"I can't believe I fell for such a stupid thing." Hermione groaned as she went and sat at a desk.
"Neither can I," Draco scoffed. "Pansy told me she needed to talk to me in private, I did not think she would try this."
"Do you two often meet in deserted classrooms?" Hermione asked, ignoring the feeling building in her stomach, half heat from being near him, the other half a nasty feeling she recognized from her sixth year.
"Do not worry Granger," Malfoy smirked. "We behave ourselves when we meet in private." Hermione glared at him. "What? I can imagine how you are feeling. We are soulmates, remember?" He approached her and leaned to whisper in her ear. "The thought of you doing anything with anyone makes me want to scream. When Pansy told me you have not done anything with anyone I wanted to scream with pleasure." Hermione gulped as she stiffened, trying to ignore his breath as it touched her neck. "Do you have any idea how hard it's been for me to not reach over and touch you during Ancient Runes, to just hold your hand."
"I'm well aware, okay." Hermione snapped. "You're not the only one feeling the effects of the potion. But you know our history, do you really think I would go along with this after how you've treated me the past few years, after what happened at your house."
"You really do not understand." Malfoy scoffed. "That day at the Manor was the worst day of my life. Watching you writhe in pain, yet still managing to fend off my aunt. It took all I could not to go and get her off you."
"Why would you care?" Hermione snapped. "I figured you would enjoy watching me be tortured, watching a mudblood get what 'they deserve'." Hermione snarled the word and watched the anger cloud Malfoy's grey eyes.
"Do not," Malfoy snarled. "Call yourself that."
"Why not? That's what I am right? That's what you've been calling me since second year." Hermione had stood up so now they stood within inches of each other. "Or did you forget I now have a reminder of that any time I wear a short sleeve?" Malfoy's eyes glanced down to her arm before looking back into her eyes. The two stood, glaring at each other, ignoring the fires that were building and the glances they each took to the other's lips.
"Bloody hell, fuck it." Malfoy groaned as he placed his hands on her face and pulled her in for a kiss. Hermione gasped as she closed her eyes and placed her hands on his sides. Draco groaned as he deepened the kiss, moving one hand into her hair and the other down to her side, pulling her closer. Suddenly he backed away. "I need to stop. I refuse to do anything in a place like this." Hermione just stared at him for a moment, taking deep breaths, before slapping him. "Do you not think that was a little extreme?" Malfoy asked, rubbing his cheek.
"You kissed me without my permission." Hermione snapped. "What did you think I would do? I've slapped you for less."
"Oh I remember." Malfoy chuckled, Hermione narrowed her eyes.
"Why are you chuckling?" She asked.
"I am sure you will find out someday." Malfoy smirked. "For now shall we sit and wait for our friends to come get us?"
"Do you really think they'll leave us here till morning?" Hermione asked as she sat down at a desk far away from Malfoy.
"Would not be surprised. Well Granger, how do you want to spend the time?" Hermione just shook her head.
"Good night Malfoy, stay on your side of the room." With that she laid her head down on the desk and tried to go to sleep.
The following morning Ginny and Parkinson walked into the classroom to find Malfoy laying on his back on one desk with Hermione curled up in a chair on the other side of the room. "Why did neither of them transfigure a bed?" Parkinson asked as she walked up to Malfoy and shook him.
"Probably too much temptation." Ginny replied as she walked over to Hermione. "Come on Hermione, it's time to wake up." Hermione groaned as she started to wake up then glared at her friend.
"I should stab you." Hermione grumbled as she rubbed her eyes and rolled her neck.
"My sentiments exactly." Malfoy drawled as he slid off his desk. "Come on Parkinson, we need to have a long chat."
"Did nothing seriously happen between the two of you?" Ginny asked once the two Slytherins had left the room.
"Nothing good, if that's what you mean. We had a disagreement and went to sleep on opposite sides of the room."
"Well that plan was a bust." Ginny sighed. "Come on, you should change."
"And take a nap," Hermione yawned. "I did not sleep well at all." Ginny chuckled as the two girls walked out of the room and towards Gryffindor Tower.
