February 1997

January flew by and in the weeks since their conversation, Hermione felt something shift between her and Malfoy. He seemed more relaxed when they were in their room together. Relaxed enough that while she sat on one side of the couch, he would lay down on the other end and take a small kip.

The sneers and rude remarks had stopped, except for days when he seemed to be frustrated about something and he would snap at her. She would use that opportunity to make him some tea and put it in front of him. After a while, he'd mumble an apology and things would be well again.

When Harry told Hermione that he was going to start tracking Malfoy using the Marauders' Map, Hermione thought that the Slytherin should know.

Malfoy scowled upon the news. "How can he keep track of me like that?"

Hermione bit her lip. "I can't say."

"Great. That's just fucking great," he muttered as he worked on an assignment. She noticed that he pressed a little hard with his quill on the parchment, causing it to tear. He swore under his breath, fixing the paper with a quick spell, and started again. He glanced up at her at moment later. "Thanks, by the way, for letting me know. You didn't have to do that and honestly, I'm baffled as to why you did..."

Truth was, she was baffled as well. She knew that helping Malfoy meant she was helping him with his mission for Voldemort, but part of her was also worried what would happen to him if he was caught, or worse, if he failed his mission.

Instead of answering his questioning eyes, she decided to change the subject. "So, how did Apparition lessons go for you?" she asked.

Malfoy's scowl returned. "Abysmally. You?"

"Same, though, I hear that's normal when first starting out. I'm just glad no one got seriously injured. I just wish we were able to practice outside of lessons so we can be more successful at the next lesson."

"Could you imagine?" he asked with one of his rare small smiles. "The whole of 6th and 7th years Apparating everywhere? Or at least attempting to?"

Hermione let out a small giggle. "No, I suppose that wouldn't be the best thing to happen. Probably why Apparating at Hogwarts isn't allowed in the first place."

"It would make getting around the castle easier though," he mused. "And I wouldn't have to worry about the likes of Potter spying on me."

She bit her lip in contemplation. "Well, he doesn't know where you're going, if that helps?"

"Not really," he said, then nudged her foot under the table. "But I appreciate the heads up either way."

They worked for an hour before they packed up for the night but all Hermione could think about was Malfoy's foot, resting against hers, for the remainder of the time.

Hermione wouldn't say she hated Valentine's Day, but she had a great dislike for the holiday, especially this year.

She did hate the fact that all Lavender seemed to do was either talk about Ron in their dorm room—loudly for that matter—or plant herself next to him at the Great Hall and snog him silly. With the reactions from everyone else near them, however, she seemed to not be the only one annoyed by their actions.

However, Hermione realized she didn't feel jealousy over them any more, but more of the fact that they, as well as loads of other people, were in a relationship. The closest she had ever gotten to having her own relationship was with Victor, but she was young and the most they had ever done was a few kisses at the Yule Ball. Everywhere she turned the rest of the day, there were couples holding hands or snogging in dark corridors and she felt like the amount of people coupled up had sky-rocketed over night.

During classes, Hermione started to search out the pale hair that belonged to Malfoy, relieved when she spotted him. She told herself it was because she was happy he was still taking his studies seriously, but even she knew that was only a half-truth—she just liked knowing he was there and it brought her comfort. They never spoke to one another outside of their study room, but there had been a few times when he'd covertly look her way and send her a nod in a way of greeting.

In Ancient Runes however, she noticed that Malfoy was heading towards her desk and she tried not to be disappointed when Daphne sat down next to her first, talking animatedly about how Terry had officially asked her to be his girlfriend. Malfoy ended up taking a seat at the table on the other side though, and she tried not to smile at the fact.

When evening came and she left to do homework in the study room, she was grateful for the reprieve from all of the other people.

And, if she were honest with herself, she was looking forward to being able to talk to Malfoy—freely and openly.

When she reached the room, she was surprised to find him already there, sitting on the couch and drinking a cuppa.

"Hello," she said as she walked over and sat down next to him. She studied his features and how his face seemed more tired and sullen than normal. "Everything alright?" she asked.

He took a sip of his tea and gave a nod. "Yes. Just tired. I've been working on my project in the middle of the night so that Potter can't look for me," he explained. He looked at her as he rested his head against the back of the couch. "How was your day?"

"It was alright," she said, getting comfortable on the couch by tucking her legs underneath her. "I'll be glad when the day's over though."

"You mean you don't like all the hearts and cupids flying all round?" he asked dryly.

"It's so cliché!" she said with exasperation. "And the amount of red and pink in the Great Hall is nauseating. I might be a Gryffindor, but even I'm tired of the color."

