Hermione was stuck in the potions class. She was rather irritated with Ron and Harry. They had royally messed up their potion that morning and somehow she had fallen for their trick. Well it wasn't that she didn't know how. She was extra tired in the morning and wasn't in the mood to deal with them. She ended up in front of their potion when Snape walked into the class and Harry and Ron were in front of hers. She had gotten the detention they deserved.

The door opened and Hermione turned to see who was there. She was hoping it was Ron or Harry. At least there to own up to what they did. She wasn't surprised when she saw it wasn't either of them. She sighed and turned back to the potion in front of her.

Draco was looking for a little alone time to work on one of the less tedious potions he knew. He simply wanted to perfect his art and practice was always the better option. He had figured that the class would be empty since it had been quite late. He was momentarily taken back when he saw Hermione.

"Granger, what are you doing here?" Draco frowned.

"I just love potions." Hermione rolled her eyes. "What do you think, Malfoy? I'm serving a detention sentence."

"That disaster potion was yours? I somehow find that hard to believe." Draco set his bag down next to Hermione and looked into her cauldron.

"It wasn't mine. It was Harry's and Ron's disaster I got stuck with." Hermione sighed.

"It should be a light peach not an orange. Did you not add the basilisk fang shavings?" Draco asked.

Hermione sighed. "Shit. I got distracted."

"I mean it's still salvageable. Add the shavings now and stir 5 times anti-clockwise. Then 10 times clockwise and let it sit on the flame for a bit."

"T... Thank you, Malfoy." Hermione smiled a bit and did exactly what he said.

The potion colour changed slowly as Hermione followed the steps. It went dark at first which made Hermione think Draco was messing with her. After she finished stirring it clockwise she saw the colour blend into a pearl white. She let out a sigh of relief as she allowed the potion to sit. The colour gradually turned to the light peach it was supposed to be. Hermione quickly viled up the potion and set it on Snape's desk.

"Ammm thanks again." Hermione said softly.

"Don't mention it. You shouldn't have to serve detention for Potter's stupidity." Draco shrugged. "Don't worry I won't tell Snape that I gave you a few pointers."

"Actually, I'd prefer it if you did tell him." Hermione smiled. "I would have turned it into a worse potion if it weren't for you."

Hermione left the class and a slightly smiling Draco. She was both a little happy and a little annoyed he had showed up. Happy because he acknowledged that she wasn't horrible at potions and because he helped her finish a little faster. Annoyed because he had distracted her and she would have had to redo it. Also because Harry and Ron didn't show to say sorry.

*~*~*~*~*~*

"Are you still mad at us?"

"As a matter of fact I am. Now just leave me alone." Hermione huffed and walked away.

Draco smirked to himself and set up his cauldron. Hermione hadn't really said anything to Harry and Ron since she took the detention over a month ago. She had been to the potions classroom a few times to learn a few things from Draco.

"Miss Granger you are working with Mr Weasley today." Snape deadpanned as he walked through the class.

Hermione sighed and stood next to Ron. The class seemed to go by relatively slow as she watched the seconds tick by. She took control of the potion mostly - not wanting to get into anymore trouble. Ron was only allowed to help when Snape walked by.

"Hermione just let me do it."

"I don't trust you, Ronald. Now hand me the Newt."

Ron handed her something. Hermione almost threw it in the cauldron. Almost. She realised that he had handed her wrong thing. Only it was a little late. About two drops of the plant's juice had dripped into the cauldron. Hermione hadn't realised that. She slapped Ron and reached over him to get the right thing. She didn't pick up on the fact that Ron had cut too little of the ingredient. The added juice from an Ashburn plant and too little Newt was shaping out to be a horrible potion.

Hermione kmew something was wrong when the potion started turning black. She was about to scrap the whole thing and start over. Except Ron threw in some ingredient before she could. Hermione yelped in surprise and frustration. Ron shrugged and looked at her. Then there was a pop.

"FoR MeRlIn'S sAkE RoNaLd! Why can't you just..." Hermione fell to the ground.

The bubble that had popped sent a bit of the messed up potion flying at Hermione's face. Some had gotten into her mouth and some had absorbed into her skin. It left visible marks where it had landed. Ron thought that she was just messing around.

"Miss Granger get up." Snape deadpanned.

Hermione didn't move. Draco had unknowingly stepped forward. Snape bent over the potion to examine it. The class was silent as they watched. Draco slowly moved closer and looked at the potion. Ron was shaking Hermione like she would wake up any second.

"That looks like..."

