Padma's eyes fluttered open the next morning. After a few minutes, she remembered where she was and soon after, how she'd got there. She sat up in bed and twirled her hair in her fingers, a nervous habit she had developed. She looked down at Draco, who she had forgotten was there. His hair was slightly messed up and he had a peaceful look about his features. His arm was shaped to her body, which it had just been holding.

Padma hesitantly stroked his cheek with her finger. He stirred slightly but did not wake. She considered getting up and going back to her common room; but she quickly removed that thought from her mind as she looked back at Draco again. She curiously lay back down next to him and watched his face.

"Padma?" He yawned, eyes still closed.

"Yes?" She whispered, hoping he wasn't going to leave her just yet.

"Just checking." He yawned again, blinking his eyes open.

"Thank you for staying with me." She said shyly as he looked down at her.

"Thank you for letting me." He responded with a smile. They watched each other for a few moments before Draco got up. He stretched his arms out and made to leave.

"Stay." She called after him. He froze where he stood and turned around to face her.

"Y-you want me to?" He asked incredulously. She nodded, not taking her eyes off him. He walked back over to her slowly before lying back down with her. "Why?"

"I…I just want you to." She said timidly. "But if you have to leave…"

"No, I'm good. Pleasantly surprised but good." He chuckled. Padma wasn't sure what she was thinking in asking him to stay. It was so unlike her to need someone like she did at this moment. She would blame it on being assaulted the previous afternoon, but she knew it was what she wanted either way. She had rejected him only a few days ago and had almost regretted it. But what would people say if they went out? There would be gossip to no end…and she was his tutor!

"I'm sorry about Thursday." She mumbled, avoiding his gaze. She felt him tense slightly against her and she felt the guilt go through her again.

"It's alright." He said tightly, trying to hide his emotions.

"No it isn't." She said. "It wasn't fair of me not to give you an explanation."

"You don't have to explain anything." Draco shrugged.

"Yes I do." She said stubbornly. When Draco did not object, she continued. "Imagine what it would do to both of our reputations if we went out." Draco stroked her face again and smiled gently.

"Do you think I care about what people think? I only really care about what you think." He added awkwardly and Padma sighed.

"It's not that I don't like you, because I do, I'm just not sure how yet." She said, a little breathless from his touch.

"Well how do you feel when we're studying together?"

"Relaxed." She responded automatically, and then she blushed.

"And how do you feel when you see me in the hallway?" He continued, moving his hand to her hair, which he twirled in his fingers.

"Nervous." She mumbled, looking up at him from under her eyelashes.

"And how did you feel when you saw me in the alleyway?" He asked brushing his fingers up and down her arm.

"Safe."

"And how do feel when I do this?" He leaned over her and met her lips with his own. It was a short kiss and Draco pulled away only a few centimeters.

"Breathless." She squeaked. She internally slapped herself for her lack of charm. She closed the gap again and kissed him a bit more eagerly, he responded enthusiastically. Their lips moved in perfect synchronization and Padma closed her eyes. Draco pulled away and Padma's lower lip pouted slightly.

"Take a chance on me." He begged, gazing into her eyes. She nodded wordlessly and kissed him once, a simple but meaningful peck that left him wanting more.

"Do you want to come to Slughorn's Halloween party with me tonight? I wasn't planning on going but it would be so much more fun if you were there." She asked, playing with the collar of his shirt. He chuckled.

"I'm not really invited…no Death Eater relatives are in the Slug Club." He said with an edge of bitterness to his tone.

"We're allowed to bring guests and…I want you there." She admitted shyly.

"Well then, I'll be happy to oblige." He laughed.

"But…don't tell anyone…except maybe Blaise. I don't want it to get out yet." She said, playing with his fingers. Draco intertwined them and grinned.

"Are you embarrassed of me?" He asked playfully. Padma boldly flipped them both so that she was on top of him.

"No, I just want to make sure this will work." She corrected. Draco brought his hands up to rest on her lower back, making her shiver slightly at his touch. They heard the doors open and quickly jumped apart as Madame Pomfrey entered the room.

"Oh! I didn't know you were awake yet, dears. Miss Patil, if you are feeling any better, you are free to go. But if you feel anxious please come back so that I may administer another calming draught." She said dismissively.

Padma and Draco glanced at each other and shrugged before rolling out of bed. Draco handed Padma her shopping bags from yesterday and they left the hospital wing without another word.

Happy Kwanzaa!

So as some of you may know Kwanzaa is a holiday created to give people of African heritage all over the world a holiday to celebrate themselves and their history. It was created to give them an option other than imitating the holidays of the major societies. Part of the celebration is lighting seven candles that are symbolic of seven responsibilities (Unity, self-determination, responsibility, cooperative economics, creativity, faith, and purpose.) Sounds cool to me.

Hope you like this short transition chapter!

~Bee