kissing Hermione Granger

4- fourth one

The fourth time Draco Malfoy kissed Hermione Granger…

He did it just because he knew he might never get another chance to. It was the end of term, and something told him she'd not be returning in the fall. It might have been the somber air between the trio, or the wistful, lingering looks she wore when passing through her favorite spots, or the way she seemed to be memorizing everything and everyone with the same rapt attention she'd always paid to lectures. Regardless, he just knew.

When she left the great hall early one night, expression thoughtful while her friends stayed behind in conversation, Draco took the opportunity and followed her, through the entrance and out the doors, down the lawn to the lake. There she stood as the sun set over the water, still and quiet and waiting, maybe for him.

She didn't startle when he moved in beside her, didn't seem surprised at all when his hand slipped into hers. She stood with him a moment before speaking, eyes still cast out over the water.

"What will you do?"

Ah, yes. That. She seemed to understand the choice that was looming ahead of him better than most. He'd spent many hours contemplating just that, but without really talking to anyone about it. He'd felt quite torn, but all of a sudden he knew exactly what he would do.

"I'll leave. Take my mother and go, until it's safe again."

She closed her eyes and smiled, just a little, as the sun's last rays sunk below the horizon.

"You're going with Potter, then?" A question that wasn't a question, for what else would she do?

She looked at him then, still with that small smile that suddenly seemed quite sad. She didn't answer, but rather reached up on her tip toes to press her soft mouth against his, just once, before dropping down again.

And it was nothing like those other kisses. Without the anger burning hot and righteous in his chest, he was left with this horrid sort of aching, a tightness like steel bands wrapping tight around his ribs. It hurt to breath, and it hurt to look at her, with her too bright eyes and those sweet, lovely lips. And all he wanted, and all he needed, was more.

He leaned in, kissing her slow and gentle, while the world went dark around them.