Leather and Libraries

by Starlight-Heart

AU: Thanks for all the reviews you lot!

BlackPearl07 -Thanks! I've always been told detail is most important, that's why I hate the characters talking.

Quills 'N Ink -Thank you for the wonderful review! Really boosted my spirits about this story.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of this story, save the plot and one character! But if I did you'd all be worshipping me!

Summary: After an incident in the library, Draco and Hermione start to find they have more in common than just books.

Chapter 5 – Nothing Without You

Thank god for a free day.

Hermione Granger didn't say this often, but she needed a day to clear her head of unwanted thoughts.

She rolled over on her side and looked out of her window by Rachael's bed, smiling at the late morning sunrise that greeted her. Slowly and quietly, Hermione got out of bed and put on her dressing gown and slippers, before going down to the common room. It was unsurprisingly empty, save some assorted books and leftover sweets. She immediately sat in her favourite armchair by the non-existent fire. Noticing the books she had looked at last night, Hermione grabbed the bottom one and started to read, occasionally pondering over a paragraph. Because she was so engrossed in this, she didn't notice the young woman that had come from the dormitory until a small cough was emitted.

Hermione's head jerked up, but immediately relaxed at the sight of Ginny Weasley.

"Hi Gin'," Hermione smiled, marking the page she was on.

"Hey," Ginny answered, lying on the large sofa.

"How are you?"

"Good, except from these bloody dreams. Anymore and I think I'll scream."

"Ditto. Except mine seem to go back to the summer as well..." Hermione trailed off, a slight look of hurt in her eyes.

"Are you still worried about not being Head Girl? Look, Dumbledore even said you would have enough to going on without all that added stress." Ginny squeezed Hermione's leg and smiled reassuringly. "And I wouldn't see nearly enough of you!"

Hermione returned the smile. "Yeah, I guess your right... again."

"Of course I am! I'm a Weasley and a red head." They both laughed.

Hermione thought for a moment, biting her lip nervously.

"What's the matter 'Mione?" Ginny asked, sitting upright.

Hermione sighed. "Promise you won't tell anyone?"

Ginny saluted her and they both laughed again.

"No, seriously now. Yesterday, in the library, when I was in a foul mood?" Ginny nodded. "Well, Malfoy sort of kissed me." She braced herself for Ginny's reaction to this startling news.

"Did he force you or put you under a spell?!" Ginny exclaimed.

"No, I wasn't under a spell and it was only a bit forceful," Hermione said, shaking her head.

"He didn't do anything else though?"

"God no! I would have kept my word with Harry if he did!"

"So? What's the problem then?"

"Its just that, I feel weird. How am I supposed to carry on like nothing has happened, which I'm sure he will!"

"Just like you did with my brother," Ginny said quietly.

"Oh yeah," Hermione said, feeling the blood rush to her cheeks as she remembered the 'moment'.

Flashback

Hermione was sitting in a bedroom, looking bored as she sat dangling her legs. She heard the door knob turn and in entered a tall boy with fiery red hair.

"Hi," Ron said nervously, putting his hands into his pockets to stop them from shaking.

Hermione walked over to Ron. "What's the matter Ron? You've been like this ever since I've got here by what your mother has told me. Is it about everything that's happened? I mean, the amount we've gone through is enough to make anyone a bit crazy," Hermione asked patiently.

"No."

"Then what?!"

Ron looked hesitant for a moment and then gave a faint smile before giving her a slight kiss on the lips. She felt her heart leap to her throat, not knowing what to do. The kiss felt soft and he tried nothing else except put any romantic feelings he had for her in this one kiss, so she could somehow love him like he loved her.

Hermione didn't have the heart to push him away but didn't return his lip movements and noticing her attitude, Ron pulled away from the kiss with is ears turning red.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't ha-"

"Ron," Hermione interrupted. "I love you but not in that way. I mean, you're like a brother and it wouldn't work out with all the fighting we do," Hermione laughed, willing Ron to do the same. But he didn't; he just stood there with a face full of hurt and rejection like a small child lost in a playground.

"Do you understand?" Hermione said tenderly, touching his arm.

Ron looked at her with crystal tears forming in his eyes and left the room in silence.

End of Flashback

"Ok, enough of the annoying flashback," Ginny said, winking at Hermione while the latter rolled her eyes. "Just tell Malfoy if he touches you again, he'll have one of my delicious Bat Bogey hexes to keep him preoccupied instead of your lips."

"You know it's not that easy Gin. He's just so annoying and thinks he God's gift -"

"Never thought you were the type of person to talk behind your best friend's back," A voice shouted from the dormitory staircase. The two girls turned around and saw a fully clothed, yet still sleepy, Harry Potter.

"Shut up Harry because if you get any more big headed I will be forced to personally bring you back down to Earth," Hermione said, wrapping her dressing gown around her.

"Who stole your homework this time?" Harry said smugly. Hermione shot him a death glare.

"Draco. They were in the library and he ki- Ow!" Ginny moaned, rubbing her side where Hermione had just elbowed her.

"Did he call you a mudblood again? I'll -"

"Harry, once again, don't bother," Hermione sighed. "He's not worth it and not mature enough to understand the complexity of 'piss off'." They all laughed, not noticing the red haired boy at the end of the common room with the same look he bore only two months ago.

Hermione saw his vividhair out of the corner of her eye and smiled at him before approaching him. "Hey."

"Hi," Ron said sheepishly, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

"I'm sorry," They both said in union.

"I overreacted and I was wrong to say all those things-"

Ron waved his arms in front of him to signal her to stop. "No, I know better than that and I'm defiantly not as sad as Malfoy." They both smiled, an understanding meeting both of them.

"I'm glad your not him because then I'd have to kill you - along with Harry." She lightly kissed him on the cheek.

"So, are you coming down to breakfast?" Ron said, trying to control his now hot cheeks.

"Just give me half an hour to get ready."

And with that, Hermione rushed up the staircase, a smile firmly on her face as things seemed to be on the up but one thing kept nagging at the back of her mind which made her think that perhaps their not.

AU: Very corny but this chapter is supposed to be – thank God for Ginny! Star x