'Okay, okay! I'm sorry! Stop!'

'Really? You're actually sorry?'

'Yes! Now will you stop?' I was pinned. Stuck between a rock and a hard place. Or, rather, a stone wall and Draco's toned chest. Not that that's a bad thing.

'That seemed too easy, Hermione.'

'Easy? What are you talking about? We're almost late for class!'

'So? It's potions. Who cares? It's not as if Slughorn is that great of a teacher. I could brew the potions he's teaching right now in my sleep,' he snorted, arms on either side of me. 'Besides. This is much more fun than class.' I looked at him preposterously, and he sighed, 'I suppose that's what I get for shagging the best witch in the class, hmm?'

'Call it an inexorable dedication to my work.'

'You know, really it's Slughorn's work. We just happen to be stuck doing it.'

'Yeah. How about you talk to Professor McGonagall about that after dinner. I'm sure she would be terribly interested in your theory. She could pass your theory onto the governors. Or, even better, she could laugh in your face and save you the trouble of waiting for an answer. Hm?'

'You're a killjoy, you know that, Granger?'

'Yes, yes I do. I've heard it for just about my entire life. But that doesn't change the fact that we're late for class so let's go.'

'You're lucky you're cute. That's all I can say.'

'And you're lucky you're… well, you're lucky, at any rate.'

'Shush, you.'

'Make me.'

'Is that a dare?'

'Is that the bell?'

'…possibly.'

'So, Slytherin Prince, we have to go.'

'You're eighteen, Granger. You deserve a little fun in your life.'

'And this fun includes worrying about what I'm missing in potions?'

'Just get someone's notes after class.'

'Like who?'

'Weasley.'

'Doodles.'

'Potter.'

'Plays one-man hangman.'

'…Longbottom.'

'Are you kidding?'

'No.'

'Well, poor, deprived you. We're going. Now. Else I'm sleeping in Gryffindor Tower tonight.'

'That's blackmail.'

'That's life. Deal with it.'

'You're cruel.'

'Not to dredge up the past, but aren't you the blond who – ?'

'Fine! Let's go. Before I change my mind.'

'… Draco…'

'Yes?'

'Could I ask you something?'

'Perhaps. It depends on what you ask.'

'Well, in sixth year – '

'Are you sure you really want to continue that sentence, Hermione?'

'In sixth year,' I continued, sitting on Draco's lap, gazing pensively into the fire, 'Myrtle – you know, Moaning Myrtle?'

'… you're really sure you want to mention her to me? Especially since you're trying to 'reconcile' me and Potter?' His eyes were slightly glazed over, remembering the past, the pain. But I was determined.

'And he found you... you know… Harry found you…'

'What? What did he say I was doing before he almost killed me? Hm? Did he say I was… was crying like a baby? Did he laugh at the boy he almost left to die on a bathroom floor?' He had pushed me off his lap and was pacing now. 'I just wanted to be left alone! Alright? I wanted to be left alone. Can't I get just one thing I want? Hm? I get one moment to myself… with someone who'll actually listen… and sainted Potter has to come in and… and ruin it!'

'Draco… I didn't want to upset you! I just wanted to know what that was about – '

'Well, it's all over now, isn't it!' he barked. He glanced at a Gryffindor statuette I had placed in the corner, and it combusted with a great crack. Even then I noticed his eyes were starting to water. 'Draco Malfoy doesn't deserve a moment of peace, right? Not a moment. He can't be weak for one moment, because the second he lets his guard down, bam, there's Potter, snooping around the corner to pin something on me.'

'With all due pity, you did help plan the break-in that – '

'And that means I deserve to be interrupted and attacked when my back is turned? Hm? How would you feel, Hermione, if you were crying your eyes out for fear of loosing your life and disappointing all those that you look up to, and you spot the one person you don't want to see you cry, watching you? Getting ready to attack you?' The silence rang for a long time. Draco, his back turned to me, was taking short, labored breaths. '… but, do you know the worst part? The very worst part?' he continued quietly, hanging his head. 'Even though your favorite, most respected teacher finds you, even he doesn't have the courage to go to Dumbledore. Just imagine what it would've been like if it had been me who had gotten the better of Potter. If I had done the exact same thing to Potter, and McGonagall had found us. Or even… even Severus. Do you think I would've just gotten a few detentions? Of course not. I would've been expelled. Maybe even sent to Azkaban for a spell.' He turned to me, eyes and cheeks glistening. 'I've known too many people that have lived there. Died there.' He stopped again, closed his eyes, and began again. 'I would never. Never. Let myself get near that place. I would rather die than… than be there.'

'Draco. I'm… I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to… to hurt you… I just wanted to know –'

'What? What did you want to know?' he stated, the sting back in his voice.

'I wanted to know… what I could do to stop you… you know… hurting.'

His sleet grey eyes pierced mine for a moment, and he replied quietly, 'You can't.'

A/N Now, I just hate to be annoying, but might I just point out that, although I do appreciate the reviews I've gotten… this story has been viewed by quite a few people, and is on alerts and favs for a few, as well… and only one of that few has reviewed… so, what are you waiting for? Review!! (Sorry this chapter had to be so short, by the way. I just needed to get past that. And now I'm off to do some homework…) Ciao. JM.