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This is a two-shot! Dramione. Eighth year. After the war and all. I don't own Harry Potter. This is rated M. This chapter is T for language and some detailed kissing scenes, but it doesn't go far. The next chapter is going to be M for adult themes and language. I will warn you when there is an adult scene coming up.
Hermione clenched her wand. Her face was twisted with rage. A burning rage directed at the slimy ferret-face right across the Hall. He was laughing and talking with his friends as if he didn't just flirt with her in the Library. She was so confused, yet so angry. How could he not say anything about their civil and sexy conversation? He had just sat down at her table and worked. When she looked up, nearly a half hour later, she was shocked to find the Slytherin Prince across from her. Even after the war, he still held his smirk. Their eyes had met then, no words were spoken out in the open... Yet. Hermione had brushed him off after seeing he wasn't harming anyone, and continued to work. As did he. Until, that is, until he chose to ask her a question about their Transfigurations homework. He very seductively positioned himself so that she would have to help him. And she did, because she could and because... well... She wanted to. She wanted to flirt back. She wanted to flirt with Draco fucking Malfoy. Looking back on their encounter at the library, Hermione realised how unrealistic she was thinking. Who was she to think that Malfoy, of all people, was actually interested in her? Shaking her head, Hermione stabbed a piece of her potatoes. Why did that insufferable cutie have to bug her so bad? At what point did her course of action go wrong?
"You alright there, 'ermione?" Seamus asked, his Irish accent cutting in his words deeply. Oh, yes, she is fine Seamus. It's not like she looks as if she might blow up and hit something.
Hermione nodded absently, not actually answering his question. Apparently, though, that didn't bother Seamus, as he turned to his fellow Gryffindor, Dean. More of their housemates arrive, some of which included Ron and Harry.
"How's your day been?" Ron asked as he seated himself across from Hermione, Harry planting down right next to the redhead.
"Fine." She said, her jaw relaxing a little so she could actually spit out the word. "Just a little irritated." A little? That's not what you sound like.
"By?" Harry asked, dishing up the dinner.
"...uh... you know, studies." Hermione said, lying straight to their faces. She had gotten good at doing that; lying. "Stuck on this one problem..." She glared horribly at Malfoy as she emphasized on the word. It's funny how the boys didn't pick up on any of it. Harry and Ron were completely oblivious to the hatred or whatever the feeling was that was rolling off her body in large waves. Ron groaned at her response and almost immediately turned to Seamus to discuss the latest Quidditch brooms. Harry joined it after taking a glance at Hermione. Perhaps he was a little suspicious.
"I have a feeling that a certain rich attractive Slytherin is on your nerves." Ginny said, her voice in a girly whisper. No really, what brought that idea on? Was it the way she looked at the blond from across the hall?
Hermione flushed momentarily before poking her chin up and letting out a sharp breath. "I don't know what you mean." Liar.
Ginny gave a playful laugh. "Godric, please, you've been shooting death glares at the prick the entire time you've been sitting here." You have, Hermione.
"I have not!" Hermione said, crossing her arms over her chest. Though, she didn't take her eyes off Malfoy. Definitely have not not been looking at him the entire time.
"Mhmm..." Ginny said, not buying anything the muggle-born was telling her. Yup, Ginny was onto something.
"What? Is it that obvious?" Hermione asked, dropping the oblivious act.
Ginny nodded. "Surprised nobody's taken notice." She shrugged and focused on her dinner. "Say, what did he do this time?" Hermione huffed out a full blow of air before recalling the encounter in the Library and explaining it to Ginny. "Just to be clear..." She said. "You're angry at him because he isn't giving you any attention?" Exactly.
"Well- no... I mean yes... I guess, sort of." She sighed. "Wow, when you say it out loud it makes me sound like one of the fangirls that follows him around." Maybe you are.
"Go talk to him." Ginny said, a slight smile pushing at her lips.
