The noise level in the Great Hall was deafening as students from all four houses laughed and chattered to each other, glad it was a Sunday. As Draco and Hermione approached the Gryffindors, a hush fell over the table, and suddenly it seemed as if every Gryffindor, especially Harry and Ginny, was smirking at the two knowingly.
"Oh, for Heaven's sake, what are you all staring at?" Hermione cried, sitting down next to Ginny and grabbing a piece of toast. Draco coughed, trying to hide a smile as Harry grinned and passed him the pumpkin juice.
"Oh, nothing," Ginny said brightly, winking at Draco. "You two just seem so…relaxed today. You must have had a good night's sleep, I imagine." Hermione turned bright red and to the amusement of her friends suddenly seemed fascinated with her teaspoon.
"Sleeping? More like shagging, you mean," Ron mumbled. The table instantly got silent.
"What was that Weasley?" Draco asked, an unmistakable edge to his voice. Ron turned on him furiously.
"You heard me, Malfoy. We all know what you're like: it's obvious you took advantage of her." Now both Draco and Ron were standing nose to nose, Ron red-faced and Draco keeping his composure, but only just. He narrowed his eyes at Ron.
"Why don't you shut up, Weasley, before you make yourself look even more idiotic. You don't have any clue as to what you are talking about, that much is clear." Ron snorted. Now everyone was silently watching the two. Draco glanced at Hermione, who had already taken out her wand, and for some reason he snickered. Easy there, Granger, he thought with a grin. No need to resort to the Unforgivables yet, love…They caught each other's eye and he winked at her, making her smile. He nodded toward her wand, raising an eyebrow at her and shaking his head. She blushed and put it away.
"Oh, you think this is funny, do you? Well, I'm not going to sit by and let you hurt her, you bastard," Ron said, losing some of his steam and starting to look embarrassed. Malfoy sighed wearily.
"Listen, Weasley: it's not my fault that you didn't know what you had until it was gone. Hurt her? That's amusing, who was it cheated on her with Brown?" Malfoy's voice got a bit more cool as Ron turned even redder, and as Lavendar coughed nervously, suddenly getting up from the table and walking towards the lavatory. Malfoy continued as Harry, Ginny and Hermione exchanged smug looks.
"I don't have any problems with you, Ron: if she's forgiven you, then so have I. But don't accuse me of taking advantage of her: I would never hurt Hermione, and what we do is nobody's business but our own."
"How do I know you won't hurt her?" Ron sputtered, helplessly, and suddenly Draco felt sorry for him, his anger draining away. I can't imagine what it would be like to have her and then lose her, he thought, looking at Ron's pained expression sympathetically. Malfoy sighed.
"I'm not going to hurt her because…" He paused and glanced at Hermione nervously, feeling himself turn red. "…because I love her." The whole table gasped, including Hermione, who looked shocked and pleased at the same time. Ron's face fell, and as he and Draco stared at each other, they both realized that it was the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Ron lowered his head, defeated. Draco sighed again.
"Weasley," he said softly. "I'm sorry. I really am." Ron nodded, looking close to tears. Suddenly to the surprise of everybody at the table, Ron reached over and briefly nudged Draco on the arm, a gesture that happened so fast that many would have missed it if they were not paying attention.
"Ok," he said hoarsely. "Ok." He turned and quickly walked out of the Great Hall. Draco glanced to Harry, Ginny and Hermione who looked back at him helplessly. But Hermione couldn't help smiling at him. I love you too, she mouthed silently to his great delight. He grinned at her.
Suddenly Goyle and Zabini appeared. "Move over, Granger," Zabini said, playfully shoving her to make room for himself on the bench, snatching the piece of toast out of her hand and popping it inside his mouth. Hermione rolled her eyes, reaching for her juice.
"How rude, Blaise. But then, we all know Slytherins have horrid table manners." Draco grinned and slid into the seat on the other side of her.
"Excuse me, Granger? Insulting Slytherins? You seemed to be a fan of my manners last night," he whispered in her ear, making her giggle.
"What are you two whispering about?" Ginny said teasingly. Draco and Hermione stared at each other, looking as if they would like nothing better than to kiss.
"Hey Malfoy," Harry said suddenly, "Care for some two-a-side Quidditch? I thought Ginny and Goyle could join us, just for an hour or so." He grinned. "You quite look as if you could use some fresh air." Malfoy blushed and raised an eyebrow at Hermione, who grinned.
"Oh, go on, Draco. I have to work on that essay for Slughorn," she said. He turned to Harry and nodded.
"Care to join me in the Library, Granger?" Blaise asked, yawning. "I'm headed there now. And as we study, I will be more than happy to offer my services as a sexual therapist, if you have any questions or concerns regarding Malfoy and exactly how men prefer to-".
"Zabini!" Draco and Ginny snapped at him in unison. Hermione blushed and glared at Blaise, who grinned back at her.
"I will be happy to study for Potions with you, Blaise," Hermione said, rolling her eyes. She blushed even harder, but smirked as she added, "And I'm certain that if I have any 'questions or concerns' regarding men, Draco would be only too happy to answer them for me." Everyone howled as Draco laughed, and Hermione grinned at him, still blushing.
"Why, that's true: I would be only too happy, Granger. We can discuss that to your heart's content later, shall we?" he whispered into her ear, sliding his hand up her back and brushing his lips against her ear. Hermione closed her eyes before Zabini stood and tugged Hermione away.
"Come on, Granger: work first, then play. I'll keep her on task, Malfoy," Zabini said, grinning as she stood up from the table, Hermione smiling at Draco adoringly. Draco raised an eyebrow at him.
"That's all you better do, Zabini," he said, leaning to kiss Hermione on the cheek. Everybody grinned as Hermione shook Blaise's hand off her and threw her arms around Draco, locking him in an embrace and kissing him passionately. The others looked at each other and rolled their eyes, grinning.
"Ok, Granger, you've discovered that snogging is more fun than homework,but we still have that essay to do: let's go," Blaise said, affectionately, pulling her away from Draco as everyone laughed. She grinned shyly at Malfoy, and he smiled back at her.
"I'll see you later," he said to her softly, squeezing her hand one last time before the two disappeared towards the library.
"Ok, Malfoy," Harry said, "Now allow me and Ginny to show you and Goyle how Quidditch is really played." Goyle grinned, rolling his eyes and Malfoy snorted.
"You wish, Potter. Let's go," he said, feeling happier than he had felt in years.