Hi! Because I have until September to do nothing as I've finished all of my exams, I'm going to update as much as possible because I'm trying to make up for my terrible updating schedule from before. I'm sorry as my writing in this isn't so great (i can do better haha).

Anyway, review your thoughts on this chapter! I know that there are people following/ faving this story, I'd love to hear your opinions! :)

Chapter Seven: The Hospital Wing

Not for the first time, Draco Malfoy's head was pounding when he woke up. Everything was blurring in and out of perspective, but he knew for one thing he was in the hospital wing, he'd remembered taking himself there- but after that, he could recall nothing. He could see the ceiling, and indistinct curtains, and a shape he couldn't quite place- it was almost like a block- no, a person- a person with long, frizzy hair.

Hermione was staring at him, her hands clasped together with worry.

'Oh good, you've woken up. I thought...' She shook her head. 'I thought you were going to be unconscious for much longer.'

Draco groaned, sitting up in his bed. 'How long was I out?'

'Oh, just a few hours. We were really worried.' Hermione replied.

He raised an eyebrow. 'Who's we?'

'Oh- me and Madam Pomfrey.' She said quickly.

'So why are you here? Shouldn't you be with Weasel-Boy and Scarface?' Draco tried to keep the maliciousness in his voice, but he was tired, and he didn't even know why he was trying.

'Draco, look- I don't know what you want from me- I-'

'-I don't want to argue anymore. Gran- Hermione, please believe me. I can't deal this- this-' Draco struggled for words. 'This hatred that I'm trying to feel.'

Hermione frowned. 'What are you saying?'

Draco shrugged. 'I'm not going to pretend that I didn't hate you at first, because that would be a lie. But now- now, things are different. I don't. I like you, even.'

Hermione's lips parted in surprise. 'You don't- you don't... hate me?'

'No. Of course not.'

A pink tinge appeared on her cheeks. 'Okay, well... wow. I never thought I'd hear you say that. Um, thanks- thank you, Draco.'

'So I need to speak to you about something.' He persisted. 'We never got to talk about that- er- that thing that happened in the library a couple of days ago.'

The blush reddened as she determinedly kept her eyes on the floor.

'I didn't want to hurt your feelings or anything. I promise, I didn't. I had no idea about you and Weasel,' He said.

'Weasley. Ron Weasley.' Hermione replied promptly.

'Right. Well- anyway, I didn't know. And I'm sorry.'

Hermione's gaze briefly flickered towards him. ''S alright.'

'-But- but that doesn't change how I feel about you.'

There was a very awkward silence.

'Draco-'

'Listen, Hermione, please. I really, really like you. And it kills me that you don't feel the same way, but it's something I'm going to have to deal with.'

She nodded. 'Yep, you will.'

'On one condition.'

She raised an eyebrow. 'Are you really in the position to be making deals right now?'

'Can we be friends? Like, hang out sometimes. I would really like to get to know you. After this year, we only have our seventh year left at Hogwarts. And I don't want to leave not knowing if... if, well- we could've been- er- friends, maybe.'

She smiled. 'Sure thing, Malfoy.'

Draco grinned. 'Alright, Granger.'

Hermione looked away, still smiling to herself. 'Okay, well, I should get going. I've got to meet Ron before class.'

He nodded silently. Even the mention of Ron couldn't deflate his mood. He watched her as she got up and left, her frizzy hair swaying behind her shoulders. Draco couldn't help thinking about how beautiful she looked.

'Okay, wait-' Quickly, Hermione spun on her heel and lent down, kissing Draco on the cheek. And with that, she was gone.

Draco had barely enough time to process this, before another thought popped into his head- so randomly, and worryingly.

Pansy- what was he going to do about her?