A/N: Finally had a chance to work on this story! The plot thickens!

Hermione slept restlessly, to the point where her mind was anticipating the sunrise. Relieved that it was morning, she rose early and decided to relax in a warm bath before heading to breakfast. As the bubbles engulfed her, Hermione thought back to last night's events, wondering how far Dean would have pushed her if Malfoy hadn't shown up. To be relieved at Malfoy's presence was another issue altogether. She still hated him, but it was reassuring to know that his hate for her did not extend to the point of malevolence, where he would find the idea of her being assaulted amusing.

Hermione wasn't sure how she would face Dean after last night. His apology and apparent remorse made her feel less shaken, but the fact that he didn't listen to her wishes riled her. She should be angry, she decided, not feel guilty that she had done something wrong by asking him to stop. If only she had not bothered with boys and ignored her curiosity. She got out of the bath, dried and dressed, before heading out to the common room.

Looking over at the bean bags, they surprisingly didn't make her want to dry retch. They actually amused her. It was Malfoy's words that had stuck rather than the activities they had accommodated. She made her way out of the portrait hole shaking her with incredulity.

Hermione was relieved to see Harry and Ron at the breakfast table, wedging her self between them as a protective measure. "Hermione, lets head down to the lake for a walk after breakfast. We have a free period and for once I don't have to do some last minute homework," Harry suggested.

"Harry, I'd really love that."

"You're not sitting over with Dean today?" Ron asked. She looked up to see Dean sit at the opposite end of the table, his attention averted elsewhere.

"We don't have to hang out every minute of the day, Ron. It's not like we're going out or anything."

Ron raised an eyebrow, "I thought you two were official." Harry nodded, signalling the shared view.

"Everyone thinks you're his girlfriend," he added.

"We never even discussed it. Just because we've been hanging out a bit doesn't mean we are a couple." Ron shrugged in response, looking slightly relieved.

"Pancakes?" He passed the plate to her. She happily accepted.

Hermione could feel Dean staring at her, but every time she turned to glare at him, he quickly looked away. She just wanted to leave the table. "Harry, you finished?"

"Yeah, ready?" She nodded. "See you in Charms Ron, good luck finishing your two foot essay." He scrunched his face in distaste before waving them off.

They walked along the fringe of the forbidden forest, passing Hagrid's hut, which was empty as he was teaching. They reached the lake and sat on the face of the hill, looking out over the clear water, and the crisp sky above.

"So, how are things with Ginny?" Hermione asked.

"Really good. I was actually wondering if you and Dean want to go on a double date."

"Uhm, I'm not sure. I'll ask him," she could not bring herself to tell him, despite her initial plans. Creating animosity amongst Gryffindors was something she wanted to avoid, going by past experience with Harry.

"You're just oozing enthusiasm aren't you?" he joked, probably thinking that it was because of Ginny. Hermione and Ginny were friends by default and rarely volunteered to hang out with each other.

"Oh, it's not what you think Harry," she touched his shoulder in reassurance. "It's just, I don't where things with Dean and I are heading," she admitted.

"Second thoughts?"

"Something like that. I don't think I'm ready for all this dating business. It is rather distracting." She sighed. Harry tilted his head as he turned to regard her with amusement.

"Hermione, fun is not a distraction! It's okay to have social activities going on. I'm sure you can still manage with all your responsibilities and self-inflicting pressures," he grinned knowingly.

Hermione sent him a mocking glare. She knew Harry meant well, but for now he will just have to be in the dark about things. "Well, we'll see."

"That means, no."

"It might," she teased.

"That means, yes."

"Shut up, Harry!"

"That means, I'm right." She gave him a playful punch in the arm. He feigned pain as he grabbed his arm in an exaggerated gesture. The two lay back on the grass, passing the time with lazy chit chat as the morning sun had finally stretched to its peak brightness.

Hermione sat up, the sun hitting her face. "I think we should head back. I'm sure its almost time for class. What do you have?"

"Defence."

"I'm headed to Arithmancy. I'll see you guys at lunch then?"

"You're not spending it with Dean?"

"I guess not," she said resolutely. Harry shrugged and stood up, brushing the grass off him. He held out a hand to help Hermione up. "Thanks." They made their way back to the castle, Harry leaving her at her common room entrance before heading off to collect his own books.

Hermione entered the portrait hole, and headed through the passageway into her festive common room. Malfoy was on one of the bean bags, writing frantically on the piece of parchment which rested on a thick open book. He had ink everywhere. She stood watching him, relishing in his comical appearance.

"Granger is there a problem?" he blurted without looking up, or breaking away from his writing.

"No, no problem," she answered with honey suckled sarcasm. He looked up at her briefly before he dipped his quill in the ink jar beside him, carelessly allowing it to drip everywhere. She narrowed her eyes at his recklessness. "I hope you're going to clean that up!"

"Granger, I don't have time for your reprimands. I have about ten minutes to write another foot so, get lost!" he thundered, before calmly returning back to his work. Hermione was startled at his interchangeable behaviour. She turned in the direction of her bedroom and went to collect her things. When she returned, he was still in frenzied state, scribbling away, but his parchment had actually grown in length. She marvelled at how he could have written so much since she had entered the common room. Hermione stopped at the portrait hole, looking back at him momentarily before making her way to Arithmancy.

