Disclaimer- i do not own Harry potter!

A/N- Hi GUYS! i have to say, this chapter was odd to write! OH AND THANKS SO MUCH TO MY REVIEWERS FOR LAST CHAPTER, I ENJOYED YOUR REVIEWS VERY MUCH!

"Talking"

'Thinking'

Hermione sat alone during supper, it was Saturday evening and she had gone to Hogsmead in the morning with Harry Ron and Ginny and hadn't returned until just a couple of minutes ago. They had supper there. So what was Hermione doing at the almost empty Gryffindor dining table? Well even she didn't know.

Okay, maybe she did. She had seen Malfoy a lot during Hogsmead, and he had seen her a lot as well. Her and her friends were doing a not so good job at keeping an eye on him, watching where he went off to. He didn't seem to be up to anything although he seemed to catch them at every turn. And at every turn he would insult Ron and Harry, sometimes even pulling Ginny into the fray. But not ever Hermione, not once. She even tried to goad him into insulting her, defending her friends by throwing witty and even insulting retorts back at him, but it was as if he didn't even hear her, the worst that would happen was Crabbe, Goyle and sometimes Blaise or Pansy would insult her for him. Before he would usually jump at her throat at her every word, but ever since Thursday morning, after their encounter, it was like she didn't exist. She pinched herself a couple of times just to make sure she was awake. Malfoy was actually leaving her alone. And it absolutely unsettled her, because this blessing couldn't last forever, because he had to be planning something!

So what was she doing at the Gryffindor dining table? Trying to catch a glimpse of him, or rather, have him finally see her. She wanted whatever he had planned just to come already, she hated that she was starting to feel paranoid, every time he came a few feet near her she would unconsciously jump and she hated it, she hated that he was putting her so much on edge by simply ignoring her!. If Hermione Granger had to pick a point when she felt completely consumed by his aloofness, it would be at this very moment. When he ignored her very existence, when he didn't seem to hear her as she sneered a "Malfoy" as he passed by. When she was completely alone and vulnerable, the way he liked his victims, and said not a single word, cast not a single glance at her.

Draco Malfoy was very proud of himself. It had been three entire weeks since his 'encounter' with a curly haired brunette and he could safely say he was over his little obsession for her. Of course, he had ignored her like the little leper she was. He pretended like he didn't notice she was around. He ignored her existence,like he should. Outside of their tutoring sessions and potions class, where he made sure he sat as far away from her as possible, Granger didn't exist to him.

And even during tutoring, when they were completely and absolutely alone he didn't really talk to her. He took it upon himself to switch his seat away from her. He did his work, ignored the thick tension in the room. What he did was stay the hell away from her bewitching scent, and not think of her body, or the way her hips swayed when she walked.

She was making it real hard, However, because it was hard not to notice. The more he ignored her existence, the more her curious gazes towards him would grow. It was very hard not to notice how she would observe him whenever she got the chance. It had started as occasional glances but now it was almost daily, he could feel her amber brown eyes boring through him in every class they shared, and he vaguely wondered how she continued to keep her top marks.

Even during lunch and supper there were intervals of time that all she did was stare at him, it unnerved him in so many ways. It wasn't the usual kind of observing, like she was collecting information for her friends. He could tell, that when she stared at him now, she did it for her own personal information and gain.

'Does she think I don't notice? She's watching me all the bloody time!'

But that wasn't the worst part. Last week during potions, she had accidentally brushed against him in class! Her hands had come in to contact with his more than once, so had her arms, the best he could do was clench his jaw and ignore it! He tried to ignore how close she had her chair to his, the class itself was a jumbled unfocused mess, because he couldn't focus. Not when she was so close that when she tilted her head her chestnut brown locks would fall on the back of his hand, her delicious scent lingering. It made violent tremors shake his body, needless to say, he had fled from that class as soon as the bell rang.

