A/N: My first attempt at a Dramione fic. Hope you enjoy!
Draco and Hermione lived in different worlds. He was born a pureblood. She was from a muggle family. It was unthinkable to even so much exchange a glance.
Back then anyway. It was now after the great war where Voldemort was defeated. Those beliefs about viewing pureblood as superior no longer hold true. However, as to be expected, the interrelations between purebloods and non purebloods would not immediately flourish.
And yet here they were. A glance here and there. Within classrooms, along hallways, across the great hall.
When they were assigned to patrol the halls together, they'd bicker endlessly and debate about various topics. Somehow, he'd always find a way to brush his arm against hers.
And always at the end of their patrol, there would be a red carnation by her belongings.
Yet he never breathed a word, never so much made any acknowledgment towards the flower. She never asked.
The first time it happened, she had let out a gasp. But when she turned around to face him, he had already vanished.
The second time, he was intently fixing his books into his bag.
The third time, he'd actually remarked who did such old fashioned moves nowadays with his trademark sneer that he rarely showed to her anymore.
She had learned not to turn towards him anymore every time she came upon the red carnation.
They continued to carry on as they did.
Though during the silent moments, she couldn't help herself, she'd peek at his face. He'd have such a serene look on his face, an expression that he would never allow himself to display in public.
She wondered if that's how she looked as well.
One time, it must have been the twentieth time she received the red carnation. She couldn't help herself and made a comment about how she wished she could meet whoever was bringing her these flowers. She wondered aloud if he was handsome.
He grew rigid and cold the next time they patrolled. She did not regret her action but she did miss him.
She was also growing somewhat impatient. She thought that he would man up and approach her directly. Was that so hard to do? She did not think him a coward. But perhaps she was being too harsh. All those pureblood beliefs and customs passed down from generation to generation. It must be so ingrained. Expecting him to outgrow these in a quick span of time might be asking too much of him.
What was she supposed to do though? Keep waiting for him? That may take forever. Will she make the first move? That would be dangerous.
She smiled slowly as an idea came to mind.
At the end of their next patrol, she hurriedly left, leaving him puzzled. As he neared his belongings, he was surprised to see what must have been about forty dandelions. When he got closer, he noticed a note inserted between the flowers. It said,
-What are you waiting for?-
0000000000000000000000000000
The next day, as they were both the top prefects, they were scheduled to make an announcement about the latest school regulations at the great hall during breakfast.
They were called to come up at the front, Hermione read the announcement off a parchment while Draco stood by her side. Once she finished, she started to walk down the stairs towards the Gryffindor table but was halted by a hand on her arm. She turned back to look at him, bewildered.
In front of the entire staff and students assembled in the great hall, Draco took her hand in his. Gasps reverberated throughout the hall from the students.
"This may be the biggest risk that I have ever taken. But you are well worth that risk. You are beautiful, brave, loyal, and the most brilliant witch of our time! I would be a right fool to let you slip through my fingers. Pureblood beliefs be damned."
Her eyes started welling up with tears. She knew how much courage he must've mustered just to do this.
Seemingly out of nowhere, he whipped out a bouquet of red carnations and with his trademark smirk (though she wasn't fooled), he held it out to her and said, "Hermione Jean Granger, will you be my girlfriend?"
"Yes," she said softly at first, because it seemed surreal. Then in a louder voice, "Yes!"
As they embraced, majority of the great hall exploded into applause. Most of the Slytherin table were quiet. Pansy wailed. Other Slytherin girls cried in misery as well.
Hermione whispered into his ear, "I thought I would never meet the one 'whose heart aches for me'."
Draco chuckled. "It's fortunate that a bold woman left a token of 'returned affection' with a rather demanding message."
Hermione grabbed his face and planted a quick kiss on his lips in front of everyone, leaving him and everyone gobsmacked. "Bold would be correct indeed." She giggled as she grabbed his hand and they left the great hall, leaving everyone in excited talk.
That would mark the start of the blossoming of many interrelated relationships among purebloods and non purebloods. All it took was one courageous act.