Disclaimer: I don't own it.
Chapter 13
Arriving back in her flat clutching her gifts, Hermione found she had a huge smile plastered on her face. Whether it was just the fact it was Christmas, or she had spent it with Draco Malfoy and the Weasley's together, she didn't know. All she did know was that she had had a fabulous time, and she had a sneaky feeling that having Draco there made it even better. Giggling to herself, Hermione collapsed on her sofa and listened to the clock ticking. She felt so lonely after being surrounded by so many people. She fiddled with her perfume that Ginny gave her, and smelt the beautiful, musky aroma; it was positively gorgeous. She would have to ask Ginny where she got it from so she could get some more when it ran out.
She jumped suddenly – and almost dropped the perfume, to her dismay – when her fireplace flared into life and a tall figure she recognised stepped out.
"And you've come to see me again so soon?" She smiled, standing up.
"Yes, is that a problem?" Draco winked. "I'm not sticking around though."
Hermione shrugged.
"You're supposed to fall over and die in disappointment, Granger." He teased, pouting slightly.
"So, how come you aren't sticking?" She asked, ignoring his last remark.
"I've just come to ask if you would like to accompany me to a New Years party a friend is hosting. As my date."
Hermione was extremely surprised to say the least. She didn't know what to say! "I … uh, who's party?"
A flicker of unease spread across Draco's face at Hermione's indirect answer. He covered it up quickly with his usual blank mask as he answered her question. "It's actually Blaise's. It won't be anything as formal as our Christmas one, so don't worry about buying another really expensive dress …"
Draco trailed off and stared past her shoulder, determined not to look at her. Hermione was touched by his offer. He wanted her to go to a party with him as his date! Her stomach fluttered at the thought, and she tripped over her words as she replied. "Draco … what- I mean, when- no, yes, I'll go with you."
His eyes flicked to hers in an instant and he enveloped her in a tight hug. "Thank you, Hermione. Get Pansy and the she-Weasel to go shopping with you again. It's on Saturday!"
Hermione laughed as he pulled away and moved towards the fireplace. "My fashion skills aren't that bad! But I'll take them along. It's not like they would let me go alone, anyway."
Still beaming, he grabbed some floo powder. "You won't regret this, Hermione." And with that, he went.
Hermione gazed fondly at the fireplace for a moment, before snapping out of her reverie. Humming happily to herself, she gathered her presents and placed them in her room, before grabbing a small snack from the kitchen. Another party to go to! She'd speak to Olivia about it tomorrow – she would probably be going too. Hermione yawned and went into her bedroom. She saw her new book that Arthur and Molly got her, and clambering onto her bed, she began to read.
--
Hermione's alarm buzzed loudly from beside her and she jumped awake with a start, knocking the half finished book to the floor. Crikey, had she fallen asleep reading? She rubbed her eyes and stretched; her face and neck feeling stiff. Desperately needing a shower, she got out of bed and stumbled into her bathroom where she stripped off her clothes from the day before.
Steam poured out of the bathroom as Hermione ran into the kitchen clad in only a towel. She realised she had spent forty minutes in the shower and she only had twenty minutes left to do everything else before work! She wolfed down some cereal before drying herself in her bedroom and throwing on some clothes. Making sure her wild hair looked respectable, Hermione grabbed her wand and bag and Apparated straight to the shop.
Hermione almost landed on top of Olivia who was being kissed passionately by Blaise, just outside the front door. They both ignored the passers-by who stared at them with wide eyes and muttered comments like, "get a room," or "lovers these days." Hermione, feeling as though she should say something, coughed and they both reluctantly moved apart.
"Hello Hermione," Blaise smiled wrapping an arm around Olivia. "I hear you're Draco's date for my party."
Olivia giggled and wiggled her eyebrows.
"Yes," Hermione blushed slightly and it wasn't from the cold. "Just as friends though," she added hastily.
