Again everything belongs to the rightful owners etc, etc.

"Hermione! We saw you two! Outside the library you and Malfoy. What I'm trying to say is we would like an explanation is all." Ron bolted to Hermione when she walked through the portrait hole and just started rambling like usual until Harry nudged him on the arm to shut him up because they knew Hermione would blow her top and give it to them both for spying on her.

"There is no need for and explanation. There is nothing between me and Malfoy honestly it was a one time thing and it will never ever happen again trust me. It's been a long day and I can't believe I've been staying out past curfew it's not like me at all; thank goodness it is Sunday tomorrow. I will probably be sleeping in again. You two better be getting sleep I feel horrible that I've made you stay up and wait for me this late, I'm sorry well goodnight!" Hermione was very good at concealing her hurt. She had been keeping herself busy and avoiding Malfoy and tried not to even look at him. When she did happen to see him out of the corner of her round brown eyes, or get peeks from behind her now tamed curly hair, she would look and the green crest on his school robes and sees the Slytherin snake and her sense of hope vanished.

Many weeks had passed and Draco Malfoy had been doing the same thing as Hermione keeping himself busy and trying to avoid her which had become even more difficult seeing as they had the best marks in their year and had to constantly compete for the marks. Malfoy though couldn't help himself and glimpse at her every so often. He would think about how much stronger she was than him for she didn't even give the glimpses like he had given her. They didn't even go back to talking to each other with the hateful comments.

"Hey Harry have you noticed lately that Malfoy and his morons haven't been bothering us? It's like he has been avoiding or ignoring us. It's a little strange I mean I was running late for quidditch and I ran head into Malfoy and all he did was pick up his things and walk away." Ron and Harry had entered the Gryffindor common room after a late visit with professor Slughorn. They entered the gold and red room droopy eyed and lazily sat down on the two big comfy chairs in front of the immense fire place hoping to do some homework.

"Yeah, I've noticed too remember when we were going to potions and we walked past him he didn't even look at us. I'm not complaining or anything because it's been great it's just ever since we saw him and Hermione together it has been different and Hermione has gone back to normal no more late nights by herself; do you think something else could've happened between them?

"No she even said and I believe her besides I can't even imagine her and Malfoy makes me shudder." Ron shivered in a mocking manner and laughed at the thought of Hermione and Malfoy.

"Yeah you're right."

"You know I did over hear a conversation about how Malfoy is going to become a death eater." Then Hermione slumped into the common room with a dejected looked on her face that quickly turned into a smile and her walk became light and airy.

"Oh hello, what are you two talking about?"

"Perfect timing, I was just say about how I heard Malfoy talking about what he is doing to become a death eater. I mean I knew he would be one of them but I didn't think it would happen when he was still in school." Ron Weasley looked a bit frightened at the thought of a death eater attending the school. He gently placed his right hand, while he was leaning his elbow on the arm of the chair he was sitting on, on top of his head of bright red hair that ran in the family.

"Ron, I really don't think Malfoy would even be that stupid; did you even hear what he has to do?" Harry still very tired got up and started to pace in front of the fire place, the wood floor under the Gryffindor color schemed rug creaked loudly, his head leaning down with his round glasses sliding down his nose, his loose tie was lightly swinging against his chest.

Ron tried to remember if he had heard or not. You could tell he was trying to remember as hard as he could because his face was scrunching up and he scratched his temple.

"No, I don't think I heard, he left with Pansy Parkinson after she begged him to come with her. How pathetic is she?"

"Well, what does it matter about Malfoy anyways? I mean you're getting yourselves worked up over nothing. I bet Malfoy is making it all up so he would look superior to his goons. Honestly I thought you all hated each other so why even bother in his business? He can do whatever he wants with his life and go on obeying his vial, cruel and demonic father!" Hermione's heart beat get faster and faster as each thought of Draco Malfoy flew through her head. Her breathing became hard and heavy, and her face became red with her nose crinkling. Harry and Ron just looked at each other and then at Hermione like she had gone mad. "Okay changing the subject, what is wrong with Katie Bell? That Hogsmeade incident was a bit frightening"

"Yeah she was sent St. Mungo's now we have to find a new chaser to replace her if she doesn't get better soon." Harry didn't seem to enthusiastic about finding a new chaser because there weren't many who tried out that could be runner up's.

