Fireworks were abundant as it filled the dark skies. Colorful displays from wands were the highlight of the night. Students and Professors were in awe as one after the other lit up above them. So many colors and shapes filled the air. The last display was a dragon dancing around until it burned out with a roar. It was a mesmerizing sight to see.

Cheers were screamed at the top of their lungs once it was over. The New Year was welcomed with a loud applause and many silent wishes. Friends hugged in excitement, and Professors smiled at each other for a job well done.

The celebrations began to die down after a few minutes when the fireworks finished. Students who went up the Astronomy Tower to watch the fireworks were escorted back to their towers by exhausted Professors. Two were left behind, who hid behind a pillar, away from their peers.

During the ruckus and celebration, they mostly stayed quiet. The crowd was too noisy to talk, and there was too much to be said. Before the students were hauled up the Astronomy Tower, there was a fight in the Slytherin House. It was one of many since the school year began.

Hermione put her wand to her boyfriend's cheek and jaw to clean his wound after another fight. "Tom, you can't keep fighting them."

He leaned back against the pillar and wrapped his arms around her waist. He was much taller and towered over her, when he looked down to meet her eyes. No matter the situation, he was always calm, unless it had to do with her. The moment her name came out of someone's mouth, his first instinct was to send a curse their way. "You're the one who told me not to use my wand. Besides, you should have seen the other guy," he smirked.

"When I said don't use your wand, I didn't mean to use your fist either," she sighed. "Maybe we should break up. You've been having to defend me every week now, and you're always getting into fights because of me. Maybe they're right. I'm no good for you."

He locked his fingers behind the small of her back. He was never going to let her go. There was no way they were ever breaking up. "Why, because you're a Muggle born witch, and I'm a Pure blood wizard? Do you think I would be fighting them if I feel that way about you?"

"I just don't want anything else to happen to you. What if you get kicked out of here?"

"Do you really think they're going to a Professor and out themselves? I don't care who it is and who I have to fight, no one is going to get away with calling you a derogatory name. You're one of the smartest witch here. They're just jealous of your accomplishments and that you're dating the most handsome wizard in this school."

She rolled her eyes at him. His curls fell to his forehead when he brushed his lips on the tip of her nose.

"I don't ever want to hear you talking about us breaking up. Don't ever mention it again," the tone of his voice made her shiver. "I care about you, Hermione. I'm not going to let some foul mouth idiot get in the way of our relationship, and neither are you."

Her body trembled against his, but not from the cold weather. She had never seen that look in his eyes before or ever heard him talk that way. He was always polite towards her, but she had heard him be curt to other students and sometimes Professors.

"Do I scare you? Don't lie to me."

She placed both of her hands on his chest, as she looked up at his dark eyes. "I've never heard you talk like this before."

"How would you feel if I mentioned breaking up because you had to defend me to your Gryffindor friends, who I know aren't too fond of me?"

She had to defend him numerous times to her friends, who saw nothing more than a foul mouth jock, who got into duels and fights constantly, but she knew it was for her. He did everything for her.

"I would be hurt," she replied. "Oh," she looked away and played with his Slytherin tie. "Sorry. I didn't mean it. I don't want to break up. I'm just," she sighed. Her eyes were teary when she met his. "It hurts to hear them call me Mudblood. I'm thick-skinned, but it's mostly on a daily basis now."

He pressed his lips to her forehead. "I'll take care of it."

"No. Don't do anything else. The more you fight them, the more they do it. Just let them be. Ignore them like I do. The school year is stressful enough with N.E.W.T.s and other duties."

"How am I supposed to ignore it when it hurts you? We're in this together. That's what we said when we started this."

After their Sixth Year ended, they exchanged pleasantries in the train and sat close to each other. In the short trip, they learned they had a lot in common. They exchanged numbers and met a few times over tea or books. Their summer romance became serious when both wanted more.

"I underestimated them. Didn't realize how difficult it could be."

She drew a long breath when his hand cradled her jaw and the pad of his thumb softly stroked her cheek. He was gentle as always. The scent of peppermint on her breath drew him closer. His lips lightly brushed hers.

"You're having a hard time because of me."

"No. Even before you, that word got thrown out a lot. It's nothing new," she looked down and rolled the end of his tie on her finger.

"You should have told me."

This was the Tom, she knew and fell for over the summer. Since their return in Hogwarts, he was known as the rebel, always getting in trouble and fights.

"We weren't exactly in each other's orbit. The former Headmaster didn't like different Houses fraternizing. We only had classes with our own House until Fifth Year after Professor Dumbledore came out of retirement. We were all still getting used to having classes with other Houses."

"Still, I don't like people hurting you."

"It's fine. It was your birthday, and you got in a fight because of me. I'm sorry."

"Don't ever apologize to me. It's them who needs to apologize to you," he traced her lips with his thumb. He lightly pressed his lips on hers. "I'll walk you back."

"I won't break if we snog."

"Hermione, when it comes to you, I have no restraint. You won't break, but I will. I want all of you, and I won't stop there."

There was an edge to his voice and a thrill in his dark eyes. When it came to her, his self-control was always on the brink of disappearing or being nonexistent.

Her cheeks burned as she blushed. "Oh."

They snogged before, and he always asked for more whilst his hands were underneath her clothes. His warm touch was always enticing and tempting.

"It's okay. You'll let me know when you're ready."

She nodded and slipped her hand in his. "Next break. Let's go somewhere. Just us two."

"I'd like that," he smiled.

end.