Chapter 25

Draco's POV

I stared out across the surface of the black lake, the water lapping at my feet. I was meeting Hermione in a couple minutes. I'd told Blaise everything that had happened yesterday last night. He'd smirked a lot, but I could tell he was happy for me, he just didn't show his emotions much. Neither did I but I had been more and more even since I saw Hermione on the train. I'd received a letter from my mother this morning. It didn't say much and seemed rehearsed. I worried about my mother. She was very depressed. I don't think she wanted father to come home any more than I did. I wondered what my parents would think about Hermione being my girlfriend. I hoped I'd at least get a reaction out of my mother, she didn't say much anymore. I had no idea what my father would think. I hadn't really spoken to my father since the war. I didn't know if he renounced his old ways or not. If he hadn't he probably either forbid me to see Hermione or use her to get a decent reputation. If he had renounced his ways he'd be a total stranger to me and I had no idea what he'd do.

I started when I felt a pair of smooth, warm arms wrap around my waist. I smiled and turned to face Hermione. She looked beautiful, as always. "Hey," I whispered.

"Hi," she replied softly. "What are you thinking so hard about?"

"You." She smiled. It wasn't exactly a lie but I wanted today to be a good day. I didn't want to talk about depressing topics. "How was your morning?" I asked her.

"It was amazing," she beamed. "I woke up to find a cute little owl carrying a packet of liquorice wands." I grinned back at her. "I'm actually supposed to meet the secret admirer pretty soon," she teased.

"Huh," I said. "It seems I have some competition."

"Absolutely," Hermione nodded seriously, "He's very sweet and incredibly handsome." She couldn't keep a straight face and broke into a grin.

"Oh, is he?" I asked leaning down. Hermione blushed and looked down. "Well I suppose I'll have to give him something to compete with," I breathed. Hermione's face tilted upwards and she closed her eyes. I leaned down resting my forehead on hers then, instead of kissing her, I picked her up bridal style, turned and ran into the water, splashing the bottom of her dress. She screamed and wrapped her arms tightly around my neck.

"Draco!" she cried, but started laughing. I joined in, finally setting her down, we were both knee deep in the water and I was incredibly grateful that I was wearing shorts.

The water was pleasant and the bank was soft. Hermione tried to glare at me but she couldn't stop laughing, which only made me laugh harder. I bent over clutching my stomach, which ached from laughing so hard, and felt tiny droplets of cold water fall on top of my head. I looked up to see Hermione grinning mischievously at me.

I laughed, "Oh, you're dead!" I reached down, scooped up a handful of water which I then threw at her. Hermione ducked to avoid the worst of it but still got water all through her hair. She splashed water back at me and pretty soon we were engaged in a full on water fight.

Ten minutes later we collapsed on the bank, both soaked and breathless from laughing. I watched the clouds in the sky as I listened to Hermione's slow breathing. I don't know how long we lay there, but it was perfect. Occasionally we'd glance at each other and smile but just lying next to her made my heart race. It was so easy, much easier than it was being around anyone else. It was peaceful and quiet… too quiet. My brow furrowed as I listened carefully, there was hardly any noise, but when we'd first arrived the grounds were full of students. Hermione gazed at me curiously, silently asking me what was up. I sat up slowly and she did too. We both turned around to look behind us at the other students.

They were all staring at us.