Snow fell heavy outside of the Hogwarts Express, Hermione was fingering at the periwinkle pendant that hung around her neck remembering her Christmas at the Malfoy Manor, watching the show swirl across the ground. She was in alone in the cabin at the end of the train, beings that Harry, Ron, and Ginny returned to Hogwarts early when the Burrow had been destroyed. Not paying any attention, someone had entered the cabin and took a seat in front of her. "Hermione?" Snapping out of her daze Hermione looked at who had called at her. A pair of silvery eyes glinted from the bright snow reflecting into the train cabin, and blond hair shown, his lips smooth and leaning ever so close to her.
Closing her eyes she leaned into him as well letting their lips meet for a short sweet kiss. Draco stood up and left the cabin in a hurry, not looking back passing Luna Lovegood. The blond girl knocked on the door asking if she could come in. Hermione nodded at the silly girl and directed her to take a seat across from her. They talked about the Quibbler and Luna asked Hermione if Harry would be interested in starting up Dumbledore's Army again. Telling Luna that she would relay her ideas to Harry, they parted ways and dispersed from the train back to Hogwarts.
The trip was long and cold, the only thing on Hermione's mind was to go straight to bed, maybe after a steamy bath. Upon entering the Prefect's bathroom she had managed to walk in on someone already taking a hot bath, realizing that the blond had forgotten to lock the door she quickly chanted a locking spell and walked to the naked boy taking a bath. There was a familiar scent in the air, "Mmm, bergamot and rosemary." She said aloud, hearing a splash as the slightly startled boy spun around to see who intruded on his alone time.
"Hermione!" a sigh of relief, "Better you than anyone. Could you imagine the look on whomever's face if they saw this?" Lifting his left arm up out of the water, the arm that blazed the Dark Mark identical to the one on her own arm.
"Likewise." She replied, her voice firm. "May I?" suggesting to the pool of hot water.
"You may, however, no touching." He dared her, glancing back at the mermaid statue on the wall, she was currently sleeping. "It's not allowed." He whispered.
Stripping off her clothes, she felt more confident around him, unashamed, content. Dipping her toes in the water feeling the temperature, it stung making her wince, but stepped in. All the muscles in her body relaxed succumbing to the heat, letting out a moan of relief. Hermione sat down on the ledge provided next to Draco and they sat together in the hot tub of water letting only their finger tips touch.
"We should just run away, forever." Hermione blurted out. "We should pick up and leave, go anywhere, everywhere!"
"Hermione. I can't leave my mother. He will kill her, then come looking for me, for you, for us."
"It's just a thought." Half embarrassed at her thought, thinking he would actually want to run away with her.
"It was a good thought, Hermione. I would love to run away." Her heart flipped at his words.
"Let's promise to run away and live together for the rest of our lives. We can live anywhere, and have happiness in each other's company. Everyday could be like this."
"Naked?" raising his brow skeptically.
"No, well, sure. Everyday could be just us, together."
"I'll promise, if that means I get to be with you for the rest of my life."
"I promise." She leaned in to seal the promise with a kiss in turn waking the mermaid up in a fury. Screeching at the two breaking the rules, they jumped out of the bath, dried off, dressed and departed separate ways. Hermione made her way up to her room to crawl under her warm blankets. Thousands of images swirled around in her head as she fell asleep dreaming about his silvery eyes.
"It's so easy for them to get to you. Your bloody lucky you weren't killed. You have to realize who you are, Harry." Hermione told Harry as they walked down to the Great Hall for breakfast.
"I know who I am, Hermione, all right?" He snapped. "Sorry." Realizing just how harsh he sounded when she glared at him. Turning the corner Hermione stopped in her tracks seeing Ron being decorated by Lavender Brown. Even being in a secret relationship with Draco Malfoy, seeing Ron made her heart hurt.
"Excuse me, I have to go and vomit." She told Harry, turning around to head anywhere but there. Absentmindedly, Hermione found herself walk into the library making her way to her usual seat. Pulling out her latest read Hermione buried her nose behind the book.
After a few minutes a slender finger had slid into the top of her book pushing it out of her face. Those silver eyes stared at her. "What are you playing at, Hermione?"
"What are you talking about, Draco?" she whispered, darting her eyes around to see if anyone was around. No one was in sight, yet she felt guilt of being caught.
"I saw the way you looked at the Weasel. Your face was fully of jealousy. Are you in love with him?"
"What? No!"
"Don't lie to me, Hermione."
"What are you talking about?" her voice shook.
"Why does it bother you so much to see them together, then." He hissed in her ear. "The Weasel and Brown." Hermione tensed up in the chair, not knowing how to respond, tears forming in her eyes. "Answer me!" he spoke clear and louder, shaking the chair she was in.
"I don't know." She whispered while a single tear rolled down her cheek falling on his sleeve. He saw the tear soak into the fabric and stood away from her.
"See you around, Granger." Emphasizing her last name, he turned and left her to cry in the library. Not long after she picked up her stuff and ran as fast as she could to be alone. Alone was how she felt.
