aaliyah5509: Glad to hear it! Here's chapter two!
Your Face: Here you go, even though I know it's not soon...
I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways
And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place
Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change
I've Been A Victim Of A Selfish Kind Of Love
It's Time That I Realize That There Are Some With No
Home, Not A Nickel To Loan
Could It Be Really Me, Pretending That They're Not Alone?
1 and 1/2 months later: March
Draco crinkled his nose as Blaise wandered through the crowded streets, weaving between the adults and children with ease. Malfoy didn't find the task difficult, but he did find it tedious. Their hotel was just down the street, and after having been drug through the muggle part of Tokyo, the blond wanted nothing more than to collapse on his bed and sleep the night away. He still couldn't come up with a reason for this trip in the first place.
After all, they didn't need to be spending a bloody weekend in Tokyo. It was absurd! He could be back in England, someplace in Hogsmeade or out with a girl, having a good time. Instead, Blaise had gotten with Daphne and decided to bring a multitude of people over here for the weekend. Why? Fuck if he knew.
They finally reached the hotel and their rooms again, after Blaise refused to let them just step away from the crowd and apparate. Bastard. Draco's feet were hurt from the walking and his nerves were on end as he looked around the room. Ginny Weasley had a room next door, and Malfoy sincerely hoped that his roommate would go over there for the night, so he would have a chance to take in all the local beauty.
After my bloody feet stop hurting.
Malfoy cringed. If he were home, he would've probably been out with Daphne, and she would've been talking about Hermione again instead of doing the things he was actually there for. So apparently, being out there wasn't so bad, so long as he found someone tonight.
By the time Ginny Weasley had made her way up to their room, Draco had crashed. She stared at him, shaking her head. It was a wonder that Malfoy had any money at all, considering how careless he was. How his family's investments and business prospered she would never know.
Blaise pulled her into a tight hug, kissing her pale neck. She giggled against his chest, before looking up into his dark eyes. They had been dating for a good while, and she knew what that cloudy look meant.
She leaned up and pecked him on the lips. "Malfoy's here," she grumbled as his kisses on her neck became bites.
He paused momentarily. "Your room then?"
She groaned. "Hermione's in there."
"Bugger," he mumbled, still nipping at her flesh. "I guess we will just have to go kick her out of there then."
She rolled his eyes and placed her hands firmly on his chest, giving the boy a light shove away. "Oh no, I'm not asking her to leave our room so we can have sex. Do you know what she will do to me? She'll lecture me about you and your...constant desire and then she will open her book again and continue to read!"
He raised an eyebrow, now looking into her eyes again. "Granger's not that bad. She cuts lose every now and then."
"Yes," Ginny sighed, "but only on occasion. Hermione may be pretty chill, but I don't think we can get her to leave the entire room."
He shrugged. "You never know unless you try." Grabbing his girlfriend's hand, he drug her out of the apartment, leaving a sleeping Malfoy on the couch.
Hermione opened the door with ease, shoving through and slamming the door shut. Draco awoke with a start, rubbing sleep from his eyes as he struggled awake. She stormed into the sitting room he was currently occupying, falling onto a chair in a huff, glaring at him.
"This is your fault."
He blinked, again rubbing away sleep as he stood and stretched. "What are you talking about Granger? And since when did you have access in here?"
She glared. "Blaise gave me his key so he and Ginny could...have some privacy since you were up here."
He chuckled. "Maybe that is my fault then."
She rolled her eyes as she opened her book, folding her legs beneath her. She turned her head down and removed her hood, which had been placed on her head since he was rudely awoken by her. He stared at the unusual sight before him.
"Fuck Granger, whatever made you do that?"
She looked up, lightly touching her hair. "What? Does it look bad?"
Of course it doesn't look bad! "It's definitely different, I'll give you that." He was staring at a raven-haired Hermione, hair completely black in color. He thought it did amazing things to her eyes and bounced off her pretty skin, but it wasn't Granger. The bushy brown hair was part of what made up the former Gryffindor girl, and without it she was nearly a stranger. "Why did you dye it black exactly?"
