PART THREE: Fool Forgotten

'I'm fine.'

It was five minutes later, and Draco Malfoy was watching Hermione attempt to calm herself down.

She was so intent in doing so, in not making another scene, in not allowing people to see that she was more vulnerable than they first thought-- that it was the perfect opportunity for Draco to watch her.

To just watch those Butterbeer brown eyes dilate with intensity.

To see those still slightly large teeth bite down on one quivering lip.

To see her delacate hand clenching and unclenching.

He didn't know how he knew, or what had tipped him off-- but Hermione Granger was failing in the battle to remain control of herself.

So he did it for her.

He stuck his hand out to her.

'One dance,' he explained when she looked into his blue eyes, with confusion marked on her face.

'I don't think that's wise,' Hermione responded as she eyed his pale yet strong hand as though it were a snake.

'Scared, Granger?' he taunted her.

Damn.

He knew that she couldn't ever let him best her at anything. Aside from Quidditch that was, she had graciously allowed him to be infinitely better than her in that regard.

But this…

'Yes, very.'

The pair of them were both shocked by the honest remark. Draco's eyes turned a darker shade of blue that you would not be able to mistake it for grey any longer.

Hermione sort of crouched in an unconscious movement.

'Granger, you're not really going to let me believe that you fear me?' he asked.

Magic Works had begun to play, by the Weird Sisters.

'I'm not very much in control of myself tonight, Malfoy. I wouldn't want to… hurt you.'

'Or maybe you don't want to hurt yourself?' Draco countered.

Hermione knew that Draco Malfoy may be a twit but he was also very perceptive. In a way they were so different, but in another way, they were alike.

It was hard to explain, and right now the urge to take his hand was so overpowering she couldn't be bothered psychoanalysing what was going on.

'Come on. Do you want me to beg?'

'No,' she replied.

He was about to drop his hand in acceptance when she caught it mid-drop, 'you don't have to beg.'

He flashed her his "winning smile" something which mingled in arrogance, pride and excitement and pulled her up from the chair.

Believe…

That magic works…

Don't be afraid…

Of being hurt…

Or something along those lines. She caught only some of the words, she was too busy savouring the moment.

In an almost empty Great Hall, with only couples left on the dance floor, everyone was minding their own business. It would probably be the only moment that Malfoy the Mudblood Hater and Hermione Granger pure Mudblood-- could have at peace with each other.

They were barely moving.

Hermione's hands linked up at the back of Draco's neck where her fingertips played with the softness of his hair.

Draco had one hand splayed at Hermione's bare back and another resting at her hip, moving in minute movements to caress her silky skin and silky fabric of her dress.

They were moving as one.

She didn't know what had come over the both of them tonight. But whatever it was, it was magic.

When the song ended, Hermione pulled away and Draco let her. But he didn't keep them separate, he took her hand in his and spoke softly.

'I'll walk you back to your common rooms.'

Draco Malfoy had no idea what he was doing. All he know was that it felt good, and not being one to regret his actions, he was enjoying it.

'Why?' she finally asked when they were only a few metres away from the portrait door, after having been silent all the way up.

'Why what?'

'Why did everything that happened between us tonight happen?' she pushed.

'Did it feel good to you, Granger?'

'I--' she'd about to say I don't know, but she knew it wasn't true, 'Yes.'

'So why would you question it?'

'Because it's with you, Malfoy. We're not friends. The only time we even look at each other is when we're casting hexes or exchanging insults.'

'Granger?' he said, like a patient man talking to a child, 'do you really want me to tell you why things happened tonight?'

'Yes,' she stared at him if he was crazy.

He took a step towards her, 'it would really help if you don't scream during the explanation.'

She could do that, she couldn't seem to find her voice anymore anyway.

'Everything we did to night was leading up to this moment.'

'This moment?' she didn't follow him.

One hand to the nape of her neck and as he leant in, he pulled her towards him gently, and laid a kiss on her lips.

At first Draco thought she wasn't going to respond, but in the next moment she parted her lips and allowed him to taste her.

A mixture of the punch they'd drank and chocolate cake.

It was how they were going to remember this night.

Author's Note: Well that's the end of it. I hoped you like this short offering of mine enough to comment on it? Thanks to my reviewers so far, Chasing the Sun, Sianne Kristy and Marissa. Also a big thanks to Emz for keeping track of my fics, if not for you I would have lost a lot of them through the deaths of my computers. Cheers, Kei.