"Whatever," Blaise winked. "Anyway, I shall leave Olivia with you, and see you on Saturday." He gave Olivia one last kiss and whispered something in her ear. Nodding, and smiling quite mischievously, Olivia watched as her boyfriend walked away.
"You're going, aren't you?" Hermione asked her friend as she unlocked the door to the shop.
"Of course, I have a dress too." Olivia beamed and took off her scarf as she entered the bookstore.
"What sort of dress shall I get?" Hermione asked, pausing.
"Oh, nothing too over the top. Just a cocktail dress will do." Olivia shrugged and began to sort through a box of new arrivals. "Are these the Muggle or wizard books?"
The day was fairly quiet for H.G Books. A couple of people came in to change their Christmas present of a wrong book, exchanging it for one they preferred. Other than that, only a few people came in.
"They must have been all recovering from Christmas day." Olivia chuckled as Hermione closed up the shop. "On Boxing Day … hang on, why did we work today? We haven't before."
Hermione froze on the spot. "You're right. I forgot it was Boxing Day. I normally owl you, don't I? I'm sorry, Olivia! You can have the day off tomorrow. I can't believe I forgot to not work today! How stupid can you get?"
Hermione stood dumbly in the falling snow, feeling incredibly idiotic.
"Don't beat yourself up about it, Hermione. It's fine. And I'll work tomorrow too. Do you fancy a coffee?" Olivia offered, nodding towards a small café on the other side of Diagon Alley.
Hermione nodded, and repeated her apology as they stomped through the rising snow, bending their heads to protect them from the cold. When they reached the quaint café, Hermione gratefully stepped into the warmth and shook off her coat and scarf.
"Where shall we sit?"
"Over here," Olivia said quickly, and almost ran over to a table towards the back of the café. Laughing slightly at Olivia's strange eagerness, Hermione followed and sat down at a secluded table for six.
"There are two of us, Liv." Hermione frowned at her friend who was suddenly busy with the menu.
"Yes, I know," She said, loudly. "Oh, I think I'll have a Latte." Olivia sat opposite Hermione, so she was facing the door. She kept peeking over Hermione's shoulder and then hastily looking back to the menu.
"You've arranged to meet someone, haven't you?" Hermione challenged, shrewdly.
Olivia sighed and grinned. "How did you guess?"
"Well, when you've been hanging around with Pansy and Ginny, you become more aware of things like this." Hermione shook her head. "Who is it?"
"Them," Olivia nodded towards the café door which just opened, and Hermione swivelled in her chair to see the new arrivals. Upon noticing shiny, platinum blond hair – plus a glimpse of fiery red locks behind his shoulder – Hermione groaned loudly and rested her head on the table.
"Will people stop trying to set us up already?" Hermione wailed, banging her head over and over again on the polished wooden table.
"Stop, he'll think you're crazy!" Olivia whispered, trying to lift Hermione's head. "Hello, you guys."
Hermione blanched from under her hair as she heard Pansy and Ginny chorus a greeting, and judging by the sound of a kiss, she guessed Blaise was here too. She wasn't going to survive this day.
Someone slid into the chair next to her, and judging by the smell of gorgeous cologne (which Hermione immediately liked), she guessed it was Draco.
"Hello, Hermione." He murmured gently in her ear. She heard the others begin to talk loudly to one another.
"Hello," she replied dully, her voice muffled from the table and her hair.
"Hermione, sit up." Pansy gently prodded her friend in the shoulder until she sat up, red in the face.
"Do you mind? I was enjoying sulking in the corner."
"No, I don't really," Pansy smirked. "And, Draco told me about us going shopping for a dress for Blaise's party. And, we aren't going with you."
Hermione's jaw dropped. "What? But – but you love shopping!"
"I know, but I've already got my dress and so has Ginny. So, I propose," She spread her fingers over the table. "That you go with Draco."
Hermione couldn't speak. She tried to, but all that came out was a choking noise.
