Disclaimer: Six easy little words that every author has memorized: I do not own Harry Potter

Couple: Hermione and Draco

Note: Still craving those Valentine's Day fics? I wrote this in March for a Valentine's Day Thingy. Enjoy…

Author: Pensive Puddles

A Rose for Every Wrong Two days before Valentine's Day: Kisses and Wishes

"Hermione! Hermione! Will you wake up, you lazy girl!" a shrill, voice called through the painting.

"Dear, I'd advise you to answer this red head's call. Her voice is starting to grate my nerves…" the picture warned Hermione sleepily. Hermione grumbled under her breath and slowly rolled out of bed. Walking with unsteady feet, she stumbled to the door and opened it so the girl could come inside.

"You'll never believe what I got!" exclaimed a hyper red-head. Her blue eyes were glowed with mirth and her red curls bounced happy against her face. She looked so happy, way to happy in Hermione's opinion…

"What is it, Ginny? In case you haven't noticed, I was sleeping," Hermione yawned, rubbing her eyes tiredly. She was so tempted just to let her eyes close again…just for a couple seconds…

"Look! This is the third one this week!" The girl bounced on the balls of her feet happily, trying to control her excitement. Hermione grabbed the letter and held it in her hands. She had to admit; the boy (hopefully) who had given Ginny the valentine card did have talent. It was a simple, classic red heart, and had words written in glittery letters. The thing that made it unique, however, was the fact that it had wings protruding from either side. The card's white, feathery wings started to flap and wiggle its way out of Hermione's grip. Finally freeing itself, it flew to Ginny and circle her head, all the while showering her with little confetti hearts and stars. Very cute indeed…

Hermione smiled at the girl's ecstatic expression. She silently envied her, but she pushed those thoughts aside. Hermione Granger had no room or time in her life for a boyfriend. Pulling the starry eyed girl back into the present, Hermione asked, "Whose it from?"

"From the same guy, I think. It's always signed, 'Your Secret Admirer'. He's been doing this for three days now! I really wish I knew who he was," she sighed, blowing a couple red curls away from her face and flopped down onto a common room chair, a pondering look wrinkling her brow.

"Well, Gin, at least you have one. Now get out of here! You're card is getting my Common Room all messy!" Hermione gave her a teasing smile and shooed Ginny and her flying Valentine out of the room. Closing the door, she turned and made her way to the Head Girl Bathroom. She sighed, getting herself together by taking her daily, hot shower. Luckily, the Head Boy was already gone; thus she could do whatever she wanted. She took her time, not entirely eager to visit the candy colored halls of Hogwarts.

If there was one holiday Hermione Granger did not like, it was Valentine's Day. She didn't despise it; she just preferred any other holiday. She could already taste the sickening sweet sweets that were to be laid out in front of the students on the Valentine's Day feast. She could already hear the shrieking girls as they opened countless after countless of envelopes from secret admirers. She could already imagine couples holding hands in the hallway and kissing in broom closest, which of course, she would have to punish. That was one good thing about this holiday. A smirk formed on her lips as she stepped out of the shower and started to blow dry her hair.

Hermione walked into the Great Hall and scouted for her two friends. Spotting them amongst a crowd of females ranging of all ages, she marched towards them. Ignoring the irritated glares girls threw at her, she made her way through the female infested place and coughed extremely loud behind her two male friends. They turned around, smiled and immediately separated, giving her the seat in-between them.

"Morning, Hermione!" Ron told her, giving her a quick hug. A pretty blond who asked him to pass her the jam soon distracted him. Hermione rolled her eyes in disgust. That girl didn't even have to stretch her arm out to reach the jar! There was no reason why Ron had to pass it to her, or any reason for her hand to 'accidentally' brush against his. Why didn't she just grab him and snog him while she was at it?

It's not as if Hermione had any special feelings toward Ron. He was like a dear brother to her, and the thought of them getting intimately close was repulsive. She was just looking out for the well being of her uncontrollable friend, as well as the messy haired, green-eyed boy.

Speaking of which, she heard him chuckle next to her and she turned to glare at him. "What's so funny?"

