Hermione tries to figure out what she is feeling for Draco, and discovers Draco spying on her.

The following day, Hermione purposely ignored Draco’s attempts to talk with her. Tomorrow was the day of the full moon, but she and Nagini had arranged to meet tonight instead, and she wanted to make sure that she was there to greet her friend.

During their first class of Transfiguration, Draco had made it a point to sit next to her. Hermione took her notes and when class was over, moved out of the classroom quickly. Once she had made it to the girls bathroom alone, she cast a disillusionment charm, and was able to return to the Room of Requirement without running into Malfoy.

She had a free period this afternoon, so she decided to treat herself to a nice long hot bubble bath. Conjuring some music, she sang along for a while, relaxing and thinking over the past evening.

Hermione knew that Lucius Malfoy was a brilliant strategist. He seemed well placed within the Ministry, had a coveted spot on the Hogwarts school board and his opinion held sway over many of the Pureblood families. Professor Snape was also very clever, but Hermione felt there was something she was missing with him. He was close with Dumbledore, and the old man seemed to rely on Snape more than McGonagall lately.

Could Snape be a double agent?

Playing both sides?

And if so, where did his loyalty truly lie?

Then there was Draco.

Last night he had opened up to her and shared something intimate about himself. He’d trusted her, despite their volatile history. Hermione had given this a lot of thought, but she knew that there was no possible way Draco could’ve suspected her true identity before her confrontation with his father at Yule. But he had shown concern as early as the end of Third Year, and definitely the beginning of this year, if Pansy Parkinson was to be believed.

He was clever, funny, intelligent and handsome. She couldn’t lie to herself. He was extremely handsome, and the git knew it.

She had heard about his exploits with witches from all over Hogwarts this year. It was one of Hermione’s strengths to be able to pick out conversations in a crowded room, but what no one knew was that she could read lips. It was a skill she had picked up out of dire necessity first and second year when she feared for her life inside Slytherin House. It kept her ahead of others scheming to hurt her and allowed her to plot and plan retaliation against those who tormented her.

Draco was becoming something of a Slytherin Casanova. He had snogged Pansy repeatedly in third year, and had sex with her earlier this year, if the rumors were to be believed. He’d also had relations with several sixth year Slytherins and two seventh year Ravenclaws. Just last month, Hermione had been under a concealment charm and heard a noise coming from a deserted classroom. It was Malfoy in the classroom with the Head Girl, a Hufflepuff. Hermione had been curious about the noises so she cast silencing spells, opened the door and got quite an eye-full of Draco taking the other witch over a desk. The girl was moaning in pleasure and Draco was draped over her, pistoning his hips into her quite vigorously.

She had retreated out of the room and was mortified at how damp her knickers were from what she’d witnessed. She had dreamed of Malfoy that night, but this time she was the girl in the classroom. She’d awoken, obscenely wet and frustrated. For the first time ever, she made herself come using her fingers. At the moment of release, she’d sighed out Draco’s name and then proceeded to go take a long shower to calm herself down.

The realization that she wasn’t quite as indifferent to Malfoy as she’d thought, made her feel uncomfortable. Viktor, for all his sweet attention, hadn’t managed to conjure those feelings of butterflies and desire. They were going to Hogsmeade tomorrow, so perhaps it was time to see if there was anything romantic there.

Looking at the time, Hermione dressed and cast the proper charms hiding her and headed towards the Black Lake, unaware the Malfoy was already there waiting under his own silencing and concealment charms. When she arrived at the usual spot, it wasn’t long before Nagini showed. The snake slithered up to Hermione, placing her head on the witches lap. Hermione petted her for a few minutes until the snake spoke up.

“Young Mistress is distracted again. Are you well?”

Hermione nodded. “I’m fine Nagini, just busy with classes and homework. Did Father make a decision about allowing me to talk to his servant?”

Nagini nodded in return. “He has spent much time weighing what you have told him young one. He understands your concerns and decided that he does not want you to expose yourself at this time, to the man here. He believes if the plan is not successful, you may be compromised. He will try and make sure that Potter is the only one to get to the cup. He is most pleased with your research into dark spells but asks you to exert caution.”

Hermione sighed in frustration. “So Father hasn’t decided if Potter will live or die then?”

“No, young one. There are things you must understand which I cannot tell you. Be patient and continue your research. When my Master returns he will seek you out soon enough.”

“I understand, Nagini. The last task is a little over a month away. Will I see you next full moon?”

“No, young one, I will be here the night of the last task to make sure all goes according to plan, and my master wishes for me to stay close by your side until you leave school.”

