Hermione waits until Saturday morning to tell Narcissa that Lucas has agreed to accompany her to the wedding. She didn't want to give her aunt too much heads up in case the woman found an excuse to keep Hermione home.

Narcissa nods begrudgingly and launches into a list of rules.

"You are to go straight there and straight back here. No detours with Mr. Bradbury! I want you back before midnight. I also expect you to carry yourself with decorum and to remember that you are representing our family. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Narcissa."

Hermione works hard to refrain from rolling her eyes.

You'd think I was one of the twins or something, recently released from punishment for blowing up a toilet.

After a light lunch, Hermione returns to her room to start getting around.

She had intended to wear a red dress her mother bought her last spring, but Narcissa had left it behind with her other clothes, so instead Hermione settles on a pink blouse and skirt combo.

Just as she lays out her outfit, she hears someone calling from her drawer.

Withdrawing the mirror, Hermione is pleased to see Ginny bouncing up and down on the other end.

"Hermione!" Ginny squeals. "You're coming right? You better be coming! I swear to Merlin if you're not—"

"No swearing required," Hermione laughs. "I'm coming."

"Thank goodness. I'm excited to see you, but honestly I'm just sick of hearing Ron talk about you."

Hermione scowls.

"Ron's been talking about me?"

"Oh yeah… maybe I shouldn't have said anything. Shit. He's just excited to see you."

Ginny must see the worry on Hermione's face.

"Uh oh. What is it?" she asks.

"Ginny, I'm sort of— bringing a date."

The redhead lets out a low whistle.

"Yikes."

"It was the only way Narcissa would let me come!" Hermione insists. "Her and Draco have plans, and she has some medieval attitude about unescorted women."

"Purebloods," Ginny sighs.

"Tell me about it."

"Who you bringing?"

"You… wouldn't know him. He's American."

"Fine, be mysterious."

As if this wasn't already going to be weird enough.

"Could you, maybe prepare Ron?" Hermione pleads.

Ginny laughs.

"Not on your life. Sorry. I'm staying well away from this."

"You're a real pal," Hermione tells her sarcastically.

"You're my friend, he's my brother. And I shouldn't have said anything anyway. I just wanted to make sure you were coming!"

"I'm starting to rethink that."

"Don't you dare!" Ginny threatens. "I'll see you soon!"

The redhead hangs up and the enchantment ends, returning the mirror to normal.

Hermione groans and lets herself fall forward onto the bed.

She hasn't spent much time thinking about her feelings towards Ron lately, which is quite the change considering how much of her time it occupied throughout the last school year.

It used to be that when she would think of him butterflies would flutter in her stomach, and she'd wonder about how it could be between them.

Now, however, when she pulls his image up in her mind, there are no butterflies. She still cares for him, but as of lately that care seems to have slipped back into a familial bond.

As she lies there, thinking of Ron and how her feelings have shifted, her subconscious draws her thoughts to Lucius.

When she imagines his intense gaze and beautiful hair it's not butterflies in her stomach, but a swooping flock of birds. Her heart races, and she can't help the smile that tugs at the corner of her lips.

Though she won't admit it, despite her crushes throughout the years (Lockhart, Viktor, Ron), none of them have ever made her feel the way she does when she thinks of Lucius Malfoy.

She tries to summon the butterflies back as she returns to Ron, knowing things would be so much simpler if she could return his affections, but she can't force herself into having an attraction.

It's going to be an interesting night.

Draco and Narcissa leave first, but not before Narcissa relists her rules about four more times for Hermione.

It's Draco who finally loses patience and drags her away to the foyer to apparate.

"Sorry," he mouths.

Stomach twisted with nerves, Hermione waits for her "date" to arrive.

She's leaning against the doorway to the foyer, lost in her thoughts when she hears someone clear their throat.

Expecting to see Lucas, she's mildly surprised to see Lucius, and even more surprised when she sees what he's wearing.

A modern muggle suit.

Merlin… he looks amazing.

She can't find any words, and Lucius gives her a smug smirk that says he knows just how good he looks.

"You look lovely," he tells her.

"Hm? Oh, thank you," she blushes, banishing her traitorous thoughts. "You look… very nice as well. Though, I never thought I'd see Lucius Malfoy in muggle clothing."

He shrugs and pulls a flask from inside his jacket, unscrewing the lid.