Malfoy chuckled and he shook his head. "So, did any blokes ask you to be their Valentine this year?"

The question caught her off-guard and she gave him a funny look. "No. But then again, no one ever has."

"That seems surprising, seeing as you're one of Potter's best friends as well as one of the smartest witches at this school."

"Well, unless you plan to ask me, I suppose I'll just have to wait until next year to see if anyone else comes to that conclusion." The words had spilled out before she realized what she was saying and she found her heart was beating loudly in her chest, waiting for his answer.

He glanced at her and she thought she saw some defeat behind his gaze. "There'd be no point in it. It's not like you'd be able to go off and tell anyone, like how Daphne did with Boot."

Summoning her Gryffindor courage, Hermione moved slightly closer to Malfoy and placed her hand on top of his.

His hand twitched and for a moment Hermione thought he meant to move it away from her touch. Instead, he simply flipped his hand over and laced his fingers with hers. The action set off butterflies in her stomach.

They sat quietly together, fingers threaded, and stared into the fire until it was time to head back to their respective dorms.

"I have something for you," Hermione said the next time they met up.

Malfoy was sitting at the table, working on an essay for Defense Against the Dark Arts. "What would that be?" he asked without looking up.

Rolling her eyes, Hermione took out a coin from her pocket and set it next to him. Malfoy glanced at the coin then looked up at her and raised a brow. "A galleon?"

"Not just any galleon," she said, not being able to hold in her smile. "Go on, look at it."

Malfoy picked up the coin and studied it. A ghost of a smile also formed on his lips. "A communication coin?" he asked.

"Yup," she confirmed, taking another out of her pocket. "I have the other. I made something similar last year for our D.A. meetings but, well, we don't use them anymore. I was thinking I could let you know when Harry isn't spying on you so you can head to the Room of Hidden Things. This way, you don't have to work in the middle of the night and can actually get some sleep for once, and—"

"Granger, stop rambling and take a breath," he said lightly as he continued to study the coin. "Won't Potter see that I'm in the room though?"

Hermione shook her head. "No, not this room. So as long as you can get here when he's not looking, he won't know you're here."

Malfoy rubbed his chin in thought. "Interesting." He chuckled as he pocketed the coin. "I still can't believe you're helping me not get spied on by Potter."

Hermione sighed. "Trust me, I question myself everyday."

He looked up at her from his seated position and he reached out slowly to take her hand into his, tugging her closer. "I appreciate it. I know it can't be easy, lying to Potter all the time."

"I'm managing," she said softly. "It's not like he actually asks me anything. He's too preoccupied speculating, spying, and going with Dumbledore on—" She shut her mouth quickly and winced.

Malfoy raised a questioning brow. "Dumbledore's taking Potter somewhere?" he pressed.

"Well, it's more like he's showing him things—memories, actually—but you can't tell anyone I told you that," she added quickly.

When he squeezed her hand, Hermione realized that he was still holding hers. "Don't worry, Granger. Your secret is safe with me."

"Thanks," she said softly. "I, uh, I should probably go. I already finished my essay for Professor Snape, but I see you're still working on yours, so—"

"Actually, I'm done,'' he said, finally letting her hand go to roll up his parchment. "I was thinking of making a cuppa and reading a bit."

"Mind if I join you then?" she asked as she pulled out a book from her bag.

Malfoy walked over to the tea station. "Milk and two sugars?" he confirmed as he started to pour the tea.

She smiled at him. "Yes, please."

Hermione made herself comfortable on the couch, slipping off her shoes and tucking her legs under just as Malfoy came by and handed over her cuppa.

"Thanks," she said as she levitated her book in front of her so she could hold her cup with both hands, warming them up from the chill of the castle.

Malfoy sat next to her, so close that their legs were touching and Hermione shifted slightly so that she leaned her shoulder against his.

When her tea was gone and the cup set aside, she shifted some more until her head rested on his shoulder. Between the warmth of his body next to hers, the tea inside her, and the fire in front of her, Hermione drifted off to sleep.

She woke up on the couch hours later and Malfoy's head was tilted to rest atop of hers. From the way he was breathing, Hermione suspected he had fallen asleep too.

Shifting slowly so as not to wake him up, she realized it was fruitless; the moment she would move, his head would drop onto the couch.

"Malfoy," she whispered. When he didn't move, or respond, she whispered his name again, louder this time.

With no response once more, she elbowed him softly in the ribs, trying to jostle him awake. The weight of his head on hers lessened and Hermione knew she was finally successful.

"We should go," she said softly even though she already missed the warmth of his body against hers.

"Yeah," he said and yawned as he stretched his arms above his head. "Was a good kip though," he said sleepily.

