The next few weeks passed by relatively quickly, one class rapidly becoming another. Had Hermione been any other student, she would have been swamped with head duties on top of the school work, but she had no problem at all. Harry and Ron had become considerably less sketchy (at least around her), and Hermione had not interacted with Draco Malfoy at all, apart from patrolling the corridors and on other such professional terms.
On a sunny, but surprisingly cold October afternoon, Hermione found herself hanging out with Harry and Ron in the Gryffindor common room. It was Friday; the next day was the Hogsmeade trip.
"Check," said Harry as his bishop moved diagonal to Ron's king.
Ron bit his lip, thinking. "Queen to E-8." The piece slid across the board. "Checkmate."
Harry frowned, crossing his arms across his chest. "You always win. It's not fair."
"If it's not fair, then why do you always play with me?" Ron asked.
"Woah, boys," Hermione said. "Too much info."
After Ron registered what Hermione had said, he raised his eyebrow. "Not my fault. Harry's the one who's playing with me." He nudged Hermione suggestively.
"I do nothing of the sort!" he exclaimed.
Hermione examined her fingernails. "Hm? Oh, right, Harry."
"Screw you," he said.
Ron put his hands up. "I'm not stopping you guys."
"Hey, Harry, Hermione!" said a voice from behind them. Hermione turned around.
"Oh, hey Ginny, what's going on?" said Hermione.
"Not much," she said. Her eyes landed on Ron's increasingly red ears. "Well, just thought I'd say hi. See you around!"
Ron looked as though he was going to explode as Ginny pranced off to another part of the common room. "What's that all about?" she asked Ron.
Ron didn't respond. "He's all mad cause she gets more play than he does," Harry informed her.
"She's my little sister," he said.
"Yes, well, you're no prize yourself," Harry joked as he received a punch in the arm.
"Wait, who's Ginny been getting play from?"
Ron's ears seemed as though they were on fire. "Everyone," he said through clenched teeth.
Hermione turned to Harry for an answer. "Well, there was," he held up his hand, "Seamus, Dean, Ernie's friend, this weird Ravenclaw guy, some really tall fifth year, Michael Corner again, and some other blokes," he said as he ticked each person off on a finger.
Hermione's mouth hung open. "Within the last two years?" she asked.
"Try two weeks," replied Ron dryly. Hermione's jaw fell open again.
"Ginny's..." began Hermione.
"...A whore," Ron finished.
"Well, I wouldn't say that," said Harry. Hermione nudged him with her elbow, causing him to shut his mouth.
Ron was virtually silent for the rest of the evening.
The next morning, Hermione woke bright and early. After checking the clock and finding it was only eight o'clock, she pulled on a bathing suit and decided to take the sauna for a test run. She went into the bathroom and stepped into the room with the wooden benches. Hermione poured some cool water onto the hot coals and relaxed on a bench.
Suddenly, she became aware of a face looking through the glass in the door at her. She turned her head to see who it was and saw none other than Draco Malfoy there. Hermione rolled her eyes and flipped over to face the wall, ignoring him.
She heard the creak of a door opening and closing and felt him plop himself down on the bench near her head. After a few minutes of silence, she could bear it no more and sat up.
"Yes?" she asked impatiently.
"Yes what?" he replied.
"Would you like something?"
"To enjoy a nice relaxing half hour in the sauna."
"Well, you're obviously here for some other reason."
"Well, what if I am?"
"Then out with it!"
Draco ignored this, turning to face the other wall. Hermione's gaze slid down from his head to the top of the towel wrapped around his waist. Just as she found herself being transfixed by his spectacular body, he turned back to face her. Hermione quickly averted her gaze and poured more water on the coals in the middle of the room.
"Am I really that big of a douche?" he asked, staring at the steam coiling up from the coals.
Hermione was taken aback. "What kind of question is that?"
"A non-rhetorical question. I want a truthful answer."
Hermione bit her lip. "Well, yes."
Malfoy seemed nonplussed. "How so?"
"Well...you're a douche. That about sums it up."
"I want details, woman!"
"I want to know why."
"Well, I might possibly want to change my asshole-ness."
"But why? You've been doing so great with it so far."
"Ha. You're clever, Granger."
"Oh but not as clever as you, Malfoy," she replied sarcastically.
Malfoy turned to face her on the bench, leaning against the corner as he put his legs up on the bench. "I really want to know, though. Never mind the reason."
Hermione sighed. "You won't hurt me?"
"Am I really that bad?"
"I don't know."
"No, I won't hurt you. Or hold it against you or whatever. I just want a straight answer."
