Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

Author's Greeting: Instead of just an author's note, I thought I'd have a greeting. A friendly hello to whoever comes across my story. I think I'll start every chapter that way.

I must say I am very excited as to how the story is going. I love the way it's going along so smoothly. After I posted the last chapter I started wondering if I was moving Draco and Hermione along too fast. It was only the second day! But I did some thinking and decided that they weren't showing outward signs to each other. It was still brewing in each of their minds.

One of my biggest fears for this story is that I will end up rushing it along. That's what I really don't like about some fan fiction stories I've read. My goal is to keep the story realistic and resembling the books. There are some obvious character tweaks (ex: Ron). It's hard to get a grasp of J.K. Rowling's style. Don't be afraid to tell me it I've got something wrong and please "flame" if you want. I want your honest opinion. However please understand if I don't change the story.

I am also happy to say that I have some very exciting ideas for the story! Sometimes they just pop up in my head. I'm very excited to start getting them into my story. I'll let you know when I've used one. I have more to say but will say it later because the stage is set and the characters are moving on…

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Over the next few weeks, life at Hogwarts went on as usual. Draco and Hermione went patrolling Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays like clockwork. There was no more show of awkwardness or nervousness and Draco never mentioned his game. And just like clockwork, Ron was waiting there for Hermione when she got back.

The days passed on and soon it was the end of October. The Gryffindors were emerging from a particularly nasty lesson with Snape. He had successfully docked 100 points from them and landed Neville a detention.

As they trooped down to lunch, Harry tried to reassure Neville.

"It won't be that bad. He'll probably just have you clean something out." I've had detention with him loads of times.

Neville tried to cheer up a little. A futile effort.

Hermione was lagging behind in Snape's classroom cleaning up her mess. Ron was waiting.

"Done yet?" He asked.

"About. There." Hermione finished.

They walked down to lunch together.

Over lunch, Ron and Harry talked about the first Quidditch match of the season. It was against Ravenclaw and Gryffindor had won by a landslide. Harry was finally captain and Ron had returned as keeper.

Hermione was quietly picking at her food. Waiting for Ron to finally finish so they could go back to the common room.

Dum dum diddle diddle dum dum diddle. Ron won't you hurry up 'cause I've got to piddle…

Hermione was lost in thought and staring at nothing in particular. She all of a sudden realized she was staring right at Draco. And he was staring back.

Hermione jumped and started fiddling with her food again. A minute later she chanced a glance back over to Draco. He was talking to someone.

"Ready Hermione?" Ron asked, getting up to leave.

"Uhh Yes." Hermione said.

"Why didn't you eat much?" Ron queried.

"I'm not too hungry right now." Hermione replied.

"Are you sick?" Ron asked.

"No. I'm okay. Really." Hermione said with a reassuring smile.

The three of them left and made their way back to the common room.

Draco looked over just in time to see them leave.

Back up in the common room, Harry, Ron and Hermione were working on homework. This was one of their free periods.

Actually, Hermione was doing most of the working. Harry and Ron were doing more talking. Either that or complaining about the vast amount of homework they had been set.

Hermione was finding it difficult to concentrate on filling in her Rune chart. Her thoughts kept drifting back to lunch and her glances at Draco. Why do I keep thinking about this? It's not like I was even looking at him. I was just drifting off. He was staring at me too. It was probably just because I was staring at him in the first place. I need to do this essay. I did glance back. ESSAY!

Hermione looked down at her essay again to finish. As she scanned the paper to see what she needed to finish filling in, she saw Draco Malfoy written neatly. Her eyes widened in shock and she glanced furtively at Ron. He was thankfully talking with Harry again. She took out her wand and quickly erased the name. Apparently while deep in thought, Hermione had absentmindedly written Draco's name. Curious. Very Curious.

Hermione forced her mind to stay on her work for the rest of the free period and finish her homework.

The next day was Halloween. The Great Hall was being decorated for that night's Halloween Feast. Professor Flitwick was enchanting pumpkins to hang above the house tables instead of the usual candlelight. Hagrid was in charge of the bats.

Evening finally came and the students started making their way to the Great Hall. Harry, Ron and Hermione came down in the midst of the Gryffindors.

They walked into the Great Hall. "Wow." Harry said. "They really did a number in here."

"It does look neat." Ron agreed. "What do you think Hermione?"

"It really does." Hermione said. And it did. The pumpkins were lit causing an orange glow to diffuse around the room. The black bats flew silently overhead. The tables had orange crackers stacked every few places along the house tables.

"Welcome! Welcome to the Halloween Feast." Dumbledore welcomed them all. "I hope you enjoy the decorations we have put up here. The house elves have prepared a delicious feast for us. Enjoy." He said.

The food suddenly appeared on the table and everyone helped himself or herself.

There was a buzz of voices all eating and talking happily.

As Hermione started eating her stewed pumpkin, she was overcome with an urge to glance over at Draco. No! What am I thinking? I will NOT!

