Just a Kiss

Chapter 5

Hermione's P.O.V

What on Earth had happened in there? Just this morning we had been at each other's throat, ready to fight at any given moment, and then next he had grabbed me up and kissed me. Why did he kiss me? I thought he was acting to get me away from Samuel, but then he kisses me. Surely even he wouldn't go that far? He can't be that cruel, to hurt me in that way. It would have been impossible to not see how I felt, to see the distrust and, dare I admit it, fear. Not fear of him, but fear of the touch, and fear of where it would lead.

I know that the way he was grabbing me, finger tight, burning against my skin, it could have gone very differently. So I'd panicked, kissed him back and fought to escape when he was stunned. It had worked, he'd let go only moments after I had ripped open his side. I'd hated his touch, his kiss.

So distracted by my thoughts, I don't notice his return until he speaks up, right beside me. "Ready to leave Granger?" he asks quietly, a small frown appearing as he gazes at me. Biting my lip, I nod in response. "What's the matter, cat go your tongue?"

"Yes of course!" He arches a brow, making me want to slap a hand to my forehead for making such a silly mistake. "I mean, no. I can speak just fine and yes I'm ready to go." I can feel my cheeks heat as I snap my mouth closed to prevent any more ramblings. He just chuckles and shakes his head, causing a few of his platinum blonde locks to fall in front of his eyes. It was a soft laugh, something I had never heard from him.

"Still the same annoyingly awkward mudblood from school I see. Unable to answer even the simplest of questions," he snorts. Just like that, any remotely forgiving thought that I had was swept away in a torrent of rage.

Turning a cold glare on him, I hiss, "Watch yourself. You still don't have magic while I do. And as for what you did to Samuel and I, well let's just say that it won't be soon forgotten. You ruined the one chance I had to meet someone nice, after-" My words catch in my throat and I quickly turn my back on him to hide the rush of emotions that washed over me. Malfoy was the very last person that I wanted to find out about my past.

"After what?" he prompts. "Tell me Granger, who broke your little heart? I'll have to send them a gift basket." With a small, strangled cry, I dash away from him. I can hear him following, his footsteps much louder than mine were as we crunch the fallen leaves under our shoes. The cold autumn air whips across my cheeks, chilling my tears, but I was past the point of caring. All I want right now is to escape the man following me.

Unfortunately luck was not on my side, because the next thing I know, I'm on the ground after having tripped over a tree root. Moments later, a heavy weight falls over me, accompanied by a screech from me and a steady stream of profanities from Malfoy

"Get off of me!" I shout, voice breaking. Rolling onto my back, I kick out but strike against nothing, and he remains in the position we were in, only slightly lifting himself off of me.

"Someone really did mess with you, didn't they?" he asks. There is no sneer or mocking tone, only a slight curiosity. "Who was it?" I turn away and stare at the leaves by my head, scoffing at his words.

"Like I would ever tell you anything. Your only goal in life is to hurt me, so why don't you just get off so we can finish the day and go back to my house." I try shoving him again, and this time he rolls away. "Let's go, we still have to get you clothes and head to the library. And I never got breakfast," I says, standing and dusting off my outfit. My face felt sticky and cold so I pull out my wand and mutter a cleaning spell. All the while, Malfoy stands several feet away, watching my actions closely.

"I'm going to find out, I always do," he warns. Rolling my eyes, I shove past him and walk away, feeling far too drained to snark back.

Hours later, I kick open the door of my house and drop the many bags in my hands to the floor. Heaving a heavy sigh, I make my way to the bedroom and collapse on my bed for a well-earned rest.