Flames

Chapter 5 - Hermione's POV

I had known he'd wanted to ask me to the ball. When the Headmaster had told us about it, I had seen him look at me and could see the wheels start to turn almost immediately. As the days went on without him asking me, I started to think I was wrong, but when I saw how deep in thought he was today, I knew he was struggling.

I was glad he had asked me. With him around, I was finally starting to feel less lonely. I could still feel the darkness, but now I had a friendship to hold on to. I fell into my bed satisfied that I had had a semi-good day today. I smiled to myself before falling asleep.

When I woke the next morning, I got to planning my costume and getting ready for class. It was Friday, but I was already caught up with all my homework. I only needed to go to class so I could take notes to study with. As I walked out of the room, I kept mentally planning my costume. I went to our kitchen to get coffee and was so preoccupied I walked right into him.

"Whoa Granger! Are you okay?" Malfoy asked, as he held on to me so I wouldn't fall. I felt a surge of electricity, where his hands met my waist, that he must have felt too because he quickly let go of me.

"I'm fine thank you!" I said quickly before turning around and almost running out into the hallway. I started to walk to the library when I realized, I had left my backpack. I debated on going back to the common room and getting it but decided against it. I'd just wait until class started and ask the professor if I could go get it. I hung out in the library until I had to go to class. When I got to my desk, my bag was waiting neatly on my chair for me. I turned to look at Malfoy's desk and saw he had his head buried in his book. I took a seat when the professor came and tried to pay attention to the class.

I kept thinking about how it felt when he touched me. Could it mean something? No. He probably had static charge built up and it got released when we touched.

I continued on the rest of classes and after dinner, I got ready for the nightly patrol. This time I brought my muggle music player so I could avoid conversation.

As the minutes ticked by, I could feel the disappointment radiating from him. Towards the end of our shift, I turned off the music player and decided to break the silence.

"Thank you for bringing my bag to class" I said quietly. He looked surprised that I had decided to talk.

"It's no problem Granger" He said curtly. I looked at him as I chewed my bottom lip.

"My costume is all ready for tomorrow night. How's yours coming along?" I asked.

"Pretty much done" He responded dryly.

"I'm really looking forward to tomorrow night. I think our costumes will be the best ones there. I should warn you though… I'm really bad at dancing" I told him honestly, a smile playing on my lips.

I heard him chuckle softly, "It's fine. I know how to dance enough for the both of us Granger."

I smiled up at him before realizing we were back at our door. "Semper iuncti" I said out loud so the door would open. We made our way into the common room silently.

"Good night Granger" He said walking away.

"Good night Malfoy" I answered back, making my way to my own room. I decided to go to bed early so that I could be well rested for the ball. I fell asleep quickly and dreamt of dancing and costumes, but not before taking my razor blade and moving it against my skin several times to make sure I wasn't hallucinating about the ball.