Suddenly the fireplace roared and the room was lit. Draco stood behind her laughing. Hermione spun around and hit him hard in the arm.
"What was that for?" He asked still laughing a little and rubbing his arm.
"For scaring the crap out of me." She growled angrily.
"That's what it's for." Draco said nothing to her but couldn't stop from smiling. Hermione rolled her eyes and turned to leave.
"Goodnight Draco." She called back to him in a singsong voice.
"Hey 'Mione, you want to keep me company?" Even though she had never heard this tone from him she was sure that it was nervousness. She slowly turned around and clearly hesitated.
"I won't try anything." He promised. Hermione had to bite her tongue to hold back the laughter. Finally she caved in.
"Ugh, fine." She groaned. She stomped over the couch and sat down. Draco smiled a little and quickly sat down next to her. Hermione silently shook her hair out of her towel. Although it was still damp it was obvious that it was on it's way to becoming bushy.
"Can I borrow your wand?" she asked holding out her hand to him. He reached into his robes and pulled out his wand, laying it in her waiting hand. She pointed the wand at her hair and muttered a quick spell. Her hair was now nearly straight with only a few waves. She ran a hand through her hair and shrugged.
"Close enough." She said handing Draco back his wand.
"You look beautiful." Draco said almost timidly. Hermione gave him a cross look.
"You said you wouldn't try anything." Draco shrugged and slowly moved closer to her on the couch. He ran his hands through her hair and put his face close to hers.
"I guess I lied..." he whispered. Hermione shivered as his hand ran down her spine. His lips hungrily grabbed at hers and Hermiones head started spinning.
What are you doing, you have Harry why are you kissing Draco' Her mind screamed at her. Unexpectedly Hermione felt Dracos tongue force its way into her mouth and she realized this was going too far. She quickly pulled back and, panting, tried to catch her breath.
"I can't do this." She spoke in almost a whisper. Draco simply stared at her.
"Of course you can." He said hastily pressing his lips against hers before she could reply. She roughly pushed him off of her and jumped up from the couch.
"I broke it off for a reason Draco." Draco suddenly looked angry.
"And what, pray tell, would that reason be?" He questioned. Hermione shook her head.
"It would have never worked Draco, you know that." Draco jumped up from the couch.
"It would have if you wanted it to." He growled at her. Hermiones eyes misted over and Dracos anger seemed to disappear.
"It wouldn't have Draco. You know there are still too many death eaters out there...Besides with Harry things are simple." She tried to explain. Draco scoffed and sat back down.
"So you backed out because things were too hard? I like you Hermione, a lot. I still do. I know you know this because you read my diary." Hermione shook her head trying to deny but Draco interrupted.
"Trust me, I know you have." Hermione said nothing and her eyes lowered to the floor.
"I have to go to bed..." She said quietly, turning to go to her room.
"Goodnight Draco." Draco sat silently on the couch and watched her go. As she closed the bedroom door Draco groaned.
"Bloody women..." Suddenly a small flying object burst through the window and began whizzing excitedly around the room like a loose firework. Draco stood up from the couch and called the small bird to him. He quickly untied the letter from its foot and gave the bird a small treat before sending it on its way. He slowly unrolled the letter and a grin came across his face as he read it.
'The date is set for the winters Hogsmeade trip. Everything is planned and worked out, get the girl there on time.'
Dracos smiled widened as he crumpled the letter and tossed it into the fireplace.
Early the next morning Hermione was woken by a small tapping at her window. She lazily threw her covers off and pushed open the window shivering as a small guest of cold air came though the window. Hedwig quickly flew inside, landing on Hermiones vanity and shaking her feathers as if she too could feel the cold. Hermione slowly untied the letter and gave Hedwig a small pat on the head and a treat. Hermione, gripping the letter, made her way back to her bed and covered herself in the warm blankets before unfolding the letter.
''Mione, met me outside the hall before breakfast. I have a surprise for you.
Love, Harry.'
Hermione smiled and slowly folded the note and set it on her dresser. Climbing out of bed she glanced at her clock and was shocked to see it was only 6:00. After letting Hedwig back out the window she slowly crept out of her room and into the bathroom. Luckily by the time she got out Draco was still fast asleep and she could hear his snoring through his bedroom door. She quietly made her way out of the common room and was amazed how quiet the halls were in the morning. Nearly everyone was still asleep.
As she turned the corner she was shocked to see Harry and Ron pleasantly chatting. Hermione slowly walked over and threaded her arm through Harry's arm.
"Hey Harry, Ron." She said as happily as she could muster. Ever since she and Harry started going out Ron had been a jerk and she couldn't believe Harry was talking to him now.
"So what's my surprise?" She inquired.
"This is." Harry said. Hermione looked around confused and smiled a little.
"What is?" She asked.
"This. Ron. Talking to us." Hermione looked at Ron unsure of what to say. Luckily Ron took the incentive to speak first.
"I'm really sorry 'Mione. I've been acting like a prat. I want to be friends again and I really am happy for you guys." He finished, pulling her into an awkward hug. She wasn't sure what to think, but she couldn't help but smile as she pulled back from the hug and saw how happy Harry looked. But as she pulled back she couldn't rid herself of the feeling that something about this wasn't right. Ron never swallowed his pride. Why was he doing it now?