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(Bella~ Before we begin, I want to thank abidina imere for reviewing and giving me the name for this story. This chapter's for you!)

The next morning, Ron and Harry woke early. They dressed and headed down to the common room to wait for Hermione.
“Lavender, have you seen Hermione?” Harry asked.
“She told me to tell you not to wait for her this morning. She said she’d see you at breakfast.” Lavender replied.
“Okay. Thanks.” Ron nodded and he and Harry left the common room and went down to the great hall for breakfast. After a while, Ron and Harry heard some gasps.
“She looks different.” Neville said looking towards the entrance. Ron and Harry looked at each other and stood up to see what the kafuffle was about, and surely enough, when they looked, they saw Hermione.
“Wow.” Was all Ron could manage to say. Hermione’s hair was completely straight and very shiny. Her eyebrows were shaped perfectly, which made her brown eyes look even bigger than usual. Ron and Harry noticed that, surprisingly enough, Hermione had gone one step further in their plan and made her skirt at least two or three inches shorter and she wasn’t wearing her robes, just her skirt, shirt, blazer, tie and shoes with her socks pulled up to her knees. She saw them looking at her and smiled.
“Is she wearing make-up?” Harry asked, almost breathlessly.
“She sure is.” Ginny smiled at them. “She looks good doesn’t she?” All Harry and Ron could do was nod. Hermione began walking towards them, exactly like Harry had shown her.
“Good morning.” Hermione smiled. “Oh for goodness sake, Ron. Stop looking at me like that.” Ron closed his mouth and blushed. “So…” She prompted.
“You look…amazing.” Harry said, trying to find the right word.
“Yeah. And apparently, we’re not the only one’s who noticed either.” Ron nodded towards the Slytherin table and, surely enough; Malfoy was staring in their direction. Hermione turned around and turned back quickly.
“Don’t do that.” Ron hissed. “You look nervous.” He told her. “Take control of the situation. Don’t let him think he intimidates you.”
“But I…um. What do I do?” Hermione asked franticly.
“Look, Hermione, you look great. You’ve got nothing to be nervous about. Turn around, look directly at him and, I don’t know, wink or smile. But don’t look all innocent like. Do it, what’s the word…seductively.” Harry told her. Hermione nodded, she turned around and did just that. She lifted one side of her lips up into a kind of playful smirk, Malfoy looked a little taken back, Hermione then winked and turned back to face Harry and Ron.
“It worked. He looks, kind of, surprised.” Harry said, looking at Malfoy.
“Show us what you did.” Ron insisted. Hermione sighed and smiled and winked at Harry and Ron, just like she did at Malfoy.
“I can see why he looks surprised.” Ron admitted. Hermione laughed quietly and blushed.
“Um, I think I need some air. I’ll see you in Potions.” Hermione said getting up.
“What about breakfast?” Harry asked.
“I’m not very hungry.” Hermione replied. “See you later.” and with that, she walked away.

* * * *

Draco watched Hermione as she turned back to Harry and Ron and thought about what he’d just seen.
‘Was she…did she just try and…seduce me?’ He thought to himself. He had to admit, she looked very nice this morning. ‘Almost sexy…no, don’t think like that. Hey, she’s leaving. Maybe I should follow her…nah.’ But before he could protest, Malfoy found himself heading for the doors. Once outside, Malfoy began to look for Hermione, he found her not long after, walking towards the lake. He quickened his pace a little.
“Lookin’ good Granger.” He said coolly, falling into stride with her. He saw her blush a little.
“Not so bad yourself, Malfoy. But did it honestly take a new hair do for you to notice me?” She asked, coming to a halt on the edge of the lake.
“Well, the fact the your skirt’s a little shorter helped out. But it was probably the wink the convinced me to follow you.” Malfoy answered.
“Oh. So you followed me because I winked at you?” Hermione asked, smiling ever so slightly.
“You know you want me, Granger.” Malfoy replied, putting his hands in his pockets. ‘Nice one, Malfoy.’ He mentally slapped himself.
“Oh yeah?” Hermione raised her newly shaped eyebrows.
“Yeah. Well that’s what it looked like any way.” Malfoy replied. Hermione gave a small chuckle.
“You’re so gullible, Malfoy. If I wanted to jump you, I’d most probably tell you.” Hermione said, looking up at him.
“Playing hard to get are we? Or just running away from what you know you want?” Malfoy grinned playfully.
“Hmm. See if you can catch me. Maybe we’ll play then.” Hermione mimicked his grin before turning to leave.

