Ch.6: Exposed

Hogsmeade this weekend? His voice invaded her mind, as Hermione sat curled up on the couch, finishing her Arithmacy essay. She wanted to say yes and go with him. But she had promised Harry and Ron. For once, she wanted to ditch her friends and choose Draco. The decision was impossible. Draco made her feel cherished; prioritised. Whereas the boys, unknowingly, shoved her aside. Meeting up this weekend was mere obligation more than anything else.

I'll make the decision for you. His response was cold and distant. Hermione wanted to object, but he'd misinterpreted her thoughts. It was surprising, even to herself, that she favoured Draco's company over her friends. She understood why, but the better part of her was in denial of what she really wanted. Not protesting to how their conversation had played out only proved that she feared spending more time would him would inevitably result in her deepest desire.

Draco was affirmed in his beliefs that Hermione returned his feelings- but that didn't make it any easier to act on it. He had to. He couldn't ignore his feelings forever, for he was sure it would either drive him insane, or result in endless unhappiness. Draco had started to cherish their friendship, and feared that pursuing anything further would ruin it. To make matters worse she was spending the day with Harry and Ron- the latter of who would surely make a move.

Taking care with how he looked- more so than usual- Draco considered just staying in his dorms and waiting for her to return. But that would be the coward's way out, and if there was one thing he'd learned from his father it was that cowardice was an unattractive trait. He would fess up, and hope for the best. As the hour grew closer, Draco became more nervous and jittery, and he decided to lie down to ease the thumping in the back of his mind. If everything was to go to plan, Hermione couldn't find out about his true intentions without his consent. More than anything, he hoped that verbally confessing, would ease his headaches, and his thoughts could flow freely rather than being filtered down through the bond.

He could hear her thoughts, but they were rushing around at such an alarming rate that Draco couldn't begin to comprehend what was on her mind. The only detail he managed to grasp was that she was considering wearing a blue cashmere sweater. He felt as though he was betraying her, having such access to her mind, when he was hiding so much more than mere feelings from her. Hermione was beginning to trust him, and was drifting from her two best friends, simply because she deserved the world and they weren't ready to offer that. But how was Draco any better? Hermione didn't deserve any of them. That made him consider telling her everything, but it was too soon for that. Start with feelings first, everything else can come later.

Hermione ground her teeth as she glanced around. Draco wasn't there. What did he expect? That she'd sit around and wait for him; be there when he was ready. If he was interested he would make an effort, but letting her spend the day with two other guys hardly proved that he was willing to fight for her affection. She was beyond conflicted; she was falling for him but couldn't decide whether the risk was worth hurting everyone. Hermione didn't know why she expected him to show up, she hadn't invited him, and he had made it clear that he didn't want to see her. Defeated, she slumped down the dust track towards Hogsmeade, where she'd agreed to meet the boys.

"'Mione! It's so great to see you," Harry and Ron grinned, enveloping her in a hug. She embraced it willingly, finally back to normalcy. As much as she enjoyed the company of her new friend, she missed her brothers. Nothing had changed about them.

Draco lingered around the town, with nothing to do. He didn't know where they were headed, or how he was going to get Hermione alone. It was also worrying that she seemed rather quiet. He found it almost impossible to contact her. He was worried that she was going to be 'corrupted' by Harry and Ron somehow, who would bring her to her senses, making her realise what a vile and unnecessary friend he was to her.

Don't be a drama queen. She huffed. The tension seeped out of his body and her voice calmed him instantly.

No can do. 'Mione?

Yes? She asked, with the slightest glimmer of hope lingering in her voice.

I… never mind.

He was an absolute chicken. Why couldn't he just ask her to meet up? They talked every day, spent every waking moment together, and yet he couldn't summon the courage to ask her. She was this ray of light in his life. He had nothing else- and even at that, he didn't have her. Hermione was the smartest girl he knew, insanely beautiful and kind. But what he really loved was that she wasn't aware of any of it. Hermione was too hard on herself, she belittled all her traits and qualities, only taking credit for her intelligence; which was undeniable. Draco couldn't imagine a future without her. He needed her. She levelled with him. Every other girl was just a monotonous sponge, willing to agree with everything he said. Hermione challenged him, disagreed with everything he said, made him think outside of his childhood beliefs. He hated himself for becoming so reliant on her presence in his life.