He also noticed how she became increasingly jumpy around him, like she expected him to attack out of nowhere. It both pleased him and pissed him off, he hadn't touched her, not once for over three weeks now. However, he exploited this power, he would walk near her sometime just to see her stiffen and look around wildly for an oncoming attack

Other than that he ignored her. She really was insignificant, wasn't she? It was a strange thing, ignoring Granger. It gnawed at him, the need to hurl an insult at her when she walked by him in the hallway. To lash out at her when she defended her friends from him. The more intense wants, to bury his nose in her neck and hair and let her intoxicating scent consume him, to taste her delicate skin. To be on top of her again, to indulge in the sinfully delicious act of kissing her and touching her.

Who in the bloody hell was he kidding? his want for her only grew and it pissed him off.

However he was a Malfoy, lying and pretending to be perfect was one of his many talents.

He had two rules in his life, only two. Overcome and conquest whatever he could, like spells and potions, even people, to be the top at everything and anything.

Than the other, if he couldn't do what his first rule required, ignore it. If he couldn't overcome and overtake what he wanted than it simply didn't exist. And that's what he was doing, he always seemed to be doing that around Granger.

So he was ignoring her very existence, she didn't exist and he didn't want her.

'No Need to worry, just lust, every bloke feels it. I'll get over it and than she'll be that annoyingly loud mouthed Mudblood she really is'

Draco pretended to be paying rapt attention to Crabbe and Goyle as they discussed something or another. But his eyes kept straying to the Gryffindor table, Granger wasn't looking at him at the moment, but he knew she would be soon, she always did.

Pansy, she had been twitchy as of late. It was weird, even for her, he realized with a start that she was also looking at the Gryffindor table.

"What's wrong with you now Parkinson?" He stared at her from beside him.

She quickly snapped out of whatever thoughts she had "Hm? Draco, you say something?" She asked, looking up startled.

Draco raised a curious eyebrow, that was certainly odd. Pansy usually clung to every word and sound he said and made.

"What's wrong with you? Been staring at the Gryffindor table for quite a bit" The question was blunt, he didn't care, Because what if she'd spotted him, not exactly looking, but observing Granger.

"Don't be ridiculous love, why would I be staring at those sodding Gryffindor's" She said in that notorious high pitch Pansy voice.

"Never mind than" he said.

Pansy slid closer to him, and wrapped her hands in his hair. Draco leaned in close to her and covered his face with her neck.

"You know, we have a quidditch game against Hufflepuff tomorrow morning" She whispered in his ear.

"Of course I know Pans, I am the seeker. Or have you forgotten?" Draco murmured.

"Why aren't you out practicing? Before you used to practice in the very mornings all the way to the evenings, anytime you had free time, you even used to miss supper" She questioned, dragging her fingers through his hair.

Draco was not going to answer that, it was too incriminating.

"Don't feel like it, I'll practice later and tomorrow" He was known for working late in to the night, no teachers told him anything of it.

"What are you doing later tonight?" Pansy asked. To Draco's ears it was an apparent come on.

"Tutoring with Granger, until the night, It's Friday" He stated.

"Granger, I don't like her" Pansy hissed.

"And who does?" Draco snorted, ignoring the annoying shiver at just the mention of her name.

"Only Gryffindor's. Like Thomas, and Sodding, bloody Weasley" She spat.

Draco felt another pang, but it was much different than before, he tried not to curl his hands into fists.

"I didn't know Weasley or Thomas liked that pathetic excuse for a witch" Draco inquired nonchalantly.

"It's bloody obvious. Thomas looks at her all the sodding time and Weasley..." She scoffed at the end.

"Weasley can't shut up about her. Hermione can do this, Hermione would be excellent at that! Well do I look like that Mudblood?! No! I am not! And I swear if Weasley mentions her one more time, I'm hexing her!" Pansy ranted, Draco smirked, caught a bit off guard. Was Pansy jealous of Granger?

"Why hex her? Hex him, he's the one who wont shut up about her" He said, trying to keep the defensive edge from his voice.

"Defending the Mudblood, are we?"Pansy shot back.

Draco pulled away from her "Shut up Pansy" He sneered, looking back at Crabbe and Goyle.

He most certainly was not defending her!

And than Malfoy felt her eyes on him. Granger was staring at him again, he smirked because he couldn't believe at how much she was becoming absorbed in him.

Even more revolting, he liked when she looked at him.

