Yellow feather

"Avis." Hermione smiled slightly as a little flock of yellow canaries erupted from her wand and zoomed around the empty classroom, twittering cheerily. She always did this when she wanted some time alone, when she was upset. Harry and Ron would occasionally be there with her, but today, it was just her alone.

Her smile faltered as she heard the door unlock and a certain blonde walked in. He paused in his tracks when he saw her and quickly turned to walk back out.

"Wait!" Hermione said, unsure of the reason she wanted him to stay.

Surprisingly, Draco nodded and moved to sit on a table, keeping his distance.

"So… what're you doing?" He questioned, raising his eyebrow as a single yellow feather fell into his palm. He twirled it carefully in his fingers, observing the way it glinted in the dim light.

"Just… needed to think, you know?" Hermione said carefully, not daring to believe the fact that they were being polite to each other.

Draco nodded again, a real smile appearing on his face. It was the most sincere smile she had ever seen him display, much less directed to her.

"Same." Was his one word reply.

She walked over to his side and plopped down on the table beside him, making sure there was a gap between them.

"What do you need to think about? You have everything… fortune, fame and… girls." Hermione gave a shaky laugh, her hair obscuring her blushing face.

There was a moment of silence when Draco finally said, "There's one thing I don't have."

"And what is that, precisely?" Hermione whipped around, and nearly fell off the table when she came mere millimeters from Draco's face, hazel eyes meeting grey.

"Love." He said, turning away.

"What? Did you just say… love?" Hermione turned him around gently so they were face to face again.

He nodded lightly and attempted a weak smirk. "Odd isn't it?"

"But… you're Draco Malfoy! Everyone is in love with you! How is it possible you can't find love when all the girls you've ever passed by falls for you? Are you serious? You've got to be kid-" Hermione didn't get to finish her sentence, as a pair of lips had crashed into hers.

"Honestly, Mione, you've got to shut up." Draco said teasingly, his hands still around her waist.

"I… I…" The girl stammered, looking at him wide eyed.

"I can't find love because you didn't love me back, silly." Draco smiled, pain showing clearly in his eyes.

Hermione's face contorted in anger. "Me? I've loved you for so long you idiot."

For a while, the only emotion on his face was surprise, before he pulled her in for another kiss.

"I guess I am an idiot," he murmured, his hand pressing a single yellow feather into her palm.