"You," Harry snickered. "You're like Molly Weasley! My goodness, Herm! Let him be a boy!"

"Yeah, and if I did, who knows what the heck he'd do," Hermione mumbled as she shoved a piece of toast into her mouth. She looked at the food in front of her. Something just had to resemble a heart or cupid in same shape or form. This year had been Dumbledore's way of trying to cheer the students up and getting their mind off the war. According to most of the student congregation, it was working.

Harry snorted and continued to eat his heart shaped stack of pancakes. He knew it was pointless to argue with her. No one but she won. A bell sounded over their heads and the trio got up, packing their books away. Hermione shot glares at any girl who tried to linger and get either of her two friends' attention. Valentine's Day wasn't for two days, and it seemed that the whole female population wanted to snag a guy before the Ball.

She sighed at the thought. Another one of Dumbledore's 'brilliant' ideas; she, along with the Head Boy, prefects and staff, had decided it would be a couples' ball, thus meaning students were supposed to come as a couple from a story. It wasn't required, but it was "strongly" urged.

"Try not to be so grumpy today, 'Mione," Ron advised. "Who knows? Maybe you'll finally snag one for this ball thing."

"Ron, if you value your measly life, I'd seriously advise you to shut your mouth and run down the hall opposite of me," Hermione growled under her breath.

Ron gulped nervously and lifted his hands in surrender, "I was just kidding, Hermione! No need to get all pissed off about it." He causally leaned over and whispered in Harry's ear, "It's gotta be near that time of the month."

Harry shook his head and stated, "Not for another two weeks."

They turned to look at their female friend, who had her mouth hanging open, eyes wide. They knew that? But how…?

"We're not that stupid, 'Mione," Ron replied to her unspoken question, rolling his eyes.

"I…you…see you next period I mean, class!" Hermione blushed furiously and quickly sped down the hall.

"What's her problem? It's not something new. I mean, it's been happening for, what, three years?" Ron asked Harry.

"Two and a half to be exact."

"Good memory, my dear friend!" Ron clapped him on the back. Harry shrugged and watched Hermione disappear in the crowds.

Hermione, slowly getting over the embarrassing fact that her two best guy friends new something about her that she wished to keep secret, felt slightly touched that her friends actually paid attention to her, and then unnerved. Since when did Harry and Ron know her so well? She shook her head, smiled and raced off to class…another day of learning would soon begin…

The wind was slightly windy, teasing the leaves of the trees as it made its way through the grounds of Hogwarts. A boy, who sat under one of the trees, pulled his green cloak closer to his body, trying to get some protection against the wind. The sensible thing would have been to go inside and relax in front of the fire, or play a game of Exploding Snap, just as long as he was inside. Yet inside was the last place he wanted to be.

He could already imagine the pink and red decorations, the banners and posters announcing the Valentine's Day Ball. He could already taste the disgustingly sweet cookies and candy that would decorate the table once the healthy food was eaten. He could already imagine the younger girls' vulture-like eyes gaping hungrily at him.

No, he wasn't exaggerating. He was handsome, beautiful as some liked to put it. He had striking gray eyes that were cold and menacing. Blond hair that hung down just below his ears and bangs that would gracefully cover those gorgeous eyes. He continuously would move them out of his vision. Some questioned why he didn't trim them, and the answer was that it would take a small part of his radiance away. He resembled his father in many ways, in expressions (which were few) and manner. The only thing that resembled his mother was the way his smiled, if he smiled. Not many people had been blessed in seeing the boy do anything but smirk. But he was what his parents were: cold and manipulating.

"Draco! What the hell are you doing out there?" A very obnoxious voice yelled at him. He glanced away from the lake and at the girl who stomped towards him. He took his time letting his eyes run up and down her body. She was a sight to behold.

A girl of only seventeen, she looked nothing like the girl he knew from childhood. Growing out of her pug face stage and passing the acne years, she had grown into a very, very pretty woman. Her long, straight brunet hair reached to her shoulders and was layered, giving her hair a fuller, volumenized look. She had smooth, creamy skin and a figure that had caught the eye of the whole male population of Hogwarts. She always was the attention grabber.

