Coercion ✔️

Chapter 48

(Harry's POV)

I wonder how Draco is really doing. Does he blame me? Maybe I shouldn't of confessed that day, technically that's what started this.

I hissed as the water turned hot and it burned my skin. I reached for the knob and turned it slightly back to the right, cooling it down. I sighed and continued on with my shower leaving all my thoughts behind me.

Hermione's POV
(Same day)

After briefly seeing Ron and Harry I went back to the library.

"Mrs. Granger, good to see you again" Madam Pince greeted me as I walked in. I sent her a nod before stalking off to my corner of the library that I'd been using the past few days. It was the corner with all the Hogwart's History books so no one ever came back here.

I sat against the wall and grabbed a random book so that no one would bother me if they did end up traveling this far back. Having said that I wasn't paying any attention to the book at all as my mind was constantly drifting to a certain Slytherin.

She kissed my cheek. I felt said thing heat up thinking about it. The first physical contact I've gotten from a girl ever, besides hugs and of course if I brush past one, but nothing like a kiss!

I put my hand on my cheek remembering the feel of her lips. I was driving myself crazy thinking about them. Did she even like me or is that a thing that Slytherin's do as they part? Blaise and Draco didn't do it... well Blaise didn't do it on the cheek.

Was it even okay for me to date? I have my studies! How will I graduate from Hogwarts and get a good job in the Ministry of Magic!

Or something worse could happen... what if I get expelled for dating a Slytherin? Is that a thing, am I overthinking? What if we did date and we broke up and she decided to take me in an alley and kill me?!

Ok... that may have been a little much I admit.

It would be my first relationship though. What if she tried to kiss me again and I started to spit out random facts about house elves. Or if she reached for my hand in the hallway and then I got nervous and my hand became sweaty, that would be so disgusting and she would try to make up and excuse to get me to let go of her hand.

Note to self: don't hold hands.

"Oh my Merlin! It's Hermione Granger! I was just looking around the library since I'm a first year and it's my first time in the library, anyway that doesn't matter. I can't believe I found Hermione Granger, I'm so lucky, and did I mention it's my first time in the library!" a small Ravenclaw said surprising me as he rambled on and stared at me with big sparkling eyes. I was going to wait for him to be done talking but he said something that I was quite interested in.

"One of the 7th year Ravenclaws was talking about how Professor Snape gave your grade a totally unfair essay yesterday and you have to get it done by today. I think that sounds totally absurd but I mean I can't do anything about it because I'm not very smart. This is actually the first time I've even visited the library and it's already been a month of school... I feel like I might've said that already. Anyway..." I stopped listening as I tried to remember what happened in Potions yesterday.

As I thought more and more about it I couldn't recall a single class from yesterday let alone what homework we had. How much work have I been missing? Will Snape expel me if I don't turn in the essay?

"Hermione? Are you ok? You look sick. Should I go get Madam Pince? It's my first time in the library but I think I can find my way back" he said but I quickly shook my head and gave him a small smile.