She dropped her head back to her book. "It was time for a change."
He sat back down, folding his hands in front of him, elbows resting on his knees. "And what change would call for this? The Gryffindor Princess changing her hair color seems rather extreme."
She shrugged, continuing to read. "It's not that surprising Malfoy. Many people, muggles and wizards, change the color of their hair every day. No need to make it more then it really is."
He arched an eyebrow at her downturned face, and rose from his spot on the couch, reaching the girl in a few long strides. He shot his hand out and ran his fingers over the soft curls, slightly dead feeling in his hand. "You used muggle hair dye?"
She jerked her head away and backed up, resuming a standing position. "Yes, so what? The color is more vibrant that way."
He crinkled his nose again. "It's rather damaging."
Hermione shrugged again, taking another step back. "Not that it's any of your concern, but I don't care just now if its damaging. I like the dark hair, and if that's an issue for you then too bad Malfoy; I don't care."
He took a step closer to her. "Calm yourself Granger, no need to be so rude."
She rolled her eyes. "I think I'll just finish this in the lobby,. I have to deal with you at dinner as it is." She turned to go.
"Dinner? What are you talking about Granger?"
Hermione paused at his words. What are you talking about Granger? She let a sly grin spread across her cheeks. Perhaps this was the moment she had been waiting for the past month, the moment to enact the beginnings of her lessons to Draco Malfoy.
She turned around, setting down the book and walking over to him. "Blaise didn't tell you then?"
He frowned at her sudden closeness and the lazy eyes she was looking at him with. "It's possible, but I've been trying to ignore the bloke all day."
"Perhaps you should listen then," she said, tilting her head to the side. "You wouldn't want to miss out on one of those important details."
Draco narrowed his eyes. "What are you on about Granger?"
She shrugged, reaching her hand up to fix his tie, which lay crooked around his neck from his sleep. "Nothing," she replied, something etching into her voice. "Just dress nice tonight Malfoy, we're going out someplace rather fancy from what I hear," she breathed, finishing her work on his tie and stepping back.
He looked into her eyes. They were dark.
"Yes, I certainly will Granger" he replied as she turned away. He found his eyes drifting towards her arse as she headed for the door. What the hell Draco?
"See you tonight then Malfoy," she called back to him, glancing over her shoulder for a moment before she shut the door with a soft click, Blaise's key tucked into her pocket.
"See you Granger," he replied, sitting down.
Merlin, what is wrong with that woman? One minute she's snappy, the next she's fixing my tie with nimble fingers and dark eyes? Granger must be in need of a good fuck or something; her emotions are seriously messed up. He chuckled at the thought, sitting back again the cushions to rub his eyes.
Just dress nice tonight Malfoy, we're going out someplace rather fancy from what I hear. He frowned at that. Was she implying some sort of message there that only a Gryffindor would bother making? He decided to wait and ask Blaise when he returned from the redheads room.
The group sat around a large table later that night, chatting loudly amidst the locals who spoke another language entirely, one that over half the table couldn't follow.
Draco found himself seated across from Hermione, who's irritating redhead lover sat beside her, constantly touching her arms and shoulders. He was beginning to find the sequence annoying: Weasley would gently touch her and she would shrug him off and look the other way. A few minutes later, he would try again.
Pansy sat to his left, Harry Potter next to her. Across from him sat some other Gryffindor that Draco wasn't very familiar with, but Weasley had brought along as his date. So far, he had completely ignored her, and the girl looked completely miffed. Next to the nameless Gryffindor sat Blaise, and across from him sat the redhead, who was laughing at something he had just said.
Draco vaguely registered the nameless Gryffindor trying to make conversation with him. "What was that?"
She smiled widely at him and took a sip of her drink. "I was just saying you look rather dashing tonight Draco." The Weasel turned his attention from Hermione and glared at her.
"The ferret never looks dashing Lavender."
