"Its his class schedule. You're just doing what any decent person would do by delivering it to him. Its not his fault he wasn't in the room when it arrived. I wouldn't be fair for him to be late because you were too chicken to knock on his door." The more she tried to psyche herself up, the more nervous she became. She stood in front of his bedroom door, her hand in the air prepared to knock for a good minute. "You're just overthinking it. Pluck up the courage and knock on the damn door."

Her knocks were hesitant, but she'd done it. Now all she had to do was hand over the schedule and walk away. She waited for an agonizingly long time before raising her hand to knock again, harder this time. As she did, the door swung open and her closed fist hit nothing but air. It caused her to stumble forward. Heat rose to her cheeks, but she composed herself and thrust the parchment out in front of her.

"Your class schedule was delivered while the boys were eating." She stated while awkwardly shifting her eyes everywhere but his face.

He reached for the parchment, and though he knew it might backfire, he purposely brushed his fingers along hers as he took it from her. She started at his touch, but did not pull away. Rather, she looked him directly in the eye, turning the tables by catching him off guard.

"Um... Thanks." He barely managed to get the words out as her eyes bored into his.

She smiled shyly, but quickly looked away as she replied, "Its the least I could do after this morning's... incident. Anyway, the boys are gone...got called to a meeting with Professor McGonagall. So you should go down and eat, since you did put all the effort into making it."

"Only if you'll join me." His thought, the one that was supposed to stay locked away inside his head, somehow came out of his mouth. It was his turn to awkwardly avoid eye contact.

"Did Draco Malfoy just ask me to have breakfast with him? No, that can't be right. Is he blushing? He is. In all the years we've been going to school together, I've never seen so much as a crack in his tough exterior, but here he is, blushing and fidgeting. He's actually embarrassed. Oh crap, what do I say? I can't just pretend those words didn't come out of his mouth. I am starving, and lunch is a long ways away. How am I even considering this? He's Draco Malfoy. It would be too weird. Ron and Harry would be furious. But they aren't here, and they don't have to know."

He could see her mind sorting through multiple emotions at once. Shock. Amusement. Confusion. Panic. Self-Doubt. Uncertainty. Mischief. And finally... could it be? Yes, it was hope. "Ok." Her answer was just two letters, but to him, it meant the world.

They walked in silence, side-by-side down to the kitchen. Each stealing sideways glances at the other. Not a word was spoken, but Hermione somehow knew he wouldn't fill a plate unless she did first, so she compliantly began placing a little of everything on her plate. Draco was careful to maintain a good distance between them, but the kitchen was small, and she couldn't control the warmth that built inside her from being in such close quarters with him. When her plate was full, she settled onto the bar stool nearest her. Draco took the one at the opposite end.

So many thoughts tore through Hermione's brain as she nervously ate the breakfast Draco had quite expertly prepared. "Where did he learn to cook like this, the muggle way? Wow, its delicious. I know the boys will think I'm insane, but he's different this year. He's more at ease. There's not the sense of him trying to maintain an appearance. Its almost like, up until this year, he's been playing the role of someone else, and now he's free to be himself. He has actively avoided two confrontations with Ron. He isn't strutting around, seeking attention. He hasn't uttered a single insult. He was blushing, for goodness sake! And don't forget London..."

During his time as 'Blake', watching Hermione deep in thought had been his favorite pastime. Draco, however, could only sneak peeks of it during class or from across the library. This was the first time since coming to Hogwarts he was able to do it in such close proximity. Her brow was tightly furrowed and every once in a while she would subconsciously mouth a word or two. The deeper she got into her thoughts, the faster she ate. She was adorably mesmerizing, but he didn't want her to choke, so he broke the silence. "Everything would taste better if it were still hot."

She stopped, fork in midair, mouth full and turned her face to him. She wanted to reply that everything was delicious just as it was, but had to chew and swallow first. She held her finger up to him, then placed it over her lips to indicate she would answer him in a second.

"Damn, Hermione!" He thought. She had no idea what she was doing to him. He'd waited seven years to be like this with his best friend again, and just like that it was happening.