He used to be able to get caught up in Pansy. No, Not just Pansy, any girl. Any girl he wanted, but now he couldn't help how his mind would instantly compare Pansy's scent with Granger's and how they were a world apart. Granger smelled highly more potent and enticing than Pansy. Granger seemed more alluring and even in her plainness she seemed almost seductive. And he hated thinking that way.

'I'll get over it. It's nothing, Maybe I'll cancel today's tutoring session, Snape would understand, I do have a game tomorrow morning'

Hermione couldn't help it. Her eyes drifted to the Slytherin table for the umpteenth time that night He,Malfoy, was still there, he was still whispering in Pansy's ear, and Pansy still had her hands in his hair.

'That's so disgusting. If I were a prefect I'd separate them immediately! Not only that, I'd take 50 points from Slytherin for their repulsive little show and lack of respect'

she ripped her eyes away from the offending and revolting scene and looked at Ron, he seemed on edge lately and she could take a good guess why.

"Ron, you alright mate?" Harry questioned. Ron slightly jumped and met the eyes of his concerned friends.

"Yeah, Yeah. I'm fine" He smiled.

Hermione rolled her eyes "We're not dense Ron. Is Pansy making you do all the work in potions?" She asked, spitting the Slytherin girl's name.

She really found Pansy more and more unlikable as the days went. "No, No. she's actually doing almost all the work" Ron assured.

"Well lucky you. Freaking Tracey Davis is no smarter than this here spoon" Harry growled,wagging the spoon in his hand around.

Harry and Ron got in to a heated discussion on who had it worse.

Hermione had done this with them the first week. And they had agreed, what was worse than having to sit next to Malfoy for double potions class? And than having to spend even more time with him during tutoring. But honestly, she had nothing to contribute to this conversation, because damn it all, Malfoy was being perfect. He stayed quiet, he did his work, and he just ignored her.

. During the second week as seatmates in potions, she was purposefully brushing against him, wanting to get a rise out of him, waiting for him to react, to insult her to do something to bring things back to normal! But all he'd done was leave as soon as the bell rang, he must still be repulsed by her. See, Hermione felt like she had been holding her breath for 3 weeks now! He needed to just do whatever it was he was planning and let her breath easy again. She wasn't used to this, all he did was ignore her and act as if she wasn't there, it was slightly infuriating.

Hermione snapped out of her reverie and realized that her eyes were once again on the Slytherin table. Except this time she didn't get the side of his face. She got the full frontal, the air caught in her throat. He was playing with his tongue against the inside of his cheek, he darted it out and licked the bottom of his lip and smirked. It was completely incapacitating, he looked absolutely, devilishly, dangerously breathtaking.

Hermione gulped and looked away 'What's wrong with me?'

She looked at the watch on her wrist, 6:45, she had 15 minutes to get to Snape's classroom before tutoring started. She was going to confront Malfoy, she was going to demand what it was he was up to and that he might as well give it up because she was well aware of whatever he was planning.

She stood with renewed resolve.

"Want us to walk you Hermione?" Harry offered as per usual.

She shook her head "No, Malfoy would just throw a fit. Besides it's real close and all I have to do is go over the work. Thanks Harry"

"Alright, Hermione. See you later" Ron grinned, waving dismissively. Hermione smirked, he had been so wrapped up in his own world these past few weeks.

'What's up with him? I bet it's a girl!' Hermione concluded, she gave him a knowing look, he widened his eyes at her and she laughed.

She turned to them "Oh, we can go over Binns homework tonight. For Romeo and Juliet" She said.

Harry and Ron nodded.

With a wave she walked to Snape's classroom, today would be the last day they would be working on the Estrelladelmar potion, they had been rigorously working on it for 3 weeks now. She knew the potion forwards and Backwards and was positive she could brew it, but Snape refused to let them try. He insisted all they needed was the common knowledge, what would they need it for anyway? The question itself had seemed like a challenge to Hermione.

She opened the classroom door and read through the last questions they had left to answer, it was basically a 20 question sort of test. Snape hadn't let them see it up until today, she had to admit she was a bit excited, she was sure she would get a perfect score.

