A/N: It's been uncharacteristically a while since my last post, but my writer's block for my other story A Cognitive Dissonance miraculously cleared and I had to get it do paper. This chappie is a little shorter than usual, and a little telling too! Enjoy!

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The sound of running water emanating from the bathroom instantly brought Hermione back to alert mode. She had to move quickly. Taking a deep breath to ready herself, she carefully crawled out from under the bed. Lying low, she spotted the open desk draw and carefully crawled over, lifting herself up enough to close it, tensing as she controlled the release of its handle.

Now upright on her knees, Hermione looked over the bed at the bathroom door; it was half open which was enough to conceal whatever Malfoy was up to. She heard him cough over the running tap. Looking over at the entrance to his bedroom she estimated the time it would take her to rush across with a degree of stealth.

Five seconds?

Provided she didn't encounter any floor obstacles. Quickly glancing back at the bathroom she stood up and hurriedly rushed around, careful not to step on anything, reaching the door.

Four seconds.

Hermione sighed as she gently placed her hand on the door handle, turning it as she pulled to finalise her escape. It wouldn't budge. "Shit!" she whispered, turning her head quickly as she glanced over at the bathroom before turning her attention to the unyielding door.

She pulled again.

Nothing.

Panic stricken, Hermione was feeling the brunt of her predicament, especially since the tap had stopped running. Adrenaline coursing through her veins, Hermione ran over to Malfoy's closet and stepped inside just in the nick of time as Malofy opened his bathroom door and walked back into the room. She heard him shuffle about, mentally willing him not to come near his closet. She shut her eyes to escape reality. The room became ominously quiet.

Hermione held her breath.

The closet door swung open, just as Hermione opened her eyes. They widened in horror at the sight of Malfoy standing before her, half naked, and with a heated malice in his eyes.

"Hello, Granger," he drawled deviously, like he had just caught his prey. He leered in triumph. Hermione's heart was pounding so loudly, she barely heard him speak. Realisation dawning, she bolted out of her spot and rushed past him so quickly, his reflexes were too slow as she ran back over to the door, away from his reach. She pulled against it desperately, a final attempt before turning to face him, her back against the door. Hermione grabbed the nearest potentially dangerous object she could reach in defiance.

A book.

How ironic.

"Open the door, Malfoy," she threatened. He was standing on the opposite end of the room nonchalantly eyeing her, his wand in hand.

"Quite the demanding intruder, aren't you Granger? What are you going to do? Throw my potions text book at me?" She instantly felt the book float out of her grasp and over to his side of the room into his free hand. He tossed it on the floor beside him. Hermione glared back at him.

"Alright Malfoy, you've got me. I haven't taken anything, so you can let me out now," she attempted to reason, her voice firm.

"Granger, if you are going to sneak around someone's room, make sure it's not a Slytherin's. You really have no clue. My bathroom has a mirror, you know," he offered, his tone belittling.

"Well, I would have no reason to if you'd just give me my wand!" she shouted, finally losing it. She picked up another book and threw it at him. His wand redirected it to his bed.

"And here I thought you wanted to just snoop around my interesting and expensive possessions," he retorted.

"Fuck off, Malfoy." He began to walk over to her side of the room, his bare chest threatening her senses as she involuntarily averted her eyes to it. Of all the opportunity to perve, this was not the time. It was all Dean's fault. He had tweaked her interest.

"You see, Granger, we have a slight problem, since this is my room and all." He was standing in front of her now, his eyes daring, his hair slightly wet around his face, a shade darker as a result.

"Don't come any closer, Malfoy," she warned. He looked at her strangely. "Just let me out," she almost pleaded, her voice slightly pitched.

"I can't just let you out. You should never have come in here, Granger." Hermione stood silent and worried. The tone of his voice mimicked the same one she had used when she had caught Dean with Pavarti. The situation was volatile and she had to be careful.

"Granger, you seem to be showing up everywhere you're not supposed to lately. Why is that?" He narrowed his eyes awaiting a response.

