Without you. (Dramione.)

Chapter 4.

Hermione let out a deep sigh and began to make her way towards her dorm. Her mind was preoccupied with thoughts that kept spiralling in her head. She had just had an encounter that left her feeling uneasy, and she knew she couldn't share it with anyone, especially not Ron. Despite the fact they were not officially together, Ron had made it clear that he didn't want her to date anyone who wasn't him. Hermione was never sure if it was a case of jealousy or just his tendency to be overly protective of her. Either way, she knew that she had to keep this encounter to herself and figure out how to deal with it on her own. She could tell Ginny, but she knew that if Ginny knew, Ginny would tell Harry, who would eventually tell Ron. This was too much trouble. It was only a hug, right? No big deal, she could keep this a secret. Yeah, she could keep this a secret. She approached the dorm opening, and the portrait woman asked, "Password?" Hermione replied in a bored tone, "Dungbeetle." The portrait opened, and Hermione entered the room. All eyes faced her.

"Hey...?" she said, "What's wrong?"

"Did he do anything?" Ron asked quickly.

"Who? Malfoy?" Everyone nodded, "Guys, I'm fine. He didn't do anything. We just talked!"

"What about?" Ginny asked, clear curiosity in her tone.

"I'll tell you later, Gin."

"Why not now? Are you and Malfoy dating?" Ron stood up in anger.

"No! Merlin! What's your problem?"

"He's just being a jealous prat, 'Mione, let's go to our room." Ginny dragged her to their room and locked the door. "So, what happened?" she asked with excitement.

"Nothing!" Hermione giggled.

"That's not the face of nothing! Tell me! I won't tell Harry, promise."

"Okay, okay. We were talking about the duties as a head and I asked him why he called me a 'you know what' and he kinda' lashed out at me and because I am the way I am I just kinda' hugged him and then he hesitantly hugged me back and ran away!" Hermione explained maniacally.

"Merlin that's a lot! Do you like him?" Ginny asked.

"No, of course not! I just didn't want him to be upset! I'd do the same to anyone!" Hermione sighed, a slight blush on her face.

"You're blushing!"

"Am not! Look, I don't like Malfoy. He's just someone I take pity on." Hermione wiped her cheeks, trying to hide the blush. Why was she even blushing? It's not like she liked him. Hermione Jean Granger does NOT fall in love with the first person who gives her attention, no. Besides, this year was to study and graduate. She didn't need any more distractions.

"Sure, sure you don't. Anyway, you HAVE to come watch the Slytherin Gryffindor Quidditch match next week! Cheering for me, not your boyfriend Malfoy." She teased.

"He's not my boyfriend!" Hermione said with a raised tone, clearly very upset at the accusations.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to upset you 'Mione..."

"No, it's fine. I'm sorry, I think I'm just tired. I'm gonna' go to sleep, night Gin..."

"Night 'Mione!"

Hermione went to the bathroom, green silk pyjamas in hand. She got dressed and brushed her hair back into a ponytail as she washed her face. She left the room and got into her comfy bed, wrapping herself in the duck-feather quilt. She shut her eyes and tried to sleep. Hours felt like years, and she still couldn't sleep. She checked the clock and saw the time 2 am. "Lumos!" She whispered as ahead held her wand up and got out of bed. She began walking out of her room and into the common room to get some water, where she was greeted by none other than Ronald Weasley.