Disclaimer: I own only the plot, not the characters; they're J.K. Rowling's.

Back Again

Once again on the Hogwarts Express was taking them back to where they had started this interesting year. Draco was trying his best not to look at Hermione. He was terrified that she was angry with him. She hadn't said anything all day and it was really starting to eat at him. Could she really get that mad from a kiss? Why would she? Had he ruined their whole friendship? Maybe he was just paranoid, but he just couldn't seem to get that prospect out of his mind. Hermione and Ginny were talking animatedly to Blaise, to keep his spirits up as long as they could but Draco had completely spaced out. He was leaning back in his seat with his legs stretched out across the car. His head was tilted to the side so he could watch the blur of green and brown scenery race past them.

Hermione had noticed that Draco had gotten extremely uncomfortable since the night before. He was starting to worry her. He had hardly said anything all day! Not to mention the way he was in a trance over at the window. Was it because of the funeral? It must be. He was the one that had kissed her so he couldn't regret it could he? Well, the funeral was the most likely reason. She put her hand on his arm that was crossed over his chest. This made him jump as it brought him back to reality, staring straight into the concerned honey eyes of the girl that he couldn't keep off his mind.

"Are you alright?" she asked, watching his shocked expression as he was taken out of his reverie of thought. He glanced down at the floor, suddenly feeling self conscious under her intense gaze. He gave a defeated sigh as he returned his gaze back to hers. She looked even more concerned than she had a second ago. Did she really care about him that much? He couldn't help but hope.

"Could we possibly go to another car to talk? I want to discuss something." He half smiled up at her.

"Yeah, of course. Gin, Blaise, we'll be right back," she said while standing up and waiting for Draco to do the same. Blaise and Ginny were still talking heatedly so they just waved them off as an acknowledgement that they had heard them. Hermione took Draco's hand and led him to the car across the aisle. She sat in a seat far from the window, as it seemed to be quite interesting to him most of the trip. Collapsing in the seat across from her, he leaned forward so that he could look into her eyes while they talked.

"So what's wrong?" Hermione asked, bringing her full attention to the person seated in front of her. She could see the strain in his silver eyes, noting that it was from the fact that he was trying to hide emotion. She could always tell because of the strained look.

"Um, about last night," he started, not being able to hold the blush that hinted on his face. He really wasn't good with conversations like this. Then again, he had never had a conversation like this before. Hermione's brow shot up in surprise. She was expecting to have him talking about the upcoming funeral.

"Yeah?" She wanted to know where he was going with this before she got too concerned. It couldn't have caused him that much turmoil could it? She watched as he ran a hand through his hair. Luckily he had stopped wearing gel, so it was easy for him to do.

"Did it upset you at all? I mean, you weren't really expecting it and I just wondered if it was ok or if you were upset with me because if you are I'm sorry and I won't do it again, I promise, I really don't want to ruin our friendship because I really like you and…" His rambling was stopped by a finger over his lips. He couldn't understand what was happening to him, he was always so good with girls. Then again, he didn't usually have to try, and he certainly didn't care what they thought. This was different than all those other times, and he was man enough to admit it. She took her finger away and he grinned at her sheepishly. His eyes were only half visible under his eyelids.

"Of course I'm not upset. It was really sweet Draco," She took his hand in her own and squeezed it affectionately. He smiled up at her.

"Are you sure, you aren't just saying that to make me feel better?" he asked, still with a hint of nervousness.

"Well, I do want you to feel better but I can assure you that I'm telling the truth," she reassured him. His lips lifted for the first time in a full genuine smile. Standing up and pulling her with him, he pressed his lips to hers and wrapped his arms around her waist possessively. He finally had what he wanted most, someone who genuinely cared about him, and showed him the affection he craved since he was young.

Meanwhile, in the other compartment that held Ginny and Blaise, a discussion was taking place.

"So do you think he's going to ask her out?" Ginny asked excitedly once her best friend and Draco had left and it was safe to talk about it. Blaise looked thoughtfully at the passionate red head in front of him.

"I hope so; he's practically obsessed with her and won't even admit it to himself! Besides the fact that I'm not going to let any other guy date her, only the best for my sis." He told her confidently. She laughed at him. She just couldn't help it. Blaise was so much like Ron was to Ginny in so many ways towards Hermione. He looked quizzically at her.

"What?" he asked her, starting to smile himself. Her laugh was contagious.

"You just remind me of how Ron treats me, all protective and stuff. It's cute," she reassured him.

"He's a smart guy then, you deserve the best too," he replied bashfully. She watched as he began to play with the hem of his shirt nervously waiting for her to reply to him.