"Why now?"
"Stop asking why! Just answer."
"Fine. You've always been mean to me and my friends and you take pleasure in torturing me. And you call me a mudblood. That about sums it up."
"So nothing in particular?"
"Nope, you're just an all-around prick."
"Thanks."
"No prob. Now will you tell me why you wanted to know?"
"I don't know. I just felt like asking. And breaking the ice between us."
"Right."
"No, really." He crossed his right leg over his left and folded his muscular arms over his chest. Hermione poured more water on. "I figure if we have to live together, we might as well try to get along."
"Wow, that's the first time you've ever made any sense," she said, trying not to look at his muscles.
"Yeah, too bad you never have," he said.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I don't know."
"Right. No really, what's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing."
Hermione cocked her head to one side. "That didn't mean nothing. I can tell when people are lying. And you, sir, are lying. Now you tell me what's on your mind this instant...or else."
Malfoy laughed. "Ok, mommy. I told you, it's nothing."
"It is not nothing."
"Fine. I suck at keeping secrets anyways. You don't make any sense."
"Like when? You already said that."
"Like when you came on to me in the bathroom a few weeks ago. What was that all about?"
"It was all about me getting out of there so you wouldn't rape me," she said matter-of-factly.
"I don't rape people. I don't have to, I have a whole line of girls waiting for me."
"Sure. Anyways, you were definitely coming on to me before I kissed you," she replied.
"I was doing no such thing. You want me, don't you? You want this hot, sexy bod."
Hermione nearly fell off the bench from laughing so hard. When the laughter subsided, she found Malfoy's face right above hers, with a very strange expression on it indeed.
"You're really hot when you laugh," he said. And before she could react, his lips were pressed against hers.
Hermione felt the tingling feeling she had felt only when she had kissed Draco before. His lips were pressed gently against her mouth. She closed her eyes, taking in everything she could. It was so wonderful in so many different ways. She was stretched out on the bench, and Malfoy's face was upside down to her.
After what seemed like only one second, Malfoy pulled away and looked at Hermione questioningly. When he realized she was in somewhat of a blissful stupor, he leaned down and kissed her again, this time more passionately. He gently nipped at her lip, hoping for her to open up to him, and she complied. Hermione's hands rose from her sides to his chest. She felt his soft muscles as they strained to support his weight over top of her. Her arms reached around his torso to his back, and she ran her hands up and down his back.
They finally broke apart and stared at each other in disbelief. Both of them were covered in sweat from the steam. Malfoy snapped out of it and sat straight up. Hermione stayed still. Neither one said a single word as Draco poured more water on the coals. Hermione began nervously readjusting the side ties on her bathing suit.
Hermione broke the silence. "Oh, so I'm the one who doesn't make any sense?"
"Point taken."
"So what was that all about?" She began pulling up her top a little bit.
"Uh...hormones, I guess?"
"Don't hormones usually kick in when you think the other person is attractive?" Hermione asked as she sat up, facing away from Malfoy.
"Uh, duh, yeah."
"So is this the exception?"
"What do you mean?"
"I'm not hot..."
"Are you fucking insane?"
"Apparently."
"Yeah. You are hot, as much as it pains me to say that, Granger."
"Now you're the insane one."
"No, really. I really truly hate saying this, but...you've grown up real nice."
Hermione turned around and looked at him. "Really?"
"Hell yeah. I can't believe you didn't know this!"
"Well I don't really care that much about it."
"Hmm."
"Hmm?"
"Yes, hmm."
Hermione's head was spinning. She had a date with Harry in less than two hours! And she just made out with their arch-enemy. What on earth was wrong with her?
Hermione got up to leave.
"Not going to say goodbye?"
"Well, it's just a little bit awkward."
"Indeed. Point taken."
"I'll see you later."
Hermione hurried out of the sauna and back through the door to her room. She mindlessly pulled on a sweater and knee-length skirt, thinking about the conversation she had just had. Why had Malfoy just decided to make peace with her? Had he just told her that she was pretty cause he wanted some? And why had she just gone farther with Malfoy than she had ever gone in her entire life?
She shook her head, clearing it of all of her thoughts, and pulled on her Mary-Janes. After checking her watch, she saw that she had an hour before she had agreed to meet Harry. She checked herself in the mirror and left her dormitory.
Halfway up the hallway to Gryffindor tower, Hermione changed her mind and doubled back, heading out the doors of the Entrance Hall. A chilly breeze nipped past her, and she pulled her hands into her sweater sleeves. She kicked a rock on the ground and walked aimlessly around the grounds. After fifteen minutes, she found herself at the shore of the lake.
