Draco stayed away from the common room for a while; he thought it best to giver Hermione a little space. When he returned, he found the room empty. The door to Hermione's bedroom was open, and she wasn't in there either.
In a far end of the castle, Hermione sat in the Astronomy Tower with her head buried in her knees. She was so confused. She had almost tricked herself into thinking that Draco really liked her. Stupid, stupid, stupid, she thought. She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice when the door opened behind her.
Draco was totally at a loss, he was used to her screaming at him, he was used to any woman screaming at him. But not crying, anything but that! There the little mudblood was, huddled in the floor crying. He dropped to his knees behind her and wrapped his arm carefully around her shoulder. Hermione gasped, he must have startled her. "Hey, what's the matter?"
"Nothing. It is just strange being away from all my family and friends for so long." Draco pulled away a little dejected. "I didn't mean to say that you weren't a friend. I am sorry, that isn't what I meant."
"No, Hermione. Don't apologize. It is I that should be apologizing. Please, I have a surprise for you. Come with me, will you?"
Hermione let Draco lead her back to the common room, just outside he covered her eyes with his hands and led her the rest of the way in.
Hermione had no idea what to think, anything would have been a surprise. But the biggest surprise was the electricity she felt in her body when Draco moved behind her and covered her eyes. For her safety, he held her close as they walked together into the common room.
When Draco removed his hand, Hermione gasped. White candles floated in midair and rose petals covered the floor. "Draco…" Hermione gasped.
"All for you," Draco said. He continued to stand behind her, afraid that if he looked into her big brown eyes he would loose his nerve again. "Hermione, the week that I have spent with you has been the best time that I remember having, ever. I wanted to tell you sooner, but I just couldn't. What I wanted to say earlier today in Hogsmeade is that I never want things to go back to the way that they were. I never want to be enemies again, Hermione. But I never want to be just friends again either," feelings begin to swell within Hermione and within Draco as well. He continued, trying to hold back all the emotions that he felt. "Hermione, over the last week, I have started having feelings for you that I have never had for anyone before. I am so sorry for the cruel things that I have said and done to you in the past. If you will let me, I will spend the rest of our time at Hogwart's trying to make up for it."
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With a swish of his wand, Dumbledore made the magical orb disappear. He had seen enough to know that his magic had worked and that the prophecy had been set in motion. Draco and Hermione needed some privacy.
Dumbledore returned to his sofa, where he and Minerva sipped tea and reminisced about the old days at Hogwart's.
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