OOO

It was not until Hermione was walking toward the Great Hall for lunch that she ran into Dean. He had sought her out, it seemed.

"Hermione!" he called out from behind. She decided to stop and acknowledge him but her face was blank. He rushed up to her. "Can we talk? Please?" His pleading demeanour washed away his cheeky bad boy image instantly. She found it rather unappealing.

"I don't think there's much to say."

"Well, I do want to say I'm sorry. I got carried away."

"Really? I would never have picked it." He stiffened at her response.

"I'm trying to apologise to you."

"I gathered as much." His eyes narrowed. She knew she was being unaccommodating but she was feeling rather indifferent towards his expression of remorse.

"Look, Hermione, I really am sorry. I wasn't thinking straight, I didn't realise you really wanted me to stop."

"In my defence, and I don't think I need one, I think I made it pretty clear, Dean" she said flatly. Students began to flood the hallway and Hermione did not want to be discussing this in public.

"OK, I was a selfish prat, it won't happen again. But, I just want you to know that I really like you, and I hope you haven't changed your mind about me." Hermione looked around her, glaring at those who were eyeing them and trying to eavesdrop on their exchange.

"I need some time to think." He nodded, his shoulders slumping. She walked through the doors of the Great Hall without looking back.

OOO

Exhausted from a long day, Hermione decided to visit her hideaway. She made her way down the corridor housing the entrance to her haven, but halted as she walked passed the unused classroom door which preceded her doorway. She could hear several muffled voices emanating from the classroom. Intrigued as to who might be occupying the unemployed room, she moved under the archway marking the entrance to the room and pressed an ear to the door, as she waved her wand to raise the volume of the drifting discussion.

"When will this next lot be ready?"

"Two days. Have you gone through the other stuff already?"

"No! What do you take me for? I just want to make sure I have stock."

"You can't keep doing this Draco. It's going to catch up with you."

"Quit worrying. It's just temporary."

"Maybe you should prioritise a bit more. This whole game is getting out of hand. Theo is becoming really competitive and word is spreading. I really don't know how you're managing your work load even with this stuff."

"You're one to talk! Why should I give up my leisurely activities? I've got it under control. Relax!" Hermione's curiosity was definitely getting the better of her as she tried to make sense of what Zabini and Malfoy were talking about. She wondered why they had not put up a silencing charm but then again, this particular hallway hardly attracted any traffic.

"I've stopped," she heard Zabini announce.

"What?"

"I really don't care anymore. It's just some stupid game."

"There's more to this sudden change of mind isn't there? As if you, Blaise Zabini, wouldn't want to participate? You're running streak is evidence of that!"

"I won't say it wasn't fun, but it's lost it appeal."

"Riiight. Well, I have patrols with a hot Ravenclaw chick that I just can't miss."

"Killing two birds with one stone?"

"You could say that. Don't forget to put up the charms before you leave." Hermione could hear footsteps approaching the door. She quickly moved away and rushed to the entrance of her hideaway, slipping in just as she heard Malfoy open the door of the classroom. She hastily turned around and quietly closed her door, resting against it as she tried to control the adrenaline rush. She wondered what those Slytherin prats were up to now.

It almost sounded illegal.

Malfoy's fading footsteps signalled her relief as she exhaled loudly into the room.

Hermione could not stop herself from considering how to go about discovering what they were up to. She could straight up confront Zabini now that he was all alone in the classroom but, there was the issue of facing a hostile and angry Slytherin. She could wait until he left and sneak in but, she would probably need to exercise caution on any intruder alerts. And, it might take a bit of work to remove the charms they had placed on whatever they were hiding. Or, alternatively, knowing that Malfoy was off on patrols, she could search his room.

She snuck back out into the corridor, casting a silencing charm on herself as she made her way past the classroom door and headed back to her the head common room. It was eerily quiet. Hesitantly, Hermione walked over to the doorway of Malfoy's bedroom face with a small dilemma. She had not considered the fact that like her, he probably had a password. She waved her wand to test the theory. As expected, alohamora was not going to cut it.

To delve in to the psyche of a Malfoy and guess his password was worrisome enough. She opted for the more obvious options to start with.

"Salazaar."

"Slytherin rules."

"King of Slytherin."

"Slytherin Prince."

"Snake's den."

"I love Slyherin!" Nothing. So, it was not house related or any narcissistic house references. She pondered on alternatives. That last one was a far cry.

"Seeker's abode."

"Quidditch."

"Mudblood?" She was relieved that it wasn't that!

"Pumpkin Juice."

"Firebolt."

"Dragon."

"Malfoy's room?" She was getting frustrated now. "Come on!" Hermione sunk down, leaning against the Head boy's bedroom door, feeling rather aggravated at the lack of simplicity in the execution of the most straightforward option available. "What the hell are you prats up to?"

Reluctantly, Hermione headed to her room, lying on her bed to ponder alternatives. Clearly, there was no time for homework. After about five minutes of fruitless attempts, her only resolution was to try and get it out of Zabini himself, or keep watch on Malfoy and catch him saying his password. She fell asleep, dreaming of long corridors, and forbidden doorways.

A/N: Hmmmm...:p