Chapter 8

It's About Time

Draco Malfoy. Of all the evils in the world she had to choose that one. If I ever had a sworn enemy, he'd be it. Draco Malfoy. The name is like a stone, beating against the inside of my brain. What is it that he's got that I don't? Well… besides money, and good looks… and charm… and a way with the ladies… Alright already! Jeez, you sure know how to kick a guy while he's down. I kick over the dining chair in front of me. Why him though? God it kills me… How can she like that insensitive jerk? Does she wish I were more like him? I could be more like him. I push the table back and grab one of mom's best cooking pans and study my reflection in it. It's a little distorted but I can see myself clearly enough. I turn on the faucet and run my hand under the water. Holding the pan in one hand and the water in the other, little by little I wet my hair and comb it back with my fingers. I stand up straight and tug the bottom of my checkered shirt. One of the buttons flies off. Great, I think to myself. I pull the shirt off as I head to my room to change. I search through my clothes quickly finding nothing "Draco-ish". Well that says something about my tastes. I grin to myself as I settle on a dark green button down shirt and the black pants I had on last night. I also practise not smiling in the mirror. I hear Hermione's voice in the livingroom, she's talking to Fred and George about something. I comb my hair straight back and take one last look at myself in the mirror. Ok Ron, this is it. Don't screw up. I take a deep breath and head back down towards the livingroom. I give myself the once over and step through the archway. Noone notices me until I clear my throat. Then all eyes are on me. I hear Fred start to snicker but George hits him in the arm to stifle him. Hermione is staring at me head tilted slightly, a curious look on her face. I start to speak:

"Hermione, I was wondering…" My voice starts to tremble and I can feel the blood rushing to my cheeks. My eyes dart frantically from Fred to George and back to Hermione. "I was just thinking that…" I'm babbling, she doesn't understand a word I'm saying. Then it occurs to me… That's exactly why I'm not like Draco he just does it. Well… I don't know if I can… Just do it! The voice in my head screams at me. I only pause for another second to look at Fred and George. "Well I… Oh screw it." I take the few steps to close the gap between Hermione and I and put my hands on either side of her face planting a kiss on her lips. She's shocked at first, her eyes wide but then her arms wrap around my waist and her eyes close as she melts into me. I hold her face and run my hands through her hair, I'm smiling but I keep kissing her. There are tears on her face and she's smiling too. Then I can hear Fred and George hooting and hollering and cat-calling. I let go long enough to look into her eyes and see her smiling back at me. Then I wrap her in a warm hug and the best part is… she hugs me back, tight.

"Took you long enough." She whispers in my ear, as I stroke her hair affectionately.

"I'll say." Fred pitches in joining the hug. "You kids should have gotten together a long time ago."

"Everyone knew except you two." George says, also joining the hug. I enjoy it for a moment and then start to feel alittle uncomfortable about George and Fred hugging my girl.

"Ok ok, that's enough," I say breaking free of the love fest. Hermione keeps smiling at me. Fred and George head to the kitchen talking about how they always knew we would end up together. Hermione takes my hand. There is a large crash, at first I think it must have been the twins in the kitchen but they come rushing in as if to see if it were us. We all look to the stairs. Hermione is the first one to reach them as she darts up them quickly. I'm close on her heels, this is all too good to be true and I don't want to let her out of my sight. She's headed back down just as I reach the top.

"It's Draco," she says breathlessly. "He's gone." I snort and start to say something but the look on Hermione's face stops me. She's actually concerned. I'd say we're better off…

"He broke the upstairs window and climbed out onto the roof, I can't see where he's gone. We'll have to split up outside to look for him." Fred says what I was thinking:

"If the ungrateful git wants to go so bad what don't you just let him alone?" She gives him a withering look that makes me glad I didn't say it.

"Incase you've forgotten, Fred, someone nearly killed him the other day. He needs our help and protection so I'm not going to let him go wandering around outside alone."

"I'll take the back." Fred says quickly, defeated.

"I'll take the left side." George says as he looks at me. Hermione also looks at me, as if I could refuse her. She smiles knowingly.

"Ron, you take the front and I'll look around the woodshed." She kisses my cheek and we all grab our coats and head out the door. If this wasn't the best day of my life it would be the worst day of my life.

I walk briskly towards the wood shed. Behind me I can hear calls like "here Draco, come 'ere boy" and various dog whistles. I shake my head but can't help grinning. It's as if the smile is permanent. Ron finally kissed me. If only he had done that months ago… I shake my head it doesn't matter. What matters now is that we're together. He kissed me! My stomach is still full of butterflies. As I reach the shed I notice that the lock is lying on the snow and the door is slightly ajar. I step towards it slowly.

"Draco…?" I call nervously. As I step inside the door shuts behind me and I turn around quickly.

Something hard and blunt hits me on the back of my head. My legs go limp and I fall onto the dirt floor. My eyes roll back and then close slowly, the blurring figure of Draco standing over me.