The Bookshelf

As she approached them, her friends turned to greet her. Harry gave her a strange look.

"Why is your face so red?" he questioned. A thought dawned on him and his eyes narrowed. "Malferret didn't do anything, did he?"

Hermione gaped at him for a good ten seconds, then snapped her mouth shut with a glare. "Now why on Earth would you think that?" she demanded. "Don't you think it could be possible that running up God knows how many flights of stairs just to see my friends before I go on patrol?"

Ron frowned. "I thought you said you didn't have to patrol tonight."

Hermione waved that thought from her mind, however, and kept walking. She wouldn't go back to the Gryffindor Tower unless she had to. As she was walking, she let her mind drift.

*Flashback*

'Hey, Ginny?' Hermione whispered into the darkness.

'Mmm...? 'Mione? What? It's past midnight...'

'Sorry... It's just... I need to tell you something.'

'What...?' Ginny sat up in her bed, rubbing her eyes tiredly.

'I'm... Uh... Going out with Malfoy.'

Ginny didn't reply.

'Gin..?'

'Malfoy.'

'Yes.'

Ginny flicked her hair from her face. 'This is you're choice. However, if that slimy git does anything...' She trailed off.

'Oh, Ginny! Thank you! I thought you'd hate me!' Hermione scrambled over and hugged the smaller girl, who only gave a tired laugh and closed her eyes. Hermione returned to her own bed, smiling.

*End Flashback*

Before Hermione knew it, she was in the Dungeons. It was dark and cold, so she lit her wand.

'Miss Granger,' A cold voice echoed around the hallway. 'I did not think that you were patroling tonight. Whatever are you doing in my Dungeons?'

Hermione froze in her tracks, raising her wand ever so slightly so she could see the face of the voice. She grimaced, as soon as her fears were confirmed. It was Severus Snape. Quickly she lowered her wand back down, she honestly didn't want to see The Potion Master's face as he yelled at her. Neither did she want him to see hers. She was a horrid liar.

"Professor Snape," She began quickly, taking a deep breath to settle her nerves which still wouldn't calm. They hadn't been the least bit 'settled' ever since Draco and her kiss before.. Quickly, before the thought could progress and stop any other ideas from forming she stopped the thought in it's tracks. "I--Er-- Thought that I was patrolling tonight. Even if I'm not, it's always good to keep an eye out on the students." Hermione's voice was slightly higher, but fought to settle it, hoping that the professor didn't catch her slip.

"Mm.." He began, Stroking his chin with his pointer finger and thumb, and stayed quiet for a few moments before speaking again. Hermione shifted her weight awkwardly, she was honestly hoping she could talk to Draco again. She wanted to be with him.. His touch was like her drug. She couldn't live with out it and neither did she want to try. "I do believe, that's why I am out patrolling tonight. To.. As you say, 'Keep an eye out on the students,' Miss Granger. Now, You will tell me the exact reason why you were in My Dungeons tonight, or I will subtract thirty points from Gryffindor." He grinned, and even in the pitch-black corridor, you could still see it.

Hermione stared up at him for a moment, before looking back down.

'I couldn't sleep.'

Which was sort of the truth. She didn't think she'd be able to go to sleep after what happened...

'And why was that, Miss Granger...?' Snape leant forward, his face inches from hers. She blanched, her eyes wide.

'I... I... Drank coffee before I went to bed...?' Damnit. Her voice was high again.

'Thirty points from Gryffindor for lying to a teacher. You are a horrid lier, Miss Granger.' Snape smiled coldly at her before whisking away. However, he did shout over his shoulder, 'And don't let me catch you in my dungeons again!'

Hermione took his advice to heart and hurried out, gulping down air in relief when she emerged from the dungeons. However, she had only taken five steps when another cold voice echoed around the hallway.

'Granger, I wasn't aware it was you're night for patrol. And I am a Slytherin... The dungeons should have been my job.'

Oh shit. She knew that voice. Slowly, Hermione turned, catching sight of a certain blonde leaning against the wall in a casual manner and grinning at her.

'Malfoy.'