How dare he insult her friends? She knew he was only trying to change the subject to avoid addressing the problem he had with her. She was miffed that he could get under her skin so easily, even after seven years. But still, Hermione could not in good conscience let him make fun of her friends this way.
Sensing his obvious amusement at the situation, she changed tactics. If he thought he was the only one to play that game, well he was in for a surprise.
"Beat him to his own game Hermione," Susan had suggested when they walked back from Potions yesterday.
Hermione had been shocked to hear these words from the Hufflepuff.
Seeing her expression, Susan had burst into peals of laughter.
"Oh, Hermione we are all girls who've been in this situation before."
Shaking her head, the Gryffindor had turned a questioning glance to her friend.
"Are you okay though, hearing me talk about this and helping me with the gift?"
"Oh silly, I have been your friend for so long now, of course I am happy for you! Granted, it was hard to overcome the resentment of what their side did to my family. But I was there at his trial. I saw that he had been bullied and coerced and tortured into situations no one of our age could even imagine, bar Harry maybe. Malfoy was not the one who raised the command or the curse to kill any of my family. I can understand that and live with it."
As they stood waiting for the staircase to change, Hermione could not help the pride that surged through her at thinking of how far Malfoy had come. The yearning to tell him that only increased her determination to confess her feelings to the boy.
"So you think if he doesn't listen to me, I have to make him do it by hook or by crook?"
"By what? Why would you…" the other girl spluttered as they stepped onto the staircase.
"Sorry, muggle reference. I meant by any means," Hermione interrupted the baffled girl.
"Oh Merlin, right! Well, I mean those Slytherins are wily and slippery in their actions, words and intentions, which is quite admirable I'll admit. So yes, if he avoids the subject as you say he does, then cage him by any means so he can't avoid it," she said with a suggestive wiggle of the eyebrows.
"Susan Bones! You are quite the devious Hufflepuff aren't you? First the idea of the gift, now manipulation, you'll turn me into the next Pansy Parkinson in no time" the Head girl exclaimed, thoroughly amused at Susan's proud expression as they stepped off into a busy corridor.
"What can I say? I was Amelia Bones' niece after all," she countered. "Now, go wile and plot your way to your man's heart," she continued, sending them both into a fit of laughter as they turned the corner.
After too much thinking, she had decided that the best way to subvert his cleverness with arguments was through bluntness. Because then, there was nowhere to hide.
"Granger, what is the matter with you now?"
She stared back into grey eyes that lost their iciness and instead smoldered at her, reflecting the heat from the flames flickering in the fireplace.
"Are you sleepy? It is nearly two o'clock. Perhaps we should head to bed."
"It's the fourteenth today," Hermione said calmly, watching puzzlement colour the sharp contours of his face.
"Yeah, so?"
He slipped a hand in his hair, mussing it up in a sign of frustration.
"It's Valentine's Day."
"I know that. Must you state the obvious Granger," he said roughly, crossing his arms in front of him and went back to stare at the fire.
"Why do always close up whenever emotions are mentioned Malfoy?" she asked gently, placing her feet on the ground but keeping her eyes fixed on his face.
Her question hit its mark when she saw his jaw tense.
"You either joke around the subject or walk off, but never respond to them. Is it not proper for you Slytherins to talk about such matters?" she probed, feeling flickers of anger teasing her calm.
"Emotions are weaknesses," the blond replied gruffly.
"But you can't go on ignoring them. What if you were hurting other people by doing that?"
Shocked Draco turned to face her. Her mouth was set in a grim expression but her eyes were shining, too many emotions swirling in them. They evoked the internal battle the young girl was having and pleaded with him to say something to alleviate the tension in the room. They made him dizzy.
"I don't know what you mean Granger," he said hesitantly, afraid that his own voice would betray the hope that swelled in his chest and the clamour of his heart.
Nodding, Hermione reached for the mysterious package on the table. She held the box gently, caring, careful of what it contained but nonetheless she stared at it with a furrow between the brows.
Finally, she puffed her cheeks and released a heavy sigh. Turning to him, she offered the box, fixing her eyes on his own and uttered words that froze him to the spot.
"Happy Valentine's Day Draco."
He could only stare.
Too self-conscious to maintain his gaze, Hermione lowered her eyes to the box, waiting for his reply.
Seconds ticked by on the clock on the mantle. The fire crackled. The brown paper rustled as her hold on it tightened. Her heart drummed in her ears, in her head. And yet, Draco stayed still.
Cautious not to show her disappointment, she placed the box on the space between them. She got to her feet and padded to the staircase, her throat closing in an attempt to keep the tears at bay as she promised herself that another day might be more successful.
The tearing sound of paper halted her steps.
There was a quiet click and the hiss of an indrawn breath. Her heart stuttered.