He nodded as she walked away, "Yeah.Tonight." he turned to lean on his shoulder against the wall as Hermione made her way toward the room.

"Thanks for not waiting." She said irritated.

"The pleasure was all mine." He retorted sourly, and followed her as she pushed open the heavy door into the Charms classroom.

A/N: Now, don't worry, you're not going crazy, and you didn't miss a chapter, things will sort themselves out, don't worry..

Humpty Dumpty

Trudging her books down the hallways, and up the stairs, Hermione approached the portrait of the fat lady.

"Gillyweed." Her tone was even, and quiet.

"Try not to be so excited," the Fat Lady was trying to be particularly witty.

"Just let me in, please?" she was tired, and didn't feel like exchanging cheap puns.

"Fine, fine, don't let a painting have her fun." And she swung open for Hermione to step though.

Not expecting to see anyone sitting up at eleven at night, she was startled when she saw her friend Ginny sitting by the fire with a book her lap.

"Oh! Ginny you scared me." She held her heart, which was beating rather quickly

Ginny laughed lightly, "Sorry Hermione. I was just doing some reading, I couldn't sleep." She closed the book in her lap and curled her legs under her, making room for her friend. Hermione took the hint and plopped down next to Ginny on the couch, and left her bag of books on the floor.

"So," Ginny asked her, "How was detention? Colin and Pavarti got back ages ago."

Hermione sighed heavily, "Alright I suppose. The test didn't take long, but then it was another two hours of boredom."

"Hmm," Ginny eyed her curiously, "Why were you late again?"

"Oh, that. Um…" Hermione thought for a moment, "Flitwick had to hold both Malfoy and I back. We walked in late, and well, he gave us detention with Binns next week."

Ginny grimaced, "Sounds thrilling." She said plainly, "Well, glad it wasn't too horrible." She paused and looked around, "I'm actually going to try and sleep now. See you at breakfast." She stood from the couch and clutched the book she was reading in her hands. "Night," she said as she crossed behind Hermione and upstairs.

"Yeah, night." Hermione watched her go up the stairs to the girls' dormitories. But she stayed behind. Scooting to the other end of the couch, closer to the fire, Hermione curled up into a ball and laid her head on the arm of the couch. Staring into the fire, she could feel her eyes getting heavy, and the colors of the flames entranced her. After taking one last sigh, she was fast asleep.

"Hermione, wake up." A voice was speaking in her head; she didn't know where it was coming from. "Hermione…" it repeated her name.

Harry was shaking her viciously, "Wake up."

She jumped this time, being fully awakened from her deep slumber. It was still dark in the common room, and the fire was barely smoldering, "Harry? What time is it?" Her voice was groggy, and she had to squint to see him sitting next to her.

"It's four in the morning, I couldn't sleep, so I came down here.

Hermione sat up and rubbed her eyes, now acclimating to the darkness. Harry grabbed a blanket from the back of the couch and handed it to her.

"Thanks," Hermione said, wrapping herself in the crimson cloth. She had still been in her school uniform, which didn't hold its heat too well in the beginning of autumn.

"You okay? You were a little jumpy." Harry asked her, leaning back into the couch.

Hermione looked at the ground, "Oh yeah. I'm fine. Just a strange dream is all."
Harry looked at her, as if to prod her along to tell him about it, "But," she said, "It's no big deal."

She got up and released the blanked from her shoulders handing it to Harry, "I'm going go upstairs, I'll see you in the morning."

"Okay, sure, no problem. He said, and draped the blanket over himself.

Hermione continued up to the girls' dormitory. As she made her way to her bed, she shed her uniform, left it on the floor near her trunk, and dropped her bad next to her bed. She was careful to be quiet, as the whole room was sleeping still. After putt on her nightclothes she exhaled deeply, she sank into her mattress, in a sitting position, and dug for the slip of paper that she had earlier pressed beneath her mattress. Breathing quietly to herself, she opened the folds and turned it toward the window for light, Tomorrow night, Binn's room. 9:45 don't be late.

