Chapter twelve – Secret Plans

Draco thought for a second before he answered Hermione's question. "Daphne Greengrass, Carrow-"

"Flora or Hestia?" Hermione erupted. Draco sent her a what-do-you-think look.

"Both of them?" she asked in disbelief. Draco nodded, smirking all over his face. She didn't listen as he listed the next couple of names.

She slowly began eating her served dinner and pulled out a mug from her bag. She poured her butter-beer into the mug with Draco looking wondering at her.

"Flitwick once told me never to drink of Hog's Head's own mugs. Apparently they're never cleansed," Hermione explained, mentioning her goblin charms teacher.

"Surprised by my hidden talents, Granger?" Draco asked after a while of eating. The food wasn't exactly enjoyable, but edible.

It took a while for Hermione to come up with what to reply. She had certainly not believed Draco to be such, in lack of better word, slut. An unfamiliar feeling filled up Hermione. It made her feel sick, but also longing to be one of those girls. Why, she had no idea. She wanted to stay a Maiden until marriage, she had always been sure of that.

"More surprised by your use of it," she finally spoke. "And call me Hermione, please."

"What about you, eh?" Draco asked. "Taken that Weasel out for a ride, have yeh?"

Hermione instantly blushed. She was sure Draco knew she never had. He was just trying to irritate her. "Or was The Chosen One maybe your Chosen One?" he continued. Draco was enjoying this, Hermione could tell by the smirk firmly planted on his face.

"Oh I know, Cormac! You only asked him to the Christmas Party because you've heard about his, er, reputation."

"Okay, that's enough!" Hermione hissed and threw her napkin at Draco. She couldn't help but giggle slightly at his surprised expression.

Draco ordered a fire-whiskey from the old man. He looked tired – as was he just waiting for the two youngsters to get out.

"You drink too?" Hermione asked, though she was not really taken by surprise.

"Nah, one time's got to be the first, right?" Draco replied, and drank the small glass of whisky in one movement.

He continued like that for the rest of the dinner. Their conversation got a bit more awkward and crazy after he'd drowned ten glasses.

"You're mental!" Hermione laughed; her stomach aching from all the laughter.

"What? I'm just saying it's obvious that Snape and McGonagall have something going on! I mean, don't you see how Snape lightens up every time McGonagall enters the room?" Draco was laughing hard as well.

"He does not!" Draco, that's absurd!"

It was obvious that Draco was drunk. She wanted him to stop drinking, but he kept ordering, and there was nothing she could say to stop him from doing so. Oddly enough the glasses seemed to get empty every time Hermione turned her head or lost concentration for a minute. She barely saw him pour any down his throat.

"Well I don't think it's absurd, 'Mione. I think it makes sense!" Draco kept on.

"Can we change the subject because I am getting these really disgusting pictures in my mind," Hermione revealed with a giggle.

"Sure, sure," said Draco. "So what colour lingerie are you wearing?"

They both burst into laughter. Hermione had to place her hands on her stomach in pain. But she enjoyed herself - she was having the time of her life. Normally she would have been appalled, annoyed, by Draco's questions – it was degrading and offensive. But Draco talked in such a kind tone and with a hint of irony, so Hermione couldn't help but laugh at him.

Draco was hiccupping as the two of them left the Inn shortly after. Hermione giggled every time. "You shouldn't have had that much to drink," she said. He was leaning on her.

"You shouldn't have had that little to drink, Grangs. That's the proper proverb."

When she stopped by the carriage, she found herself studying Draco's pale face – it reminded her of a marble statue. She had never quite noticed how nice he actually looked with a smile on his lips.

"What are you thinking about?" Draco asked.

Hermione flew out of her thoughts and back into reality.

"I was just thinking that it actually has been a great night. I've had fun."

"You say that as if you hadn't expected to have fun with me," Draco noticed. He still had the cute smile planted on his lips.

"Well, I honestly didn't know what to expect. You've been... avoiding me lately," Hermione admitted, blushing a bit. She was thinking of the incident in the corridor and the weird glare at King's Cross.

