Authors note:

Kay so I know I may have said the updates for this story wouldn't be that much slower than usual, but wow was that a lie. Heh heh, I have a valid reason tho (if that even makes a difference) my summer job just started up again so I haven't had time to use the computer as much as I used to. So umm I guess the only thing I can say is sorry?

Anyways, review, give feedback, and enjoy!

The hand over her mouth twitched, and Hermione barely resisted the urge to bite it, or maybe lick it. She vaguely wondered what their hand tasted like, probably apple, as that is what it smelled of. The only thing stopping her was the wand at her back, she knew he would not hesitate to hex her.

Hermione was forcefully dragged back into an alcove. The hand was removed, and soon so was the wand. She heard a faintly muttered silencing charm.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" She asked, hating the way her voice trembled. Turning to face the boy in the small alcove. She swallowed uneasily, waiting for his response.

"What do you think?" he snapped, "you stole something of mine, you just expect me not to confront you about it?" She couldn't help but notice a little note of panic in his voice, the fact that maybe the Slytherin was fretting over what was in the journal eased her mind.

Whatever was in the journal must be significant enough to be panicking about, but what?

"It was an accident," she explained, the blond scoffed a little, then made a gesture with his hand motioning for her to further explain.

"I-I was in the library, and you were there." She paused, trying to think of a way to phrase what happened. Malfoy leaned back against the wall casually, he raised an eyebrow as if to say 'that's it?'

Hermione huffed frustratedly before continuing. "You were asleep, and your books were on the table. I got curious, so I looked through them-" "you thought I was up to something," he stated, interrupting her.

"No!" Hermione countered, stomping her foot, "I was curious!" She insisted. "Anyway, I saw your Potions journal and I-"

Hermione looked up at him, trying to buy time and think of an excuse, while also checking to see if he was listening. He wasn't, or at least it didn't seem like he was; he was twirling his wand in his hand, a bored expression on his face.

"I thought you wanted to know!?" Hermione hissed angrily, she hated being ignored. The blond raised his head, giving her a blank look, then he widened his eyes.

"Oh! Are you done with your lies already?" he drawled, feigning surprise as if he hadn't planned on listening in the first place.

"You bastard!" she fumed, swinging her bookbag in an arc and hitting him in the side. It mustn't have hurt, though because he just started laughing. But not actual laughter she'd never seen him actually laugh before, his laugh was one of mocking, and it made her squirm with barely suppressed rage.

"I don't care how you got it," he scoffed, with a wave of his hand, "I only care about whether or not you read it."

"why what's in it?" Hermione demanded.

"Pornography," he deadpanned as if it was obvious. Hermione stared at him in shock, had she actually missed that when she had flipped through it?

"T-there was p-"

"no of course not, I'm a bloody Slytherin, I know how to hide that stuff! And there's no way I'd put it in a Potions journal! Of all places!" The blonde cut in, disgust marring his features.

"How did you know I was the one in the hospital?"Hermione questioned, deciding not to dwell on the fact that Malfoy had just inadvertently admitted to having pornography hidden about.

"I heard you," he replied matter of factly with a small shrug.

"How?" But before he could answer, it dawned on her, "oh, you weren't asleep, were you." it wasn't a question, so Malfoy didn't answer it as such.

"Even if I wasn't asleep, I sure as hell would have woken up when you came stomping in like a bloody giant," he said with a sneer.

"What!? I'll have you know, I was very quiet," Hermione objected, her voice taking on a very high octave.

Malfoy sighed, tilting his head and regarding her as if she was just a bug underfoot as if she wasn't at all worth his time. But did she really want to be worth his time? No, of course not. If Hermione were to be totally honest, his opinion shouldn't count at all. After all, look at his terrible judgement concerning the Death eaters.

"So you're absolutely sure you didn't read anything that was in the book?" he asked, abruptly changing the subject.

Hermione rolled her eyes, what is his deal with this book?

Draco POV

The know-it-all had just given him a very calculating look, one that was very fit for a Slytherin (he was an expert on such things after all.)

Draco was regretting bringing up the subject of the journal with the Gryffindor because as much as he hated to admit it, she was smart, and would inevitably suspect something. The positive to pressing for information though is that he now knew that she had no idea what was in the book. One look at her face told the whole story, she was in the dark.

Draco prayed though that she hadn't noticed his aunt Bella's letter, copied onto one of the many blank pages at the back of the book. It was describing his task, the one issued by the Dark Lord himself.

He made a mental note to rip the page out tonight, he'd memorized the whole thing already.

"So you didn't read it," he stated with a nod of confirmation, "good."

He turned away from her towards the entrance to the alcove, raising his wand to cancel the silencing spell.

But then as an afterthought, he spun back, meeting her wide brown eyes with a dark piercing gaze. "Stay out of my way Granger."

He then turned on his heel and stalked out of the alcove at a brisk pace. He smirked in satisfaction as he walked, knowing for a fact that the Gryffindor was seething in anger, having not been able to have the last word.

Authors note:

Welp, I hope you were satisfied with that. I also hope it wasn't too OOC, was it?

As stated last chapter updates will be slower, but this time it isn't from lack of motivation (well sorta) it's from my time being taken up by work.

Please feel free to review, and give feedback, as it really does give me motivation (e.g it makes me feel guilty that I'm not updating when people are reading it,) does that make sense?

Love y'all thanks for reading!