"It's freezing! And the bell already rang. I don't want to be put in detention by that pinched face McGonagall just because of you," she badgered and continued to approach him. He closed his eyes again and waited for her. "Draco? Answer me!"

"What the hell do you want, Parkinson?" Draco drawled with his eyes still closed.

"How long have you been out here, Malfoy?" she demanded, more than asked. Draco opened his eyes, taking in her ordering appearance. His eyes traveled up her body, stopping at certain points and continued its ascend up. His gray eyes settled on her face, taking in her seductive red lips and green eyes. She wore colored contacts now and changed them from green to blue to brown. Most of the school couldn't remember what her natural eye color was except Draco. He liked her natural brown eyes, and in telling her so, she usually flaunted her brown eyes for him, although she did prefer green. Females are always so predictable…especially Slytherin ones…he smirked inwardly.

"Well?" she started tapping her foot in an impatient gesture.

"Parkinson, when the hell will you get it through your pretty head that I do not need annoying girls like you to tell me what to do? I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

"Then how come you're practically frozen? What, are you deliberately trying to freeze to death?"

"I would have succeed if you had not unfortunately come," he said in a serious voice. Pansy looked down at him, a confused expression on her face. "Now get the hell away from me. I'll come in when I'm ready. Tell the Professor's that I didn't feel too well. Tell them I ran off and joined the circus. Tell them whatever the hell you want."

Pansy remained unmoving from her spot. She just continued to stare down at him. "Parkinson, I'd advise you to go inside, or you'll be late. And close your mouth. It's very unbecoming of a girl with her trap hanging open."

Pansy snapped her mouth shut, glared, turned on her heel and marched quickly into the school, all the while sending venomous (but twisted longing) looks over her shoulder at the Greek god who laid under the trees.

"Finally…" Draco sighed and titled his head back, his eyes still closed. He listened to the sounds of the wind, how it tickled the trees and how the trees laughed. He listened as he heard teachers yell at students who didn't complete their homework, or were not paying attention ("Probably to busy writing love notes," he sneered).

He sighed. It was so peaceful, so quiet outside. How peculiar it seemed that in only a few short hours would the cold grass be encumbered with the bodies of laughing children of all ages. He sighed. She'd be in Professor Binn's class at this moment.

Merlin! Why was he thinking of her again? Hadn't he promised himself he'd stop after Christmas? Looked as if that vow didn't come through. He huffed with disgust at himself. "Why can't you leave me alone?" he demanded the silent angel.

Great…now I'm talking to myself…just great, Draco, he scolded himself. He opened his eyes, looking at the glassy water of the lake. It was so perfect, so calm. It was a shame to think that waves would ruin that mirror-like appearance sometime soon. He missed the winter. He longed for the days where he would sit under this exact tree, a scarf pulled up around his mouth and he'd watch as snow would fall and shadows would play against the windows. He missed how he would watch her walk among the frozen grounds.

She always carried herself with a certain grace. It was a talent that not many girls, or many Pureblood ladies at that, could master. Her long coat that would flow to her ankles would swish around her with each step she took, giving off an impression of a lady from the 1800s. Her bright scarf would cover her delicate, gentle mouth, and still reveal her warm amber eyes. She never wore a hat, thus never covering her bushy hair.

Strangely enough, he had grown found of that hair. It was the way that she never cared about herself as much as the other girls cared about their appearance. It was the way in which she was always humble and never tired to purposefully step out of bounds when it came to dressing. It was the way that she was so different that intrigued him so.

She wasn't dashing, stunning, beautiful or even pretty. She was just average. But only to the common male eye because to him, he saw someone different. He didn't see a bookworm. He didn't see a sidekick for two boys. He didn't see a Head Girl or anyone of great importance. He saw what was inside. It was talent he had picked up during his younger years.