"What? No!" Hermione said, a bit too loudly. "You can't be serious." She was serious. "I can't just walk over there and ask him on a date-" she covered her mouth, though only Ginny heard, it was still a shock to hear the words come out of her own mouth.
Ginny cracked up, laughing her head off. "Oh, Godric, this is priceless." She clutched her side. "You so totally like him!" She whispered loudly at Hermione. Yes she does totally like him.
"I do not!" Hermione shot back. "I just... have... a... an... attraction- physical- attraction to... uh... him." She said, blush rising in her cheeks. Physical attraction? That's a strange choice of words.
"Honey, that's a crush." Ginny said sweetly.
Hermione pursed her lips. "Oh bugger, screw it." She closed her eyes and took a few deeps breathes, calming her breathing. "Ginny, I need a plan." Do you now?
The younger girl smiled, one that was, in fact, very scary to see on a Gryffindor. "Already have one." Of course she does.
###
A week. She had not spoken to Malfoy in a full week. Hermione was currently glaring at him from across the Library. He was just sitting there studying. She didn't know if he knew she was there, but she figured as much. Hermione bit her lip and shut her eyes, calming herself. Then, she stood, packed all her supplies up and walked over. When she was at his table, she sat down and pulled her book out. Malfoy glanced up quickly, his eyes darting across the table at her. What was she playing at?
"Granger..." He addressed her. She didn't look up or even acknowledge him. He raised an eyebrow and continued. "I know we haven't spoken since last week's..." He paused, not knowing what to call their encounter. "Transfigurations question." He waited for her to say something, or maybe even look up and meet his eyes. She did neither.
Malfoy leaned in a bit so he could whisper. "I have another... question to ask you." Hermione's eyes stayed focused on her book, yet he could see her lips adjust themselves. He was suddenly staring at those full pink lips of hers, his mouth going dry. Then, he snapped out of it, blinking twice and clearing his mind.
"But you have to see me first." He whispered, his voice husky and low. "Granger." He snapped her name lightly, wanting her attention. She refused to give it to him. "Damn it, Granger, just look up at-" his mouth was suddenly shut tight. A foot, it felt like a foot, climbed his leg. It came right across from him, from Hermione. She was the one smirking now. He was caught up again in her beauty, watching her face.
"Something the matter, Malfoy?" She asked, her voice seductive and innocent.
She wasn't even looking, just smirking, and still her attention went to her book. He couldn't speak, she knew it too. She had won power over him. Her bare foot traveled north. Since when was it bare? Since she slipped her shoes off when she sat down. Malfoy jerked a little as her toes skimmed a sensitive area.
"Maybe you should go somewhere private and check it out." Hermione lingered. "I mean, you could have a huge problem if it gets infected... whatever 'it' is..."
Malfoy's eyelids rolled closed as she suddenly put a small amount of pressure on his pelvic region. Then, she gave a little twist, massaging it. His eyes flew open, surprised by her boldness. Her pupils met his. Hermione was full on smirking at him. At him! He was just sitting there with his jaw clenched and his hands griping the table.
"Granger..." He sounded as if he was giving a warning. She knew that tone all too well.
"No." She said, her voice sharp. Her eyes went back to the book.
"No?" He asked, confused. "What? Grang-"
"No." She repeated, her eyes reaching up to his again.
"Granger, I don't know-"
"Draco..." it was almost as if she had just purred his name. It clicked in his head then what she meant when she said no.
"Hermione..." He said back to her. She smiled at him, a small quiet smile that spoke every emotion she was feeling. He gave a lopsided one in return, sharing the connection.
Her foot suddenly ran down the inside of his thigh and his eyes snapped shut. She laughed softly under her breath, obviously amused by his reaction. "Perhaps you should get that checked up on, Draco." She said, a tease in her voice. "Here," she closed her book and stood, secretly stepping back inside her shoes. "I'll go with you."