"Yes I know Draco. Take her to madam Pomfrey." Snape shook his head and turned to Ron. "As for you I'll see you in my class after dinner. Class dismissed."

Draco wasn't expecting Snape to let the class out so quickly. He knew that Harry and Ron would run after him. He was carrying Hermione after all and they seemed ready to kill him when he left. He needed time to get away.

He took a breath and leaned against the wall just behind the door. He dropped Hermione's legs and held her against him to keep her head from getting hit. As expected the door flew open and almost crashed into them.

Ron and Harry dashed out of the class. They didn't check their surroundings much as they ran in the direction of the hospital wing. Draco waited as everyone else left the class. He lifted Hermione and walked back into the class.

"I thought I told you to take her to Poppy."

"You didn't even give me a chance to get there." Draco complained. "I won't be able to get there now because of Potter and his idiot friend."

Snape sighed. "I'm not keeping her here."

"That's fine I'll keep her in my dorm then." Draco shrugged and smirked as he left.

Snape yelled after him but Draco didn't turn back. He quite literally walked to his dorm and laid her in his bed. He only went back to the class for his bags. Her's were already taken. Draco was somewhat happy potions had been their last class.

*~*~*~*~*~*

"Malfoy where is she?"

"Potter." Draco sighed.

"Where is Hermione, Malfoy?" Harry frowned.

"Safe from your stupidity. Now I have a class." Draco deadpanned and stepped to the side.

"Malfoy! Where is she!?" Harry yelled.

Draco shook his head and turned to walk away. Harry ran in front of him and blocked him off again. Draco shook his head. He turned and ran off before Harry could react. He was getting tired of this even though it had only been a week. Draco decided to ditch the rest of his classes. He went back to his dorm and laid down on Blaise's bed.

"Why do you always have to take my bed?"

"It's closest to mine."

"Yeah but seriously man. Just take her to the hospital wing already. Here I got you another pepper up." Blaise tossed the potion at Draco.

"Thanks."

"You know she's never going to know right. That you gave up your bed and sleep to help her."

"She doesn't need to know." Draco shrugged.

"What's your deal, Draco?" Blaise sighed. "You pick on her. Call her names. And now all of a sudden..."

"She's really not as bad as I thought. She's willing to learn even though she's already smart. And she kept coming back even though it was me." Draco looked at Hermione.

"You like her, don't you?"

Draco shrugged and sat up. He just wanted to help her. That's what he kept telling himself. However, the longer he said it the less he believed it. After all if was Blaise or Pansy he would have left them in the hospital wing and he would have left finding a cure to Snape. He wouldn't care if it was literally anyone else.

"Well guess I'll see you later. Should I bring food?"

"Yeah. Please that would be great." Draco sighed.

Blaise left and Draco went to sit on the edge of his bed. He told himself that he just wanted to help her. He shook his head and walked to his desk. His notes on the potion were spread out all over it. There was something that wasn't sitting right with him. He knew where the problem might have started, but Snape had already tossed out the potion.

"Come on Hermione. Just wake up." Draco sighed.

He sat next to her and kissed her cheek. The mark that was left by the potion faded away. Draco didn't notice as he had started pacing and scolding himself.

He left the room and went to the potions classroom. He was relieved that Snape didn't have a class or he did but they were most likely gathering ingredients somewhere. Draco didn't care, he had the classroom and it was empty.

"I'm guessing you've been here since I left."

Draco jumped and looked at the door. "Blaise."

"I had a feeling I'd find you here. What are you doing?"

"Recreating Hermione's potion."

"Hermione now? Not Granger?" Blaise smirked. "Why are you recreating it?"

"There's something wrong and I can't find it. The potion was going perfect. Two drops of Ashburn sap shouldn't have messed it up that bad." Draco frowned.

"How do you..."

"And if she added a little extra Newt it should have been fine. Even whatever the Weasel tossed in shouldn't have made it look like draught of living death." Draco continued.

"Draco!" Blaise yelled. "How do you know it was two drops? Or even that there was too little Newt?"

Draco's eyes went wide a bit and he shook his head. He refused to admit that he was paying close attention to Hermione. He reasoned that he was interested in seeing if she used skills he taught her. He didn't want to admit that not seeing her in class left him feeling empty. Or that he wished it was her with him instead of Blaise.

"Draco?"

"Forget about it. I did my research okay." Draco huffed.

"Whatever man. Just kiss her already." Blaise rolled his eyes and left Draco alone.

Draco left the class after Blaise and went back to the dorm. "Just kiss her already." Draco shook his head. He sighed and sat down next to her. "I don't like her like that... Do I?" Draco sighed. He didn't know what to do.