She was average, true. But she was more than average to him. It wasn't her beauty that first attracted his attention to her that sparked his interest. It was the mere fact how she was so devoted to everything but herself. She was always there to lend a shoulder to cry on. She always was willing to give comforting advice. She may not be as stunning as Pansy Parkinson, but at least this girl could be someone you would never tire of unlike the Slytherin Princess.

Draco wasn't in love with this girl. He was just purely fascinated. He liked the way she walked and talked. He liked the way her name rolled and twisted on tongue, how whenever he thought of her, he felt warm and comforted inside. Whenever he thought of her warm, melting eyes, he himself wanted to dive in them and bask in their tenderness. He liked how he seemed to come alive, alive with feeling whenever her thought, smelt or saw her.

He never knew how to love, never knew what love felt like. Sure, he had seen movies of some sort that referred to love. But to him, love was a myth. He didn't come from a family of abusers. He just came from a family where the parents just gave him whatever her wished. They never praised him for everything, and never glowed in pride at their son for winning a Quidditch match. He couldn't remember one time where his mother smiled down at him in love, just plain love. He had seen it on other parents' faces before, could feel it radiating from them when they bade their children farewell. His parents may show affection toward their son in public. But to Draco, it was all a show. It was nothing serious. And he, being the actor that he was, would smile and pretend to love his mother and father just like they pretended to love him. The only pride that glowed on his fathers face, would be anything Draco did to please the Dark Lord.

But Draco wasn't complaining. Seventeen years had trained him to not expect love in a world that didn't share it. He was born with what he got. He shouldn't expect anything else. Although, there were times where he envied it. He sometimes would imagine himself with a family who loved him. Hell, he had even imagined himself with a mother like Molly Weasley! He chuckled. He could imagine the appalled and completely shocked face of Weasel if he knew what Draco was thinking. He wondered if she had a family who loved her…

Of course she did. She was perfect. How could anyone not love a girl like her was beyond understanding. What a preposterous question! Who wouldn't love her? She was smart, Head Girl, creative, perfect…

Draco blushed. To think that he, Draco Malfoy, was thinking of a Mudblood like her! And actually thinking she was perfect! Next thing he'd know, he'd be saying she was drop-dead gorgeous! He laughed a hollow, cold laugh and buried himself deeper into his Slytherin cloak. He hadn't gotten much sleep the night before. Stress from school, Quidditch finals, N.E.W.T.s and parents were straining him physically and mentally. He felt so peaceful in the Hogwarts atmosphere. I'll miss this place, somehow…he thought to himself sadly. To think that soon he'd be leaving the Golden Trio behind him. It was a happy thought, minus one thing. The girl he had grown slightly (mentally if possible) attached to, would be leaving him as well. That was what saddened him the most.

He closed his eyes. His eyes moaned in pleasure at the sweet bliss of darkness. He breathed in deeply; the air that left formed a huge, vapor cloud. Shaking for just a moment, he curled under the tree and let his mind wander to a life where he'd have a girl with chestnut brown hair, and warm amber eyes. If he could live his life with one person forever, he'd live with her.

The last thing that left his lips before he escaped into the darkness within was a name he had said many times before, "Hermione…"

Hermione sighed and meandered to the school library. Walking though the doors, she looked for an empty table and sat down. Pulling out her favorite quill that Harry and Ron had given her for Christmas, she took out a clean piece of parchment and began to write her essay on the uses and makings of Polyjuice Potion. She smirked at how she was one step ahead of Snape.

An hour later, she sat back, two out of the three essays done and rolled neatly in her bag. She looked around the room and sighed. How many more times would she be able to sit in the library and do homework? She was truly going to miss it. There was something so magical, so grabbing in Hogwarts that it made a person regret leaving it. She sighed again. Standing up, she decided that she needed to walk and stretch her legs.

Picking her stuff up, she slung her bag over her shoulder and lazily walked down the halls, looking down at the floor and lost in her thoughts. Only two more days to go before Valentine's Day was upon them. Saturday was going to be busy. A Hogsmead trip was scheduled from the morning till eight o'clock and then the Valentine's Day Ball would start at nine. Maybe she'd skip the trip and ball…she would have the Prefect's Bathroom all to herself.