###
10 minutes later Draco pulled Hermione into an empty classroom and pressed her against the wall. The gesture wasn't harmful, in fact, it was quiet the opposite.
"Hermione fucking Granger I cannot get you out of my mind." He whispered harshly into her ear. She smiled at his confession. "I can't tell you how long I've been obsessing over our little meet up in the Library last week. And to think, you shared those stupid little feelings..." He suddenly pulled back, the smile gone from his own face. "Please tell me you share those feeling-"
"Draco." Hermione whispered. "You talk too much."
"Funny." He remarked. "Usually I could say that about you-"
She pressed her lips to his, catching him off guard. He was now complete aware of their closeness and he wanted to get even closer. He pushed her against the wall, pinning her arms above her head. Though, he wasn't aggressive in the act. His lips covered hers, sucking and nibbling. She responded to his little nips and did the same back. Draco's pelvis shifted forward, grinding itself against Hermione's. She moaned lightly into his mouth, suddenly aroused by the situation. He painted hot breath on her lips in turn and continued to rub against her. Eventually, his arms released her and brought her hands down to her own waist. All the while, not letting go of her small hands. They moved them together, twisting and tangling their fingers. They came out of it for air.
"That was bloody fantastic." Draco said, his lips lingering on her. Their foreheads were pressed together, connecting.
"Tell me about it." Hermione replied. She too was feeling short of breath.
"Why don't I show you." Draco retorted before leaning in to place a peck on her sweet lips.
"Draco?" Hermione asked, looking up at him.
"Yes?" He asked, staring right back at her.
"You had a question to ask me."
"Oh right..." He smiled. "Hermione, how would you like to be my girlfriend? And when I say that, I mean like in public. None of that secrecy and snooping around shit."
"Under one condition."
"And that is?" Draco asked.
"You keep snogging me like you just did."
His smile grew very big. "I can do that." And he meant it.
"I reckon you can."
###
"Draco..." Hermione said, nearly twenty minutes later. "We're late for dinner."
"But I just ate." He smirked and kissed her swollen lips. She couldn't hold back the smile.
"But our friends..."
"Screw that lot." He said, pushing himself up against her. "I better things to do." He pressed his mouth to hers. She responded immediately at the gesture.
Hermione pulled back. "Like what?" A small tease was held in her tone.
"Like take my beautiful girlfriend out to eat."
She nibbled at her lips nervously. "And where do you plan to take this girlfriend of yours?"
He pecked her lips. "The Slytherin table." Hermione stiffened.
"Publicly?"
"Publicly." He confirmed, watching her reaction thoroughly.
She though about it for a moment. "Okay." She hugged him, a smile on her features. "I need to change my robes first."
"I'll meet you at the Gryffindor tower in thirty minutes." Draco said. She nodded in response.
###
"GINNY!" Hermione yelled loudly as soon as she stepped into the Gryffindor common room.
"YAH?!" The redhead yelled back, from her spot on the couch. Hermione ran over to her.
"I need help." She said rushed. "I don't know what to do and-"
"Calm down, sister." Ginny said, sitting up from her laid back position. "What's got your knickers in a twist?"
"There's this guy that-"
"You got Draco fucking Malfoy?" She asked, her eyes widening.
Hermione blushed deeply. "He's just a boy, Ginny."
"Just a boy?" Came a voice. "Who's just a boy? Is Hermione seeing a guy?"
Ginny tried to speak. "Ron-"
"Are you seeing a guy?" He directed the question at her. Hermione peeked at Harry behind Ron in the corner of her eye.
"So what if I am?" Hermione countered.
"Who is it?" Ron asked. "We need to-"
"Need to what?" She challenged. "What are you going to do?"
"Hermione, just trying to protect-"
"Protect me?!" She yelled. "From what? From him? From heartbreak? I've got news for you, Ron, not everyone gets their heartbroken."
"Depends on who you're going out with."