‘Did I just make Draco Malfoy blush?’ Hermione asked herself as she walked away from the lake. She smiled to herself. ‘I have to tell Harry and Ron.’
“He did what?” Ron asked, his eyes wide.
“He blushed. I know. I couldn’t believe it.” Hermione nodded.
“Silence. Your instructions are on the board. Begin.” Snape ordered, crossing his arms over his chest and looking down his nose at the class. Once the class was busy brewing their potions and talking quietly, the Trio began their conversation again.
“What did he say?” Harry asked, carefully putting the belladonna into the caldron.
“When?” Hermione asked, watching him closely.
“When you made him blush.” Ron said, rocking back and forth in his seat.
“I don’t know. I walked away, he looked kind of dumbfounded. Is that good?” Hermione asked, looking between the boys.
“I guess so. He keeps looking over here.” Ron shrugged. Hermione gasped.
“He does. Oh my God. What am I going to do?” She said franticly.
“Well you could start by putting the wolf bane in there.” Harry said nodding towards the caldron, which was slowly beginning to boil over.
“Oh. Damn it. Why didn’t you remind me?” Hermione said almost angrily. She picked up the wolf bane that she had already measured and put in into her caldron and watched, as it turned opaque. She smiled to herself. Ron noticed this.
“Dose that mean we’ve done it right then?” He asked looking into the clear liquid.
“Huh?” Hermione mumbled, looking at Ron.
“You smiled. Does that mean it’s right? Or will Snape take point from us again?” Ron answered looking at Hermione curiously. She laughed quietly.
“I think I’m going to kiss him.” She replied nonchalantly.
Ron’s eyes widened. “Snape?” He asked.
“Huh? What? NO! Draco. I’m going to kiss him. Of course he’ll think it was all him.” Hermione informed the boys, a plan slowly forming in her head. The bell went and the class filed out of the dungeons and out of the castle to Care of Magical Creatures.

“Hermione, hurry up. We’ll be late.” Harry said when he noticed Hermione lagging behind.
“I’ll be there. Don’t worry.” Hermione called back. Harry and Ron were confused. Since when did Hermione insist on being late for class?

Care of Magical Creatures was mostly uneventful. Hermione wasn’t paying attention at all, which caused her to get a nasty bight from a strange creature she didn’t know the name of. Hagrid had told the class, but Hermione didn’t notice.
“You’ll want ter get yerself up ter the Hospital wing fer that Hermione. It’ll turn ou’ worse if yer don’.” Hagrid told her.
“No, no. I’m fine.” Hermione said with a wave of her hand.
“Now, now Granger, don’t go ignoring a teacher’s suggestion.” Draco told her, looking up from the thing he was examining. Hagrid looked shocked.
“Maybe you’d like ter take ‘er there then Mr Malfoy?” Hagrid said, much to his surprise, Draco shrugged.
“C’mon then.” He said offering his hand to Hermione. She accepted it and he helped her to her feet. While they were walking towards the castle, Hermione turned to Draco,
“What did I get bitten by?” She asked. Draco looked rather taken back.
“You mean you don’t know?”
“If I knew, I know why my hand is turning yellow.”
“It was a Gizzyleach.” Draco told her.
“Oh my God!” Hermione shrieked and set off into a run. Draco ran after her.

Once Madame Pomfrey had made Hermione down an entire vile of a purple liquid that tasted oddly like ear wax, and her hand started turning back to it’s normal colour, Draco spoke.
“Look’s like I’ve caught you, doesn’t it?” He said suggestively.
“Not quite.” Hermione said, smiling.
“You can go now Miss Granger. Classes have finished for the day. Please pay more attention when handling a Gizzyleach. They can be quite dangerous, as I’m sure you know.” Madame Pomfrey interrupted. Hermione nodded and got up to walk out of the Hospital wing, Malfoy was right behind her.
“Tell me Granger,” He said when he caught her. “When might be the right time for us to…bump into each other again?” He asked. Hermione’s heart started racing. ‘Stay cool Hermione. Stay Calm.’ She told herself. But she still couldn’t say anything. “Not nervous are you Granger?” Draco said. Hermione stoped walking and turned to him, thanking Merlin the Entrance hall was empty. She grabbed the front of his robes and pulled him downward, kissed him quickly and whispered,
“Not even you could make me nervous.” She let him go and turned and quickly made her way up to the Gryffindor common room and plopped her self down on a couch next to Ron. Her face was pink and she was breathing heavily.
“What’d you do, run all the way from the Hospital wing?” Ron asked after his queen cut Harry’s pawn in half. Hermione just looked at him, with a look that clearly said, “Yes”.
“Why on earth did you do that?” Harry asked.
“I kissed him.” was Hermione’s simple answer. Ron and Harry’s eyes widened. “Not full on, just quickly like,” She made a quick kissing noise. “that.” She finished.
“What’d he do?” Ron asked, obviously intrigued.
“I don’t know. I kind of, er, ran away.” Hermione told him quietly. Just at that second, a huge eagle-owl flew through one of the open windows and dropped a note into Hermione’s lap and flew off. Hermione looked surprised but opened the letter anyway.