Thump! "Ouch!" Smack! "Watch it!" two voices cried at the same time. Hermione looked at the other person on the floor as she picked up her scrolls that had fallen out of her bag. "I'm sorry! I didn't Malfoy!"

Her apology was cut off when she noticed his steal gray eyes staring at her. He didn't glare, didn't smirk or sneer. He just looked at her, as if seeing her for the first time and it unnerved her. She searched her bag for the third scroll, which was missing. Looking around for it, she spotted it and moved towards it, but Draco was far ahead of her. He picked it up and handed it to her.

She gave him a quizzical look and asked, "What? No name calling today?"

His eyes turned cold and he glared. Hermione regretted seeing his soft expression change. "Thought you wanted a break from it, Mudblood. Personally, I'm not in the mood to bicker with filth like you, but if you really insist…"

"Ferret Boy, not in the mood to bicker with me? Good Merlin! The world has definitely come to an end," she said sarcastically.

"Granger, just give it a rest. I don't need this today," he said in a low, exasperated voice and held out the scroll again for her to take it. After glancing at him for just a moment, she took the scroll and breathed in sharply when their hands touched each other.

"Merlin, Malfoy! You're freezing!" she exclaimed, grabbing his ice-cold hand. Taking out her wand, she muttered a warming spell and watched the blue receded from his nails. "Weren't you inside? Didn't you go to class?"

"I was outside all morning," he said calmly.

"That's not setting up a good example for the younger students, Malfoy. You're the Head Boy; you're job is to encourage students to go to class," she lectured. She looked up at him and was slightly startled. He had just been staring at her all the while that they had talked. Looking into his eyes, she admired how gorgeous they were, definitely the envy of all males and females in Hogwarts.

"Well…I…um…you need to go to class, Malfoy," she warned in a deflated voice. She felt really stupid, especially when she noticed she was still holding his hand that no longer was cold. Dropping it quickly, she turned around and walked away, already imagining his face twisted into its regular smirk.

As she sat in her chair in the next class, she couldn't help but think about his eyes and why he was being so…so civil. It was extremely un-Malfoy like that it was aggravating. She mentally slapped herself and forced herself to pay attention again to the Professor. A few moments later, her mind was back on the gray-eyed boy. Little did she know that that same boy was thinking of her as well.

Ginny walked down the hall. It had been a long day so far and her mind was hurting with guesses about who her secret admirer could be. She couldn't recall how many times her head had turned wondering if that guy was the one. She silently dreaded if it was someone like Neville not that Neville wasn't nice, but being the wishful girl that she was, she was hoping that it was someone at least handsome and charming.

Humming a tune from a Muggle band Hermione had introduced her to, she walked calmly down the hall, imagining what her dream secret admirer would look like. Something reached out and grabbed her wrist. Startled, she gasped and turned around to look into startling green eyes.

"What do you want?" she asked, slightly excited due to the adrenaline rush that coursed through her. The boy placed a finger against her lips and gently brought his head down. It was like she was under a spell, pardon the pun, when he touched her and smiled at her. Ginny closed her eyes slowly, her face blushing as his warm breath blew against her cheek. This is it…my first kiss…she thought silently to herself as his warm lips pressed against hers. It felt right, as if it was destined for them to kiss that day. And she just went along with it.

His arms were placed around her waist and she placed hers on his shoulders, slowly wrapping them around his neck. He was a gentle kisser, so unlike what she expected. As they pulled away from each other, blue eyes gazed into green and they smiled. "You're my secret admirer, I presume?"

He nodded and leaned down to kiss her again. She smiled as she kissed him. "Mother of Merlin, Blasie!" A voice exclaimed.

The two pulled away and looked at the group that filled up one end of the hall. All the observers were shocked; Gryffindors and Slytherins wore appalled faces.

They were trapped.

A/N: AHA! Cliffy! I just love doing that to you guys…

First chapter out of three! Be kind and review, will you?

Man, I'm editing this story, trying to smooth out all the wrinkles…it's so weird reading something you've written two years before. It just shows how much you've changed in your writing style…