It had been days since his time in the hospital wing and Draco tried to make it "business as usual" as best as he could. He would join the other Slytherins in mocking Harry Potter and his friends whenever ever they saw them. However, Draco feared that if their ridicule went too far, Harry may tell everyone that he had kissed him; so he would try his best to make sure not to make Potter angry. Thinking about the kiss made Draco sick to his stomach, but it also filled him with joy.

The confliction was starting to affect Draco. It was getting harder and harder for him to sleep, because all he thought about was the kiss. When they had classes with Gryffindor, it was hard for him to focus on anything other than Harry (except when he was looking, of course). The others were starting to notice, mainly Pansy Parkinson, who would always ask if he was alright to the point it became irritating.

Draco tapped his foot anxiously as everyone at breakfast in the Great Hall; Crabbe and Goyle hadn't noticed, but Pansy was staring at him as usual. For once, Draco wasn't staring at Harry, but at Hermione, because he was hatching a plan in his head. A plan he wasn't particularly fond of.

"Why aren't you wearing your badge, Draco?" Pansy asked, pushing the "Potter Stinks" pin front of his face, snapping him out of the trance. "It's getting close to the final tasks. We all agreed to wear them." Draco didn't say anything, but he did stand up. "Draco!" Pansy shouted after him as he jogged out of the Great Hall.

It didn't take him long to get to the Owlery, especially with how fast he was running; his plan replying over and over in his head. He was going to send an owl to Hermione saying that Viktor Krum wanted to speak to her alone (he was sure to emphasize that) near the Durmstrang ship as soon as possible. When she came running, he was going to corner her and force her to give him advice. Even though he hated that mudblood, he felt as though he was out of options.

Draco watched as the barn owl flew toward the Great Hall and sat down on the stairs. You twit, what are you even going to say to her? You have to avoid telling her about the kiss at all cost! How could you stoop so low as to seek advice from a mudblood. However, she's one of Harry's closest friends and should know what to do.

When Draco reached the lake, Hermione was already there waiting; she was looking around and frowned when she saw him.

"Go away, Draco. I'm waiting for someone," she snapped.

"Someone like Viktor Krum? Sorry to disappoint you, but he isn't coming. I needed to speak to you alone. For "the smartest witch at Hogwarts" you sure are gullible." Hermione stomped her foot angrily; her cheeks and ears red with embarrassment.

"I'd ask what you want with me, but frankly, I don't care!" Hermione began to walk away, but Draco grabbed her arm – his hand wrapped in his robe sleeve. "Let go of me!"

"I need your advice! Do you think I would come to you if I had another choice? I don't want to talk to you either, but I'm asking-!"

"I'd prefer begging," Hermione corrected, in a smug tone. She's enjoying your weakness.

"B-Begging," he said, choking on his words, "for your advice." Hermione pulled her arm away from Draco and stared at him.

"Alright, Draco, I'll give you my advice and not only will this conversation stay between us, but you have to be completely truthful to me. If I feel like you're holding back, I won't help you, got it?" You don't have to put up with this insolence! You're a pureblood, she's a mudblood; you should be making the terms! Draco sighed and shook his head in argument. "Now, what's wrong?"

"Harry didn't fall down the stairs. I was following him and he caught me, so I pushed him. He just flew over, I didn't even push him that hard, but he fell and hit his head on the stairs."

"Is that what happened to him?" Hermione interrupted. "He told us he couldn't remember what happened. All he knew was he was going to the prefect's bathroom on the fifth floor to help him relax, than he was in the hospital wing."

"I'm not surprised, he hit his-! Wait! Did Harry tell you what happened?"

"Yes. That's how I would know if you were holding back or not." Draco could fell rage boiling up inside him. "You kissed Harry while he was sleeping, then you ran off. Harry was very confused, but he hasn't let it bother him. However, it must be bothering you."

"I can't sleep! I can't focus in class! All I think about if Potter!"

"You have feelings for him, Draco."

"Don't be absurd! I hate him?"

"Are you asking me if you hate him? Because I don't think you do." Hermione lightly placed her hands on Draco's shoulders; her voice was authoritative, but somehow soothing. "Draco, you said you can't sleep. When you do sleep, do you think about Harry?"

"Yes," he answered reluctantly.

"When you're in class, what do you focus on?"

"Harry…."

"Now, look at me in the eyes and tell me that you don't have feelings for him." Draco stared at his feet. "You like Harry, Draco."

"I can't like Harry!" Draco shouted, shoving Hermione away from him. "I could never like someone so stupid! He's a half-blood! I am a pure-blood! And most importantly, I am not gay!" Hermione frowned and shook her head.

"Draco, if you can't accept the truth what kind of advice did you expect me to give you?" her voice was soft and calm, while his was loud and panicked.

"I don't know! Tell me how to fix this!"

"Fix your emotions? There's hardly any magic for that. Here's my advice, Draco: if you ignore your feelings, they're only going to get worst. It will get the point where you can't sleep and your grades will suffer. Also, regret will eat away with you. Think about it, what if Harry actually likes you back and you don't say anything. You'll miss your chance." With that, Hermione walked away leaving Draco standing there all alone.

"I hope you know that I now have to wash my robe!" he shouted after her, but she didn't even acknowledge him. Draco stood there, Hermione's words bouncing around in his head. He sat on the ground and hugged his knees to his chest.

You don't like Harry Potter. Are you dumb? He's your enemy. He didn't want to be your friend three years ago, what makes you think he wants to be more now? You don't like him. He doesn't like you. That's all you know, that's all you'll ever know. Going to that Granger girl was a mistake. She was a mistake. That kiss was a mistake. Forget it. Get on with your life. You'll be better for it.

"So, you talked to Hermione too, huh?" a voice spoke behind him.

"Go away, Potter! Can't you see I'm brooding?" Draco snapped, not looking up at the other boy. There was silence for a moment, than Harry sat down beside him. Draco didn't look at him; he just stared off at the ship in the distance.

"Hermione's the only who knows. I didn't think Ron would understand if I told him."

"Is that supposed to give me solace?" There was silence again.

"Why'd you kiss me if you don't like me?"

"I don't know!" Draco shouted. He was shaking now; he was a weird mix of nervous and angry. "I just did it. Your lips were there, so I kissed them. I don't know what came over me. I don't know what came over me when I started following you around; maybe I just wanted to watch you. I don't know why I pushed you; maybe I was trying to cover my tracks. I don't know why I carried you to the Hospital Wing; maybe I felt bad! My body just did what it wanted!"

"Well, what does the rest of you want?" Harry asked. Draco didn't have an answer this time. He just stared into Harry's green eyes at the moment, and then looked away again. "Well, when you figure it out, you know how to find me." Harry leaned over and lightly pecked Draco's cheek, before standing up and walking away.

What is going on with my life?