Flames

Chapter 9 - Hermione's POV

After Malfoy and I finished eating, we decided to stay in the living room by the fire and keep talking. He asked if I wanted to meet his friends on Friday and I agreed on the condition that it was here where I was more comfortable. He was happy to oblige and told me he'd tell them the following day in class.

We spent the day talking about things that had happened during the war and how we felt after. He told me how grateful he was that Harry testified to his innocence. I confessed to being the one behind Harry testifying and he wouldn't stop smiling. The entire day, I tried not to touch him, because every time I did, I felt electricity spark. It was weird.

When nighttime came around, he walked me to my door and made sure I had no razor blades left over. After checking, he went back to his own room. I laid in bed thinking about everything that we had talked about today. I felt closer to him. I felt something else but I wasn't sure what it was.

The next day I went through my classes like normal. I saw him throughout the day, considering we had some classes together. When I got to Potions, our last class of the day, he was sitting at my table. I walked over, curious.

"Uh what are you doing at my table?" I asked confused.

He looked at me with a smirk on his face, "The board says to sit with the person you're paired up with. Our names are together. I'm just following directions Granger"

I stared at him for a moment before answering, "Very well then."

I sat down in the chair next to him and waited for Professor Slughorn to begin class.

"Alright class! Look at your partner and memorize who they are! These will be your partners for the rest of the school year. Today we will be brewing the Amortentia potion. Does anyone know what that is?" asked Slughorn.

Malfoy raised his hand, "It's the most powerful love potion there is."

Slughorn looked surprised he had answered, "Uh, very good Mr. Malfoy! 10 points to Slytherin. Now who can tell me how it affects the drinker?"

My hand shot up quickly, "It makes the person infatuated, not in love, with the brewer."

Slughorn looked relieved I had answered, "Very good Miss Granger! 10 points to Gryffindor. Now, on the table over here, are all the ingredients you'll all need to brew this potion. When your group is finished, please let me know. Begin!"

Malfoy and I stood up and walked to the table. We grabbed the ingredients we needed and began our potion. 45 minutes later we were finished.

Slughorn came over to our table, "Well, I must say! Your potion is perfect! Tell me Miss Granger, what do you smell?"

I inhaled the potion, "I smell mint, expensive cologne, and quidditch equipment" I told the professor blushing.

Slughorn looked satisfied and turned to Malfoy, "What about you Mr. Malfoy? What do you smell?" he questioned.

I watched as Malfoy leaned in to inhale the scent, "I smell vanilla, old books and strawberries" He responded, his brow furrowing.

Slughorn nodded, "Very good, you two may be excused for the rest of class. Have a great evening."

Malfoy grabbed his stuff as fast as possible and basically ran out of the room.

I picked up my own things and made my way to the Great Hall. When I arrived I saw he wasn't there. I ate dinner and then went to get ready for our patrol. As I sat waiting for dinner to be over, I decided to get a jump on my studying. About 30 minutes later, he burst into the common room making me jump and draw my wand.

I looked over at him, "What the fuck Malfoy? You can't scare me like that. I almost fucking hexed you. How the fuck was I going to explain that to Pomfrey?"

He looked at me perplexed, "Sorry Granger. You ready to go?" he asked, now looking at the floor.

I got up and walked out into the hallway so we could patrol. We spent the entire time silent. When we got back to our common room, he quickly said good night and disappeared again.