s i x t e e n

---

Did she hear him correctly? Did Draco Malfoy just say he wanted her? Her?  “I’m sorry, what?” She asked as she stared at him with wide eyes.

Draco flashed her a smirk and shook his head. “I don’t repeat things twice.” He told her and raised an eyebrow.

“I’m not sure I heard correctly.” She told him, looking dazed.

“No, you did.”

“Draco, are you just joking?”

“I don’t know, am I?” He teased her.

Hermione pressed her lips into a thin line and smacked him in the arm. “Don’t joke around.”

“Why? Did it make your heart flutter? Did it make you realize you love me?”

“Don’t push it.” She snarled and gripped onto his wand as she pushed him down on the couch. “Just shut up while I heal your wounds.” She ordered sternly and sighed deeply as she started to cast non-verbal spells. Soon, all the cuts and bruises disappeared from his face. He looked good as new. “That’s it.”

“Wow, you know, you should become a healer. You’ll make a pretty damn good one.” He praised her as he touched his face. “I feel good as new.”

“I know.” She said pompously with a smug grin. “Goodnight.” She told him and got up from the couch.

“Whoa, wait. My wand.” He said as he stood up, looking down at her.

“No, it’s mine.” She said and slipped the wand into her back pocket.

“What?”

“As long as my wand is in your possession, your wand is in mine.” She told him with a smirk and laughed. “Goodnight, Draco.” She said sweetly and walked off with a hum.

“GRANGER!” He yelled angrily as he looked at her.

“Malfoy!” She mocked him with a giggle and shook her head. “I’ll give it back when you decide to give me back my wand.” She told him and disappeared into her bedroom.

“Damn woman.” He groaned and sighed as he walked over to his bedroom.

---

The next morning, Draco decided to sit with Hermione for breakfast. Blaise quickly ate and left because he had something ‘important’ to do. The couple was happily in the Great Hall finishing up breakfast and bickering about whose grades was better while Harry and Ginny sat a few seats away from them.

“What happened to my darling’s face!?” The familiar shriek echoed throughout the almost empty Great Hall. Hermione and Draco stared at each other and sighed almost immediately. The curly, blonde haired girl stood behind them, making the couple turn around in their seats. She stared at the couple with wide eyes, her arms crossed across her chest. “Well!?”

“Gee, I’m sorry I damaged your precious darling’s face.” Draco stated with sarcasm dripping from his voice as he rolled his eyes with annoyance. “But I must say he’s never looked better.” He said with his infamous smirk.

“How dare you lay your filthy hand on his precious face!?” Lavender shouted angrily.

“Do you really want the truth?” Draco asked as he stood up from his seat. “Do you really want to know why I punched Weasley?”

“Draco, stop . . .” Hermione said softly as she pulled on the end of his shirt, warning him. She looked over at Ginny with wide eyes that read, ‘This is bad.’

“No, I think she deserves an explanation.” Draco said with a smirk as he stared back at Lavender. “Your precious boyfriend walked in on us almost kissing and apparently got jealous. I guess seeing Hermione kissing someone else was just too much for him to handle. He threw the first twenty punches at me and I threw some back.” He said and leaned in closer to her. “I guess he likes Hermione more than he likes you.” He whispered into her ear and slightly pulled away. “I don’t blame him.” He whispered at her and leaned back with a devious smile.

“Ugh, you jerk!” Lavender shouted angrily as she slapped Draco hard on the cheek, leaving a red hand print of his pale cheek. She glared at him and then looked at Hermione who looked shocked. “And you! Stay away from Ron!”

“Oh, I was planning on it. Don’t worry.” Hermione said as she stood up slowly, it was her time to glare. “How dare you lay your filthy hand on his precious face?” She mocked Lavender and smirked. “Look, stop being such a brat and leave. Go help your little darling out because you’re all he has left now.”

Lavender’s chest rose up and down rapidly. “Ugh!” She shoved Hermione roughly and stomped off angrily out the Great Hall.

“Whoa!” Hermione yelled as she lost balance but fortunately, Draco was there to save the day. He quickly snaked his arms around her small waist and pulled her back up.

“You should really be careful.” He said with a small smirk as he stared at her.

“Thanks.” She said with a small blush as she stood in his arms awkwardly.

“Awh, I didn’t know I made you blush so much.” Draco teased with a smirk as he let her go.

“Shut up.” Hermione said with a small grin and shook her head as she stared at him. She couldn’t help but laugh as she saw the red hand print on his cheek. “You seem to be getting hurt a lot lately. Last night with Ron and right now . . .” She said apologetically and placed her hand over his cheek. “Ouch, it seems like it hurts.” She said and chuckled. “I’m afraid there are no spells for a slap on the cheek.”

“You do you realize I’m getting hurt because of you, right?” Draco asked as he raised an eyebrow.

“Ah, well that’s what friends are for.” She exclaimed as she dropped her hand to her side. She attempted to put her arm around his shoulder but found herself struggling to do it comfortably, even though she was on her tippy toes. “Could you shrink a bit? You’re too tall.” She said with a frown.