"Lucas Bradbury is American," he reminds her taking a drink. "They stay well on top of fashion trends."

As he finishes talking he transforms before her eyes, blurring slightly until he becomes clear once more, only this time as Lucas.

He's still handsome, but not nearly as breathtaking as he'd been a moment ago.

"Shall we?" he asks, in his American accent.

Lucas offers his arm and Hermione takes it nervously.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" she asks, giving him one more chance at an out.

"Of course I'm sure."

They walk into the foyer and Lucas spins them on the spot, apparating them to a point just outside the burrow.

Fred is waiting there, ready to receive guests and walk them in.

His face lights up when he sees Hermione.

"'Mione!" he beams. "You made it!"

"I did!"

Fred's gaze sweeps over to Lucas and he eyes him suspiciously.

"Oh, Fred, this is my… friend Lucas Bradbury. Lucas, this is Fred Weasley," she introduces.

"Nice to meet you," Lucas says genially, offering Fred his hand to shake.

Fred takes it.

"American, huh? How's the market on joke stores over there?" Fred asks, ushering them to come with him.

Fred and Lucas make small talk as they walk back to the burrow, beyond its wards.

They pass George and Charlie on the way, heading out to wait for more guests, and Hermione pauses to tell George she was sorry to hear about his ear.

"Hey, at least people can finally tell Fred and I apart!" he jokes.

Fred leaves them near the house, with a crowd of other guests preparing to find seats for the ceremony.

Hermione turns around and round, looking for familiar faces, when the wind is almost knocked out of her.

"Oof! Harry," she laughs, returning his hug. "I was looking for you!"

She gives him a kiss on the cheek and pulls away.

"Happy belated birthday!" she wishes.

Hermione reaches into her beaded bag, pulls out a small gift, and passes it to him.

"Open it later," she tells him.

Harry smiles, and tucks the package into his robe.

"Hermione!"

Ron comes rushing up from behind Harry, and looks like he's about to give her a big hug as well, but unlike Harry, he notices the man standing beside her.

He stops short and gives Lucas a once over.

Hermione blushes.

"Oh…" she says. "This is Lucas Bradbury he's—"

"I'm her date," Lucas interrupts with a smile.

Hermione turns to give him a sharp look, but he's paying her no attention.

Lucas offers his hand, and Harry accepts shaking it, but when he extends it to Ron, the redhead just glowers furiously until eventually Lucas lets his hand drop back to his side.

"So," Lucas says, still smiling, "you're the famous Harry Potter. It's an honor to meet you. And you, you're… Ron Weasley correct?"

Ron grunts a yes.

"Hermione has told me all about you two, she said you're practically her brothers."

Lucas wraps a possessive arm around her and Hermione wants the ground to open and swallow her up.

Ron's ears go bright red.

"I gotta go ferry more people," he says, stalking off.

After he storms away, Lucas drops his arm.

"Here, why I don't I drop the gift off at the table and let you and Harry catch up?" he offers.

"Thank you," she says, pulling out another wrapped parcel from her bag.

"Merlin, Hermione. Did you bring Malfoy in disguise?" Harry asks after Lucas walks away.

Her heart almost stops.

"What?" she gasps.

"I've never seen anyone but Draco get under Ron's skin so fast," he clarifies.

Her knees almost collapse in relief.

"Very funny," she sighs. "Lucas wasn't trying to, I'm sure."

Yeah… right.

"I know. I just don't think Ron was expecting to see you with anyone."

Hermione quickly fills Harry in on Narcissa's ultimatum.

"Could you please tell Ron? I have a feeling he'll be avoiding me all night otherwise," she says.

"I'll see what I can do."

Lucas returns and offers Hermione his arm.

"Shall we find our seats?" he asks.

"See you after the ceremony," she tells Harry, and she lets herself be led off to the tent.

"Was that necessary?" she growls.

"I felt so."

"Why?"

"I told you he's not right for you. I was merely letting him know that as well."

They find their seats in the middle of the crowd, and Hermione leans in close to continue their conversation.

"What makes you think he isn't right for me?" she demands. "What would you know about who is and isn't for me?"

Lucas sighs.

"What's your favorite book?" he asks, surprising her.

"I—I don't know. It's impossible to choose."

"What is the young Mr. Weasley's favorite book?"

She pauses.

"Ron, doesn't really do much reading."