The door slammed open making a loud crashing sound against the wall. Hermione jumped in complete terror and whirled around, almost pulling the wand from the inside of her robes. It was Malfoy, which meant she still had a hand on her wand just in case,

She looked at her wrist watch, 6:50.

"You're early" She stated, noting that he was wearing his quidditch uniform and holding his broom.

"I Know, I have to tell you something" Malfoy said.

Something inside of Hermione moved. She felt a pang against her chest and was almost breathless, as a violent shiver ran through her body, leaving goosebumps in her arms,

It was the first time in 3 weeks that she had heard his voice directed at her, and it was incomprehensible why she reacted this way.

'Well?" She asked, a lump in her throat.

"I'm practicing for my quidditch match tomorrow" He informed.

"Now?"

He nodded.

Hermione raised an annoyed eyebrow "But we have tutoring today" She hissed, she was a bit shocked that she almost sounded disappointed.

"I know, that is why I came to tell you. You have the day of" He replied, shrugging and leaning on his broom.

To Hermione, it looked like he wasn't making a move to leave. He just stood there and than he looked at her, and Hermione had that same explosion of feelings all over again, it sent her reeling and out of breath. She stood there trying to look composed, but she was a complete jumbled up mess, her heart was starting to speed up, and her hands started to fiddle with the ends of her hair, a nervous habit. She realized she was finding it very hard to breath. What was happening to her?!

She felt completely lost in his stormy eyes as he stared her down, for the first time in a long time. He was looking at her, not looking past her, his eyes were trained on her and she wished she could read the intensity behind them. He took one step toward her and than she let out the breath she had been holding. His eyes quickly looked away from her and he turned around.

'It's now or never, Granger' she told herself

"Malfoy, wait!" She spoke before she could think,if she thought about it she would never do it.

"What?" he asked not turning around, although she did notice the way his shoulders tensed.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"What do you mean?" He slowly turned around, confused look on his face.

"I mean, what are you planning? You haven't insulted me, not once in almost a month! What are you trying to do to me?" She accused.

He raised an eyebrow at her "Nothing"

Hermione was not expecting that answer.

"But you hate me! You still bother Harry and Ron, It's like you don't see me" She knew perfectly well that she sounded like a brain dead idiot, but she really needed to get this sorted, because she couldn't spend the rest of her life wondering what Malfoy was plotting.

"Are you jealous?" He smirked.

Hermione was blown away again, the reactions she had to him! He only smirked, and she felt breathless, it absolutely insane.

"N-no. It's just too good to be true. You not bothering me or insulting me, now that you have a million opportunities, with the tutoring. And we sit together in potions"

"Do you want me to bother and insult you" His smirk grew wicked, he looked highly amused and it was starting to irritate Hermione.

"W-what? of course not! I just wanted to know that you weren't planning to do some horrible thing to me!" She shook her head indignantly.

"Well I'm not, so relax Granger" He shrugged again, tilting his head to the side to look under her bangs.

'Holy cow! It happened again!' Hermione tried her best not to show the extreme discomfort she was in, that he was putting her in simply by trying to find her eyes.

"Why not" She asked, it was like word vomit, she couldn't control what she said.

Now Draco seemed irritated, he glared at her "Because I grew bored, alright? Enough with the questions!"

She tried to ignore the pang in her chest. Bored?

He began to stride towards her with clear intent.

Hermione instinctively took a step back, but he walked past her.

"And stop doing that! I haven't done a thing to you! Stop acting like some scared mouse, it's pathetic!" He hissed. She turned to look at him and shout at him in anger, obviously Malfoy wasn't quite as bored of her as he stated. He flung the windows open.

He jumped out with his broom next to him. Hermione's eyes widened and she ran to the window, her heart stopped beating, "Malfoy!" She yelled in horror.

And than her heart started pounding against her chest again. He had mounted his broom and was flying away from the castle and towards the quidditch pitch. Never had she felt such painful relief, it practically brought her to tears.

'There is definitely something wrong with me' she realized, as she continued to watch Malfoy as he zoomed around in his broom..

Draco grabbed his broom and quickly got it under him mounting it, just inches of the ground.