Draco chuckled quietly from beside her. "Pansy, I'm-"
"Both of you be quiet." Pansy said sharply, but her eyes were smiling. "You're both going shopping together on Wednesday."
Hermione finally found her voice, "Er, Pansy. We both have jobs, we both could be busy on that day, and maybe I don't want to go shopping with Draco."
"I've checked your diary, Hermione. You aren't busy on Wednesday." Olivia beamed. "And I'll just bring in my sister to help me again; all sorted."
"And Harry's got you a day off at the Ministry." Ginny piped up, nodding towards Draco. "He had to pull a few strings to get that for you, so you are going shopping on Wednesday."
"You know what, Ginny? If the rest of your family weren't in Gryffindor, I would have put you in Slytherin." Hermione glared at her best friend. "You two, actually, you three," She scowled at Olivia, "are the most infuriating, scheming and mean women I know."
"But you love us for it," Pansy smirked and flicked her hair. "So, now that's sorted, I need to go and meet Ron at the Burrow. Gin', you coming?" The pair both stood up and waved their goodbyes, leaving Olivia and Blaise feeding each other ice cream, and Hermione and Draco sitting awkwardly side by side.
"I'll sit over there," Draco pointed to the chair opposite Hermione. He quickly moved around the two love-birds and then sat down.
"So," Hermione began. "Shopping, eh?"
Draco nodded, "Where do you want to go?"
"Er, well, I would go to Willow's Wizarding Wear which Pansy recommended, but I'd probably have to get out a loan to buy the next dress."
"I'll buy you the dress," Draco smiled.
"No, I couldn't ask you to do that, Draco! It's not fair! You bought me a Christmas present and now you want to buy me a dress? I haven't even got you anything – I've never spent as much as a Knut on you!" Hermione protested and shook her head, covering her face with her hands.
"I want to Hermione," Draco pulled away Hermione's hands so he could see her face. "I want to."
Hermione grimaced as Draco earnestly looked into her eyes, and it gave her time to really see Draco's features up close. His grey eyes had a tiny speck of blue and were framed under long lashes. His cheek-bones and jaw were perfectly sculptured, his lips full and smooth. Hermione saw his eyes flicker to her slightly parted lips, and she swallowed nervously. The sound in the café seemed to drown away and Hermione had found they had drifted closer to one another.
She hastily looked away as she realised what could be about to happen, and she noticed that they had been staring at each other for a full thirty seconds. She heard him murmur something and she looked back at him, questionably.
"Nothing," he said, flashing a smile. "So, I'm buying you the dress. Agreed?"
Sighing, "Agreed."
--
Hermione awoke on Wednesday morning, apprehension and excitement sitting in the pit of her stomach. Shopping with Draco today - this should be fun. She smiled to herself as she sprang out of bed and skipped into the shower. She washed quickly, but she was torn between what lotion she should use! The white musk or the sparkling apple fragrance? Finally, after deciding she would go for the white musk, she hopped out of the shower and dried herself and her hair, taming it down to extremely soft curls – like she did at the ball – in the process. She grinned at her reflection and then went to get dressed. She slipped on her skinny jeans, a black polo-neck and some flat, long brown boots. Grabbing a bite to eat from the kitchen and then brushing her teeth, she applied her make-up carefully and lightly, before slipping on a long, red funnel-neck coat and finished it off with a white scarf. She nervously checked the clock ticking slowly in the kitchen and tapped her foot impatiently, noticing she still had ten minutes before they arranged to meet outside her bookstore.
Hermione paced back and forth through the kitchen, the living room and bedroom, each time pausing to check the clock. Standing it no longer, she grabbed her bag at two minutes to ten and Apparated to her shop.
She arrived to see Draco already there, dressed similarly in a long coat with a scarf. His hands were shoved deep into his pockets and he was frowning slightly, as if he was thinking about something very hard. His eyes didn't seem to see the rest of Diagon Alley, in fact, Hermione actually had to hit him lightly on the shoulder to get him to realise she was there.
