Author's Note #1: Originally, I said that this story was only going to be a two- or three-parter, but I might have lied. It could turn out to be longer than expected. Mainly because I have decided to take this story in a completely different direction than I had originally planned.

Author's Note #2: I would just like to say a huge THANK YOU to all the people who took the time to read and review the first chapter. I am overwhelmed by the amount of reviews I received, as I really wasn't expecting too many to begin with. I admit I was a little wary about submitting the story (first-time jitters, I suppose), but you all have been so nice in your reviews that it has really inspired me to keep going with this. :)

WARNING: Draco and Hermione may at times seem a bit out of character in this chapter and the ones that follow. But hey, you know…love potion. 'Nuff said. ;)

Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter (which I DON'T), then I would be a multi-millionaire (which I'm NOT).


"What's that goofy smile for, Geniva?" asked Markus, the bartender.

The barmaid turned around to face him and grinned mischievously.

"Oh no," Markus groaned. "Please tell me you didn't spike those kids' drinks."

Geniva giggled. "So what if I did?"

"Geniva! It's just wrong! Love potions are immoral."

"Oh please, Markus. You know my love potion is different. It only works if there is already some love there to begin with."

"Still…" he mumbled.

"Look," she said, leaning over the counter. She placed a hand gently on the bartender's arm. "You and I have both seen those two kids bickering every time they are in here. But I have always sensed that maybe there is something else there. Can you honestly say you've never noticed the sexual tension between them? It radiates off them."

Markus looked at her incredulously. Geniva had a knack for reading people, and seeing things that other people couldn't. "But Geniva, potions can sometimes have crazy side effects. What if-"

"No what-ifs, Markus. The potion is foolproof. If there is nothing between them besides loathing, then they are just walking home right now, arguing the entire way, as usual. But if there's more there…" she smiled, and then said, "Well then let's just say, it will be a Valentine's Day they won't soon forget."

To passersby, the tall silver-haired boy and the petite bushy-haired girl appeared to be a couple very much in love, and very much in need of getting a room.

However…

The exact moment Hermione Granger finally realized that Draco Malfoy was kissing her, she gasped in horror and shoved him off of her. That, she thought to herself, was the worst two minutes of my life. Not that she had counted the minutes. She had been too busy kissing the ferret back…running her hands through his silky blonde hair…pressing her tongue lightly against his…making little whimpering noises…and…She groaned inwardly. Oh dear, I really hate myself right now.

Draco didn't look like he was doing too much better himself. He was looking paler than usual (Is that even possible? Hermione wondered incredulously), and the expression on his face, while hard to place, definitely contained repulsion.

"What the hell," he spat, "was that?"

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him and smoothing out the front of her blouse. "Why don't you tell me, Malfoy. You're the one who just initiated a game of tonsil hockey with me."

"Tonsil what?" Draco shook his head in confusion. "I'm fairly certain I didn't get anywhere near your tonsils, Granger. I'm also fairly certain that you are the one who attacked me."

Hermione's jaw dropped at his accusation. "And I'm fairly certain that tomorrow I will have a nasty bruise on my back that will prove it was you who threw me up against the side of this building here." She placed her hands on her hips in such a way that clearly said, so THERE.

"And I'm fairly certain," Draco said without thinking, "that I'm about to do it again."

Sure enough, before Hermione had time to protest (and she would like to think that she would have, given the opportunity), she was once again pressed tightly up against the hard stone wall by none other than Draco Malfoy. Oh, this is not good. Not good at all.

Hermione winced at the sudden contact of her already-tender back up against the rough wall. Draco noticed this and once again, he spoke without thinking. "Are you all right?"

She looked up into his eyes, surprised by his question. Malfoy was asking if she was all right? It took a few seconds for her brain to register this, as it was not used to associating genuine concern with Draco Malfoy. His own gray eyes bore into hers, and the loathing that was fired up inside them earlier was gone, and was now replaced with something she couldn't quite put a finger on. Finally, she nodded. "Yeah," she said softly. "I'm okay."

"Okay," he whispered. He brought his hand up and gently brushed it against the side of her cheek. Hermione shuddered as it sent chills down her spine. Okay, whatever was happening, she didn't like it. Well, actually, she did like it, but that was the precise reason why she didn't like it. Her arch nemesis (for lack of a better term) had her pinned up against a wall, and he was looking like he was going to kiss her again at any moment, and she was actually hoping he would. I have to stop this, she thought to herself in a panic. I cannot allow this to happen again.

Draco was apparently having the exact same thoughts, because with lightening speed, he pushed himself away from her and backed up a few steps. "Damn you, Granger. You little witch. What have you done to me?"

"I should be asking you the same question, you manipulative little -"

"I would watch what you call me, you silly little mudblood."

"Ugh! You disgusting, evil -"

"I'm warning you, Granger."

"You foul, insufferable -"

"Granger."

"WHAT!"

"You're really pretty when you're angry."

Hmm. She wasn't expecting that. Before she could stop herself, she blushed, and she automatically forgot the next set of undesirable adjectives she'd been prepared to throw at him.

Draco wasn't expecting it either. Why the hell did I just say that? He mentally slapped himself in the head, and suddenly wished he had never been born.

A very long and awkward silence followed. Finally, Draco broke the ice: "I feel weird. Do you feel weird?"

Hermione nodded. "I feel very weird."

"Weird," Draco mumbled. Staring down at the ground.

"Yeah," agreed Hermione, who took a sudden interest in the night sky, the grass, the window on the side of the pub, her fingernails – really, anything that would prevent her from looking at the tall, devilishly handsome bloke that stood just a couple of feet away from her.

Draco cleared his throat. Say something insulting to her, he commanded to himself. When the words refused to come out, he gave up and mumbled, "Well, see ya." He turned and began to walk away.

"Wait, Malfoy!" Hermione called after him, even though she'd really had no intention to.

Draco stopped. He turned back around to face her.

"Draco," she said softly, as she hesitantly approached him. She was beginning to realize that she had no control over her actions. At least, that's what she was trying to tell herself as she lifted herself ever so slightly from the ground and kissed him softly on the lips.

This kiss was different than the first. There was no slamming against walls…no biting…no groping. No, this kiss was more tender. It was slow and cautious…gentle and sweet. Hermione couldn't help but notice how surprisingly soft Draco's lips were and how warm his touch was, and Draco couldn't help but notice that he was kissing a mudblood and liking it.

"Malfoy," Hermione murmured against his lips.

"Shut up, Granger," he murmured back as he deepened the kiss.

They stood there snogging for what seemed like hours (though Hermione calculated it was probably more like minutes), and neither of them seemed to want to part from the other.

When the kiss finally ended, she pulled away from Draco slightly. They were both short of breath, and Draco looked about as flushed as Hermione felt. She could feel his heart beating in his chest, and its accelerated rhythm perfectly matched hers. So this is what it felt like to be in love.

Whoa. Wait…what? I'm in love with Draco Malfoy?

"HERMIONE!"

Snapping out of her trance, Hermione glanced over in the direction of the irritated voice that just called out her name. What she saw made her heart swell with joy.

Harry and Ron stood just a few feet away, both with expressions filled with shock, disgust, anger, and some more shock. Completely oblivious to their reactions, she gave them a huge smile and grabbed Draco's hand. She couldn't wait to tell her two best friends in the whole world the good news that she had suddenly and inexplicably fallen in love with Draco Malfoy.

She just knew they would be so happy for her.

Author's Note #3: Sorry this chapter was shorter than the last one. I have already experienced my first bout of writer's block, after only one chapter! Yay! So if this chapter was less enjoyable than the last one, that is why. :)