Anyone But Me

Chapter Ten

Hermione stood there, shocked into stillness and staring back into Draco's mystical gray eyes. For the life of her she could not figure out what to say to his suggestion. The absurdity was laughable... But then why was every nerve in her body screaming for her to lean forward and press her lips to his?

Your body is a traitor, her mind screamed at her. This was Draco Malfoy! The boy who had spent countless hours and days terrorizing her and her friends. The boy who called her a Mudblood nearly every single day. The boy who had cursed her with beaver teeth for Gods' sakes!

The one to help you when you needed it, her heart whispered through the shouting. The one who could have left you to die but didn't. The one who, for all intents and purposes, should kill her right where she stood. The one who was waiting for her permission for a kiss, instead of just taking what he wanted...

Even now he stood there patiently. He gave her the time she needed to work things over in her own head. He didn't rush her. His stance was relaxed as if he had all the time in the world to stand there. Hermione was not an inconvenience to him... If anything he seemed to understand that it sometimes took her a little longer than most to think things out. She didn't like making hasty decisions. They led to avoidable problems, like deciding to go to that party. Look at how many questionable positions she had been put in since that emotion-charged choice!

At that moment she could not bring herself to actually regret her decision though, standing there with this mysterious new Draco. She would have never known about the real him hiding behind the mask if she would not have gone. Tomorrow would probably be a different story. When she would be forced to face the consequences of her actions. The gossip and stares would be bad enough. The anger from Harry (and Ron) would be a literal hell. Why shouldn't she be able to keep this feeling of excitement going for the few precious moments she would be allowed to have it?

Harry!! Her mind screamed. Harry and Ron, you stupid stupid girl!! How could she betray her two best friends any more than she already had? While they had their issues those boys had always been there for her. They were her anchors in a world so different from the one she had grown up in. And other than Ginny, they were some of the only people who actually seemed to enjoy her company... She couldn't risk their friendship for a simple kiss!

Maybe it wasn't her hormone-riddled body that was the traitor. Even if it was the only reason she could not make the logical choice of running away. Fast! Maybe it was something else inside of her. Each time she thought she had come to the conclusion of telling the boy "no" a chilled feeling of dread came over her. Like his lips were the only thing that would ever make her feel warm again now that the offer had been left on the table. She wanted him to push her up against the wall and kiss her fiercely. Heck, if she was honest with herself she wanted more than that. More than she would ever dare to admit.

Hermione let a soft smile spread across her lips as she looked up at Draco through her eyelashes. He was watching her intently again like he could read her as easily as a potion recipe. She wondered what exactly he saw and if her demeanor changed as quickly as her thoughts raced. Taking a deep breath she nodded slightly. "I... I think you are right. A maiden's token is usually a kiss."

Draco's eyebrows rose higher than she had ever seen them, it was almost comical. His surprise was evident but something like hunger flashed in his eyes. He quickly reigned in the secondary emotion and Hermione couldn't be completely certain... He stepped forward. The movement pushed the tulle against her legs, causing them to itch as the abrasive fabric scratched at her skin. Then the scent of peppermint invaded her senses again and she quickly forgot about her discomfort.

He was so close. She felt his breath on her face each time he exhaled. His eyes were searching hers again and she really wanted to know what everyone kept thinking they were going to find there? She was just another terrified little girl playing at being grown enough to make any kind of decisions, much less ones that involved life and death. An occurrence that had happened so often during her six years of being a witch that it was mind-boggling. No seventeen year old should have to deal with what she'd had to. And it was only going to get worse...