Hogwarts corridors were dark. Most of the students slept peacefully, and the teachers patrolling the corridors only went out occasionally; preferring the warmth of the staff room. But not for Draco Malfoy.

He stepped out of the Slytherin Common Room, and began his journey up to the Gryffindor's Tower, without being intercepted by Filch. He knew that he must meet her, explain his feelings. She thought that he was coming to boast, but he knew that she'd show up.

Eventually, he arrived. She'd told him the password earlier, foolish perhaps, but maybe she had feelings for him too. Maybe that's why she was meeting him at all. Shaking his head, he whispered, 'nimbus' to the portrait, and it opened. Summoning up his courage, he stepped in.

There she stood, her arms crossed, her eyebrows narrowed in what seemed to be aggressiveness, but what he knew to be anticipation. But he couldn't help but notice other aspects of her too.

Her long legs, her heart-shaped face. He knew that his father would disapprove of him going anywhere near a muggleborn, but Hermione, she was something special.

"And what, do you want?" Hermione asked, her mouth tight. Malfoy stood there for a moment, then said,
"Hermione.. I..."
"Yes!" She snapped, "have come here to taunt me about what a mudblood I am, to sneer that I am a Gryffindor."
Draco looked bemused almost, this was not the Hermione he expected. He had expected the quiet, calm Hermione. Not this fierce goddess who seemed to tower above him, looking down on him.

"No, actually. I haven't." Draco said, stepping forward. Hermione gasped quietly, realisation flashing across her face briefly. "Every day, I've regretted who I am. What my father's made be become." He stepped forward again. "I've regretted that I couldn't be in the same house as you, go to the same classes as you, be friends with you and smile with you.."

Hermione's face softened, and her arms fell to behind her sides. God, she was too cute for her own good. "I.. I wish I could become a new person. To keep you happy, to make you happy." Then overcome with passion, he kissed her.