CHAPTER SEVEN

Draco walked down the hallways of Hogwarts one evening with determination in his eyes. He brought himself to the room of requirement. He was hesitant to go in when the door formed. This was crucial. He got this right. They all relied on him. His parents, Bellatrix, and Voldemort. As he walked in, a record skipped adding more intensity to the situation. He held a green apple in his newly healed hand. He tossed it to himself like a ball. He couldn't remember the last time his hand felt this good.

That's when he found it covered with a sheet. The vanishing cabinet was similar to the one the Death Eaters showed him at Borgin and Burkes before school had started. He pulled the sheet down revealing it. His stomach turned when he saw it. An overwhelming feeling flooded his brain and he couldn't bear to look at it anymore. He decided to leave the room. He didn't have enough courage to do the thing that night. They would have to wait.

***

A couple of months had passed and he hadn't stepped foot into the room since that evening. He knew they were growing impatient with him. Tutoring sessions had come and go with nothing special about them. He was too distracted to start up any silly conversations with her. He was too distracted with his tasks. She knew something was wrong but thought nothing of it.

She managed to help him catch up quite a bit. He soon wouldn't need her help anymore. He often thought about slacking off again just so she could stay with him a little longer. Even though he hadn't been acting of his feelings didn't mean he didn't still feel them. She didn't act on them either. Probably because she didn't feel anything.

Hermione was in the Gryffindor common room with Harry and Ron. she was reading the daily prophet trying to distract herself. Ron was getting cocky about his quidditch tryout. She felt guilty for having even helped him get on the team. She shouldn't have. Ron's confidence was getting a bit too much for her.

Harry changed the subject. "So Hermione I heard you have been spending an awful lot of time with Malfoy lately." He was aching for information about him since that night they all saw him in the furniture shop. She was in denial about the whole thing. She also knew that's the only reason he brought up the subject. To get information, nothing else.

She explained the situation to him and how she has gotten promised the Head Girl position if she helped him. Ron soon butted into the conversation.

"I hear he's got a bit of a thing for you Hermione." she didn't put down the paper. She already knew that was true, but she didn't want them thinking that.

"Oh yeah? And where did you hear that Ronald?" her tone was sharp.

Ron shrugged his shoulders. "A rumor. I'm just trying to figure out if it's true or not."

She looked up from her reading not bothering to turn and look at him. "He's vile." she looked back down at the paper. She didn't think that though. Her nights spent with him in the library had her thinking about him a lot. She often found herself watching him write. She liked the way he focused as he studied the book in front of him. She wondered why he was so interested in her. Even though most of the time he didn't show it, she knew he was. The old Malfoy would never accept her offer to help him.

It's not like she was starting to like him herself. She couldn't do that to Harry even though it was kind of fun flirting with him from time to time. But it's not like he wasn't attractive. His light blond hair complemented his complexion and his jawline made a perfect cut and ended just below his ears. His smile always bewitched her. Well, it did the few times he smiled at her. Okay, maybe she did like him. Just a little.

"Well then," Harry chirped up breaking her train of thought. "How about a walk to Three Broomsticks? I could use a drink."

The three of them made their way to Hogsmeade. Snow was falling as it was early winter. The cold air nipped at their cheeks but they'd be warmed up in no time. They walked in and Hermione ordered three butterbeers for them. She got a little excited when she got the chance to drink. It was unlike her but she loved the feeling. It loosened her up and made the stress of studying float away.

Harry made Ron sit by him and her across. She didn't know why he was assigning her seats until she saw Draco across the room. Harry was starting to become obsessed. A bit annoying really. He wasn't there for long. He looked as if he was trying to get out of there as soon as possible. Hermione felt a bit selfish and thought if it was because of her. He was obviously the jealous type and she was sitting with two boys.

The three of them drank about three cups each getting pretty loosened up. She always enjoyed her time with her best friends even though they irritated her sometimes. They soon decided to make their way back to the castle. They laughed and had a good time on the trail until something stopped them in their tracks.

A Gryffindor girl named Katie Bell began to get dragged around in the snow. Nobody was touching her. She seemed to be possessed and she was lifted into the air. All of the light from her eyes escaped and she soon fell to the ground with a thud. It was a horrifying sight. Harry suspected one person.

