After Madame Pomfrey had given him the latest dose of his horrid medicine, as well as a curious look, Draco was alone.

Usually being alone was his solace, but after this afternoon he felt like something was missing. He was determined not to mess it up this time.

She may have said that she thought she would choose them, but she came to see him, she kissed him.

For the first time in a long time he actually found him smiling at his memories. She wanted to be with him even if it meant keeping it a secret from them. He would have to keep his fair share of secrets too.

If almost anyone in his house found out, or anyone back home… He shuddered. Even though his parents hardly even acknowledged him anymore, he was practically a ghost at home; they would probably have a reaction if they found out about Hermione.

No one would ever expect it, so maybe that would make it easier to hide.

Back when he first came to Hogwarts if anyone had told him that one day he would be so smitten with Hermione Granger he probably would have hexed them. She had always intrigued him but he would never have admitted it. That night at the Yule Ball he had thought that she was the most beautiful girl there. Quite a few of the Slytherin girls, including Pansy, had been dressed far too lavishly for his taste. Little did people know that he wasn’t completely obsessed with money and extravagant things.

Most of his life he had been given everything that he had desired and after a while nothing material could please him. What could you possibly give to the boy who seemed to have everything?

Maybe the one thing that he had never been given, perhaps because it couldn’t be bought: love.

His parents cared for him, yes, but until the war had begun they never had time for him, and now…

Now they act like he isn’t even there, like they can't face him after everything that happened. The only time he has ever felt like someone truly loves him for who he is has been in the last few weeks with her.

Not that either of them had actually said that. Who knows if Draco even has the courage, or the strength to tell her how he feels. His heart is so fragile that he could hardly take the rejection if she didn’t feel the same.

It’s the fear of not being loved in return that has stopped him from telling her. He couldn’t bear it if she didn’t love him back.

He knew that he loved her, he could feel it in every inch of his body, he just couldn’t admit it to himself and so he couldn’t say it to her.

If there’s one thing Draco has learned from Pansy it’s that giving someone your heart leaves you more exposed and more vulnerable than by any other means. Even though he knew that Hermione was very different from Pansy, he didn’t know if he could trust anyone again, not after everything he’s been through…

Draco became slightly drowsy as he lay in the bed; clearly there was sleeping draught in his medicine. He was definitely spending the night in the hospital wing.

Hermione made her way down to the Great Hall with a smile on her face after patching things up with Draco. She could feel the heat in her cheeks from where he had touched her. Her lips were tingling from where his lips had been not an hour earlier. She never would have thought that he would be someone that she could fall for.

Of course she wasn’t blind to his good looks and arrogant charm; it drove her mad and made her curious all at the same time. None of the girls could deny that he was handsome. It was only when she started to think about how everything was affecting him that she really became interested.

For so long she hated the things that he did, the jobs he was given. Once the war was over and she saw his brooding gaze she started thinking about how he must be dealing with it all. After all he did come back.

Maybe he just couldn’t stand to be at home.

She found the usual place on the table and took a seat by Ginny. “Are the boys not here yet?” She asked with a glance to the two empty spaces opposite them.

“No, they’re busy with something, not that I know what. Where have you been? You just disappeared after we got back.”

“Oh, I went to ask Luna if she was alright, I thought she might have been a bit shaken up as well.” She shrugged, the smile still tracing her lips.

Ginny nodded, clearly unconvinced.

The two boys arrived just in time for the food to present itself on the tables. Ron didn’t hesitate in piling his plate full of food, mainly chicken drumsticks and potatoes. This time Hermione didn’t scold him and force vegetables on him, tonight she just laughed and began to fill her plate, her stomach growling.

The next day Hermione found the time to pass by in excruciatingly long hours. She wanted to see him. She couldn’t explain why.

In a way, hiding a relationship, if you can call it that, was an exciting new challenge. She had never even thought about being with someone that her friends didn’t approve of. They didn’t know Draco like she did.

It was around midday when she was done trying to study that she remembered her gift. It was still in her coat pocket. As she pulled out the little black box and opened it she smiled. Draco didn’t know how to express himself very well face to face, but he really could show how much of a heart he has in other ways.

The necklace was perfect for her. The earthy colours matched her hair and skin and as she held the pendant with a smile the rune glowed with a bright golden radiance. It was just beautiful.

She pulled the chain over her neck and tucked the pendant into her shirt where it sat by her heart.

By the middle of the afternoon she was becoming impatient that she hadn’t heard from him. Not even a little note with a time on it. She rested her head on the desk and gave a puff to move her hair from her eyes.

“Okay, you really have to tell me what is going on with you.” Hermione looked up to see Ginny standing over her.

She grunted and turned away.

Ginny sat down in a seat at the table and rested her chin on her hand. “Really Hermione, it couldn’t possibly be that bad.”

As Hermione looked up at her she gave a little laugh. “I promise I’ll tell you Ginny, but not just yet.”

Ginny gave her a sly smile. “You’re finally seeing someone new aren’t you?”

“What on earth gave you that idea?” Hermione knew she was less than convincing.