Hermione,
Roses are Red,
A Violet is a flower,
Meet me at midnight,
In the Astronomy Tower.
Yours, Draco.

Her eyes widened to roughly the size of tennis balls.
“What’s it say?” Harry asked eagerly. Hermione handed him the note. Harry read it and gave it to Ron.
“You can’t go.” Ron said stubbornly. Hermione looked at him shocked.
“And why not?” She asked.
“Because, well, do you know what people *do* in the Astronomy Tower?” He asked like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“Yes, Ron. I know. But is that not what I was planning to do in the first place?” Hermione replied.
“Well, yeah, but…” Ron stammered. Hermione interrupted him.
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to do it tonight. But I am going to go. Harry, can I borrow your Invisibility Cloak?” She assured Ron. Harry just nodded. “Thanks.”

After dinner, Harry, Ron and Hermione went back to the common room. While the boys stayed downstairs, Hermione went up into her dormitory. Half an hour later, she re-emerged. She was still in her uniform but had taken off her blazer and tie and was wearing high-heeled ankle boot with no socks. Her hair was pulled back into a tight, neat ponytail.
“You look…different.” Ron commented.
“Thank you. I think.” Hermione replied, sitting next to Harry and watching their game of chess.
“Where did you get those boots?” Harry asked, looking at Hermione's leather clad feet.
“Lavender gave them to me. She said they didn’t fit her and I could have them if they fitted.” Hermione explained. “Can I have a game while I wait?” Hermione asked hopefully.
“Sure.” Ron said automatically.
“You can take my place. I’m losing any way.” Harry said, getting up from the floor. Hermione smiled and sat down across from Ron, cross-legged on the floor. Ron and Hermione were playing for a while, when Harry interrupted them.
“’Mione, it’s ten to midnight.” He told her. Hermione gasped.
“Harry, I need your-” She stoped short; Harry took his Invisibility Cloak out from under a pillow and hander it to Hermione. She stood up and took it from his out-stretched arms. “Thanks. Wish me luck?”
“Good luck.” Harry and Ron said at the same time. Hermione gave them a nervous smile and ran out the portrait hole.


Draco made his way to the Astronomy Tower. ‘What if she doesn’t show? I’ll look like a complete prat.’ He thought as he climbed the ladder into the tower. He made his way over to a window seel and waited. A few minutes later, he heard the door open and close. He whipped his head around to see if Hermione was standing there. She wasn’t.
“Hello?” He called into the darkness. “Who’s there?” He asked again, walking towards the doorway.
“Paranoid, Draco?” A female voice said from nowhere.
“Hermione? Where are you? Why can’t I see you?” He quizzed looking around. He heard Hermione giggle and all of a sudden, she appeared in front of him.
“Glad to see me?” She asked, putting her hands on her hips. Draco looked her up and down. Her skirt looked a lot shorter without knee-high socks on. Her shirt was unbuttoned almost far enough to see her bra.
“Definitely.” Draco breathed. Hermione smiled. She began sauntering around him sexily.
“Now let’s get a few things straight, Malfoy,” She began, running the tips of her fingers over the back of his shoulders. “No one finds out about any of this. It’s strictly between you and me. If I get so much as one jealous look from any of those Slytherin sluts, it’s through. Clear?” She told him, coming to a stop, with her hand in the middle of his chest. Draco made a move to kiss her, but she backed away. “Tut, tut, Draco,” She said waving her finger at him. “Are we clear? Not a word.” She repeated.
“Why not?” Draco asked, stepping towards her.
“What would your father say if he found out you’d been snogging a Mudblood?” She asked, her eyes searching his face.
“I don’t care.” Draco breathed, stepping even closer.


