disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, that right belongs to J.K Rowling.

anyway, I hope you enjoy this new chapter! don't forget to review!

The next morning Hermione woke up early, despite having taken the potion the night before she still hadn't slept very well.
After getting dressed and ready for the day, it was still quite early.
She decided she wanted to prolong her meeting with Harry and Ron, for she was not looking forward to it in the slightest.
So instead of waiting to walk to breakfast together like they usually did, she decided to go to the library.
As she walked through the castle she spotted the tapestry covering the passageway where the events of last night had taken place, although she knew it was quite silly, she wanted to avoid going down it, she was planning on not thinking about anything unpleasant, such as; last night. Although she instantly regretted her decision when the walk to the library took 10 minutes instead of the regular 5.
When she got to the library she went directly to the restricted section, she then wandered the aisles exploring the titles, running her hand over each delicate spine as she passed, breathing in the erotic scent of books. she saw a flash of blond flick around a corner and knew exactly who it was "Draco" she breathed.
She quickly followed, she knew the corner he had gone down led to a dead end, she didn't know he as waiting, otherwise, she wouldn't have followed him so readily. As much as she hated to admit it,(though never out loud) she was still quite rattled by their last encounter.
As soon as she rounded the corner she stopped short.
She gave a tiny gasp as she felt the wood of his wand pressing against her throat, she gulped, looking up she met his eyes, unlike last night, they were now hard and emotionless. She could feel the fear building up in her gut, but made a point not to show it.
Although she could have taken a step backwards out of his wands reach, she seemed to be rooted to the spot unable to will her legs to move, she wasn't paralyzed with fear per se it was more her curiosity that kept her where she, as she wanted to know what he was going to say, and how he was going to react.
So she stood her ground, looking deep into his eyes forcing her face into a confused expression
"Following me now are we granger? " he said his voice a low growl.
This made her shiver but not because of the words, no it was because of how he said them.
He sneered thinking her reaction was out of fear "I find it funny how you think you belong here" she did not have to fake her confusion for she didn't understand.
"You know " he continued "in this library, in this school," he paused watching her expression closely as he continued once again with "your wand"
"You bloody bastard" she hissed back glaring at him with such hatred that it was a wonder he wasn't dead.
"Hermione? That you?"
The timid sounding voice cut through their intense staring contest, Malfoy raised one perfectly plucked eyebrow smirking.
Her eyes widened when she recognized the voice as Neville's "yeah Neville it's me, how are you?" Hermione replied in a strained voice, silently praying he wouldn't come looking around the corner for her.
"I'm fine thanks. I have to find a Herbology book for class. I'll come by in a few then we can walk to the Great Hall together, that ok?"
Hermione sighed in relief "sounds awesome! see you in a minute Neville" she didn't even have to force her cheerfulness, anything to get away from Malfoy.
She heard a snort and turned her gaze back to the 'problem' at hand, Malfoy. "What?" she snapped.
He chuckled then with a sneer said, "you can leave, you know that right? " she opened her mouth to retort, but he continued with his usual smirk "but no your curiosity gets the best of you" he paused, glancing at her, waiting to see if she was going to disagree, he knew she wouldn't though, and he was always right.
As predicted she spoke up "yes Malfoy, I am quite curious as to why you have a wand to my throat? In a secluded section of the library."
He grinned at this ", ah, but Granger you seem to have forgotten something" she frowned giving him a look that said 'go on'. "You see" he continued "I didn't ask you to follow me"
Her face flushed crimson as she realized that she had indeed been the one to follow him, but she composed herself quickly, raising her chin in defiance, she stepped closer to him in the process making the wand dig deeper.
He stepped closer and leaned in till his mouth was positioned right over her ear, whilst keeping the pressure of his wand against her throat he said in a dark bone-chilling tone "stay out of my business Mudblood" she could smell him, he was so close and she once again found herself in a position of close proximity with Malfoy. She didn't dare move, not wanting to draw attention to the fact that she was having trouble breathing, the fact that her heart was pounding, the fact that as much as she denied it, it was not fear that made her react this way. It was him. She could feel his breath tickling her neck, as he breathed his next words," now run along to Potter and Weasley, and stay with them ", then in a growl his next words startled her "if you don't want to get hurt, stay away from me" she quivered involuntarily, he hadn't said those words as a threat, he had said them as a warning.
"Why?" she whispered once she had finally overcome her shock and inability to speak
He let out and angrily huffed out sort of sigh against her neck and she felt goosebumps appear.
"Just listen to me granger" another sigh "your job right now is to keep potter alive" she gasped in shock "but. I..Don-", but a poke to jugular stopped her "bloody hell, just shut up," he said exasperation clear in his voice, he pulled away from her, but in no way relieving the pressure of his wand. He glanced away from her, looking as though he was trying to gather his thoughts. She took the time to scrutinize him if it was even possible he looked worse. She was just about to comment on his looks when he turned his head, his cold grey eyes, they were emotionless, and they met hers with a piercing gaze. He slowly removed the wand from her neck. Turning he grabbed a book off the shelf, studied it, then without warning, he pushed past her, shoulder brushing against hers. As he went by she heard him say "stay away Mudblood".
And then he was gone. She stood there trying to catch her breath, she was feeling light-headed and woozy.
Suddenly a hand rested on her shoulder "Hermi-" someone started,
but whoever it was; was cut off by the unexpected yell Hermione emitted upon the contact.
"Merlins beard Hermione I honestly didn't mean to startle you!"
Neville said incredulously. She turned so she was facing him "s-s-sorry Neville, you just gave me a fright is all" he gawked at her for a moment, clearly trying to judge whether she was serious or not. Finally, after a moment of awkward silence, Neville said: "its alright Hermione" she still looked a little shell shocked, her eyes wide and dilated, and as he studied her some more he noticed a slight blush to her cheeks and the faint mark of Draco's wand which of course he mistakenly took for a love bite. A very un-Neville like smirk appeared on his face and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively "Hermione Granger" he started in a chiding voice "have you been snogging in the library?" at that moment Hermione was very happy to have a brain, she was also very happy she snapped out of her reverie in time and didn't say something stupid like "I wish" or "a girl can dream" or anything along those lines, instead, she answered in a very scolding voice, "preposterous! Neville what on earth would give you that idea?!" Neville smirk transformed into a grin as he decidedly chose not to answer her question, instead, he proceeded to lead her through the shelves and out the library, walking in the direction of the great hall, "no reason" he finally answered she glanced at him as he continued to grin "no reason at all Hermione" he finished with a wink. she scowled but followed after him as he quickened his pace towards breakfast.
She sighed dreading the inevitable weird looks of confusion and concern she already knew would be on Harry and Ron's faces.

Authors note:

alright gotta be honest Neville's a little OOC, hope that's ok with you guys.

anyway, I always love feedback and reviews

hope you enjoyed this chapter!

let me know if I should continue writing!

thanks for reading! Love yall