The three talked into the night and caught up. They hadn't talked like that in a long time. They all finally went up to their rooms at around two in the morning.

"Draco! You can't be sneaking through the halls this late!" Severus Snape grabbed Draco by the back of the collar and pulled him into his office.

"Look I know what I'm doing alright. Just let this all fall into place okay." Malfoy's pale face twisted into what looked like fear.

"But you can't go through with this!" Severus paced back and forth scowling at his student. A trickle sweat ran through the middle of his forehead and off his hooked nose.

"I have to. You have no idea what my circumstances are." Malfoy looked down at his feet thinking about why he had to do this gruesome task it wasn't just to become a death eater but to be rid of Hermione.

"Yes I do and if you just let me help you-"

"I don't need your help! I don't need anyone's help!"

"If you go through with this your life could end and I promised your mother that I would protect you and I plan to keep my promise!" Severus Snape looked desperate to help Draco Malfoy no matter what it took.

"I already feel like my life is over so it won't matter anyway!" Malfoy made a look of hurt and stomped out the door

"How can I do this? I can't do this. I have to see Hermione. I have to tell her."

Malfoy kept thinking about talking to Hermione and telling her everything but all he could was walk back and forth of the picture of the fat lady which was also the entrance to the Gryffindor common room. His pale hands were rubbing together while his robes were flapping in the wind being created by the speed of his steps. He hadn't noticed the time until he looked up at the windows and the sun was coming up. "They are bound to wake up and come out any minute now. Any minute, any minute, any minute." He just waited and waited for Hermione to come out until he finally sat down against the wall, next to the fat lady who was still sleeping herself, then he to fell fast asleep.

"Draco?" Hermione tilted her head to the side while she was taming the brown hair on her head until the bushy curls turned into smooth, soft ringlets.

"Draco wake up! Wake up, wake up, for goodness sake wake up!" Hermione got down on the floor, grabbed Malfoy's shoulders and shook him gently but gradually shook harder and harder.

"I'm awake, I'm awake!" He was jolted a little more until Hermione realized he was up. Malfoy opened his eyes that had a dark shadow surrounding them due to lack of sleep. "What's going on?"

"Why don't you tell me. What are you doing sleeping out here?!" Hermione was kneeling besides Malfoy looking concerned and excited to be talking to him.

"Well I just had a long night last night and I couldn't make back down to the dungeons I was so tired." Draco has countless joys. Just sitting looking at her was enough. He could feel his heart start to beat even faster, his palms were getting sweat, he couldn't sit still and he couldn't help but smiling uncontrollably. "What time is it?"

"Well what in the world were you doing up here late at night? Um, it's about eight." She got up dusted herself off and grabbed Malfoy by the hand and helped him off the floor as she did so she smiled and didn't want to let go of his hand no matter how sweaty it is. They both looked at each other and then down at their hands that were connected. Both of the love sick teenagers pulled away quickly. "Uh, you better get ready for class and you might want to get out of here Harry and Ron are going to be out here any second."

"Yeah you're right." He wanted to move but his feet wouldn't let him. "I should go."

"Yes I think I should be going also." Hermione could feel her brain turning to goo just looking at him. When a minute passed by they finally snapped out of it and decided to part ways. Malfoy put out his hand for Hermione to shake it. She grabbed his hand but he pulled her in close to him and they both met at the lips. Both of them forgot about how good it felt being embraced by the one they loved. After a quick few seconds they were interrupted.

"Draco! And miss. Granger together!?" Severus Snape stood there stunned, confused, and outraged more than anything.

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