Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 15

Two weeks slowly rolled by. Hermione and Draco along with the rest of the students got back into the swing of classes. But unlike the rest of the student body, Draco and Hermione had more on their plate to focus on not to mention they had to at unfriendly toward each other again while outside their dorm. It was easier said than done. The easiest thing to do was not to speak at all unless it pertained to class work. But they shortly realized they had to monitor their body language toward one another.

During a Potions class, Hermione caught herself smiling at Draco. She quickly realized what she was doing and looked down into the cauldron. She hoped no one had seen her, especially Harry or Ron. She glanced over her shoulder at them and saw them busy with their potion. She hated having to keep the friendship and everything else a secret from them. She rarely kept secrets from Harry or Ginny and it was killing her.

Draco had his own issues he was trying to work out as well. Every time he looked at Hermione of the times when they were alone, all he wanted to do was kiss her and proclaim his love to her. Well, he wasn't sure if it was love since he had never been in love before but he did like her more than any other girl. He wondered whether he should bring it up to Hermione or not even though she said she just wanted to be friends and wasn't ready to date. But with everything that had happened, Draco felt life was too short to hold back. As Draco mauled it over, he figured the worst thing she could do was say no to him.

It was Tuesday which meant Animagus lesson. Draco and Hermione left right after dinner and headed to the class room. Since there were still students in the corridors, they didn't speak to one another until they were in the safety of the Transfiguration class room. McGonagall wasn't there yet so they took a seat and waited.

"How was your day?" Draco asked.

"It was good. That potion today was difficult, don't you think? I hoped ours turned out good."

"It was difficult but we still did better than everyone else in the class", Draco replied confidently.

"Draco Malfoy, always confident", Hermione said with a smile.

"That's me."

At that moment, Professor McGonagall entered the class room from the main door and not her office like usual. "Sorry I'm late. I had a last minute meeting with Professor Dumbledore. He discovered what your Animagus animal will be Ms. Granger", she spoke as she walked to the front of the class room.

"Oh that's wonderful. What is it?"

"An otter. Now, let's not waste anymore time and get started!"

Draco and Hermione rose from their seats and the chairs vanished. They moved a few feet away from each other and McGonagall positioned herself in between them to give the instructions.

"Breathe in deeply…then exhale", and the pair did so. "In and out, in and out", McGonagall repeated slowly. "Close your eyes and relax your mind. Clear it of everything. Once it is cleared, imagine your animal. Draco focus on a wolf and Hermione focus on an otter. Visualize yourself becoming the animal. You must believe you can transform into it or it will not work."

They both did as they were instructed. Draco pictured a white wolf in his mind and he concentrated on it. He was still having trouble clearing his mind completely and focusing just on the wolf. But tonight, Draco was doing a good job of it. Maybe tonight would be the night he finally achieved it.

Hermione stood motionless as she focused on an otter. She didn't have difficulty clearing her mind. But no matter how much she focused on the little otter, she couldn't get it. She did everything McGonagall said but it still evaded her.

McGonagall allowed them to go for almost an hour straight before clapping her hands, signaling them to stop. "Please take a seat while I talk to you before you leave."

The two chairs reappeared at the front and they both sat down looking at their professor to continue. McGonagall walked toward her desk and leaned back on it. "I know this has been tedious work and hard doing it for the past few weeks. But you are progressing. The thing to remember is not to force it, you have to allow it to happen. That's why at the beginning of each lesson, I always start with breathing and relaxing the mind. The first time changing is the hardest but it will become second nature after that. Keep working on this on your work on this on your own. Well, that is all I have for tonight. I will see you next week."

Draco and Hermione said their 'good nights' to her and left the class room. Draco felt good about that lesson and felt he had mad and improvement but Hermione felt the total opposite.

Once they were in their common room, Hermione let it all out. "I can't believe how this slow this is going! I'm doing everything she says but nothing his happening", Hermione said as she flopped down on the couch. Draco joined her but in gentler fashion and rested his back against the couch.

"Don't stress over this. It's only going to make it harder."

Hermione sighed, "I know, but it's hard not to stress over this stuff. Keeping up with both of these lessons on top of regular classes is difficult."

"It is but if it makes you feel any better I'm going through it all too", he said with a smile.