"What's your favorite school subject?" he asks.

"Arithmancy."

"And Ron's?"

"Probably dinner," she laughs, then feels slightly guilty. "What's your point?"

"Do you like Quidditch?"

"Not really."

Lucas turns in his seat to face her.

"So, tell me, what exactly do you and he have in common?"

Hermione thinks.

We're both in Gryffindor, we both love Harry, we both…

When she doesn't respond, he gives her a smug look.

"We've been through a lot together," she says.

"There is much more to a relationship than shared trauma, my dear. Can you honestly picture spending the rest of your life with someone who thinks reading the funny pages of the Prophet and going to a local Quidditch game are the height of cultural awareness?"

Hermione frowns, wanting to argue with him.

But she pictures her life with Ron.

They'd get a house nearby since he's so close to his family. He'd probably get a low-ranking ministry job, or go to work with his brothers on the joke shop. Hermione would further her education, and try to do something important… and she'd come home at night eager to talk about all she had done, and Ron would mumble responses as he listens to the wireless, kicked back on the couch with a beer.

There would be children. Probably more than she said she wanted. Ron wants a big family. She'd have to stay home to rear them… He certainly wouldn't.

She grimaces at the thought.

"I'm only trying to help you," Lucas says quietly. "You're far too brilliant to let someone so dull drag you down."

She can't think of a response, and she's saved from having to as the music starts.

The wedding is absolutely beautiful.

The ceremony is different in many ways to the muggle weddings Hermione has seen, but it also shares key elements she's used to.

Bill and Fleur wrote their own vows, and Hermione finds herself tearing up as they recite them.

Lucas takes her hand and gives it a small squeeze, then passes her his handkerchief to dab her eyes.

She glances over to give him a smile of thank you, and sees he's watching her, not the ceremony.

Their eyes lock, and even though he's wearing Lucas' face, Hermione only sees Lucius.

It's not until the crowd erupts in applause that they look away, returning their attention to the newly married couple.

Afterwards everyone steps off to the side as tables are summoned and the chairs rearrange themselves.

Ginny finds them at the edge of the tent and rushes over to greet them.

"Hermione!" she exclaims, wrapping her in a hug.

"Hi, Gin."

Ginny steps away and looks over at Lucas, waiting expectantly.

"Ginny, this is Lucas. Lucas, Ginny," Hermione introduces.

Lucas takes Ginny's hand and bows to kiss it, causing the younger girl to blush slightly.

Ginny glances at Hermione and waggles her eyebrows as Lucas is bent over her hand.

"You guys come sit over here with us," Ginny insists, wrapping her arm through Hermione's.

She leans in close to whisper.

"You didn't mention he was so hot," she says, bumping her shoulder into Hermione's.

You have no idea, Hermione thinks.

Lucas and Hermione end up at a round table with Ginny, Harry, Ron, Fred, and George.

Ron is glowering less than before, so Hermione takes that as a good sign.

She spends most of dinner listening to everyone talk about their summers so far.

Ginny and the boys have been doing lots of Quidditch training, at least when not busy doing wedding prep.

"I wonder what it will be like to have free time again," Ginny says dreamily. "Now that mom doesn't have the wedding to command us around for."

"Free time would be great," Hermione says without thinking.

"What have you been doing?" Harry asks. "We've hardly spoken to you ever since… well, you know."

"Since those bloody Malfoys kidnapped you," Ron grumbles.

Hermione glances briefly to Lucas, but he continues on eating as if nothing is amiss.

"Narcissa has been keeping Draco and I very busy," she says, trying to stay vague. "We do a lot of training. As you know I'm helping Draco prepare for his N.E.W.T.s. Aside from that… she's been introducing me to a lot of new people."

"A lot of new bigots," Ron scoffs.

Though she's trying not to let his attitude affect her, Hermione is starting to grow tired of Ron's dour mood.

"I've met a few of those, but for the most parts I've met some fairly nice people."

"Are they treating you alright?" Harry asks quietly. "You're among friends. You can be honest."

He shoots a questioning glance at Lucas, but holds firm waiting for her response.

"Narcissa and Draco have been very kind to me."

"You haven't seen everyone's least favorite Death Eater have you?" Fred asks from across the table.

"Like Lucius Malfoy would show his face. He's probably bloody terrified of our Hermione," George laughs. "You helped knock him down a few pegs in the Department of Mysteries."

