AN: Chapter 2, again told from Hermione's point of view.
I'm not going to describe every meeting we had – it would take ages and many are just too similar. There are some, though, that stick in my mind as though they happened only yesterday. That first meeting was one of them. I still can't believe that I let him do that. Oh, I know most of our year group had done that and more, but it was all new to me.
………………
We were meeting at 10pm that night, and I have to admit I spent hours in the dorm after dinner, trying to decide what to wear. (As it was a Friday night, uniforms weren't compulsory.) I must have tried on and discarded everything I owned before settling on my first choice of jeans and a T-shirt. Yes, it was muggle, and if Malfoy didn't like it, he'd just have to lump it. The hair was beyond bushy by this point, and I hate fussing with it, so I just tied it back. Sneaking a pair of Parvati's high heels out of her wardrobe, I set off for the Room of Requirement.
Thankfully, I only wobbled once in those shoes, and that was when I jumped over the trick step. All those dance lessons my parents made me take were finally paying off! I knew Malfoy was planning to arrive before I did, which meant that his thoughts would determine the appearance of the room. And that frightened me more than the thought of having sex with him. I mean, who knew what was going through his mind when he offered to do this? Still, I knew I could just leave if I didn't want to continue. You can imagine my surprise when the Room resembled the Gryffindor common room, but with no sign of the house colours anywhere. Malfoy was curled at one end of a particularly comfy-looking sofa, and gestured for me to join him.
"Hell, Granger, I'm only asking you to sit next to me. I'm not going to molest you or anything."
I laughed nervously as I sat down. Actually, nervous was an understatement. I was terrified, but knew I had to overcome my fear.
That night, we sat and talked for ages, and it surprised me how similar we are, once you get past the pureblood/mudblood thing. When he found out I'd been taking dance lessons for years, he raised one eyebrow, did something that made music start playing, and a dance floor appeared.
"Come on then, let's see if you can keep up with me."
Well, you know me – I never back down from a challenge. And, as he pointed out, it meant I could get used to him being close, but without actually doing anything new to me.
The steps we started with were simple, but as we danced, things started to get more complicated. I was surprised at what he could do, and I think he felt the same about me. However, when I asked if he knew any Latin American dances, he looked baffled. His expression was so funny I couldn't help but laugh.
"Teach me then, rather than laughing at me!" So I did.
If you're not familiar with dancing, then I'll just tell you that latin dances are generally very sexy and sensual, but I wasn't thinking about that at the time. At least, not until he placed his hands over mine and said my name.
"Hermione."
I looked up, startled. He'd never used my first name before.
"How come you can get this close to me when we're dancing, but not the rest of the time?" His voice was surprisingly soft, as though he thought I might run away.
"I… I don't know, to be honest." I'd never thought about it like that before.
That was the point at which I think I lost my mind. I kissed Draco Malfoy. He didn't initiate it, I did. I don't know what made me do it, but I kissed him, and it was wonderful.
The next thing I knew, we were back on the sofa, kissing like crazy. And I wasn't panicking or trying to get away. When his hands slid up my body to rest just under my breasts, I still didn't push him away. My body arched under his touch, pressing even closer to him. I needed this, I wanted it, I craved it. And somehow I knew he wouldn't push me too far, I trusted him. When he pulled back, I felt devastated.
"I knew you'd be passionate, Granger."
"What do you mean?"
"When you do something, you give it your all. Why should this be any different?"
I shrugged.
"But I think we've got past your problem of getting close to people. Well, me anyway." He had to break off at this point to stifle a yawn. I'm certain yawns are contagious, because that set me off as well. Looking at the clock, we were both astonished to find that it was midnight. I was really going to have problems sneaking back into Gryffindor at this time again. Still, unless I wanted to sleep here, I had no choice.
"Are we going to continue this at another time, then?" Even I couldn't believe the words that were coming from my mouth. Now that I'd experienced that kind of bliss, I wasn't willing to give it up. At least, not yet. He smirked, and I expected it that time.
"That, I believe, is entirely up to you."
"Shrieking shack, 2pm tomorrow."
"It isn't a Hogsmeade weekend."
"You know how to sneak out. I'll meet you there."
"Sure?" I nodded, and left before I came to my senses and changed my mind.
…………………
When I arrived back, the only person still awake was Parvati, who was sitting on my bed. I belatedly remembered about her shoes, and apologised.
"You went to see a guy, didn't you?"
I couldn't deny it, but I wasn't going to give her any names.
"In that case, I'll be happy to lend you stuff! All you have to do is say what you want."
I thanked her, relieved that she wasn't pressing for details at this time. I'd obviously have to come up with a good cover story. Perhaps Malfoy would be able to help me with that. Anyway, that was a problem that I could deal with at another time.
AN: Dirty dancing and passionate kissing! Whatever next? To find out, leave a review!