"Well you said Draco is the best, and he's taken. Well, he'd better be by now anyways," she laughed, looking at the door across the aisle of the train. He looked disappointed at her until he saw the glint in her eye and realized she was just playing with him.

"I mean he's the best for Hermione, she couldn't very well go out with her brother now could she? I don't think any of us would want that!" He crinkled his nose for emphasis at the absurd thought. She lifted her brow at him in astonishment.

"So now you're the best eh?" she asked him, trying to hide her excitement at what he was implying. He just leaned back as if her comment didn't faze him.

"Well, I hate to sound vain, but yeah, I am," he said with a mischievous smirk.

"Says who?" she asked with the hint of a giggle in her voice. Her eyes sparkled at him as he looked down his nose at her.

"You," he replied in a nonchalant manner. He was watching her expression over the bridge of his nose. This was hard to achieve because his glasses were in the way. Her cheeks paled for a moment to a ghostly white, then regained their colour to the point that they were tinged pink.

"Who told you that?" she asked genuinely curious. It was his turn to blush now. 'It's now or never,' he thought to himself as he was about to say one of the boldest things in his life.

"You, in my day dreams," he said seriously. This caught her off guard. She hadn't expected something that bold. She didn't know how to answer him; her mind was racing too quickly to comprehend any of her thoughts. He realised that she wasn't going to reply after a short pause, but she didn't yell at him so he took it as a sign to continue. "I really like you Ginny, I know that sounds kinda cheesy but it's true. I really don't know how else to word it." He let his words sink in while waiting for her to answer. She definitely didn't expect this, but she certainly didn't mind either.

"I really like you too Blaise but um, why exactly do you like me?" She was playing with her fingers nervously as he pondered his answer for a moment. Then he leaned forward, taking her chin in his hands so he could look her straight in her eyes.

"Because, you're smart, you're caring and you're lovely, who could ask for anyone better than that?" He then pressed his lips to hers and waited a moment for her respond. He didn't have to wait long though before she had participated just as eagerly as him.

Hermione moaned and ran a hand through his shaggy blonde hair. She was silently thankful that there was no gel. Allowing him to slip in his tongue she ran her hand down his cheek to his jaw line and down to his neck making him shiver. They didn't even notice their Kit Kat's jump out of their pockets. Sensing the excitement in the atmosphere they began to run around the compartment happily. Jumping from seat to seat, their tiny claws were tearing at the cushions. Their little fluffy tails were straight in the air as they chased each other across the seats of the compartment. Draco couldn't have cared less until Felix jumped onto his back trying to escape Spunky. Spunky was at the edge of the seat closest to Draco's back, reaching towards Felix, batting at his tail with one paw while the other four were desperately trying to keep balance. Draco broke the kiss whispering curses as he reached behind him trying to reach the small cat that was now attached to his back. Once they realised that Hermione and Draco were standing apart, Spunky and Felix decided they wanted some of the attention they had been giving each other. Felix jumped down from Draco and through his legs over to Hermione who was giggling wildly at the sight before her. She felt Felix rub up against her legs, so picking it up she brought it to her face and let it rub it's little black nose against her own. Spunky was a little more demanding as he too jumped onto Draco's back. He climbed up to Draco's shoulder. Draco was in no mood to show the giddy creature affection. He and his little friend had just ruined the best moment of his life. Luckily, Spunky found ways to amuse himself. He bent down on Draco's shoulder, carefully watching his hair sway slightly. For a moment he just sat there until he decided it was the right time. Spunky leapt on to Draco's head who yelped and jerked his head forward in surprise. Spunky dug his claws into Draco's scalp behind his ears trying to hold on. Hermione couldn't hold in her laughter anymore. Her giggles turned into convulsions of laugher. She fell backwards onto her seat holding Felix. Draco glared at her when he finally caught his Kit Kat and had it safely in his hands. It took him a moment to think back to what happened before he fell backwards with the force of laughter that overtook him. It really was amusing. Tears were beginning to form in Hermione's eyes. Felix saw this, and thinking she was actually crying, it jumped up to her shoulder and rubbed away the tears with his nose. This only made Hermione laugh harder. She picked it up again and rubbed it's nose once more with her own.

"It- it's ok, I-I'm not re- really crying," she said through fits of giggles. It took her almost ten minutes to completely calm down. Draco took less, since he didn't actually see it. The look on Hermione's face while she laughed made him smile though. Spunky was playing with his fingers playfully. His claws weren't big enough to hurts Draco so it really only tickled him.

"Well, this train ride has been interesting," he told Hermione once she had calmed down. She looked up at him with a grin.

"It certainly has."