"Please wake up." Draco sighed. "Blaise keeps saying that I have feelings for you. I don't know maybe I do."

He brushed her hair aside. She looked peaceful and Draco didn't want to ruin that. He sighed and kissed her. He didn't think that really helped anything but he did it anyway. He stood up and walked over to his desk. Disappointed and defeated.

"I really wish I knew how to fix this Hermione. I actually really miss having you around."

"So you finally admit it out loud."

Draco spun around ready to swear and hex someone but he froze. He blinked a few times and stared. Not moving from the chair he was in as his mind tried to catch up with what he was seeing. His voice had decided to leave him as well.

"You look like you've seen hell."

"H... He... Hermione?" Draco's voice cracked.

"Yes Draco." Hermione smiled.

"But..."

"It's me I promise." Hermione laughed.

"How? Wait what do you mean by I finally admit it out loud?"

"I could hear and feel everything. Even though I couldn't move or do anything." Hermione shrugged.

Draco looked down. "Feel?"

Hermione laughed. "Yes. I felt you kiss my cheek. And everything else. I even heard how Blaise teased you. I'm really hungry now though."

"I thought you were sleeping." Draco frowned.

"More like severe sleep paralysis." Hermione shrugged. "Why did you kiss me?"

"You know why." Draco sighed and turned away.

"I want to hear you say it." Hermione shifted to get off the bed.

Her legs gave out under her as she tried to stand. She didn't hit the floor as she expected. Draco had caught her as soon as he had tried to stand. She smiled up at him as he put her back onto his bed. Draco's face was a mix of red and pink although his expression gave away nothing.

"You haven't moved in almost two weeks. I don't think that was a smart move." Draco said.

"It was actually." Hermione grinned. "It got you to come over here. That was my intention."

Draco shook his head and smiled a bit. He hadn't realised that Hermione was still holding onto his neck. His mind really wasn't paying attention to any of that. Hermione traced her fingers down the back of Draco's neck and he almost jumped back. Almost. He realised that it was Hermione and he took her hands away before moving a little further back.

"Draco?"

"What do you want, Hermione? I'm not the guy you think I am. Blaise will show up with food just now and you can eat."

"Why are you acting so cold? I know exactly who you are. Do you forget. I heard everything. You could have just taken me to madam Pomfrey like Snape said. You didn't. You could have left me with Snape even though he didn't want to keep me. You didn't. You could have turned around when Snape yelled at you and taken me to the hospital wing. You didn't. Instead you gave me your bed and you respected the fact that I really had no say in the matter. You gave up your sleep to help me and fought with your roommates to protect me. The Draco Malfoy I knew would never do any of that. But the one I got to know before any of this happened... He was sweet and I could see him doing all those things. Which leaves me wondering. Which one is the real you, Draco?" Hermione sighted.

"That would be the sappy helpless romantic who was willing to loose his reputation to help a damsel in distress such as yourself. That is the real Draco for as long as I can remember."

"Blaise! What the fuck man?!"

"Come now Draco. There's no use lying." Blaise laughed.

"How long have you been there?" Hermione asked.

"Long enough to tell you that I did bring food. But I wasn't expecting to see you awake so I only brought for Draco." Blaise scratched the back of his neck.

"It's fine. I'm not hungry anyway give it to her." Draco got up and walked into the bathroom.

"He hasn't eaten all day has he." Hermione sighed.

"Sappy helpless romantic. You better eat because he really won't eat for the next week if you haven't eaten. Draco really cares about you. He's just acting out." Blaise shrugged.

"You're a sell out." Draco huffed. "What makes you think I care anyway? She's fine."

"And yet if she tries to leave you will complain. Stop being an asshole there's only us here. Everyone else is still in the Hall." Blaise rolled his eyes.

Draco hesitated before walking up to Hermione. He leaned over her and kissed her. When he pulled away he walked towards the door. Hermione never said anything. Draco paused and turned around to face Hermione and Blaise.

"If anything happens to her I'll hex you. I'm going back to find out why this happened. And maybe get some food. I expect to come back to see her fine." He left the room.

Blaise burst out laughing. "That idiot."

"He... I'm so confused." Hermione sighed.

"Basically I can't let you leave. And you better finish that food or he'll be pissed at me. As for him kissing you. Well," Blaise shrugged. "You know. He wants you to know that he cares."

"You don't sound very sure." Hermione frowned.

