CHAPTER 3

After a long day of lessons, work, drama and right after eating dinner, Hermione finally retired to the Head's Quarters. Surprisingly, she found Draco lounging on one of the sofas with his head dipped into the book. What an odd sight. She supposed he did not hear her enter because he was still indulged in his book. She pushed the door to close, effectively catching his attention.

Draco tore his gaze from his book, eyed Hermione warily, and snapped his book shut. He quickly gathered his things and stood up, mumbling something like 'didn't realize how late it was, sorry'.

Hermione seemed taken aback. Did he think his presence was unwanted? Well for her, it was quite the case. But she wasn't that childish. She could act formal around him, without actually being nice to him. Although, was it the reason why she barely see him in their room? "Where are you going?" She asked casually.

"Library," Draco quipped. "Um, need to get a few more things done." Shit. She didn't exactly ask why he had to go there. Fuck. He actually felt skittish around her now. It was Blaise's fault. Right. He'd been whispering dirty, and not to mention malicious things about Granger. Sweet Salazar. He had to get out of there right now.

"Ah. Well, you can stay here. I mean, it's not like I own the place, it's too big for me. Well we-we share it, so, you are entitled to claim its benefits."

She sounded forced. Draco bit the inside of his cheek. "Thanks…I guess. Are you sure you won't mind though?" He hesitated.

Hermione smiled primly. Of course she minded, but she won't tell him that. "No, not at all," she said instead. Draco nodded once and sat back. If Granger was trying to make a point, she need not to. But why was she sitting across him? Oh Merlin, she wasn't going to make a conversation with him now, is she? Draco's eyes dropped to Hermione's skirt…and then her legs. Damn Blaise.

Draco cleared his throat and mumbled a short goodbye, leaving his things behind.

ooo

It was a Wednesday that day, exactly two weeks after Hermione started talking to Draco—not that he was counting the days that had passed since she first talked to him that year. It was fairly simple. He felt happy that someone has finally talked to him. It was a comforting feeling, even though he might have noticed Granger's strain as she talked to him. For that he felt smug.

"You're smiling like a maniac. It's scary, stop it," Blaise said. He was closely inspecting Draco's features, hoping to get some kind hint.

"Maybe young Astoria finally asked him out, after a year of ogling and stalking," Pansy said acerbically. She was devastated that it had to be Daphne who had to die in the battle, not the slut. On their sixth year, while she and Draco were still together, Astoria had been forcing herself on Draco, and being the man whore that he was, entertains to her advances. She was the reason why she broke up with Draco. Pansy just hated her with passion.

Draco sneered at Pansy. "She's not ogling and stalking me." Maybe she has been quite recently. But it was no longer flattering; instead, he found it annoying. Ever since Pansy broke up with him, Astoria had been trying to get him alone. He was a guy, but he wasn't that randy to succumb to that chit's advances.

Draco saw Blaise's face light up knowingly. "Is it G—"

"No, dammit. Blaise, really?"

Pansy gasped. "What? Who is it? Draco, you better tell me. If its Greengrass, I swear am going to bring you to the Dark Lord myself and have you be killed." Whether it was a joke or not, it still stung.

Draco's face turned cold. "I don't need your approval for anything, Pans. We're not even together, so just fuck off, ok? I'm not seeing anyone. I barely made a friend in the past 2 months, so how could I even get a girl to like me without actually associating me with the Dark Lord."

Blaise smiled sympathetically at his friend. He'll drop the joke for now. But he was most definitely sure that Draco's earlier bliss has something to do with Granger. During meals, he would usually notice his friend eyeing Granger.

Draco was annoyed. A few weeks had passed yet again, but there were no improvements on her 'relationship' with Granger. They had similar schedules for some of the 7th year subjects—he had to re-take two 6th year subjects because of leaving school early last year—, yet they seem to have been ignoring each other's presence, even during patrolling. It was a given that they would patrol the hallways together, but in that they only communicate with a few mumbles and nods. The atmosphere they had both created was unbearable, and full of awkwardness.

At eight o'clock on a particular chilly December night, after dinner, Hermione went to the library to read further on The Beetle and the Bard. She confined herself at the very end of the library where she usually stayed to allow herself to read and study without any unnecessary distractions. Time passed quickly and she had not noticed it was already thirty minutes past nine. Quickly, she gathered her things and headed to her room.

Draco was awakened with the dragging of feet, and the opening and closing of the door. He sat up groggily from the sofa he'd been laying on. He rubbed his eyes and stared at Hermione dully. The chit had two sling bags with her and four thick books on her arms. How the hell did she manage to come here carrying all that?

Hermione raised her hands in mock-surrender. "I know. I'm sorry." She felt a kink on her neck and groaned unpleasantly.

Draco raised his brows and stood up, coming towards her. "Here, let me," he offered. He took the books and placed them on the side table, and then helped Hermione remove the sling bag she was wearing, when suddenly, he found himself staring right at her eyes. His gaze travelled down to her slightly parted lips. Blaise's voice filled his still-sleeping brain. I heard McLaggen say she's a good kisser. Just imagine her kissing you, sticking her tongue down your throat… Draco closed his eyes and imagined himself actually being kissed by Granger. It might actually feel nice. She might actually taste good. There was no harm in trying… He heard Granger saying something but wasn't actually paying attention; he opened his eyes finally and saw him staring right back at him with wondering eyes. Without prolonging his lust-filled mind—which was now dominated by Blaise's smutty ideas, he dipped his head and pressed his lips on Hermione's.

Sweet Salazar, her lips were soft. Draco dipped his tongue on her mouth, tasting strawberries. She tasted sweet and delicious. Blaise was right. Her lips were unmoving against him at first, but later he felt her mouth moving with him. Sweet madness. His daydream was too good to be true. He felt her hands on his chest, and was rewarded with a more urgent kiss.

Hermione was in a trance. She was kissing someone, someone very unfamiliar. This wasn't Ron, she was certain. But who was it? Damn, her overworked brain caused her not to think clearly. She was certain though that she was in the Head's quarter. She thought deep in confusion. She was responding to a kiss someone was giving her. She opened her eyes and blinked in shock.

Hermione placed her hands on Malfoy's chest and effectively pushed him away. "What the…" she stammered, not quite looking at him.

Malfoy looked equally shocked and frightened. He-he didn't think it was real. "I'm-I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. I'm really sorry. I—"

"No it's fine. It's fine," Hermione cleared her throat. "Come on, we have to go. Filch will be biting our heads off," she laughed nervously, while heading towards the door.

Without saying anything, Draco followed her out.

At exactly eleven o'clock, they were headed back to their room as they were done patrolling. Draco had to catch up because Hermione was briskly. It must have been because of what happened earlier. He'd catch up with her as they were entering the quarters. He gingerly placed his hand on Hermione's shoulder. "Granger, wait," he said meekly.

Hermione turned around with a frown on her face. "What?" She asked quite brusquely.

"I—I just wanted to apologize. I didn't mean to…I'm s—"

"I said it's fine Malfoy," Hermione snapped. She turned her back and went to her room, closing the door behind her.

Damn it, Blaise. Draco thought bitterly.