Hermione lay stretched out on her bed, hair fanned across her pillow, a smile still tucked into the corner of her mouth like a secret.

Her cheeks ached from grinning.

Across the room, Ginny and Lavender were curled on the rug near the fireplace, still in their pajamas, cups of tea floating lazily nearby. The common room was quiet, warm, lit by soft enchanted flames and the occasional flicker of moonlight through the window.

"So?" Ginny asked, eyebrow arched. "You've been smiling like you're under a charm. Spill, Granger."

Hermione sat up slowly, hugging a pillow to her chest.

"It was… kind of perfect," she admitted, voice light with disbelief.

Lavender gasped. "Perfect? We're talking about Draco Malfoy here, right?"

Hermione rolled her eyes but couldn't stop smiling. "Yes. That Draco Malfoy."

Ginny leaned forward, eyes alight with curiosity. "Okay, what did he do? Dinner? Wine? Fireworks?"

"He rented out Tomes and Scrolls for me," Hermione said, laughing softly. "Had the whole shop emptied, said I could pick any book I wanted."

Both girls stared at her.

"Merlin's beard," Lavender breathed. "Who is this man?"

Hermione shrugged, cheeks flushed. "Someone who's trying really hard."

Ginny's eyes narrowed with a teasing glint. "And that smile you're wearing says he might be succeeding."

Hermione didn't reply.

She didn't need to.

Ginny's gaze dropped suddenly to Hermione's neck—and her eyes widened.

"Is that his ring?" she asked, pointing. "That's the Malfoy family crest!"

Lavender's head whipped around, eyes going wide. "What?"

Hermione instinctively reached for the chain around her neck, fingers brushing the cool metal. "It's… not what you think. He gave it to me—not like that. He said it didn't mean as much to him as I did. That it's just a symbol and he wanted me to have it."

Ginny's teasing grin softened. "That's actually… kind of romantic."

Lavender nodded slowly. "Unexpected. But sweet."

Before Hermione could respond, a small flutter of parchment caught her attention—right on her pillow.

A fresh note, already inked in Draco's slanted, neat script:

Still haven't stopped thinking about tonight. Or you.

Hope you sleep well, Granger.

Don't let Weasley hex me in my dreams.

Hermione bit her lip, but the smile came anyway—hopeless and full and absolutely genuine.

Ginny peered over her shoulder. "He's already writing you?"

Lavender laughed. "He's gone."

Hermione just shook her head, sinking back into her pillows with a soft, content sigh.

"Maybe I am too," she said, voice barely above a whisper.

The girls laughed—light, teasing, but warm. Not mocking. Just happy.

And Hermione lay there, her heart still fluttering, knowing something real was beginning.