♕ twenty six

★ ☆ ✮ ✯ 

 Hermione could only stand there in shock, both at Ron's sudden appearance as well as the pure hatred smoldering from his face. Half of her brain was completely aware of the lacy white bralet covering her chest; the other half was feeling rather satisfied as Ron glared enviously at Hermione legs, still wrapped around Draco's torso. She was still breathing rather heavily, and could feel Ron's gaze travel up and down her body as he stood guarding the doorway. Draco wrapped his arms protectively around Hermione.

"Stop staring, you git," he snarled, stepping back and letting Hermione slide down from the wall. Ron glanced away, but his glare didn't soften. 

"Put some damn clothes on!" he growled, slamming the door behind him. 

Hermione hurriedly bent down and grabbed her dress, slipping it on quickly. Draco did the same with his undershirt and coat, but Hermione cringed a little as he put his tie on a bit crooked. 

Ron muttered something inaudible and Hermione turned to him. 

"What was that?" She asked coldly. 

"I said you're a SLUT!" Ron shouted, slamming his hand down onto the table. Hermione's eyes widened and she took a step back, slightly frightened at the wild look in Ron's eyes. Draco took a step forward; and when he spoke, his voice was dangerously low. 

"Say that again Weasley," he threatened. 

"Why are you defending her, Malfoy?!" He yelled. "She's using us both! Hermione only spends time with you because she wants to make jealous!"

Draco shook his head.

"No, Ron, I'm quite sure you're just extremely jealous." Draco took a threatening step forward.

 "You can't stand the fact that Hermione would rather be with someone else." 

Draco's voice was calm. 

"Your little brain can't really understand the idea that someone else might be better for her. And you can't even seem to realize that Hermione is happy. And if you really loved her, you would want her to be happy. Even if it means she's not with you."

By this point, Draco had backed Ron into the door, and the two were glaring heavily at each other.

"This isn't over," Ron growled, opening the door and slamming it shut behind him. Draco, breathing heavily, made his way over to Hermione.

"I'm sorry I lost my temper, I shouldn't hav-"

"You're amazing, Draco," Hermione interrupted. "You're amazing, you know that?" She stared straight into his eyes and his expression softened.

"And you're incredible, Hermione." He gave her a sweet kiss on the lips before pulling away to check the time on the grandfather clock beside the bookshelf.

"We'd better get back to the dance," Hermione suggested. "Ginny and Harry might not know where we've been."

"Trust me," Draco smirked, "They know where we've been."

She gave him a playful slap on the arm as the couple made their way back down the corridor.

★ ☆ ✮ ✯

"What have you two been doing?" Harry asked slyly as Draco and Hermione re-entered the Great Hall.

Hermione smiled shyly. "Nothing, I've been doing-"

"Me," Draco answered. Hermione's mouth dropped open and she gave Draco a punch in the arm. Ginny smirked and Harry laughed while Hermione blushed scarlet.

"We were just-"

"Hooking up," Draco explained.

"Well, it was only for like-"

"An hour," Draco commented.

"It wasn't that long!" Hermione exclaimed, while Harry and Ginny attempted to hide their laughter.

"What's so funny?" Came a voice from the right, as Neville and Luna approached the group. Hermione turned to Ginny, eyes wide, and prayed that she would keep her mouth shut- it seemed that the redhead was too doubled over with a fit of giggles to even compile a sentence.

"Ladies and Gentleman," came Professor McGonagall's voice from the front of the Hall. Hermione sighed with relief and the conversation ceased as the group turned to face the headmistress.

"I would like to thank all of you for coming and having a good time, now remember! This is still, a school. All students will return to dormitories," she said strictly. Ginny shot a knowing look at Hermione and Draco.

"Regular rules still apply," McGonagall continued, "no students out past curfew. Thank you, and goodnight!"

Students began to file out of the Great Hall and Hermione turned to Draco.

"Goodnight," she whispered.

"Goodnight," Draco replied. He kissed her on the forehead and gave her a sweet smile before retreating down the stairs toward the Slytherin Common Room.

Hermione sighed with delight and took one last look behind her at Draco's retreating figure. 

Her heart skipped a beat.