Day 10: Write about a character who gets back up after failing.
10
Hermione/Draco
"Properly"
"I got an Acceptable on my essay," she said, frowning. "They shouldn't call it that, not when it's barely a passing score."
"Father was pleased to hear about my grade," Draco said with a smirk. It soon faded as he noticed her expression. "Oh, let it go. You'll always beat me in the end. Let me have my win."
"That's easy for you to say," she grumbled.
"Easy for you when you were in my place." He moved closer, giving her a short, teasing kiss, and then pulling away. "Don't get all worked up. I prefer when you're hot and bothered over me."
"This is not the time, Draco," she said, pushing him away with one hand. But he dodged the hand and wrapped an arm around her, leaning in to kiss her neck. "Hey!" she said lightly, evading him. But his ministrations won over, and she giggled like a little girl, feeling the light brush of his lips tickling her skin. "Stopit!"
"You sure about that?" he asked, tilting his head up to look at her and raising his eyebrows. "Sure, I'll stop." Draco leaned away dramatically, keeping eye contact as he did. "Better now?"
"No, don't," she said, instantly missing his warmth. Hermione grabbed his hand and pulled it around her neck. "Kiss me properly."
"I won't say no to that," he quipped, pulling her in for a hungry kiss.
.oOo.
Later that night, he turned towards her with a curious expression. "You're not that upset about your mark, are you?"
She ran a hand through her hair, thinking. "I was, but... not anymore. Not really."
"I'm glad to hear that. And, I suppose you'll beat me next time, Granger?"
"I'll be sure of it, Malfoy."