Obsession

The next morning Hermione arrived at her office and nearly fell over in shock. Her office was filled with flowers, stuffed animals, and chocolates. Almost every nook and cranny of her office was filled in with something. Hermione couldn't help but smile but a part of her felt guilty. She knew this was from Draco and she felt bad that she was the only one who felt differently about their date last night. Even though the thought of all this was nice, she had to admit that this was a bit much after only one date.

She tried to get to her desk. It was rather difficult to since every inch of her floor was completely covered with something. He tried hard not to step on anything. She was close to reaching her desk after a few close trips until a shadow popped out in front her that scared the living daylights out of her. She fell hard on some boxes of chocolate making her feel numb.

Draco stood towering over her holding a single rose. It took a while for Hermione to catch her breath. She was a little creeped out at how Draco just stood there, still, staring at her. Something about him didn't look right.

"Er .... Hi ... Draco," she said finally. Draco held out his hand for her to hold. As she grabbed it he pulled her hard and she slammed on his chest. He wrapped his other arm around her waist and stared at Hermione's eyes. He traced her face and then her body. He looked straight down her shirt, which was very low cut and it highlighted her breasts. Hermione tried to pull away but his hold on her was strong.

"Umm, Draco ..." she began to say as she tried to get loose. He cut her off by giving her a kiss. It was slow at first but she was still caught off guard. The kiss turned fierce, turning his tongue in every direction. Hermione couldn't breathe. She finally managed to pull away and took heaves of air into her lungs.

She wanted to yell at him to never do that again but something about him intimidated her. She was afraid he would hold her again and never let go. She kept her distance.

"Draco. This is really sweet but you really shouldn't have done all this," she said nervously. Draco smiled.

"I couldn't be any less for the girl I love," he responded. Hermione felt a cold shiver. Love? She held her tongue.

"I'm really busy today Draco. Maybe I'll owl you later okay?" she said, pretending to look busy as she took out massive pieces of parchment and several quills.

Draco just smiled even wider and Hermione tried to avoid it. He moved closer to her and Hermione frantically moved things around her desk. She didn't know why she was doing this but it was just a way for him not to touch her. Draco did manage to get hold of her hand. Hermione tried hard to not gasp or look scared. She thought he was going to kiss her again but his head turned to her ear.

"I'll see you later then. I have tickets for a show tonight. I know you will accompany me," he whispered. She waited until he walked out of the door. She sat down heavily on her chair and once again sat on a box of chocolates.

*****

"You actually went out on a date with him?" Harry asked with his jaw dropped wide open in the middle of the Leady Cauldron. Hermione sighed. She was debating with herself whether to tell Harry and Ron about her date.

"Yes, I did. It was a great night. It was ..... completely romantic ..." she said trailing.

"But ..." Harry said, reading Hermione's mind.

"But ... I just don't feel anything. Poor guy. I think ... wait ... he does feel the complete opposite. He was at my office this morning and he filled my entire office with chocolates, flowers and shit. I couldn't tell him that I didn't want to see him anymore," she continued. She could feel Harry's eyes on her.

"Wait 'til Ron hears about this!" Harry said with a laugh.

"DON'T TELL RON! Please! I'll never hear the end of this one if he finds out," Hermione pleaded. She didn't know why she didn't want to tell Ron. There was always this feeling that lingered in her whenever she talks about relationships with Ron. She never knew what it was. She drank her butterbeer non-stop until the last drop touched her tongue. Harry started to feel awkward.

He hated being the middle guy but he couldn't avoid it. He was always the referee between Ron and Hermione. He was the only one who understood the tension between them since none of them would fess up and admit it. It was obvious that Ron and Hermione had feelings for each other. However, they were just too stubborn to admit it.

Ron had become very stubborn because he knew in his own heart that he could never admit it and it hurt him very deeply every time Hermione had a boyfriend. His temper always had the worst of him and that made him very hostile.

Hermione would just never say anything. Ron was her weakness and she knew it. She would just get angry whenever Ron would make fun of her relationships when she herself knew that what Ron was saying was always true.

Harry had to put up with this for many years. Since Hogwarts their relationship has been a love- hate one.

"Hermione," Harry started, "First of all ... if you don't like him, dump him. Second ... you and ... never mind". Hermione knew what he was going to say. She didn't want to hear it. Last thing she needed was any reference of Ron.

"So you two fucking yet?" Ron hollered as he entered the Leaky Cauldron. Harry's head sunk low as Ron strolled in. He stared at his cup and sighed.

"Here we go again," Hermione heard him say.

"Wouldn't you like to know," Hermione retorted.

"You're date didn't seem that interesting if that's all you have to say about it," Ron said not looking at Hermione.

"At least I had a date."

"Better no date than Malfoy."

Hermone eyes turned into slits. She didn't know why he was being so difficult. It was one date. She could not understand why he was so angry with her. She was waiting for Harry to say something but he kept staring into his mug which was empty. He was too scared to get up and get another round.

"Ron .. Why are you so mad at me? What did I do that was so wrong? It was one date. ONE DATE and you're treating me like shit!" Hermione could feel her blood bubbling.

"I don't like him Hermione," Ron said.

"You don't like anybody I date Ron. What gives you the right to tell me who to date huh? Tell me right here right now why you are so mad at me ..." Hermione said without trying to scream. She fought hard not to curse. It's not in her nature but Ron could always bring it out of her.

"I told you, Hermione, I don't like him. I don't trust him. You're better off without him," he yelled.

"I didn't ask you to like him Ron. I don't think that's the truth. There's more to it than you just don't like him. What is it Ron? What? You never were like this ... all hostile. What happened to you? You better fucking answer me Ron," she said angrily.

Harry could tell Ron was shocked that Hermione was pushing his buttons. She doesn't really blow up like this.

Ron and Hermione were face to face now, both fuming. For whatever reasons was none other than their own. Their eyes were full of fire and Ron surrendered but not in Hermione's benefit. He simply walked away out of the Leaky Cauldron not looking back.

Hermione stood there still angry that he didn't give her answer. She then looked at Harry who just shrugged and gave a sigh. He thought it was safe to get another round of butterbeer now.