At first Draco didn't reply. "It disappointed me that you forgave Weasel and Potter," he then said.

"Oh..." Hermione didn't know what to say. She'd been friends with them for ages and she surely wouldn't kick them out just because Draco got irritated. "Well, I honestly don't think that's any of your business." She spoke in a gentle voice. "And you're one to talk about annoying company!"

"You're right – my friends are awful," he laughed. He yelled irresponsible things aloud, which Hermione supposed was normal drunken behaviour. She tried to shut him up, but it didn't make him stop.

"Draco, they're going to come after us!" she hissed and placed her right palm on Draco's lips to cover it.

"So hat, 'Mione? We're aluved oud!" Draco mumbled beneath her hand.

"What?" she asked with a chuckle and let go of his mouth.

"I said, we are allowed out. We won't get in trouble for having a bit of fun," he repeated with a smirk. He was full of energy, so Hermione dared him to 'run it off' around the field before they got on the carriage. He started sprinting, yelling for Hermione to catch him. So she did.

At an attempt to stop him she tackled his feet, which made both of them fall over. She landed right on top of him with a chuckle.

The grass was cold and wet against Draco's skin, but with Hermione on top of him he didn't really care. She was warm and heated him up just by the sight. Her choice of dress astounded him – she had exposed her bare back, which made everything in him tingle. Her shoulders were bare as well, but everything else was covered up – no cleavage or thighs. It somehow only made Draco more curious and excited.

Both their chuckles faded out as they realised their position. Instead of untangling they just glared at each other.

"You want to know a secret?" Draco whispered. His breath smelled of alcohol, but it didn't repel her.

"Sure," Hermione replied, a bit worried. What was he going to admit to her?

"The Dark Lord wants Dumbledore dead - and I must be the one to kill him," Draco said - still whispering - and then broke into a laugh.

Hermione quickly pushed herself off Draco and stood up. "You are going to murder Professor Dumbledore?" she yelled with fear plastered on her face.

Draco rose from the ground too, and stood opposites Hermione. He placed a finger on her lips and shushed at her. "Don't tell anyone, okay?" he asked, moving closer and closer to Hermione. "It's a secret." He laughed again, as did he find his up-coming murder hilarious.

"Draco, this is serious! You can't just kill Dumbledore. You're not a killer!"

"'Mione, if I don't succeed he will kill me and my family. And you don't want me dead, do you, Granger?"

"Don't Granger me!" Hermione was furious. How could Draco plan to do such thing? Why wasn't he trying to escape, warn Dumbledore? But as Hermione thought it through, she realised that Draco in no way could escape the Dark Lord… And she didn't want him dead.

"Draco, maybe you can talk to Dumbledore - tell him your plans. He is wise enough to come up with something to save the both of you!" she suggested. Draco didn't answer, he just laughed. "Draco, please listen! You don't have to do-" Draco cut her off. With a kiss. He planted his lips on hers and his fingertips on her chin. Soft and gentle.

To Draco's surprise Hermione kissed him back. She intertwined her fingers with his blonde hair and messed it even further. Draco's hands travelled from Hermione's chin to her hips. He felt her amazing body beneath his palms and tips. The kiss got intense. Hermione felt something in her gut that she had never felt before. It was as if she could explode at any second. Draco had to admit it was the best kiss he had ever had. He had kissed several of girls before - Pansy, Daphne, Flora... And another bunch. But with Hermione it was different. He wasn't kissing her because he needed to, because he wanted to sleep with her or because his father thought it was a good idea. No, he kissed Hermione because he wanted to.

Draco realised that it had been years since he had last done something because he wanted to. He had always been told what to do and had never had a say himself.

Hermione - against her own will - gently pushed Draco away. She wanted more, but she had to resist. Time was running away - they needed to get back to Hogwarts.

"Draco, I-"

"Don't say a word, 'Mione." Hermione chuckled when she spotted the red lipstick stain she had left on Draco's face. He didn't seem to realise.

Draco took Hermione's hand, and intertwined their fingers. They walked back to the carriage.

None of them said a word on the way back to the castle. With the kiss in mind Hermione forgot all about Draco's secret.