Hogsmeade - The day before

Hermione decided to go to Tomes and Scrolls after she had purchased some self inking quills from the Weasley's store.

She found the store disturbingly empty, but seeing that most of the Hogwarts crowd was at the Weasley's, she decided it was natural that they were hogging all the business.

Suddenly, the door creaked shut.

"Mr Thomas?" She asked nervously, taking out her wand. "Lumos." She lit her wand to illuminate her way in the dimly lit store.

Her mind raced. There were still some Voldemort supporters on the loose. Could it be one of them?

"Did I scare you Granger?" A familiar aristocratic voice spoke smoothly from a dark corner.

Hermione relaxed. "Malfoy, what is the meaning of this?"

"Did I do something wrong? I thought you wanted to talk to me. Oh, by the way, the Runespoor represents a 3. You might want to check that in your essay, due next week", he said, coming out of the shadows, walking towards her and leaning beside her casually on the shelves

"You insufferable.." she started.

"Ummm, you're welcome?" He said, putting on his signature smirk.

"You're spying on me! How dare you!"

"I'm just watching you Granger. I have eyes you know", he replied coolly.

"Though I doubt it's your own you use, to spy on me", she replied, fuming.

"That's debatable", he argued.

"Everything is debatable! Like why you've trapped me in here."

"You're not trapped. You can leave. Do you want to?" He enquired leaning in closer.

Her heart skipped a beat, and then started thrumming wildly against her ribs.

"Hmmm.. I thought so", he continued when she failed to reply.

"I just came to warn you Granger", he said finally.

"Warn me? Against what?" she asked nervously, thinking of the Death Eaters on the loose again.

"Weasley. Stay away from him. You do realise he's spending a lot of time with Pansy these days?"

"And you are the one to judge them Malfoy? When you're hanging out with the likes of muggleborns like me?

What's this all about? What do you have against Ron anyway? You seem to be having some unhealthy obsession with him. Everything you do seems to be some way to spite him.

Isn't that what this was all about? The date, the kiss..." she started.

Before she could utter another word, he grabbed her close and crashed his lips into hers. She went limp with shock and offered no resistance.

His lips traced her jaw bone, sending prickles down her neck, followed the curves of her face to her ear, and then buried his face in her strawberry and lavender smelling soft brown curls.

"Do you see Weasley around? Why do you think I'm kissing you now, Granger?"

He uttered a low growl that that spoke of longing, hunger and something more. A primal instinct she couldn't identify with.

"I- I don't know", she replied, out of breath.

"Not so bright after all, are you?" He smirked again.

"I-"

"Stay away from him, Hermione", he pleaded cupping her face in his hands.

"But"

"He's hanging out with Pansy. She's up to something. If you think I'm judging them, it's only because you don't know Slytherins like I do", he spoke earnestly.

"He was my friend and he IS in my House. He may not be a friend anymore, but talking to him is sometimes unavoidable, Draco. You should know, with Pansy ,always falling all over you."

"Are you jealous?" he smirked, his eyebrow raised.

"I can ask the same of you."

"Touché", he smiled, conceding to her.

Hermione smiled like she hadn't smiled in ages.

There was a knock at the door interrupting their blissful happiness.

"I have to go. Remember my words. Wait for me."

And he disappeared behind the shelves.

Mr. Thomas entered his shop and sat down as if he hadn't just locked two people in it, and called out, "Well you can bring the books here if you've made up your mind." He smiled kindly at her, showing no sign that he knew of Draco being around.

"No thank you. Maybe next time", she said as she hurried outside to look once more into the stormy grey eyes, her heart racing. She could not find him.

That night, however, she slept peacefully like she hadn't in days.

***************************

Hermione settled down to breakfast next morning feeling happy with the previous day's events.

She saw Draco enter the Great Hall and her chocolate orbs met his silver gaze as it swept the Hall, both forming a silent acknowledgement, as Draco settled on the Slytherin table.

"Great Godric, the sexual tension between you two is just killing me. Just get together already, will you?" Ginny said elbowing her.

Hermione glared at her, nudging her to stop.

Just then they saw Ron walking in with Pansy, laughing together like old friends.

Most of the teachers smiled at what they thought was building up of House unity, while most of the students and some of the Professors raised their eyebrows.

Ron and Pansy parted for their respective tables and Ron headed towards Gryffindor table. He walked straight towards where Hermione was sitting.

