A/N: Yep, here's another chapter. And I apologize in advance for spelling or grammar errors…I'm writing this at 1:30 in the morning because I'm bored and can't sleep.

13.

The next evening, Draco and Hermione were in the Astronomy Tower, working on homework. It was weird, Hermione liked spending time with Draco more than any of her friends. With Harry, Ron, and Ginny, everything she did that seemed odd made them think she was cutting again. Draco wasn't like that. He was so much more understanding than the rest of them.

Hermione looked at Draco's face, seeing the bruises that he had gotten from Flint. The thought of Draco defending her made her not be able to suppress a smile. As she was smiling, Draco looked at her, and smiled slightly.

"What?" he asked.

"I just…can't believe you got in a fight with another Slytherin," Hermione said, "and over me."

Draco just shrugged.

"You didn't have to, you know. You could have just bit your tongue through what he said and just let him leave."

Draco huffed. "You know I wouldn't have been able to do that."

Hermione put down her books and snuggled up against Draco. He wrapped an arm around her. Hermione had a chill, and Draco rubbed her arm. She rested her head on his shoulder, and he rested his head on her head.

It took all of Draco not to touch Hermione's face and kiss her. He knew that in doing that, he was signifying something that would surely ruin their lives. He loved her with all of his heart, but he knew if it was expressed, they would surely be killed.

To his surprise, it wasn't his self-control he had to worry about. In one swift movement, Hermione's head turned and her lips brushed against his. Aghast, he turned his head away. He felt Hermione's hand on his cheek and it pulled her head back to face her. She looked concerned.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"I…I'm…Hermione, we can't-"

He was silenced by her lips on his. This time, it was less gentle and more passionate. She moved so she faced him more easily. Draco didn't want to touch her. This had already gone too far. If he touched her in any other way, he wouldn't have any control. He lost all control when he felt one hand on his chest and the other ubbing up and down his waist.

Hermione's shirt was off and Draco was being extremely gentle. Their lips seemed forever locked. They were just too sweet for her to let go of. She felt his hands moving down her waistline to her hips. Suddenly, he was tugging downwards on her shorts.

All of a sudden, images flashed through her head. Flint ripping off her clothes. His face in between her legs. Him tearing into her with that Goddamned, ugly smirk on his face that meant he had won.

Hermione ripped her lips from Draco's and scrambled out from underneath him. She covered herself with her shirt and hugged her knees to her chest, up against the wall. She buried her face in her arms, feeling tears starting to fall. She didn't want Draco to see her like this again. Not after he had seen her happy. She felt his presence move toward her again.

"Hermione..?"

"I'm so sorry, Draco," Hermione cried. "I just…I don't think…I'm not ready for this yet."

Hermione felt an arm around her shoulder again. She nestled up underneath it.

"It's okay," Draco said. "It's all right. I understand."

"I'm sorry for even starting that," Hermione said. "I shouldn't have. But I just can't forget about…" Hermione sighed.

Draco squeezed her shoulder. "It's fine, Hermione. You take all the time that you need."

A/N: sorry, stupid ending but now it's after 2 AM and I'm starting to get worn out…R&R…thanks to everyone who has reviewed.