…Hermione stared at the words written in the paper. Still confused, she considered the information. It had arrived as she opened her charms book in class, and she had immediately shoved it back in, as to prevent anyone from reading it. She knew the handwriting very well, she had seen it just minutes before receiving the letter. But why? Her head whirled. No, it just stood, stood confused. What on earth was it supposed to be, a joke? Possibly. Or, an evil ploy to embarrass her? Even more possible. Except now, she had to consider the past. He hadn't contacted her like this in months. Well, since the previous year. This was the first time. After today's incident she thought things had changed, and gone back to normal. But what would her life be if it were normal? Replacing the paper under the mattress, she slid down beneath her sheets and pulled an extra blanked to her chin. What could she do? Avoid it she could not. She would go, she decided as she drifted back to sleep.

As if detention wasn't enough, Hermione had barely slept the night before. Her reoccurring dream had haunted her all night. Stupid letter, she thought bitterly. Her sixth year had been directly tied with her somewhat mysterious note. The occurrences replayed in her mind as she numbly changed into muggle attire and exited the seventh year dorm. With each step she took, she was blinking pieces. There had been head, but the room was cold. She could remember smells, words. Over the summer she had tried to block it out, and all that was left was fragments.

"Morning Hermione, sleep well?"

Hermione distractedly ignored Parvarti as she exited the common room. Her feet echoed as she walked to the great hall. She glanced at her watch briefly before entering. 7:30. She could get in and out. She thought she could be early enough to not see him, she thought wrong.

Hermione stopped before entering. A few people were scattered, the early risers. Her eyes sought him out. Her was along, but facing her. She looked around sheepishly as she walked to her table. By sitting with her back facing him, she thought she could shake his stare. But she could feel it on her neck. It felt like a mix of fire and ice, and hade her fully alert. Silently, she ate a few pieces of toast and jam, and managed to finish off a few glasses of pumpkin juice within a half hour.

On a normal morning, the great hall would be madness by now, seeing as it was a Saturday, it was only half full. She avoided his gaze by keeping her eyes down as she stood, heading out for the library.

The library. She must be there. He thought, entering the very room. He saw her along the back row of books, but kept away. Pretending to flip through a book on useful magic flowers he was able to watch her. He saw her scribble a word, maybe two on a torn piece of parchment and sticks it in the pages of her book. It was left there when she walked past him toward the door. He moved swiftly, only taking three or five strides to the vacant table. His fingers fumbled with the book when he found the bit of paper. Indeed, it was one word. 'Fine."

9:30 came all too quickly. All day, Hermione did her homework, and even managed for a few rounds of chess with Harry and Ron. She was silent through dinner, and skillfully dodged Ron and Harry's prodding questions. At 9:30 she vacated the common room, which was alive with chatter and laughter. She thought it would be easier if she were early. Leverage, if you will. The history of magic classroom wasn't far off from where she was, and at 9:40 she stood outside the tall threshold. Her hand was shaky as she tightly gripped the handle. Such a familiar feeling to her. She hadn't felt this way in ages. She was…slightly anxious. The giant knot in her stomach told her to stop. But as if she could listen? She turned the knob slowly, and tried to open the creaky door quietly. The door shut behind her as she stepped into the room. It was seemingly empty, and Hermione breathed a sigh of relief.

"You're early."

Oops.

Hermione said nothing, and dared not to move. The voice behind her chuckled softly.

"It's all right, relax." He said quietly. Hermione turned extremely slowly, as he took a few steps toward her. The space between them became gradually smaller, and Hermione dared to look into his steel eyes.

"I-you…" she began to stammer. After closing her eyes briefly she continued, "Why, Draco? Why…this?"

He shrugged, "Nothing good going on tonight," he paused, "I missed this. I missed…you know talking to you, seeing you."

Hermione made a mental note; He never said he missed you. Draco stepped toward her, but she backed off just as quickly.

"What happened last year?" she was direct, "Did something happen with your father and…"

"He's dead. Him and my father." This time, Hermione took the step, Draco didn't move. "The death eaters tried to overthrow him. Oh, they killed him, but more than half died in the process." He had been looking over Hermione's head, and now he lowered his eyes to catch hers. They were filled with a sort of sorrow.

