Disclaimer: Everything is owned by J.K Rowling except for the plot

Ch. 20: Closer

"Granger, I have something to say." Draco said with determination while holding Hermione wrist tight but with care. "Listen. I don't know why, but I like-"

"Here we are at our library. Our collection of books may not be much, but we are constantly adding new and interesting ones to it. Ah. Seems like someone is here already." The voice of Narcissa Malfoy was heard clearly throughout the large room the two teenagers currently occupied.

Draco groaned and cursed inwardly at his mother's horrible timing. He reluctantly loosened his grip on Hermione's wrist, but his stormy gray eyes didn't leave her confused honey brown ones. He couldn't tear his eyes away from her alluring features.

"Malfoy. What did you want to say?" Hermione said to him also unable to break her gaze. The ghostly imprint of his hand on her wrist lingered when he released her. She felt as if he was going to say something very important. Somewhere in the realm of romance? Maybe mum was right. He might have feelings for her? She grew hopeful as she watched him hesitate to speak. Her heart beated loudly against her chest waiting silently in anticipation. As each excruciating second passed, wariness and doubt started to creep into her.

Draco searched her confused yet hopeful eyes. He gulped and started again despite the new occupants in the library. "I like-"

"This library is enormous! I'm sure Hermione would love this place. Wouldn't she, Richard?" June Granger's voice resonated through the room.

The blonde's eyes widen in surprise as he was interrupted the second time. He groaned again and ran his hand through his hair in frustration. This obviously wasn't the right time. He spoke again to cover any suspicion. "I like this new book of spells. I'm sure you will enjoy it as well. Take it with you."

With a snap of his fingers, one of the newer books in the library's collection flew over quickly to them within a second. This was one of the few nameless spells he was proud to master. It may be an useless spell to others, but to an avid reader like him he was happy with it. The book floated onto his outstretched hand and he graciously handed it to her. Then without a word, he turned to walk out to where his mother and the older Grangers were.

Disappointed, she watched him turn behind one of the countless tall bookshelves and disappear out of her sight. Hermione looked down at the book he gave her along with the one she was already holding. Returning the previous book she was holding back in its place, she studied the new one in her hands. The title did look interesting like he said, but something told her that it wasn't what he originally intended to tell her.

If they had a few more seconds alone, would the outcome be different? She stared at the book while contemplating, but shook her head reminding herself her parents were now here. Opening her purse where she conveniently placed an undetectable extension charm, she carefully placed the large book in the compartment where she currently kept a few other reading materials. Making sure it was secure, she followed the same way as Draco had gone to where the others were.

She was pleasantly surprised to see the oddest group of four people chatting about as if they were friends for a long time. Admiring the gentle smile on Draco's face, she silently walked up to them not wanting to interrupt them. Busy looking at the Slytherin, Hermione didn't see Narcissa Malfoy's quick flicker of the eyes and the knowing smile that crept up on her charming face.

"Nice to have you join us, Ms. Granger. I have had a wonderful time showing your parents around. I hope you had an equally nice time with Draco." Narcissa said bringing attention to everyone else that Hermione was there. They all faced to turn to her.

"Yes. Thank you. Mrs. Malfoy." Hermione said pleasantly. She stepped up beside her parents who each gave her a quick hug. A house elf suddenly appeared in front of them causing the older Grangers to jump, but later laugh at their own silly reaction. It notified the five it was time to go back to the ballroom and thus they went. Walking back to the room, the pair of Malfoys were in front leading the pack while the Grangers followed.

Away from earshot, Narcissa asked Draco if he did anything during their time alone. Draco denied it easily and refrained from speaking any further. This felt odd to Narcissa as she thought back to the way Hermione had looked at her son a few moments before. It was definitely an affectionate gaze; she just knew it. Then she realised it, the Granger girl also mutually liked her son. Mrs. Malfoy smiled at her son who looked at her with confusion, but didn't ask about the reason behind her smile as they reached the grand ballroom. The five bid their goodbyes and went to their respective tables before the fundraiser lunch began.

Draco begrudgingly sat at his seat in the head table and glanced back to where his mom assigned the Grangers' seats. Seeing Hermione laugh and smile heartily with her friends who she found near her table made him grin, her smile and laughter was contagious. Coincidentally, she turned his way and their eyes met.

