She'd been avoiding him, that much was obvious. She really did enjoy having hot and heavy sex with Draco Malfoy but maybe the second time was one too many? There was something in his eyes that day in the library. Something changed between them for good the second time they fucked and Hermione was pretty certain Draco had feelings for her. That was something she never foresaw or wanted.
Or was it? She thought about being with Draco romantically and her higher reasoning immediately cast the idea aside. It was preposterous to go from hating someone's guts to wanting to kiss them all the time and date them.
But what if she didn't see that at all? What if he was simply looking at her with lust? Well then, thought Hermione, that's exactly right then.
Unfortunately, she didn't feel as relieved as she wanted to be. This was not good news.
She was heading for her office at the Ministry, hoping to be able to sit down for a few minutes after being on her feet all day. She had never really considered that being 'the smartest witch of her age' would come back to bite her on the ass.
Hermione wasn't concentrating where she going when she walked into a pillar, spilling paperwork on the floor and being thankful she skipped the coffee today otherwise it'd be all down her sheer white shirt. She gathered her things, messily, and got up to hurry to her office to sort it out.
"Hermione! Wait!" Oh no, she thought and decided she couldnt avoid him forever before turning to face him.
"Hi, Draco." she said sweetly. "Having a good day?"
"Don't bullshit me, Granger." Draco replied, looking down at her. "I know you've been avoiding me."
"I'm sorry." Hermione started. "I've been busy and can't just go sleeping around whenever." she whispered at him, unintentionally taking a step closer.
"I just..." he hesitated. "I've been worried about you, okay? I thought we were having fun and then... What happened that day? Something changed and you've been acting weird ever since." Draco's tone was light, concern all over his face. He was serious.
It was Hermione's turn to hesitate now. "I...I don't know. But I noticed a change too and I thought..." She was about to ask the one question that had been playing on her mind for the past week but then she took in her surrounding, the crowd of bustling wizards and witches. "Do you want to talk in my office?" she asked.
This time Draco didn't look smug or particularly lustful, just happy to finally be talking to her. Maybe she was right about him...
Once they were in her office, she plonked her workload on her desk and leaned against it whie Draco stood in the middle of the room.
"You were saying?" he prompted.
"Yes, as I was saying... I... I had thought..." She couldn't seem to get the words out, feeling suddenly self-conscious and afraid of his answer.
"Just say it." Draco said but not with his usual venom.
"Ihadthoughtyoumightbecatchingfeelingsforme." she said in a rush, feeling the words come out in one breath but also feeling the world lift from her shoulders.
"You... What?" Draco frowned at her. "Feelings?"
Hermione nodded and could barely meet his eye. "But clearly I was wrong so no harm done. You can leave now, Draco. As you can see I have a stack of work to be getting on with." She turned to her desk and starting aimlessly shuffling the papers unable to concentrate with Draco's gaze burning into her back.
"Hermione." She felt a gentle touch on her shoulder but she didnt turn. "What if I did like you? Would that be the worst thing in the world?"
Hermione hesitated, feeling her heartrate rise. She shook her head. "No."
"So what's the problem?" He removed his hand from her. There was pain in his voice.
She spun to face him. "Don't you think it's strange?" When he frowned in response, she continued, "I mean, we used to hate each other's guts and then we started having...heated sex and now...it just seem logical."
Draco laughed. "Logical? Feelings are never logical. Nor are emotions. We have no control over them or who we fall for." He shrugged. "It just happens."
Hermione frowned. "So it doesn't bother you?" she paused. "You remember I'm a mudblood, right? You despise people like me. Why would you like me? It makes no sense."
Draco took a step closer. "Like I said, I had no control over it. And, i don't care about your blood status. You're beautiful and unfortunately it only took sex with you to truly see it. Not only that, you're incredibly talented and brave and smart and also kinda stupid." he smiled.
"Stupid?" She asked.
"Maybe a tad big-headed too." Draco smirked and stepped even closer.
"What are you talking about? I'm neither stupid nor big-headed." She crossed her arms, unsure why she felt defensive.
"I only meant that when it comes to emotions and feelings you aren't the smartest at spotting the signs." He stopped in front of her and placed his hands on her waist. "That second time in the library? I realised I actually liked you but it didn't freak me out or anything because...I've liked you for a while. I just never admitted it to myself."
"What?" Hermione shrank away from him which was nearly impossible while standing between a desk and Draco. Her heart was racing but she couldnt fathom what he was saying was true.
"Don't deny it. You know you want me." he winked at her and her blood melted. Maybe she did like him back after all. She looked at his face for any sign of lying but he seemed genuine and he pulled her even closer and whispered in her ear, "kiss me."
And she did.
...
Should I continue? Yes? No? Let me know. I kinda like the idea of leaving it here but feedback is ALWAYS appreciated xx