Maybe all it took was bumping into each other to change their hearts. FLUFF, ONESHOT, HGDM

A Change of Heart

Draco was stalking the corridors on Prefect duty looking for an innocent 1st year to bully when he bumped into Hermione Granger rushing out of the Library.

"Watch it Granger" he shouted half-heartedly, realising she was overflowing with books and couldn't see a thing.

"What? Oh go away Malfoy," Hermione muttered, irritated, Malfoy was just trying to irk her, she told herself, "I'm not in the mood."

"Oh," replied Draco knowingly, "not in the mood are we? Why, whatever's the matter, Granger?"

"Yes, because I'm going tell you," laughed Hermione.

"So sorry, mudblood, T'was only asking."

"Don't call me that," she mumbled, "it's unkind, and inhumane"

He didn't know why but he was suddenly conceding, "Sorry ,Granger."

"Erm... Have you seen Harry or Ron at all?" quietly asked Hermione.

"No," Draco replied "I don't associate with Potty and Weasel-King, they wouldn't ever talk to a Slytherin, let alone me. Besides, how can we talk when there is so much competitiveness. We'd only argue about Quidditch or the whole Light vs Dark thing," Draco sighed. "If only we could all talk, if only all Gryffindor's were as nice as…" Draco gulped, "you."

"Draco…did you say…as nice as...me?" stuttered Hermione, gazing unfathomably into Draco's grey eyes. Suddenly emboldened, she stepped forward, reaching for a stray lock of hair to brush aside. "Quidditch gets in the way of the more important things in life."

"All the important things," Draco agreed, moving closer to Hermione.

He was now so close to her that he could see her every eyelash, feel every breath she took tingling upon his cheek.

"Yeah," they both leant in to each other. Hermione pressing her hands into his chest and Draco's hands wrapped around her back. They kissed chastely, briefly. A flicker of eyes meeting. They kissed again, softer and exploratory. And again. They pulled away reluctantly and breathlessly Draco said, "I think I want to get to know you, Granger... ah...Hermione." He dipped his head and stole another kiss. "I think I want to get to know you very well."

"Mmm, yes, Draco," sighed Hermione, "I think that's definitely on the agenda."

Draco pulled her in to him tighter and stroked her hair contentedly.

Suddenly footsteps came banging down the hall, and what Hermione instantly recognised as Harry's laughter came echoing towards them.

"Harry's coming, I can hear him, we can't let them know about this, it's too soon to share…this thing we have"

"You're right, as always. No one must know... at least not yet," agreed Draco, "Not until the war is over. Will you meet me tonight? In the room of requirement, no-one will find us there?"

"Yes. Yes, of course," smiled Hermione, hand holding his cheek gently, she stepped back and turned, flashing him a winning smile and waving farewell as she fled the corridor.

Harry and Ron came round the corner chortling, looking around for Hermione, their eyes landed on Draco and they frowned.

"Hey Malfoy," Harry called, "You haven't seen Hermione have you?"

Draco grinned; maybe things were going to change after all.

"Yeah I have actually. She's just around the corner, mustn't have heard you shout."

"Oh right, well, thanks Malfoy." Harry smiled, holding out his hand, "Guess we owe you one."

Draco shook his hand and beamed, "Yeah Potter, guess you do, get going now before Hermione dies of loneliness."

Ron grunted and Harry rolled his eyes before running off to find Hermione.

Draco just laughed, all the way back to the Slytherin common room

FIN