"Hermione", he spoke, his eyes filled with guilt, determination and another emotion she couldn't identify.

"I'm glad you found a good friend Ron. I should be and will be the last person to judge you", Hermione gave him a curt smile, and turned away again, to talk to Ginny.

"Hermione, I love you", he said as he grabbed her and kissed her full on the lips.

Hermione panicked. She shoved him away from her frantically as her gaze drifted toward the Slytherin table, looking for the platinum blonde.

But he was gone.

"Wait for me", he had told her.

And now he was gone.

"Oh no", she said as she slapped Ron hard, leaving long red prints.

"What the hell Ron!!? Do you want to die!?" Came Ginny, wand out, thinking Ron might attack her again.

Harry also had his wand out to Ron, thinking his best friend had lost his marbles and ready to defend his girlfriend, if needed. "Mate, you really need to get a hold on yourself", he said, worried that this might lead to another detention for his Gryffindor Keeper.

"I love you Hermione, I always have", he said ignoring Ginny and Harry, completely, "I made a mistake and I'm sorry. I want your forgiveness and I want you back. And I'm willing to do anything for it."

"Are you out of you bloody mind?! That's it! You've been given some Love Potion haven't you?" Ginny asked exasperated.

"No I haven't, Ginny! Hermione? Look at me. Do I look confused to you? I haven't been more clear, about what I want, ever before in my life."

"He's right Ginny. Look at his eyes. They're still focused. Crazy as it is, he definitely is in all his senses. Although I would love to know what has possessed him to think that he has a remote chance of us getting together again", Hermione asked, arms crossed, infuriated that Draco was out of her reach now, because of this shameless prat standing in front of her.

She wanted to smack him unconscious and in the process, hopefully, redefine the phrase 'hitting like a girl'.

And then she thought about what Draco had said...

"Wait, don't tell me. It's Pansy isn't it? She put you up to this?"

"Of course not, Hermione. Blimey! We're just good friends. All she ever told me was to apologize to you. She told me you were the kindest person that ever was and you would accept my apology and you did. That's why I'm grateful to her. I respect her opinion.

Getting back with you was my idea. You can test me with veritaserum if you want to."

"No. Just your memories will do", said Hermione. "Legilimens!"

***************************

"Hermione?" Ginny called out a couple of minutes later.

"He's telling the truth." Hermione informed her.

"Ron, you have done too much damage already. This ends here. Never ever speak to me again", she said with a finality, that left him stunned.

"But Hermione..."

"That's enough Ron. Unless you want a duel with me", she said menacingly, with her wand out and pointing at him.
"Do you really want to go up against me?"

Ron put both his hands up in surrender and shrugged, before walking away.

"You were right. It really isn't a Love Potion. He wouldn't give up so easily if he had taken one", Ginny noted, out of her wits at the turn of events.

"No, but it is something. Ginny could you send an owl to Fred and George asking them what Pansy bought from their store yesterday?"

"Hermione, what aren't you telling me?" Ginny asked, clearly worried for the safety of her brother.

"Also tell them she's possibly drugged Ron and request them to send samples so I can brew up an antidote."

"Hermione."

"And please let it be discreet."

"Hermione!"

"Yes", she replied tiredly.

"What aren't you telling me?"

Hermione related what Draco had told her in the bookstore, except the part where her heart raced like a wild horse.
She left that one out, since she herself wasn't sure what to do about it.

"Don't you worry 'Mione. I know just the people who can help."

"Do what you have to Ginny. I don't want Ron under her influence. And Ginny?"

"Yes."

"Use the seal of the Head Girl if you have to, but get a sample."

"Aye aye, Head Girl", she said with a wink.

***************************

Three days later

"Merlin's bālls! Hermione, you were right! You were so right!!!" Ginny barged into Hermione's dorm carrying a letter in her hand.

"Is it some new Love Potion?"

"No, it's much worse. It's that Love Pill."

"I still don't get the worse part."

"It doesn't have an antidote."

"WHAT!"

***************************

Author's Note:

This chapter is dedicated to MadisonG2. Thank you for your support!

I hope you liked the update foks! Please comment on what you think about the plot twist. (Yup! The no-antidote plotline is real, no gimmick I promise you that. They're stuck up for good. 😂😂)

Stay tuned for the next chapter: Cupids at Christmas Eve.

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Until next time Happy Reading! 😘