Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. Draco, Hermione and all other Harry Potter affiliated things you recognize belong to the talented JK Rowling. Anything you recognize that doesn't fit under the term Harry Potter affiliated belongs to its respective owners. It was not my intention not to give proper due to those who deserve it.
December 8th
I did my best to avoid Malfoy all day, though it wasn't like he was seeking me out. I had seen last night had shaken him too.
I had tried for hours to convince myself that it hadn't really happened, that I had imagined the whole thing. When that didn't work, I tried in vain to just forget it. But it was burned in my memory, taunting me every time I saw him from across the room, when I sat near him in a class.
I think Ron started to worry, saying that I didn't seem myself. I wanted to tell him that I really didn't feel like myself. But then I'd have to explain to him what happened, how I reacted so to Malfoy and not him, why he couldn't pull the same response from me as his arch-enemy had received with just the lightest touch of his fingers on mine. I don't know if he'd ever forgive me for such a traitorous thought so I just told him I was tired and he let me alone for a few hours before bringing it up again.
I couldn't bring myself to return to the common room after supper in the Great Hall and feeling his eyes on me. I had sat between Ron and Harry, hoping that they could somehow shield me from his gaze. But I had noticed, had felt it burning into my back.
Slowly I walked the halls of Hogwarts, not really caring where my feet carried me. I'd turn down a corridor here, climb a flight of stairs there. Sometimes I'd stop and stare out the windows at nothing, other times I'd just stare unblinkingly ahead.
Soon I found myself pushing aside the door that led out to the Astronomy Tower. The sudden cold woke me from my stupor. I just stood in the doorway watching as the snowflakes floated gently to the ground. They sparkled softly in the pale moonlight and clung to my eyelashes, my hair, and melted against my face.
I stepped out into the snow, watching in awe as it landed and clung to my robes. Snow that had already fallen this year lay in an ankle deep layer. It fell into the tops of my shoes, soaking my socks as it melted, but I didn't care. I was lost in a childlike bliss, a winter wonderland.
I started dancing in circles, scooping up handfuls of snow and throwing it into the air. It was like a drug, the snow. The more time I spent out there, the more I forgot about the problems that awaited me inside the thick stone walls of the castle.
I paused and peered carefully over the baluster. The snow was coming down heavier now, blocking out the moon and my view of the ground below.
"Hermione?"
I spun around, my hand instinctively flying to my wand. Standing in the doorway was Malfoy. His eyes looked troubled as he crossed over to me. I took a step back, not willing to allow another incident like last night.
I felt the cold stone against my back. Suddenly I felt trapped. I was the flighty animal again, wanting to run from this new danger.
He must have sensed my panic because he stopped halfway to me. When he spoke, his voice was soft, as one would attempt to soothe a frightened animal. "I don't want to hurt you, Hermione."
I moved closer to the wall, pressing myself against it. Didn't he know that, by being so kind, by caring the way it seemed he did, he was hurting me? Couldn't he see that I was being pulled in too many directions at once? How could I choose between Ron and Malfoy?
It was a decision that I had always thought was so simple. But now…now I wasn't sure what to do. I knew I loved Ron but was it the love one felt for a close friend or the love one felt for a lover? I couldn't tell. I've no experience in this area and there are no helpful books in the library. I had looked.
"Come, Hermione," Malfoy said softly, holding his hand out to me and taking a cautious step toward me. "You'll catch pneumonia out here."
He was right. I was starting to feel the cold without my cloak. Tentatively I took a step toward him, then another and another until I was standing within a few feet.
I watched as he slid his cloak off and draped it over my shoulders. He was careful not to touch me, as if he knew that it would cause me to run from him.
"There," he said, watching my shaky fingers fumble with the clasp until it was fastened. "Feel better?"
I nodded. His cloak was very warm, the deep green silk lining still clinging to some of his body's heat. "Thank you," I stuttered through my chattering teeth.
He smiled. "Come on. Weasley would have a fit is he knew you were up in the Astronomy Tower with me."
I followed him, holding the cloak to my nose and inhaling. I found that, along with the way he said my name, I loved the way he smelled. So entirely Draco.
Author's Note: There you go. Chapter seven is finished. I think I'm in love with Draco. Sad isn't it? That I'm in love with a fictional character? What can I say? I'm hopeless and devoid of any life whatsoever. Please keep reviewing. I really do enjoy reading them…even if I don't get around to replying. I don't always know what to say back other than "thanks" and I'm sure that that could get a bit tiring.