She smiled to him politely with a slight nod of her head and turned back to her friends. Unaware of the faint blush on Hermione's cheek as she turned away, the quick second of her acknowledgment of him surprised him. He wasn't fast enough to look away, but another thing weighed in his mind. Her smile to him was different than the smile she gave her friends. He also wanted her to be more open and free towards him like the way she was with her friends. Although he did see it once, it was the time they played games at her house, but it must have been because she was around her parents.

He heard his parents stand up and announce the start of the fundraiser. It was in the form of an auction. Instead of paddles with numbers, everyone had their wands out ready. When they wanted to make an offer, the wizards and witches spoke a specific spell which the wands shot out a ray of light in colors preferred by the owner of the wand towards the auction stand. The stand displayed the name of the spell's owner and the amount they had in mind in elegant readable cursive font and color of gold. There was also an announcer who quickly announced each bid with the name of the bidder.

The auction went by as normal as it was for Draco with numerous bidders for each ancient antiques his parents managed to whip up. He was rather bored with it until an certain item appeared that made him gasp in horror. He heard the crowd go "aww" and "so adorable" along with some chuckles from the direction of the Wealseys and Potters section of the room which added on to his feeling of dread.

It was a large framed photo of him! Well, not just him. Blaise, Scarlet, and William were in the photograph as well. The younger three of them were around the age of five and William, ten. It was a candid photograph of them on their broomsticks flying around laughing without a care in the world. William was standing in the grass holding a broomstick in his hand grinning up to the three like a proud mother bear.

Draco glanced over at the three other people in the room who also carried the look of bewilderment with their wands at the ready. They weren't going to let anyone they didn't know take this photo home; however, they did want to claim it as their own. Before the announcer could finish saying, "The bidding will now start", flashes of silver, green, blue, and gold from the four wands shot through the room trying to claim the photo as their own. There were some random other bids from others who tried but was over bid quickly by the four.

The spell was repeatedly casted at the auction stand as they tried to make the highest bid to win the photograph for their own individual reasons. The rapid fires of the spells were so fast the announcer couldn't keep up until the bid was so high Blaise and William backed out. It was ridiculous high for a photograph of children, but Mrs. Malfoy knew of ways to garner high donations for the charity she was supporting. She smiled politely with hint of mischievousness as she watched the four grown children fight over this item. She had already predicted this situation easily as she knew the four children's personalities well.

Finally, it was between Draco and Scarlet. Draco eventually backed down as courtesy for Scarlet to be the final bidder at 108,000 Galleons. The announcer started to count down the three seconds for Scarlet to be claimed the owner of the photograph until they saw a single flash of burgundy hit the stand. The bid read "108,001 Galleons for Hermione Granger".

Shocking everyone speechless, they all turned toward the source of the spell and stared wide eyed at the spell caster. The three seconds count were up before Scarlet could regain her senses and bid again, but the framed photograph was already claimed as Hermione's. She saw Hermione laugh in delight from her win as she high fived her both parents who mirrored her laughter. It seemed that the Grangers did very well as muggles teeth healers if they could afford to spend that much on a photograph. Scarlet saw Hermione look at her and mouthed the word "sorry". She giggled at her friend and shook her head in response that she didn't have to worry about it.

The next item was brought out and an excited shriek was heard from Hermione's direction. Draco glanced her way and saw her peer at it with admiration, desire, and later determination. It was a first edition of Hogwarts, A History previously owned by Bathilda Bagshot, the author, and her own extra side notes in it. It was a very unique and one of a kind item. His mother never ceased to surprise him. Where she obtained it from. He would never know.

When the bidding started, it was obvious that Hermione would bid for the book. Her biggest competition was an elderly old man known for his collection of prized books. The bid continued on until it was in the 100,000 Galleons range again.

He saw that Hermione seemed frantic and desperate but eventually set down her wand sadly. Her parents patted her back to reassure her and she smiled back at them. When the elderly wizard was about to be announced the winner of the bid, Draco quickly casted a spell at the stand shocking the audience once again. He was announced the winner as the elderly man had set his wand down earlier believing he was the definite winner of the book and was unable to cast a spell fast enough to counter towards the auction stand.

Draco wasn't entirely sure what compelled him to do that. But now, he was the owner of another blasted Hogwarts, A History book. He barely finished reading through his own copy once. Draco leaned back on his chair with a groan and ran his hand through his hair again.

