Chapter Five

"Ginny? Gin, I need to talk to you!" I called as I stuck my head into the Gryffindor common room and spotted Ginny sitting at a table by the windows. She looked up, startled, and then walked over to me.

"Whats up, Mione?" she asked

"Grab your stuff. You're coming with me tonight. I'm having some internal conflicts and I am in desperate need of distraction and advice."

"Okay then." Ginny said slowly. She returned to her table, packed up her books, and then climbed out of the portrait hole, following me. Once we were safely inside the Head's common room, she turned to me, curiosity glinting in her deep blue eyes, "So, what's going on?"

I sighed and glanced at Malfoy's door, which was slightly ajar. I shook my head and motioned for Ginny to follow me. Once inside my room, I cast a quick muffilito charm and threw myself down onto my bed. Ginny followed suit and sat in silence, waiting on me to say something.

"Ithkilihm." I mumbled with my head in my palms.

"What?" Ginny asked in confusion.

"I think I like him." I sighed

"Who?"

I looked pointedly in the direction of Malfoy's room and then slid my eyes back to Ginny. I watched as the realization lit her eyes.

"Well, Hermione, it is natural, after all, to like the people you live with.." Ginny trailed off.

"No, Gin, like.. like him." I said as I felt my cheeks start to burn

Ginny sighed and mumbled something under her breath that sounded like, "Knew it."

She looked up at me, a conflicted look dancing in her eyes.

"What?" I asked hesitantly.

"I knew this would happen. The Heads always fall for each other, no matter how unlikely it seems. I'm not fond of him, Mione, but if he makes you happy, then I'll accept it and try to see what you do. Harry and Ron will be your biggest obstacle."

"Ginny! You're supposed to talk me out of this!" I cried in frustration as I slapped a hand to my forehead

Ginny just giggled as I glared at her, "Well, he's better than McLaggen, isn't he?"

I groaned and shuddered, "Don't even start with that, Gin. I never want to think about that again."

"Well, what's the problem, Hermione? So what if you like him? You need a man in his life and from what I can tell, he's filled out rather nicely." Ginny waggled her eyebrows suggestively, making my cheeks burn even more.

"It's not like it'll ever happen, " I muttered, "He doesn't even like me. He's just been jumping in between Ron and I because he wants to annoy Ron. He told me so himself."

"And you believed him?" Ginny asked incredulously

"Well, of course I believed him! It's exactly something Malfoy would do!" I said haughtily

"Mione, men never just jump in the middle of a fight to annoy someone. Especially men like Malfoy! I'll bet you 10 Galleons that he likes you, too, but just hasn't come to terms with it yet."

I rolled my eyes, "Whatever."

"Seriously, Mione. You should tell him."

"I can't do that!" I squeaked, "What if he just laughs in my face?! I would die of embarrassment!"

It was Ginny's turn to roll her eyes, "Oh, come on! This is your last year at Hogwarts! Live a little, Hermione!"

I shook my head, "I can't just walk up to someone and be all like, "Oh, hey, I know we just started talking, but I want to jump your bones. What do you say?" Ginny, why are you laughing?!" I wailed

Ginny was laughing so hard I could see tears forming in her eyes, "I could totally see you doing that. All spazzed out and everything."

I growled and was about to retort when I heard a knock on my door. I whipped my head around and stared at it with wide eyes. I quickly undid the silencing charm and called through the door, "What?"

"We have rounds! Are you coming or not?" Malfoy's muffled voice called through the door.

"Oh, shoot." I muttered, "I forgot about rounds, Gin."

"I'll be okay here. I'll just wait for you to get back and finish my essay for Trelawney. Go ahead, have fun. Jump his bones." Ginny urged with a suggestive smile.

"Shush! He'll hear you!" I whispered urgently

Ginny just chuckled and pushed me toward the door. I pulled it open to see Malfoy lounging against the wall. He shot me a small smile as I stood beside him anxiously.

"What are you so nervous for, Granger?"

"No reason." I squeaked. I cleared my throat and walked across the common room, assuming he'd follow me.

We were a good ways through our patrol before anybody spoke.

"What are you thinking about?" Malfoy questioned

"Thinking? I'm not thinking. Not about anything at all." I answered a bit too quickly

"That's bloody likely." Malfoy muttered and then spoke a little louder, "You're always thinking, Granger. Spill it. I can't stand silence."

When I didn't answer, he sighed loudly, "What were you and Weaslette talking about?"

"Her name is Ginny!" I spat

"Okay, okay. Don't get your knickers in a twist. Ginny. What were you and Ginny talking about?" Malfoy held his hands up in surrender

"N-nothing of importance." I hung my head, hoping my hair would cover the blush on my cheeks.

"Oh, yeah?" I could hear the smirk in his voice and cringed, knowing that he wouldn't drop it and talk about something else.

"Malfoy, please, just drop it." I pleaded, "Please."

When he didn't respond, I glanced up. He was staring at me with a perplexed look on his face, "I was just teasing, Granger. You don't have to tell me what you guys were talking about."

I sighed in relief and picked up my pace.

"I'm curious now, though." Malfoy mused

I took a deep breath and walked even faster. I felt Malfoy grip my elbow gently, effectively causing me to slow down, "What's your rush?"

"I just want to get these rounds done and get back to my room." I pleaded

"What if I want to spend some time with you?" Malfoy asked lightly

My eyes widened and I stared at him, "W-what? Why would you want th-that?"

Malfoy shrugged, "Maybe I like this newfound friendship. Maybe I want to get to know you."