"Draco loves you. Even if he doesn't say it he'll definitely show it. Being overly protective, being an asshole to people who try to hurt you, denying everything but still trying to keep you close, and his more famous sneering at people."

"Does he not know how to show someone that he cares without being an asshole?" Hermione shrugged.

"His father is Lucius Malfoy." Blaise raised an eyebrow.

Hermione nodded and started eating. Blaise didn't speak as he took out his work and Draco's for the day. Hermione frowned at the growing stack of notes and things. She finished eating just as Draco walked back into the room.

"What's with the stack?"

"Oh... Yeah... That... Ammm thanks Blaise."

"Oh my pleasure. It only takes a ton of ass kissing and promising that you will actually do the work." Blaise rolled his eyes. "I'm not collecting your work anymore."

"You haven't been going to class?"

Draco shook his head and Blaise grunted. "He's been staying in the common room or in the potions classroom trying to figure out what happened with you. So I have to actually take notes in class and get work for him."

"At least you take notes now." Draco rolled his eyes and turned to Hermione. "Did you eat enough?"

"Yes thank you. I'd like to go back to my room."

"Not happening. I can't be seen carrying you around and you can't walk yet." Draco deadpanned.

"Why can't you be seen carrying me?" Hermione frowned.

"Potter." Draco shrugged.

He sat down next to Hermione and rested his head on her shoulder. Blaise scoffed and shook his head.

"Did I forget to tell you that he's super clingy." Blaise smirked.

"I don't mind." Hermione said before Draco could. "He cares and that's what's important. I appreciate that he's willing to risk what people would say just to show me he cares. I'm sorry if Harry's been giving you trouble."

*~*~*~*~*~*

"Hermione, what's been going on with you? Why are you hanging out with Malfoy?"

"Nothing is going on with me. Why do either of you have a problem with me hanging out with Draco?" Hermione frowned.

"Hermione? It's Malfoy!" Ron yelled.

"Ronald! It's Draco." Hermione frowned.

"Seriously Hermione? He's a grit." Harry huffed.

"Seriously Harry. He's my boyfriend."

"I've never heard you say that before."

Hermione jumped and spun around. "Draco."

Draco smirked. "Hermione. Care to join me?"

"I have class now."

"Well that sucks. Which class?"

"DADA." Hermione shrugged.

Draco cringed and held out his hand. "I'll walk you."

Hermione smiled and shook her head. She took Draco's hand still. Draco really walked her all the way to her class. Harry and Ron trailing behind them. The classroom door was open so Hermione had expected Draco to simply walk away. Except he didn't. Draco leaned forward and kissed Hermione on the cheek before letting go of her hand.

"See you after your class." Draco smiled and walked away.

Harry and Ron were in a state of shock as Draco walked past them. They couldn't do much of anything during class because they hadn't expected what happened. After the class everyone walked out and stopped for a few minutes before carrying on. Ron and Harry tried to block Hermione from exiting.

"What has gotten into you two?" Hermione shoved past.

"Don't..."

"Hey love." Draco smiled when he saw Hermione.

"Hey?" Hermione frowned. "What's gotten into you?"

Draco shrugged. "Nothing?"

"Don't play games with me."

"Okay okay. I didn't know what to do for you today. So I asked Blaise and he said I should make it special." Draco shrugged.

"Draco there really isn't any need. I would have just been happy that you remembered." Hermione sighed.

"Yeah... But that's not good enough. We've been dating for 6 months already. Remembering is kind of a given now." Draco shrugged again. "Besides I'm really good with dates so..."

Hermione laughed. "You're so dramatic you know that."

Draco frowned. "Am not."

"Yes you are. But that's one of the things I love about you." Hermione smiled. "So what was your plan?"

"Well do you have a class now?"

"No."

"Good. Come with me then." Draco offered his hand.

"Don't you have class?" Hermione frowned.

"Blaise is covering for me. Come on."

Hermione sighed and shook her head. She still took Draco's hand. He lead her through the castle and onto the quidditch pitch. A picnic had been set out with a broom laying close by. Draco smiled as he picked Hermione up.

"We are not flying." Hermione demanded.

"Yes we are." Draco smiled.

He picked up the broom and sat down still holding onto Hermione. Hermione protested but Draco wasn't listening. He kicked off and Hermione burried her face in his shoulder. She only lifted her head when they landed.

"I'll never let anything bad happen to you again. Hermione I love you and if you die I won't live." Draco kissed her.

"You make no sense." Hermione shook her head.

"It'll be my living death." Draco mumbled and sat next to her.

"I love you too by the way." Hermione smiled.

(3650 Words)