A/N: Just another quick drabble. Enjoy ^_^
He lived for her laugh. The bell-like echoes haunted his dreams. He wished he could be the cause of a such a beautiful sound. Him, rather than that bloody Weasley. Maybe when this was all over he could. Yes, when it was over. But they hadn't even reached the beginning. He was not patient by nature. But he could be. For her. He'd do anything for her. Anything to hear that laugh…
He was pacing up and down rows of bookshelves in the empty library, not doing much of anything. Pacing, pacing. But then he heard it. Just a hushed whisper of a laugh. A silenced giggle. He peeked past the shelves and there she was, a bushel of hair, nose stuck in a book, glancing around to make sure no one heard. But he had heard. And he'd do anything to hear it again. Her eyes fluttered through the page and she bit her lip so as to suppress any stray giggles. He wanted to curl up next to her and read and laugh with no shame. Loud enough to make it echo in the empty library. Then maybe she'd laugh with him. And they could be happy. Together. Just once. She closed her book and sighed. A good long sigh. He smiled; he did the same thing when he finished a book. He couldn't help it.
"Malfoy?" a gentle voice said, breaking the silence. He cleared his throat awkwardly, admitting his presence. "What are you doing here?" she said in a sleepy voice he couldn't help but find heart warming. "What do you think Granger? It's a library." He spit out rather nastily. He instantly regretted it. "Right." She voiced rather awkwardly. She then cleared her throat. "Well kindly move I need to get through." He stepped to the side. Everything seemed to be going in slow motion. She had taken not two steps when he blurted, "I'll deny ever saying this Granger, but you have a nice laugh." That was it. This was the end of him. Complimenting a Gryffindor mudblood? He might as well dance on his father's grave.
She curled her lips inward so as not to smile, but it didn't quite work. Her glimmering eyes and blushed cheeks gave her away. "Thank you Draco." And with that she rushed off.
Draco. Had he heard that right? Draco, not Malfoy. How lovely his name sounded coming from her pretty lips. This was definitely a step, a starting stone. Maybe they could be friends…or more. Maybe. When this was all over. Yes. Once it was all over.