He zoomed up as far as the hoops. He loved flying, he loved everything about it. He loved the way the wind felt on his hair and face. He loved the way he could control where he went. He loved how recklessly fast he could fly, making most people shiver and cringe. Sometimes he didn't want to come down, he could fly around forever. He flew around in circles for a while, and than took out a small box from his pocket. He opened it and out flew the snitch. Sure, it was dark outside, but he was used to the dark. His eyes adjusted to the dark very quick, so he could easily keep an eye on the snitch.

He zoomed around the pitch, following the snitch around, never quite catching it just enjoying the chase. He smirked, as he made a sharp turn and found himself flying backwards and then looping back around. He continued flying.

'Granger noticed I don't pay any mind to her, perhaps she misses me' the idea tickled his stomach, how absurd.

Than he frowned 'She was being rather annoying, she thought I was up to something! Is that why she's been so stupidly jumpy?'

"Leave me alone! Why cant you just leave me alone!" The words rang in his head.

'Well she got what she wanted' he snorted 'And she has the nerve to complain about it, stupid Mudblood'

He wrapped his hand around the small little golden ball right in front of him. Too close to give it a chance at escape. But as soon as he caught it he let it go again. It made a quick turn, heading closer to the castle. Wouldn't you know it, it stopped and zoomed around right in front of Snape's still open windows. Instead of finding the little golden ball, he was met with doe brown eyes.

Her eyes widened when he spotted her.

He raised an eyebrow at her and almost smirked as she quickly shut the window making a last face at him before disappearing.

'She was staring at me, how obscene. What is wrong with her now?'

Hermione had been absorbed and mesmerized as she watched Malfoy flying.

She knew all the seekers from each house, Harry was constantly talking about them and how good they were and how he needed to be as good as them so he could compete. Hermione would roll her eyes at him, obviously he was the best seeker, only rivaled by the Slytherin seeker, Malfoy. As much as she hated to admit it, even Harry said it, watch out for Malfoy.

She liked the way Harry flew when he played. He was fast and attentive.

But here she watched Malfoy flying, he was also amazingly fast, but aggressive and at the same time so graceful, he looked like he could live in his broom. He looked like a new creature to her eyes, he was beautiful. His white golden hair shone In the darkness, his stormy, silvery eyes stood out like stars, he flew with such a grace, it was almost mystical. She had caught glimpses of his face, he looked Happy.

She was so dazzled by him that when he came to an abrupt halt right in front of her she couldn't hide the shock from her face. Her stomach fluttered wildly as he raised questioning eyebrow at her. She composed herself, made a face at, him tempted to stick her tongue out, and closed Snape's window.

A slow smile made it's way to her face, she took her rapidly beating heart to account and the way there was a giddy feeling bubbling in her stomach.

Hermione caught herself, was she smiling at Malfoy?!

'No,no no! I should head back to the common room' she ordered herself, resisting the urge to look out the window one last time.

When she got to her common room it was full. Of course it would be, it was only 7:30 in the evening.

"Yeah, that's who I want for Valentines day! Although it seems I have some unwanted competition" Parvati was talking to Lavander.

"Oh, Hi Hermione" She waved.

"Hi Parvati, Lavender" Hermione waved back, her eyes scanning the Gryffindor common room for a mop of red hair, or round glasses.

She spotted Ginny sitting next to Ron, the Weasley twins and Harry, all crowded around a chess board.

She smirked, How Ron was amazingly strategic and focused in that bloody game and couldn't pay that kind of importance to his classes was beyond her.

She trudged over to them.

"Hi guys!" Hermione greeted

"Hermione, you're early" Harry beamed.

"Yeah, Malfoy ditched tutoring to practice for some quidditch game" She informed, trying to hide the tinge of annoyance in her voice.

"Right, they play against Hufflepuff tomorrow. Wonder who'll win that one" Ron said, a note of sarcasm in his voice that confused Hermione.

Fred and George snorted.

"Am I missing something?" Hermione asked confused, giving Ginny a look. To her surprise even Ginny seemed to know what her friends were on about.

"For a smart girl" George started.

"You sure don't seem to be observant" Fred ended.

Hermione always found the bond of Fred and George endearing, the way they ended sentences for each other was unintentional and adorable. However, when they used it to patronize her, she didn't like that.