"I'm sorry." Her voice sounded delicate.

Draco shook his head, "I'm not. Don't pity me, Hermione." His hand touched her check briefly, "You're far better than that."

Hermione looked down when she felt his touch, "What was yesterday if you wanted to see me?"
Another shrug, "Appearances."

Hermione turned away and walked across the classroom toward the window. At the window's glass she stopped, gazing out at the courtyard.

"I should tell Harry then?" she was only thinking out loud.

Draco shoved his hands in his pockets and stepped in the same direction. "And tell him what?" he laughed, "You've been sneaking around with me and I told you at one of our hidden meetings? I doubt that will go over well with Potty."

Hermione's stare stayed to the cold glass. "Say what you will, but he's my friend. I'd rather you not be that way…as long as it's just the two of us."

Draco voice was slightly sardonic, "Sorry."

A chilling silence filled the room, as neither one wanted to speak. Chilling as it was, it seemed almost comforting. A normal pace for the times they met. A conversation, a silence. It was like clockwork. Hermione looked at her wristwatch. 10:15.

"I should go. I don't want to be out after hours."

Draco nodded. "Okay."

Hermione crossed the room and pushed the door open once again. When she was alone in the hallway it felt colder. And the common room felt impossibly far away.

When she finally did reach her destination, Harry was already waiting to pounce, and Crookshanks was purring innocently in the corner of the couch.

"Where'd you go and run off to?"

Hermione shook her head and shrugged, "Nowhere, really. But I'm going to go up to bed."

"Big match next week. You promised you'd come right?"

"Quidditch? I promised? Well, if you say so, I must have. Sure, I'll be there."

She spoke rather quickly as she made her way to the stairwell. "Night."

She didn't really want to sleep. The dorm was still alive with chattering girls. They were too busy to pay her mind when she snuck in. She didn't bother changing. Only climbed into her bed and drew her curtains closed. Her head falling onto the pillow was a welcome comfort to her. Normally, she was the first one up, and the last one down. This was why her bed was closest to the stairs. Tonight, however, staying up and studying wasn't what she was looking for.

A sudden high-pitched shriek caught her ear and she quickly pulled back her curtains. The scream had come from Lavender, who was now poised on her own bed, "H-Hermione…a spider." She was pointing to a decent sized black spot on the floor.

Hermione looked at her and rolled her eyes, "Honestly, Lavender. It's just a spider. Grow up!"

Lavender shot her a nasty look, but Hermione ignored her and proceeded to duck back into her covered four-poster.

"Bit crabby, isn't she?" she could hear Lavender whispering from beyond the curtains. Another voice joined in, "Could have something to do with where she went traipsing off to."

"Where? You know?"

The other girl shook her head, "I heard rumors she was out late thought…."

They can't know, Hermione thought to herself, They can never know.

The next week of classes flew by. Hermione and her peers managed to scrape though a potions test, two History of Magic quizzes, and to Hermione's advantage, a rather moderate Arithmancy test.

On Saturday, the school had its first trip to Hogsmede of the year. Of course, all the third years went, anxious for their first trip. Hermione opted out and wished her friends a good time while Ginny promised her some sweets from Honeyduke's. She watched them depart from the window in the common room, and breathed a sigh as she slung her book bag over her shoulder, and continued to the door. The common room only held a few gossiping first and second years, all discussing how unfair it was that they didn't get to join. Hermione smiled to herself as she made her way to the library, once again. Her first years were so much simpler, even when her and her friends had to battle different forms of evil.

The library was completely deserted when Hermione walked in. Madame Prince had left a sign at the desk explaining that no books were to be taken out and the Restricted Section was off limits for the day while she was on the trip. But that didn't make a difference to Hermione. The library had a smart selection of historical novels near her favorite table in the back right corner. Looking forward to settling down for the afternoon, she was surprised, pleasantly or not, to find her usual chair occupied. She was startled and froze. Draco was seated in her chair.

Wouldn't he have gone on the trip? She continued to think.

