Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling is the Genius behind Harry Potter, I only incorporate my 'what if's'

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to Hermione, happy birthday to you!" Hermione smiled and blew out the candles. Today was September 19th, her 18th birthday.

"Thanks." she said to her friends after they had finished singing. Draco had thrown her a surprise party which consisted of Ginny, Harry, Luna, Neville, Dean, Seamus, and Blaise. They cut the cake and everyone dug in.

"This is delicious!" Ginny exclaimed after tasting the cake. "Malfoy, I didn't know you could cook?" Draco chuckled.

"I can't, but the house elves are sure willing to bake when you bring Potter with you." Everyone laughed at that. Hermione smiled at the scene in front of her, it made her so happy that Harry and Draco got along, she was just sad Ron had to hurt her in order for the bonding to occur. But Ron didn't care he kept hurting her more and more. Only a few days ago just as the first quidditch match of the season ended, Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff, after Harry caught the snitch he once again pulled out the ring he had for Hermione, except this time he gave it to Lavender who happily said yes. Afterwards there was a party at Gryffindor tower Hermione decided to go but soon left not able to stand Lavender and Ron constant urge to be glued together. That night she left and again broke down in front of Draco who comforted her. Hermione wasn't sure what she'd do without Draco, in fact they'd actually formed a friendship. They spent many evenings studying together or just having conversations. It was clear to Hermione now why he was made head boy, behind his hard shell laid a brilliant mind just yearning to be exposed.

"Mione, open mine and Harry's first." Ginny said snapping Hermione out of her thoughts.

"Alright," she said, happily taking the present and carefully ripping the paper off. "Oh my it's beautiful!" she exclaimed as she lifted the dress out of its packaging.

"We thought you'd like it!" Ginny replied, hugging her friend. Hermione got to work and opened the other presents, she received several boxes of sweets from Dean and Seamus, a book called "The Healing Fungus of the Twenty-First Century" from Blaise, and a beautiful necklace with a solitaire emerald from Draco.

"Thanks for coming." Hermione said awhile later as everyone departed back home. Using magic herself and Draco both managed to clean up the parties mess in a matter of minutes. As Draco was walking upstairs she stopped him.

"Thank you Draco, for everything, the party and this beautiful necklace. I feel bad taking it though."

"Hermione it was my pleasure, and don't forget I'm rich. I figured it would really piss off Weasley after that proposal stunt he pulled a few days ago.

"I really appreciate all that you've done for me." she said honestly.

"Hey, I don't mind and I hope you like the necklace."

"Will you help me put it on?" Hermione asked.

"I can probably help you out with that." he replied. Hermione handed Draco the necklace and turned around. Gingerly, Draco undid the clasps and placed it around Hermione's neck.

"Thanks." Hermione said, feeling the newly placed gem. She turned around and her and Draco were closer then they had ever been. Draco had never noticed how pretty Hermione's eyes were, especially when the dim light was dancing off them. Slowly he leaned down and just as she looked up, their lips met. Hermione looked into Draco's eyes, what use to be cold and gray was now a warm a silvery shade. Hermione smiled into this kiss surprised at how nice it felt to kiss Draco. Suddenly it occurred to her that she was kissing Draco Malfoy, the boy who tortured her for seven years, if Ron, one of her best friends since she was eleven was willing to cheat on her, surely Draco, a boy who less then a month ago hated her would surely do the same. Scared to face the pain again, Hermione ran into her bedroom leaving a confused Draco behind. Face down she landed on her bed and started to sob.

"Hermione, is everything ok? I've never had a girl run away from me after I kissed her " Draco called from outside the door.

"Yeah, I just need some time to think." Hermione replied, trying to muffle the tears.

"Alright well if you want to talk-" he started.

"I'm fine, really." she assured. Draco took that as she need her privacy and decided to go to bed. He laid in bed thinking about why he kissed Hermione. She was only his fake girlfriend after all, he thought. There was just something about her lips that looked so kissable, and she didn't seem to mind either, well at least until she ran away. That was another question that entered his mind, how bad of kiss could it have been for her to run away in tears? This was something he would have to get to the bottom of. Closing his eyes, and forgetting about what just happened, he fell into a deep dreamless sleep.

Hermione sat up in bed trying to sort out her feelings. She knew she had some feelings for Draco, he certainly was attractive and he had been very good to her these last couple of weeks, but she still wasn't completely over Ron yet either. Even though she knew she never wanted to be in any sort of romantic relationship with him again, it still hurt to see him kissing Lavender. Groaning into her pillow, she was confused on what to do. Hopefully, she thought, Draco wouldn't bring up the kiss and she could have more time to think. Shutting off her light, Hermione climbed under her covers and drifted off to a peaceful slumber.

Well I hope you enjoyed! I know it's shorter but it seemed like the perfect spot to end it! Please remember to review because they really put a smile on my face! Thanks for reading, J.