"Hermione! Were you even listening?" Ron laughed, waving a hand in front of her face.
"You look like you spaced out there for a minute, are you okay?" Harry asked, placing a hand on her wrist, snapping her out of the trance.
"What… oh…I'm fine," she stumbled over the words, trying to shake herself of the thoughts that had invaded her mind. One minute she was catching up with the boys, and the next she was privy to Draco's inner most thoughts. It should be nothing out of the ordinary. She was accustomed to the tumbling thoughts that ambushed her at the most inconvenient times. But nothing like what she'd just heard.
"In that case, we were just telling you that Ginny thinks she'll return to school next year." Ron continued, oblivious to Hermione's predicament.
"That's great! I bet the year off really helped," she commented, still absent from the conversation.

She knew she felt the same. But was it worth the risk? The last time she'd clutched onto a flimsy little crush her heart had been toyed with. Ron had never intentionally hurt her, but he had prioritised himself. They were only ever together when it suited him. The first hiccup and he'd run. Hermione needed someone who would be there for her, someone who would put her first. Was Draco capable of that? Only a few weeks ago they were at each other's throats. Jumping into a relationship too quickly could destroy their friendship, which she'd really started to value. If they started something, there was no going back…

"Let's go get something to eat," Ron suggested, and the trio headed for the leaky cauldron. Hermione could feel him before crossing the threshold. Her gut told her it was a bad idea, but another part of her was drawn to him. His eyes locked with hers the second the hinge clicked behind them. Hermione parted her lips as though she was about to call out to him from across the pub. Instantly, she could tell from his expression that Draco thought his feelings were still a secret. Hermione began to wonder how he'd managed to conceal them for so long, when he had access to her every thought.

Draco sat sidelong on the barstool, hand resting atop his knee, posture slouched, eyes drawn to the girl guarded by his enemies. His heart was pounding against his ribcage, and his mouth dried up, his mind empty of everything but her. Draco knew it was now or never. He couldn't continue like this. As the golden trio approached, he was blind to the boys' glares, instead ready to pounce.

"Hermione?" Draco said, reaching out to graze her wrist. He had her attention, and now he felt the spotlight on him. Why did he feel sick to his stomach? This was anything but natural. He realised time was running out. It was only so long before her body guards snapped. "Can we talk…alone?" he asked, drawing his bottom lip in between his teeth.
"Stay away from him 'Mione!" Ron ordered, placing a hand on her shoulder, starting to lead her in the opposite direction. Hermione shrugged out of his grasp.
"I'll meet you over at the table in a moment," she stated firmly. Hermione hated nothing more than being treated like an incompetent child. Ron had an awful habit of doing so.

If it helps, you're anything but.

She looked up to find him smiling weakly. Not a smirk. A genuine smile. In response she followed him to the back room. Both stood facing each other, neither sure of what to say. His words hung in the air between them like a curtain of tension. In two strides, Draco closed in on her, one hand on her waist, lips covering hers.

Draco had meant to tell her. But the words dissipated. This was so much better. He poured everything into that kiss. Her fingers knotted through his hair, and neither broke apart for air. Their lips moved in sync and it was like everything fell into place. At first, he caressed her face, and moved gently, but something urged him on. This might be his only chance to kiss her. His tongue fought for dominance, and his hands trailed down her back to her thighs, pulling her closer. She stumbled to regain balance, eventually giving up and moulding against his toned, lean frame. This was what he needed. For the first time in weeks the throbbing in the back of his mind ceased, and she consumed his every thought. Draco didn't hold back.

Hermione drew back forcefully but reluctantly.
"I-" she started, opening and closing her mouth, fumbling with her hands. But she didn't need to say anything. He'd felt it. Draco knew she felt something for him, not to the same extent but she felt something and that counted! On the other hand, her tear-filled eyes and withdrawn expression told him everything he needed to know. It was too soon.
"Draco, I… it's just…" Hermione glanced towards the door behind her, in search of an explanation.
"I get it!" he snapped, realising where her train of thought was going. "Wouldn't be approved of." His voice was heavy and broken. It was what he had feared all along. Draco's biggest concern had been that she wouldn't feel anything in return. He'd forgotten to even consider that she'd overlook her feelings because of status.
Isn't that what you did in the first place? Or have you forgotten…I'm a mudblood!
The words cut to the bone. He was a hypocrite.

Hermione sank to the floor as she heard the chaos outside the door. Harry and Ron had tried confronting him as he'd stormed out, but to no avail. She held her head in her hands.
"What happened? What did he do to you?" Harry asked, crouching down in front of her.
"Nothing." She coughed, wiping away the tears.
"You expect us to believe that Malfoy had a friendly conversation that left you crying!" Ron spat. Harry turned, frustrated with his friend's outburst.
"It's none of your business Ronald!" she hissed back. Hermione hated herself for fighting with them, they were only trying to help, but she had to direct her anger somewhere and the preferable target had stormed out.
"Well you better stay away from him! I can't be friends with someone who's an accomplice of the Malfoys."