My eyes flickered open as the beginnings of morning light flickered through the green curtains. I sat up slowly rubbing at my temples. I hated waking up with a headache. I leaned over and moved the curtains out of my way, before grabbing my spare robes and making my way towards the bathroom. I took a quick shower and changed, dropping the dirty clothes off before heading down to the Great Hall for breakfast, eager to see Hermione.
I pushed past some younger students who were in my way, and paused in the entrance. She was sitting across from Potter and the ginger, I could see the circles under her eyes from here, but she seemed happy enough. She looked up suddenly and caught my eye, raising her hand up to fix her hair she gave me a small wave. Apparently we weren't public enough to be seen together? Or did she not want to risk things with Potter and Weasely? Or maybe she was waiting for the right, private time, to tell me she was choosing Weasely. I shook that off and wandered off towards the Slytherin table, my safe haven, the familiar. But there was nothing familiar about the way Pansy ignored me completely as I sat down, or the way Potter and the blood traitor's eyes flickered to my face immediately, the latter's filled with sadness and fear, Potter's with hate. Surprising myself, I lowered my gaze immediately. I wanted to make things easy on Hermione. Even if it meant playing nice...Or at least I would try. I made small talk with Blaise about Quidditch but my eyes were locked on Hermione at the Gryffindor table. I sighed and dropped my fork onto the table. Blaise and everyone around us looked up.
"Are you sure it's not all in your head man?" Blaise whispered quietly in my ear, "She hasn't even looked at you." I turned to shoot him a dirty look.
"As if it's any of your business." I muttered under my breath, "But we're having trouble with Weasely and Potter. We're trying to avoid conflict." It brightened my mood slightly to group us together, Hermione and I. We. I fought to keep a smile down. I stole another glance at Hermione and she was looking at me too. She gave me a knowing smile, a tiny one, meant only for me. And I loved it. I smiled softly back, rearranging my features from the usual smirk for the soft gesture. There was a movement from in front of you and my eyes moved to Potter. He turned to look at me and then back at Hermione, before his shoulders seemed to fall...in defeat? He turned and said something softly to Ron, Hermione looked puzzled, until they said something to her. Emotions flashed plainly across her face, confusion, anger, shock, before she looked rather happy. I watched her as a large smile stretched her lips and she said something excitedly to Potter and Weasely. After a second she jumped to her feet and threw her arms around both of them before walking into the middle of the hall. She caught my eye and raised one finger in a summoning motion. I glanced at Blaise before rising to my feet and walking towards her.
"Hello." She said warmly as I stopped a few inches from her.
"Good morning." I said pleasantly, my headache forgotten in her presence. "So, what was Potter saying?" She grinned, a strand of hair fell into her face. I raised my right hand and brushed it back behind her hair. It was soft against my fingertips.
"Oh." She shrugged, but she seemed rather happy. "He saw us looking at each other." A blush on her part. "And he said, 'Oh go ahead and go see him.'" She paused, "But...I think everything is going to be okay." She said, clapping her hands together. I was aware of many pairs of eyes watching us.
"Hermione." I said pleasantly. She fell silent and looked at me. "Do you know what would make things fantastic?" I said softly. She cocked her head for a second, before stepping forwards and pressing her lips to mine. I wrapped my arms around her, one around her waist, the other one in her hair, holding her to me. After a moment she pulled away, blushing at all the shocked faces. "Oh. Yes. That." I said, grinning. I took her hand in mine and squeezed it gently, leading her out of the Great Hall and out the front doors. Towards the tree where I had first confessed my feelings, only two days ago. I laid down in front of it, and when she didn't follow I propped myself up on my elbows and patted the ground next to me. She lowered herself to the ground in silence, and I pulled her down to my chest.
"Hermione?" I whispered once she was curled up comfortably next to me. She peered up at me under thick eyelashes.
"Draco?" She whispered back. I smiled again.
"Guess what?" She glanced up at me in disbelief.
"What?"
"I could see myself falling in love with you someday." I said softly, gently petting her hair. She looked up, emotions splayed clearly on her face.
"Me too." Her voice was barely a whisper. I looked down at her and grinned.
"You see yourself falling in love with yourself?" I asked mockingly. She looked up at me, and slapped my chest playfully.
"Jerk." She mumbled, burying her face in my wrinkled shirt.
"You're beautiful." I murmured softly, kissing the top of her head.
I didn't know where things would go from here, but wherever it was, I wanted Hermione to be there with me...Forever.
Andddd...that's the end. (: 3