Hermione and Draco wandered back into the common room from their walk just as the stars started to show above in the night sky.
"What's this?" questioned Hermione as they noticed a small red box on the table.
To my special students. Magical Dreams and a Good Night, Professor Dumbledore"Chocoballs, my favorite," said Draco. He grabbed a couple out of the box and sat down. "You really should try them, Hermione, they are wonderful."
"Not much in the mood for sweets," she replied.
"Go one, just taste one."
"Alright," Hermione sunk her teeth into one and could have sworn it was chocolate covered heaven. "Say, these are good." She took another and sat down beside Draco.
Draco and Hermione sat in the common room munching on the Chocoballs and discussing everything from arithmancy to Zonco's. The time just seemed to fly by but neither seemed to mind. Over the hours the tone in which they spoke became softer and the distance between them became less.
Hermione felt like she was falling down a hole, her head was spinning. All she wanted to do was lay her head down. It was almost like being sick, but it felt wonderful. Without a thought, she laid her head down on Draco's shoulder.
It stunned Draco at first, when Hermione laid her head onto his shoulder, but he instantly relaxed, it felt natural and good. He leaned back a little to let her relax and he stroked the ringlets from her face. Their conversation mellowed and they lay together peacefully. Draco looked down; Hermione looked so peaceful lying there. He had the strangest urge to kiss her.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Hermione woke with a start. She sat up quickly. For a moment, she couldn't remember where she was or how she got there. Then she remembered, I guess I fell asleep here, on the couch with Draco. Asleep on the couch with Draco? Reality slammed into her head. What in the hell was I thinking?
Draco woke more slowly. His memory of the night before was a little foggy. The last thing he remembered was lying on the couch talking with Hermione. For a second, he couldn't figure out what the problem was. He couldn't move his left arm and it was all tingly. He looked down and knew why. Hermione was still lying there.
"I guess we both fell asleep," he managed.
"Yeah, I guess so," she said sheepishly.
"Hey, what's the matter?"
"Nothing. Well, just this. I feel a little awkward."
"I'm sorry, Hermione. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable. You just looked so peaceful. I didn't want to disturb you. I swear, I didn't touch you." A bright red flush crossed his cheeks. For the life of him, he couldn't remember a time when he had ever been so sorry to upset any one. He didn't understand what had come over him.
"No, I didn't mean to insinuate anything like that. I mean, I trust you." Wait a second, I trust Draco Malfoy, since when? Hermione thought she was going crazy. "Well, um, I guess I will be, uh, getting up now." Hermione retreated to her room to freshen up before breakfast.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
