It's J.K. Rowling's. I'm just borrowing.


The next morning was Thursday. That meant Malfoy had until Saturday. Three days. Well, he thought. I'd best start now.

He walked into the dungeon where Gryffindor and Slytherin had Potions class together. Hermione was already seated when he arrived. He grazed her on the shoulder as he passed by her, and he smiled when she turned to look. She couldn't help but smile back.

Malfoy saw the Weasel come in, but he noticed he didn't sit quite as close to Hermione as usual. He also noticed Hermione didn't seem to mind. He watched the couple greet one another, and he could have sworn his efforts were working. He smiled to himself at the thought.


After class, Hermione listened to the same complaints as usual after Potions class.

"That bloody Snape!" Ron shouted to her and Harry. She stifled a yawn and pretended to hear the rest of what he said. She was, instead, thinking of the look Malfoy had given her... and the response she had. He made her all fluttery inside, and she wasn't completely sure if she loved or hated it—or him, for that matter.

She shook her head quickly to clear her thoughts and said, "Well, Ron, I'd best be off."

He considered her for a moment, then simply said, "Right then. I'll see you at dinner."

"Right. See you there." With that, she walked outside. The bright sun made the castle look even more magical, and Hermione breathed in deeply before making her way to the lake.


Malfoy found her there a few minutes later. She heard him approach, and her heart thudded in her chest at his arrival.

The first thing she saw was a bouquet of lilacs, as he placed them in front of her while he stood behind her. She breathed in the scent before turning to him.

"Oh, Draco," she said, kissing him before she thought about it. Then, "That was, uh..." She looked down, blushing. Then she looked up at him again. "They're beautiful," she said.

"So are you," he said, laughing softly at her embarrassment. He took her chin in his hand and led her lips to his again. They were so soft, and he could feel her tremble as he kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he wrapped his around her waist. They flowers lay forgotten in the grass behind Hermione.


The next two days went similarly. Draco and Hermione became closer, as Ron and Hermione grew even more distant. Had Hermione not been so caught up with Draco, she might have noticed the distance between her and Ron.

Late Friday night, she and Draco were in the astronomy tower talking.

"So," said Draco, "you actually do like me?"

Hermione blushed and fell silent. "Well," she replied, "there is Ron..."

Draco placed a finger to her lips. "Hush," he said, "Ron aside. Do you like me?"

Her heart fluttered under his inquisitive gaze. "Well, yes, if you must know."

He smiled and held her tight. "Good," he replied, "because I like you, too."

There was a moment of silence in which Draco hesitated. Hermione noticed.

"What is it?" she asked, concerned.

"I just..." he trailed off, weary of the look she gave him. "Well, Hermione," he started again. "If you like me like you say you do..." She nodded. "Then why don't you be with me?"

Hermione actually stopped breathing for a moment. "I, well, uh..." she stammered.

"Please?" he pleaded, looking deep into her eyes. "Ron could never love you the way I love you."

She faltered at the word "love." Could she... could this be...? She shook her head. "Draco," she said softly. "I need to think about all this."

"I understand," he replied, nodding. He kissed her gently on the forehead. "We'll talk tomorrow?"

"Yes, that works," said Hermione. "Tomorrow."

"Right then," he replied. "Goodnight, Hermione."

"Goodnight, Draco."

Tomorrow, he repeated in his head as he left her. Tomorrow.

His heart sank.

He found he had trouble sleeping that night.