Hidden Desire

Hermione had been getting the same piece of parchment since last week. The only difference was the writings. But what seemed to be on every piece was the penname, Mr. Peppermint Breath.

The last letter had said,

She remembered every word it said because this was the first time that she received a letter like that. It was the sweetest thing she got. If only she knew who Mr. Peppermint Breath was.

The food neatly appeared before her at the Gryffindor table at the Great Hall and she grabbed a slice of ham and stuffed it into her mouth.

"Hey Hermione," Harry greeted her as he sat down on the unoccupied seat beside her.

"Hey Harry." She smiled at him and took a sip from her goblet.

"Look, here come the owls!" Ron exclaimed as a flock of owls flew through the Great Hall´s windows and delivered each and everyone their mails. Including Hermione.

"What´s this?" Ron grabbed the piece of envelope she was holding and opened it. "Can I read this?"

Hermione just smiled weakly and nodded.

"Dear Hermione," Ron began ALOUD, loud enough for everyone in the Gryffindor table to hear. "Please meet me... Mr. Peppermint Breath." He looked at her with brows slightly quirked and asked, "Who is Mr. Peppermint Breath?"

Hermione blushed and grabbed the letter from Ron. "No idea."

She read the letter again and was glad that Ron didn´t read the line that said `at Charms classroom. 12 Midnight. Sharp.´

She looked at Ron again and saw that every guy on the Gryffindor table was already checking their breaths out.

"Do you smell like Peppermint, Harry?" Ron inquired as he stuck his nose into Harry´s mouth and began smelling his breath, "No. You smell like pumpkin juice. How about you Seamus?"

After eating, The three of them went to the Transfiguration classroom but before they did, Draco blocked their way and gave them his trademark smirk™. "Here comes the golden trio. I´m in luck."

"Sod off, Malferret!" Ron yelled.

"Make me, Slug Head!"

"You wish--" Ron stopped as he came near to Draco´s mouth, "Bloody Hell!"

"What Ron?" Hermione queried, dumbfounded.

"He smells like peppermint!"

"What?!" Both Harry and Hermione gasped at the same time.

"What do you want from Mione, Ferret Boy?"

"I never wanted anything from Granger, Weasel."

"Don´t deny it Malfoy, I know you sent it."

"In your dreams Slug Head! Why would I want anything from a Mudblood?"

"Take that back Malfoy or you´ll wish you were never born!" Ron challenged angrily, taking out his wand.

"It´s okay Ron. Don´t bother. He´s not worth it. C´mon, let´s go!" Hermione tugged on Ron´s robes and dragged him towards the Transfiguration classroom. When they entered the door, Draco whispered in her ear, loud enough for Ron to hear,

"Mudblood,"

"Malferret." She spat back.