"Well, Malfoy, I wouldn't be in the way so much if you just gave me back my wand," she attempted to reason. He considered her response, as he tapped his wand with his opposite hand.

"Somehow, I doubt that," he said resolutely. A moment of silence engulfed them. "What's going on with you and Blaise?" he almost demanded. Hermione was surprised by his question.

"Nothing," she simply said as the image of her kissing Blaise flashed before her. She blinked to evade any suspicion from Malfoy. He was eyeing her very carefully.

"I think we have a problem here, Granger."

"What are you talking about?"

"You're lying."

"What?" She was dumbfounded and still backed against his bedroom door.

"You are lying," he repeated with more clarity, almost patronisingly.

"I heard you! Nothing is going on, Malfoy!" She could see he was dissatisfied as he pursed his lips to restrain himself from any further questioning. It was all so very bizarre.

"Malfoy, if you don't have any more probing questions, I really would like to be let out."

"What about your wand?" He cocked his head, smirking. She had forgotten about it at his mention of Blaise.

"Well, I can tell you're going to be an ass about it. So, I might have to take it to the professors," she threatened. His expression turned to one of amusement as he reached out and tugged at her tie. Her eyes widened at his touch. "What are you doing?" He grinned maliciously.

"I just want to see if my little mark is still there since you haven't been able to glamour it."

"How dare you. Don't touch me." She reached out and jerked his hand away. He smirked and flicked his wand. Her tie undid itself from its perfect Windsor and slid off, landing at her feet. "Hey!" She grabbed at her collar. He flicked his wand again and she could feel her shirt straining under her grasp as she tried to stop the buttons from undoing. Her attempt was futile as she gave in and the top three buttons of her shirt were undone. Her eyes were wide with horror as his eyes looked at her neck with interest. She felt so vulnerable under his tormenting gaze. She turned her head to the side in defeat.

"Not so little, was it?" he said in a low voice. Hermione was thrown off by his tone. She glanced back at him anxiously. He looked up at her. "Do you want your wand back, Granger?"

"What do you think?" she signed with resignation.

"Don't move," he warned. Hermione was beyond confused, and her mind was clouding with uncontrollable urges as he stepped closer, body heat emanating off his bare chest. She closed her eyes apprehensively.

She suddenly felt his lips touch the telling spot on her neck, and his tongue slide out to lick her skin. Her body stiffened completely in response, and her breath hitched. The sensation was overwhelming. She felt him suck against her again, his mouth unrelenting. Hermione groaned in both satisfaction and discontent as she knew what the result of this action would yield.

She had to stop it.

Her hands came up to his chest, to push him away. She heard him inhale at the contact. It only served to confuse her.

Intrigue took over, as she tentatively slid her fingers across his chest. He let go from his grip on her neck and pulled pack. His expression was uncertain as she looked back at his concentrated look.

Her hands were still on his chest. Malfoy looked down at them. She quickly retracted them, one hand coming up to touch the seared, tingling spot on her neck. He had done it again.

"My wand Malfoy," she said tersely. Finally coming to his senses, he smirked back at her, his attention falling on her hand shielding her neck. He flicked his wand and the door clicked, marking its unlocked status. He walked over to his closet she had hidden in only minutes earlier, opened it and stepped inside. She heard shuffling befroe he finally stepped out again, her wand in his hand.

She wanted to scream. To think she was so close to it! He walked back over, his eyebrow cocked knowingly.

He held it out to her. She reached for it. He retracted it. She glowered before a second attempt.

He let her take it, his insfferable smirk firmly in place. The charge of magic washed over her upon contact with her most prized possession. She felt complete once more. Oh, how she wanted to hex him but he already had his wand out pointed in her direction.

Always the Slytherin.

Hermione huffed, and opened the door, keeping her back against it, before quickly dashing out without looking back.

She had forgotten her tie.

A/N: Hmmmm, what does all this mean? What is up with Malfoy? And, Hermione? Can you blame everything on the etat d'esprit? Do I sense a bit of jealously re:Blaise? Time will tell... :p