Lavender? That sounds familiar.
"Oh Won Won, I wouldn't have even noticed Draco if you actually paid me some attention," she huffed.
Oh great, some jealous broad. If she wants to make Weasley mad, she should've just refused to come on the trip. It wouldn't have made a damn difference, considering how much the idiot has been ignoring her. He watched the two begin to talk quietly and zoned them out. There was absolutely nothing to gain from that conversation.
An eyebrow shot skyward as he felt a dainty foot rubbing against his ankle. He looked back at the pretty, if not slightly desperate Lavender, but she was too focused on Won Won to be doing anything with him.
His gaze shifted to Hermione, who sat across from him, eating her food quietly now that Ron wasn't bothering her, a book open to her right. He raised his eyebrow higher still as she looked up and gave him a simple wink, before the gentle rubbing on his ankle moved up his calf.
I think Granger's drink might just be spiked. He continued to watch her eat as she rubbed against his leg, her heel lightly grazing against him every now and then, and he was beginning to notice that he wanted her to move higher.
Unfortunately for him, Granger seemed to have gotten the exact reaction she wanted. She scooted up in her chair slightly and joined a conversation Harry was having, enjoying the dark, lustful look in Draco's eyes.
she smiled lightly. Almost too easy Malfoy. You must be losing your touch or something.
The rest of dinner passed by in a rather boring manner for Draco.
As the group entered the hotel later that night, Ron Weasley had a firm latch onto Hermione's hand, and Lavender had disappeared from sight sometime during the end of dinner. Ron had yet to show that he cared.
To Draco, this wasn't good. He fully intended to question Granger about her provocative actions during dinner, and he couldn't really do that with the Weasel clinging to her arm.
Harry and Pansy had departed from the group, and Draco had been about to head up to his room when voices carried down the hall to him.
"Ronald we've been over this."
"But Hermione, come on. I know I've been a git lately but-"
"A git Ronald? A git! You ignored your girlfriend who you invited here to talk to me, even though we decided to end our relationship last year. Honestly Ron, please just let it go. I agreed to let you go for a reason; we're just too different." Draco picked out hurried footsteps and saw Hermione round the corner directly into him seconds later. She wavered in the short heels she had on, and his arm shot out to balance her.
He grinned. This was his perfect opportunity. Hermione's eyes were now looking up into his, confused at her new situation. "Have you been listening Malfoy?"
Before he could reply, Weasley had come around the corner too, catching the pair in a semi-embrace. His eyes widened. "I see then Hermione. You're so easily moving on because you have Malfoy around now to save you." He looked offended, red in the face and rather angry.
Draco frowned. "I think Granger was right Weasley; just let it go."
His eyes widened. "Shut up Malfoy, I'm not talking to you!"
He shrugged. "You're accusing me of things with Granger, of course you're going to talk to me. Now go find your girlfriend, she's probably losing her bloody mind at the headache you cause her."
"Malfoy-"
"Ron," Hermione cut in, stepping away from the blond, "go find Lavender, Malfoy's right. She really could lose her mind you know."
He seemed to hesitate a moment, before glaring at Draco and nodding at Hermione. "I'll look for her."
Once he was gone, Hermione sighed and began walking towards her room, surprised to find Malfoy walking at her side. She glanced at him. "Was there something you wanted then?"
He looked down at her, grabbing her arm gently to stop her from walking on. "Yes actually Granger," he breathed, stepping forwards so that she backed into a wall, his tall form several inches back, leaning over her. "I'm quite curious why the goody-two-shoes Gryffindor was acting rather provocative during supper."
She arched an eyebrow. "Malfoy," she replied, making sure to breathe lightly on his face, keeping eye contact, "I have no idea what you are implying."
He smirked. "Don't try playing innocent Granger. The last time I saw you, you wanted to murder me for not waiting out in the cold for a man who obviously wasn't moving. Now you're trying to seduce me during a meal? Something is off with you, and I'm very curious what exactly it is you want."