Hermione bites her lip nervously.

Here we go…

"Yeah, you better be careful, Lucas," Fred continues. "Watch those wandering hands, she might well hex them off. This is one witch you don't want to upset."

Lucas reaches for Hermione's hand atop the table and takes hold, squeezing her fingers gently.

"I'll keep that in mind," he says genially.

Ron mumbles something before scooting his chair away abruptly and leaving the table.

Harry gives Hermione a sympathetic look, but just then the plates are cleared and music starts to play.

His eyes light up and he turns to Ginny.

"Wanna dance?" he asks.

Smiling brightly Ginny nods.

"Oi! You watch those wandering hands too, Potter," Fred warns.

"We don't care if you're the chosen one," George adds.

The twins watch Harry and Ginny go.

"Ooh," George says.

"Veela cousins," Fred finishes.

"Excuse us, you two," they chime in union.

After they go, it's just Hermione and Lucas.

"That… went better than I expected," Hermione admits.

Lucas smirks at her.

"You didn't think I could behave?"

"It wasn't you I was worried about—"

"Herm-own-ninny?"

She pauses mid-sentence, eyes locked with Lucas, and she can feel her cheeks blush instantly as she recognizes the owner of the new voice.

She twists in her seat.

"Viktor," she greets, seeing the international Quidditch star.

He reaches for her hands and pulls her from her seat.

"It has been so long," he says, smiling brilliantly as he sweeps her into a hug.

While she has always found Viktor attractive, she has to admit, if only to herself, that he is looking even better than she remembers.

As they talk and catch up, Hermione notices a loud scraping sound of a chair moving, and then Lucas is beside her.

Viktor glowers at the intrusion, but Lucas ignores this, feigning obliviousness.

"And you are?" Viktor asks.

"Lucas Bradbury, I'm Hermione's—"

"Friend," she interrupts.

She feels Lucas turn to look at her, but she keeps her attention forward.

"Ah, zen he vill not mind if ve dance."

Viktor pulls Hermione towards the dance floor before she can respond, and she's soon swept up in the music.

It's been so long since she's been able to let loose and just have fun.

She doesn't have to think about her troubled family life, her conflicted feelings for Lucius Malfoy, the war, Ron's jealousness… all that matters is the music and her swaying hips.

Viktor pulls her close as the fast tempoed song draws to an end, but a hand latches on his shoulder drawing attention.

"If you don't mind," Lucas drawls, "I think I'll take it from here."

Viktor looks ready to argue, but he must see the dangerous glint in Lucas' eye, because he lets go of Hermione's waist and steps back with a scowl.

"Come find me ven you grow bored of this von," he says.

Hermione wants to chastise Lucas for interrupting, but a wave of guilt hits her.

Coming here was not easy for him, she reminds herself, and you just left him on his own.

The song changes to a slower tune, and Lucas holds out his hand.

With a soft smile, she accepts it and they begin to twirl around the dance floor.

"Sorry for leaving you back there," she apologizes, averting her gaze.

"You don't owe me any apologies."

"Still, I know it can't be easy for you being here. I really do appreciate you doing this for me."

Lucas locks eyes with her and shakes his head slightly.

"Haven't you realized yet that I'd do anything for you?" he asks.

For the second time of the evening, as she looks at him all Hermione can see is Lucius, and it's like all the air in the tent has been sucked out.

"Hermione!"

She blinks and finds herself once again staring at Lucas, not Lucius.

Ginny and Harry find them, and one look at Ginny tells Hermione that the younger girl has definitely found her way into the champagne.

"You dance with Harry," Ginny insists. "I want a spin with your handsome date."

Harry smirks and shakes his head slightly, but offers Hermione his hand.

With a quick glance at Lucas, Hermione lets Harry take lead and they start dancing.

"Ow," she mumbles as he steps on her toes.

"Sorry, 'Mione," Harry grimaces. "I'm rubbish at this."

Hermione laughs, and takes lead, showing Harry what he's doing wrong.

"Like this," she instructs.

"Oh, I see… Ginny has been trying to tell me what I'm doing wrong, but we all know you're the best teacher."

When the song ends both couples return to the table.

"You better keep a strong hold on this one," Ginny tells Hermione. "Or I might steal him."

"I'm sitting right here, Gin," Harry laughs.

