Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter


Hermione, along with all the other students years four through seven, waited patiently in the Great Hall for Professor McGonagall to begin her speech.

It was taking awhile for all the teachers and students to show up and get organized but no one seemed to care. After all, they were missing class for this.

Everyone was getting out of control at the Gryffindor table and Hermione was about to take her rightful position as Prefect when Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and awaited the drifting, multicolored eyes of the students to turn to her.

"Now that I have your attention," she began. "I would like to tell you guys the run down for the upcoming nights. Tomorrow, after classes, we are going to be having a pep- rally for our ball that night. It is mandatory and everyone must attend," at this McGonagall shot a look towards the Slytherins who grumbled and nodded relentlessly.

"After that, around six o'clock we will be having a feast in the Great Hall. Come dressed since it is before the dance and right after our feast we will turn the room into the ballroom and get started right away. The feast is not mandatory for those people who wish to spend more time getting ready instead of enjoying a nice cooked meal," Hermione supposed this was directed to the girls who most likely wanted to spend hours on ends doing their hair and make up.

"This surprising bit of news is new to all of you guys and I hope you have fun with it but don't drag it out too far. We will be having a Valentine's Day Ball King and Queen. Voting candidates will be welcome up until tomorrow's pep-rally. The most voted boy and girl of each house will become candidates and we will accept votes all throughout the dance. At the end we will announce our winner."

Stepping down from the podium she turned and spoke, "Very, well that is all. You guys are dismissed and have a good evening. The rest of today's lessons are canceled."

Laughter and chattering erupted as they students were notified about the upcoming events. Hermione eyed the people around her. Harry was sitting next to Ron and casting very few awkward peeks towards Ginny who was on the other side of the Gryffindor table with her sixth year girl friends.

Seeing that there wasn't much to do in here, Hermione stood up and made her way to the door.

The library seemed fitting, Hermione thought. But with one glance outside on her way down the corridors, she decided she would stop at the library and pick up a few books then read outside.

Turning the corner, she heard whispering and looked the opposite way she was heading. What she was met with, wasn't something she wanted to see.

Sitting on one of the many stone ledges that tried to separate the outside from the inside of castle was Draco and Jocelyn.

Looking closer Hermione found herself feeling slightly queasy. She was sitting atop his lap and as if that wasn't enough while they were making out she was unbuttoning his shirt.

Fumbling with the different buttons she gave up and had to break their kiss to take his shirt off. Hermione was frozen in the middle of the corridor watching like some nosy second year that had no idea what they were doing. Jocelyn leaned down and let her blonde hair brush across her face as she was unbuttoning Draco's shirt it gave him the time to let his eyes free to wander.

His startling grey eye's looked up and instantly locked with Hermione's warm brown ones and suddenly as if a light was turned on his eyes shot open further and he became aware of what was happening.

"Hermione," Draco moaned. He seemed to be in pain. Good. The git deserved it. His eyes were filled with sorrow and he was giving her that puppy dog look he tried to use many times before.

Instantly, Jocelyn's head shot up. "Hermione?" she questioned. "That 6th year Gryffindor Prefect? Why are you thinking of her?"

But that was all Hermione's ears were met with because before she knew it her feet were carrying her away from the traumatizing scene.

Hurrying down the abandoned corridors, Hermione felt her eyes swell with tears, urging to leak and be done with. Her heart swelled and she felt the lonely feeling settle over her. She was met with the thought of going to her dorm room instead of the library. Her mood just didn't fit it anymore. She longed to lock herself in her dormitory and not come out instead of spending the afternoon locked up in the library sprawling over books without any worries and people being able to see her.

Ignoring the footsteps and male voice shouting behind her, Hermione sped her pace.

Then suddenly when she was about to round another corner, a hand shot out and gripped her wrist. "Hermione."

Looking up, Hermione felt like crying once again. Draco stood there before her. His hair was a mess and two of the top buttons to his shirt were undone.