The rest of the fundraiser went by without much excitement. Lunch was prepared and enjoyed by everyone. The auction items were scheduled to be sent to the winner's home later in the day via owl mail. Everyone said their goodbyes as they headed out the way they came. The host family stood at the door of the room to thank everyone for coming as everyone left; well, Mrs. Malfoy thanked them while her boys stood there silently.

Only a few days left until it was back to Hogwarts again, Draco sat haphazardly in his arm chair in his bedroom. He absentmindedly waved his wand around causing the neatly placed paper on his desk to float upwards and dance around in circles until he lowered his wand as it settled itself back down on the desk. Then the cycle continued. His mind was wandering back to the time he almost confessed that day and the way she smiled differently to her friends. If he had confessed to her, would she smile the same way to him? Draco placed his wand on his armrest with a heavy sigh.

A thought popped into his mind. An advice he heard William say once to Blaise when they were younger: "If you want a girl to like you, you have start by being kind to her. Get to know her better." That was all he remembered. And without second guessing, he walked to his desk and started to write a letter to the girl on his mind. After giving the letter to Blade, he felt an emotion foreign to him: anxiousness. Waiting by his window for what felt like hours, he started to doubt himself. Why would she write back? It's not like they were friends. Were they? Then he saw his faithful owl out in the distance and he smiled for the first time that day.

When Blade swooped in and dropped the letter in Draco's hands, Draco gave him a huge helping of snacks and opened the envelope eagerly. Her feminine but neat handwriting was a welcoming sight to his eyes. His letter just carried simple remarks about the break, the ball, and the book.

He guffawed uncharacteristically when he read that her parents, particularly, her father was the one who desired the photograph during the auction. She felt bad that she won the item from Scarlet right at the last second, but Richard was so fascinated about the subject of flying he wanted something that depicted it. Not to mention, the proceeds went to a good cause. Her message was much longer and detailed than his.

As he read the rest of the letter, he could sense the enthusiasm and bright personality in her words while a smile lingered on his face.

The first week back to Hogwarts was a blur. Everyone was excited to see their friends again, but most weren't about classes starting again. Since the day Draco wrote to Hermione, they exchanged letters everyday for the rest of the break. The day she saw Blade swoop into her room surprised Hermione. She didn't expect to receive a letter from him. Being civil no less, but she was otherwise delighted. In their letters, they learned more about each other while joking around. Draco surprisingly had a great sense of humor.

When they met for the first time at the train station since writing to each other, it was awkward at first but they were able to break the ice easily and talk comfortably. They still referred to each other with their surnames. They were so customed to it that they didn't mind. Hermione did notice; however, Draco wasn't as friendly and open to people he wasn't familiar with. I mean it took her several years until they finally spoke like normal people or dare she say it, friends. His walls go up and his defense strong as he spoke formally with strangers or people he didn't want to associate with.

What surprised Hermione a lot was that Blaise acted normally with her as if the night of the masquerade ball didn't happen. She didn't question it as she was very grateful. However, she did notice he wasn't quite himself recently and there seemed to be a tension between Scarlet and him. To Hermione, Scarlet was equally unlike herself. It worried her but it seemed both parties weren't ready to share whatever was going on between the two so Hermione didn't push for answers.

Since the train ride, Draco and Hermione were seen together more often than before. The reason was partially due to their owls wanting to spend time with each other, but now they enjoyed each other's company. Blaise, Scarlet and Draco were now a permanent part of Hermione's close friends circle. They interacted with each other as if they have been friends since first year. Looking past their prejudices and past childish behaviors, the group was now more close knit than ever.

Some other students still didn't agree with their behaviors, but stopped themselves before spouting out nonsense about then since two of one of people in the most popular group in Hogwarts were Heads. Not to mention, Ginny was pretty scary when needed to be.

...

His shoes clicked against the cold stone step as he ascended up onto the last notch of the stairway. Every step he took echoed throughout the tall astronomy tower. The sound could be heard bouncing around. The dark orange rays from the sun trickled through the windows as it began to settle down behind the far hills beyond the distance.

His heart quickened as his breath was caught at his throat as it had done every time he saw her since the beginning of term. She was leaning against the wall looking down and out the tower with a kind smile etched across her face. As he has gotten to know her more, he had come to like her more if it was even possible. His shoes gave him away as she noticed his presence and turned to him with a bright smile.