"Is that so? And may I ask how you came to that conclusion?!" Hermione snapped.

"Never mind them Hermione, Malfoy's just a really good seeker. Hufflepuff doesn't stand a chance" Ginny offered.

"Is he that good?" Hermione felt herself almost smirk, and was that pride in her voice?! 'Blasphemy!'

"Er, yeah. Him and Harry seem to be neck in neck. Last year we beat Slytherin by this much, all because Harry had just a bit more experience under his belt, and His Fire-bolt" Ron said, holding his index and thumb real close together barely leaving a gap.

"I always said, look out for Malfoy" Harry sighed.

"Don't worry Harry, you're amazing. You have natural talent" Ginny beamed, patting Harry's knee. Harry blushed a light red hue.

"So does he, Ginny. I remember first year, when he flew off the ground, that seemed like natural talent to me. The only reason I made it to a quidditch team before Malfoy was because Gryffindor was in need of a seeker and McGonagall saw me flying. She didn't see Malfoy" Harry explained.

"Stop it Harry, You're amazing and you know it!" Hermione reprimanded.

Harry smiled "Of course, all I have to do is practice more than him"

Ron slapped Harry on the back "And you got me out there mate"

"And don't you forget us" George and Fred said simultaneously.

"Maybe we should go to the game tomorrow, observe the Slytherin's play. And see what we're up against" Harry pointed out. His team nodded.

Hermione and Ginny as well.

Hermione went to bed that night in good spirits.

'So he's a great Seeker is he' she smirked before she slept.

They were out in their Cloaks on a saturday morning, it was cold out, but of course they expected that, it was the beginnings of February. Harry and his friends sat right in the front of the stands to get a clear view of the game.

Hermione's eyes were trained on the quidditch pitch in front of her. She spotted Malfoy standing next to his team captain, a smirk on his face, Hermione could see the clear anticipation in his eyes. He even seemed a bit impatient.

"Let's see if this game lasts long enough to see how they play" Ron said, sitting next to Hermione.

Harry nodded.

Hermione didn't respond, she watched in amazement as the players all ascended into the air.

She almost smiled as she realized who led the charge, Malfoy was erupting into the sky. His broom was twirling as he stood on it, his feet on the hilt and his hands holding the top of his broom.

'Amazing'

Hermione watched as Malfoy hovered above all the players on the pitch, looking around. It was when he seemed to have spotted something and started rapidly moving downwards that two Hufflepuff beaters went to either side of him, trapping him.

Hermione's eyes widened. 'That's hardly fair! And isn't a Hufflepuff supposed to be scared and nice. Look at them now!'

Hermione glared as she paid rapt attention, seeing Malfoy's mouth moving rapidly, an angry scowl clear on his face, as the Hufflepuff seeker went off in the direction Malfoy had been flying to.

Except, Malfoy's face changed, drastically! He had been scowling and now he seemed to be smirking. Hermione instantly noticed why. He wasn't as trapped as he seemed, the Hufflepuff beaters were still following his lead, and he led them right in to the posters, with the Hufflepuff insignia on them. Malfoy easily came to a halt and ascended upwards again. The two beaters had no such luck as they crashed into the posters and crashed down.

'How barbaric and mean! It was a trap! Brilliant!' Hermione realized, her stomach did a little somersault as she caught sight of Malfoy, rapidly descending again. She was unable to stop herself from clapping in joy along with the rest of the Slytherin spectators..

Harry, Ron and Ginny turned to her, eyes wide.

"It was a very smart move, is all" Hermione replied sheepishly, immediately stopping her clapping.

She watched the rest of the game, unable to pry her eyes of off Him, Malfoy. He looked so different flying around, trying to win the game for his team and his house.

The game lasted a total of 8 minutes, before Malfoy caught the snitch and beat Hufflepuff, 210 to 40.

He beamed as he descended down to the field some of his friends and teammates crowding him and congratulating his win.

Hermione couldn't keep the smile in her face, almost disgusted she realized she had been rooting for Slytherin, for Malfoy!

"Crap" Ron groaned from besides Harry.

"I know, they're really good" Harry stood up.