She glared at him. "I don't think that should matter." She hissed. "If you are truly my friend then you would be caring about my happiness, not interrogating me on who he is." She turned around, ready to go up to her dorm. "And for the record, you'll know who it is at dinner. I'll be walking down with him and I'll be sitting at his table." She left then.
###
Draco put away his supplies and straightened his tie in front of his mirror. "What's going on?" Blaise asked, suspiciously. "You never do that." Draco brushed his hair down. "Unless... you're seeing someone."
"Yes, Blaise." He said, bored.
"Slytherin?" His housemate asked. Draco shook his head and changed his hair up. "Ravenclaw?" The blond ignored him. "Hufflepuff?" Draco turned to his friend, still not amused and bored. "Gryffindor?"
"Honestly, Blaise."
"So she is in Gryffindor, then?" Blaise asked. Draco shot him a look. "Is she hot?"
"Very."
"Smart?"
Draco scoffed. "Obviously. I'm done dating mindless ones."
"Dating, really?" Blaise asked. "You've never been in a relationship longer than a month, unless you count Pansy, that is."
"That was my father's idea." Draco pointed out. "I digressed from his ways a while ago."
"And last year?"
"That's different, and you know it." He scolded. "Besides, this year I'm a little more... open-minded."
"Meaning...?"
"Sex, Blaise." Draco said as if it was obvious. "It's time I lost my virginity." He fiddled with his tie again. "In order to do that, I need to find someone I love." He paused. "Plus, father is expecting me to marry soon."
"I thought you left his ways when he got locked up in Azkaban." Blaise said. "And besides this is just countering what you just said."
Draco scoffed. "He'll be out by the end of next year. Then he'll be back on my ass about fixing the Malfoy name."
"And what's your take on it?"
"To hell with his plans." Draco said. "If I show him that I have a girlfriend that I love and wish to take her hand in marriage, then he'll relax a little."
"Are you sure he'll like Granger?" Blaise asked, causing Draco to freeze. "I mean, did he ever get over his prejudice beliefs?"
He was oblivious to the fact that Draco was suddenly aware that Blaise knew that he fancied Hermione. "He'll come around." He choked out. Then, he spun around to face his best friend. "I never said it was Granger."
"You never said otherwise." Blaise couldn't help but smirk as he watched his friend shut his mouth.
###
Draco approached the Gryffindor Portrait of the Fat Lady. "What are you doing lurking over here, Slytherin?"
"I'm not lurking." He told her. "Do think I might have a chance at getting into that common room behind there?"
"When Dumbledore walks out of his grave." She joked. "Sorry, not Slytherins allowed."
He shrugged. "Expecting that much." He leaned again a railing. "I'll wait here for her."
###
Hermione rushed down the stairs of her dorm and nearly crashed into a pair of fifth years. She apologized quickly before dashing out the portrait door.
"Easy there, Griff, where's the fire?" Draco asked as he caught his arms around her. She smiled and looked up at him.
"There's no fire." She whispered. "I'm running to someone, not from."
"Hmmm..." He mused. "And who might that be?"
She shrugged. "You wouldn't know him." She wrinkled her nose. "He's tall, Slytherin, blonde and he has this adorable smug grin on his face whenever he sees me. You wouldn't hang around guys like that."
"And why not?" He asked, obviously enjoying their conversation. "You mentioned something about an adorable look, do I not have that?"
Hermione smiled widely. "You sir, most definitely do." She kissed him and pressed him up against the wall.
"Hermione-" Ginny opened the portrait door and stopped. Her eyes widened.
Hermione and Draco were suddenly apart. "Hey Ginny." Hermione said.
The girl smiled wildly. "Malfoy and Hermione, kissing-" she started to sing.
"Ginny!" Hermione hollered.
"-in a hallway, K-I-S-S-I-!" Hermione covered the younger girl's mouth. Draco seemed to find this amusing and was laughing a great deal.
"Not you too!" She yelled, running over to him.
