"Indulge your imagination in every possible flight" -Jane Austen

Hermione was being watched.
In the library.

She could feel her copy of "Pride and Prejudice" burning red hot in her hands from a pair of eyes staring daggers right through the cover, watching.

Waiting for Hermione's next move.

Her legs shifted in her lounge chair, uncomfortable from her newfound knowledge, eyes kept on the page. The dim lighting in the library provided the perfect atmosphere for Hermione to engage in some light reading. All of the drama with Umbridge and outrageous newspaper articles about You-know-who had reached her limit. So, that night after supper in the Great Hall, she bid farewell to Harry and Ron and slipped into the library, hoping to be put at ease.

Hermione shook her frizzy head. How could she be so sloppy, she thought to herself as she flipped to the next page of her book. She is the smart one, for Merlin's sake!

Why would someone want to watch her, of all people?

She inhaled a shaky breath and continued down the page, releasing tension in her shoulders. Whilst deeply invested in Jane Austen's writing, Hermione could not get her mind off of the person watching her. The thought kept intruding Hermione's mind, interrupting her supposedly relaxing reading time. After succumbing to these notions, inconspicuously, she stole a glance at those in her surroundings.

Most students had retired to their dormitories after supper, seeing that it was a Friday night, but some were scattered about:

At her 3 o'clock, a young Hufflepuff scouring the potions bookshelves.

At her 5 o'clock, a straggle of Ravenclaws conversing quietly over an oak table.

At her 8 o'clock, Madame Prince shushing a pair of students bantering back and forth between the cases.

All are normal sights to see in the library, but what struck a chord was at Hermione's 12 o'clock: a Slytherin deeply immersed in what looked to be Shakespeare lore. Her eyes gazed into the book cover, studying each detail. She must've kept her eyes on the image for too long before a pair of icy gray eyes stared up at her from the book.

Again.

Not to break the obvious tension, Hermione held a stare.

In all other circumstances, her eyes would dart away, but no.

At first, it seemed almost coincidental, like when you make awkward eye contact with a stranger from across the classroom. The embarrassment is there but only lingers momentarily.

But now, this has progressed into a staring contest. Hermione's visage turned serious, her novel now lowered so she could concentrate. Her opponent, on the other hand, seemed amused, like he was doing this for the sake of his own enjoyment.

Although he was her academic competition in the classroom, Hermione found herself getting lost in the stormy sensation of his eyes. The space between them seemed to decrease, despite the fact that neither moved a centimeter.

Of course, his cocky-ass smirk did not help his cause.

Draco abruptly blinked and went back to his reading. It was as over as it started.

Hermione blushed. Humiliated by this occurrence, she promptly closed her book and gathered her backup novels from the floor beside her lounge (she had brought extras just in case she finished "Pride and Prejudice" that night).

Hermione clutched her books close to her chest and started at a brisk pace, desperately wanting to get out of the library and pretend that her little "moment" didn't happen with Malfoy.

You're Hermione Granger, she thought, the coolest girl in the whole wide world. This brought her back to a clear, confident sense of mind as she passed by a few bookcases. Amused, she smiled faintly, allowing herself to indulge in the fantasy. Whilst doing so, Hermione lost a grip on her books and one happened to drop out of her arms just to fall to the feet of him.

Hermione's cheeks flushed red with embarrassment, back in reality. Without hesitation, Draco picked up her book and examined the cover. It was one of her romance novels.

"Is this your way of telling me that we should begin our prefect rounds?" Draco questioned as he handed Hermione her fallen book before rising to his feet.

Her eyes grew wide with realization. "Yes...of course. Dumbledore wanted us to get an early start; something about supervising the Frog Choir Concert."

"You forgot, didn't you"

"It would presume so."

"Is this the infamous Granger accepting defeat?" Draco taunted as they exited the library and strolled down the abandoned corridor.

Hermione scowled and playfully hit his robes with her elbow.

"You wish," she teased as they continued their way through the ancient hallway, together.
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Ahhh I hope you guys all like this! I've gotten back into my reading/writing phase. I put a nod to "A Very Potter Sequel" in this chapter; it brings me so much joy :)