A teenage girl walked from the from the library, books held close to her chest, her bushy hair down in thought. After being in the library, Hermione Granger always liked to remember and contemplate all that she had researched. A cool swish of robes passed Hermione as she walked down a stone passage, indicating someone had passed her in a hurry. She heard soft voices behind her, and then steps coming towards her.
"Hermione!' someone called out. The voice had a familiar drawl to it, and Hermione dreaded who it really was. Slowly, she turned around and found that Draco Malfoy was standing in the passage, calling to her. His white-blond hair was slicked back, making his grey eyes prominent under his light eyebrows. Hermione's hand dove into her robes on instinct, but then realised that there was something different about the boy. It was not because he was not flanked by his cronies, Crabbe and Goyle. Or that his wand was still in his pocket. Or even the fact that he did not call her Mublood.
No. There was something different in the way he stood, how he addressed her, how nicely he called her name... Hermione now saw Draco in a different light, even if it was only this moment alone. Her hand still in her robes, she asked coldly,
"What you want?"
Draco's gaze shifted to the stone floor, his expression guilty. "I came to apologize. I've been so horrible-"
"I don't fall for your petty tricks," snarled Hermione. She turned on her heel and started down the corridor. A long fingered hand caught her wrist and with immense force, turned to face Draco. He pulled her so close that there was no space to withdraw to their wands.
"Let me go," Hermione said calmly. She noticed how close together they were, their noses almost touching. Draco's breath tickled her skin and his eyes were looking intensly into hers. But he did not answer. With great difficulty, Hermione drew her wand and held it to Draco's neck.
"Let. Me. Go," she repeated with force, her teeth now clenched. Draco's other hand sought Hermione's wand, as well as his eyes. He pushed Hermione's wand down with his hand. Hermione did not resist. In fact, she let her wand hand fall, and Draco's lips saught Hermione's...
Sure, Viktor had kissed her a few times the year before at the Triwizard Tournament, but kissing Draco felt different. His touch was softer and he was more gentle than Viktor ever was. Hermione did not ever think why she ever hated...
She pushed herself away from Draco, and backed into the stone wall. "What are...we doing doing?" she breathed. Draco's face was grave, though his eyes showed genuine concern. He took a deep breath, and clasped Hermione's hand. "Let's go for a walk..."