'I'm sorry for being so snappy with you," I apologized. Hermione shrugged.

"Happens to all of us," she replied. "Are you doing ok?"

"Pretty well," I said. She smiled before looking over my shoulder and frowning. I tried turning to see what had caused such a change when a hand wrapped around my waist and Draco pulled me gently against him.

"Morning, Granger," he said lowly, almost amicably. She eyed him warily.

"Malfoy.." she answered, looking at me with furrowed brows. I gave her a small smile.

"Class is starting soon," he said to me, "can I walk with you?"

"Sure," I smiled up at him before turning to Hermione. We shared a look only women would understand. "I'll see you later?"

"Sure," she replied. Draco gave her a nod and steered me toward the hallway.

"You're being nice," I said suspiciously. He chuckled softly.

"She's your friend," he shrugged, "and everything you said about her was right. I'm not allowed to like muggle-borns, but that doesn't mean I hate them."

"You're not as mean as you pretend to be," I pointed out.

He huffed lightly. "That's the problem," he mumbled, and I was quickly reminded of his situation with the death eaters. All the worry I had put aside in my bitterness came flooding back. I pulled him to the side of the corridor, out of the foot traffic.

"I'm sorry," I said for what felt like the hundredth time.

"For what," he smiled softly, brushing his knuckles along my cheek. "I don't remember any of this being your fault."

"I know, but still," I mumbled, pouting my lips. He pulled me against his chest and rested his chin atop my head. I was happy to stay there indefinitely, but the amount of students in the hall was quickly building.

"We should go," I said, pulling out of his embrace and starting down the hallway. I could sense him behind me, and felt his hand slip onto my lower back when the bodies began pressing in. We were almost to transfiguration when he hooked me and spun me around, searing my lips with a kiss in full view of half the school. I vaguely heard a few of the whoops and hollers from the other students as Draco pulled back infinitesimally.

"I'm serious about you," he breathed over my lips. I closed the small distance and pecked him playfully, loving the way his eyes sparked.