"Oh, sorry, Hermione." He suddenly kissed her on the cheek in greeting. There was a flash and Hermione blinked as she saw a man hurrying away into the throng of shoppers, thrusting a camera under his cloak. "Oh dear."
"Yes, oh dear indeed. They'll be sure to exaggerate it all, saying we're together or getting married next week. Who knows, they may even throw in a pregnancy." Hermione scowled at the retreating figure and then turned back to her friend with a sigh. "Shall we get going, then?"
Draco nodded and started towards the Leaky Cauldron, holding out his arm for Hermione to link onto. She accepted and they didn't speak as they moved towards the pub, their breath coming out in white puffs. Hermione led the way into the Leaky Cauldron, Draco keeping a hand on the small of her back protectively. She noticed that she kind of liked it. She was beaming as they arrived at the fireplace and Draco saw the happiness shining in her eyes.
"What?" He asked, amused.
"Oh, I'm just in a very good mood." She laughed and then stepped into the fireplace, naming Willow's Wizarding Wear.
Draco shook his head, smiling, and followed suit. His elbows were forced to his sides as he span in the fireplace, before arriving into the massive shop. He noticed Hermione was already chatting to Willow, so he scanned the shop looking for a suitable dress.
Seeing nothing to his taste, he scowled slightly and shoved his cold hands into his pockets. Hermione glanced over at him and gave a look of concern at his demeanour.
She walked over, Willow gliding along smoothly behind her. "What's wrong, Draco?"
"Nothing, my hands are cold." He half smiled. "Do you have any cocktail dresses?" Draco asked to Willow.
"Of course," gesturing for them both to follow her, Willow led them not under the stairs where she had gone in Hermione's previous visit, but instead she took them up the sweeping staircase, where there was a whole huge section devoted to smart dresses. "Do you have anything in mind?"
Draco answered for Hermione who was about to shake her head. "Yes thank you. If you could just tell us where the changing rooms are, that would be fine."
Hermione folded her arms at Draco's answer and didn't bother paying attention to Willow's instructions as she had already been there. After she left them alone, Hermione watched as Draco bounced off down a row, glancing at a couple of dresses. He pulled one out. It was a thigh length, glittery black dress with no straps. "How about this?"
"Please tell me you're joking, Draco." Hermione raised an eyebrow at the shimmering dress which Draco shook in her face. She pushed it out of the way and pulled one out herself. "This?"
It was an off-white colour, halter neck dress which would come down to her knees. It was very basic and wouldn't really do anything for Hermione.
"Please tell me you're joking," Draco repeated Hermione and then smirked. "I thought you said this place and amazing stuff … it doesn't look that great to me." He grimaced at a yellow dress which Hermione pulled the hem out from the rack.
"Well it was good when I came here with Pansy to get the ball gown," she insisted, beginning to go down another aisle. Draco followed her, sighing. "What colour do you think I should wear?"
"I'm not sure … maybe a blue or purple?" Draco suggested, peering over into the next aisle.
"Yuck, purple." Hermione grimaced and continued to look.
"Blue it is then," he shrugged. They fell into silence and the only sound was of the scrape of hangers or the occasional footsteps.
"Ah, what about this?" Draco held up an azure coloured dress with a plunging neckline.
"No way. I'll look like a tart. And everyone will stare at my chest area." Hermione pulled a face and blushed.
Draco stared at her for a moment before bursting into laughter. It was the first true laughter Hermione had heard from him and it was a pleasant sound. "Your chest area. That's funny."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "I'm glad you think so."
"Try it on, please?" he wheezed, bending over but holding up the dress. "It will look amazing on you."
Raising an eyebrow but saying nothing, Hermione took the dress and headed towards the changing room, leaving Draco gasping for breath behind her.
"Hey, wait!" He cried, jogging up to her after he recovered.
"Draco, this is the cubicle. Now, unless you want to see me strip, I suggest you sit over there for a bit." Hermione began pull across the curtain.