A little ways behind him, off to the side stood Jocelyn. She was peering at the two, trying to figure out what was going on between them.

"Listen-."

"Draco," Hermione started. Closing her eyes she blinked back the unwelcoming tears. "I don't want to hear it."

She tried to break free again but his grip tightened. "I don't get it Hermione," he mumbled. She stared at him, waiting for him to elaborate. "You push me away, constantly. You never let me kiss you or anything, but once I kiss her you are upset. What is this some kind of game to you?"

Hermione stared at him longer. She didn't get it either. How he could have this kind of hold on her. He made her feel special like she was the only one he said or did these type of things to and then he was making out with Jocelyn. It angered her. She wanted to be his only one. Only her. She wasn't going to share him with some Ravenclaw whore.

He stared at her waiting for her to respond. "I-I don't know either," she mumbled and turned her gaze to her feet.

"Yes you do," he demanded.

After a moment she decided to tell him what was on her mind.

"I want to be your only. Draco, you don't get this. You are well known around her for being a player and when I was with you I felt special. Like I was the only girl you made feel this sort of thing. But then I see you with her and it crashes down on me and I realize I'm not the only one, there's plenty others as well.

"I just can't be with a person like you. Someone who's only in it for sex. I want a relationship. I want to be able to take my time and be your only one. Maybe we're just not meant to be."

Her voice drifted off and she slid her wrist out of his hand easily. He was standing there, expressionless.

She looked behind him and noticed Jocelyn had left. Good. Maybe she realized he already had someone and wasn't into her like she was him.

"Hermione," Draco spoke softly. Looking up she noticed he was staring straight at her. A meaningful look spread across his face. "I really, really like you."

Caught off guard, Hermione's eyes widened as she thought through what he had said.

"I like everything about you. I have for awhile now. You're so beautiful and smart and kind and amazing. I want to go to the ball with you. I want to be in a relationship with you. I want to be your only and I want you to be my only."

Hermione's eyes filled up with tears, she smiled. This couldn't be real. He couldn't be saying this things and she shouldn't be thinking the exact same response.

Stepping forward, he lifted her heard and kissed the lone tear that had rolled down her cheek.

Making eye contact, his eyes lingered to her lips and then her eyes. She knew exactly what he was asking. Nodding her head yes she accepted. Waiting, she was met with the warm feeling of his lips on hers, and this time she hadn't pulled away. This time she accepted it and returned the favor.

His lips were so soft and warm and he definitely knew what he was doing. He guided her and did most of the work. She was happy and thankful that he hadn't deepened the kiss and instead left it simple yet meaningful.

Pulling away she smiled up at him and was relieved when he smiled back. All this time she had been nervous that once he got her to kiss him he would run away and tell all his friends all about how he got Hermione Granger to fall for him, but nothing changed since the kiss, yet.

He bent down and scooped up her small hand and gently placed it in his own. As soon as they were connected he led the way down the hallways.

"So, where are we going," Hermione softly whispered, not wanting to break the elegant and romantic moment they were sharing.

"I was thinking outside for a walk alongside the lake. The weather's great and it looks gorgeous outside."

Hermione smiled. That was exactly what she had been thinking, this man was perfect for her in everyway.

"What do you think?" He broke her thoughts.

"I think it's a wonderful idea."

As they made their way to the outside a thought dawned on her. She still hadn't replied to his meaningful words yet.

"Draco?"

"Yes, love?"

Sucking in her breath she thought for a moment. By this time they had reached outside and was met with the coldness of the snow that was slowly melting. To the left sat a small rose bush full of large red roses. Draco bent down and picked one.

Making sure there were no thorns, he handed it to Hermione who smiled and smelled the rose deeply. "I really like you, too."


They finally kissed! Exciting, right? I know this chapter was short but I apologize. I am planning on updating this week since I have spring break part of this week and next. Also, I would like you to know that I don't plan on ending this soon there are still somethings I want to involve in this. We haven't even gotten to the ball yet.

-Laughter is contagious