A/N: Sorry for the wait, hope you like this installment!

Chapter 10.

It was their Wednesday get together after Draco's massage and Hermione was anxious after finally admitting to herself and Narcissa she was falling in love.

"You okay there, Hermione?" Draco asked politely, smiling briefly at her startled expression. She looked scared and it upset Draco greatly to see her looking frightened.

"Um, yeah; I'm scared of my own emotions - but how silly does that sound?" She laughed shakily, refusing to look away from her hands in her lap.

"How so, Hermione? I don't understand, their your emotions you're in control."

"How do you stop yourself falling in love? Answer me that, because Merlin knows I am!" Hermione questioned with bite. It reminded Draco of their arguements in school, she always held such controlled anger in her words; it frazzled him but then he took note of her words. How do you stop yourself falling in love? Could she mean what he hoped she meant? He was the only single male she seemed to ever be around; and she never asked to borrow his owl to send letters.

Draco's heart was thudding so hard he thought it was going to break through his ribs. He didn't know what to say; he was in love with her, that he was sure of; but he couldn't be sure who she spoke of. He gulped, what was he supposed to say? He could go and put himself right out there before he knew the facts and say I love you too, but that would come with huge consquences if she wasn't talking about him; things would become so awkward - did he want to risk it? No. Then there was always the do you know if he likes you back? but that made it seem he wasn't interested if it was about him - awkward again! That left him with you can't stop it, let him know!, that left things up to her but he could intervene too!

"You can't stop yourself loving somebody, all I can say is let him know. He probably feels the same!" He sighed, he slyly added he might feel the same too but knowing Hermione she probably still wouldn't pursue her feelings. And so Draco vowed to himself he was going to make this happen one way or another!

"I don't think I could bring myself to do it." Hermione sighed dismally, she didn't own enough confidence to tell him there and then. It wasn't even like they had been dating then she had fallen in love with him, she had just fallen in love - just like that! It was screwing with her head, it seemed to be like the fairytales she had read as a child, where the heroine met her prince and was destined to live happily ever after. But that didn't happen in real life, especially not Hermione's life. It was already true, if Draco was her 'prince', all she had to do was look in her past and see how he had treated her; though that wasn't exactly fair, because he had changed but it proved her point... kind of. The course of true love never did run smooth, she didn't really understand that quote until now as it seemed relevant to her as a person at the minute.

"It's alright, Hermione; nobody's going to force you. When you're ready, you're ready." Draco smiled, albeit a bit sadly; he would never be completely sure Hermione was speaking about him now, so he decided he'd have to take the bull by the horns when the moment presented itself. And hope. Because Merlin knows if he did something and she wasn't speaking about him, he would be well and truly screwed.

Hermione nodded, she was lost because for a first time she had no idea what to do. Where was her damned Gryffindor courage now? If it would just show itself every once in a while, this would be easy... but then she was never really one to jump in the deep end. Draco hadn't really shown her any obvious signs that he might just like her, even a little. But then again, what exactly was she looking out for?

"Come on, let's get you to bed." Draco instructed, startling Hermione out of her trance considerably. Draco rose from his seat and outstretched his hand to help Hermione from her seat. She blushed as she placed her small, dainty hand in his larger, masculine one. She just hoped he didn't see her blush! Alas he did and it made him feel more confident about Hermione was talking about him if just by holding her hand made her blush!

As he hauled her tiny weight up from the chair, he didn't let go of her hand and didn't let go even once they had reached her door. A silence occured, neither one wanting to break the trance the other seemed to be in. The gears in Draco's head started to chug away and soon enough he could hear his conscience screaming for him to kiss her. His mind was such a smart thing when it wanted to be, but sometimes Draco thought his own subconscience hated him or something as the song 'Kiss the Girl' hummed through his brain. It was in some Muggle movie, Hermione made him watch because it was her favourite childhood film. From what Draco could grasp, a very attractive mermaid (nothing like the ones in the lake at Hogwarts...unfortunately!) was pining for some human prince and so sold her voice to gain legs. It was sappy but then he was paying more attention to how close Hermione was leaning upon him!

Draco knew this was a good a time as ever to get his side across to Hermione. So saying a silent prayer, he began his descent down to Hermione's lush lips. It was like nothing he had ever experienced before as his lips glued to hers. It took her a moment before he felt her kiss back with passion. But then he panicked and pulled away, kissing her forehead before turning away and practically running down the hall!

-x-

Hermione raised her hand to her swollen lips and traced them with a finger. He had kissed her! Kissed her! She was thrilled, but then remembered he pulled away and ran away from her! She didn't know what to think. Did he regret it? Did she do something wrong? Her head hurt from all the thoughts. She sighed as she entered her bedroom, but then thought differently and ran down the hall all the way to Narcissa's room. She knocked on the door tentatively.

"Come in." came Narcissa's shouted reply through the door.

Hermione opened the door and slipped inside, trying to hide her confused tears that were pricking her eyes. Narcissa's welcoming smile wavered as she laid eyes on Hermione and she rushed to the girl she now considered a daughter. Narcissa guided her to sit upon the sofa in front of the fire.

"My dear, what is wrong?"

"I'm so confused, Narcissa!" Hermione wailed, throwing her hands to cover her face. Narcissa gently pulled Hermione's hands away from her face and kept them clasped in her elegant fingers. She did not press Hermione, if she wanted to elaborate she woud in her own time.

"I think I'm falling in love with your son," Hermione began, at this comment Narcissa's heart soared. She often hoped the two would get together! "and I mentioned in our meeting that I thought I had fallen in love, but I was scared. Draco was so nice about it, giving me advice... but then outside my room, he kissed me."

"Is that not a good thing?" Narcissa asked, silently rejoicing at the fact Draco finally made a move!

"It was but then, he pulled away, kissed my forehead and ran away! Narcissa, he ran away! What did I do to make him regret it enough to run away with out a word?" Hermione pleaded. It broke Narcissa's heart to see Hermione like this. Her son was such a fool; did he not realise the consequences of running away from a girl after such an intimate act? Narcissa smoothed Hermione's hair, calming her hysteria.

"I assume you did not tell him it was actually him you were speaking of?" Narcissa queried, to which Hermione shook her head frantically. "Well then, I think Draco was testing the waters, so to say; maybe he feels just as you do. All I can say is, give him some time to come to his senses."

With a final motherly hug and peck upon the forehead, Hermione headed back to her room, feeling a bit better than she did after Draco ran away.