitchens, distributing woolen hats and scarves to the elves' she blurted out.

To her relief, Ron asked no more questions.

Phew, that was close, she thought.

Just then, Harry came in, looking very tired and very angry. He explained in a few words what had taken place in the grounds.
'We were this close to getting Mr. Crouch. But Snape! He just had to ruin it all. The headmaster's busy Potter. What's this rubbish Potter?' he said with distaste, his intense dislike for the potions master more obvious than ever.

They debated for a bit, considering the possibilities of what could have happened. Mr. Crouch kept saying Voldemort was getting stronger. If that was the case, then they definitely needed to know who made Mr. Crouch disappear into thin air. Finally they decided that they would ask Professor Moody about it since he was the most supportive of the professors and Dumbledore already had enough on his plate with the Triwizard tournament.

Hermione was surprised when Harry told her about Krum and what he had asked Harry when he had led him to the grounds. However, she couldn't be bothered any less. Krum had tried to ask her out many times after the ball but she had never shown any interest, to Ron's delight.

They trudged up to the dorm at three, tired and weary, worried about what the following day would bring.

The following morning, the handsome eagle owl was at her window again. Wondering what on earth could Draco want this time, she opened the window and untied the note.

There was a simple message written in his neat script and it made her smile.

I had a great time yesterday.
Hope we can do it again, sometime soon.
~D

History of magic was a tedious affair in which she managed to stay awake only by stealing glances and smiles with Draco. Harry and Ron had already given up and were now sleeping peacefully with their heads on the desks. As soon as the bell rang, the three rushed off to Professor Moody's office, where he told them flatly to stop bothering about Mr. Crouch and to start preparing for the third task and warned them to stay together and not leave Harry alone.

As if we would, she thought as they walked towards the Great Hall. She was walking towards the library after lunch when the door to a broom closet suddenly opened behind her and a strong hand pulled her in.

A/n : Like it? Hate it?

Let me know!

The next one will be better.

Love always.

Aditi xoxoxo