A rational creature, speaking the truth from her heart
Draco paced back and forth across the grounds. She was late. He kept on pacing. What if she wasn't coming? Pace, pace, pace. She wouldn't stand him up, would she? Pace, pace, pace. Finally he saw her running toward him. She was wearing black sweatpants and a red and gold hoody.
"Hi, Malfoy, I'm sorry I'm late. There was a small emergency in the common room."
He raised his eyebrows at her.
"What happened?"
She looked like she was trying to supress a laugh.
"Ron had another backfiring spell."
He smirked.
"Are you ready to learn how to fly?"
She smiled unconvincingly at him and put a brave face on.
"Sure, let's go."
He eyed her appraisingly before speaking. He didn't want to scare her.
"Now I've brought a sturdy broom. The normal quidditch brooms are usually a bit faster but more unsteady. I think even you will have a hard time falling of THIS broom, however."
He put it on the ground. She stood beside it and said "Up" in a very uncertain voice.
"Be determined, Granger. The first time is always the hardest. Soon you'll be able to do it non-verbally."
She said a loud "Up" and the broom flew into her hand. She let it hover at waist length.
"Now try and sit in the middle of the broom and hold onto the front part. When you've mounted it just lean slightly forward."
She did as he told her and started creeping along at a snail's pace.
"This is as far as I got last time."
"Now gently try turning a bit. Just small movements, Granger."
She was still creeping along slowly but at least she was turning, if a bit unnaturally. He put cushioning charms on the ground before addressing her again.
"Now if you lean forward a bit more you'll go faster. You can try tilting the broomstick up a bit if you want to go higher."
She leaned forward fractionally. He sighed and sat down. This was going to be a long day.
0-0
A few hours later they both went to the Great Hall for lunch. She had improved a bit but was still very careful. He found it quite amusing that there was at least something she wasn't very good at. They ate at different tables. After lunch they practised some more. She got a bit better. She could actually fly now. It only took her ten times as long to learn the basics as it had for everyone else. They went back to the castle when it started getting dark.
"Well, thanks, Malfoy. For, you know, helping out."
He smirked at her.
"Got any more books, Granger?"
She handed him an armful of books that she'd been carrying in her shoulderbag.
"Here are the other ten books in that series. Have fun!"
She waved at him before setting off in the direction of her common room. He smiled at her retreating form. He was really in love with her. He had finally realized it. He just needed to make her fall in love with him as well.
0-0
The next few weeks they continued discussing books. He helped her fly once more. She really enjoyed talking to someone who was nearly as smart as she was. However the summer was approaching quickly and they both knew they couldn't keep up their correspondance over the summer. His family would never have allowed it and she was quite happy in the knowledge that her friends were oblivious of her new friendship. They met for the last time in an empty classroom. He had to return her Jane Austen compilation. She was early for once and he greeted her with an easy smile when she entered. He handed her the book.
"I think that was a bit too perfect for my sake."
She smiled.
"So imperfection is better? I think you should read more Brontë."
She got out a roll of parchment and gave it to him.
"A book list for the summer. If you have the time and the opportunity you should read these."
He put it in his pocket. He had never been good at goodbyes.
"Well, I'll see you in 5th year, Hermione."
She bit her lip and looked up into his face.
"See you in 5th year, Malfoy."
She reached her arms out, uncertainly and gave him a light hug. His arms enclosed her and pulled her closer into a tight hug. She was wearing a perplexed expression when he let her go. He smiled at her.
"Thank you, Hermione, for everything."
He left her and went to pack his belongings. He couldn't get the sensation of holding her out of his body. If he had looked back he would have seen her eyeing him with a confused expression that held nearly as much love as his face was hiding.
0-0
A/N: Short chapter, I know. But it seemed right to end this chapter here. I think there are three or four chapters left before this fanfiction is finished. Any book tips for Draco are very welcome My science test went well so thanks to everyone who wished me good luck! I'll try to update this weekend.