DISCLAIMER: I don't own hp or any of the characters.

Second Kisses

She hurried through the hallways praying to the gods above her that she didn't meet anyone on the way. She ran to her sanctuary; the library. Her feet slapped on the stone floor as she skidded around the corner. Her tears flew back into her hair as she ran. It was horrible. Her first kiss was awful.

She had often fantasized about her first kiss. How it would be perfect: passionate and with someone she deeply cared about. It had gone all wrong. The boy who had given her first kiss was none other than Ron Weasley. She loved him very much but not in a lover sort of way; more like a brotherly way. In addition the kiss was sloppy, full of saliva – correction: his saliva – which was, in one word, disgusting. Instantly she had pulled away from Ron and sprinted away.

Now she slipped around the corner merely feet away from the library. Hermione unlocked the double doors and quickly and quietly as she can snuck between the two doors, which she shut after entering. She soundlessly made her way through the towering shelves of books towards the back of the library. Exhausted she collapsed into a red overstuffed chair embroidered with leaves and vines in green string.

She traced the lines, curls, and loop-the-loops that were placed in the chair's fabric. Why did this have to happen to ME? She asked herself. Why did her first kiss have to be the exact opposite of her fantasy kiss? These questions resounded in her head over and over again. Suddenly she was brought out of her thoughts by a noise.

Even with the lamp light beside her she could barely see anything. It was dark otherwise. She felt her body become numb with fear. Then, unexpectedly, a figure jumped out of the shadows and into her face. She let out a blood curdling scream and tried to shield herself from her attacker. A low laugh was admitted from behind her fortress of arms over her face. Hesitantly she let her arms fall to the chair arm rests as she realized who it was, Draco Malfoy.

"A little scared there Granger?" Draco asked with his smirk. Hermione humphed and crossed her arms over her chest making Draco laugh. A pout – more like an anger expression – grew on Hermione's face.

"Shut up Ferret." Hermione growled. His laughter died and he rounded on Hermione, placing his hands on either arm rest.

"Why should I?" he asked, leaning in closer.

"Because you don't know what you're talking about." Hermione shot back angrily.

"And what, pray tell, do I not know? I know you're a bookworm and a mudblood? What else is there?" Draco asked with his eyebrow cocked.

Hermione didn't reply but turn her head to look out the tall window beside her; the anger slipping away.

"It's nothing." She managed to say, "I don't matter. You know me through and through." She stood which forced Draco back as well. He could sense a slight dash of sarcasm in her voice.

"No. There's something else. Tell me now!" Draco barked as he pushed her back into the comfy chair.

"There's nothing to say. Let me pass or else." Hermione snarled with a flare in her eye. Draco studied her. She was hiding something and they both knew it.

"No. Make me." He retorted. Hermione's eyes, if it was possible, lit up like a wild fire.

"Let me go." Hermione angrily insisted as she thrashed around in the chair. His grip was like a vice, unrelenting.

"No." Draco held firm. Hermione abruptly stopped beating against him. She went back to her pout with her arms crossed under her torso. When Draco was about to yell at her to tell him, she suddenly melted like putty.

"It's nothing important." Hermione tried to talk some sense into him, "Why would you care anyway?" Draco was silent for a while.

"If it can reduce the strong Granger fortress then yes it is important." He was avoiding the second question, Hermione could tell.

"Why do you care?" Hermione persisted. He shook his head.

"That's not the point – " but he was cut off.

"But it is the point! Why would you care if I'm like this?" Hermione asked. He sighed and stood back.

"Because – " He started, "Because, then, I wouldn't be able to fight with you. Besides, I - I like the way you are."

Hermione sat back; stunned in her chair; unable to move. Her eyes were probably as round as saucers. Draco Malfoy? THE Draco Malfoy like me? That's totally messed up! This is –just – unbelievable! It can't be right… can it? Hermione asked herself as she watched Draco turned his back on her and began to walk away. She made up her mind right then and there.

"It was because of an unwanted kiss." She uttered quietly. Draco froze at her words. He could have just walked out of the small corner they were in, but he didn't. The room was big enough to be a large bedroom but compared to the rest of the library it was considered small. His gaze wandered the bookshelves to Hermione's figure when he turned around.

"He just suddenly kissed me. It was horrible," she rambled, "It was nothing what I thought my first kiss would be like. I was sloppy and – well – disgusting. When he finally pulled back – "

"Who?" Draco interrupted.

"What?" Hermione asked bewildered.

"Who kissed you?" He restated. Hermione looked at him suspiciously.

"It doesn't matter – " she began.

"You're right it doesn't." Draco once again interjected. Hermione felt her blood rise. His butting in was getting very annoying.

"Because I know who it was. It was Weasley wasn't it?" he asked almost accusingly. She was surprised that he guessed correctly.

"Don't act so surprised." He told her, "Everyone knew that he fancied you. It was plain as day!"

There was a long silence. He raked his fingers through his gel-free blond hair. It fell back onto his forehead slightly more tousled than before.

"It was my first kiss and he took it away from me. Is that how everything will be done? Just taken?" Hermione asked in a small voice.

"Do you want me to show you a real kiss?" Draco asked suddenly. Hermione was once again taken aback at his forwardness.

"But you'll get mudblood cooties on you." Hermione snottily shot at him. A grim frown found its way onto Draco's face.

"Second kisses are like second chances." Draco informed her. He appeared before her and wrapped his arms around her middle. He pressed against her gently; their mouths barely centimeters apart.

"They are almost always better than first time around." He finished.

She could feel his warm breath on her lips as he whispered against them. Cautiously he looked into her eyes for any source of resistance. None. Her eyes fluttered shut as he captured his mouth in hers. He pulled away lightly at the thumping he felt pulse through his body. No sooner than he had, Hermione pushed her lips to his and continued. He pulled at her bottom lip and Hermione mimicked his actions. When Hermione let out an irrepressible moan they both pulled back.

She blushed while he smiled at her. She cleared her throat after a long period of stillness.

"I suppose you're right, about second kisses being second chances." She said if only a little raspy. He smiled and unwound his arms. Hermione let him go.

"I've got to go…" he trailed off, "I suppose I'll see you around?" Draco still breathed heavily.

Hermione nodded and watched him walk out of the library.

Rizahawkeye21

A/N: Well what did you think? From Both Sides is almost over! Hoped you enjoyed it. A thank you to Flying Buggy for being my fishy.