"So how'd you meet?" Ginny asks, looking back and forth between Hermione and Lucas.

"A dinner party at the manor," Hermione replies.

"I should have guessed, it seems like you hardly leave that place. I bet you're looking forward to going back to school."

"Have you seen your parents at all since the night you left?" Harry asks.

"No," she says, shaking her head.

"Are you still upset with them?"

She pauses to think about it a moment.

"No," Hermione admits. "I suppose I'm not. I was very angry with them for a while. I felt betrayed they hadn't told me there was a chance I came from a magic family. But… I suppose the fault is as much with me as it is with them."

"What do you mean?" Ginny probes.

"I hid a lot of things from them. I was worried if they knew about the brewing war they wouldn't let me return to Hogwarts. I've realized I can't stay mad at them for not telling me the truth when I've been keeping secrets for years as well. They had no way of knowing that I was in danger for being a muggleborn when they didn't know that being in danger was even a possibility."

"Hermione," Harry says, "speaking as someone who knows that shared blood does not necessarily mean family, and that lack of shared blood doesn't stop you from being a family, I think you should tell them the truth. With everything happening, you should have a clear slate."

Before Hermione can respond, a hand clamps down on her shoulder.

"Miss Granger."

She turns around to find Mad-Eye Moody behind her.

"Moody," she greets. "How good to see you."

"Can I have a word in private?"

"Um, yes. Of course. I'll be right back, guys."

As she gets up she shoots a worried glance at Lucas, but he gives her an almost imperceptible shake of the head, encouraging her he'll be fine on his own.

Moody leads Hermione across the tent and out of it. There are two others out there and as they approach them, she recognizes Arthur and Remus.

"What can I help you with?" she asks.

"Did you know your date is using Polyjuice?" Moody asks abruptly.

"I—What— what do you mean?"

"I can smell it a mile away," Remus says.

Moody fixes her with his glass eye, and she knows there is no use lying.

"Yes. I know he is using Polyjuice," she tells them.

"Alright," Remus sighs, "if he's not Lucas Bradbury, some mysterious American suitor, who is he? Or… she?"

Hermione crosses her arms.

"I can't tell you."

"Hermione," Arthur says, using his 'reasonable father' tone, "we can't just let them go unless we know who it is."

"For all we know they could be a Death Eater spying on us," Remus adds.

Chewing her bottom lip, Hermione thinks of what to do.

She could tell them the truth, that it's Lucius and that he wants to switch sides, but she doesn't believe the three men in front of her will buy into Lucius' change of heart, no matter the useful info he's given so far.

She needs to do more to prove her contact can be trusted before she reveals his identity.

"Alright," she sighs, "I can't tell you who it is, but I will tell you that this person wants protection from the Order. They knew you'd be skeptical of them, so rather than going directly to the order, they came to me."

"Is this where you've been getting your information?" Arthur asks.

"Yes. And this person has been even more helpful than you know."

She wants to tell them how "Lucas" is helping her avoid a marriage contract, but she's afraid they'll intervene and try to get her away from Narcissa. Then she'll be unable to help gather more information.

"If this person is really so set on helping, why must they hide?" Remus asks.

"They have done bad things in the past. I want to prove that they can be trusted before we reveal their identity."

Moody chuckles.

"Miss Granger, we ought to induct you into the Order right now," he says.

Remus and Arthur's heads swivel to look at Moody.

"Which of us hasn't ran a couple secret informants before?" Moody says. "This girl's got gumption."

"Hermione, this isn't safe," Arthur insists.

"And who is safe?" she asks. "No one is safe until this war is over, and my contact can help. This is bigger than any of us individually. Risks must be taken."

"She's right," Remus sighs. "As much as I hate it, she's right. We need all the information we can get. So, if us not knowing who it is gets us more intel like she's given us so far, I say we step back."

Arthur still looks conflicted, but Moody nods in agreement.

"You can't tell anyone that Lucas Bradbury isn't real," she tells them. "I mean it. No one outside of you three can no. I don't care about the trusted members of the Order. No one can know."

The last thing she needs is it getting back to Narcissa, and getting stuck with a real marriage contract.

They all look a bit hesitant, but Hermione is insistent.

"Swear it," she says.

After a moment, all three of them promise not to reveal the truth about Lucas.

When they are done, Hermione retreats back to the tent and rejoins her friends.