Hermione returned the smile, "I am glad I have you to complain to. It's hard not being able to confide in my friends about all of this." Hermione leaned back against the couch. Without realizing it, Hermione rested her head on Draco's shoulder.

Draco momentarily froze. He didn't have a clue on what to do but he did like it. It felt so right just like when they kissed for the first time. He decided he couldn't hold it in any longer. It was now or never.

Draco cleared his throat, "Hermione, there's something I need to tell you."

Hermione raised her head off of his shoulder and looked directly at him, "What is it?"

"Well, I know how you said that you weren't ready to be in a relationship yet and you only want to be friends and I respect your wishes. But I want you to know that I like you, really like you. There feelings I have for you are the strongest I've ever had for any girl before. I don't want to pressure you into anything, that's the last thing I want to so. I just want you to know the offer is on the table for whenever you're ready."

Hermione wasn't completely surprised but this. She had feelings for Draco too, but was she ready?

"You don't have to say anything, Hermione or accept my offer now. I needed to get it off my chest. I perfectly understand if you don't want a relationship with me."

Hermione didn't say anything but her silence was killing Draco.

"Ok, I lied. Please say something."

Hermione took in a deep breath, "It's not that I don't want to be in a relationship with you, Draco, because I'm not going to deny my feelings for you. But I'm not sure what to say right now. I'm sorry."

"That's fine, really. I didn't expect you to agree to go out with me. I just wanted to know. Life is too short to hold back."

Hermione thought about his last statement. It was true; life is too short especially with the coming battle. "Thanks for telling me, Draco. I hate to say this but I'm exhausted and need to go to bed. I want to continue this tomorrow, if that's alright with you?"

"Yes, that's fine. Go to sleep and I'll see you tomorrow", he replied with a half smile.

Hermione felt bad so she gave him kiss on the cheek before getting up and going to her room.

Once she was in her room, Draco rose from the couch and went to his room. Part of him felt better for telling Hermione but he didn't think he could take rejecting him twice. He changed into his green silk pajama bottoms and took off his shirt before climbing into bed.

Hermione lied in her bed all night, barely sleeping. She couldn't stop thinking about Draco. Was dating Draco completely out of the question?

XxX

Hermione was up and dressed early the next morning. She had made up her mind during the night. She waited down in the common room for Draco to come out of his room. She waited to get it over with before they left for breakfast. She started off by sitting on the couch but ended up pacing around the common room until she heard his bedroom door open.

Draco exited his room and saw Hermione down in the common room, "Morning", he greeted.

"Morning", Hermione returned as she came to a halt in her pacing.

Draco walked down the stairs and over to where Hermione was, "Everything ok?"

"Yes I just need to talk to you about last night before we go down for breakfast."

"Oh, um ok. Sure, what is it?" he asked nervously.

Hermione held her hands together in front her to keep them from fidgeting, "I thought about what you said last night, about how life is too short. I don't think I'm ever going to completely get over what Ron did to me but I shouldn't allow that to ruin my life and stop me from being with anyone else. I like you, Draco Malfoy. It sounds so weird saying that out loud but I do. You me so why shouldn't we be together? That's usually what two people that like each other do and …"

Hermione was cut off by Draco pressing his lips on hers. After registering what happened, Hermione closed her eyes and melted into it. After seven seconds, Draco pulled away from her slowly.

"So, does this mean we're together?" Hermione asked as she opened her eyes.

"Yes, I would say so."

Right then, both of their rings shined purple. They both looked down at their rings.

"Interesting", Hermione said.

"Definitely, but this isn't the first time I've seen the rings do this. It happened the first time we kissed", Draco added.

"I know Dumbledore didn't go into detail about Cassandra and Nero's relationship with each other but do you think it's possible they were perhaps, lovers? It would explain some things", Hermione said as her mind started to turn.

"Maybe. It explains why Nero became upset when Cassandra gave up her powers. Dumbledore did say Nero was angry for losing her, if they were lovers and it would explain that."

"That's some thing to think about", Hermione concluded, "we better hurry and get down to breakfast before it's over."

They bother headed toward the door and exited into the corridor. They made their way to the Great Hall to start off their day.

A/N: They're finally together! The story is now going to pick up and move on all the way up until the end, least I hope it comes off that way. I'll have the next chapter posted probably by Tuesday or Wednesday. I have a few chapters already written and ready to go so I'm trying to get as many chapters posted before I start back to school. Until next time, Peace!