Chapter 11-Irony

All over Hogwarts Hermione and Draco's impasse was a hot topic of conversation nowhere more so than amongst their friends all of whom had begun to wonder if they might need to intervene.

Gryffindor common room-11.30 pm

"Do you think she will kiss him?" Harry asked Ginny.

"I don't know," Ginny responded, "we both know how incredible stubborn she is and, although I might be wrong, I think that Malfoy is really stubborn too."

"So it's the immovable object versus the irresistible force?" Harry mused.

"Do you think we should go down there, see if she is still okay?" Ginny queried.

"She's got to give in soon," Harry concluded.

"She had better not kiss that ferret faced git," Ron griped.

"She might not have a choice Ron," Ginny counselled, "not if she wants to catch the train and go home for the holidays."

Slytherin common room 11.45pm

"Do you think he will kiss her?" Nott asked.

"I don't know - I bet he wants to but I'm not sure he dare," Blaise replied before he continued with a sigh, "what I wouldn't give…if he does…lucky bastard."

"Do you think we should check on him? What if Potter and Weasley turn up?"

"They won't do anything, they won't risk hurting Granger."

"10/1 they are gone by the morning," Nott offered.

"I don't know they are both pretty stubborn, but with Granger's brain, nah…" Blaise concluded declining the bet, "I don't like the odds."

"Well I'm turning in we'll see what the morning brings." Nott decided as he made his way to the boy's dorm.

Headmaster's study 1.45 am

"Albus,"

"Minerva," Dumbledore acknowledge,

"I really must insist you intervene, you know how stubborn that pair are they have been under that mistletoe for nearly eight hours." The elderly witch protested.

"What would you have me do Minerva, you know as well as I that the spell cannot be broken."

Professor McGonagall bristled with frustration; "but surely Headmaster…"

"There is nothing I can do," the aged Headmaster insisted, "but even if there were I wouldn't."

"Whatever do you mean Albus?" McGonagall enquired.

"I mean that young Mr. Malfoy will need a friend, without that friend what he will be forced to do will break him. It may break him still…" Albus Dumbledore stopped mid-sentence as his Deputy Headmistress glowered at him;

"You forced them together," she accused.

"Perhaps," he replied enigmatically.

"At what risk Albus?" she demanded.

"Hopefully less than there would be otherwise."

Minerva McGonagall huffed, it was clear that she did not entirely approve of whatever it was Dumbledore was up to.

"And how long exactly do you expect them to remain there?" she demanded to know.

"Only until the Hogwarts' Express leaves tomorrow." He affirmed with that ever present mischievous twinkle in his eye.

Clearly exasperated with her old friend McGonagall said insistently, "Well at least have the house elves feed them Albus!" with that the Deputy Headmistress left, muttering something under her breath about taking advantage of innocent children.

The Great Hall 2.05am

"Malfoy," Grangers shrill tone broke into his consciousness.

"For Merlin's sake Granger just go to sleep," He grumbled.

"Close your eyes," she insisted ignoring his grumbling.

"They are closed you stupid witch!" he moaned.

"Well I needed to be sure," she shot back.

"Why?"

"Because it's the early hours of the morning and my bladder…damn it Malfoy I know I don't need to spell it out."

"Well couldn't you just use your wand like I did?" he demanded.

"No," she hissed, "Because it's on the floor over there. I dropped it when we collided."

"What do you need Granger?" he asked wearily.

"Some privacy and an appropriate receptacle," she gritted out through her embarrassment.

Draco scoffed but somehow he managed to conjure up an eighteenth century commode, really Malfoy, she inwardly groaned. Although in truth at that moment in time she thought she might just be eternally grateful to him for the relief.

After what he deemed a suitable interval of time he vanished the commode and lifted the mufilato he had cast.

"Better?" he asked.

"Much, thank you," Hermione replied.

"Did you just thank me Granger?" he asked her, she could hear the wicked smirk on his face though he still sat with his back to her.

"What are you afraid of Draco?" she asked in all sincerity, surprising him with the change of subject.

"I'm not afraid," he replied all too defensively.

"Then why won't you kiss me?"

He didn't reply, she thought that he wouldn't answer and then he surprised her;

"You know what I've been brought up to believe Granger." He said stoically before continuing, "I don't really believe it anymore you know." He admitted.

Draco felt her turn to look at him; perhaps she doubted he was sincere?

"That doesn't mean I can just disregard who I am Granger or where I come from, I have responsibilities…" he stopped then, he couldn't tell her anymore.

"So you're not revolted by me?" she asked quietly, shyly.

"Merlin no," he laughed, thinking of the way his body had responded to her, "quite the opposite really I think you are very beautiful, I have thought so for some time but…" he couldn't see her dubious expression and he might not have been so bold if he could, " look Granger if I were to show you any attention at all I put both our lives at risk and don't ask," he stopped her as he sensed that she opened her mouth to voice a question, "it is also safer that you don't know."

Hermione turned to look at him studying him closely as if she hoped to read his inner most thoughts written on his face like the pages of a book. Deciding not to push him, amazed he had told her so much, she merely sighed;

"It's ironic," she began,

"What is?" He asked looking down at her.

"That now you've told me this, now I at least in part understand why you won't kiss me, I wouldn't mind if you did."

He laughed bitterly at that; "I'm just an echo of the man you really want Granger."

"Can you be sure of that Draco?" she questioned.

Draco didn't respond if she only knew the internal struggle he was having, Merlin I want to kiss you, he told her silently, more than I have wanted anything in a long time but I can't put others at risk for my own selfish need.

"I'm tried," Hermione told him when he failed to respond. A long moment passed, he still didn't answer instead tapping his shoulder, a silent invitation for her to rest her head. So she did breathing in, once again, his wonderful scent and silently incanting, Godric help me! As she realised again how much he physically appealed to her.

Author's note

So now we see Dumbledore's hand in pushing this pair together. They are beginning to warm to each other a little but will they break the spell with a kiss or

continue to wait it out?

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