A/N: Would you look at that! I'm back from the dead everyone! I won't lie to you, I have been putting off this story for a while. I simply didn't have any good ideas for it. But I've gotten my muse back, and I've been writing non-stop. I would like to take this time to give a heads-up to any of you guys who also happen to like the anime Fairy Tail, which is my current obsession. I should be uploading some stories for that soon!

As a thank you to you all for waiting for me to get my shit together, here is a little fluffy chapter for you! I'll try to upload the next chapter ASAP. I PROMISE!

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I still don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter 7

The next day, Draco found it difficult to concentrate in any of his classes. As well as dozing off every few minutes, he couldn't stop thinking about the note. He even struggled to hold a conversation with Blaise and Theo. That early evening, the Slytherin trio were sitting outside in one of the many courtyards. As Blaise and Theo discussed new tactics for Quidditch, Draco's concentration wavered over onto a ladybug that was sitting on a blade of grass.

"I think we should ask Draco's opinion on this." Theo said, turning to him.

"What?" Draco asked, his eyes snapping up to Theo's face. He inwardly cursed himself for zoning out yet again.

Theo's eyes developed a confused gaze, as he looked at Draco properly for the first time that day.

"Whoa."

"What?" Draco snapped, quickly becoming irritated.

"You look like shit." Theo chuckled.

Draco scowled. He knew that was true. He estimated he must've got about half an hour's sleep the night before. This usually resulted in hideous bags under his eyes and his hair losing its usual shine. It hadn't helped that when he had finally fallen asleep, Hermione had woken up screaming, and cried for an hour. Draco had been tempted to storm into her room and yell at her to get a grip. But the pounding headache he seemed to develop whenever he sat up kept him in bed. He couldn't really blame her either. He still had nightmares about the war too.

"Not enough sleep again?" Blaise asked.

"Yeah."

"Maybe you should ask Madam Pomfrey for a bottle of Dreamless Sleep potion."

"It won't help, trust me." Draco stated.

"Perhaps food will." Theo suddenly piped up. "It's almost time for dinner."

The three boys stood up and walked to the Great Hall. Draco however, couldn't eat. Instead, he decided to push his peas around his plate as he contemplated his situation. If Stella was still here, how was he supposed to find her and talk to her? Would he recognize her? Would she recognize him? Many questions swam in Draco's head, and he had no idea how to answer any of them.

"Ready for patrol?" Hermione asked. It was now ten at night, and she was impatiently waiting for Draco beside the common room door. Draco emerged from his room, tying his Slytherin cloak over his shoulders.

"Yes." he said, walking past her and out the door.

He didn't bother waiting for her. Stepping out and closing the door behind her, Hermione jogged up beside Draco. They walked in silence for a few minutes, before Hermione's chattering teeth interrupted the peaceful atmosphere. She pulled her jumper sleeves over her hands and tucked them under her armpits, in an attempt to keep warm. The cool October air began nipping at her skin.

"Granger," Draco drawled. "Your teeth are giving me a headache."

"Sorry." she mumbled, not sounding apologetic in the slightest.

They continued walking. Then Draco noticed Hermione begin to shiver.

"Where's your cloak?" he asked.

"I haven't seen it for ages." she replied. "And I can't be bothered to search for it."

"….Do you want mine?"

Both teens stopped short. Draco mentally slapped himself.

'What the fuck are you doing?' His thoughts screamed at him.

Hermione was equally surprised.

"Um…okay." she numbly replied.

Draco considered turning on his heel and heading in the opposite direction, as far away from her as possible. But his hands had minds of their own. He slowly undid his cloak and slid it off his shoulders. He then held it out to Hermione, his arm rigid. When Hermione took the cloak, their hands accidently brushed together. Draco quickly pulled his hand away as if he had burned it. Hermione saw colour seep into his otherwise pale face, and felt heat creeping into her own cheeks.

"Well," Draco said, clearing his throat. "We should be moving on."

As he strolled away, Hermione fastened the cloak across her shoulders and ran after him. The rest of the patrol passed awkwardly, and they both breathed a sigh of relief when their own door came into view. As they stepped inside, Hermione made a beeline to her room, but was stopped when Draco grabbed her elbow.

"What is it?" she squeaked, suddenly very nervous.

"You still have my cloak on" he simply stated.

Looking down at herself, Hermione saw he was telling the truth. Turning to face him, she tried to undo the strings tied around her neck, and was annoyed to find her fingers were shaking. For a few seconds she fumbled with the knot, until she felt Draco's breath fan her face.

"I'll do it." he said. Hermione blushed when she noticed how close he was. Her arms fell to her side and she watched as he undid the strings. As the material slid off her shoulders, she looked up and met Draco's gaze. Stormy grey on chocolate brown. Both of them stood in that position for a few seconds, before Hermione suddenly remembered why this situation was so wrong.

"Goodnight." she rushed out before turning and practically sprinting to her room. As she shut her door, she leaned back and slid down it, her heart hammering against her ribcage.

'What the hell?' She thought.

In the common room, Draco was frozen in place. His head was spinning. Those eyes. They were so familiar he had been drawn to them, and hadn't been able to look away. Without realising what he was doing, he brought his cloak up to his nose and sniffed it.

Cinnamon and vanilla.