CHAPTER 12

Fireworks went off in Hermione's head. Her eyes were tightly shut, but she could feel her eyeballs spinning round and round, red and yellow sparks going off in her mind.

Amazing.

She couldn't understand- she had kissed Chris so many times and his kisses were-well, bland. She had never felt anything. This was jut so different! It wasn't her first kiss...but it was definitely the best one she had ever had.

And it was from Draco Malfoy.

Around her she was dimly aware of the guests clapping. She could hear Elina breathing very deeply to her side. She suddenly realized, that is she didn't kiss Draco back, the Malfoy's would think it was weird.

Well. Here goes.

Tentatively, she began kissing him back.

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Lisa stared at Hermione.

Oh good lord! He's kissing her. Right in front of everyone.

She looked wildly around. Most of the guests were clapping politely; few had smiles on their faces. Elina, however, looked furious. Her black eyes were glinting, her mouth draw in a tight line, and her fists clenched. Her breathing was hard and raspy.

She turned her attention back to Hermione and Draco. Draco's arm has moved from the back of her neck to her waist. It held her almost tenderly. His other hand gently cupped her face. He was kissing her with passion, his eyes shut. She had her arms doubly by her side, clutching her nosegay. She wasn't even kissing him back.

Then, all of a sudden, she dropped the nosegay. Her arms went around his neck, and linked over there. She opened her mouth and began to kiss him back- tentatively at first, and then with passion equal to his. At that moment, however, Draco pulled his face back. Hermione's arms were wrenched from his neck. He quickly let go off her, and she almost toppled back.

Lisa quickly stepped in front and grabbed hold of Hermione before she hit the floor.

Draco, on the other hand smiled at his aunt.

'Well,' he said, simply.

'Well indeed,' she replied, and her voice was filled with cold fury. 'Wonderful bride, Draco.'

Hermione almost gasped. She stifled the noise just in time.

Draco quickly adopted a look of concern and surprise.

'Aunt Elina? What's wrong?' he asked, in a voice laced with anxiety.

'I'll talk to you later,' Elina replied, coldly. She turned round, and walked away.

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Hermione was breathing very heavily by the time the kiss was over. She couldn't believe it.

Draco Malfoy kissed me! And I kissed him back!

She couldn't help gasping over the fact. The point was, kissing him had just been so- wow. She had kissed Chris millions of times...but it had never ever been like this!

She noticed that Draco had sat down, and quickly did the same. She sneaked a peak at him. He noticed and looked inquiringly at her.

'What did you do that for?' she asked, in an angry whisper.

Draco turned to her and lifted his eyebrows.

'Do what?' he asked, in a nonchalant voice.

'Kiss me,' she whispered, furiously. Then noticing that some of the guests were looking inquiringly tat her, she smiled sweetly. Draco coughed with amusement.

'Don't do that,' she said, shortly. 'Just tell me why you did that.'

'Well,' Draco replied, mildly, 'You were the one making stupid mistakes. You were the one who was driving Aunt Elina crazy with suspicion. I was one who righted all that. I made them all think we were in love.'

'Well, your aunt didn't seem to happy.' Hermione retorted.

'Which means I succeeded. She doesn't know you're a mudblood, but she doesn't like you. She doesn't want me to be in love with you. That's why she was so angry.'

'If you say so,' Hermione said, doubtfully. 'So the kiss didn't mean anything?'

Draco rolled his eyes.

'No, female. Nothing. Nil. Zilch.'

Hermione leaned back in her seat and sighed. Her lips were still feeling bruised. Suddenly, she noticed someone walking up onto the platform with Narcissa.

The person was tall and fair with blonde hair. He was dressed in a smart suit, and was walking with his back straight. Behind him, was-

'Oh my fucking god,' Hermione whispered.

Draco turned to her. 'What's up.'

'Chris,' she whispered.