She continued to hold is suffocating gaze. Those grey eyes seemed to look past her very person, straight into her mind. She felt like he was looking right into her mind, wrapping hi brain around her plan as they spoke and finding a way to bend it more to his own benefit. "I want you to be human."
He frowned. "What the hell does that mean Granger?"
She stood a bit straighter, and he bent his head to rest it against hers as she spoke again. "Think about it Malfoy, really think, and you'll come to your answer."
"Gra-" She cut him off by pressing a finger to his lips, scooting out from beneath his towering frame. He spun around as she put a few paces between them, turning back to grin.
"Don't worry Malfoy, you'll figure it out. Just look at yourself in the mirror." She continued walking down the hallway towards the room she currently shared with Ginny, never looking back at him.
He scowled. Crazy witch.
They had today and tomorrow left in Tokyo, and Draco felt like time was slipping through his fingers. All night he had sat in bed, glaring at the mirror, seeing his rather perfect reflection bounce back at him. What the hell had she meant by that?
Just look at yourself in the mirror. Well, he had done that for the entire night, and it had done nothing for him. There was nothing new to look at, and her advice was just as confusing as everything else she had been saying to him since they met up again that cold winter night.
Draco sighed. Blaise was out all day with Ginny, doing each other, he was sure of it. Potter and Pansy had decided to spend the day looking around and talking more about their upcoming wedding. He now knew it would be held in Italy in early August.
The blond stood and walked towards the mirror, again studying himself. Aristocratic features, beautifully pale skin, deep silver-grey eyes, tall, well built...nothing he didn't already know. This is a waste of time!
Twenty minutes later, he still had no idea what she had meant by it. Defeated, he fell back against the covers and soon found himself asleep.
He woke up to something soft crashing into his head. Startled, he sat up, only to find Hermione Granger across the room, twirling a key in one hand and a bag in the other.
"I'm switching rooms. Blaise spends too much downstairs in mine," she continued, walking directly past him to the bedrooms and opening Blaise's door on the left. "Your room is massive compared to ours."
He chuckled at this unusual wake up, following her into the room and she unzipped the bag and magically moved several pieces into a few drawers, before shutting the bag and shoving it on the floor. She finally took notice of him again. "What is it?"
Draco raised an eyebrow. "I can ask you the same thing Granger. I don't see any of the bitchy attitude I would be expecting from you at he thought of sharing a hotel room-"
"This is more like a suite-"
"-with me, and after your short departure yesterday I would assume I am the last person you want to converse with."
She shrugged, picking up a book. "There's an entire suite for you to do whatever in, so hopefully you don't have to get too close to me."
He chuckled. "True Granger," he said, walking into the room and sitting on the bed, "but maybe I enjoy the company."
"A Mudblood's company? I doubt it."
Draco scowled. "I don't understand you Granger. One minute your flirtatious, doing provocative things beneath a table, and the next your blowing me off, telling me you hope I'll keep my distance."
She glanced over the top of her book. "I have my reasons."
"Reasons to give me a bleeding headache! What is it you want Granger, tell me, and I'll do it if it means you stop this unnecessary game of questions and go back to your usual, crazy self, freezing yourself to death at the expanse of a crazy man." He stood, frustrated with the conflicted woman now sharing his suite.
Hermione sighed. "You'll never understand Malfoy. I didn't expect that much of you."
He whirled around. "Now what are you on about? What is it this time Granger? Merlin, you've lost your marbles, telling me all these pointless half explained riddles."
She moved to her knees on the bed, tossing the book aside. "I'm not your answer to everything Malfoy, and some of the things you ask me about are laid out in plain sight, right in front of you. I don't expect you to understand anything because I know you're too thick headed an arrogant to even think deeply about something a Mudblood has to say. I'm not explaining my actions because they are out of control now, and even if they were still controlled you don't get to know the answer to that. If you would just sit back and think deeply you'd probably be a lot less confused!"
