IV. Libraries and Irish Stew

As Draco lay on the library floor, Hermione sat in a plush scarlet velvet chair, shaking with laughter in the Heads' tower. Hah! Ferret. That was a good one. He was probably down in the library trying to look up Pine Marten. Ah. She wiped away a stray tear. Merlin, she was crying! That fact only made her laugh even harder. Looking over at the clock, the Head Girl's laughing stopped when she noticed the time. It was 6:30; he'd been gone for over an hour. Hermione never was one to panic over a missing Draco Malfoy but she felt a strange sensation settle in her stomach. It was churning and it felt as if she was being pawed at the heart with sharp claws and her brain was hurting. She needed to find him; she didn't know why, she just had to. Closing her eyes, she focused on her form and after a few moments, opened her eyes. Everything was much sharper and gleamed in brighter hues to her now. Standing on her hind legs, she barely reached the seat of the chair where she had sat merely moments before. It worked.

Running towards the portrait, Hermione thought the password turtle shell and ran out of the open door. Her little legs made the journey longer than normal but Hermione finally reached the two mahogany doors marking the entrance into the library. A Ravenclaw walked in and the Pine Marten hid under the cloak and ran in. Keeping herself hidden, she ran through the library, darting from section to section. She finally found the Head Boy on the floor by a cedar table and Hermione ran toward him. Morphing back to her human self, she leaned over him and smirked.

"Been laying here all this time, Malfoy? It's not healthy, you know. There's a bed back in the common room should you require it. (A/N. I realize how wrong this sounds but please, get your mind out of the gutter and act like a mature adult. Thank you.) Besides, I figured you would be studying, not lounging about like a sloth, honestly."

Draco groaned and sat up. "Not funny. And I was busy. (A/N. Again, sorry this sounds wrong.)

"Mmm, yes. I can certainly see that. With what exactly? Looking like a complete idiot? Not that you need help with that."

"Shut it, Granger." He stood up and brushed himself off. Straightening the chair, he grabbed both books and threw them at her. Hermione caught them easily and laughed (silently, mind you) as she read the titles carefully inscribed on the leather covers.

"Figured out why I was laughing, did you?"

"Yes, yes. Hilarious. My sides hurt. Haha. No."

"Mmm. Yes, well, we better be going to dinner so I can go to the Headmaster's office before studying." Hermione glanced at the clock by the doors and her eyes widened. It was 7:15; dinner had already started. "Come on! I want some stew before it's all gone!" Grabbing the books close to her chest and Draco's hand in hers, she ran out the door.

It was shocking the sight really. Hermione Jean Granger, Gryffindor Head Girl, top of her class, one of the Golden Trio running through the corridors with Draco Malfoy, Slytherin Head Boy, pureblood, Quidditch Seeker in tow. She was sprinting fast enough that her hair flew about her as well as her robes. Malfoy stumbled after her, stray thoughts running through his head already jumbled head.

She's touching me!

So?

She's a muggleborn!

But you like it, don't you?

WHAT?!

Don't be shy now, you like it.

…I….well, her hand IS soft.

See?

They continued to run along the corridors, the only sound in the otherwise quiet castle coming form their shoes hitting the shiny marble floors. Making a sharp turn, Hermione ran towards the two pine doors and skidded to a halt. He pulled her hand out of Draco's who frowned and she blushed.

"Sorry."

"For?"

"For holding your hand like that. I wouldn't want to taint your miraculously perfect hand with my dirty skin," she replied sarcastically.

"It's no problem. It's no secret that every female in this school wants to hold my hand. "

"Oh, shut it, Malfoy."

She opened the doors to the Great Hall and Draco followed her in. Everyone was already feasting on Irish Stew, soda bread, potatoes and plum puddings. Draco walked towards the Slytherin table as Hermione walked over to the Gryffindork table where Weasley and Potty were gorging themselves on potatoes and puddings. Disgusting pigs. He sat down between Blaise and Pansy who immediately turned her attention towards him. He rolled his eyes, preparing himself for her annoying and pathetic attempt to seduce him, while he served himself the steaming Irish stew as she began to coo over him.

"Drrrrraco! Where have you been? I missed you earlier." Here, Pansy winked, a suggestive gesture that made Draco nearly gag on the carrots he was chewing.

"I've been busy staying away from you. What's it matter to you anyway? Don't you have someone to take care of?" He piled some potatoes on his plate and dug in. Looking over, he saw Pansy's face scrunched up, enhancing her puggish features and steam seemed to flow out of her ears. Turning away, she began a futile attempt to strike up a conversation with Daphne Greengrass on men and their faults. Draco smirked and continued to eat his warm meal. The warm lamb filled his stomach and he shoveled potatoes and peas into his mouth. Everything was deliciously decadent, no doubt another miracle whipped up by the never-tiring elves in the kitchens.

