Hello, all! I am so proud of myself for writing this- I think I have beaten the writer's block! This chapter is a little reward for all the wonderful reviews I have been receiving- hope you enjoy it! :) It isn't too long, and some of you may think it's a little too quick, but I felt the characters pulling me in this direction.

Let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I STILL don't own :( Maybe one day...

Chapter Seven- Fix

Draco Malfoy felt like an idiot.

Why was it that as soon as he realized what this fluttery feeling in his stomach was every time he looked at Hermione he had to muck everything up?

He knew he had hurt her feelings, he had seen that flash of pain in her brown eyes as he had pulled away from her. He knew she had pure intentions; that heart of hers was definitely worn on her sleeve, and her face was clouded with the rejection she felt.

He had to apologize. Better yet, he wanted to apologize.

Unbeknownst to him, a certain curly haired bookworm was thinking along the same lines.

Hermione had come to see there was an attraction there, between the Slytherin Prince and the Gryffindor Princess, one she couldn't seem to fight. The rejection had overwhelmed her when he had physically stepped away from her, yanking his hand out of her grasp. She couldn't hide the pain that had flashed through her chest, surprisingly strong. So, she did the next best thing: she ignored it.

Walking a step ahead of Harry and Draco, Hermione headed to Flourish and Blotts to stock up on the parchment she needed, as well as a new quill or two. On the short journey there, her mind was traveling a mile a minute.

She knew the terrors Draco had undergone. She knew the horrors and the pain he had gone through. Doubt began to filter into her mind; what if she was overreacting? Physical contact could be something for him to need to adjust to, and who is to say that Draco Malfoy had ever been one to engage in casual touches?

She reminded herself that her relationship with her best friends was rare; most people didn't hug and kiss like Hermione and Harry and the Weasleys did.

The guilt rushed into her belly, making her steps falter. Harry caught her arm, whispering in her ear.

"Mione, are you alright? You nearly fell there."

She nodded, not meeting the concerned green eyes that were watching her carefully. "Just thinking, Harry." She sighed and shook her head. "I think I overreacted."

Harry's eyes darkened in understanding. "There's an easy way to fix that." He said it so softly that Hermione was unsure she really heard it. Harry opened the store's door, a bell chiming loudly in the silent shop.

Hermione headed to the parchment, her eyes unseeing, her fingers touching the paper reverently. She had to work up enough courage to apologize to the boy- no, the man her mind corrected, the gorgeous man who reformed and is staying with you-

Hermione shook her head violently. She had to get her thoughts under control. Before she could focus on her task, she felt someone behind her. Whipping around, her eyes widened as she saw who was there.

Draco was snapped out of his thoughts when he saw Hermione stumble. Harry made it to her first, whispering softly in her ear, so softly that he couldn't hear what was said. Frowning slightly, he crossed his arms, determined to ignore the jealousy that suddenly bubbled in his chest.

No point in being jealous; Hermione was a single, eligible, gorgeous- no! He shook his head violently. His mind wanted to revolt, and he saw her in his mind's eye, curly hair splayed out on dark silk sheets, her eyes dark with desire…

Draco shivered, struggling to think of something else. Concentrate on the guilt he thought, and suddenly the nauseous feeling was back. He immediately regretted his decision; daydreaming about Hermione was much better than feeling ill.

He noticed they made it to Flourish and Blotts, and mutely followed the two inside. Harry shot him a meaningful look before darting off in the opposite direction of Hermione. Draco sighed and followed her.

She was absently fingering parchment when he caught up to her. She spun around quickly, her eyes widening slightly before she blushed violently. Draco felt a twinge in his chest; she looked so adorable with color in her cheeks.

"Hermione, I-"

"Draco, please-"

They both laughed nervously as they interrupted each other. Draco scratched the back of his head, saying, "Go ahead, Hermione. You first."

Hermione took a deep breath, pushing back her attraction to the man in front of her- he was so cute when he looked vulnerable- and quickly made up her mind to apologize.

"Draco, I am sorry. I realized after the fact that touching you may not have been the best idea, especially after what you've been through. Please forgive me." Her eyes were pleading, even as she stood there stiffly.

Draco shook his head. "No, Hermione, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pull away, and it wasn't intentional to hurt your feelings. I was just startled, but I never meant to make you feel rejected. I could never do that to you." He paled slightly as he realized what he said, hoping the smartest witch of their age would overlook his slip.

