A/N: Just a quickie drabble I wrote while I should have been studying. DM/HG
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter in any shape or form. All credit goes to J.K. Rowling.
Beta:yugiL -big thank you for being nitpicky!
Hermione walked down the silent corridor, the only sound were her footsteps as they clicked against the hard stone flooring. Dressed in her school robes, she shivered against the impending winter air that cooled the whole school. Clutching her book closer to her body in an attempt to preserve the lingering heat from the Gryffindor fireplace, she hurried towards the library which would now be empty of prying eyes. Hidden in the book currently wrapped in her arms was a single piece of charmed parchment; a simple three lined request written in elegant cursive writing.
Hermione,
If you have time tonight, meet me in the library after curfew.
I'll be waiting in the restricted section.
I hope you will come.
DM
The note had fluttered into her lap like a butterfly, obscuring the view of her notes. Her head shot up and desperately looked for a hint of blonde anywhere. She had not expect Draco to be staring intently from across the Quidditch pitch as she read his note. Their eyes had met for the briefest moment. His steel grey eyes had pleaded with her, silently asking her not to deny his request. She lowered her eyes in confusion and fear. Could she go to him? Would her heart allow her? Confidently, brown met grey in confirmation. For the second time that year she gave into her feelings and allowed herself to enter the darkness of deserted corridor after curfew.
He sat at a desk in the restricted section, eyes trained on the potions book in his hands. His hands quivered almost noticeably as his heart pounded in his ears. The irresistible smell of vanilla and honey wafted through the darkness. She had come. She had given him one more chance. A single additional chance to prove he had changed. Draco had never wanted anything more but to prove her right. When she stepped out of the darkness and into the light of the burning candle, his breath hitched in his throat. The soft orange light cast a halo over her stoic features.
"Did you have something to say to me?"
He hadn't expected her to speak first. Draco wrapped his arms around her waist and Hermione sunk into his embrace, the only thing between them was her book. His left hand raised to her chin and lifted her face to his. Their lips meeting in a gentle, sweet affection. Her book fell from her arms, forgotten, as their withheld passion was released, deepening the kiss further. A single blissful moment that lasted hours to them ended within minutes leaving both parties flushed and panting. He held her close, burying his face in the scent of her hair. Breathing in as much of her as he could. He had memorized her every feature, the way her eyes sparkled with curiosity, the way she bit her lip in frustration, the way she she used a spare quill to keep her hair back while she studied. Every nuance about her would keep him sane.
"Yes..." He paused to think about how to say what he needed to say. He readied himself for her reaction.
"I am leaving tomorrow... I am going back to the Manor." Her eyes had widened at this. He could see her lips moving in protest but he silenced the words before they left her lips. "I am to receive the Dark Mark tomorrow." Her eyes darted from left to right as if reading her own mind like a book.
"There must be something we can do. Let's go to Dumbledor-"
He cut her off.
"They have my Mother." The colour drained from her face and terror filled tears spilled from her chestnut orbs. She engulfed him with all her emotions, tightening her hold on his stiff body. He returned her hug as a single tear rolled down his pale cheek and she sobbed into his chest. This embrace would be their last. From tomorrow, he would become her enemy and she his.