A/N: I'm absolutely blown away with how much this story had kind of taken off in just one chapter update. It's gone from just over 400 views to over 2k in around 48 hours, with the only change being to the rating. That's mental! I'm so grateful to each and every one of you, site members and guests alike.

Enough of my rambling, on to the story.

Chapter 4. I Believe You.

It had been over a month since the return to Hogwarts and Hermione had no idea where the time had gone. It was playing on her mind however that her and Draco hadn't really given their new 'relationship' a single thought. Between lessons, homework, sorting prefect issues out and their own heads duties, they barely had time for themselves let alone each other. But she was determined to make it work. There wasn't a project that she had failed, and this would not be the start.

Draco had been the perfect gentleman, walking with her to their shared classes, making sure there was a mug of coffee waiting for her in the morning but letting her generally take the lead with where their relationship was going. But he couldn't lie, he was starting to get frustrated. They hadn't even shared their first kiss. Six long weeks and still no kiss. There had been a couple of times where he was convinced they were close, but alas no. He assumed that she had chickened out. If the rumours were to be believed, he was vastly experienced, but they were just rumours. It wasn't that he didn't have prior experience but it was nowhere close to the reputation he had. Was it that, that was making her apprehensive? He would never put pressure on her to take it any further but without talking to her he would never know.

With the turn of the month, the chatter around the castle was all about the upcoming Halloween festivities. Halloween was always an amazing occurrence at Hogwarts, but along with a new headteacher, came with it brand new ideas for a new tradition. The only people privy to this information were the teachers naturally, and the head girl and boy. A huge party suitable for all years of the school. Draco and Hermione had been tasked with planning the event, with all ideas to be ran past Headmistress McGonagall before they were signed off and/or booked.

Draco took the lead, owing to the vast amounts of upscale events he and his family had both attended and held, he was the perfect choice to plan something of this scale.

"I know you didn't want much to do with the finer details, but I really could use your input here babe. You're way more connected to the student body than I am, and I would appreciate if you would come and help me review my plan for the base of the event." He never realised his slip of the tongue with the term of endearment until it was already out of his mounth, but bhe found that he didn't quite mind it."

Hermione headed over to the sofa with a cup of hot chocolate for them each, and snuggled down on to the sofa next to him. "Talk me through what you've got so far then."

"Right, so my initial idea was to have the event start at 7:30 on the night, but if the first and second years are going to be attending too, then it needs to start earlier. So I'm thinking 5 and we'll incorporate the usual evening meal into it somehow, maybe canapés and finger foods floating around on trays. There needs to be a curfew for the younger students so years one and two can leave at 9:00, third and fourth years 10:00 and fifth through seventh years midnight. Halloween falls on a Saturday this year so we can nurse our hangovers on the Sunday."

"Whoa whoa whoa who said anything about alcoholic drinks. We're in school, and don't think that I don't know about the Slytherin parties that used to go on, but if the whole school is going to be there, then it's a no from me on that front I'm afraid."

I knew you were going to say that, so I was thinking that at 10:00 when the third and fourth years are ushered out of bed, a charm will be in place and that anyone who wishes can have a drink. It'll be a separate table but the charm will recognise peoples magical signatures, so anyone under seventeen won't be able to have one. I'm going to speak with Flitwick about how to navigate the charm"

"There's a reason as to why you've always been second in our year academically, just behind me of course." She quipped with a smirk.

"Don't remind me, my father never let me live it down, but putting things in perspective you were never just book smart. You did so many 'extra curricular activities' with Potter and Weasel and you still managed to best me in every class. But one thing to never forget, I may have changed and still be working on it, but I'll always be a Slytherin." He said with his own signature smirk.

He thought this might be the moment, it was calm, still and relaxed. But she took the opportunity to down her drink and stand up.

"Why haven't we kissed yet? He blurted out before he could stop himself.

Hermione immediately turned a shade of red even crimson would have been impressed with. She was embarrassed to say the least. She had no idea where to start, so she chose to look at the floor while she found her words. She never did, so she started to walk away.

He grabbed her hand to stop her in her tracks. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

"No, not at all. You're right. I guess I was just waiting for 'the perfect time'. She said blushing again.

"I mean your reputation precedes you and I dont have much experience with boys besides a few kisses with Viktor during fourth year and what I had with Ron after the war. Ron being the only person I've had sex with. I guess I didn't want to disappoint."

"You couldn't disappoint me, you are strong and beautiful and I am the happiest I've ever been since the news was released. If you tell anyone I said that, I'll deny it."

"Let me put these rumours to bed please. The pigheaded, egotistical guy I am used to love all the attention I got and still get from the female population of this school, but most of the 'encounters' I've had are just rumours. From the girls who want to be a part of their popular group, so I went along with it. I mean it benefitted my reputation, so why wouldn't I, who wouldn't? But I've only kissed Astoria during a drinking game and I've only had sex with Pansy and Daphne. I'm almost as inexperienced as you are," he teased.

She leaned in and gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek. "I believe you." With that she turned and walked to her room, closing the door gently.

It was not the kiss he was so desperately wanting from her, but it was a start.

A/N: Hehehehe how mean am I? I love a good fluffy and *smutty* story but I said this was a slow burner and I mean it. I don't know if anyone will notice, but I did do my research a little for this story, and by that I mean I googled a calendar of October 1998 to see when Halloween was. Ha!

Anyhoo, thanks for reading and I'll see you in the next chapter.