In Transit for You
Chapter 5: Kiss Me One Last Time
Hermione was forced to go back to the Order's head quarters. She only wished to see Malfoy and only Malfoy. She didn't want to hear Tonk's reassurance or Harry's rambling about how he wasn't worth the worry, she wanted to talk to him. She stayed up till three o'clock in the morning waiting by the door and wondering, praying, even pleading… a sound jolted her from her droopy state. Malfoy had just come in through the door. Hermione smiled with relief.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"I'm alive aren't I?" he replied.
"I'm so sorry I couldn't come with you. Harry's orders…" she started but before she could finish Malfoy had begun to shake his head. "What?"
"Are you serious?" Malfoy asked.
"What do you mean am I serious?"
"I can't believe after three years you're still the by the book Hermione Granger I grew up with."
"I'm not!" she declared repulsed.
"Like hell you aren't."
"I seriously am not."
"Don't tell me, Hermione Granger, Hogwart's valedictorian, perfectionist, and goody two shoes, has a bad side," he teased.
"You make it sound so terrible," Hermione said rolling her eyes.
"Do you have a life?"
"Yes," she replied.
"Then what do you do for fun."
"Well, I look up spells, and do stuff for the Order…"
"That's not fun, that's work."
"Well, what do you do?"
"I like to play pool, I'm a big fan of poker, and I like to do karate to keep my self focused."
"Well, okay, I like to listen to music. No, I love to listen to music. I'm a junkie," Hermione said.
"Oh yeah, what type? Britney, Christina, or NSYNC to jazz it up a little bit."
"As a matter of fact, I like Dashboard Confessional, Sting and the Police, The Beatles, and Underoath. They are among my favorite bands," she replied.
"Wouldn't pick you to like emo music, but then again, I wouldn't pick you to like music at all," Malfoy said thoughtfully.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you're a perfectionist; music is all about screw ups and accidentals."
"That's why I like it so much, it's an escape from myself. So yeah, music is my outlet."
"And your sex life?"
Hermione's jaw dropped. "That is none of your business!"
"That's code for, 'I'm a virgin'."
"Don't be so sure about that," Hermione said slyly.
"Oh…"
"In my sixth year, Victor came over from Durmstrang(sp) because of Dumbledore's funeral. We were both scared about the war and lonely because we had lost people close to us. We just got back together, but then he had to leave to a witness protection program and even I don't know where he is. And then last year, me and Ron…well…I don't know how it happened, but it did. Right before he died too."
"Is that why you're so afraid?"
"Afraid of what?"
"Afraid of getting close." He stroked her cheek. She closed her eyes and let out a deep breath. Malfoy felt her hot breath on his fingers. "My knuckles have turned to white. There's no turning back tonight. Kiss me one last time," he whispered. Hermione smiled at hearing her favorite song. He put his lips lightly on hers. She looked at him as he pulled back.
"I'm sorry," he said quickly leaving to go to his room.