"Malfoy! You're here. I'm glad you told me about this place. It's so relaxing and quiet. I could just sit here all day and just watch the scenery." Hermione said as she took his hand and pulled him gently towards the window.

He followed her steps as he allowed himself to be pulled by her. Looking out the window, he saw the peaceful school grounds painted with the orange and yellow hue from the setting sun.

"Charcoal and Blade took off towards that direction some time ago. They should be back any minute." Hermione said as she pointed out the window. He nodded silently. They watched the sun set quietly in a comfortable silence. Draco really liked times like these where it was just the two of them. It felt pleasant and peaceful. Their alone times were special to him. Taking him by surprise, he felt her rest her head on his shoulder as she continued to admire the scenery. He didn't move away from her and enjoyed the new contact. Trying to stay as still as he could, he was afraid if he even twitched a little she would move away.

"This year has been so different." She started to say without looking up. He agreed with a "umhumm". She felt his heart beat in rhythm as she leaned on him. It felt different than when she does the same thing with Harry and Ron. It felt more comfortable, but she could feel her heart quicken as soon as she touched him. Her reaction to their touch was nothing she had ever experienced before. Not in this level of intensity. Even though she felt this way, she didn't want to move away. Her body wouldn't let her move. It was like it was meant to be. It didn't seemed he minded since he didn't push her off.

"I'm glad we are friends." Hermione said without looking up. Immediately when she said the word: friends, she instantly regretted it. She didn't want to just be friends. She wanted something more than that.

His heart clenched when he heard her comment about their relationship. Yes, friends. That is all that they can be. That's the extent of their relationship. No more than that. Well, how can they be any more? He's a Malfoy and a Slytherin. He tormented her since first year. Being friends was already a miracle, an impossible feat now made possible.

"Yeah..." He said quietly and relunctantly. Hearing his response, Hermione smiled sadly but quickly covered it up with a bright smile as she continued to look out the window. The two of them stood once again in silence overlooking the castle grounds in the tall astronomy tower waiting for the return of their owls.

...

It was finally another weekend and the older students were ready to leave the castle to visit Hogsmeade. The weather was oddly warm with a nice, gentle cool breeze every now and then. Hermione was the first of her friends to arrive at the previously agreed upon meeting spot at the entrance of the school. She spent her waiting time reading one of the books Draco had recommended a few days earlier. Most of the books Draco recommended were in fact interesting. She was pleasantly surprised when she learned that she and Draco had similar taste in books. And not only just in books. They had many similar interests that didn't include flying.

"Hermione?" She heard someone call her. Seeing a pair of boots step in front of her, she made a mental note of her spot on her page she was on and looked up.

"Micheal!" She smiled to the good looking Ravenclaw. He was sporting a nice blue jacket with black slacks.

"I haven't seen you since you left me at the ball. I was abandoned." He said jokingly to her with a fake frown.

"I'm sorry. I warned you, didn't I?" She giggled at his silliness.

"Yes, you did." He nodded with a smile.

"You weren't too alone, were you?" Hermione asked with a knowing smile.

"No..." He said with a creeping blush. "I met Alice Harper that night. We are going out now." Micheal said as he rubbed his hand on the back of his neck unsure if telling her was the right move.

"Good for you! She's a nice girl. Smart girl. Sixth year Hufflepuff Prefect." Hermione nodded. Then a gust of wind swept by with a few leaves. They tried to cover their face from the leaves and the wind. But unfortunately, some dust was caught in one of Hermione's eyes. "Ah!..." She reached for her eye as she closed it shut because of the unwelcomed speck of sand.

"Let me help you." Micheal said with good intentions. He leaned closer to study her face better.

"Thanks." Hermione said as she started to feel her eye tear. She sat still waiting as he helped her. After he was done, she felt much better as she blinked her eye several times to rid of any excess dust. She looked up to Micheal with smile as she wiped away the tear the escaped from her eye.

As she was about to thank him, Hermione saw somebody grab his shoulder to turn him their way. The next thing she knew Micheal was right hooked in the face. She stood immediately and yelped in shock. She immediately identified the assaulter.

"Malfoy! What was that for?" She said as she rushed over to Micheal to see if he was alright.

Although he was still standing, Micheal was knocked backwards disoriented. He struggled to stand as he tried to make sense of what just happened. He reached up to his now starting to bruise cheek. Before he could say anything, Draco reached over and grabbed Hermione's wrist. Micheal was left standing there alone baffled and appalled at what just happened.