She furtively glanced over. He was talking with someone again. Hermione felt an odd disappointment. In fact, she just wanted to go up to her dormitory and go to bed.

"Ron?" Hermione asked.

Ron looked over.

"I think I am feeling unwell. I really just want to go to bed." Hermione said.

Ron looked at her carefully. Then concluded that she did look a bit down.

"Just let me finish here. I'll take you up." Ron said.

"Are you sick Hermione?" Harry asked.

"I might be." Said Hermione. I just want to get out of here.

Ron finished and got up. He walked Hermione up to Gryffindor tower. Hermione immediately went to the stairs leading to the girl's dormitories.

"Good night Ron." Said Hermione.

"I'll be down here." Ron said.

Hermione turned and headed upstairs. She didn't feel ill at all. But didn't feel like being around anybody.

Hermione got up on her bed and lay back, thinking. Her thoughts drifted to homework, Ron, Draco (stop!), future dealings with Ron, future dealings with Draco (STOP!) homework, parents, Draco (resigned sigh), secret glances…

Hermione sat up. Only an hour had gone by. Ron was definitely still downstairs. Harry might be down there too. She knew she couldn't go anywhere. Ron would see and follow. So she was shut up here in her room. Hermione lay back.

Then she sat up again. Why should she have to stay here shut up in her room? Granted it was nice to have peace from Ron. But still, what was there to do but think or sleep? And she had already done the former.

But if she went downstairs, Ron would be there. Too bad there wasn't patrolling tonight. Then she thought of something.

The Workroom! She could go there! Ron didn't even know about that. But how to get out of the common room? She could wait until she thought they had gone to bed. But what if she was wrong? Ron would immediately suspect her.

If only she could get Harry's invisibility cloak. But that would mean asking Harry. And Ron would probably find out.

Maybe she could jump out the window. Hermione had to laugh. She was stuck in her room. She decided that she would try to sleep. Maybe she would feel refreshed in the morning.

After putting on her pajamas, Hermione got under the covers and turned over. And turned over again. And again.

Draco had seen Hermione leave the Halloween feast early. Accompanied by Ron. He wondered why Ron went with her everywhere. Curious.

He himself didn't feel like hanging around at the feast for long. He couldn't figure out why, but he didn't feel like being around the rest of the students. He went down to his dormitory about ten minutes after Hermione left.

Once there, Draco didn't really know what to do. So he decided to try and get some sleep.

He got into bed, turned over and closed his eyes. He shifted to a more comfortable position. And turned over again. Over the next half hour he tossed and turned. Sleep was a ways away.

Lying awake in bed, his thoughts started to drift. Unfinished homework, head duties, Hermione (what?) his father, homework, Hermione (that's enough!), stupid Ron, Hermione (resigned sigh), she looked at me that one day…

Draco got out of bed and thought he would take a walk. That might relax him. He put on a set of robes and headed out of the dormitory. It was ten o'clock.

He originally intended to go outside but as he came up out of the dungeons, he remembered the Workroom. Perfect! No one else had access there. He went up the stairs to the first floor and went down the corridor to the portrait of Sertia the Snide. Facing the door he said, "Sherbet Ball." The door opened and he walked in.

Hermione had briefly managed to doze. But woke suddenly. The rest of the girls from her dormitory had come in and were talking. Hermione sighed. It was eleven o' clock now. She didn't think she could get back to sleep.

Hermione couldn't help feeling a little resentful towards the girls in her dormitory.

After about half an hour, the chattering stopped. Hermione still lay awake. She got out of bed and put on a dressing gown. She decided to go downstairs. If Ron asked, she would say the girls were too loud. Which was the truth.

She opened the door at the foot of the stairs and went out into the common room. There wasn't anyone there. Hermione paused. Ron must have gone upstairs along with Harry. I could actually go to the workroom if I wanted. I think I just might. But what if Ron finds out? I'll just say I was going to see Madam Pomfrey.

Hermione shut the door and went over to the portrait hole. She quietly opened it and climbed out.

Hermione was nervous as she went down to the first floor. She was more nervous about running into Ron than Filch. Fortunately she didn't meet anyone or thing on her way down.

Back in the Workroom, Draco had decided to leave. It was getting late. He was bored and feeling definitely down. He was almost hoping the door would open and someone would come in. Of course, no one but Hermione could come in the workroom.

He got up, headed across the room and went out the door. He went downstairs to the main floor. But before he went through the door to the dungeons, he got the strangest feeling.

Hermione had reached the portrait of Sertia the Snide. "Sherbet ball" she said. The door opened. The workroom was empty. She really hadn't expected anyone to be in there. She hadn't been hoping either! Draco was the only person who would be able to get in there.

Hermione walked over to the fireplace and sat down in one of the chairs. She sighed and looked into the grate.

A minute or so later, the door opened. Hermione's heart skittered unbidden.

Draco walked in. He looked over to the fireplace and saw Hermione. His heart beat somehow increased.

And that is where we'll end it.