"Its delicious." She finally managed to squeak out, her mouth still half-full. She swallowed what remained, and placed her fork on the counter. "Where did you learn to cook like this?"

"I've picked up a few things here and there over the years." He shrugged his shoulders and gave her a coy smirk. There wasn't time for the whole truth, so he stuck with the bare bones.

His playful response made her insides dance, but she wouldn't be distracted. "But I mean... I saw you. You were... muggle cooking." She knew that give away the fact that she'd been watching him, but she didn't care. She had to know what was going on with him and why he was so different.

He wasn't upset or taken aback as she thought he would be. In fact, she could have sworn she saw relief flash behind his eyes. Draco's smirk deepened to a level that bordered on: too-sexy-to-be-legal as he taunted, "Huh, Granger. Spy on people much? Or is it just me." There it was...for the first time since returning to Hogwarts, Draco's signature cockiness was on display. But, like everything else about him, it was different somehow. It wasn't the kind of arrogance that seeks to lessen others. No...it was the kind that is playful and almost charming.

She felt the heat rise to her cheeks, but refused to let him think he'd gotten the better of her. "That smirk might work on all the other girls, Malfoy, but I'm not distracted that easily. If you don't want to tell me why you were muggle cooking, fine. Just know I'm not letting this go because you flirted with me. I'm letting it go, for now, "She stressed the 'for now', "because I don't want to be late for Potions."

Draco's mood noticeably dampened at the mention of his once-favorite class. His smile faded and his gaze dropped to the empty plate in front of him. It wouldn't be the same for him to walk into the dungeon classroom and not see his godfather, the man whom he considered to be his father and best friend, waiting in front of the chalkboard. Dread tried to creep into his mind, but it was overridden by Severus' last words to him:

"Dear boy, do not be saddened when I am no longer with you. We both knew this day would come sooner or later. It has always been the plan to make Voldemort think I am the one standing in the way of the elder wand's full acceptance of him. Dumbledore made sure he orchestrated it just so. I am going into this fight knowing I will be asked to give my life. I am willing to do this so you will have the chance to live a life free from Voldemort's grip. I chose poorly when I was young. I never fought for Lily, and that is my biggest regret. I'm not saying she would have chosen me, but I never even gave her that chance. Don't make the same mistake with Hermione. She is one of the good ones, and if I've learned anything in my time on this earth, its that the good ones always find a way to see the good in others. Fight for her, Draco. No matter how hard it is or how much it hurts, fight for her. Show her you are the boy who befriended her underneath that giant oak tree, and has loved her ever since. Show her the man that has been hiding behind the character we had to create to protect her. Give her the chance to choose you."

Yes, it would be hard to walk into his godfather's old classroom and not have him there, but Draco had a purpose bigger than his heartache...he needed to give Hermione a reason to choose him. He couldn't do that unless he was where she was, and she was going to Potions.

"Hell-loo. Earth to Draco." Hermione waved her hand up and down in front of his face.

"Huh? Wh-What?" Draco stammered.

"You checked out. One minute I was calling you out for flirting with me, and the next you were off in la-la-land. Care to tell me what that was about?" Hermione sounded genuinely concerned.

"Oh...I...Its nothing." He was afraid to risk sharing something so personal with her only to have her reject him, but somewhere in the back of his head, he heard a voice say 'tell her.' And just like that, his walls came down. He swiveled in the stool so he was fully facing her as he hesitantly opened himself up to her. "Well, actually...it was something. Potions is going to be hard for me without Severus."

His confession hit Hermione in the chest with the force of a tidal wave and the complications of a tornado. Draco Malfoy had just shared his feelings with her. She searched his eyes to find any indication that he was playing with her. She found none. In fact, she found the exact opposite. She found vulnerability and honesty. She saw fear swimming just below the surface. Not the kind of fear that keeps you awake at night and gives you nightmares, but the kind of fear that comes from putting yourself out there and desperately hoping you won't be rejected.

Tears pooled in the corners of her eyes as she tried to comfort the man she once thought to be her enemy. "Oh, Draco. I'm so sorry. I never even considered..." Her gaze dropped for a moment before she continued, "I guess both sides lost loved ones."