“Alright, Nagini, I will see you next month then. Be safe, and give Father my regards.”

“I will, young Mistress.”

Hermione watched the snake slither away and sighed unhappily.

So her Father hadn’t decided how he would handle Potter.

Shaking her head, she stood up and dusted off her jeans, wrapping herself a bit more in her cloak. If everything went to plan her father would return in a little over a month. Hermione was excited, scared and sad because she knew instinctively her time with Richard and Helen Granger was coming to an end. She had no doubt her Dark Lord of a Father, would not approve of her living with Muggles. Truthfully, Hermione felt like the magical world was where she belonged. She loved her adoptive parents, and was grateful to them for raising her and giving her the best of everything.

But the Muggle World was not her future, nor her destiny.

Leaving towards the castle, she heard a noise off to her left behind a tree. It would seem someone was there spying. Hermione silently cast a ‘Hominem Revelio’ and her wand lit up instantly. She then cast a ‘Finite Incantatem’ and low and behold, Draco Malfoy was standing before her shocked, with her wand pointed at his chest.

“Give me one good reason for not turning you back into a ferret, Malfoy.”

Draco wasn’t stupid so he put his hands up in a placating manner and slowly walked towards the little witch. “We both know you really don’t want to hex me, Granger.”

“Oh? And why is that, Malfoy? I think you would look good with antlers growing out of your head, or perhaps boils all over your face?”

Draco smirked at how beautiful Hermione was when she was angry. Her cheeks were flushed and her lips were plump from her biting on them. Her hair was wild and free and her eyes sparkled like fire.

Merlin he wanted to snog her senseless!

“You’ve been conversing with that snake all year, Granger. You should’ve been a little less predictable than meeting at the same place every full moon. I wouldn’t have never pegged you to be so Gryffindor.”

Hermione growled at the blonde and moved forward, her wand pointing directly into his chest, but he seemed completely unfazed.

“You foul, loathsome, evil little cockroach! I know why you’re following me, and I’m telling you to leave me alone. I’m not above making you leave me alone, ferret.”

Malfoy smirked wider at the witch and leant over so he was eye to eye with her. “I would love to see you make me, Hermione. In fact, I think I’d be more than willing for you to make me.”

Hermione took a step back in shock.

What exactly was he implying?

“Sorry, Malfoy, but I don’t see you in that way. I’m sure one of your Hogwarts groupies would be happy to help you take care of those questionable impulses, but I’m not interested.”

A brief flash of something like hurt moved through Draco’s face, it was quick, but Hermione caught it.

“Don’t worry your pretty little head about it, Granger. I had hoped after the other night we’d reached a possible detente, but I guess I was wrong. I was worried about you, and stayed hidden just in case someone else decided to follow you.”

Draco turned to leave and Hermione shook her head in exasperation.

“Look at it from my point of view, Malfoy. You’ve been nothing but hateful to me for three years!! Now, suddenly this year you do a complete turn around. What am I supposed to think?”

Draco took a direct step back into Hermione’s space and gently placed a finger underneath her jaw and tilted her head up to his. He looked into her hypnotic amber eyes and watched a myriad of emotions flit through them.

Anger, distrust, hurt and something else he was too afraid to define.

“You’re supposed to think that I am truly sorry for being such bigoted prat these past few years. That I wish more than anything I could go back and tell myself that first night how amazing and brilliant you are, Muggle-born or not. I’m not perfect, Granger, but I am trying.”

He gazed deep into Hermione’s eyes, subconsciously stroking her jaw with his hand.

“You and I both know, Draco Malfoy, that I’m as much of a Muggle-born, as you are.”

Draco’s breath hitched in shock, dropping his hand.

Was she really confirming her identity to him?

Was she really trusting him with her secret?

Hermione went to step around Draco to head back to the castle, but he held out his hand to her stomach, stopping her. She turned her face to his questioningly. “You can’t just leave here without an explanation, Hermione.”

Smirking at the blonde she was quick to reply. “Perhaps I overestimated you, Draco. I thought I’d made myself fairly clear the other night. Or perhaps you’re not as Slytherin as you’d like to think you are?”

Smiling genuinely at the little witch, Draco replied, “Is that a challenge, Hermione?”

Shrugging, the little witch gently removed Malfoy’s arm from blocking her progress and smiled at him wickedly.

“I’m not sure you’re up for any challenge I might impose on you, but you are more than welcome to try and amaze me, Malfoy.”

Draco watched Hermione walk back to the castle, his gaze locked on the sway of her hips and arse in those tight Muggle jeans she favored.

He would show the little witch just how amazing he could be!