Malfoy shook his head. "You're batty. I have been trying to figure out your stupid little riddles, but they are all some twisted little joke only you know. I can't solve something without clues Granger, and if you had left me alone in the first place you wouldn't be so frustrated with my apparent lack of care."
She threw her hands up. "You're impossible. I swear Malfoy, no one will ever breech that thick skull of yours." She was indeed frustrated; frustrated that he didn't understand and obviously didn't understand anything she had been trying to show him from a distance. She was frustrated she had gotten carried away with her stupid actions at the table yesterday and caused him to think she really might be interested. She was frustrated that no matter what she did all he could do was ask questions and demand answers, instead of trying to do any of the things she had mentioned to him. He was hopeless.
He scowled. "People can when they don't speak to me in circles. 'Look in the mirror, think, it's right in front of you, you left me outside'. You're mad Granger."
She looked away. "Fine, call me mad Malfoy, call me whatever you bloody want. I'm just batty and crazy, and you're a heartless git. There, we're even. Now remove your person from my room right now."
His eyes flared. "I should've done that before this fucking conversation started." He turned and walked out, slamming her door as hard as he could behind him.
Stubborn, bitchy, crazed witch! He sauntered to his own room and fell on the bed, glaring at the ceiling once more. It was a moment before he heard her soft sob through the doors, and was rather surprised. He even sat up.
Great, she's turned into a crybaby. He stood up, fully prepared to go and yell with her some more. He passed by his mirror however and couldn't resist looking in just for the hell of it.
There, now she can't say I'm ignoring what she said or something. He planned to walk away but found himself staring at the reflection a bit longer, head slightly tilted. Granger's crazy, talking about looking in the mirror.
He sighed, staring at the reflection of himself. He couldn't remember the last time he really made a girl cry, except for those desperate ones that couldn't get over the fact that he was obviously uninterested. In fact, Draco could recall very few times he had ever been the reason a girl cried aside from those, and he remembered on more than one occasion that the girl had in fact been Hermione.
Well no wonder she won't give you a straightforward answer. She has every right to apparently hate you.
He suddenly growled and sat down. Fuck, now I'm actually listening to her and staring at my reflection? What good did that do exactly, except bring the truth out to stare me in the face? I already knew those things, even if I do typically ignore them.
He closed his eyes, clearing his mind. Granger had indeed caused a splitting headache, but aside from the single sob earlier he had heard no more from the room that was now hers. He thought that was almost odd, but didn't bother thinking too deeply about it. She was, after all, just Granger.
The unusually attractive Gryffindor who did arouse him a bit...with her cute little game at the restaurant...
He jumped up from the bed, intent to go and take a long cold shower to clear his thoughts.
The last day of their trip, the group decided it would be a fantastic idea to go to another club. Draco thought this was rather hilarious, since Potter's face turned green at the idea of dragging his fiancé through a pub. He chuckled.
Once their luggage had been packed and shrunk, the group headed out for the night, intent on partying before they returned to their daily lives. It had been decided that whenever someone wanted to leave, they could just Floo home from the Floo point nearby.
Draco soon found himself at the bar next to Ron's unfortunate girlfriend, who was scowling at an unfortunate drink as the redhead talked to Hermione a few seats down. He rolled his eyes.
"Dump him."
She sat up startled. "What?"
The blond took a large sip of his drink before continuing. "Dump the Weasel. He obviously thinks you'll wait around forever for him, and that's exactly what he's going to make you do if you don't prove a point."
The Gryffindor girl smirked and took a sip of her drink as well, turning to face him. "Keep talking Malfoy."
"Well, obviously, he thinks that no matter what he does, you'll be around to still love him and catch him in the end. You can't settle for that babe. Dump his pathetic arse and go dance with someone. If he really does want you, he'll come chasing."
She looked at him with large eyes. "Why are you helping me? Hell, why are you speaking to me? We've never said two words to each other before this."
He shrugged. "I've been drinking, and I rather hate Weasley. I pity whoever ends up with that bloke."