Ginny is just finishing story about her and Harry sneaking down to the local pub when Hermione returns.

Lucas laughs and begins a story of his own.

"Last week I was invited to attend the theater with Hermione and Draco on a double date, yet to my surprise when we arrived, Draco and his date popped off because they had other plans. Apparently the show was a ruse for Mrs. Malfoy. So, since we had no tickets, Hermione and I—"

"Snuck in!" Hermione interrupts, cutting him off. "We, uh, confunded the ticket taker and snuck into an empty box to watch the show."

Lucas gives her a weird look, but doesn't disagree.

"Yes," he continues, "I was quite surprised to discover Hermione's deviant streak."

Harry laughs.

"Ron and I have spent years working on her deviant streak."

Trying to forget about what just happened outside, Hermione throws herself into the conversation, and soon she and Harry are listing off the golden trio's rule breaking highlight reel.

"Remember in first year when you set Snape on fire?" Harry asks, laughing.

Hermione tries to hide her smile.

"I thought he was cursing you!"

"You set Severus Snape on fire?" Lucas asks, looking at her with an expression halfway between hilarity and awe.

"Just his robe," she amends.

"You know Snape?" Harry asks.

"I've read several of his potion articles."

"Ooh, tell the story about when she punched Draco!" Ginny insists. "I wasn't there for it, but I do love hearing it."

Hermione turns bright red as Harry launches into the story.

To her surprise, Lucas bursts into uproarious laughter when Harry finishes.

Then it's Lucas' turn.

He starts sharing stories of his school days, referring vaguely to his friends, and how they would have all out prank wars in their house.

"We used to do this one game where we would hide gross things and wait for others to find them. Like putting frog spawn in someone's shoes, or flobberworm mucus on a door handle. It got so bad everyone was always paranoid about touching anything. Our whole year got in trouble for it though, because after a while everyone was showing up extremely late to class because they spent so long shaking out their clothes, shoes, book bags, and other things worried they'd find some sort of goop."

Harry's eyes light up and Hermione makes a mental note to always check her shoes after they return to school.

Checking the time, Hermione begrudgingly admits it's time for them to go.

"I have to be back before Narcissa's curfew," she apologizes.

After hugging Harry and Ginny, Hermione makes her rounds and says her farewells, trying to hold her sadness in check.

When she's done, Hermione and Lucas walk by themselves back to the apparation point outside of the wards.

"Can I ask you something?" he asks.

"As long as it's not about setting Professor Snape on fire."

"No," he chuckles. "It's just… why did you stop me from telling them about our trip to muggle London. It was wonderful."

They stop at the point past the wards and Hermione turns to look at Lucas.

She thinks over her words carefully before responding, unsure how much she wants to admit. She knows Lucas and Lucius are the same person, but her mind is starting to separate the two very distinctly.

"It was wonderful," she tells him. "It was one of the best evenings I've had… and it wasn't with Lucas. It was with the real you. I didn't want you to tell the story and make it about Lucas. That night belongs to Lucius, and I don't want anything to change that."

He stares at her for a long moment, eyes drinking her in.

"Does that mean tonight belongs to Lucas?" he asks softly.

"I suppose it does."

Lucas reaches up and sweeps a lock of hair away from her face, he tucks it behind her ear and lets his finger trace along her jaw, coming to rest under her chin.

Ever so slightly he lifts her chin, and he leans in towards her.

Her heart is pounding so loudly in her ears that the rest of the world disappear. When their lips meet, there is nothing else that matters.

She responds eagerly, stretching her arms up to wrap around his neck, losing herself in the taste of him.

There is a war raging inside of her. One part screaming to be closer, another reminding her it's Lucius and this is a bad idea, and another reminding her it's Lucius and she's been dreaming of this.

For once, she shuts her mind off, and let's herself get lost in the moment.

Nothing else matters but the arms now encircling her.

After several moments, Lucas pulls away, looking down at her with a warm expression.

Before she can say anything, he turns them on the spot and the reappear in the Malfoy Manor foyer.

"Thank you for a wonderful evening, Miss Black," he says, bowing low over her hand and kissing it.

"No, thank you," she says, voice shaking.

With one last longing glance, he apparates away, leaving Hermione alone with her conflicted emotions and kiss swollen lips.

Author's Note: This was a loooong one lol but I'm thinking won't get complaints about length ;)