Ginny chose then to pick up her song. "Malfoy and Hermione kissing in a hallway, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Hermione ran after the other Gryffindor who was now running down the stairs to the Great Hall. Draco followed, laughing uncontrollably. "First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in a baby carriage!"
"Gineva Molly Weasley!" Hermione screamed. "Stop it this instant!"
"You were the ones SNOGGING in the hallway!" Ginny declared.
"That's not fair!" Hermione yelled back. "Only you know about Draco and I!"
"And Blaise!" Malfoy commented from behind. Hermione shot him a look. "What? You told your best friend, I told mine!"
"Ginny knew before we got together that I-" she stopped. He ran into her, which he immediately grabbed her waist. Ginny stopped yelling a while ago and had slipped inside the Great Hall. Draco smirked at her, wanting to know what she was going to say.
"That you what, Hermione?" He asked, his voice husky.
"That I fancied you." She said, smiling up at him. He raised an eyebrow.
"And here I thought you would never speak to me after our encounter in the Library."
"Quiet the opposite." Hermione told him, pulling his lips onto hers briefly. "I really enjoyed all that dirty talk."
"You mean flirting?" He asked, politely.
She shook her head with a crown on her lips. "No, I mean dirty talk."
His smile curved up. "I never knew I corrupted you so much."
"You can't corrupt something that's already been corrupted, Mister Malfoy."
"I'm sure you know all about that subject, Miss Granger." He flirted back.
"You bet I do." She lifted his chin a bit. "Say, wanna head in so you can take your girlfriend to your table?"
"Of course." He said. Then he pulled the Great Hall doors open, holding it for her. She smirked at him and entered.
When Draco and Hermione's joined hands caught the attention of the students and staff, the Hall fell silent. Hermione couldn't help the smile that was plastered on her face and Draco could help the smirk that was glued on his. So much pride between the two of them. It was a wonder they hadn't erupted with hatred words yet. The whole student body was waiting for an explanation.
Draco lead Hermione over to His table and sat her down between himself and Blaise, whom was all but being forced to do so. "Hey, Hermione." Blaise said, sticking out his hand for her to shake. She blushed and shook back.
"You must be Blaise." She said. He nodded, his own smirk surfaced.
"Yup." He turned to Draco, by leaning in. "You better say something, everyone is watching you guys."
"Getting to that." Draco said, he faced Hermione. "Hermione, how much do you mind PDA?"
"Not that much, why?" She asked.
"Because..." He leaned in, capturing his lips on hers.
They immediately fell into their own world.
Hermione brought him closer, forcing his lips on hers more. His tongue invaded her mouth, fully snogging her senseless. She did the same, bringing her own tongue to his and messaging into each other. Their noses bumped into each other, but they took no notice. Both their eyes had long since closed. Her hands were at the base of his neck, pulling him to her. His hands her on her cheeks and neck, cupping her face. Pleasure shot through both their bodies at the contact of their mouths and hands. It was like dancing on the stars, it was so spectacular.
"Hem..." Blaise cleared his throat, causing them to pull apart.
The whole hall was staring. Then, suddenly people were whispering. Hermione caught Harry and Ron talking with themselves. Neither one of them looked like they were happy about what they just saw. Neither one of them looked mad about what they just saw. Hermione watched as Ginny whispered with them. They seemed to relax a little or at least stop the glaring in her direction.
Hermione dished up her food, not talking to anyone. "Hermione, you alright?" Draco asked, whispering into her ear. She nodded slightly. "Potter and Weasley look..."
"Their names are Harry and Ron." Hermione said, looking up at him. "I call your friends by their first name, you call my friends by their first name."
"But Hermione..." Draco whined.
She gave him a hard look. "Drop the surnames, Draco."
"Fine." He said obviously annoyed. He dished up some dinner and did as Hermione did. People seemed to go back to their conversations, but it was still quiet. Like, they were waiting for someone to start yelling.