She looked about to object, but shook her head instead and smiled at him, before downing the rest of her drink and walking over. He smirked as she grabbed the boy's hand and took him aside, watching Granger slip away and walk towards him.
Interesting.
She sat on the stool to his other side, apparently trying to ignore the one Lavender had vacated. "Thanks, I thought I'd never get away."
Draco raised an eyebrow. "Whoever said I was doing it for your benefit? That girl was letting herself get drug through the dirt by a lovesick puppy, it was pathetic to watch. I was doing her a favor, not you."
Her eyes got wide. "You actually helped someone? A Gryffindor no less?"
He scowled. "Why does everyone find that so bloody hard to believe?"
"Because, you never help anyone unless it's for your own benefit," she sighed.
He shrugged, turning on his stool a bit to admire a passing girl, who winked in his direction. He smirked, before feeling a harsh slap to his head.
"Fuck woman, what is your problem?" He set the glass down and rubbed his head, turning to glare at her.
She was glaring back, shaking her head and pointing a finger. "You can't even have a conversation without looking for your next girl. That's truly sad Malfoy."
Draco waved her off. "Like I care what you have to say."
"You cared yesterday, when you were bloody mad that I wouldn't explain anything."
He inwardly cringed, remembering her small sob form the other room and the fact that he had actually wasted time looking into his bedroom mirror. "Yes well, you're just frustrating Granger."
The girl shrugged her slim shoulders, and he admired the clinging top she had on, that could only be the gift from the female Weasley. "What are you doing over here anyways Granger? I thought you would've gone to find Potter by now."
"He left a few minutes ago with Parkinson, angry about some bloke bothering her. They barely said goodbye to Blaise before departing."
He rolled his eyes. Potter had jealousy enough for all of them. "And everyone else is still here too?"
Hermione glanced around. "I think Lavender just left, and Ginny and Blaise left not long after Harry, but for different reasons."
He smirked. "Sounds like Blaise." The two sat in an awkward silence after that, not sure what to say to each other.
Granger broke the silence. "I have something for you."
He cocked an eyebrow. "Really now Granger? Is it by any chance a book?"
She gave him a small smile, before slipping her hand into the bag to retrieve a folded slip of newspaper. Handing it to him, she caught his hand between both of hers and looked dead into his eyes. "Please don't read it until you return to London. Please? That's all I'm asking."
He frowned. "Why not?"
Hermione shook her head. "You'll know why when you read it."
He sighed. "Fine, if you must insist." He tucked the paper away, glancing around the bar again. He sincerely wished that Granger wasn't around so he could pick someone up. Or better yet, he wished he could just drag her home.
Where the hell did that thought come from? He shook his head, feeling the beginning of a headache beginning to form.
"Something wrong?"
"No, just some thoughts."
She nodded, looking away again.
A few minutes later, Ron butted his nose in. "Hey Hermione, I was wondering if you would like to dance?"
She sighed, and Draco chuckled at her unfortunate predicament. "No Ronald, for the last time, I don't want to dance tonight."
He frowned. "Hermione, please stop with all of this. I know-"
"No Ron, don't start this again. Lavender dumped you tonight. Please, let it go."
"Yes Weasley, please do. You've become more of a nuisance than usual."
Ron turned to the blond. "Shut it Malfoy."
"No Ron," she said quietly, reaching behind Ron to grab Draco's shoulder and drag him up. "Just go," she told him, before turning to a confused blond. "Will you please escort me to the Floo?"
He raised an eyebrow. "You don't trust Weasley, hmm?"
Ron's face turned red and she glared. "I trust Ron, I simply want someone to walk with."
"Walk with me-"
"I think it's time we say goodbye Ron," she replied cutting him off. "I'll see you around okay?"
To Draco's pure enjoyment, the redhead looked crestfallen. The face he wore as Hermione spoke was like that of a child who was just told by his school crush that she doesn't like him in return. Draco vaguely registered that that really was how Hermione and Ron's relationship was, at least in the beginning.
