tower at 6? Draco scrawled, angling the parchment towards Hermione.
She glanced at the words before nodding curtly, a smile sneaking her way on her lips. She quickly fought to regain the look of impassiveness mirrored on her class mate's faces however, as not to attract attention. About a week ago Tracey had jokingly made a comment about her and Draco "getting close" and Ron had absolutely flipped. Hermione sighed internally, she hated keeping secrets from her best friends, but although Hermione loved her, Tracey had a huge mouth. One, Hermione bitterly noted, that was continuously gossiping or whispering to Pansy or one of the other more popular girls. After Draco had stopped bothering Hermione that first year, the others had followed suit, causing Tracey to think they were all of a sudden good people.
Oh well, so they hung out less and every time one of Tracey's new friends came into the room she would leave half-way through their conversation, leaving Hermione alone. So pretty much everything Tracey said was focused on herself, teenagers were really self-centered, Hermione was well aware of that, but it was still the same great girl that stood up for Hermione that first day, she was just more social.
Of course, Hermione reassured herself, that was it.
(Later, at 5:40)
Hermione looked up at the clock and sprang up, an elaborate excuse on the tip of her tongue. She, as usual, didn't need it however as no one so much glanced at her as she walked speedily through the halls.
Ah, there. A familiar spot of brown caught her eye.
She and Draco had taken up to using the tower for meetings. No one seemed to know about it, as they had been horrified at the thought of them bringing it up to others who, hearing the idea, would want to go, making it the perfect place to hang out.
Draco left early, as always, to avoid anyone suspicion. It was probably a bit of overkill but he didn't mind. He liked to have some time alone with his thoughts.
"Hey," Hermione greeted, smiling brightly.
"Hey." Draco replied. "How are you?"
"Been better. You?" Hermione said, thinking of her immense workload.
"Better now," He responded with smile.
Hermione sat down next to him before casting a warming spell.
"Are you ready to go back?" Hermione asked.
"Yah, it'll be nice to get away for a while. Although I'm sure my parents will drive me nuts." He paused. "Are you sure you want to stay for the break, I know Harry is your friend and all but you really don't have to stay for him."
"He is my friend and I want to," Hermione insisted. "Plus, staying means I can get more work done."
Draco laughed. "Of course."
"The library is fascinating! Yesterday I found this great book about Lethifolds. They're quite scary really. They suffocate people and basically eat them on trains. They remind me so much of dementors…." Hermione went on to describe Lethifolds in great detail a Draco listened intently, cutting in to ask questions or comment.
They always ended up talking about school or something school-related. Anything else and they'd end up so mad at each other they wouldn't speak for days. That was the thing, Hermione often thought, they were so different, it was amazing they had had a relationship for so long.
After a lengthy and in-depth conversation on magical creatures, both sat quietly, admiring the stars.
Draco pulled a small package out of his robes.
"Happy Early Christmas," He whispered.
Hermione eyes lit up as she pulled the lid of the small parcel. Inside was a small vial full of a dark blue liquid tied around a length of brown leather.
"It's Hornblende, since we made it that first day in potions. I know it's a long string, but that's so you can hide it under your robes, you know, so no one will ask about it."
Hermione watched him, her eyes full of amazement.
"Er, you okay? "
Hermione smiled before leaning forward to kiss him.
"Its perfect."