This was the beginning of something great, this much Hermione knew. It was as if something suddenly clicked in her mind, as she realized just how deeply she felt for him. Was this love? It certainly felt like it. More than anything Hermione wanted to throw herself forward, to kiss him as desperately as she felt, but something logical told her to stay her ground and let him cross the distance on his own. Subconsciously her lashes swept down, her mouth twisting a little sadly.
Still, nothing could have prepared her for the way her stomach sank when she felt his hand tuck her hair behind her ear and then his presence move away. She could barely look at him, a gesture that would have seemed otherwise romantic to Hermione felt like a slap. Stupid. She was so stupid. She berated herself, desperately attempting to push the tears that were threatening to spill over in her eyes back down. She sniffed hard and pulled herself to her feet, desperate to conceal the emotions that were now threatening to consume her. She wouldn't make a fool of herself. That was what she was doing. She stared hard at the horizon, trying to regain her composure before she spoke. She needed to get away from Draco, sort through her emotions, find some way to get rid of this current state. Her planning was interrupted by the voice of the object of her consternation.
"Hey, are you okay?" Draco asked, suddenly at her elbow, the concern is his grey eyes cutting Hermione to the quick, threatening to destroy the paper-thin mask of a smile that she struggled to keep on her face. "Yeah, I think I got sand in my eye." She laughed, hoping he wouldn't notice the hollowness. "We better be heading back, it must be almost three." She added, slipping her shoes back on. Draco stared at her confused. "Oh, yeah, you sure you don't want to stay a little longer? We could get dinner on the way home." She felt only anger at this (truthfully lovely sounding) suggestion. How dare he try to get her to tarry any longer! To spend any longer with him would force her proverbial hand, revealing her true emotions, and Hermione was certain of nothing except how much this must not happen. "I can't. Thanks." She said, turning away from him and heading back towards the car, praying he wouldn't try to stop her. In some twisted way she found herself even more disappointed when she reached the passenger side of the car unhindered. This had all been a bad idea.