A couple of months ago, Hermione would never have dreamed of ever walking into Hogsmeade with Draco Malfoy. Now that she was, however, it was more different than she could ever have imagined. He was talking to her like she talked to Harry and Ron; he wasn't even bragging or showing off. They laughed and joked as they made their way down the hill, and they were both in very high spirits when they reached the village.

"What do you want to do?" Draco asked Hermione, looking up and down the street at the options.

"I don't mind... Shall we look in a few shops, and then maybe go and have a drink in the Three Broomsticks or somewhere?" Hermione smiled. It was quite a warm day, so they weren't in a rush to stay indoors the whole day. As they wandered up the street, they passed several students, most of whom gave them funny looks, which was understandable- Slytherins and Gryffindors never usually spoke to each other, let alone walk through Hogsmeade together. Hermione smiled at Neville and Luna as they walked past, looking nervous but also relaxed together.

They wandered up and down the main street a few times, making the most of the warm sunshine and cool breeze. After a couple of hours they decided to go into the Three Broomsticks to sit down and have a drink. Draco went up to the bar to order the drinks, while Hermione sat herself down at a table close to the door. The pub was mainly full of Hogwarts students, most of them in large groups but there were a few couples. As Draco sat down opposite Hermione, he looked around the room then turned and smiled at Hermione. He handed her a butterbeer. She took it gratefully and lifted it up to her lips. She felt the warmth run though her whole body and she became more relaxed. Draco noticed her smile and returned it.

"After we've finished, do you want to head back up to school? We can have a game of Exploding Snap or chess or something?" Draco said hopefully. Hermione laughed.

"Why?" she asked him, shaking her head jokingly.

"Just felt like it... I don't mind if you want to stay around here though."

"No, that's fine. We've already been round the shops, so we might as well go back soon anyway," she said happily.

As they left the Three Broomsticks, Draco brushed his hand against Hermione's and gently took it in his own. Hermione hesitated at first, but then allowed him to hold her hand. When they turned up the track back to Hogwarts they noticed that they were walking just behind Professor Flitwick. Not wanting to be so close to a teacher, Draco pulled Hermione down a tiny footpath leading off the track. She giggled and he put his finger to his lips to try and make her be quiet.

"Shhh... We don't want him to notice us!" He looked round a tree to see how far Professor Flitwick was away.

"Does it matter?" Hermione whispered, trying not to giggle. "Why can't we walk behind him?"

"Because..." Draco pulled her towards him and stroked her cheek softly. She moved her face closer and closed her eyes. After a few seconds she could feel Draco's sweet breath coming closer and then she felt his lips over hers- and then she couldn't breathe but she didn't care, she couldn't move but she didn't want to, she couldn't think but she didn't need to, all she wanted was to stay here 

forever. She had one hand in Draco's silky blond hair, and the other was on his cheek, running her hand down his face, holding onto him like she would never let go.

After what seemed like hours, they broke apart. Hermione's heart was beating faster than she ever remembered it doing, she was sure that Draco would be able to hear it too. She thought she was going to fall over- she felt light headed from not breathing and Draco had to reach out to steady her.

"Er... I think Flitwick might be quite far away now," said Draco jokingly, leading Hermione back so they could see up the track. Sure enough, there was nobody there- they were probably still in Hogsmeade or already up at school.