"What if I want to see you?" She heard him ask and she couldn't help but giggle.
"You wouldn't."
He fell silent but Hermione could hear him coughing to try and cover up his laughter. Hermione quickly undressed and took the item off the hanger. It felt soft on her fingers and she slipped it on easily. She did up the zip from under her arm and then examined her reflection. The neckline was low and the dress stopped just above the knee. It was pretty on her, she had to admit. The bodice wasn't as tight as the ball gown, and instead of the skirt flowing out a little, it was loose, fitting her curves.
"Let's have a look, Hermione," Draco called.
Hermione took one last look, took a deep breath, opened the curtain and stepped out. Draco's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. She didn't look as stunning as she did at the ball, but hell, she still looked damn good. Sexy even. Draco was amazed that he was calling her sexy but he couldn't deny it. "Let's get it. You look absolutely … gorgeous." He watched her blush from head to toe and he grinned. "Shall we get some shoes?"
"If you don't mind." She said weakly, quickly moving back into the cubicle to change. Draco just said she was gorgeous! And the look on his face when she stepped out … Hermione laughed aloud, she was so happy. Once changed, she came back out to see Draco waiting for her. She was still smiling and Draco could see the happiness radiating off her.
"What shoes would you like?" Draco asked, glancing at Hermione as they strolled along the top floor of the shop. They passed a few customers, too absorbed in their own shopping to notice them.
"I don't know," Hermione hummed as she stared at the huge selection of shoes. "What do you want me to wear? I am your date after all …"
"Well, I think you should wear silver shoes. And they should be high." Draco placed a finger on his chin as he studied the different shoes.
"Can't I just wear the ones from the ball?" Hermione asked, thinking it would be a waste of money to buy new shoes when she already had a perfectly good pair.
"No, they're the wrong style and too short." Draco continued to look.
"Fine," Hermione huffed, and joined him. She spotted a pair of high silver shoes above her head. She jumped, trying to reach them but they were too high.
"Want a hand?" Draco chuckled, stretching up to reach them. He bought them down. "They're nice."
"I'll try them on," she grinned. She sat down on a chair and quickly slipped on the shoes, her toes poking out of the end. She stood up with a slight wobble, and Draco steadied her with a hand.
"Walk," he suggested gently. She obliged and began to step ever so carefully along the polished wooden floor. Although the heels were dangerously high for Hermione, they were extremely comfortable. After all, as Pansy had said, she could always put a cushioning charm on the soles if it got too bad.
She became more accustomed to walking in the shoes and she beamed at Draco as she came back towards him from her pacing. "These are gorgeous. Can we take them, please?"
"Yes, and I want to see in you in the whole outfit tonight." Draco smirked and he watched as Hermione took off the shoes and put her boots back on.
"No, you aren't allowed to see me until Saturday in the dress." She poked her tongue out at him as she stood up. "Let me pay for something, will you?"
He shook his head as they walked down the stairs towards the check-out where Willow was sipping a cup of tea daintily. "I'm paying for it all, Hermione. I won't accept so much as a Knut from you."
Scowling, Hermione approached the desk with Draco carrying her things like a true gentleman. Hermione tried to block out Willow's soft voice as she named the price and Hermione cringed as it was more than her ball gown.
When they headed towards the fireplace, Hermione uttered her thanks over and over again until Draco told her to shut up with a smile on his face.
"How about we go for lunch somewhere? It's quarter to one." He suggested, changing the subject before they left the huge shop.
"Okay, let's drop off the stuff at my place and then we can grab a bite to eat somewhere." Hermione agreed and took the bags from Draco before stepping into the fireplace and naming her destination.
When Draco arrived at Hermione's neat flat, he heard her thundering around in her bedroom. "Are you ready?" He called from the living room.
"Yeah, sorry. Shoes kept falling out of my wardrobe." She quickly apologised, joining him in the living room. "Right, where shall we go?" She asked brightly.
