A Future Uncertain

Chapter 6: Second Guessing

Draco glanced in Hermione's general direction before walking into the bedroom. She stared at the wooden door with every passing minute growing more angry. Did he just ignore me? Hermione stood and marched to the bedroom. She threw the door open, the force making the door hit the wall and bounce back a fraction of the way. Her face was tinted red, and she could feel the anger pouring through her body.

Draco was leaning against the headboard reading a novel, his legs tucked under the comforter. He looked up annoyed and waited for her to speak.

He looked far to relaxed for someone who was the sole focus of her anger. Her hand went to her pocket to grab her wand, just as Draco pulled her wand from under his pillow and tossed it to her.

"You can try," Draco started, "but as much as you pride yourself to be the brightest witch of your age, I know your talents."

"You didn't seem so sure of yourself yesterday," she warned, her eyes narrow, and wand threatening.

"Yes, well, I thought you were eight years older than you actually are, and I was caught off guard," he reminded. "If you're going to barge in, practically tear the door off the hinges, wand-less, and looking like a murderous witch, I'm obviously going to be prepared."

Hermione contemplated throwing a hex his way to test how prepared he really was, but decided against it; It wouldn't achieve anything.

Draco frowned and patted the bed next to him. Hermione stood her ground, not wanting to compromise her position at the door.

"I'm not going to have a conversation with someone who looks like she wants to murder me and run. Sit down and we'll talk," he reasoned. Hermione hesitated, the uncertainty lessening her anger, before moving towards the bed.

Draco's eyes followed her movements, slowly wandering her body, before settling on her lips as she sat down. Hermione's chest felt flushed and her breath hitched. Despite her anger, she wondered how it would fell to kiss him. Would the kiss be soft and loving? Or would it be strong and heated? Tasting him was the only thing she wanted at the moment.

Maybe she was just reading to much into things, she reasoned. She licked her lips, and Draco's gaze darted to her eyes. Had his stare always been this piercing? He stared as if he wanted to devour her. Her self control was limited at the moment, so she sat statue-still, not wanting to make the first move.

This moment was the first time she had ever felt so unsure about herself. She was nervous and excited all at once. Chemistry, connection, lust, call it what you want, but it was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. Today had taken a strange turn. Although she had understood the relationship of Draco and future Hermione, she had experienced this feeling first hand. Knowing she was attracted to Draco was frightening, but there was something between them that, at that unseen moment, she knew she wouldn't be able to have with someone else.

Draco was the first to disconnect from the static between them.

"Would you like to tell me why you're angry?"

The question caught her off guard. The night was doing strange things to her mind. "You're hiding things from me."

Draco raised his eyebrow at the accusation.

"What makes you think that?" he asked, not denying nor confirming the statement.

"Ron told me about the potion. I know I can stay here if I want," she stated.

His expression turned grave. He had been annoyed with the private conversation she had had with Weasley, especially since she had ignored his order to stay away from him, but this? This was far worse than he had thought.