So.. You probably hate me 'cause I took so long to update. Oh, well. All good things to those who wait. And I'd like to think my story is pretty good. Anyways, disclaimer, blah blah blah, I don't own anything. Enjoy!

"Miss Granger? Miss Granger!" Professor Flitwick's voice jerked Hermione from her pleasant dream.

"Huh?" She blinked sleepily, quickly sitting upright. "Oh, sorry, Professor. I – I haven't been sleeping very well recently."

"Are you unwell?" the concerned professor asked.

"No, I'm fine. Just a little tired. What were you talking about?" With her question, the professor resumed the lecture. She sat tensely, chastising herself. What was wrong with her?! She did NOT have feelings for Malfoy. She couldn't… right? Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice Draco take out a piece of parchment and start writing. She noticed only when he elbowed her. She looked to her right to see Draco sliding the parchment over to her side of the desk.

Be honest. Are you sick? Because I would love an excuse to get out of this class.

Hermione rolled her eyes at him and jotted down a quick response.

Of course not. Now pay attention.

To her dismay, he continued writing when she slid the paper back to his side.

Why should I? It's not like you were. What were you dreaming about, anyways? Seemed pretty intense. Was it about me?

Upon reading his answer, she flushed a bright red and ignored him, hoping he would stop. He didn't.

You're blushing! You were dreaming about me! Did you have a traitorous dream about your sworn enemy?

Frantically, she scribbled an answer.

No! Don't be ridiculous. I wasn't dreaming about anything. I was just sleeping. And I'm blushing because this is the first time I've fallen asleep in class and I don't like being the center of attention.

She slid the paper to him and prayed to Merlin that he would believe her. She watched as he read it.

He didn't write a response, only folded the paper and pocketed it in his robes. When she shot him a curious look, he simply winked and turned his attention to the lecture. Once class ended, they gathered their books and headed to the Great Hall for lunch.

"Why haven't you been sleeping?" Draco asked suddenly while they were walking.

"What? Oh, it's nothing." She responded distractedly.

"Hermione Granger falling asleep in class is not nothing." He argued.

"Why do you care?" she snapped, hoping if she sparked his anger he would drop the subject. Only he wasn't angry. He gave her a sympathetic look and said,

"You shouldn't let Weasley get you down like this. He's not worth it."

"That's not – " she began to argue when a hard push from behind sent her sprawling ungracefully to the floor. Draco stumbled a few steps, then turned with blazing eyes to see who the offender was. Seamus Finnegan stood there, looking proud of himself while a few other Gryffindors snickered. That is, until he looked at Draco. Immediately, his smile fell and he quickly took a few steps back.

"What gives you the right," Draco asked in a soft and deadly voice. "To touch her?" He turned and helped Hermione up, then faced Seamus again. "What has she done to you?"

"She.. she's a traitor." Seamus stuttered, eyes wide with terror.

"How? Because of that day in the Great Hall? What did she do besides get mad at the scum who broke her heart?" Seamus opened his mouth to argue, but closed it when he couldn't think of a compelling argument. His face, and the faces of the onlooking Gryffindors, changed from an expression of righteous anger to one of understanding and shame. Draco noticed this, and uttered a barely audible sigh of relief. "Apologize to her. Now." Draco had only been talking to Seamus when he commanded this, but suddenly six or seven people were tripping over themselves trying to apologize to Hermione.

"Hermione, I am SO sorry…"

"Ron is our mate, but he's a dirtbag…"

"I never believed what he said about you…"

"Please forgive us.."

She waved them away and gave them cautious smiles, telling them that it was fine. Once they left, the hall was deserted, save herself and Draco.

"Thank you." She murmured softly, turning to face him. He gave a soft smile and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, brushing her cheek in the process.

"Don't know how much good I did, but you're welcome." He replied. His hand dropped to his side, and she immediately missed the contact.

"Are you kidding?" she asked. "Did you see their faces? They completely respect you now. And I bet this story will spread. Before you know it, everyone will be chumming up to you."

Draco gave a surprised laugh. "Why?" he asked.

"Because – " she stopped, blushing. Draco stepped closer to her.

"Why?" he repeated, his voice low. She took a breath and looked up at him, piercing him with her gaze.

"Because everyone will want someone who will defend them as fiercely as you defended me today." They stood there for a few moments, neither one moving. Finally, Draco spoke.

"You would have done the same for me." He said this with a slightly awed voice, as if he had just realized that what he was saying was really true. Hermione nodded, coming to the same conclusion. Draco smiled and, breaking the moment between them, took a step back. "Come on." He said cheerfully. "I'm starving." Hermione smiled and started walking. Looking back, she teased,

"Be careful, Mr. Malfoy. Keep this up, and people might start thinking that you're one of the good guys." Draco grinned and caught up to her, slinging his arm around her shoulders.

"That, my good friend," Hermione's breath caught at the word 'friend'. "couldn't possibly happen. I've spent far too long building up my reputation."

"You're right." She responded a little breathlessly. "No one would ever mistake you for someone nice." Draco laughed and squeezed her shoulders in a side-hug.

"Miss Granger, you are truly remarkable. I can't remember the last time I laughed this much."

"It's a gift." She replied primly, and Draco gave a loud guffaw. She joined in his infectious laughter, and soon the two could be heard clear down the hall.

They didn't notice Professor McGonagall smiling to herself as she walked down the hall in the opposite direction, listening to them roar with laughter.

You didn't think it was going to be that easy, did you? Please. That was not nearly enough drama for my taste. This is just the beginning.

Sorry for the delay, finals is approaching. Ick. Anywho, as always, REVIEW! Love you lots!