With Hermione following behind him, Draco pulled her along and marched down a path not caring where he was going. He couldn't hear her yelling at him to stop. He just kept replaying the Ravenclaw boy and Hermione with tears on her face. It made him even more furious when she ran to the Ravenclaw to check on his well being. He didn't deserve her concern since he made her cry in the first place. All the Slytherin blonde could see was red. He just kept walking with a firm grip on Hermione's wrist.

Feeling a heavy jerk from his occupied hand, he finally regained his senses back and realized what he had done. His feet suddenly halted at the spot as he felt Hermione bump into him with an "oomph" because of the abrupt stop. He cursed under his breath. His stupid primal instincts did it again. How was he going to explain this now?...well... she was crying... Draco wasn't sure if he wanted to turn around to face her. He winced when he heard her say his name in a harsh tone.

"Malfoy! What in the blazes is wrong with you?" Hermione asked clearly confused by her new friend's actions. "Do you have a beef with Micheal? Do you know him? What did Micheal do to you?" She continued on.

"Stop saying his name!" Not liking the fact she was saying the name of the guy who made her cry, he shouted out loud. Just at that moment, a few students walking by stared at him and then whispered to each other under their breaths who knows what. He could care less.

In his blind rage, Draco had taken them to a not well known path towards Hogsmeade. Although not many would frequent there, there were still a few students strolling by making their way to the little town.

"What? Why? How could you punch him? Out of nowhere?" She questioned incredulously. Both of them not realizing that Draco still had a hold on her wrist.

"He deserved it!" He said with anger as his fury started to build up again because she was defending a guy that didn't deserve defending.

"What? What did he do?" She asked again trying to look Draco in the face, but he wouldn't turn around.

"He made you-. Look, forget about it." He groaned when he almost said what he thought.

"How can I forget it about it? You just punched Micheal in the face!" She said as she waved her free hand in the air unable to fathom why he would do what he did.

"Stop saying his name!" He shouted again as his anger rose higher.

"Malfoy. What is wrong with you? What did Micheal do to you?" She asked again ignoring his comment about the name. She wanted to know. She wanted to get to the bottom of this.

"..." He didn't answer. How was he supposed to?

"Why did you punch him?" She nudged again.

"..." It's because you cried! You bloody Gryffindor! You make me go crazy! I end up doing things I would never think of myself doing because of you! He screamed in his mind.

"Why would you punch him out of nowhere?" She asked again.

He couldn't stand it anymore. Draco turned and pulled at his hand that still held Hermione's which caused them to stand closer than they were. He saw her gasped softly as the sudden tug took her by surprise. They now faced each other for the first time since he punched the stupid Ravenclaw. He finally opened his mouth and exclaimed.

"It's because I like you, alright?! He made you cry and I got mad!" Before Draco could stop himself, his inner most thoughts were said to the person he was most afraid to tell. His eyes widen as she stood motionless and stared back with an unreadable expression.

His mind was running a mile a minute. As the ever pessimist he was, he thought of the worst. What was she going to say? Was she going to turn him down? Revoke their friendship? Be disgusted with his emotions towards her?

"You... like...me?" He heard her say slowly and quietly. His dread started to build up in place of his anger. He was more worried with what she was going to say than what the Ravenclaw did to her at the moment. "Malfoy. I don't know what to say. I'm so flattered." She said with a bashful smile. He observed her as she took in this new information. It seemed she was thinking about what to say. His coward self wanted to run away, but he was rooted to the ground immovable. He couldn't tear his eyes away. What was she going to say? The suspense was killing him.

After what seemed like forever to him, she finally said. "I...I like you too."

A/N: They finally confessed! Yay! I hope you guys liked this chapter. Sorry about the tease in the beginning. I just had to do it. Couldn't help myself. Haha. What did you guys think? Did you like it? Love to hear from you. I can't thank you guys enough for reading my story.

For those of you wondering, if any, the timeline of the story is around 70% done. Maybe at the most ten more chapters. I hope I can keep your attention until the end. If not, it's fine... I will just cry in this dark corner alone. Lol Jk.

Any hoo, One Punch! I have sworn off all soda now. Yay, health!

I will try to update as soon as I can. Sorry for the long wait again. Well, I am off.

Cheers,

DiagonAlleyorBust