Of course, she caught it, and filed it away for further inspection later. Hermione was suddenly aware of how close they were standing. As they had talked, she had backed up until her back was against the shelves of parchment, and Draco was mere inches away. Her eyes flickered from his own gray orbs to his pale lips and back again, blushing furiously when she realized what she had just done.

"Uh, I forgive you Draco, as long as you forgive me." She whispered it, but her voice screamed through the sudden tension. Draco nodded, his throat suddenly parched. He had the sudden urge to raise his hand and cup her porcelain cheek, her thumb aching to run over those rosebud lips.

He was suddenly aware of everything; they were both breathing heavily, her eyes wide and darker than normal, her lips were slightly parted, teasing him to make a move.

Draco unconsciously leaned in closer, and Hermione closed her eyes, willing him silently to kiss her. She let her hand grip the pocket on his jeans, pulling him closer. Draco let out a soft growl, making Hermione shiver. He raised his hand to cup her face, his thumb so close to her lips…

"Hermione! Where are you?" Harry's voice made them spring apart, Hermione's eyes wide, Draco still breathing hard.

She swallowed and answered The Boy Who Lived shakily, "Just a second, Harry, I've almost chosen, then we can go get some ice cream." She turned her eyes onto Draco, looking unsure. "Uh…"

Draco struggled to regain control, fighting with his body. "Hermione, I…" He shook his head. "What is going on with me?" he muttered, running a hand roughly through his hair.

Hermione sighed, and met his eyes. "I was wondering the same thing, Draco." She studied him intently. "I'm not sure what I feel, or how to react to this." She shook her head. "I've never felt this before."

Draco nodded absently, bringing a hand to his lips unconsciously. "Me neither."

Hermione felt heat in her belly as she watched Draco, biting her lip hard. Clearing her throat, she turned around and blindly grabbed some parchment, choosing two quills as well, and turned back to him.

"Maybe we should continue this later?" She asked shyly, blushing as she stared at her shoes, twilling the quills in her fingers.

Draco nodded, putting a hand on her chin and making her look at him. "Yes, I think I would love to." He smiled nervously, feeling slightly more confident when she returned his smile.

She poked him in the chest then turned around, heading for the register where Harry was waiting. Draco took a moment to catch his breath, wondering why he felt so at peace with what just happened.

Sure, he wasn't as prejudiced anymore, but he had the occasional slip-up. Being raised as fanatically as he was leaves a mark, one that would take many years to erase. He felt indebted to Hermione for saving him; could that be why he felt this way about her? Some twisted savior complex?

Maybe he was getting a little ahead of himself. After all, how long had he been stuck with Hermione Granger, three days? Probably longer, but he could only remember two days prior to this one. Sure, she was pretty, but most girls were. She was smart, yes, but anyone could be.

She was muggleborn; that right there should be enough to get Draco to turn around. He didn't understand where these intense emotions were coming from, and it confused the hell out of him. What was he supposed to think?

He heard Harry calling for him and, on autopilot, caught up to them at the door and followed them back onto the street, still absorbed in his thoughts.

He missed Hermione glancing at him then turning to whisper something to Harry. He missed Harry's answering nod and grin; the next thing Draco knew, he was standing in front of the newly refurbished Ollivander's. Blinking, he looked around, confused.

"Why are we here? Didn't you say something about ice cream?"

Hermione smiled gently, opening the door and motioning him inside. "Well, it won't do for you to not have a wand, will it?"

Draco froze in the shop's threshold, looking at her intently. "I have no money for a wand." He voice sounded sad, even to himself.

Harry shook his head. "No worried, Malfoy, Hermione wants to get one for you."

She nodded, smiling encouragingly. "You need one, and I have plenty of galleons to spend." To prove it, she jangled her purse.

Draco felt his heart swell, the ice thawing. Was she always this nice? He couldn't imagine how someone he tortured for years would be willing to buy him a brand new wand? Sure, he desperately wanted one, his heart aching for his old wand.

Twenty minutes later, Draco Malfoy had a brand new wand: fourteen inches, ebony wood, unicorn hair. The wand fit his hand perfectly. Glancing at Hermione, their eyes met, and she sent him the most brilliant smile he had ever seen, stunning him.

In that moment, Draco knew he was falling for Hermione; there was no stopping it. She was imprinting herself onto his heart and he had no intention of stopping her.

A/N: I LOVE the last sentence :) And I love you, readers!