I stared at Ginny for a long time, mouth slightly open, eyes wide. I wasn't saying anything, but I wasn't denying her claim either.

You. Love. Draco. Malfoy.

I blinked. "I - I --" I began, unable to find the words. Then I stopped, put my head in my hands and stared at the bookshelves, trying to find something there to comfort me. I expected Ginny to cry out in celebration, but she did exactly the opposite.

"So you do like him," she said in awe, in barely more than a whisper. I looked up at her, feeling the beginnings of tears pooling in my eyes.

"What about Ron?" I sniffed, rubbing my eyes hard. Ginny gave a short, loud laugh.

"Ha! Ron?" She scoffed. "Forget about Ron, Hermione, this is Draco Malfoy we're talking about! He's seriously hot." I gave her a watery, tearful smile.

"Do you think so?" I asked.

"I know so," said Ginny expertly. "Come on, let's get to the toilets and get you some tissues. I want to know everything about dear Draco."

I smiled and Ginny took my hand and led me out of the library, where we were stopped several times by Madam Pince, who told Ginny that if she was ever going to come into her library squealing like that again then she'd get a lifelong ban. Ginny just sniggered, tried to put on a straight face, started laughing and darted off, her ears as red as her hair.

Once we were in the toilets, I dried my eyes and Ginny sat on the counter top by the sinks, asking me questions about Draco.

"So he's changed?" She asked, looking at her reflection in the mirror and making faces.

"I - I think so," I shrugged. "He's not mean anymore - well, he teases me a lot, but he's not horrible or prejudice or mean like he used to be. He's...he's just different, Gin, that's all, and he's actually sort of --" I faltered, looking anxiously up at Ginny.

"It's okay, you can say whatever you want," nodded Ginny encouragingly, grinning at me.

"Okay." I took a deep breath. "It's just, sometimes he's actually sort of funny, and he just seems..."

"Different," said Ginny, looking thoughtful. "Yeah, I see what you mean. Maybe since his dad's been in Azkaban, he's realised what a prat he's been. I never thought his mum was quite as bad as Lucius Malfoy, maybe she talked some sense into him."

"Maybe," I said, although I didn't quite agree. There certainly was a reason he'd changed, but I couldn't put my finger on it. It would take a lot more digging than just speculation to find out, and I wasn't sure I was ready for that.

"Come on, we'll be late for potions," said Ginny finally, plucking my tissue from my hands and throwing it expertly into the bin. I guess she gets a lot of practise throwing things around from being Gryffindor Chaser.

We arrived in the dungeons with Professor Slughorn just after everybody else. We managed to push our way to the front of the crowd gathered around his desk, where there was a bubbling, pink-coloured potion emitting lots of hissing steam that I was sure I'd seen before.

I looked over my shoulder and saw Draco standing a few places away from me, a smirk plastered on his face. He grinned when he saw me looking at him and I blushed, forced my face into a frown, and turned away. Professor Slughorn called for our attention and the talking gradually died down.

"Now, today we'll be working on Amortentia. It's an extremely powerful love potion, for those of you who haven't seen this potion before, and extremely difficult to make. However, I will be happy today with those of you who even manage half of this complex potion. I will put you into pairs for this assignment, as what you produce and how you produce it apart from your usual friends will be assessed in this piece. Any questions?"

There were none. Slughorn moved among us, calling out names and matching us with each other. Ginny was paired off with a Slytherin boy stood near Draco - I think he was called Blaise Zabini. She looked thoroughly unhappy about this, and I giggled when she frowned darkly at Zabini as they made their way to their bench. Then I looked around and realised I had nothing to giggle about, either.

There was only two people left standing in the centre of the room. Me - and - you guessed it. Draco Malfoy.

I stared and spluttered excuses at Professor Slughorn, but he wouldn't hear of it. Draco just stood there like an idiot, smirking.

"You're both potions prodigies, so don't complain, Miss Granger," said Professor Slughorn, tapping the point of his nose and beaming at the both of us. "However, I think you could both learn a little from one another. What say you, Mr Malfoy?"

Malfoy grinned. "I couldn't agree more, professor," he smirked. "Come on, Granger."

I took charge immediately, sending him to get the ingredients from the store cupboard while I prepped the cauldron and opened the textbooks. Professor Slughorn was right - it was a complicated potion. But no more complicated than the Polyjuice I'd brewed in second year.

Draco dumped the ingredients on the table and sat and watched me with an odd expression on his face while I worked. I kept glancing over at him, wondering what he was thinking. He looked...dreamy....that was the only way I could think to describe it.

"I know you're obviously very busy daydreaming, but you do actually need to help me," I said, stirring the thick potion and adding some fine white powder. Some of the liquid began to hiss and spit.

"Daydreaming? Me?" Asked Malfoy innocently. "Never!" 

I smiled and wondered if he knew that Amortentia smelt like him.