Hermione stood ready to follow Harry, he seemed just slightly upset.

"Ah, it's Potter and friends, came to cheer me on?" Hermione heard the familiar drawl and had to stop herself from smiling. She bit her tongue harshly. 'What is wrong with you, you idiot! He came to bother your BEST FRIENDS!'

"Shove it Malfoy" Ron sneered, he and Harry quickly turning to face Malfoy.

Hermione turned with them, Malfoy was being flanked by Blaise.

"You always say the sweetest things to me Weasel" Malfoy snorted.

"Oh, I can be even sweeter" Ron shot back, clenching his fists.

"Ew, no thanks. I don't roll that way. Ah but perhaps Potter might appreciate your offer a bit more. What do you say Potter?" Malfoy asked crossing his arms over his chest.

"I say you roll more in Blaise direction, huh?" Harry shot back. Hermione let out a laugh as she and Ginny grabbed on to Ron, who wanted to maul Malfoy.

"You find this funny, Granger?" Malfoy sneered at her.

Hermione's eyes widened, he was acknowledging her again?

"As a matter of fact I do" She replied, trying to keep the laugh from her voice.

"Is that so?" He took a step toward her, Hermione suppressed the need to jump or step back.

"Well, are you going to congratulate me? I did win you know. In record time, if I do say so myself" He looked at Harry and Ron "But don't worry, I'm saving my best game especially for the Gryffindor team"

"Oh good, for a second there I thought you weren't going to be a challenge" Harry shrugged, with a smirk on his face, not betraying his earlier distress.

"Don't worry, your pathetic little team doesn't stand a chance, not one!" Growled Malfoy, seeming to lose his pleasant tone.

Malfoy and Blaise turned to leave and before she could stop herself, Hermione called out to him.

"Malfoy!" .

He turned and raised an eyebrow "Yes?"

"Congratulations" she breathed. He smirked and threw almost smug looks at her friends behind her.

It snapped Hermione out of her reverie. 'Did I just congratulate him?! Get a grip you sodding idiot'

"You know. On being the first team on the roster to face Gryffindor, and surely going to be their first beat of the year. Congratulations" she tried to save herself. She must have done a good job as her friends hooted and cheered behind her.

Malfoy didn't seem to register that. He looked at Hermione, making Hermione's heart beat rapidly and her stomach twist into violent knots.

And than he tilted his head to the side and smirked. "We'll see about that" he took a step back and raised an eyebrow sending one last devilishly malicious and at the same time alluring, smirk her way.

A heat pooled at her cheeks, her heart sped up even more, if that was possible. She felt the blood rushing in her ears, and the violent twisting in her stomach turned to flapping. It felt as if there was a million huge butterflies in her stomach.

'Crap'

She realized horrified what was wrong with her, what had transpired in the 3 weeks of silence and no acknowledgment, that led to that final smirk.

'I'm smitten!'

She was completely aghast, the absurdity! But Hermione was a sharp girl and she couldn't lie to herself, she couldn't deny it! She liked him! She liked his face, his smirk, his stupid voice. The way his hair hung over his beautiful eyes. The way he looked at her. That's why she kept staring at him! Even the way he rode his broomstick was amazing to her eyes.

'Ok, there is a completely reasonable explanation. He hasn't said a mean thing or done anything cruel to me for almost a month. It's nothing more than a crush that will fade as soon as he opens that vile mouth of his' Hermione tried to comfort herself as she grabbed her belongings and made her way to the confines of her common room speeding ahead of Ron, Ginny and Harry, who were still laughing as they followed her.

'Relax, Granger, relax! You'll get over this! No worries!'

Alright, please tell me what you think! REVIEW! lol, you don't have to. I'm a bit insecure with this chapter, is it moving too fast? please tell me so i could slow it down. I HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOYED IT! also i wanted you guys to know that just to adjust to my story i made Ron a quidditch player just a bit earlier.

OH and remember when you have that crush on someone and try to deny it it to yourself but obviously can't stop your body's reactions, like the stupid butterflies, and nerves and you catch yourself staring, well that's what our little Hermione is going through lol. this chapter was a bit mushy, the next one will definitely be a tad angsty. tata loves!