Chapter 6

For the first couple of days at the Weasleys, Hermione found things remained awkward between her and Ron. He didn't her avoid her exactly, but spent a large amount of time in his room, sulking or sleeping. Hermione had no idea what he was making such a big deal about, yeah she and Malfoy had kissed, but it wasn't by choice, or a common occurrence! And it's not like she'd just announced their engagement, she'd made it perfectly clear that she still disliked him intently and found him an irritating arsehole.

"Is he still refusing to come down?" Hermione asked Harry the next morning, as they sat down for an early breakfast.

"Nope, he was up till early this morning muttering about gits, bloody annoying actually" Harry told her, and Hermione didn't miss his use of 'bloody' (one of Ron's favourite words).

"Why can't he just get over it?! It was a stupid kiss with my arch enemy for god's sake!"

"Don't you see Hermione?" Harry frowned at her.

"See what?"

"Ron still loves you…and the whole Malfoy thing makes him feel that not only have you moved on, but almost that Malfoy is better than him"

Harry paused for a moment to let it sink in.

"Ron still loves me?" Hermione was incredulous "but we broke up a year ago!"

"For someone so clever, I'm surprised you didn't spot it straight away" Harry laughed, stopping quickly after receiving a death stare from Hermione.

"But that's crazy! He knows we don't work, and we broke up for a reason!"

"He'll get over it eventually I'm sure" Harry reassured her "just for now; maybe it would be best to not mention the Malfoy thing again"

"Oh shame, I was planning on owling him a blow-by-blow playback of the whole event" Hermione replied sarcastically.

Harry rolled his eyes at her, before taking a huge bite of his toast.

"""""

By the end of the week, Ron had left his room and was back on friendly talking terms with Hermione. Yet despite her relief at this, she had a feeling Harry had had something to do with it. She stayed at the Weasleys until halfway through the next week, before packing her bags and saying her goodbyes. She knew Harry was expecting to go off on another mission any day now (something he was hoping wouldn't happen until his child was born) and Ron was due to return to Weasleys Wizard Wheezes the following day – therefore she wasn't expecting to see either of them until summer. She apparated back to the castle, just having time to drop her bags off in her room and say hello to Crookshanks before going to get some lunch. There were still Christmas decorations up in the castle – trees in the main hall, mistletoe here and there – and Hermione almost regretted having missed the bustle and excitement of Christmas at Hogwarts, although she wouldn't have missed seeing her friends for the world.

"Good Christmas Hermione?" Professor McGonagall asked as she passed her in a corridor on her way down to lunch.

"Lovely thanks, you too?" Hermione replied, quickly engaging in a quick conversation with the older witch.

Hermione quickly decided that her main aim for now (for life actually) was to avoid Malfoy at all costs. This being said she'd have to see him at some point, they worked together, but she'd make that point as rare as possible. Unfortunately, fate didn't seem to agree with her on the evasion matter, as the very next day she and Malfoy found themselves sitting beside each other for an hour long staff meeting. Just brilliant.

And to make the situation even better, they had been assigned partners for rounds for the next term. She'd been lucky last time, and had been paired with Professor Sprout and they'd spent the time reminiscing about Neville's antics. This time, she suspected, would not be so fun.

"Bottom of the Astronomy Tower at 8 Granger" Malfoy told her as they left the meeting, not even looking up to meet her eyes.

"I can read Malfoy" she replied through gritted teeth.

Nonetheless, Hermione arrived promptly at 8 at the Astronomy Tower, mostly petrified about seeing him, but a tiny part of her was excited about it.

It's just Malfoy, why should I be scared? What's the worst he could do?

Despite trying to calm herself down, she nearly jumped when Malfoy stepped out of the shadows.

"Did I scare you Granger?" He sneered. Although most likely a trick of the light, a small part of Hermione (the part which had been excited about this moment) thought the look of disgust on his face was less than usual.

"No" was all she managed in reply.

Get a grip Hermione!

