"Molly," she called, "I'm going out."
"Dear, you've been going out so often lately. What's going on?"
"I've got to get out of the house. The tension is mounting, I can feel it. Can't you?" Hermione was telling the truth. With Harry growing more and more agitated, and with Ron getting hurt twice by Death eaters in a span of less than four months, everyone was becoming tense, just anticipating the Voldemort's next move.
Molly was quiet for a moment. "You're right dear. Just…go right ahead. But don't take any longer than an hour, or I'll send a search party after you."
Hermione smiled and gave Molly a hug. "When I come back I'll help you with lunch."
Molly just smiled and waved goodbye to her and continued to chop the vegetables. Hermione Disapparated, and arrived right outside the Shrieking Shack. Draco was already in there, as per usual, and she watched him for a moment.
He was dashing, to say the very least. He hadn't slicked back his hair today, so it looked better. It was short, and a very light blonde, which only added the majestic look to his grey eyes and pale face. He looked like a gentleman. But he was still a Death eater. Hermione's eyes glanced at his left forearm and shivered before walking in.
Draco nodded when he saw her. "Hermione."
"Malfoy," she replied, thought for a moment, then spoke again. "Malfoy, I want to know who keeps trying to hurt Ron."
Draco's eyebrows furrowed. "Don't ask me. Don't you think it'd be a bit suspicious if I showed so much interest in it when I hate his guts?"
"Don't say that," she snapped, hands on her hips.
"Well, he is your beloved. How am I supposed to compare?" He put his hands in his pockets.
Hermione closed her eyes and sighed. "Fine. I'm sorry." She covered her face with her hands for a moment. She couldn't lose her resolve in front of him.
"Did something happen?" he asked softly, and Hermione looked up at him.
"Yes, something happened. He was hurt in an explosion. Again. Somebody is definitely after him."
Draco looked surprised. "I suppose so."
"I wonder why they haven't come after me?" Hermione wondered. Draco's lips tilted in a smirk before he quickly shut his facial expressions down. "What was that smirk for?" she demanded.
"You sound like a child," he told her after a beat. "Do you want Death eaters after you?"
"Well, no, but I don't want them after Ron either."
"Hermione," he said, taking a step toward her, "don't be such a Gryffindor and try and sacrifice yourself. Maybe there is a reason." He approached her and embraced her with his firm arms. "Or maybe I'm just trying to protect you myself," he whispered in her ear, and Hermione's eyes widened. Would he really do that?
"Are you serious?" she whispered, pulling back to look at his face. Draco just looked into her eyes.
"Why not?"
Hermione could feel irrational tears come into her eyes. Draco Malfoy, the sniveling coward in her school days, had fallen madly in love with her and was protecting her. And she knew she could trust him now; they'd met enough times in order to establish that trust. "Tell me how," she demanded.
Draco's grey eyes lifted to the ceiling for a moment in thought. "Well, you know we have Death eater gatherings, and we talk about things. Of course, the hottest topic is Harry Potter, and the Dark Lord always talks about different ways to bring him down. One of his favorite ways is to bring you down. He thinks there's something going on between you two."
Hermione's brown eyes widened.
"I…I can't say much at the dinner, but afterwards, I speak to him privately to think of a better idea, and he tells me not to dishonour him by rebuking his choices. Then I'm…well, told in a painful manner not to convince him to do something stupid. But he never carries out that plan. Perhaps he's got more on his mind than just you."
"You mean…you're tortured?" Hermione asked, horrified.
Draco smirked. "It would take more than one Cruciatus to change my feelings for you."
Hermione almost swooned. How had this man sprouted from the irritating little prat she'd known in school?
"Draco, if you're lying to me right now I might have to hex you," she whispered.
He just chuckled a little and leaned towards her. "Say my name again," he told her.
"Draco," she whispered, and she closed her eyes, awaiting the inevitable.
The kiss was soft, as all first kisses are, and it was short. When she opened her eyes, Draco was smirking broadly, as if he'd just won something grand. She suddenly felt like someone had punched her in the gut. Had she just kissed a Death eater?
"I look forward to more of those in the future," he said, still smirking madly. Hermione just nodded. "But, I must go now. Can't let the others get too suspicious."
"I understand," she said in a small voice.
"You alright?" Draco asked. His smirk was still there, and Hermione's brows furrowed for a moment.
"Yes, I'm fine. I'll see you soon." She forced a smile and Disapparated.
"I love Ron," she said aloud to herself. "I love Ron." She closed her eyes for a moment before heading into the Burrow.
She helped out Molly with lunch as promised. She'd hardly taken ten minutes with Draco. But what was wrong with her? He was a Death eater! Even if he was a spy, even if he was a good guy inside, he was still a Death eater. She couldn't let her feelings for him—
She cut her thoughts off. Feelings for him! Did she just admit that to herself? She gasped and almost dropped her knife.
"Oh, dear, did you cut yourself?" Molly asked, and she quickly went and examined her fingers.
"Oh, no," Hermione said quickly, coming back to earth. "I, um, almost did."
Molly nodded. "Be careful." It rang like a double entendre in Hermione's ears.
A.N. alright, guys. sorry for this chapter. it's just the in-between part and intro for their relationship. kind of like the stepping stone for what happens in the next chapter which, i must admit, is one of my favourites! just bear with me, and in a week or so you'll have the next chapter! yay! reviews will make it come quicker though! please please REVIEW! :]