Hermione looked around the lush room. Ruby red comforters with gold designs lined the bed. The dark grey walls had portraits of forest and other natural landscapes. To match, a small potted tree sat in the corner. It was cozy looking, if a little overdone.

Draco gave the room a once over. His lip curled into a tight sneer.

"I guess this will have to do."

Hermione rolled her eyes and went to the bed closest to the window.

She was happy to find a pen and blank notepad baring the hotel's logo in the nightstand drawer. Sitting back on the bed, she began writing notes on what needed to be done about the deer now that it was (supposedly) safe.

Seeing that she was preoccupied, Draco sighed softly and retreated to the bathroom for a much wanted shower.

An hour later found Hermione still scribbling away. She barely glanced up when the bathroom door opened, preferring not to lose her train of thought.

She felt, rather than seen, Draco move to the opposite bed. He laid down, crossing his ankles. She kept writing.

She heard his sheets shift. Then again. Finally, he turned to lay on his side, facing her with his head propped up on his arm.

"What are you doing?"

"Writing."

Draco rolled his eyes. "That much is obvious...what are you writing?"

Hermione glanced up to see if he was serious. Usually, when she told Ron or Harry that she was working, they would quickly shut up and find something else to occupy themselves. Her eyebrows came together as she studied his face.

He raised an eyebrow expectantly.

He genuinely seemed interested. Maybe it was the lack of things in the room to occupy his mind. She doubted he watched television, or even knew what it was. And she did not want to be the one to introduce him to it. The questions would surely be abundant and the background noise a distraction...plus, she might get into whatever show he picked.

She shook her head clear of these misdirected thoughts and looked back to him.

He had remained silent through her mental pondering but now, at her look, raised an eyebrow.

"If you don't want to tell me, then I'll find something else to talk about." He made a face. "Just don't make me sit here in silence."

Hermione looked to her little pages scratched with ink and shrugged.

"I am making a list of things that need to be done once we are home."

There was a bit of a pause.

"And what happens then? When we get home, I mean."

Hermione studied what she had written. "Well, first off, I am going find out who I need to speak to about keeping these creatures contained. I honestly don't expect Mr. Barnes to do anything properly, if he does anything at all, so I will have to do it to ensure everyone's safety. These creatures need protection and people need to be protected from them."

Draco nodded. "Yes, that's all fine, but I was referring to us." He sat up, crossing his legs underneath himself. His relaxed demeanor slipped away.

She placed the notebook on the comforter beside her feet and stared at the intrigued designs on its edge. Not knowing what to say, she found it was easier to keep quiet.

Her eyes flickered to him as he slid off of his bed and closed the difference between them. He sat at the foot of her bed, watching her intensely.

"Hermione, the charade is up. There is no longer a reason for you to come to my home. There is no longer a reason for us to speak on a regular bases." He licked his lips and continued when she did not speak up.

"But I'd like to." He slicked his wet hair back, smoothing it in one swipe to fall back away from his face. "Look, I know things haven't always been...hospitable between us."

She snorted at this. Hospitable, indeed.

He gave a weak smirk. "Okay. Things were downright horrid between us. But that has changed. You can't deny that."

He had her there. These last few months had shown just how nice things could be between them. He was no longer hostile towards her, despite their heated spats. But every couple had spats, right?

She inhaled sharply, her eyes widening. They weren't a couple. Why would she think that?

She peeked up at him, sitting patiently, watching her, letting her have her mental debate. Or seemingly patient. She noticed how his jaw was rigid and his lips were pulled tight.

He obviously wanted to be. Did she?

She chewed her bottom lip.

"I don't know," she admitted, to herself and to him.

Draco took a deep breath.

"Hermione..."

She raised a hand to stop him.

"Draco, we can't sidestep everything that has happened between us. Our childhoods were harsh when we interacted. We were thrown to opposite sides in a wild frenzy of a heartless war..."

She met his eyes. "Despite all that, I have found that I enjoy your company. You are arrogant, annoying, aggravating-

"Any day now, Granger."

She raised an eyebrow. "But also funny, challenging, and kind - when you want to be. I can't describe how I feel about the time we have spent together... But I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared."

"You don't have to be."

"I know I shouldn't be." She held his gaze. "But I am."

He scooted closer, pushing her notes aside to meet her face to face. Her chocolate eyes searched his stormy grey.

"Then let me change that..."

She could feel his breath on her cheeks as he spoke.

"I want to make this work between us," he continued. "...but only if you want it to."

She swallowed tightly against a lump in her throat. Taking a steadying breath, she pushed forward. Her lips melted against his.

Draco let her lead, not wanting to rush anything.

He almost groaned when he felt her tongue carefully, slowly tasting his lips. He slipped his to meet hers.

Her hands curled around the back of his neck, holding tight. He raised one hand to cup her head, fingers tangled once again in her curls. He used the other to keep his weight off of her as she pulled closer, pressing her form against his.

He nipped at her lip, enjoying the little gasp it provoked. His lips traveled to her jawline, peppering light kisses along the way to her neck. She shuddered underneath him.

Her hands raked into his hair, pulling him back to her lips.

He gave a soft chuckle.

Oh, if only he had know years ago how fiery this Gryffindor could be.

Draco raised his wand behind his back and wordlessly dimmed the lights as he gave her all of his attention.

Author's Note:

Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the Harry Potter series. Those rights belong to JK Rowling. I am only borrowing her beautiful creations.