Before I Fall Any Deeper
Chapter Five - Couldn't Bare To Lose You Again
"I can't believe we're doing this," Ron mumbled, scowling as he and Harry walked through the busy restaurant.
Harry sighed. "Just be civil. We don't want to make Hermione choose between her friends or her boyfriend."
"Because you think she'd choose him?"
Harry stopped walking and turned to his friend. "Yes, that's exactly what I think."
Ron huffed out a breath. "Me, too." They started walking again, towards the back of the building. "It's obvious, even to me, that she's in love with him."
Harry nodded, but didn't reply; they'd arrived in front of a smiling Draco and Hermione; they were both seated on the same side of a huge, red vinyl booth. Draco's arm was across her shoulders and they were looking at each other, laughing at something neither Harry nor Ron had heard.
"Hi!" Hermione jumped up, grinning at them as she gave them both quick hugs.
Ron and Harry slid into the other side of the booth, unsure of what to do.
"So!" Ron breathed, opening up a large menu and ducking his head behind it. "What's good here?"Draco cleared his throat, attempting to bring Harry and Ron's attention to him, rather than to their stomachs.
"I just wanted to say something, if I could."
"Sure," Harry replied, pleasantly enough; he chanced a look at Hermione, who was biting her bottom lip nervously.
"I want to thank you for coming." Draco's eyes remained across the booth, but he reached for Hermione's hand and squeezed it lightly. "I really appreciate the fact that you're willing to give me a second chance. Especially when I don't deserve it."
"Well, that's true," Ron answered honestly; Harry kicked him under the table. "OW! I mean, uh, sure, Mal---Draco…." He let the sentence drop off, because he had no idea what to say.
"Let's eat," Harry chirpped happily, opening his menu up again and staring at it. "Mmm, a burger sounds good. Ron?"
"Sure, yeah, a burger. Yes." He nodded enthusiastically.
Draco chuckled a little. "You can relax. It's okay."
Ron and Harry exchanged a look, then glanced at Draco, as if deciding whether or not he was serious.
Hermione pulled her hand out of Draco's and placed both of them laced together on top of the table; her eyes were pleading with the boys across from her, and when she spoke her voice was shaky, yet stable, and serious, yet nervous.
"I want this to work," she said eventually. "It's been a really long time. I mean, Draco and I. We've been together for quite a while…and I…well…"
Draco watched her; he was feeling more nervous than he could ever remember feeling before.
"I'm in love with Draco," she said, letting out a long breath of relief. "But you two are my best friends, and I don't want to jeopardize our relationship. I know you have problems with Draco, rightly so, but maybe we can try and resolve them?"Harry and Ron were no longer looking at Hermione, though they'd heard what she'd said and were feeling slightly confused, but also a bit apprehensive. After all, they knew Hermione didn't enter into any relationship lightly, but this was Draco Malfoy she was talking about.They were watching Draco to gauge his reaction, to see how he felt about her, and likewise, how he felt about her confession.
His reaction was pure shock. Followed by pure happiness, which took Ron and Harry both by surprise.
"We can do that, Hermione," Harry said, nodding seriously. "Don't worry about it. You won't loose us. We want you to be happy. Right, Ron?"
Ron's mouth was hanging open, but he managed to wipe his mouth and reply at the same time. "Yes. Yeah, of course. Jolly good?"
Hermione chuckled a bit, wiping her eyes. "Thanks."
Harry and Ron both nodded, smiles on their lips; they watched as Hermione finally realized what she'd declared. And who she'd declared it in front of.
Horror crossed her eyes as she turned to look at the smiling boy in the seat beside her. "Draco, I---"
Draco leaned forward so quickly that Hermione tumbled backwards when his lips hit hers with unintentional force. Ron and Harry saw them falling onto the floor, their lips locked, but neither made a move to help them, or stop them. They merely watched; Harry was obviously amused by it all, and Ron was probably more confused than anything.
"Since day three." Hermione corrected him, laughing.
"Good Lord," Harry commented. "He hid it well, didn't he?"
"Oh, shut up," Hermione laughed, kissing Draco again.
When she pushed him away, she was grinning like a maniac; he stood up, extending his hand to get her to her feet. Once she was standing as well, they hugged for a moment, both looking very happy; Hermione was the happiest looking Ron and Harry had ever seen her, which was nice, considering they felt she deserved to be happy at last. Draco, however…well, they'd get used to him in time. They'd put their best feet forward and give him a chance, for Hermione's sake. After all, it didn't matter what they thought of him; all that mattered was her happiness. Of course, there was always that off-chance that they'd get to kick Draco's arse if he ever hurt her.
Which was something Ron could look forward to, at least.
"Well," Ron said, smiling awkwardly. "Shall we---er---eat?"