‘Oh my God. Oh my God.’ Hermione’s heart was beating so fast, she feared Draco would hear it if he came any closer.
“I bet you would if he found out. What d’you think he’d say?” Hermione asked. Draco’s face dropped. ‘Did I upset him?’ She asked herself.
“Like I said, Granger. I don’t give a shit what my father would say. This is me not him.” Draco said slowly moving away. Hermione realised what was happening and stoped it before it went any further.
“Well, I’m glad we got that out of the way then. Back to business.” She said. Draco’s face, whatever had been there before, was back to normal. “Now, do you mind telling me why you asked me here?” Hermione said, running her finger down the buttons on Draco’s shirt. He smiled down at her devilishly.
“Oh, I think you know why you’re here, Miss Granger.” He said, putting his hand on her lower back and bringing her closer to him.
“I’m afraid you’re mistaken, Master Malfoy. Why don’t you tell me?” Hermione replied, putting her hands on Draco’s shoulders. Draco brought his face closer to Hermione’s, so it was only a few inches away and said in a low breathy voice that made the hairs on the back of Hermione’s neck stick up,
“How ‘bout I show you.” He closed the existing millimetres between their faces and captured her lips in a mind-blowing kiss. He put his other hand on her lower back and pulled her closer. ‘Oh my God.’ Hermione thought as she deepened the kiss, parting her lips and running her tongue across Draco’s. ‘Strawberries.’ she mused. Draco’s lips also parted, giving Hermione’s tongue access to explore his mouth, which she did without hesitation. Hermione heard Draco moan quietly and smiled against his lips. She pulled away and looked into his eyes. They were both gasping for air. Draco spoke first.
“That, Miss Granger, is why I told you to meet me here.” He smiled.
“Well. You should tell me to do things more often, shouldn’t you?” Hermione replied, smiling at the look of surprise now on Draco’s face.
“I could tell you to do a lot of things, Hermione.” Draco breathed. Hermione shrugged in response. She looked at her watch.
“My goodness look at the time. I’d best be off. See you in the morning Draco.” She said and covered herself with Harry’s Invisibility Cloak and sprinted back to the portrait of the Fat Lady. “Rose Bush.” Hermione gasped.
“Who are you and what are you doing out this time of night?” The Fat Lady asked, angrily.
“None of you business now open up.” Hermione replied. The Fat Lady swung forward and Hermione scrambled through the Portrait hole and into the Common Room to find Ron and Harry, still sitting up. They looked up when she threw off the cloak.
“Well?” Ron prompted, noticing the look on Hermione’s face and the fact her lips were red and a little swollen, added, “You kissed him did you?” He asked. Hermione looked at him and smiled.
“Yes. And it was the best kiss I’ve ever had.” She said without thinking.
“Oh?” Ron said, raising his eyebrows.
“Oh, um, no offence or anything Ron.” She said hurriedly.
“No problem. Just spare us the details.” Ron replied, looking rather hurt.
“Ron, I’m sorry. I didn’t think…” Hermione trailed off.
“Forget it.” Ron said and stood up. “Good night.” Without waiting for a reply, he turned and went up the stairs.
“Harry, you know I didn’t mean…” Hermione tried to talk to Harry but he held up his hand to silence her.
“I know. But I think you need to go to bed.” He told her. Hermione nodded.
“Yeah. Good night.” She mumbled.
“Good night.” Harry replied and they both made their way to their dormitory. Hermione had a room to herself because she’d been made head girl. She closed her door and lay down on her bed and slowly drifted off to sleep. She was awoken what seemed like only minutes after.
“Look out Harry!” She exclaimed, then she realised it must have been a dream. “I thought I heard someone at the door.” She mumbled to herself. Someone knocked.
“Hermione,” it was Ron. “Hermione, can I come in?” He asked.
“Yes. Alohamora.” She replied, pointing her wand at her door. Ron quietly opened the door and came in.
“Hermione, can I talk to you?” he asked nervously.
“Um, of course. What’s the time?” Hermione nodded, squinting around the room. “Lumos.” She muttered and her wand lit up. Hermione could see the look of nervousness on Ron’s face as he made his way over to her bed. “Ron, is something wrong?” She asked, sitting up further.
“Um, well, sort of. If you don’t feel like talking, it’s okay…” Ron trailed off.
“Ron, it’s okay. I’m awake now,” She yawned. “So lets talk.” Ron sighed and sat down. He was twisting his hands in silence for a while before he spoke.
“Did you mean what you said?” He asked suddenly. “About Malfoy I mean.”
“What are you talking about?” Hermione shook her head, not recalling saying anything in particular about Malfoy.
“That his kiss was the best you’ve ever had. Did you mean it?”
“Oh, Ron. I wasn’t thinking. I’m sorry if I upset you. I was just, caught up in the moment I guess.” Hermione replied.
“It’s okay, really. I was just wondering. Sorry I woke you up.” Ron apologized, standing up to leave. Hermione jumped out of bed and grabbed his wrist before he could open the door.
“Ron, wait.” She pleaded, turning him to face her. “This…this thing, with Malfoy. It’s nothing, honestly. It’s just a bit of fun…” She was cut short by Ron’s lips pressing against hers. It had been so long since she’d kissed him that she’d forgotten how good it felt. She raised her hands and tangled them in his hair, forcing him closer to her. She felt his tongue run along her lips and she opened her mouth. The kiss didn’t very much longer; Ron pulled away and looked into Hermione’s eyes.
“I miss you.” Was all he said. He turned around and walked away, leaving Hermione standing in her doorway, in her nightdress, trying to catch her breath. Once Ron had disappeared around the corner, Hermione shut her door and went back to bed. Why did he just kiss her? What did he mean by ‘I miss you’? With these and many other thoughts and questions running through her head, Hermione went back to sleep.