"Draco."
"What?" He asked, still annoyance playing in his voice.
"How about after supper we go over and talk to them..." Hermione asked.
Draco froze. "To... Harry and... Ron?" He seemed to cringe at using their first names.
"Yes." She replied dully.
"Maybe they don't want to talk to me." He said, not looking at her, as if trying to avoid the subject.
"Uh huh... or maybe you don't want to talk with them...?"
Draco glanced at her. "Of course I don't want to talk with them."
Hermione sighed. "It would mean a lot to me if you did." Her voice seemed to plead to him. He cursed himself mentally.
"And if I didn't?" He was afraid to ask that question.
"Well I would still go over and talk to them without you." She said easily.
He paused, thinking of something to say. "And how would you feel about that?" He asked, not looking at her.
"Pretty betrayed." She said. He raised an eyebrow.
"Betrayed?" He asked, curiosity flowed through him, wondering why she would use such a word.
"Yes, betrayed." She confirmed. He knitted his eyebrows together in confusion.
"Why would you feel betrayed?" He asked, turning towards her.
"Because my boyfriend refuses to go with me to clear up a simple problem with my best friends." Now her voice sounded annoyed.
"I'm not refusing..." Draco said. "Just... investigating how things would play out."
"Investigating?" She asked. "You're investigating?" Hermione seemed very doubtful.
"Of course." He said as if it was obvious. "I'm seeing if it would actually be wise for me to walk over there -after they've spent the entire meal giving me a death glare- and then suddenly ask if they want to be best mates with me just because they're my girlfriend's protective little Gryffindors."
"Woah, woah, woah, slow down." And now she seemed offended. "You don't have to be friends with them, just to point of where you can stand in the same room and not try to kill each other."
He rolled his eyes at her. "Hermione, first of all, you're asking me to be civil to them. Now, I can do that. I can be civil to them. All they have to do is not be smartarses back. It's a matter of them, not me. Also, if they try to hold my hand..." He shivered. "Just no. And second, we're in the same room now and not trying to murder each other..."
Hermione sighed and put her head in her hands. "I'm aware of your ability to be nice and charming, but I also know that you can be very intimidating." His ears perked up. So he was charming now? And nice? That must be the flirting. Definitely the flirting. But intimidating?
"Intimidating?" He asked. "Intimidating." He broke the word into chunks. "Hermione, I'm not that intimidating, I just happen to know where to press their buttons." He knew he was right. He had been doing it to the very people they were talking about for the majority of their schooling together.
"So all I'm asking you to do, Draco, is not press those tempting buttons."
He sighed. He knew he should have expected some sort of deal when dating the Gryffindor Princess. "Fine." He agreed. "I won't be annoying. I will be civil. But as soon as they start being arses, I'm done." There, everything was laid out.
"Okay." And she had agreed to it.
###
Draco and Hermione walked over to Harry, Ron, and Ginny after dinner in the Entrance Hall. "Malfoy." Harry and Ron greeted, still sending death glares at him.
"Harry, Ron, so nice to finally talk civilly to you." He dropped a hint. Hopefully those two Gryffindors would pick up on it.
"Malfoy, what have you done to Hermione?" Ron asked. And so it starts.
"Ron, he's done nothing." Hermione said. "I chose this."
Harry scoffed "That's not you talking, Hermione, Malfoy's got you under some kind of spell or potions of sorts."
"Ah, yes, my charming looks and dazzling words put her under quite a spell." Draco sarcastically commented, smirking whilst looking at his girlfriend.
"Did you not explain anything to them, Ginny?" Hermione asked, turning to the redhead girl.
She shrugged. "They haven't listened to a thing I've said."
"Ginny must be under the same spell." Harry explained. "We figured Malfoy did something to the two of you."
"Harry..." Draco addressed the Gryffindor reluctantly by his first name. "Hermione and I are dating." Nope, why would that work? Stating the obvious never worked.
