Fifth Year Fling

Chapter 4

The next day, Hermione found herself walking back to Gryffindor tower alone because she had spent the whole day in the library hiding out. She knew she couldn't see her friends because she felt like the words, "I kissed Malfoy" were painted across her face and she truly needed to figure this out for herself before involving anyone else. Plus, what would I even tell them? Oh hey boys, the guy you've hated for the past five years kissed me out of sheer irritation. Nope, not a good conversation to have with her two favorite people in the world.

Walking through the portrait hole during dinner, she knew no one would be around so it was her perfect chance to slip up to the dorms without anyone being the wiser. Unfortunately, Ginny was seated on the girls dorm steps blocking her way with a brown bag on her lap. "Well, if it isn't Hermione Granger. The girl who has been MIA for about 24 hours. I was this close to sending out a search party." Ginny shot her a glare to show her overall annoyance for Hermione's absence as she stood up from the steps, brushing off the back of her jeans.

"I'm sorry, Gin. I've just been busy lately," Hermione tried to throw all of her weight behind her lame excuse, but she knew by Ginny's face that she wasn't buying it. Ginny grabbed her hand and led her to the farthest table from the portrait hole and threw a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at her along with an apple.

"Let's just talk this through. First you leave Hogsmeade early and a certain someone follows you out of the pub-" Hermione's face showed sheer shock "-your face tells me I'm right to believe he had a part in this. So spill now, or die a most gruesome death later. Take your pick."

Ginny leaned back in her chair and stared at her. Hermione sat in silence as she chewed her sandwich as slowly as possible to give herself time to think. As she thought up four excuses she could use, the look on Ginny's face made her want to be honest and honestly the stress of holding onto her secret was getting tiring. "Okay, Malfoy walked back to the castle with me. Or at least about half way." Her face got red. "And? Did he talk to you or just sulk three feet behind you? Did he hex you? Did he call you a mudblood? Or did he kiss you?" Ginny laughed as she said the last one because she knew how ridiculous it sounded. Right as she said it Hermione began to choke on her sandwich and turn an awful shade of red. "Good Godric, this cannot be real. You and Malfoy, eh? I mean I'm surprised but do I blame you? They don't call him the Slytherin sex god for no reason, right? Is he a good kisser?" Hermione let out a giant laugh.

Hermione looked around to be sure no one was around to overhear their conversation, "it was one sneak attack kiss. It meant nothing and I pushed him off. I'm pretty sure he did it to get me to stop talking. He was rather annoyed with me at the time." Ginny's mouth fell wide open.

"It is Malfoy, there is nothing going on, so don't even bother giving me that look. Remember the boy who has called me a mudblood for the last five years of my life? Yeah, same boy." Hermione rolled her eyes at the memories that flooded her mind of every rude insult that Malfoy has ever thrown at her just because of the parents she had. What a git. "Okay, yeah I get that, but are we thinking he has changed at all? I haven't heard him use that word towards you all year."

"Gin, that doesn't matter. His opinion of me has not changed. He is still the same guy." As she said it though, she didn't know if she actually believed it or if she was just trying to convince herself. Ginny gave her a knowing smile, "Well all I'm saying is I get he's actually an awful person but he is really hot, so next time don't push him off. I literally hate him as a person, but maybe this is his one redeeming quality. Now tell me, is he a good kisser?" Hermione rolled her eyes as she began to tell Ginny all about what happened on the walk back from Hogsmeade which kept them in the back corner of the Gryffindor common room until everyone started to filter back in from dinner an hour later.