"Why? What are you playing at?" I said, flustered.

"Calm down, Granger. I'm just kidding." Malfoy said with a quirky smile, "Why are you so flustered today?"

"It's just.. it's just been a long day." I muttered

"Tell me about it." Malfoy tugged on my elbow, causing me to come to a complete stop.

I shook my head and felt my cheeks start flaming involuntarily. I breathed a sigh of relief as I saw the portrait to the Head's room just a few feet away. I hurried toward it and started to say the password when Malfoy cut me off.

"What's that? That there beside the portrait?"

I reached up and pulled the piece of paper off the wall. My face paled as I read what it said.

Hermione,

I've gone back to my dorm for the night. Ron sent me an owl saying he was having a crisis. Probably something stupid to do with Lavender again. We'll reschedule another night. Don't forget to talk to Malfoy about what we discussed.

Gin

I am going to kill her. Absolutely kill her! I fumed to myself. She knew he would be standing over my shoulder!

"So.. "nothing" huh?" Malfoy asked. I just knew that smirk was spreading across his face.

I stared at the letter, mortified. "Umm.. Let's go inside, yeah?"

I scurried through the portrait hole and tried to run into my room.

"Oh, no you don't!" Malfoy said as he grabbed me around my waist and hoisted me up over his shoulder. His shoulder was digging into my stomach as I wiggled around.

"Malfoy, put me down!" I shrieked, "You're going to hurt yourself!"

"Oh, please, Granger. You don't weigh more than a feather. And you're going to tell me what Weasley meant." Malfoy said as he marched over to the sofa in front of the fireplace. He slowly sat me down right in the middle of the sofa and stood over me with a snarky little smirk on his face.

"So, what did you discuss?" he asked

I just blushed and ducked my head, determined not to answer. I sat that way maybe three minutes before I felt fingers under my chin.

"Come on, Granger. Talk to me. It's obviously something that involved me and I want to know."

"No you don't." I whispered.

"Yeah, I do. Tell me." Malfoy said softly, "Please tell me?"

I sighed and tried to still my nerves. It was going to have to come out sooner or later. I took a deep breath and whispered, "You."

"What about me?"

"I.. I.. I like.. like you." I stuttered nervously, my head ducked down once more and my cheeks flaming

"What?" Malfoy asked quietly

I didn't answer. I knew he'd heard me. He was just trying to comprehend what I'd said.

"Open your eyes, Granger." Malfoy murmured.

I shook my head vigorously and squeezed my eyes shut tighter. I felt fingers under my chin again, causing my head to rise up, but I refused to open my eyes. I couldn't stand to see the look of disgust that would be spread across his features.

"Come on. Open them." Malfoy urged.

I shook my head once more. Malfoy sighed and I prayed that he would leave me in peace. Suddenly, I felt a pressure on my cheek and my eyes snapped open in surprise. I sat frozen in place as Malfoy lips trailed from my cheek to my mouth. He kissed the corner of my mouth then pulled back to look into my eyes.

"There. Much better, now I can see your eyes." He uttered softly as he slowly moved closer again.

My eyes fluttered shut as his lips softly caressed mine. I sighed softly and leaned into the kiss. I felt his lips turn up at the corners in a gentle smile and I let myself get lost. Maybe Ginny was right. Maybe I did need to live a little. Malfoy pulled back and I was filled with a sense of sadness at the loss of contact.

"What was that for?" I asked breathlessly

Malfoy shrugged, "Maybe I like you, too."

"That's impossible. I'm.. I'm me. And you're you!"

"Really? That's fascinating, Granger." Malfoy said sarcastically

"You know what I mean!" I screeched

Malfoy chuckled, "Okay, okay. Goodnight, Granger."

I stared open mouthed at Malfoy's retreating figure. What was he playing at? I sat there on the sofa for quite a while, staring dazedly as his closed door. Suddenly, rage began to boil in my veins.

He can't do that and then just leave! I seethed. I stood and marched to his door.

"Malfoy! You open this bloody door right now!" I pounded on his door as I yelled

"Bloody hell, woman. What?" Malfoy asked groggily as he yanked open the door.

"You-you-you can't just do that and then leave!" I screeched.

A sleepy smirk spread over his lips, only making my anger rise, "Do what exactly, Granger? Hm?"

"You know what I'm talking about!"

"Oh, you mean this?" Malfoy swooped his head down and planted another kiss on my lips. Against my will, I felt my anger slipping away. Malfoy slipped his hand around the back of my neck, his fingers tangling in my hair as he held my lips to his. His other hand slid around my waist, pulling me against his chest. I felt myself slipping into oblivion. The man could kiss and I was quickly realizing that I was powerless against the sensation of his lips covering mine. Just when I was about to give myself over to the oblivion that was screaming for me, Malfoy straightened once more, "That?"

I blinked slowly, my senses slowing coming back to me. I growled and struck out with my fist, hitting Malfoy square in the chest . I watched with satisfaction as he stumbled back a couple of steps.

"Yes, that, you bloody prat!" I yelled in fury, "What are you playing at? You think that just because I'm being civil to you, that means I want you? I'm not like the other girls in this bloody school! I don't want you just because you have a charming smile and a fit body! I am not a booty call, Draco Malfoy!"

"So, you like my body?" he smiled cheekily

"Aaargh!" I yelled as I turned on my heel and stomped to my door. I slammed it behind me and threw myself down on my bed, face first. I screamed into my pillow until I felt less like hitting everything in sight.

Bloody Malfoy. Who does he think he is?