The boy scoffed. "Yeah right." Was that sarcasm detected?
"Harry..." Hermione said, a warning in her voice. "He's telling the truth. And I'm not under a spell. Draco and I are together." Of course anyone under a spell would say exactly that. Way to go, Hermione.
There was a pause as her boys took in the information. "I'm guessing you didn't tell them about our library encounter..." Draco asked. You had to open your mouth, Draco, didn't you?
Hermione shut her eyes as the boys looked at her curiously. "No. Not at all." Yup, you've definitely irritated her now.
"What library encounter?" Ron asked. Probably the one they just mentioned, but you know, it's not like Hermione goes to the library often and runs into other people at the library. No, that would be a crazy idea, Ron. "Did he hurt you, Hermione?" Does she look hurt?
"No, no, I'm fine." She said. Then she backed up. Now she mad. Look what you have done Ron, she mad at you and now she about to tell you why. "You know what? If you can't accept Draco and I as a couple... I don't- I don't know what to say." She paused. For effect? For thinking? She seems to do that a lot; thinking. "I don't know what I was thinking bringing him over to talk." Then she fled, Draco running after her. Well, that went well.
###
"Hermione!" Draco caught up to her. "Hermione, stop!"
"What, Draco?!" She asked. "Is it too much for them to be polite or even accept that I'm happy with you?!"
"They're just concerned for you, Hermione." He pulled her into a hug. "It's alright. I'm sure they'll come around." She didn't say anything. She didn't know what she could say. "Come on." He tugged at her sleeve. "Let's go take a walk." She nodded and followed as he lead them out onto the grounds of the castle.
They walked in silence for a while. The only sound was of the wind and distant noises that they couldn't make out. They made their way over by the Black Lake. They sat down with their backs to a tree.
"Do you really think it's that hard for them to imagine us together?" Hermione asked.
"Honestly?" He questioned. "Yes. I think they have trouble accepting that another guy has come along and wanted to be with you. Let alone that guy being me." She laughed a little, he smiled at her response.
They sat in silence for a minute. "I always believed you were good." She whispered. "The Astronomy Tower, with Dumbledore, I was convinced you were forced to do it. Even when Harry told me that you had him at wand-point." She paused. "And when Katie Bell was cursed, I knew deep down that you couldn't've been doing that just because of some orders or loyalty. I knew you weren't free to choose."
"And with Bellatrix in the Manor?" He asked. "What did you think of me then?"
"I thought you were brave; lying to save us." Hermione said. "The three of us knew that you recognized us, but you didn't tell them."
"And the torture?"
"You would've been killed if you interfered." She said, her voice small and so un-Hermione like. "I understand why you made the choices you did."
"And what about my choice to go over to the dark side?"
"That was in front of everyone." She said, looking up at him. "What were you suppose to do? Leave your parents? Watch them be killed in front of you because you refused to cross the courtyard?" She shook her head. "I get it. I understand, even if I wasn't put in your position."
"And you think I'm good?"
"There's no such thing as good and bad, Draco." Hermione said, watching his banges fall over his eyes. "Everyone of us has our good moments and our bad moments. We all have a little bit of both inside of us." She paused and brushed his banges back from his eyes, then rested her fingers on the side of his face. "I'm not always good. I've done things that I regret." He leaned into her touch and closed his eyes.
"Do you regret this?" He asked, savoring the feel of her finger on his cheek. "Do you regret us?"
"No." Hermione whispered. "I don't regret being attracted to you." He smiled, the smile with the lopsided look. His eyes opened. "Do you?"
"Sometimes." Draco said. "Blaise and I were talking before dinner... He asked me what my father would think about us."
"And what did you say?" She asked, listening intently to his words.
"I told him that I didn't care what my father thinks about who I'm dating or involved with." He paused. "I think I've fancied you for much longer than I care to admit, Hermione."
She raised an eyebrow. "Me, too."