Over the next few weeks Hermione and Malfoy continued to stay as far away from each other as humanly possible. They each gave a sigh of relief once they were officially done with their project and could turn it in which meant they could again sit as far away from each other as the room would allow. One day near the end of November Hermione sighed as she leaned on her hand at the breakfast table. "What's wrong with you?" Ginny asked, putting food on her plate.
"I haven't been sleeping well." Hermione yawned.
"Why not?" Neville asked.
"Have you been dreaming about a certain Slytherin?" Ginny teased.
"Shut up Ginny." Hermione said, trying not to blush at the memory of the dream she had the night before, which was indeed about a certain Slytherin and the way his body pressed against hers. "Now if you'll excuse me, I promised to meet Nott before classes to discuss the Yule Ball."
"Christmas." Ginny hummed. "I can't wait to kiss you under the mistletoe." Hermione heard her whisper to Neville as she left the table. She made her way to the Prefects office where she sat across from Nott at the table.
"Morning Granger, you look horrible." Nott greeted her.
"I don't want to hear it Nott, let's just get this over with. So what are we working on today?" Nott started to read off the list of party planning they had to do, Hermione nodded as her eyes drifted shut and she fell asleep.
Hermione groaned as Malfoy kissed her neck, his hands massaging her breasts through her shirt. "I've been wanting to do this for the longest time." Malfoy murmured against her neck as his hands moved to the hem of her shirt.
"Stop talking." Hermione muttered.
"Yes Princess." Malfoy chuckled. "Anything to make you happy." Hermione gasped as he nipped at her ear lobe.
"Granger!" A voice called.
Hermione jumped as Nott called her name. "Have you heard a single thing I have said?"
"Sorry," Hermione yawned. "Having trouble sleeping, continue please." Nott rolled his eyes as he looked at the list in front of him.
"We need to give McGonagall a finalized menu for the elves by the end of the week. And we need to sort out who is doing what decorations wise."
"Here's what I was thinking about the menu, I pulled the menus of the past Feasts and the Yule Ball during the Tri - Wizard Tournament and picked out a few things I figured people would like." Hermione handed Nott a piece of paper.
"Ok, I will look through it and give it to McGonagall." Nott put the paper in his bag as the bell rang. "Well, that is it for this meeting. Are you looking forward to the ball?" He asked as they got up and headed out of the room.
"Not really, I'm not exactly a social creature. I'll talk to you later." Hermione said as she headed towards her first class of the day.
She sat in charms, taking notes on the charm they were learning when a piece of paper landed in front of her.
Are you going to the ball? - Malfoy Hermione turned and glared at him.
Of course I am, I am Head Girl after all. Hermione sent the paper back to him and returned to her notes, groaning as the paper returned.
Will you save me a dance then? Hermione looked at it for a moment before looking at Malfoy.
Are you sure that's wise?
I figured we could take advantage of the Hogsmeade trip this weekend to get to know each other and test our tolerance before the ball. Malfoy responded. Hermione bit her lip, but did not respond, instead tried to focus on her work and not the thrill that traveled her spine.
Hermione found Ginny in the hall after class. "Malfoy asked me out to Hogsmeade." Hermione told her.
"Are you going?" Ginny asked.
"I'm not sure, with our history and our tendency to fight when we interact with each other."
"I think you should do it." Ginny said. "Who knows, maybe you'll figure out why the potion put the two of you together."
"Maybe." Hermione thought, before saying goodbye and heading towards her next class.
Hermione stopped Malfoy on his way to lunch later that day. "Fine, but some ground rules. No touching, at all, and if at any point I feel uncomfortable I will leave."
"Deal." Malfoy nodded.
"Why do you suddenly want to go on a date with me?" Hermione asked.
"I figured this is not going away, if anything it is going to get more and more intense until we crack, may as well start to form a non - hostile relationship to avoid any potential consequences." Hermione looked at him for a moment.
"Fine, we will meet at Hogsmeade."
"Great, see you then." Malfoy winked at her before returning on his way to the Great Hall.