Chapter Sixteen

Over the course of the next week, Draco tried to pretend Hermione's silence didn't get to him. He managed to catch her watching him a few times in class. She always looked away immediately, but the little looks always made his stomach flutter. He kept reliving their kiss in his head and wondered if she did too.

Despite his feelings, he knew it was a dangerous time to be distracted so he tried very hard to focus on his Occlumency and keep her in a box in his mind. His Mark was nearly always burning anymore but Severus assured him there was no cause for panic. The Dark Lord was just readying for an attack. Knowing there would soon be an attack scared Draco to the ends of the earth. He was afraid the Dark Lord would learn that Draco had turned. He was afraid his mother wasn't hidden well enough. And he was afraid the Dark Lord would find out about Hermione.

The days had passed quickly since Hermione had left him in the Room of Requirement and he was convinced she wanted nothing to do with him any longer. He was beginning to feel stupid for even admitting his feelings to her.

The next Friday, in Ancient Runes, Draco took his spot at the back of the class and watched as the other students filed in. Hermione surprisingly was the last one in the room. As she passed his desk, a folded piece of parchment dropped to the floor. He looked down to see a small D written on it in what was unmistakably Hermione's neat handwriting. He grabbed the note and glanced up to Hermione but she was busy copying down notes from the blackboard.

Draco –

Same place tonight. 7pm.

H

Draco felt his stomach tighten. He glanced at his watch. It was only two o'clock. Seven seemed like a long time away.

He was fidgety in the remainder of his classes and all through dinner. He kept checking his watch. He was bouncing his knee under the Slytherin table at six forty five when Theo slapped his arm.

"Will you stop that?" Theo demanded.

"What? Oh, sorry," Draco stilled his knee. "Distracted." He glanced at his watch again. Damn. Only six forty seven.

"I've noticed, mate. Would this have anything to do with a particular muggle born?"

Draco's eyes widened and he whipped his head to face Theo. "Excuse me?"

"I thought so," Theo chuckled. "Don't worry, mate. Your secret is safe with me. I only noticed because I watch you more than you watch her." Draco just gaped at him. "Close your mouth. I'm smarter than anyone gives me credit for."

"You have to keep it –"

"A secret, I know. Why would this be the secret I spill out of all the secrets I know?" Theo winked at him.

Draco gulped nervously and nodded in thanks. He dropped his eyes to his watch again. Six fifty two. He glanced at the Gryffindor table. Granger's bushy head was still there, back to him, chatting with the Weaslette. He decided it was okay to leave now. Leaving at the same time might be odd anyway. He stood. Theo nodded at him and tucked back into his turkey dinner.

Draco nearly sprinted up to the Room of Requirement even though he knew Hermione hadn't left the Great Hall before he did. By the time he made it into the room from the week before, he was winded and disheveled. He took a moment to get himself under control and smooth his hair and clothes. Just as he turned toward the armchairs, the door clicked open and Hermione sidled inside.

She smiled at him and he tried hard to keep his heart from leaping. Just as she had waited on him to talk last week, he waited for her to speak this time. Finally she stepped away from the door and gestured to the chairs. He led her there and waited for her to sit before he lowered himself onto his chair. Pureblood manners and all that.

He stared into the fire, his errant knee bouncing again as he waited on her to speak. Finally, he heard her take a breath and his eyes shot to her face.

"I forgive you." She stated simply.

Draco was at a loss for words. So she forgave him for poisoning her best friend. Did that mean… "Does this mean…"

"It means I forgive you. I understand you would not have intentionally poisoned Ron. I know that you only did it under orders. And now… I like to think you've changed."

Draco simply stared at her, blood rushing in his ears.

"I'd like to… to have a conversation about… about what happened between us last week," she sounded much less confident saying this. She was staring at her fingernails now.

Draco smirked. "You mean the kiss, Granger?" He watched her blush and rose to his feet. He grabbed her hand and lifted her to her feet as well. She looked at him, color still on her cheeks and smiled slightly. He felt his stomach swoop and he bent his head to capture her lips.

She was less hesitant this time. She opened her mouth to him almost instantly and stepped into his arms. She once again wrapped her arms around his neck and fisted his hair into one of her hands. He groaned slightly. And bit her lip. He pulled her back, just enough to have room to speak.

"Thank you, Granger. For forgiving me." She smiled again. He was beginning to love her smile.

"Of course," she whispered. She took a step back and only held lightly onto his hand. "But, I do need to ask. What is this?" She gestured with her free hand between them.

"Honestly, I don't know. But I would like to see what happens," Draco answered quietly.

"Me, too," Hermione said and stepped back into his arms, wrapping hers tightly around his waist and tucking her head onto his chest.

Draco hadn't hugged many people other than his mother in his life, but this felt nice. He rested his chin on her head and let her hold onto him for uncounted minutes. He felt more relaxed in this moment than he had at all since receiving his Mark.