Hermione was laughing her lungs out. It seemed like ages since she'd last laughed that way. Was Draco's wicked sense of humour rubbing off on her?
"You actually asked Nott to launch a bludger at her?! That's just mean!"
"No, Granger. That's just Quidditch nerves, but you know luckily McGonagall had charmed the commentators podium to repel bludgers. So no harm done."
"Luckily? Hermione snorted. "One would think you'd feel lucky if the bludger had met it's mark."
"No, Granger. I may be prideful, but I'm not violent", he said affronted.
"Yeah right."
"Fine, I concede. I'm only as violent as you're arrogant", he taunted.
"What? I'm arrogant?" she asked incredulously.
"Oh no. It's me Granger, Professor. I know the answer to everything. Please award me House points," he said, hand shot up in the air, hopping up and down, doing a dramatic but close imitation of Hermione in class. And then, looked at her as if challenging her to contradict what he'd just said.
"Okay, okay. I may be a bit of a show off but I'm not arrogant."
Draco smirked. "Same difference, Granger. Here's our stop."
He had been walking her to her dorm like a proper gentleman.
"Oh, yes. Here's your coat", she said, slightly disappointed that the evening had come to an end. He had lend her his coat since it was a chilly evening.
"Let me help you", he offered helping her and while he was, his fingers brushed her bare shoulders ever so slightly, sending a tingle through her spine and a jolt of current through Draco's nerves. Their eyes met, stormy grey and chocolate brown, sending a wordless acknowledgement to each other, but neither of them would lay down their ego and accept it.
Unbeknownst to them, a red-headed boy was hiding behind the statue and watching them with jealous eyes. He had sealed his fate the day he made the bet, just like he had sealed theirs. But he wasn't going to just let it slide. Not if he could have a say.
When Hermione walked into the Heads' common room, Harry and Ginny were waiting for her in a very compromising position. They were glued together in a way it was hard to tell who was who.
She felt awkward as well as a pang of jealousy. They were perfect for each other. Their conversations and even their bodies fit perfectly together. Hermione and Ron had never shared that kind of chemistry. Thinking back, Ron was a sloppy kisser and far from being able to hold a conversation with her.
In fact, the only person who had ever been able to keep up with her conversation was Draco. She shook herself out of her reverie, not wanting to think of those alluring silver eyes.
"Ahem. Sorry for interrupting you guys", she said not wanting to intrude on their privacy any further, "But the common room is not the most private place in Hogwarts."
Ginny separated herself from Harry and rolled her eyes unabashedly, "What a stroke of genius Hermione. We just could not have figured that out without the Brightest Witch of our Time".
"Oh come off it", said Hermione ignoring the comment. She knew she had interrupted a happy moment but she wanted some bloody decorum maintained in the common room.
"Harry, thanks for the cloak and the map by the way. Didn't need it much, though. Where's Ron?" She asked.
"Hermione, Ron is in the Gryffindor common room where we left him. Why do you ask?" Harry enquired.
"Well I saw him heading towards here when I checked the map for Filch, a few minutes ago, so I just assumed", she shrugged, "Anyway I've still got a foot of Charms essay that I need to finish up before midnight, so good night and good luck to you both", she added and started to walk away, when Ginny interrupted her.
"Hey, how'd it go?" She asked wiggling her eyebrows.
"Oh you know. Nothing special."
"You were out for almost four hours Hermione!"
"Yeah well, we ate... and talked."
"You talked? For four hours?" She asked, not believing it.
"Yes well you know how he needs to have a comeback for everything I say and I need to have a comeback for everything he says. It's a vicious cycle."
"So you were throwing comebacks at each other for four hours? Boy, you sure can talk." Ginny asked running her hands through her hair in frustration. Hermione nodded happily, like throwing comebacks was her favorite pastime.
"So you guys didn't throw anything else at each other? Kisses maybe?" She asked mischievously.
"Oh come of it Gin. You know 'Mione just went to save Ron's arse. She would never date that git", Harry interrupted her, to which Ginny glared in reply.
Hermione wanted to say yes. But she was hesitant. Why was she hesitating? Because she had the time of her life? With a Malfoy?
Oh no Hermione, get that Malfoy bug out of your head. Focus! She thought.
"Of course, Harry", she smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.
"So.. What are you? The Comeback Couple or something? Well at least you've discovered something in common! That's a start", said Ginny throwing up in hands in resignation.
"Ginny, Malfoy and I have nothing in common. And start of what exactly?"
"Of whatever has made your eyes twinkle", she said matter-of-factly crossing her arms.
"Ginny!" cried both Hermione and Harry in unison.
Hermione bade them a hurried good night and rushed up stairs.
Ginny turned to Harry after Hermione had left, "Fifty galleons Draco has a crush on her". Harry accepted smiling confidently.
Unfortunately, the Chosen One's luck had chosen to run out that night.
Draco walked into the common room with a slight skip in his step. He was happier than he'd been lately. He had brought a smile on the Granger girl's face and strangely enough, it made him happy. He was glad he had done something to fix the mess he'd made in life. Maybe now the nightmares would stop.
"Oi, mate. You're late!" Zabini called out.
"Of course not. It's not yet past curfew."
"No I meant you delayed more than we expected. We thought you'd be back in an hour. Pansy was furious. And here I see you skipping like a little girl in love. What's gotten into you mate?"
"Zabini, would you please stop dragging Pansy into every syllable you utter? Just keep her away from me will you?"
"Mate, in your current state, you could write up an essay right now about a certain river in Egypt", Blaise replied shaking his head incredulously. "And Pansy's not my pet that I can put a leash on her and keep her away from someone. Why don't you just tell her how you feel mate?" He added.
"What's to tell? I feel nothing."
"Yeah, well that's what I'm talking about, see? Tell her you feel nothing."
"Why should I tell her anything if I feel nothing?"
"Because otherwise, she'll think you feel something."
"That's her problem, not mine" he said with a finality.
"You're making a big mess for yourself mate. You know how Parkinson is."
But Draco wasn't listening. He had already gone to his dorm and closed the door behind him.
Author's Note:
HI! If you liked the book, please leave a positive review. It would mean a lot! Thank you! Happy Reading! :)
