"Sanctimonia Vincet Semper," she began in a low voice, knowing he would hear her. "You removed your signet ring because you are ashamed of your family, of your name. You shouldn't. You are not just a Malfoy, you are Draco Malfoy and I believe that one day, you will make that name unforgettable; for the right reasons, for the purity of your heart and toil, and not for being a pure-blooded Sacred 28."

When there were no reactions from him, Hermione experienced a moment of white hot panic that she might have been too direct and hurtful and had pushed him away before even having the chance to start anything. Taking several breaths to calm herself, she continued. She owed it to herself!

"And the pocket watch…it's because…well I knew how you were looking at the potion master exams. And I wanted to tell you that it is a brilliant idea and maybe this pocket watch will prove helpful. You know… potion brewing relies so heavily on the exactitude of timing and so often…," her voice trailed off as her ears registered the sound of footsteps approaching her.

The witch held her breath. She wanted so badly to turn around and look at the blond. But also she was just so inexperienced in the matters of feelings that she was not sure how to act if Draco did or said something that would break her spirits.

The warring thoughts turned and twisted upon themselves, her palms grew clammy and her feet were caught in the battle between her brain and her heart.

Unbeknown to her, Draco was also warring with his own storm. His mind wanted to surrender to Hermione's words. His heart wanted desperately to hold onto the walls that he had built to protect himself.

He had so much he wanted to tell her. He wanted to tease her about noticing his absent ring. He wanted to show her how her gift had started shattering those walls. He wanted to hold onto her hand and ask her to give him a chance with her heart. Bloody Salazar, he even wanted to yank on that hideous jumper and plant a kiss on her, just to erase that sadness that had been in her eyes.

And despite it all, his brain managed only one word, loaded thick and wavering with unrestrained emotion.

"Hermione…"

At the sound of her name, she slowly turned around. Her eyes riveted down on the golden pocket watch he held in his right fist.

"Thank you," he said quietly. The Slytherin reached for one of her hands and experienced an unfamiliar sense of warmth and possessiveness as he intertwined their fingers.

"Hermione, look at me."

Those chocolate brown eyes met his. They held a stubborn fierce glint, and yet, he could clearly see the vulnerability that was there. After all, his godfather had very successfully taught him that the eyes were the most valuable weapon of a good legilimens. Draco would never stoop to using legilimency on her but he was glad for the training now as he studied the girl in front of him. He'd rather petrify himself than misunderstand her at this moment.

"Thank you," he said again. "No one has ever given me such a thoughtful gift before. And the fact that it came from you makes it more special."

"I'm glad you like it," she replied hesitantly.

The silence stretched again between them. Hermione could feel a weariness settling in her. How convenient of him to avoid the little pesky detail of the biggest reason behind the gift.

Her hand sat comfortably in his larger one and her eyes were arrested on his face. However, no matter how hard she tried, she could not decipher the look in them. Anguish was probably the only one that it could resemble.

The realisation scared her. Why was he in turmoil? He was clearly no longer repulsed by her blood status. They were friends. For crying out loud, she had almost indirectly professed her feelings for him! Everything was getting so much with the mounting silence.

"Draco, say something," she whispered fervently, tugging at their joint hands.

"What do you want me to say Hermione? Someone like me shouldn't even arbour half the thoughts I have about someone like you. But do you want me to confess that I am selfish enough to want to be with you?"

"Why are you saying it like that?"

"Hermione, I am an ex-Death Eater. Here in Hogwarts, things are fine. But once we go in public, opinions may not be so favourable towards us being together."

"I know that. I am part of the Golden Trio and with that comes unnecessary attention and unwanted opinions. Still, I don't let that ruin my chances at happiness, to ruin any possibility of an us if you want it too."

"You think I am one of your chances at happiness?" he asked, totally baffled.

Hermione allowed a shy smile to unfurl.

"Yes Draco. I do believe that."

It was so endearing the way his eyes widen slightly, his posture relaxed and a small grin tug the corners of his lips.

"I don't know what to say," he admitted sheepishly. "I was actually planning on going out in the world, redeeming that name as you said and then sweep you off your feet."

Pleasure bloomed in her heart as the young witch fought a small battle with her tears.

"Sounds like a good plan Malfoy, except for the ordering."

"Bossy woman," he said on a chuckle. He drew her to him by their hands, and anchored her to his chest, both arms wrapped tightly around her.

"We will face the world later Draco, when the time comes for it. But right now is what matters most," she told him as she brought her arms around to his back and basked in their embrace.

"I guess right now would be when I wish you Happy Valentine's Day too."

Giddy with relief and joy, she swatted him on the back and moved slightly to face him, to admonish him for hiding meanings in between the lines.

"I am too happy to argue with your Slytherin ways just yet, but trust me we will deal with your reluctance to admitting feelings!"

Draco groaned in mock exasperation while he pulled her up on her tiptoes. The move left the both of them breathless.

He reminded his heart that the witch in his arms had seen the worse of him and was still here, hands firmly pressed on his back. She was here to stay and he would not fear proving to her that he was in it for the long term too.

Inexorably, he leant closer, letting his breath caress her lips.

"Maybe one day Granger, I'll tell you exactly how important you are to me."

And he cut off her coming reproach by capturing her lips in a searing, toe-curling kiss that concluded the long night but began another beautiful chapter of their lives.

Well there it is. Thanks to everyone who read it till the end :) I know it is a long one, but I tend to write and write when I stress and my brain was cooperating on that one. Anyway leave a review and let me know what you think xx