***

Draco was back in the castle by then. He was sweating and breathing hard. The guilt took over as he thought about where that package he gave the girl would end up. This was the best idea he could come up with. He thought maybe if something else was to curse Dumbledore, he wouldn't have to kill him himself. He was unaware of what had happened with Katie Bell. He didn't want to know.

Even though it was a Saturday he wanted to go to the library. He knew he would find Hermione there. She was always there. Maybe she could help him get his mind off things. He didn't think about making a move but maybe he should. He hasn't had a proper snog in a while and from what he remembered she said she liked it. Or didn't not like it? For whatever reason, it felt like a good idea.

He walked to their table and sat down. He looked around but she wasn't there. That was very unlike her. He didn't think she could have better things to do than be studying on a weekend. Moments passed and she finally came in. He knew she would but also wondered where she had been.

"You're late, Granger." he teased her a bit but not in the usual mean way.

"We aren't scheduled for tonight, Malfoy." she said in a sarcastic tone mocking his comment. She was a bit hesitant to talk with him after talking to Professor McGonagall and Snape about Katie Bell. Harry had made a serious accusation about Draco that she refused to believe. How could he do something like that? She was with him almost every night and he never slipped up about anything like that.

"Want to stay anyway?" his question felt as if he was begging her to.

"Sorry Draco, I'm only here to grab a couple of books. It's already pretty late." she felt flushed from her drinks earlier that evening. All she wanted to do was read in bed and relax.

"Come on." he pouted at her. "I really need help with this assignment." He had no books on the table and she knew it was a fluke. Although she was a sucker for learning, she needed a bit more convincing.

"What would I exactly get out of it if I stayed?" she egged him on. She found it kind of fun to tease him lately.

Draco had to think of something good to say. "How about dinner? Tomorrow night." his face was kind. Something she had never seen before.

"With you?" she didn't expect that.

He nodded. "I know this spot in Hogsmeade. It's pretty private. I know you would probably want to keep something like this a secret but I've been wanting to repay you for your help. That was true. That and he wanted to get her alone.

"As tempting as that sounds, I have to refuse. I'm supposed to go to Slughorns dinner party that night. It seems I am one of the few who are at the top of his class." she took a jab at him knowing he wasn't invited. She also felt sort of jealous that Harry was the number one student but she still wanted to still seem confident.

Draco stood up and walked closer to her. She felt her heart flutter as he towered over her looking down into her eyes. "What does it take to convince you Granger." he pushed a piece of hair behind her ear. She shivered as his touch was cold on her face.

"I simply cannot accept your offer. Being a part of the Slug Club is a great opportunity for me." she stood by her word making sure not to give into him. He was rather convincing.

"I suppose we could reschedule but it will have to be on my terms. I'm a pretty busy guy you know." he knew she wanted to say yes to him. He took another small step towards her. He wasn't sure he could get any closer. Their bodies were practically touching at this point. He knew she couldn't accept his offer for tomorrow night so he didn't push it any farther. What he did push was his lips on hers. She kissed back this time. It felt even better than last time even if her movements were subtle.

He held a hand on the back of her head in an attempt to pull her closer. She finally gave in. She opened her mouth as she accepted the kiss. She placed her hands on his waist bringing their hips together. The more they kissed the weaker he got but the stronger the feeling below his belt grew. He let his hand wander down her back and she reached up to grab his hair. Something about the way she was pressed up against him felt right. He thought about tearing her clothes off but he didn't want to scare her off.

His tongue brushed her lips as if he was begging her to let him in. Sure enough, she allowed it. She tasted like summer. Something he longed forever since the temperature dropped. She felt like a hot cup of tea and warmed his body up. She was the only one who had that effect on him. She stopped him right as things were starting to get good for him.

"What are we doing Draco?" she couldn't help but giggle. She took a deep breath trying to calm down the sensation in her stomach. Not her stomach, it was lower. "We could get caught!" she started to look a little upset.

"Why don't we take this somewhere a little more private then?" he never wanted her more than he did then.

"We can't. Not tonight Draco." she picked up her books and left him in the library.

Draco was confused. Was she ashamed? Did she regret it? She did say not tonight. Did that mean another night? He overthought it until he fell asleep.