"Let's go then"

They walked in silence to start off with. In fact half an hour later they were still walking, and still nobody had spoken. A thump around the corner broke the silence.

"What was that?" Draco hissed.

"I don't know"

Another thump sounded. And then another. They were getting louder – and nearer.

"Seriously who's there?" Malfoy's voice had gone slightly squeaky in his fear.

Thump.

Malfoy jumped, grabbing Hermione's hand in panic.

Thump. Thump. THUMP.

This sounded right in front of them. Hermione peered into the darkness, expecting to see a mischievous fifth year darting away but instead saw nothing. She felt Malfoy tighten his grip on her hand.

THUMP!

This came not from around them, but from where they were standing. A shower of black powder poured over them, leaving them all but blind momentarily. Then came a cackle.

"Ooooh how romantic!" the voice called "Malfoy and Granger, holding hands!"

"PEEVES!" Hermione yelled at the top of her voice.

Malfoy looked as if she had just punched him again, throwing her hand away from him as if it was dirty.

"Why does he have to do things like that?!" Hermione ranted "we're Professors here for Merlin's sake!"

"Calm down Granger, it was all a joke" Malfoy said.

"Calm down? You weren't so calm when you were grabbing my hand, you were petrified!"

"Stop it Granger, you know what happened last time you didn't stop talking"

Hermione felt the blush rush onto her face.

"That was you! And I'd rather not be reminded" she said stiffly.

"You do want to be reminded though, you can't stop thinking about it; you enjoyed it" Malfoy taunted.

"I know for a biological fact you enjoyed that Draco Malfoy"

It was now Malfoy's turn to blush.

"If you're so high and mighty, prove to me it didn't affect you at all" he snapped.

"How exactly am I meant to do that?"

"Next time, try to resist the urge to moan" he winked.

"Next time?! There will be no next time!"

"You're doing this on purpose now Granger, you know I physically have to prove you wrong"

"No I am not!" Hermione was furious.

"Then tell me you enjoyed it"

"I didn't!"

"Then prove it"

This time he gave her no chance to argue back, his lips were on hers before she could even register what he'd said. This wasn't kissing; this was anger and pride fiercely attacking each other. This was Draco, trying to force Hermione into admission of what she refused to say. This was Hermione, wanting to stop and save herself but at the same time finding herself glued to him, no escape. All the emotions in the world were squeezed into this moment. This was anger as Hermione caught her hands in Malfoy's hair and dragged his head down to her level. This was passion with which Malfoy sucked on her bottom lip, ending with a sharp nip of spite. This was happiness as they forced themselves onto each other, happiness at just living. This was regret as they both realised they'd have to stop this at some point.

They were dragged apart by the sharp realisation of reality. They stood there, both panting. Malfoy's hair was almost on end, having been played with so violently by Hermione, whose lips were swollen and red.

"Why do you do that?" Hermione asked him after a few minutes, once their breathing had calmed down.

"To prove a point" he shrugged "and its quite good stress release"

"I guess you could say that, but it's us! It's weird!"

"We're two people, why not?"

"Because we hate each other!" Hermione pointed out the obvious "hold on…are you suggesting that you're not completely revolted by this?"

"Why should I be? Besides like I said – good stress relief"

"What has happened to the Draco Malfoy I went to school with?" Hermione asked, stunned at this sudden change.

"He spent a year living with a psychopath" Malfoy said bitterly.

"But even earlier this evening he was being rude to me!"

"Maybe he's rude because that's how he's always been, he doesn't know any different" Malfoy suggested "Don't think I like you Granger, I still find you an annoying know it all"

"For once I find you saying that a relief" she told him truthfully.

"I'm just saying that I don't hate you, and you're a good kisser" he winked.

"You're not too bad yourself" she returned the compliment "our time's up, we should be going"

"Same time same place next week?"

"Rounds are at a different time next week" Hermione pointed out.

"Did I say we were doing rounds?" he winked again, and Hermione felt the blush rushing back – again.