Library Love

Part 3

Hermione hadn't hugged Draco since that day in the corridor two weeks ago. She was beginning to wonder if she ever would hug him again. She longed to wrap her arms around his slender body, tangle her fingers through his soft blonde hair. Hermione had never wanted to touch someone so badly. Sure, they'd seen each other in class, but they couldn't sit with each other, couldn't talk to each other, without drawing the attention of others.

She sometimes would sneek down to the quidditch pitch to watch Draco practise with the other Slytherins. She would sit there and sigh, frustrated that she couldn't just go and hug him. Once when he came off his broom, she squeeked in fright and had to physically stop herself from running to his aide. 

But today wasn't a quidditch practise session, and there were no classes. No, today was a trip to Hogsmede, the small wizarding town not too far from Hogwarts. Hermione had wandered down an alleyway in search of a book store she'd heard about whilst Ron and Harry went on their way to The Three Broomsticks for some Butterbeer. Draco happened to see Hermione part with her friends and followed her down the path, wondering where she could possibly be headed, for not many students ventured to that part of Hogsmede. He walked fast to catch up as she rounded a corner, and caught her on the shoulder, startling her.

"Hermione," he said quietly, half smiling at her. He watched as the fear drained out of her eyes, replaced with delight.

"Draco," Hermione replied, a smile creeping across her face. "I've missed you."

Within seconds they were in each others arms. Draco's skin warmed Hermione's cold arms as they embraced, and a tingle ran up her spine, a tingle of delight.

"I've missed you too, babe."

Hermione pulled away skeptically, but only enough to see his face. "I'm your babe now am I?" She half laughed.

Draco looked kind of embarrassed, but he wasn't afraid to show his embarrassment to Hermione. He believed there shouldn't be any secrets between them. "Well what do you want to be?" He asked with the same joking edge that Hermione used.

"Babe's fine, babe," she smiled, burying her head in his chest. He smiled too and tightened his arms around her, resting his head against hers. 

That was when the shrieking started.