Love or Infatuation?
By
Cherished Dreams

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.


Chapter Eight

Blinking hard and ignoring the pounding sound of my heart in my head, I slowly stood from where I sat. His touch, his kiss had caught me off guard. The number of conscious Death Eaters were diminishing, the professors there throwing roping charms and curses at the Death Eaters left. From the corner of my eye I saw Draco fighting single handedly against a Death Eater, and I surmised the charm he had been using had worn off. Worry overwhelmed me and so grasping my wand tightly I aimed from where I stood and whispered traces of pain in my voice, "Petrificus Totalus.."

The Death Eater's arms snapped to their side, eyes wide and fell to the ground with a dull thud. The scene brought me back to my first year, when I had first used the spell on our friend, Neville Longbottom. Draco looked towards me, smiled a bit before collapsing to the floor himself. I rushed as fast as I could towards him The Death Eaters were defeated and there were no more in sight. I cradled his head in my lap, checking him for serious injuries. Using little of the strength I had left I healed some of his wounds, as I held him close.

Professors were helping students get medical support using the fireplaces on either sides of Great Hall and a password to get to the Hospital Wing. Draco slowly stirred back into consciousness on my lap after what felt like ages. Seeing me, his eyes clouded with an emotion I hadn't seen from him before: concern. "Granger? Are you alright?" A faint smile erupted on my lips and I had weakly replied that I was fine.

Professor Flitwick passed by and after seeing us rushed over to see if we needed medical attention. Draco and I were given strengthening potions and sent to beds. How the Hospital Wing could expand to accommodate all the injured was beyond comprehension to me at that moment. Draco laid down on his bed and fell asleep. I watched him sleep like a child, amazed that he could look so calm.

After a couple few hours of sleep and rest and watching people come in and out of the wing, Madame Pomfrey came over and checked up on me. The strengthening potion helped me lots, and she hoped to keep me there longer but I refused. Worry for my friends had been on my since the start of the attack, and I wanted to be sure that they were fine. The medi-witch told me that Harry and Ginny had come, but they had been released a few hours earlier. She left me with a vial with strengthening potion, and attended a new patient.

I looked over to Draco's bed, where he laid watching others. He wasn't allowed to leave. He was magically and energy drained would be allowed to leave after a day of observation. As I got my left arm redressed with bandages magically, Draco spoke up from his bed. "Gran-Hermione?" I looked at him a surprised expression on my face. "Yes?" He looked up at the ceiling. "I don't regret it." Heat rose to my cheeks in response. Oh. That. My heart started beating faster. That headache was coming back. "I-I liked it." I admitted, offering him a small smile.

He turned to face me, a small smile on his face. So he knew. I-I--liked him. That I liked this Draco. More than friends. After my gash was dressed I walked over to the side of his bed, bent over and kissed him softly on the lips. I grinned at his expression.

"It should be there though."

Grinning, he snaked his hand around the back of my neck pulling my lips on his once again. I smiled into the kiss. I pulled away for air. "Like that?" he asked, amusement written all over his face. I smiled and fixed my robes. His eyebrow rose. He wanted an answer. I started to walk out of that section of the wing but stopped at the door. "I like you Draco." Then I continued out the door leaving him to watch my retreating form.


I headed back to the Gryffindor Common Room, limping slightly. Almost there, Harry rushed out but saw me and rushed over to hug me tight. "Thank Merlin" he whispered thankfully into my ear. I put my arms around him but felt him wince. I pulled away and looked at him wonderingly. "Are you alright? What happened?"

He sighed and said, "We were walking back to the common room from the Quidditch field when it started, all three of us. We were helping a couple of kids into the locked and secured places, like how the professors taught us you know, and then someone missed a few stunning curses, hit the statue instead and it fell. I pushed a first year out of the way before it fell on me. Ginny is fine before you ask. Just like brand new, a bit sore, but then again who isn't? Stunned a fair few times, petrified and cursed.."

I sighed, so they were okay. I frowned he had trailed off. "What about Ron? What about him?" He frowned and looked away. Worry started to overwhelm my senses again and tears unexpectedly pricked my eyes as I expected the worst. He sighed and put his hands on my shoulders.

"Cursed, stunned, charmed, almost everything you can think off. I'm just so happy he remembered his counter charm for Obliterate. He was almost killed trying to save Gin. He was in the Hospital Wing when we were forced to leave him by Professor McGonagall." I gasped and the tears on queue started to fall. Harry hugged me tight as he could and comforted me.

Ron was clinging on to life. Draco was in the Hospital Wing for observation.

While I held onto Harry I selfishly realized something. A big problem.

Draco.

Ron.

Two people who had grown special to me and I was in love with them both.


A/N: I'm soooo sorry! Things have just been hectic these past few weeks.. what with things for the forums, half yearly exams and worrying much more than usual.. :P please enjoy this chapter! Inspiration left me during times of stress.. :P

WAIT! Before you start throwing those virtual tomatoes of yours:D yes I can see those out of the screen.

Please review :D