"I don't know. Up to you." Draco shrugged and gazed at Hermione as she bit her lip in thought. It was rather cute.
"I honestly have no idea. How about we go to that café we met up at the other day with everyone? I'll pay, too." She added, giving him a firm stare.
"Okay, if you insist." Draco held up his hands in surrender.
Hermione nodded satisfied with her response. "Shall we go?" She held out her arm for Draco to take. In him doing so, she felt a jolt in her stomach which had nothing to do with her turning on the spot to Apparate them away.
--
Draco's words of, "I'll pick you up at seven," still rang in Hermione's ears as she made her lunch on Saturday. To say she was nervous was an understatement - she was quivering. Pansy had owled her to say she was unable to come and help her get ready for the evening as she would be working late. Ginny was stuck helping Harry, so Hermione was left on her own. She munched on her sandwich and suddenly felt a pang of loneliness. It was so quiet on her own, except the clock ticking on the wall. Yes, she worked six days a week, but wouldn't it be nice to come back to a husband? Come back to children greeting you with their lopsided grins and sticky fingers? Hermione's lip trembled before she burst into tears. How she longed for that special someone to be in her life! How she longed for someone to hold her when she was upset, to laugh with her, to cry with her, to love her. Hermione sniffed and wiped her eyes with a tissue, trying to finish her sandwich. Stop being so silly, she scolded herself and took a deep breath, before finishing her meal.
Hermione splashed her face with cold water from the kitchen sink and closed her eyes as she leant against the counter top. Her thoughts drifted to Draco and she felt all flushed and shivery. Her stomach twisted into a knot as she remembered the hug and the peck on the cheek he gave her earlier this week. Why was she feeling like this? She wasn't … no, she couldn't be falling for him. Could she?
Hermione groaned and pushed away from the counter, stumbling into her room where she decided to take a quick nap. She set her alarm for five o'clock, giving her two hours to get ready. Forcing herself to think of things other than the party that evening, Hermione settled under the covers and closed her eyes.
She dreamed of a wedding. It was a big wedding in a church, with hundreds of guests. It was a beautiful day as the bride and groom stepped outside. There was a jump in time and suddenly, everyone was lounging on sofas in a place Hermione vaguely recognised. People were outside, laughing and talking in the moonlight, the air still warm. There was a tap on her shoulder and Hermione turned to see Draco! She greeted him and he smiled.
"Are you ready for the first dance, my wife?"
Hermione's alarm buzzed loudly and she awoke with a start, remembering her dream vividly. She got married? To Draco Malfoy? She gulped and covered her eyes with her hand. Her cheeks felt sticky and her eyelashes felt wet. Had she been crying in her sleep? Hermione got out of bed and stormed into the bathroom where she had a long hot shower. She was determined to not let some stupid dream ruin what would be a fun night. Hermione dried herself as she got out of the shower and applied some white musk body lotion. She went back into her bedroom to get out her new dress and shoes, before realising her hair was a mess. Noticing she had an hour and a half left, Hermione quickly applied some Sleek-Easy to her hair, stupidly forgetting to do it whilst she was in the shower. Satisfied that her hair was tamed and smooth enough, Hermione got dressed before applying her makeup carefully. She didn't want to over do it, nor did she want to look like she hadn't made an effort. She decided to use as little as possible, and then sprayed on some of her new perfume that Ginny got her for Christmas. She noticed Draco's gift of the earrings and she sighed sadly as she wouldn't be able to wear them that night as they wouldn't go with her outfit. Instead, she picked some dangling silver earrings and a delicate necklace. Hermione just decided on leaving her hair down when she heard someone come through the floo.
"Hermione? I'm here!" Draco called.
"In the bedroom." She yelled in reply, quickly getting her white scarf and a small silver bag where she placed her wand and a few essentials. She just managed to put on her shoes when Draco knocked on her door and entered, looking dashing in a black casual suit with an open-necked white shirt. It was simple, but he looked gorgeous. "You look nice," Hermione trembled slightly as she walked towards him, heading for the living room.