"That's what war does." His voice was soft...gentle...sad. But that was not how he wanted to end things. Their morning had been relatively enjoyable, minus the Weasley debacle, and he wanted to keep it that way. "There's no changing it, but we can learn from it and move on. That's what I've come back here to do."

"That's great, Draco, really. I'm glad, a bit shocked, but glad nonetheless to see a different side of you this year. You've surprised me a lot." She reassured him with a friendly smile.

"You ain't seen nothing yet, Granger." With that, he cleared both their plates from the counter, made his way around the island, and placed them in the sink.

"No, let me get that," Hermione protested, coming up beside him and grabbing for the dishes. "Muggle rules: whomever cooks does not do the dishes."

"Oh, muggle rules..." He teased, stepping aside, motioning his arm toward the sink. "Then by all means, help yourself."

"Thank you." She mocked back. But before she could dip the first plate in the water, Draco had pulled out his wand. With a flick of his wrist, the dishes were clean and stacked neatly on the counter next to the sink.

"You should have known I wouldn't play by muggle rules. Such a rookie mistake." He playfully shook his head at her.

"Ugh." A huff of playful indignation escaped her lips. "You're gonna pay for that Malfoy. You know how I feel about rule-breakers." With that, she grabbed the dishcloth out of the sink and threw it, sopping wet, bubbles and all, directly at Draco's head.

He tried to dodge it, but wasn't a split second too slow. It grazed his left cheek and ear before dropping to the floor in a heap. He wiped the bubbles away and flung them to the floor. "So that's how its gonna be, huh?" He pursed his lips and his eyes sparkled mischievously. He saw a chance to push the limits of their situation, so he took it by making slow calculated steps in her direction.

Hermione began to regret her most recent life choice as Draco moved toward her, but she didn't back away. He closed the distance between them in no time at all, and her heart was jumping out of her chest. She was backed against the sink, the edge digging into her spine, just above her waist, and he was leaning over her. She locked her eyes with his, refusing to give in to her nerves. All the while wondering:

"What the hell was I thinking, throwing a dishcloth at Draco Malfoy? Sure, he'd been somewhat cordial to me in the last 24 hours, but that doesn't mean we're friends. Maybe he's just been biding his time before striking, and then I go and provoke him like that."

His silver eyes were devouring her. He hovered over her silently, making it feel as though time had stopped. She wished he would just do whatever it was that he going to do to her. She was prepared for him to retaliate, but what he actually did stunned her more than if he'd hit her with a Stupefy.

Draco's intention was simply to make her uncomfortable before grabbing the towel from behind her and wiping himself off. Maybe he would say something jokingly threatening like: "I'll get you back for this" or "You'd better keep an eye out cause payback's coming", but when she didn't get intimidated and stubbornly stared him down, Draco's emotions took control. His lips were on hers before his brain could tell him no.

For a few moments, she was too shocked to move, but then every cell in her body was firing at once. Her brain screamed: "Push him off!", but the rest of her body tingled with excitement. Her lips began moving with his, opening to allow his tongue to enter. Her arms found their way to his neck and she pulled his body against hers. Her hands clutched hungrily into his platinum hair. She'd never felt so alive. His arms snaked around her waist, and his hands greedily ran up and down her back. He could feel himself losing control, and broke away from their embrace, turning his back to her. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I shouldn't have done that."

Hermione didn't know it was possible to feel so many emotions at the same time. She was confused, excited, frustrated, angry, lustful, stunned, ashamed, guilty and happy. Draco had kissed her, and she'd kissed him back. She'd enjoyed it. She finally understood why every girl at Hogwarts, at one point or another, had wanted a piece of Draco Malfoy. Then, as abruptly as he initiated it, he ended it. She scolded herself for feeling it, but she wanted more. Then he apologized! She felt as if her head might split in two.

"Ron and Harry can never know about this." Hermione had gone into damage control mode.

The words stung Draco harder than a slap to the face. A slap, in fact, would have been easier for him to deal with. Then he would at least know where he stood. Why did she have to kiss him back? He didn't know what to do with that. But he did know she was right about the male members of the golden trio never finding out. "I know." His voice wavered, as he turned back to her, his eyes sparkling with tears he refused to let fall.