A/N: Dramione! I blame youtube's TamsinUK - it's all her fault! :P R&R

The Other:

Tears ran down my face as the charmed birds flew around me. I knew it was stupid , I also knew I didn't have the right to be upset. Ron was free to date whoever he wanted, even if the whoever was clingy and pathetic. It was his life and it was nothing to do with me. I sighed, wishing I could stop being so ridiculous.

I saw a shadow coming down the stairs and wiped away my tears. I half-expected to see Harry but was shocked to actually see Draco Malfoy. The last person I needed. Once he reached me, he stopped and looked at me. 'What's wrong with you? Did you get 9 out of 10 in a test?'

Seeing he didn't look completely himself I glared at him and said 'What's wrong with you? Daddy in trouble?'

I had expected some snide remark back but Draco simply broke eye contact; finding the floor very interesting. I looked at him properly and noticed tears in his eyes. I stood up 'Draco? What's wrong?'

He looked back up at me, staring me straight in the eye, no longer caring about the tears. 'What do you care, Granger? You, Weasley and Potter couldn't care less'

'I do care, Draco' I insisted and as I said it I realised just how much I meant it. I hated seeing Draco like this despite how he had always treated me. Despite how he acted my heart went out to him. I had always assumed it was so simple for him, I had never thought that his arrogance could be a cover.

'No, you don't. You have it so easy, the perfect grade. The famous Harry Potter for your best friend and you even get to escape this world when you got to your muggle parents'

'You think it's easy for me, Draco? You really think it's easy?' I asked. 'Then I guess I'm not the only one who doesn't have a clue about the other'

Draco's expression softly slightly and he sat down on the stairs. Once I had sat down next to him, he asked what I meant.

'Pretty much every year since I've been here my life has been put in danger. Going home isn't an escape, it's like being trapped. In the muggle world no one understands all this, I can barely talk about it. Sure Mum and Dad try to listen but they can't understand it' I explained. 'I have great grades because it matters to me. I have to work just as hard as everyone else. Harder, because I want to be someone that will be accepted in this world because of who I am, not automatically dismissed because I'm muggle born. I never asked for that but I'm not ashamed of it. I never will be. I don't care what you or anyone else--'

'Hermione, stop' Draco using my first name shocked me into stopping. 'I don't want to be my father's son. I've had enough of following in his footsteps, I've had enough of believing everything he believes. I'm not him' he was looking at me seriously. 'but I'm scared' he added 'You tell anyone this and I'll make your life here hell' before pausing and sighing 'I'm sorry. I'm not used to being this honest'

'I'm not going to tell anyone anything you say' I promised.

Draco must've known I mean it because he continued. 'I'm so sorry, scared of not being good enough. Scared of being on the wrong side. Nothing can stop him…' he trailed off, and after a moment smiled slightly 'Scared of admitting the truth. With everything else going on it should be the last thing on my mind and yet… Hermione, it's like you understand'

Understanding was the last thing I felt like I could do then. I didn't have a clue what he was talking about. 'Understand what?' I asked.

'Expectations' he replied 'and you know what it's like falling for someone who notices you for all the wrong reasons'

'How--?' I was too shocked to actually ask the question.

'You and Weasley? It's obvious to everyone but him. I'm slightly better at hiding it. If I act like I hate her, no one'll ever know how I really feel'

'Who--?' My question was cut off by Draco's lips touching mine. After the initial shock, I threw away all sensibility and returned the kiss. It felt so natural.

Eventually, slowly me and Draco moved away from each other. 'What--?' I was too speechless to ask anything.

Draco knew what I meant 'That was the truth' he whispered and smiled. He has such sweet smile, I couldn't not smile back. Hearing footsteps before I did, Draco jumped up 'This never happened' he hissed, back to his usual self, and walked away just as Ron and his new girlfriend came into view.

Ron looked at me 'What were you talking to Malfoy for?'

'What's it to you?' I asked and ran up the stairs - in the opposite direction to Draco - feeling very confused.

a/n: One-shot or shall I write more?