“Oh come on, I told you I don’t care that you used to be with Ron. I never understood that anyway, he’s usually a complete arse.” Hermione smiled a little and Ginny dropped her hand with a thud. “Honestly, you can tell me. You still talked to me, even after Harry and I were over. He’s like your brother. I’m your friend, you can tell me.”

“I don’t even know what it is yet. I didn’t want to say anything because I didn’t know what it was, I still don’t. You know you're one of my closest friends, I’ll tell you when…” Hermione looked up and past Ginny to see a small piece of parchment whizzing through the air towards her.

It stopped right between her and Ginny and floated down onto the table. For a second Hermione was worried that Ginny would snatch it before she had the chance but she merely raised an eyebrow.

“Is that from him?”

“… Yes.”

“Well what does it say?”

Hermione grabbed it and unfolded it slowly.

I know it’s a late message; I just woke up from that damn tonic. 6:00pm.

“Well?” She asked.

Hermione handed over the note, knowing that Ginny would never know who it was from.

Ginny smiled. “You know, I can give you a cover story for tonight if you want.”

“What do you mean?”

“I can tell them you’re getting tutoring from McGonagall so that you… have an alibi.”

Hermione laughed. “I’m not staying out all night, I told you, and we don’t even know what it is yet. But an alibi would be nice.”

“He’s in a different house isn’t he? That’s why you won't tell me. Are you embarrassed? He’s not a Hufflepuff is he?” She grinned.

“Definitely not.”

“You know I could find out who he is. If you started this over Christmas then all I have to do is find out who stayed here over the break. It couldn’t be that hard.” Ginny shrugged.

“I know you won't.”

“No, I’ll wait until you tell me.” Ginny gave her another grin before she stood up and wandered off.

It would probably be easier to tell Ginny than anyone else. That doesn’t mean Hermione was going to rush into it.

Draco spent most of the day sleeping in the hospital wing, whatever it was that Madame Pomfrey had given him really knocked him out. Before he left the hospital he sent a note to Hermione.

He didn’t want to go back to his dorm before seeing her, that would mean possibly running into Pansy and that would just ruin his good mood. It’s so rare for him to be in a good mood.

He decided to go straight to the room of requirement; it wasn’t too long before she would be there. He took one last look at the fading red welts on his stomach before he pulled his shirt back on and drew the curtains back.

As he stood before the bare wall on the seventh floor and imagined a place that the two of them could be together. He closed his eyes and thought about a place that they had shared together, a place where he had been happy.

When he opened his eyes the door had materialised in front of him. As he walked inside it was like he was stepping into her dormitory.

He thought back to Christmas night when he had fallen asleep with her in his arms, and woken up to those big brown eyes looking up at him. She was beautiful when she woke up next to him.

She was always beautiful.

He walked into the room to see that there was also a fireplace and a table with two chairs. He wished he had brought some food. That’s one of the things that the room can't provide for you.

He sat down in one of the chairs and looked at his pocket watch. It was only five fifteen. He tapped his feet and thrummed his fingers on the table. She had been early before.

As he sat around in thought his eyes grew heavy and started to fall asleep with his head resting on his hands. He startled himself awake after a few minutes. He had been asleep all day and the last thing he wanted right now was to sleep.

He distracted himself by practicing spells. He went through all sorts of little charms and spells. He almost didn’t hear the door click open.

He turned around as she was closing it, the red sparks repelling back into his wand.

“Are you doing magic? Show me.” She said sweetly.

“Oh it’s nothing… just some simple charms.” He shrugged.

“Show me.”

He looked away and flicked his wand over to the table. A vine began to twist its way up the leg and sprouted little white buds.

“I can't get them to flower, they just stay like that.” He sighed as they began to fade away.

“You’re taking charms aren’t you?”

“Yes, but I really wish I hadn’t.”

“Why?”

“I did it to get away from the majority of people, but I’m last in the class.”

“Well it is mostly Ravenclaws. I can help you if you like.” She slipped her hand into his and he looked up at her. “I’m at the top of the class.”

“It doesn’t take a genius to figure that one out, Granger.” He gave her a little smirk.

“Well then I’m not surprised that you already knew, Malfoy.” He roared with laughter and leant in to steal a quick kiss.

“I suppose I could handle you teaching me a few things.” As much as she had made him more tolerant he could still be arrogant.

“Well I can help you out with your classes and you can…” She stopped short, unsure of where to go from there.

“I’m sure you’ll think of something.” He winked and she felt her cheeks flush.

She pulled out her wand and gave it a swish so that the silver light was emitted from the end. They watched as the little otter danced around the room, Draco had never seen such pure magic up close. He knew exactly what it was and there were times in the recent past that he had wished he knew how to perform it.

“You can conjure a Patronus?” He looked away from the otter and back at Hermione.

She lowered her wand and gave him a smile. “Yes, I can show you sometime. You just have to think of the happiest memory you have and speak the enchantment.” He laughed a little.

Like that was going to happen.

“We should probably just stick to the curriculum.”

She looked down, cheeks still rosy and full. “I brought some food; I figured that you probably haven’t eaten.”

His stomach churned hungrily, he hadn’t eaten anything since the day before.

“I am absolutely starving.” He grinned.