Chapter Fifteen

After filling Ron in on the plan with Harry, Hermione headed back to the library. She didn't particularly feel like facing Lavender in the dorms after the way Ron had dismissed her. She barely had made it out after donning a sweater and pulling her hair up.

She wandered the corridors, only mildly caring that it was very close to curfew. She had borrowed Harry's cloak anyway. Normally, she'd be against so blatantly disregarding the rules for no reason, but she was feeling so overwhelmed, she just needed a break.

She needed to think. Her feelings were becoming… strange. At first she thought she had started a fascination with Draco due to his confessions and his turning to the Light. But now – now she wasn't so sure. He filled many of her thoughts throughout the day. She kept trying to talk herself out of it. She told herself she was being crazy, but no amount of admonishing herself would stop her growing feelings.

And there it was; Hermione Granger now had feelings for Draco Malfoy. She had caught him staring in class…in the Great Hall… in the library. But did staring mean he was feeling something too? She wasn't sure and she didn't know how to be sure.

Just as she rounded the corner and saw the entrance of the library, she stopped. Draco had just entered the corridor from the staircase that lead up from the Entrance Hall. He was walking quickly, brow furrowed and determination on his face. A few moments after he entered the library, Hermione hesitantly stepped forward, following his trail.

Was he here to find her? Or was he just looking for a specific book? She wasn't sure which idea she preferred. Her heart pounded as she silently entered the library and saw him disappear toward the back shelves; toward her usual chair.

Her stomach twisted in on itself. Maybe he really was looking for her. Her feet moved quicker, carrying her quietly through the empty aisles. She rounded the last shelf that blocked her usual spot from view. Just as she did, she saw Draco run his hands across his face. He mumbled a curse and she gasped.

As he spun around, Hermione whispered, "Malfoy…" quickly followed by: "I've been looking for you." She had? Had she? She had been thinking of him all day. She was debating telling him her feelings. Wasn't she?

"I've been looking for you too," his whispered response caught her off guard. He stepped closer and she almost stepped away, but caught herself. She could hear her already speeding heart beat harder in her ears. She looked up at him just as he raised his hand and gently caressed the side of her face and lifted her chin even higher.

Just as she was about to lose her nerve and look away, Draco leaned in. She felt her eyes flutter closed as he pressed his lips softly against hers. She went rigid but then found herself winding her arms up and around his neck, holding him in place. He wrapped his left arm around her waist and shifted her closer. Hermione wasn't sure she was breathing any longer.

She'd not had much to compare this too. An awkward lip lock at thirteen with a Muggle neighbor at the cinema and an overly… wet kiss with Viktor in fourth year with mild groping did not even come close to this. It was gentle, and sweet, two traits she had never attributed to Draco Malfoy.

Just as she was about to pull away, Draco did. He placed his forehead on hers as they both panted for breath. She looked up to see his eyes were still closed and smiled slighty.

"We need to talk," he breathed out. Her throat constricted and she only nodded. He finally pulled away from her, sliding his hand from the back of her neck down her arm to grasp her right hand in his left. He squeezed slightly. "Would you be willing to go to the Room of Requirement with me? For privacy."

She only nodded. She was a little nervous to follow him, but she knew it would be best if she did. If Harry looked for her on the map and found her with Draco… No, the Room of Requirement would be best as it was unplottable by the map. Quickly, they exited the library and made their way up the staircases, their hands never disconnecting until they reached the expanse of wall that housed the entrance to the Room of Requirement. Hermione allowed Draco to pace the floor, choosing an appropriate room for the pair.

Draco held the door open for her and she entered before him, feeling his eyes on her back the whole time. Once he entered the room and pulled the door closed behind him, Hermione took in the room. He had conjured a dimly lit room that appeared to be an office. The floors were deep, chocolate colored wood and there was a fireplace with two plush armchairs in black velvet in front of it. Beyond the chairs was a large wooden desk with a chair of leather behind it.

Draco led them to the armchairs, and even with shoes on, Hermione could tell the rug beneath her feet was the softest she'd ever encountered. Draco waited until she sat before he seated himself. She crossed her legs and leaned back into her chair, looking into the fire but stealing glances at Draco.

He seemed nervous and she waited for him to speak. Finally, he looked up at her and a smile ghosted across his face. It disappeared as quickly as it came.

"Granger, talking is hard for me. But you need to know some things." She nodded. "I have been developing…feelings. For you. I didn't want to, but not for the biggest reason I know you're thinking. I want you to know I do not believe any of what my father or the others have tried to teach me. I haven't believed it in a long time. Blood has nothing to do with superiority."

Hermione smiled at him. "Hearing this is surprising but I would like to believe you. I have some feelings towards you as well."

Draco looked away from her and into the fire. "I suspected maybe you did… Which is why I need to tell you this before we go any further. Granger, I… I am the reason Ron nearly died. You already know about Katie. But Ron, he was my fault too. I thought you should know."

Hermione felt the air leave her lungs. She had wondered, suspected even, that he may be the one responsible for Ron's incident. But to hear it confirmed…

"I need to go." She abruptly stood and ran for the door.

"Granger, wait!" She stopped with a shaking hand on the door handle. "I didn't mean it to be him. And I hate that I meant it to be Dumbledore. I hate myself for so much. Please, know that."

Hermione only nodded and fled the room, the door shutting with a quiet snap behind her.