Taboo

"So," said Malfoy when they sat down, "I heard the news. Congratulations."

"I didn't have a choice. I mean, what was I supposed to say? 'Sorry, but I'm already dating Draco Malfoy'?"

"You could've said 'No, I'm not interested.'"

"If you could've seen the way he asked me, you'd understand," she said exasperatedly. "I didn't want to hurt him."

"Fair enough. But did you have to kiss him as well?"

"Where did you hear that?" she demanded.

"Oh," he said, waving a hand airily, "word gets around."

"I can't believe this." She buried her face in her arms.

"Do you love him?" asked Malfoy, breaking the silence.

"I--I don't know. I mean, I always thought I did, but that was before this." She gestured at the teacup in front of her. "Before you."

"But you're still in love with me, aren't you?" he whispered seductively into her ear.

"God, you're so conceited, Draco," she said, playfully pushing him away.

"You didn't answer my question." He pretended to pout.

"Yes, I love you," she said softly, looking into his eyes.

"You have something on your face."

"Oh. Where?" She felt around for possible remnants of breakfast.

"Here," he breathed, kissing her on the mouth. She kissed him back eagerly, tasting the sweet tea on his lips. Her pulse quickened as he reached up to unbutton her blouse. He planted a trail of kisses down her neck, her collarbone...

"I can't do this," she said, sitting up. "I'm sorry, but I really can't."

"I understand," he said, watching as she buttoned her blouse back up.

"You don't mind about--about me and Ron, do you?" she asked tentatively.

"I've got Pansy," he said, shrugging. "It's the same thing."

"I'm only doing this to get Harry off our backs."

"Potter's been watching us?" he said sharply.

"Yes, he's got this map...it's hard to explain. He knows, Draco."

"Well," he said, frowning, "you'd better get him to think you're madly in love with Weasley. Otherwise he'll never leave us alone."

"I know," she said, nodding.

"Better get going."

---

On her way to Gryffindor Tower, Hermione made a quick stop in the kitchens.

"Could I please have some éclairs? And if it wouldn't be too much trouble to wrap them..."

"No trouble at all, miss!" squeaked a house-elf, handing her a neatly wrapped package. "Come again, miss!"

She thanked the elf and hurried to the common room. She had just sat down in one of the armchairs when Harry and Ron came in looking quite pleased with themselves.

"I take it that practice went well?"

"We're definitely going to beat Ravenclaw next week," said Ron happily. He eyed the package in Hermione's lap. "What's that?"

"Oh, these are for you," she said, handing it to him. "I thought you might like them."

"Éclairs!" said Ron, gleefully stuffing one into his mouth. "Fanks, 'mione."

"You've got a bit of chocolate on your face, Ron."

"Hmm? Where?" He finished swallowing.

"Here," she said, wiping a smudge of chocolate from the corner of his mouth with her thumb.

"And you," said Ron, dipping his finger into melted chocolate, "have chocolate on your nose!"

"Stop it!" she squealed, ducking under his arm.

"Ha, I got you!" He began to tickle her.

"Stop! Stop!" She tried to get out of the armchair, but he blocked her way.

"I'm trying to concentrate over here," came Harry's voice from behind them.

"Oooh, I think we've made him mad," said Hermione, still giggling madly. She took the opportunity to slip away from Ron.

"Hey!" He turned and put his arms around her. "I didn't say you could leave."

"I wasn't going to." She tilted her head up to look at him. "I'm not leaving you."

"I'm really glad that you two are getting along so well," said Harry irritably, "but could you please go somewhere else and flirt?"

"Sorry, mate," said Ron, looking down at his feet.

"Come on, I know somewhere we can go," said Hermione, grabbing his hand. "Follow me."

---

"The prefect's bathroom?" said Ron, his voice echoing across the marble walls.

"People rarely come in here. Nobody has time for bubble baths." She reached over to turn on the taps. "Nobody except for us, that is."

"What? We're taking a bubble bath?"

"You don't want to?" She stuck a toe into the water. "Perfect."

"No, it's not that," said Ron, shifting uncomfortable. "I...erm...I need to finish my essay."

"I can't help you with it later," she purred.

"No--I--that's okay. Um, I really should be going."

"Ron!" she called, but the door had already swung shut.

"I guess I'm just trying too hard." She sighed and pulled her shirt over her head, slipping into the water. "What have I gotten myself into?"

"Mind if I join you?"

She instinctively sank deeper into the water. "Who's there?"

"I think you were coming on a bit too strong for Weasley," said Malfoy, stepping out from behind one of the Japanese screens.

"Draco? What are you doing here?"

"I fancied a bath," he said, untying his bathrobe. Hermione shut her eyes and waited for him to get in. She heard a small splash and felt his arm bump her. "You can open your eyes now."

She obeyed, taking in the sight of a wet, shirtless Draco sitting next to her, lazily flicking water across the pool. "Please tell me you're wearing swimming trunks."

"Do you wear a swimsuit when you take a bath?"

"Well, no..."

"I promise I didn't look when you got in." He scooped up a handful of bubbles and blew them at her.

"Pervert." She scooted away from him. "I'm getting out."

"Have it your way." She glared at him but made no move to leave. "I thought you said you were getting out," he said, smirking.

"I'm waiting for you to get out first," she said, folding her arms across her chest.

"Well, then you'll just have to stay in here forever because I'm not getting out until you do," he said smugly.

She gave him a nasty look and continued to sit there stubbornly. Suddenly, he swam over to the edge and climbed out with his back facing her, exposing his thin but muscular body.

"Don't do that!" she shrieked, covering her eyes. But the damage had already been done.

"I don't know about you, but I don't fancy sitting here all day. It makes my skin go all wrinkly like a prune." He toweled off and put on his bathrobe.

"You could've at least warned me," she said meekly, uncovering her eyes.

"See you at lunch," he said, shutting the door.

"I think I'll be scarred for life," she muttered, trying to shake the image from her mind as she dried off.