J.K. Rowling's. Nope, still not her.
"I'm glad Ron was fairly understanding. But he knows I love Draco? I didn't even realize it was obvious... Oh, well. I just hope nothing is awkward with us after this.
I miss Draco. I want to see him and be in his arms, and I don't know. At first I did think it was the potion that made me feel like that. But now, there's no potion involved and it's just... there. And I like it. ...If only he'd come back."
Hermione sighed deeply as she closed the journal and muttered the password.
She still hadn't completely gotten used to not hearing her name each morning. She frowned and took out her textbook. She figured she might as well read some, given she was in the library.
After a few pages, she happened to look up. She saw Draco reading not far away.
As she looked, he reached up and ran a hand through his hair. He's so gorgeous, Hermione thought before realizing it.
She returned to her book, only to find herself studying him more than her Potions.
Finally, she couldn't take it any more. She picked up her things and walked over to him.
He looked up as she approached, disdain and surprise etched in his features.
"Can I join you?" she asked in a small voice.
He hesitated for a moment. "Sure," he finally said noncommittally, "do whatever you'd like."
Hermione sat down across from him and opened her book again.
Each read in silence.
"Did you mean what you said?" she asked a few moments later.
Draco looked up at her with questioning eyes.
"About me doing whatever I want," she explained.
Draco just shrugged. "I don't see why not," he said.
A few moments went by before Hermione reached out and placed her hand gently on his. Her touch was hesitant; reserved.
Another moment went by before Draco, his face unchanging, turned his hand in hers and held it lightly, caressing the top of it with his thumb.
Neither spoke for the remainder of their study time.
When it was time to leave for Potions, however, they were noticeably reluctant in letting go.
"So you finally told him, then," Ginny said as Hermione sat next to her at lunch.
"Yes I did," Hermione replied.
"And he took it how?"
"Pretty well, actually," she said. "He told me if Draco hurts me, he'll kill him."
Ginny laughed. "That'll be Ron for you," she replied.
Hermione smiled. "He's really so sweet," she said, "but it just wasn't fair to him." She paused. "You know what I mean?"
"I do," Ginny responded. "It was like Dean and me. That was never going to work, regardless of the attraction."
"But Harry..." Hermione teased, pushing Ginny's arm lightly.
Ginny laughed. "Yeah, Harry," she conceded, smiling widely.
"What about me?" Harry asked as he sat next to Ginny.
Ginny smiled up at him. "Nothing, Sweetheart," she said soothingly.
Harry looked at both girls suspiciously before shoveling food into his mouth.
Hermione just shook her head at the two of them, smiling genuinely for the first time in days.
Hermione went out to her tree again after classes. The air was a little cool, but she didn't mind. There was a slight breeze that rippled on the water, and she was content to watch the patterns it made.
She heard footsteps behind her, but she didn't turn around.
"Hey," said a voice as he sat beside her.
"Hey," she responded, still watching the water.
Draco put his arm around her then, and she cuddled against him. Neither spoke. They just watched the water together, holding one another, for a long time.
"I've missed you," Hermione whispered after a while.
"Who's to say I'm back?" he replied, but his voice held a joking tone.
Hermione looked up at him and saw the affection in his eyes. "You're back," she countered, nodding.
He laughed. "You want me to be back?" he asked. "I mean, you seemed as ready to run as I did when Snape blew our cover on that one."
Hermione laughed with him. "So you're saying you don't think it was the potion?"
His look clearly conveyed his disbelief. "Do you?" he countered.
Hermione laughed again. "We could say it was," she whispered. She softly ran her fingers along his hand before taking it in hers.
"And no one would buy it," he finished for her.
She smiled. "Would you?" she asked coyly.
Laughing again, he shook his head. "Not a chance."
Hermione went quiet for a moment. "So do you think you could ever learn to love a Mudblood?" she whispered.
"No," he responded just as quietly. Hermione looked at him in disbelief.
Cupping her face in his hands, he added, "You can't learn what you already know."
Then he kissed her. It was soft, and sweet, and so right. Hermione melted into him, and she sighed as they parted.
"So," he said, his teasing tone returned, "tell me I at least kiss better than the Weasel."
Hermione laughed. "Oh yeah," she responded, kissing him if only for effect. "No contest."
Hermione was nearly bouncing at dinner.
"So, good afternoon?" Ginny asked in a knowing tone.
Hermione laughed. "Definitely," she responded.
"In what way?" asked the girl suspiciously.
"Well, you know..." Hermione blushed and looked away.
"In the same good afternoon as the one Harry and I had?" Ginny asked.
Hermione laughed, shaking her head. "I'd imagine so," she responded.
Ron came to the table then, and Hermione's smile faded just a bit. "Hey there, 'Mione," he said softly.
"Hey Ron," she responded.
"How was your day?" he asked conversationally.
"It was good," she responded.
His eyes widened. "He's back, then?" he asked just as knowingly as his sister had done a few moments earlier.
Hermione blushed even more deeply. "Yes, he is," Hermione responded quietly.
"Well, you remember what I said," Ron replied in a warning tone. "If he hurts you..."
Hermione laughed. "I know, I know," she responded. She looked at Ginny and both girls then said in unison, "You'll kill him."
Ron smiled. "And you'd better believe that."
A/N: There, happy now? Good. Review and let me know for sure. Thanks!