Abandoning all common sense, she kicked off her shoes and stepped into the frigid lake, letting the water lap at her ankles. Keeping her feet barely in the water, she leaned backwards and sat on the sandy bank, putting her head in her hands.
What is up with me? she asked herself. I mean...I'm dating Harry. And I really like him a lot. But Malfoy just has this appeal. What is it? Why do I like him? I don't like him. He's such an asshole! And what am I going to do?
Hermione nearly fell asleep sitting at the edge of the lake like this. Her thoughts blurred into each other.
A loud bird chirp from the Forbidden Forest snapped Hermione back to reality. She checked the time.
"Oh crud...I'm going to be late!" Hermione jumped up in her spot, put her shoes back on, and raced up to the castle. She entered the Entrance Hall and began to thaw out. Speeding through the halls, she hoped that Harry wouldn't notice her tardiness.
Right outside of the Gryffindor portrait, Hermione stopped to catch her breath. Right as she opened her mouth to say the password, the portrait swung open to reveal Harry crawling through the hole.
"Hey, Harry," Hermione said, wrapping her arms around him.
Harry hugged back. "Hi, Hermione. I was just coming to see if you were ready."
Hermione smiled. "I just got lost in my thoughts." Harry grinned. "So...should we go, then?" she asked.
Harry slid his arm around her waist. "Of course."
Hermione chatted nervously with Harry as they walked across the grounds towards Hogsmeade. When they reached the main lane of the village, Hermione sighed contentedly. Harry was being such a good date.
"So, where are we going to go?" Hermione said, leaning her head on Harry's shoulder. A breeze started, picking her skirt up gently with it. She shivered involuntarily, and Harry pulled her in way close.
"Oh, well...let's just be classic. I was thinking we could go to the Three Broomsticks," Harry said, looking down at her.
"Alright." They walked into the pub and took a seat in a small corner booth.
Hermione searched for a topic. "So hey, is Ron coming with anyone?"
Harry laughed. "Yeah, I said he could meet us here at one. Remember, he's coming with Lavender."
"Oh cool, i haven't talked to her for a while," said Hermione
"Me either," said Harry as his hand found hers under the table.
Madam Rosmerta came and got their orders, and Hermione searched for a conversation starter.
"Why would Lavender go with Ron?" Hermione caught herself right as Harry burst out laughing. "I mean, not that Ron's not dateable, but the ladies aren't exactly all over him, and for a good reason."
Their drinks came, and Harry stopped laughing. "You have a good point," he told her. "They aren't all over him like they are on me," said Harry, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Hey, you're better off than me," said Hermione, taking a sip of her drink. "Nobody in their right mind would date me."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Ok, two things wrong with that statement. One, are you saying I'm not in my right mind? And two, are you crazy? You should hear the way that Dean and Seamus talk about you at night."
Part of Hermione's mind told her not to ask, but her curiosity got the better of her. "What do they say?"
"Well, when they know I'm listening, it's like 'Hey, Seamus, who are the hottest girls at school?' 'Well, number one on my list is Hermione' 'Oh man, she's so fucking hot this year!'"
Hermione laughed. "And what if they don't think you're listening?"
Harry closed his eyes. "'OH, Hermione! Hermione! No, don't stop!!'"
Hermione's jaw dropped. She hit Harry gently on the shoulder. "That's disgusting!"
"Hey, you wanted to know."
"Harry! Hermione!" they heard a voice call from the entrance to the pub. Hermione looked in that direction and saw Draco Malfoy sitting close to the door with Pansy Parkinson and some other Slytherin girls. He was staring at Hermione, but quickly averted his gaze when he realized she saw him. Hermione's first inclination was to let go of Harry's hand, but she held on as though her life depended on it. Her eyes continued moving, and she saw Ron standing at the doorway with a made-up Lavender.
Harry waved Ron and his date over to their booth and scooted to make room for them. Hermione was up against the side of the booth, and with both couples sitting, it was snug.
"Hey, guys, how are you?" said Ron.
"Fine, you?" replied Hermione.
"Good."
"Cool. It's good to see you again, Lavender," she said as the boys turned to Quidditch talk. The four of them chatted.
Hermione's hip was uncomfortably digging into the wall of the booth, and she told Harry so, hoping he'd move over a bit. Harry simply grabbed her legs and swung them up onto his lap. However, she was much more comfortable after this, and she sipped her butterbeer as she reclined on Harry's lap.