Her first thought was just to sneak away, but something else told her to make her presence known.

"Sorry, didn't realize anyone was here." At first he didn't hear her, being completely wrapped up in his book.

She tried again as she walked away, "I'll just...go." It was her sudden movement that forced him to look up. She looked into his eyes for a moment, seeing only a glimmer of warmth, and began to turn away.

"You don't have to go, " he had stood up, "…if you don't want to."

Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but her head spoke inside her, No! It said, don't be stupid, just turn away.

Draco continued, "I mean, it's empty, and I don't bite, right?" he paused, "Don't answer that."

Hermione laughed bitterly, still hurting a bit from the week before. She hesitated before putting her bag on the table and pulling up a chair at the opposite end from Draco.

"Fair enough. I suppose I deserve that."

"You think?"

Draco sighed, "Look, it's not that I-"

"Just save your breath, I'm not worth it." Hermione pushed out of her chair and walked between two bookshelves at the back of the library. She had only begun pretending to look at books when he started to follow her. She avoided him the best she could, quickly getting to the other side of a shelf when he would follow her. She was now on one side, and he on the other. Hermione pulled a book off the bottom shelf and when she stood back up, she was face to face with him again. Draco held three or four large books in his hands and was peering at Hermione through the shelf where they used to stand.

"Will you talk to me?" Draco asked her quietly.

"I can't." she replied and put the book on the shelf in his face as she walked off. Draco hesitated only to put his books back, and he had to walk quickly to catch up. "Why not?"

"Because." Hermione threw the word sharply over her shoulder as she made her way through the twisting shelves.

"Because why? What's changed?" Draco stopped moving, and Hermione turned sharply, "Everything! Don't you see? Everything is different now!"

Even from far away his eyes cut through her like silver glass. She looked away quickly, "Nothing is what it used to be."

The two faced each other, and Hermione's face turned the other way. Again, Draco approached her, and this time she didn't move, but she watched him as he came within her bubble, and she stared.

Draco watched Hermione as she stood, staring. He saw it as her eyes began to glisten with tears. He watched this lively, sometimes-too-smart-for-her-own-good girl crumble. She tried to close her eyes and hide it. Draco only clasped his hands on her shoulders and gently forced her to look at him again.

"It'll work out in the end. Whatever is going on. I mean, we've already gotten past the first three stages of grieving."

"How many are there?"

"I don't know. I thought it'd make you feel better."

Hermione choked a laugh, "Gee, thanks." She stood for a moment, "You know, I think we both have our own issues to work out…on our own."

Draco's hands fell to his sides at this. "Oh…yeah, sure. Safer that way, I bet."

Hermione nodded to herself and turned back to walk to their table. Draco was not far behind when she sat down. She looked down at her hands when he sat next to her instead of across the table. She looked at him, "I'm sorry. But just for now. Give me another week. This yeah is difficult enough, after last year…and after the funeral." She paused. Talking about their former headmaster was still hard for her.

"Which I had nothing to do with."

Hermione looked at Draco sadly, "That's why it's hard. I don't know if I can believe you."

"Why can't we go back to the way it was?" Draco shook his head, not understanding.

"We just can't go back."

Hermione looked at him again, her eyes soft. Without hesitation she picked up her bag and was gone.

Hermione sat agitated across from Harry in the common room on Sunday evening. She had missed the game that weekend, after loosing track of the time.

"What's going on with you, Hermione?" he asked curiously.

"Nothing, I swear."

"I don't believe you. You've never around; you're always in a hurry. It's like you're avoiding your friends."

"Well, I'm not!" Hermione snapped, crossing her arms.

"I'm just worried is all!"

"Well maybe you should keep yours to yourself and keep out of mine!"

Harry and Hermione were standing now, throwing the words loudly at each other. Hermione had a look of fury fixed on her face. Just seconds later, Ginny walked in.

"Am I interrupting?" she surveyed the two carefully.

"No." Hermione said shortly. "I was just leaving." She have Harry one last sour look before exiting to the stairs leading to the girls' dormitories.

A/N: Review? Thanks. Chapter three next weekend.