The club was dark and heavy with noise. Draco turned his head and glanced at his partner currently fidgeting with her short skirt. He leaned down under the premise of whispering something seductive in his fake date's ear.

"You okay, love?"

Hermione's brown eyes shifted to his, and his chest ached at how uncomfortable she seemed to be.

"I'm fine—it's fine. I'm not used to wearing this type of clothing. I feel so exposed." She tugged at her skirt one more time and grimaced. "I do not have the body type for this."

Draco's gaze wandered down her supple figure, mouth watering as the curve of her bust led to voluptuous hips and thick thighs. He swallowed roughly and looked away with a blush.

"I see absolutely nothing wrong with your outfit, other than how it seems to be making you uncomfortable." He internally groaned at how rough his voice sounded. He'd been trying so hard to keep his infatuation from manifesting, but it was becoming harder and harder.

Hermione eyed him curiously before smiling softly and holding out her hand.

"How about a dance so we can try to blend in?"

Draco nodded, taking her hand and pulling her close. She rested her cheek gently against his furiously beating heart. He didn't want the moment to end. His heart felt like it could gallop right out his chest. He'd never been in love before, but he knew that was exactly what he felt for Hermione Granger. She was the kindest, sweetest, most unassuming woman he'd ever met. It was easy to fall head over heels.

He knew he was a shit person and felt like nothing he could ever do would make up for his actions during the war, so he buried those feelings as far as he could. Sure, they surfaced on occasion, especially during moments like these, but he'd never act on them. Hermione deserved a good man, someone with less taint on his soul.

Draco didn't want to think about how much his heart would break whenever she found that man.

O_o_O_o_O

I know you've never loved

The crinkles by your eyes when you smile

You've never loved your stomach or your thighs

The dimples in your back at the bottom of your spine

But I'll love them endlessly

O_o_O_o_O