After several minutes of light conversation, Hermione noticed that Ron and Lavender had become rather silent, but fairly close. Ron's hand was on his date's thigh, and he was leaning in towards her. Harry noticed this too, and remained silent. When a few seconds of awkward silence had passed, Hermione decided to break it.
As soon as she had opened her mouth, Harry was on her. His right hand was on her leg, and his left was holding her waist up towards him. It was comfortable, and they kissed for a few seconds before letting go. Hermione wasn't surprised. Harry closed his eyes and leaned in again and Hermione lost herself in the kiss.
Their lips met for a second time, and Hermione shut her eyes. Harry's lips were soft. His kisses were nice. They opened their mouths and their tongues twirled around. Harry tastes so good, she thought. There are just so many things wrong with this.
Hermione pulled back, surprising Harry. She looked deep into his eyes, and found him giving her a confused look.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, kissing him gently on the cheek. Finding no other way out of the booth, she slid under the table and walked quickly out of the restaurant, feeling Harry's eyes on her back as she went.
Out on the lane, she looked left and right before running up to the Shrieking Shack. She stopped at the fence and climbed on, sitting facing away from the lane. What was up with her?
She stared at the shack long and hard, trying to figure out what had gone wrong. It wasn't Harry, he was a perfectly good date. She had fun. Maybe she was a little bit uncomfortable, kissing her best friend and everything. But there was something else...
"Draco," she said quietly into the wind.
"How'd you know I was here?" said a voice from behind her. She jumped and nearly fell off the fence. The person that said it climbed onto the fence and sat next to her.
"Why'd you follow me?" she asked Draco Malfoy.
"Because I saw you were upset. And that made me uneasy."
Hermione remained shocked. "Alright, really, how'd you know I was here?" said Malfoy.
She took a deep breath. "I didn't."
"So what'd you say?"
"I said Draco."
"Why?"
"Because I'm confused."
"Why the first name business?"
Hermione swung her leg, watching her skirt flutter in the breeze. "I don't know."
"Why are you confused?"
"Because...I don't know. I'm confused."
"Do you want me to go away?" Draco prepared to climb down.
"No. Keep asking me questions. I need to figure this out before I end up screwed."
The Slytherin raised his eyebrows. "Ok. Seriously, think about this...why'd you say my name?"
Hermione sighed and looked back down the empty lane. "Well...did you see me in the Three Broomsticks?"
Draco laughed nervously. "You saw me see you..."
"Right. Well, you know how I was with Harry?"
"Yeah."
"And you know how he kissed me?"
"I'd say more that kissed..."
"Yeah."
"Yeah. So why'd you say my name?"
"Oh. I was getting there. So it was nice—"
"I bet it was," Draco snorted.
"Right, let's leave your feelings—or lack thereof—for Harry out of this. It's my problem."
"Sorry. Keep going."
Hermione checked the lane again. "Well, I was kissing him or making out with him or whatever you want to say, and it just didn't feel right."
"Mm hmm."
"And so I had to leave—you saw that—and I came here."
"You said my name," stated Malfoy. "My first name."
"Yeah."
"But why?"
"Because I was trying to figure out what's wrong."
"I'm your problem?"
"No...I don't know. I'm still confused."
"How am I your problem?"
"You're not. I was trying to find out what made me stop. And it wasn't Harry's fault. And—I dunno—I thought of what happened this morning..."
"In the sauna?"
"Yeah. And so I thought that maybe it was that Harry couldn't compare to you."
"What?"
"Well, I don't know. Have you ever kissed somebody and thought that everything was going to be perfectly fine, even if it was only for a moment?" Hermione kicked off her shoes and looked Draco in the eyes.
Draco sighed. "Yes."
Hermione bit her lip. "Well, I didn't feel it with Harry..."
"Did you feel it with me?"
Hermione watched a leaf fall from a tree and turned around, checking the lane again. There were two people that she could see. "Yes."
Draco wrapped his arm around her. "Come with me."
He led Hermione past the Shrieking Shack and into the woods behind it. There was a clearing covered with leaves. "Now you can stop worrying about people seeing."
"Thanks."
"So wait, are you messing with me at all?"
"I wish I was."
"I don't." Draco leaned down and kissed her softly.
Hermione tried to smile, but she couldn't. Instead, she sat down in the leaves, crossing her legs. Draco followed suit.
"Is there something wrong?" he asked.
"I don't know. I don't know what's going on."
"Me either. But I think that we can't just pretend it's not happening."
"Yeah. But I feel awful. I just had a date with Harry. And now I think I'm falling in love with his enemy. All because his kiss didn't feel quite right."
"But you're following your heart, aren't you?"
"I sure hope so..." she said.