A/N: Thank you so much for your reviews/favourites/alerts! They really make me smile :D

So, I'm writing this before the rugby tonight... New Zealand vs France, who is gonna win? Let me know :P (Psst it's gonna be NZ teehee) Anywho, enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 10

Draco sat up and caught her face. "I care about you too," he whispered.

Then he kissed her.

Two days after Draco had tenderly kissed Hermione, he was released from the hospital wing. Blaise was there to catch him up with what he had missed. Draco tried to listen to what his mate was rambling on about but his thoughts were trained on something else.

Hermione.

Draco hadn't seen her since that day. After they had pulled away, Hermione looked panicked and left. Draco could understand fully what she was thinking. He himself was feeling confused. Confused and lonely. He hadn't seen Hermione for two days and he missed their friendship, no matter how tentative it was. But more than that, Draco wanted her. He wanted Hermione to be his girlfriend, and to have a relationship like Potter and Weaslette, though he would never EVER admit that to anyone. As Blaise led Draco to the Great Hall for lunch, Draco was contemplating whether or he should talk to Hermione, or let her think. Then he had an idea. Excusing himself to Blaise, Draco hurtled up to the Owlery.

Hermione was sitting in the Great Hall with Harry, Ron, Ginny and Katie. She was deep in thought – thoughts about Draco. She sighed heavily. Hermione knew that she was being unfair to Draco, but when they had kissed two days ago, she freaked. It was nice, sure, but this was Draco Malfoy – bouncing ferret extraordinaire! Yes, she liked him. Yes, he was a nice guy. Yes, he had changed. But this wasn't fair. Not that she cared, but how many people in this hall would actually approve of a Slytherin/Gryffindor relationship?

Exactly.

Ron, for starters, would turn purple and splutter in rage. Any other time, his facial expression would be hilarious, but Hermione cringed at the thought. She sighed heavily again.

"You okay, Hermione?" Ginny asked, curiously.

"Yeah, just thinking" Hermione blushed.

Ginny just gave the look that said you are hiding something and I WILL get it out of you!

Hermione winced. But before she replied, and owl hurled itself through the window and headed towards the Gryffindor table. Everyone watched it as it landed in front of Hermione, looking important. She was hesitant to remove the letter with everyone looking at her. It was strange that this owl was making a delivery now, instead of at breakfast.

While everyone was busy watching Hermione, she didn't notice Draco slip into his seat, looking flushed and panting.

Hermione pulled the letter off the owl and watched it fly away. She opened it and gasped as confetti and flower petals exploded out of the envelope. Then little golden butterflies flew out and circled her head before fluttering away. It really was an exquisite piece of magic. Hermione was awestruck. She pulled out a note.

Hermione,

I'm sorry we haven't had the chance to talk for a couple of days.

If you are ready, I would really love to meet up.

I'll be waiting on the fourth floor, by the painting of the Weeping Willow, during your rounds tonight, 10.30?

Only if you're ready,

DM

"Who is that from?" Ginny almost squealed in excitement.

"Oh, um, just a friend." Hermione said vaguely, anxiety and happiness flooding through her. The Great Hall went back to its noise, and Hermione risked a quick glance at Draco.

He was smiling at her. It was a hopeful, yet kind expression, and Hermione loved it. She smiled back and nodded before turning her attention back to her friends.

Draco had sprinted from the Owlery to the Great Hall as soon as the owl had taken off. He had to see her face when she witnessed his magic. He managed to slip in the hall unnoticed and quickly piled a plate with food, looking like he had been there the entire time. Along with everyone else, Draco watched Hermione open her mail. Her face lit up; her eyes wide with excitement and awe. The smile that lit up her face was beautiful. It made Draco smile a little, knowing he had caused it. When she read the note and looked over at him, he was still smiling. She nodded and smiled back, causing Draco to almost burst with happiness. He had made the right choice then. He couldn't wait until he saw her that night.

It was 10.30. Draco was sitting against the wall, directly under the Weeping Willow painting. Hermione should be there any time now. Draco squirmed. He was nervous, yet excited. He planned on telling Hermione exactly how he felt, which was a big deal for him. What if she laughed in his face? What if she rejected him? Draco tried not to think about that, he was trying to focus on how to say what we needed.

10.35

10.40

10.50

11.00

Where the hell was she? Oh, Merlin.

She wasn't coming. This was her answer. She wanted nothing to do with him. Draco was starting to freak out a bit, this wasn't planned. He was just about to give up when he heard running footsteps.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry!" He heard as the footsteps came closer.

Hermione burst into view, her hair flying everywhere and her chest heaving.

"I'm so sorry, some little second year was trying to push another kid's head into a freaking toilet and then Peeves bloody threw plants from the Herbology rooms everywhere – "

"Hey, calm down, its okay," Draco laughed.

Hermione groaned, and slid down the wall to sit next to Draco.

"I thought you would have left by now."

"I'm glad I didn't," Draco whispered.

"I'm glad too." Hermione breathed.

"Hermione, I – um, well I really like you. You were the one who brought me back from that hell. It was your touch, and your voice that kept me sane. That means so much to me. I realised, while I was stuck in that stupid bed, that I want to be with you. If you want. You know, as like a couple, or whatever." Hermione hadn't said anything so Draco continued, slightly frazzled. "It was a stupid idea. Forget I said anything. We can still be friends, right? Coz I would still like to talk to you. Don't – "

Hermione's lips on his silenced Draco.

"You were rambling," Hermione smiled when she pulled away. "And yes, I would really, really like to be with you. Yes, as a couple."

Draco beamed, then pulled her close for another kiss.

He was happy, all memories of that hellish torture banished during those few seconds of bliss.

A/N: Hey guys, please review! Would love to have 50 reviews soon :D my goal for the next couple of updates, please help!

As always, love, KaylaKay xx