Chapter 9: 3 Words, 8 Letters

D r a c o M a l f o y

"It's been forty five minutes. She must be having fun with him underwater." Zabini teased standing beside Draco.

Draco stood there patiently waiting for Hermione to emerge from the lake. He dreaded hearing that the second task involved Viktor Krum having to save Hermione from underwater. He wished he was saving her instead of him. Either way it was better eavesdropping on the teachers talking about the task instead of finding her in Viktor's arms unexpectedly.

"She is not…" Draco winced.

"It's okay. You can save my sister one day too."

Draco shot him a glare. He was too busy worrying about Hermione. It was freezing outside and the lake had to be way colder.

"Whoa… Draco passing that option, you MUST be falling in love with Hermione now."

"No!" he clenched through his teeth. "It's so cold!"

Draco knew that Blaine's statement was correct. He was falling for Hermione, or well was already in love with her. He really wanted to win the bet with her and have her stay at the manor for an extra two weeks after school. Actually, he wanted to spend the entire summer with her.

Blaine laughed staring at the shaking Slytherin boy. "Too bad Hermione isn't here to hold you."

Draco took Crabbe's cupcake from his mouth aiming it at Zabini.

"Calm down." Zabini gestured holding his arms up in front of him. "This dare is making you crazy."

Zabini was right again. This dare was making him go crazy.

"And here's Viktor Krum with Hermione Granger!" Lee Jordan announced.

Draco looked up finding Viktor Krum holding onto Hermione's arm as they made their way onto the stands. He tried to walk through the crowd over to Hermione. When no one was looking, he grabbed her wrist taking her to the nearest boat beside them.

"Malfoy." She smiled wrapping the towel tightly around her. "Did you miss me?"

He sat beside her on one side of the boat placing his hat on top of her head while wrapping his Slytherin scarf around her.

"Are you okay? Are you cold?" He had no clue what he was saying. He never even knew that he was capable of asking such things. "Did HE hurt you?"

"I'm fine thank you and no he did not hurt me" Hermione laughed. You don't have to lend me your things."

"Y-Y-Ye-Yeah I-I know…" Draco stuttered. He was overwhelmed with emotions right now hearing that she was okay.

"Are YOU okay?" she asked resting her head on his shoulder.

Draco felt his heart pounding through his chest taking in the smell of Hermione's hair. Even if she was underwater for an hour or two, it still smelled like berries. He wanted to tell her that he loved her for quite a while now, but wasn't so sure when to utter such a strong word. He never said "I love you" to a girl before. He only heard girls say it to him. His arms sneaked its way around Hermione's body holding her closely to keep her warm. He kissed her forehead before resting his head against hers.

"I love you Hermione." He whispered hoping that she wouldn't hear.

Hermione lifted her head up to stare at him. He gulped anticipating for a reply staring back into her eyes noticing that he actually called her by her first name. This time he said it with meaning too. He could feel his heart beating throughout his whole body now. He was pretty sure that Hermione was feeling it too.

"I love you too Draco." She whispered back.

Draco didn't care if Zabini or any of his Slytherin mates witnessed what just happened. He didn't care if Zabini was now going to prove that he actually had fallen in love with her. At this very moment he wanted to kiss her. Kiss her as passionately as he could even if they were right there in the open.

Draco leaned in, his lips being pressed against hers. He wrapped her tighter in his arms as their lips moved at a perfect pace. His tongue peeked out of his mouth licking Hermione's lips begging for her to let him in. Hermione widened her mouth a little allowing Draco to feel his tongue against hers. He licked her tongue slowly pushing it down her mouth savouring the taste of his beloved Gryffindor. A hand made its way down to her leg rubbing up and down her thigh which caused Hermione to let out a quiet moan.

Hermione leaned back detaching her lips from Draco gasping for air.

"I'm sorry…" He said. "Was that too much?"

Hermione stared at him giving him a smile. "It was perfect… I just don't feel comfortable doing it in public."

Draco sighed in relief. "Then we won't snog like this in public okay?"

"Okay." She said kissing his cheek leaning in to whisper something into his ear. "Maybe we can go somewhere private later."

Draco felt a tingling sensation around his body hearing Hermione request such a thing as she gave him a wink. He couldn't help but agree while giving her a smirk.