Hermione glanced over at him and saw that his hair was tussled, which was the first time she had ever seen it not in place. She chuckled and reached over, carding her fingers through his hair to fix it. He froze at her touch and Hermione halted her movements.

"Sorry," she murmured and placed her hands in her lap. "I was just fixing your hair."

Malfoy cleared his throat before speaking. "It's alright. I just wasn't expecting you to do that." He looked at her and reached out his own hand, tucking a strand of her curls behind her ear. "There," he said. "Now we're even."

Hermione let out a soft chuckle. "I should go," she said as she stood. "It's rather late and if Filch catches me he'll have a field day."

"Just say you were doing Prefect duties," Malfoy suggested. "It's what I do."

She chuckled and shook her head and she made her way towards the door. "Good night, Malfoy."

He gave a nod. "Night, Granger."

By the end of February, everyone was feeling discouraged with Apparition lessons, even Hermione.

Feeling broody, she made her way to the Room of Requirement, passing a couple of Second Year Hufflepuff students in the corridor. Malfoy emerged from the room, just as she reached the door.

"Oh, Mal–"

He held up a hand to stop her then looked over her shoulder at the two Hufflepuffs. "Oi! No wandering the halls this late. Get back to your common room before I assign you detention."

The girls squeaked with surprise and hurried out of the hall towards the stairs.

Hermione gave Malfoy a questioning look and he answered her with an indifferent shrug. "Don't need some kids seeing us together and start to spread rumors," he said.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "They're just a couple of little girls."

"And girls like to gossip. Trust me, I hear my fair share in the Slytherin common room. I'm sure Gryffindor is just the same," he said with a knowing look.

"Suppose you have a point," she murmured, then noticed a package on the table. "What's that?"

He glanced over to the table as he made them tea. "Oh, my mother sent me a care package. Take a look," he suggested.

Hermione gave him a questioning glance before pulling the box towards her and peered in. The amount of sweets was ridiculous, but Hermione didn't expect anything less especially since their Hogsmeade trips had been canceled since the incident with Katie Bell. She knew Malfoy had a sweet tooth and now she knew how he was getting his fill.

"Nice assortment," she said, sifting through everything. "I see your mother sent you at least half a dozen Cauldron Cakes, Cocoballs, Chocolate Frogs, and—oh! Are these Sugar Quills!" she said, pulling out three of them. "The blue kind too!"

Malfoy gave a nod as he set her cuppa on the table and took out a Cauldron Cake. "They're for you, actually."

Hermione's head swiveled to gape at him. "For me? You had your mother send sweets for…for me?"

He took a bite of the chocolate cake. "I didn't tell her who they were for, but I did request them on your behalf, yes."

As she simply stared at him, Malfoy ate the last of his treat. "You mentioned before that you favored the blue Sugar Quills and that the last time you visited Honeydukes they were out, so…." he motioned to the quills. "I got you some."

Hermione held the Sugar Quills to her chest. "Malfoy…"

"It's no big deal," he said, waving her off as he sat down at the table. "I request sweets for my friends all the time."

Hermione couldn't help herself. She walked over to where Malfoy sat and bent down slightly to kiss his cheek.

"Thank you," she said as she pulled back. She knew her cheeks were as red as tomatoes. As she stepped back though, Malfoy stopped her by grabbing onto her wrist and stood so that he was looking down at her.

His eyes bore into hers as he stepped even closer. He lifted a hand up to cradle the side of her head before he dipped down and captured her lips with his own.

The complete shock of his action froze her in place. It was only when Malfoy pulled back slightly that she regained her senses and lifted onto her toes to press her lips back onto his.

Her hands lifted to grip his shoulders and his free arm wound around her waist, pulling her flush against him, as his other hand dug into her curls. Their lips glided over each other over and over until they opened at the same time, and his tongue prodded hers.

He tasted like chocolate.

Decadent, silky smooth, and sweet.

Her new favorite flavor.

"Gods, I've been wanting to do that for a long time," he murmured against her lips.

She pulled back to look up at him. "You have?"

He nodded then kissed her again. "Yes."

Her hands moved behind his neck and she played with the ends of his hair. "I've been wanting to as well, I just wasn't sure if—"

He stopped her with another kiss. "Granger?"

"Hm?"

His lips twitched against hers. "Shut up," he murmured and then kissed her some more.

A/N: Finally getting some action around here, even if it just some kissing ;) Hope it was worth the wait!
And yes, those Hufflepuff girls that Draco threatens are Crabbe and Goyle, but he doesn't want Hermione to know (and Harry doesn't figure it out until near the end of March).
See you next week! xoxoHufflepuffMommy