Draco stood outside the dungeon door, casually leaning against the wall, looking down viciously at a few second years as they scurried in front of him and around a corner. He had told Crabbe and Goyle that he had to talk to Snape, but he was, of course, waiting for Hermione.

The large stone door opened, and Hermione backed out of the door. Draco could hear Snape's slippery voice calling to her.

"Miss Granger, you will not be late to this class again."

Hermione turned away abruptly and her eyes met Draco's. He could see a glossy cover over her eyes, as if she was about to cry. Draco stared at her and she didn't move. She looked lost. Draco slowly reached out a hand toward her face, but she took a step back. Draco felt as if she had just screamed at him.

"Why were you late?" He said. He had hardened his expression, once against resistant to let her in.

"I told you and the class, I was with Dumbledore." Hermione sniffed quietly, breathing a deep breath that was hard to catch. Her voice sounded shaky.

"Come on, Hermione, nobody can just meet with him. What was it about? And how did you get to see him?" Draco took a step toward her, not threateningly, but more of a coaxing to her.

"I just had to talk to him about.some things. Just things that have been happening, I-" she stopped abruptly, as if reluctant to go on. Draco looked at her, and felt himself softening again. Her eyes were still glossy, despite her attempts to keep herself composed, and they were looking straight into his, but deeper, as if she could see right into him. Draco blinked and the connection was lost. Hermione looked at the ground.

"I.um, I should go." She sighed. "I'm supposed to meet Ron in the dining hall."

"Hermione, please," Draco was not ready to plead and beg, but he wanted to know what was going on. "Just tell me what happened. I don't know what you think, but I'm not going to tell anyone, I promise." He slowly reached forward and took her hand in his. Hers was cold, and is hand warmed it immediately. He saw her look down at his hand holding hers, and she shut her yes, as if trying not to cry. "I want to help you, Hermione."

She took in a small amount of air with a little gasp and looked back into his eyes.

"Draco.I, I really do have to-"

Before she could stop him, Draco leaned in and put his lips against hers. A bolt of electricity shot through both of them, from the tops of their heads to their toes. Draco took both of his hands and cradled her face, right under her jaw and then slid them up slightly into her hair. She held his wrists, not too tightly, urging the kiss to continue. The dungeon become a whirling room of color and lights as they kissed, swirling around them, holding them snugly in its warm hands. But Hermione pulled away before Draco could make her stay. There were real tears in her eyes now, and one rolled down her cheek. Draco was breathing slightly more rapidly now, and he looked at her with a very sincere look. Hermione let out a small, muffled sob, then covered her mouth.

"I have to go," she said softly.

"Wait, Hermione, please-"

But she was gone, leaving Draco alone in the now cold dark hallway of the dungeons.



A/N: OK, so it gets a little mushy.but does it work? I need to know, so R/R! Por favor! Don't be afraid to be critical, I just want to make it good for YOU!