Exactly forty-five minutes later he slipped into the Leaky Cauldron and claimed a barstool at the end of the bar furthest from the girls. He couldn't hear them, but he knew that they'd been talking about him, but he couldn't tell if it was good or bad. He heard a loud groan coming from their direction. Ginny caught his eye and he rose without question.
"Oi, Malfoy, interrupting our girls' afternoon?" Ginny greeted him.
"I couldn't pass up a chance to see my favorite Potter now could I?" he chuckled and kissed her cheek. "Hey, Granger."
"Hi" Hermione squeaked. She looked like she wanted to disappear into the very wood of the booth.
"Well, I guess I'll be going! I have an appointment in an hour." Ginny grinned as she slipped out of the booth. Draco arched an eyebrow at her but said nothing. Meanwhile, he grinned wickedly as Hermione tried to stop her from leaving.
"Bye love." Ginny grinned and then she was gone. Draco lowered himself into the recently vacated seat across from Hermione.
"So," he murmured. "I take it that you know. The Potters are shite at keeping secrets." He smiled ruefully. He had always known that she'd somehow find out, he was just shocked that it had taken so long for them to finally tell her.
"Fourteen years? Nine of which we've been sharing friends."
"You weren't ready. For the first four, you were off-limits for obvious reasons, then you and Weasley were together for two years." He thought it sounded reasonable. He also thought it sounded like he was a coward, which was entirely true.
"Which leaves eight years."
"Yes, I am well aware." He said casually.
"Eight years you could have said something" she hissed.
"I did." He shrugged. "I've said something more times than I can count. It's not my fault that your intelligence doesn't extend into your personal life."
"When? When have you ever told me how you felt?" She challenged.
"Every God dammed day for the last eight fucking years, you infernal witch!" he snapped, raking a hand through his hair. "You weren't ready."
"I wasn't ready for what?" she snarled.
"To hear me, of all people on this island, tell you that I love you. Ok? I. Love. You." He shouted. Hermione's eyes went wide, and her mouth opened and closed but no sound came out. Silence reigned for a full five minutes before he let out a resigned sigh. "I told you that you weren't ready."
"Just." She spoke quietly, rubbing her temples. "Just give me a minute to process."
Draco waited silently as she stared at the woodgrains of the table. He desperately hoped that his outburst had not ruined his chances of being with her. He had been so patient, so careful not to scare her away before he thought that she could accept his feelings and reciprocate them. He finally decided that distance was likely best in this scenario.
"I'll leave you to your thoughts." He said quietly. "Take as long as you need. I've waited for fourteen years. I can wait as long as necessary. I'm a very patient man." He rose and leaned over the table to place a chaste kiss on the top of her bowed head. "Remember what I said. You know where to find me when you have your answer." With that, he left her to decide what it was that she wanted.