He stopped her with a casual hand to her shoulder. "I thought we would Apparate. It would be easier." He smiled as she turned to look at him, nodding. They were almost touching, chest-to-chest, in the doorway and Hermione could smell this enticing fragrance wafting off his body.
Hermione quickly stepped out of their closeness before anything happened. "Okay, you lead the way."
He took her hand gently in his and Apparated.
They arrived just outside a fairly large house on the outskirts of London, Hermione wobbling slightly as they landed. She could hear some music thudding loudly from another house and she nervously approached Blaise's, still holding on to Draco's hand. They rang the doorbell, and Blaise answered grinning, Olivia beaming beside him.
"Hey, glad you could make it, mate!" Blaise shook Draco's hand firmly. He turned to Hermione and whistled. "You look very sexy, I have to say."
Hermione blushed deeply and glanced at Olivia who laughed.
"Don't mind me," she said. Blaise kissed on the cheek.
He let Hermione in and closed the door after her. Immediately, music began blaring from speakers and Draco took Hermione's hand as they followed Blaise and Olivia into his living room, where a lot of people were already dancing and chatting.
The night was long and Hermione enjoyed herself immensely. She had been dancing with Draco, sipping on glasses of champagne and having bites from all the gorgeous food Blaise had made. Harry, Ginny, Pansy and strangely Ron arrived soon after her and Draco, and they all struck up conversation. Draco stuck to Hermione's side like glue all night and a couple of men looked as though they wanted to talk to her, but seeing Draco's thunderous expression, they thought otherwise.
Then, at one minute to twelve, Blaise began a count down to the New Year. People began to chant the numbers and Hermione and Draco raised their glasses of champagne.
"Ten, nine, eight …"
Draco turned to watch Hermione who was grinning happily, her eyes glittering in the low light.
"…Seven, Six, five …"
Hermione felt his gaze and looked up at Draco who smiled down at her.
"Hermione," he whispered.
"…Four, three, two, one…"
"Happy New Year," Draco pressed his lips to hers.
She stood there stunned for a moment, hearing everyone clapping and cheering for the New Year, and then, she was kissing back. His lips were warm and soft on hers and she wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing him in closer. His tongue flicked out to touch her lips and she opened her mouth wider to let him explore. They both forgot where they were. They forgot they were surrounded by people they knew and loved. All it was at that moment, was Hermione and Draco.
Suddenly, Hermione was bought back to reality with a rushing in her ears as they were forced apart by a furious, red headed man.
"Get your filthy hands off her, Malfoy!" Ron roared, lashing out at Draco who received a blow to his jaw. He stumbled backwards and almost fell over if it wasn't for Harry.
"Ron, stop it!" Hermione screamed, rushing forwards to stop Ron lashing out again.
"Hermione, he was kissing you!" He pushed her away roughly.
"And I was kissing him!" She wailed back, fighting off tears as Ron moved forwards to hit Draco who was getting to his feet.
The crowd backed away slightly as Ron stopped to face Hermione. A dark expression covered his face: "You kissed him?"
"Yes! I did! Is it so wrong for me to do that, Ron? I am twenty four years old! I think I can manage my own relationships without you butting in!" Hermione shouted, swallowing her tears which began to fall down her cheeks.
"Oh yeah? And what about Barnabus Gaul?" Ron hissed. That was a low blow for Hermione. She paled and stumbled backwards, tripping over. Ginny rushed over to her to help Hermione get up, all the while glaring at her brother.
Hermione heard Draco roar angrily and push Ron to the floor, before grabbing Hermione's hand and Apparating them away. The last thing Hermione saw before collapsing into Draco's arms sobbing, was a furious Pansy slapping her boyfriend with her handbag.
A little bit of kissing and action going on there, eh? Haha, well, I hope you liked that chapter. Sorry if it's a little shorter than the others! Thank you! AND THANK YOU TO MY BETA WHO IS AMAZING! :D