Star-Crossed Lovers

Ron's fist made a sickening thud as it collided with Draco Malfoy's jaw.

"Ron!" Hermione screamed in horror. Ron had come out of Charms class and spotted Malfoy. Malfoy was laughing and joking with Crabbe and Goyle on his way to Divination. Ron, his face red with anger, had thrown Malfoy to the ground and started punching him in the face.

"You bloody death eater!" Ron yelled, hitting Malfoy again. "You bloody bas--!"

"Ron!" Hermione screamed again, interrupting him. "Stop it! Please!" Harry rushed over to Ron, trying to pull him off, but just as he reached Ron he swung again, nearly missing Harry's nose. Malfoy's fist flew up out of nowhere and hit Ron's mouth. There was a group of students standing around now, a few fourth years chanting "fight, fight!"

"What in heaven's name--?" came Minerva McGonagall's voice out of all of the clamor. Ron's fist stopped in midair and Malfoy used it as his chance to stand up. His face was shiny with crimson blood; his nose was bleeding profusely and his lips had several cuts. Ron's hands were covered in Malfoy's blood too, his own lip bleeding as well. Draco was breathing heavily, his chest heaving. McGonagall screeched in shock and sent Malfoy straight off to the hospital wing.

"Mr. Weasley! DETENTION! A whole week of it, mind you! You be at my office at 8:00 sharp tonight, or it's your head!" she screamed.

"He deserved it, the little bas--"

"Ron, don't," Hermione stopped him. "It's not a big deal, really, I don't care what Malfoy thinks about me. Come on, let's clean you up." Hermione was about ready to kick herself. She had let slip to Harry and Ron what Malfoy had said the other night in the room off the library. She regretted it the moment the words slipped out of her mouth. She knew Ron had a temper, especially when it came to her.

A few hours later, after Ron had headed off for detention, Hermione tried to do her homework in the common room, but people kept pestering her. "What was the fight about?" "Did you help Ron beat him?" "Someone said that Ron and Malfoy were fighting over you, Hermione." That was the last straw. She needed to go somewhere to get away from all this mess. Slamming her book shut and mumbling something to Harry about wanting to be alone, she left through the portrait hole. With instinct Hermione headed toward the Astronomy Tower. It was supposed to be off-limits except during class time, but Hermione didn't care. That was the only place she was sure she could be alone, and it was a nice December night.

As she reached the top of the staircase she pushed open the heavy wooden door. It made no sound and shut silently. Hermione looked up into the inky darkness of the night. There were little pinpricks of light that were the stars. Hermione loved the feeling of being by herself. She leaned against the battlements and spread her arms, allowing the freezing breeze to envelop her.

"What, you waiting for your Romeo or something?" a voice asked out of the shadows. Hermione jumped.

"Who's there?" she whispered nervously. There was a flash of silver-blonde hair as the person made himself visible.

"Fancy finding you up here," he continued coldly. "Aren't you trying to talk Potty and the Weasel into doing all your revenge against me?"

"Shut your bloody mouth Malfoy," Hermione spat. It was barely a whisper, but Hermione knew it took Malfoy by surprise. He was silent for a moment. Hermione persisted.

"And do you know what else?" she kept on. "You're no prince charming yourself. I now know why Moody transformed you into a ferret during our fourth year. You look exactly like one. Ugly smelly rodent, that's what you are. Vermin. I hate you." Hermione was shocked to hear herself say it. She had never actually hated anyone before, but somehow it just slipped out. Malfoy was still quiet. Finally, he spoke.

"Oh," was all he said. Hermione was confused. Oh? That's it? That's all he had to say? Then with a swish of a cloak Malfoy swung open the door and left. Hermione pressed her ear to the door. She heard his footsteps getting quieter as he descended the staircase.

* * *

The next night's rehearsal seemed to drag on. Professor Sinistra insisted on running the party scene. She also persisted that Malfoy and Hermione actually kissed tonight. They had both dodged ways out of it for half a week. One night Hermione would claim she was sick and didn't want to give it to Malfoy. Another night Malfoy would say he had a sore throat and didn't want Hermione to lose her voice too.

"No excuses tonight now," Sinistra said. "I want to see it done properly." The first part went smoothly, with hardly any interruptions from the director. Hermione's entrance was wonderful, and then came the meeting of Romeo and Juliet.

"O, then, dear saint, let lips touch as hands do. Lips pray, you know, so faith won't turn to despair," Malfoy said. Hermione found it strange hearing Malfoy speaking civilly. Hermione sighed as though to strengthen her resolve. They awkwardly leaned toward each other. Suddenly, Malfoy coughed. Hermione pulled away quickly.

"Come along now! Malfoy, say your line again!" Sinistra demanded.

"O, then, dear saint, let lips touch as hands do. Lips pray, you know, so faith won't turn to despair," he repeated. Again they leaned forward. Their lips touched and they clumsily kissed. Hermione was shocked to find Malfoy's lips surprisingly warm and soft against her own. She could feel his balmy breath on her cheek as they pulled away.

"You have lines, dears," Professor Sinistra reminded them, for they were silent. Hermione jumped. She had been staring at Malfoy, whose cheeks were slightly pink.

"Sorry," she said, blinking. "Erm... You kiss as though you researched the subject."

After practice Hermione walked slowly up the grand staircase, contemplating what happened earlier that evening. It wasn't a big deal. It was part of the play, and she was acting. But she remembered the warmth of Malfoy's lips and couldn't help but think that he was only human after all, and maybe there was more to him than his cold-hearted evil.