Guilty Pleasures

Chapter 1

Hermione strolled the grounds. A usual act done religiously on the Saturdays, a time when classes took a temporary recess. She went past Hagrid's hut and, seeing no Hagrid, assumed that he was still in London. She smiled to herself and thought, 'Poor Hagrid, riding that dreadful Knight Bus to and fro.' He was sent by Dumbledore to do a bit of damage control involving a runaway Hippogriff and Muggle children who had encountered it. It was a great opportunity for Hagrid but Hermione worried that he may not be ready. Of course, he had grown as a teacher and a curator of magical creatures, but still, there was some doubt in her mind.

A soft wind took Hermione by surprise and lifted her curls in the gentle breeze. She herself had grown, now being the older, more mature seventeen she was. Of course, she had grown in more ways than one. Her figure had a curvaceous shape to it that had caught the eye of a few people the week she had returned. Always the frizzy-haired teacher's pet, she obtained the unobtainable: brains and beauty.

Hermione soon stopped and shaded her eyes with her hand. Harry and Ron were supposed to meet her on the practice field an hour before the Quidditch match. It was Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, one of the most anticipated matches of the year considering they were neck-at-neck. It was anyone's game. Harry and Ron had worried for weeks about the match. That must've been why they were late.

"Still getting ready I'll bet," she sighed and lowered her hand.

She walked towards the stands and leaned against the wall of the stadium seats. Seeing nothing much to do, boredom quickly overtook her and she shoved her hands into the pockets of her pink zip-up hoodie. Jeans felt so good after a week of skirts. It wasn't that she didn't like dresses or anything, but you soon grow weary of black skirts after it's your only wardrobe for days on end. Besides, the color livened up her face way more than gray or black would.

After moments of staring at her watch---ten minutes had passed---she looked around and decided to go. But just as she was starting to walk away, unwanted company approached her. Carefully groomed blond hair and a deep cold stare. It was none other than---

"Draco," Hermione said rolling her eyes. "What do you want?"

The smug look on his face made her steam up inside. He had his hands shoved in the pockets of his black shorts and his green sleeved t-shirt was wrinkled slightly as he leaned against the wall of the stadium seats. He let his blond locks fall into his eyes. It was the newest style he was trying, apparently. Hermione observed him with interest and abhorrence.

"Nothing Granger, nothing at all," Draco replied. "Just wondering what you are doing out here alone?"

"Really?" Hermione eyed him coolly. "I was wondering the same about you. I don't happen to see Goyle and Crabbe around here."

Draco's smug look fell. "Maybe I didn't want them around," he said in a smooth, clear tone. "Maybe I don't always need them."

"Same goes for me then," Hermione said and started to walk off, but Draco grabbed her arm. "What now?" she asked in an exasperated tone.

"I don't see the rush. Where are you off to?" Draco asked. He seemed slightly distracted, like he was holding back what he was really going to say.

Hermione replied in a smart tone, "It's none of your business."

Hermione tried to leave for the third time and Draco didn't do anything. He stood motionless at first but then spoke quickly before she was even a yard away.

"Mudbloods like you shouldn't be so rude to those above him," he said loudly.

That did it.

Hermione advanced on him slowly at first but was soon close enough to grab him, and she did. Quick as a flash, she had him on the ground and had pinned him down, her left knee digging into his stomach. She gritted her teeth and fought against his struggling movements.

"Take it back!" she yelled. "Now!"

Draco grimaced as her knee went harder into him. "All right! I take it back!" he yelled, much to Hermione's astonishment.

She slowly released her grip on him and eased her knee from his abdomen. As she got to her feet, Draco rolled from beneath her. He adjusted his shirt and just stared at Hermione as she watched him from the stadium wall. She leaned against the wall and tried to catch her breath. When they both had cooled down, Draco walked towards her.

"I want an apology, Draco," Hermione demanded.

Draco just stopped and stood where he was. He stared at Hermione for a moment and before she could protest, he leaned forward and kissed her.

Hermione flattened herself against the wall, trying to pull back. But after a moment of objection to his kiss, she let herself kiss him back. Draco grabbed her waist as she embraced his shoulders. She soon felt his tongue in her mouth and welcomed it, not thinking about what was going on.

Draco's hands ran up the spine of Hermione's back as she leaned closer to him. He was rather sneaky and slipped his hands underneath the back of her shirt, letting them go where they may. He started to unhook her bra strap when they both heard voices.

"Hermione!"

It was Ron and Harry.

Hermione pulled back and Draco removed his hands as their lips parted. She looked at him, realizing for the first time what she had done, who she had kissed. He looked rather astonished himself, but only backed away. He regained his smooth composure and winked at her before turning around completely and walking away. Hermione stood perfectly still, unmoving.

"Hermione!" Ron said breathlessly, grinning from ear-to-ear. "You ready for the match?"

Hermione was silent and then snapped back to reality.

"Ye-yeah, Ron, of course," she said and then smiled nonchalantly. "I'm going to find a good seat now."

Harry studied Hermione carefully.

"You look...disheveled." He asked curiously. "Did you fall or something?"

Hermione just gaped at him, mouth-open, before she responded. She looked over her shoulder where Draco had walked off. He had done a good job of getting out of there. He was nowhere in sight.

"Yes, that bloody hill over there," she said. "I tripped, but I didn't fall very hard. I'm okay."

"All right," Harry said, smiling again. "Well, c'mon, let's go! What are we standing here for?" he led the way across the field.

Ron followed and then turned to Hermione, "Coming?" he asked

Hermione just nodded and followed slowly.

Up until that point, she thought she'd only had feelings for one person, Ron. She told herself that Draco's kiss was nothing, that it meant nothing to her. But deep inside she knew the truth. She wanted more of Draco. And a kiss wasn't enough to fulfill that want...

TO BE CONTINUED...