Draco

"So... What should we do now?"

We reached Hogesmade, and for the past five minutes, Granger and I have been wandering through the mostly empty streets. She keeps on letting out crazy giggles, which in turn, makes me stifle my own chuckles.

"I can't believe we actually did this!" she keeps on saying. 

Her eyes shine brightly, and her gait has a new bounce that I haven't seen in a long time. 

"Let's go to the Three Broomsticks," I suggest, grabbing her wrist and dragging her towards the inn. 

It's very crowded; and I glare at the drunk men who leer at Granger as we wait in line. When it's our turn, I get a brilliant idea.

"Two Firewhiskeys please," I say curtly to Madam Rosmerta, keeping my head down, so she can't recongnize me. 

She squints at us.

"Aren't you Hogwarts students?" she asks suspiciously. 

"He's just kidding. We'll take two Butterbeers," Granger says hastily, pinching my arm. 

"Ouch!"

"Would you shut up? We'll get caught!" she hisses.

Madam Rosmerta hands us the Butterbeers, and I drop a few sickles on the counter. We go to sit at a table, but I can tell Granger doesn't feel comfortable sitting amongst the drunken men. 

"Let's just go back outside," I tell her, leading the way back out of the pub. 

We wander slowly through the streets, taking swigs out of our drinks. As we pass Gladrags Wizardwear & Accessories, Granger lets out a wistful sigh.

"I've always wanted something from that store. They're supposed to be really high quality."

"You're in luck," I say, grinning. She gives me a confused look. I plunge a hand into my pocket and pull out the ring. 

"Merry Late Christmas, Granger," I say ruefully, handing the box over to her. 

She gasps, and pushes her Butterbeer bottle into my arms. As she opens it, I swear I can see tears glistening in her eyes.

"This is probably the most thoughtful gift I've ever gotten in my life. Aren't these supposed to be super expensive?" she asks, staring at the ring in awe.

"It's no big deal," I shrug. 

"Draco- I- I can't accept this," she mutters, but she takes the ring out of the box, examining it in reverence. 

"Stop being such a loser," I scoff, taking a hold of her hand, and slipping the ring on. 

She embraces me, tightly, and without warning. I awkwardly hug her back, trying to balance both the Butterbeer bottles in my hand. She lets go of me, and takes her bottle back. She doesn't speak as we continue strolling down the street. 

Hermione

I'm still dazzled by the beautiful ring, and captivated by the extraordinary magic of it. We just bewitched it to auto-record a memory, and I feel light and happy. 

"I'm surprised McGonagall was the one that told you to buy this," I giggle.

"I daresay he she rather enjoyed spending the afternoon with me," he says. 

"You did buy her something, right?" I ask.

"No... Was I supposed to?"

"Draco," I start patiently, "It would have been polite if you had at least bought her some chocolate. She spent the whole day babysitting you!"

We reach the spot where he left his broomstick, and I down of the last dregs of my Butterbeer. Draco takes my bottle, and throws both mine and his into a trashcan. They make it in perfectly.
He looks at me, and lets out a loud laugh. 

"What?" I ask self-consciously. He points, but breaks into a howl again.

"You have- a little Butterbeer mustache there," he says, coming closer. 

I move my hand to wipe it off, but he beats me to it. His thumb slightly brushes across my cupid's bow. My heart thumps uncertainly againts my chest, making my knees feel weak. He leans closer, and I resist the urge to lick my lips. 

I feel my eyes flutter shut, anticipating- anticipating what exactly?

"If you weren't so hung up over Weasley, I would kiss you right now," he whispers, his warm breath puffing clouds in the cold night air.

"I'm not hung up over Ron..."

"Is this your indirect way of telling me you want me to kiss you?" he asks, pressing his forehead to mine and smirking.

You idiot, I literally can not think of a more direct way than that. 

He laughs softly.

"I said that out loud, didn't I?" I groan in frustration, already knowing the answer.

"Your wish is my command," he says softly, and crashes his lips into mine. 

Fireworks explode inside of me, and I entangle my fingers in his hair. His tongue asks for entry, and I gladly oblige. He presses me against the brick wall, edging closer.

 I don't know how long we kiss; it could have been an eternity or a couple of seconds. Nonetheless, he pulls away much to soon, and both of us are breathing heavily. 

"This changes everything," I say softly, trailing a hand up his chest. 

"We should go," he rasps, gray eyes meeting mine. 

The ride back is silent, except the wind gushing into our faces. I'm much too aware of his hands, which are currently wrapped around my waist. When we reach the Gryffindor Tower, the air around us becomes riddled with tension; it would be the end if anyone saw us.

I slip quietly onto the ledge, wincing at the creaks the window makes as I open it. I hop softly inside the room, too aware of the gentle snores coming. 

Everything feels like a dream, and I stare in awe at him. The sky is turning a fiery orange; I can see the tip of the sun starting to rise. Draco's dark green robes set of a brilliant contrast with the pink-orange sky, and his hair wavers slowly. My heart clenches upon seeing the small smile on his face. 

"See you, Granger," he says, his eyes boring into mine. 

My heart flutters, and the stillness of the morning makes me want to let out a nervous giggle. He grips the broom more firmly, about to fly away.

"Draco, wait."

"Yeah?" he asks, swerving back around. 

It's adrenaline that make me do it really; I grab a hold of the collar of his robes and pull him towards me, smashing my lips into his. While keeping one arm on the broom, he uses his other hand to draw me closer to him. 

My thighs hit the ledge; if I go any closer to the window I'll fall out. I break the kiss, Draco letting out a frustrated groan as I do so.   

"We need to talk Granger. Later," he says, his voice making me shiver. 

I nod, scanning my eyes over his face, willing myself to memorize every single detail about him; his lips, the sharp angle of his jawline, the silvery orbs of his eyes. 

He seems to be doing the same to me, and before he flies away, he plants another kiss on my lips. It's a short one, and barely there, but it makes my heart leap with joy. 

I watch him soar off into the sky, squinting after him until nothing is visible. After I'm sure he's gone, a smile takes over my face, so wide that it hurts. I touch my fingers uncertainly to my lips, making out that they're swollen. 

Letting out a giggle, I shut the windows firmly, making sure everyone is still asleep. I flop onto my bed, willing the smile that's taken over my face to leave, but it won't. I laugh quietly, then a bit louder. 

I smile, and smile, and smile, an unkown emotion flooding my heart, and engulfing my brain.