Stressed Out
'Agh! I give up!' exclaimed Hermione, storming into the Head Boy and Girl's common room and throwing all her books down on the table.
'What's wrong babe?' asked Draco worriedly, looking up from the potions essay he was currently writing.
'I give up with all this school work, it's too much! I've got five essays due in for the morning, we've got to go and do the rounds in a minute, Mcgonagall wants me in her office straight after to talk about Merlin knows what, I said I'd help Luna with her transfiguration essay and I said I'd go and watch Ginny practise tomorrow. Add all that to spending time with you, going home at the weekend to see my parents and the Weasleys, the Hogsmead trip coming up and just generally trying to regain my sanity-' she paused trying to calm herself down, 'it's hard, Draco and I give up. Screw being head girl! I'm gonna quit Hogwarts. I don't care anymore,' she exclaimed. She was trying to be strong but her voice faded out at the end as she began to sob.
'Hey, don't cry,' whispered Draco as he walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her; allowing her to cry into his chest. When she had calmed down he led her over to the sofa and sat her on his lap.
'Now listen to me Hermione,' he said, cupping her face in his hand, 'stop worrying about things that don't matter. You're the brightest witch of your age – you could get top marks in your sleep! Just take the day off tomorrow to relax and (because I know you can't help yourself) finish your essays. I can do the rounds by myself, I'll be fine. You stay here and rest and I'll explain to Mcgonagall that you're stressed and just need a break for a bit and you'll go see her some other time. Luna and Ginny will understand if you can't spend time with them, they're your friends - they'll want the best for you. And honestly Hermione, the weekend away from this place is what you need to relax and just breathe. Also if I hear you say you want to quit Hogwarts one more time I may need to take you to Madame Pomfrey to check your sanity!'
She giggled and rested her head on his shoulder as he slowly rubbed circles on her back.
'Thankyou Draco, thank you so much. You know just what to say,' she kissed his cheek before continuing, 'I love you so much.'
He smiled at her, taking in her beauty: the way her skin glowed a gentle orange in the firelight, the way her cheeks were slightly pink from blushing, the way she only needed a little makeup to be beautiful. He was so in love with her and everyday he felt so honoured that she was his.
'I love you too, more than you'll ever know.'
His lips met hers in a slow and gentle kiss. It wasn't rushed and it wasn't sloppy; it was pure passion and beauty. He moved his hand to her hip before breaking the kiss.
'Hermione,' he whispered, trying to preserve the moment in his mind for as long as possible, 'I've got to go and do the rounds.'
'Promise you'll be quick?' she almost pleaded. Wow, what had this guy done to her; she was never like this before.
'I promise, babygirl,' he smiled, kissing her forehead.
She slid off his lap and lay down, pulling a blanket off the back of the sofa and covering herself with it.
'I'll be back before you know it,' he said and, with one last look at her small frame, eyelids drooping in the firelight, he left the common room wondering how he got so lucky.