He looked over at the Gryffindor table and frowned once he realized where his eyes had landed. Why her? Of all people, why did he have to have these strange feelings for her? She wasn't even that special! Smart, yes. Attractive? So so. The Head Girl was eating slowly, nibbling her potatoes like a rabbit while the rest of her table spoke animatedly about Merlin knows what. She seemed separated from the rest of her friends, as if she was in her own little bubble; as if he were to walk over there, the world would slow down around him and every noise would cease until it was just the two of them. He stared at her as she broke off a piece of soda bread and brought it to her mouth ever so slowly. He could see her tan skin visible to him as her robe slid down her perfect arm. Her long lashes brushed her round cheeks and her bushy hair swung forward, framing her face. Her brown eyes flashed with curiosity and boredom (at what, he didn't know) and she licked her lips before taking a sip of pumpkin juice. She was ethreal.

"Draco, you're drooling."

Hermione looked up from her dreary stew that she pushed around in her bowl, her sudden hunger vanishing as she noticed the icy gray eyes staring at her own plain, brown eyes from across the brow furrowed as he smirked over at her and continued to eat. Why am I staring at him? Her chest got tight and for a moment, Hermione forgot how to breathe. WHy did she think about him so often? What was so damn appealing about Draco Malfoy that she got dizzy at times and she panicked when she thought of any harm coming to him? She looked down at her potatoes and frowned. They were mushy and slightly brown from the gravy of the stew. She snorted in disgust, knowing that the poor house elves had slaved away all afternoon making her dinner. She looked up again, her eyes automatically flying towards the Slytherin table. Draco raised his glass and downed his drink. Hermione's eyes grazed his platinum blonde hair, falling into his eyes as opposed to being slicked as his previous years. His long lashes framed those eyes that she could never stop thinking about, no matter what she did to distract herself. His shirt sleeves were rolled back, allowing the Head Girl a nice view of his muscles in his forearms, no doubt a result from training. He was stunning, in a Greek god sort of way. Like Adonis.

"Hermione, you have a little bit of potato on your mouth."

"Shut it, Ronald."

After a few moments, the Great Hall cleared out as everyone made their way to their respective common rooms and soon, the Heads found themselves walking together towards their own common room. The awkward silence continued as they walked through the portrait hole. Draco sat down on the emerald velvet chair and whipped out his wand to start a fire. He got up to grab a book and Hermione looked over at Draco and cleared her throat.

"Well, I'll be going to bed unless you need anything." She stood there, staring at him as the flames licked the air in the now roaring fireplace. The fire was radiating its heat all throughout the common room and Hermione felt her cheeks beginning to burn up. Merlin, don't blush!

Then Draco whispered. "You." Draco didn't know why he had said responded in such a manner but he knew for certain that he wanted to (had to) do something now. He walked over to her as she began to speak.

"What -" and she was cut off as he pressed his lips to hers. She went stiff at his touch but Hermione soon succumbed to him once he wrapped one arm around her waist and brought one hand up to caress her face. It was a soft, gentle kiss; Draco's lips barely touched hers. He was gentle with her, never pushing her, as if he was testing his boundaries with this sudden affectionate gesture. Without really thinking, Hermione wound her arms around his neck, clinging to him as if her life depended on it. She pulled him closer and Draco wrapped both arms around her. Fireworks went off in both of their heads. This was what it meant to be in blissful. It was as if the entire outside world had disappeared and it was just the two of them in the common room sharing this moment. Just a boy and a girl. Nothing else mattered. Draco pulled back and Hermione blushed a crimson red as she realized what she had just done. She pulled back her arms but Malfoy's stayed where they were. She rested her head on his chest and he held her tighter to him as if he could somehow mold their figures together so they would never be apart. It was a vain move but he couldn't help himself. He pulled her towards the couch where he sat down and she lay her head on his lap. Playing with her hair, he stared down at her brown eyes as the moon sparkled outside of their window.

"What was that?"

"I don't know, Granger. You tell me."

The howling wind outside rammed against the windows but the two were oblivious to anything other than each other. The fire cackled in the hearth and their shadows flickered against their faces. Hermione's heart pounded against her chest and her head was dizzy. Draco's head was reeling and his heart no longer felt sickly or deprived of something. It was amazing what wonders a little kiss could do to someone ailed with love. The two lay there into the night, thoughts of Animagi, Mustiladae, potions and Headmaster's offices gone from their minds.

A/N: I'm sorry for the long wait and I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! Please review! It makes me super happy when I get a notification for a new review! :D Butterbeers and soda bread for all of you! I had soda bread earlier. Amazazing stuff. :)