bleedingangel84 | Fallen: A Thwarted Love Story,4/12 (Reply)

Chapter 4: Forbidden

Hermione felt a blush begin to heat her cheeks. It affected her more than she could ever have imagined hearing her first name from the lips of Draco Malfoy. There was no denying that he was attractive. Even most of the Gryffindor girls swooned over him, though they never publicly admitted it. There were some things house pride just did not allow, and this was one of them.

“I-I can’t do this now. Harry and Ron will be waiting for me,” she said quickly. With downcast eyes, Hermione made her way to the door of the classroom. She was stopped by a surprisingly gentle touch on her shoulder.

“Hermione, please don’t walk away from this,” Draco pleaded. “It wasn’t easy for me to tell you how I feel. I’m not a Gryffindor known for his bravery, the way Potter is. But, I had to tell you while I still have the chance.”

Hermione suddenly felt his fingers hooking underneath her chin, lifting her gaze to his. “Tell me honestly that you don’t feel anything for me right now, and I will not bother you again,” he stated. The silence that greeted these words was unexpected, but heartily welcome. He had scarcely dared to dream that Hermione may have entertained feelings for him beyond the hatred she professed. Draco Malfoy felt as if his wildest dreams were suddenly coming true.

Hermione broke the silence with the barest whisper. “I can’t. Merlin knows why I’m not hexing you into oblivion right now, but I cannot lie,” she breathed. “Every ounce of common sense I possess is telling me I should get away from you right now before I end up hurt, or worse.”

Draco looked into her eyes, seeing how conflicted she was feeling. “I know this is difficult for you to believe, Hermione, but what I wrote in that note was the truth. I’m in love with you. I have been for a long time.”

“Malfoy... Draco…I –this is absurd!” she exclaimed. She moved away from the door and began pacing across the classroom, gesticulating with her hands as she continued speaking all the while. “You expect me to honestly believe that you, Draco Lucius Malfoy, are honestly in love with me?”

“Whether you believe me or not, it’s true, Hermione,” he said hopelessly. I should have known she’d never let me off that easily. Not after I’ve tormented her and the rest of Dumbledore’s favorite trio for so long, he thought to himself.

“What can I do to prove it to you?” he asked. His expression was earnest and somehow stubborn as well. There was a fire in his eyes that she found somehow all the more appealing because of who he was. He was Draco Malfoy. That made him forbidden territory.

“Get the hell away from me, Malfoy,” Hermione demanded in a heated whisper “before we both end up doing something we’ll regret later.” She felt oddly breathless, as though there was not enough oxygen in the room. She tried to back away, but suddenly found herself pinned against the door with her wrists encased in a firm grip.

“Would you believe this?” he queried. The familiar smirk was on his face, this time playful rather than menacing. Hermione felt the warmth of his breath on her face for just an instant, noting distractedly that it smelled vaguely of cinnamon. Before she was aware of it, his lips were on hers. The kiss was slow and soft, surprisingly tender and seductive. She could hardly believe that the person kissing her was Draco Malfoy, but she could not deny that it felt heavenly. Her last coherent thought before succumbing to his persuasive mouth was a distracted: Oh my, I am in trouble.