"Yeah, see you. I best go see if Lavender's in her flat," he continued, making his way to the clubs door, which was only a few feet away now. Hermione watched her friend go, feeling bad that she had been rude. But really, she couldn't lead him on. There was nothing there, and Ron desperately needed to realize that.
The now raven-haired girl smoothed out her curls before turning to the blond. "Will you still walk with me," she asked.
Draco shook his head to clear it, having been caught up in thoughts of Granger's strange behavior. The girl was becoming more and more confusing by the hour. He glanced at her. "Afraid or something?"
"It's not the best neighborhood Malfoy. Why get hassled when I could just walk with you?"
He smirked. "Now you're just going to use me for your own benefit."
She shrugged, pulling her light jacket close to her as they walked out into the street, cold wind attacking the two. She found it ironic how two months later, they were walking in the cold together, when before they had walked in the cold alone, ignoring each other back in London.
"So what's with you Granger," Draco asked as they walked.
She looked over at him. "What do you mean?"
"You send the strangest signals," Draco said, glancing around the street they were walking on, far emptier at this hour. "Sometimes you act like you hate me, others like you pity me. You act flirtatious the first night here, cold the second, now you're almost friendly tonight before you use me to help you with the Weasel problem. So tell me, what exactly is it that you're doing?"
Hermione was quiet. What am I doing? A month ago she would've told you she was showing Draco Malfoy the wrongs in his life, the cruelty he dealt out and that he couldn't take advantage of women as he had been; two completely different points. Now she found herself torn. Here was the boy that taunted her throughout her entire schooling at Hogwarts, belittling her and causing her a lot of grief, who she found attractive.
It started with her actions at that restaurant. She had been aiming to tease a bit, before she would turn and leave, making him wonder about her. And he was sure wondering. But that night she had found herself restrained, as though if she went too far she would lose control entirely. Never had she felt like that before.
She was sure it was the lustful look his grey eyes had taken on as she rubbed his skin in an innocent, flirty manner, not even above the knee. Yet she had never felt so flustered under anyone's gaze, even Ron's. She had stopped sooner then she planned, because the thoughts rushing through her mind were not meant to be there.
Then she had to go and use him to get Ron off her back. True, he was probably terribly confused as to why she chose him, but in all honesty it was because she knew Draco would make Ron back away. Not because her ex would be intimidated, not at all; he would think her completely crazy to want a Slytherin is all.
Yet despite the mild, heated, physical attraction she was now unfortunately harboring for the blond, she still held hate. His actions in the months prior, just like hers, had ended horribly and she couldn't believe the outcome. When he read her piece of paper, he would understand her soft tears the previous night that she was certain he had heard, tears she didn't often shed.
She sighed. At that moment in time, she wasn't quite sure what she was doing anymore.
They were quiet for the rest of the short walk, rounding the corner to the Floo point. As Hermione headed over to a nearby fireplace, Draco gently grabbed her arm.
"You never answered my question," he breathed, slightly closer then she would've expected. The hot air hit her full in the face, and her cheeks flushed. She was very thankful for the cover of the night.
Hermione groaned. What am I supposed to tell him exactly? I planned to flip your mind but now I'm confused by my own emotions? Absolutely not. She looked up at him, and found his grey eyes staring back at her. Had she been a romantic, the moment would've been perfect.
I don't think Ron ever looked at me like that.
Without thinking, she leaned up and brushed her lips against his, feeling the jolt of electricity run between them before he moved back slightly in surprise.
"Granger-"
"Sorry," she replied, cutting him off. "I must be batty."
"Granger," he said again, stepping forwards to grab her arm, but she backed away from him, clumsily grabbing some Floo powder.
"No Malfoy," she said, stepping into the fireplace, "just ignore that. I don't think my mind is all here right now."
He blinked, trying to process the terribly confusing exchange between them, and in the process completely missed what location she called out. As she disappeared he sighed.
I'm more confused by her then before.