I must confess, love.
It started out as a joke. A game the two of us played. We would see each other in the halls and pretend we didn't see each other. We always did, though. We always met eyes and stared at each other until we were too far away to see each other properly. Then, when we were in classes with each other. The stakes were even higher. We would smile at each other. Wave quickly before anyone saw. Maybe even say something to each other. However, we had to be careful.
Sometimes Harry or Ron would notice something off about my behavior. When he would tease them, I wouldn't retaliate as quickly as usual. He wouldn't call me 'Mudblood' nearly enough. They would question me and I always told that maybe he just grew out of it. Then, I would turn to face his desk and wink at him. He would stifle a laugh, because that would make more people suspicious.
Then, it happened. It was December of our sixth year. As Head Girl I was doing my rounds, checking to make sure no first years were taking rebellious midnight strolls through the halls. When I heard my name being whispered. I looked around but only saw darkness. Then, my lamplight caught a gleam of blonde. It was him. I smiled widely as he walked out of the shadows and towards me.
"What are you doing awake?" I asked him. He just smiled devilishly towards me.
"I wanted to see you." Was all he said. He had a playful air about him tonight. Most nights we met up with each other, he was quick and serious. Now, I could see the real Draco. We walked down the corridor together and he did something unexpected. He took my hand. Now, we had known about how secret crushes on each other for weeks. Though, we never made the move to be in an actual relationship.
I looked at him and I smiled. I was actually happy. At this moment, I felt something I had never felt before. Not with anyone. Then, he stopped walking. I looked at him, in my usual curious manner, and there was a glint in his eyes.
"Hermione…" he used my name…and it sounded beautiful coming from his lips. I stood and waited for him to continue speaking. He didn't.
"Yes…Draco?" I said, finally. He snapped back into reality. He looked from my eyes, to my lips and back to my eyes again.
"Listen…there's something I've got to tell you…but I cant get it out." He said. He was trembling slightly and it gave his voice an air of nervousness. I reached up and rested my hand on his cold cheek. His cheeks were starting to redden and he was breathing with a bit of labor. I just simply raised myself onto the tips of my toes and kissed him lightly on the lips. At first it seemed he didn't want to kiss me, but then he kissed me back with the same gentle force.
After seconds, the kiss ended and I looked up at his icy gray eyes. He smiled at me, widely. I gave him a sweet smile.
"I know how you feel." I said to him. Then, I continued to walk down the corridor. I didn't turn around but I could feel his eyes watching me as I walked away from him. A smile plastered on my face, and my brain racing. 'I can't believe I just kissed Draco Malfoy!' I sped up a bit, practically skipping to the Gryffindor Common Room. I couldn't wait to dream of him when I went to bed. I only hoped that he would dream of me too.
-Shannon Cali