I Love You, I Love You Not

I Love You, I Love You Not

Chapter 2

A moonlit serenade

Hermione had the worst day imaginable. Firstly: She had school. Secondly: She had school. She just had her last class of the day and was heading back to the Common Room. Just before she climbed the last stair she felt all the energy drain from her body. She blew out a breath and continued her ascend.

"Gillyweed," she whispered to the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"I didn't quite get that, dear," the Fat Lady said in her usual cheery voice.

"Gillyweed," Hermione said in an audible whisper. The portrait swung open and she stepped in. She looked around. It was pitch-black and very quiet.

"Why is it so quiet and dark in here?" she thought.

"SURPRISE!!"

Hermione almost fell over but regained her composure quickly. She blinked a bit because the light had just gone on. As her vision returned she could see some of her classmates laughing and standing behind couches. She smiled. Someone began counting.

"1, 2, 3..." The whole Common Room began singing Happy Birthday. Hermione laughed as some of the boys tried to reach the high notes but failed miserably. Just as they quieted down, Julia came in with a triple-layer chocolate cake (Hermione's favourite). It was decorated with 17 pink and yellow candles on top.

"Oh you guys... thanks!" Hermione said. She hugged Julia, Harry and Ron.

"This is so sweet."

"It's a pleasure. Now..." Harry said and lighted the candles, "you have to blow out all the candles and make a wish."

Hermione nodded, drew in a breath, blew and made a wish. Everyone applauded her and she just smiled. She cut the cake and divided it between everyone there. The rest of the evening went by smoothly. Hermione had loads of fun and Harry couldn't be happier seeing her so happy.

At about 11pm a barn owl came swooping in from the open window. It landed on Hermione's lap. She was quite surprised by the bird. She stroked its feathers and saw that it had a letter. She untied it and saw that it was addressed to her. She looked around and then opened it.

Dear Hermione

Would you please meet me at the lake's shore at 12pm? You won't regret it.

Love

D

She folded the letter close and pressed it against her chest. She sighed and lay back on the couch. She looked at the clock and saw that it was 11:10pm. "Still a lot of time." She stood up and went to stand with Julia and Ron.

"Hi guys!" They looked around and smiled.

"Hey birthday girl!" Ron said and gave her a peck on the cheek and a hug.

"Thanks, Ron." Hermione's smile faded and a frown appeared on her brow.

"Where's Harry?" she asked. Ron and Julia looked around. He was nowhere to be seen.

"I think he may be upstairs," Ron said and sprinted up the stairs. He came down with a frown.

"He's asleep." They went to sit down and started chatting.

After a while the rest of the Gryffindors began to leave with good wishes to Hermione. A little while later Ron and Julia got in a heated discussion about Quidditch and since it wasn't Hermione's strong point, she decided to go to bed. As she stood up the clock caught her eye.

"11:55," she thought.

"11:55!" she exclaimed. Ron and Julia, who were snogging each other senseless, broke apart and turned toward her.

"What?" Ron asked. Hermione tried to think of something to say.

"I've... got to go to the library," she said quickly and grabbed her cloak and headed out of the portrait hole.

"What was that all about?" Ron and Julia asked in unison. They both laughed and then started snogging again.

**--*-*-*--**

Hermione was sprinting downstairs, skipping two stairs at a time as she went. When she finally reached the Entrance Hall, she was totally out of breath. She calmed herself and started to jog to the doors. She then went outside and walked to the edge of the lake. She looked around and saw someone sitting a bench not far from her.

She slowly walked towards the hooded figure. When the person heard her coming, he/she turned around. The figure stood up and walked towards her but Hermione kept walking. When they reached each other, Hermione hugged him. The hood fell down and the person's face was revealed. When she pulled away she looked at him and smiled.

"I knew it was you." Draco smiled.

"Happy birthday, Hermione," he said as he pulled her into another, tighter hug.

"Thanks, Draco," she said as she hugged him back. They broke apart and he led her to the bench. As they sat down, he took something from his cloak.

"For you," he said as he handed her a black velvet box.

"Thank you," she said and opened it. Inside was a silver chain necklace with a green heart pendant. "It's really nice. Thanks."

"Pleasure." Draco smiled.

"Draco?"

"Yes?"

"Could you put this on for me, please?" Hermione asked with a smile.

"Sure." He took the necklace from her.

She took her hair aside and he put it on for her. After putting it on he noticed her neck. He couldn't resist. He bent down and kissed her lightly on her neck. She gasped at his touch but relaxed into him. He pulled away and turned her around to face him. After looking into her eyes for a while, he bent down and kissed her.

At first she was hesitant but she opened her mouth slightly and he slid his tongue in. They kissed passionately for a while and then parted for need of air. Both were slightly out of breath and looked at each other. Draco didn't know what to say. Hermione smiled. Draco knew everything would be all right after seeing her smile like that. He hugged her but then pulled away suddenly. Hermione frowned.

"Hermione... would you be my girlfriend?" he asked and pulled a little, black velvet box from his cloak and handed it to her. She opened it and inside was a silver ring with a small emerald set in it. Tears filled Hermione's eyes.

"Yes," Hermione said and a tear rolled down her cheek.

Draco took the ring out and placed it on her right ring finger. He looked up into her eyes and kissed her once more. They broke apart and Hermione lay against his shoulder and he held her. They sat like that for quite a while. Draco really admired the night's beauty.

He looked down at Hermione. Her chest was rising and falling steadily and she looked beautiful. When he looked more closely, he could see that she had fallen asleep. He smiled and looked at his watch.

02:37am.

"It's late," he thought. He bent down and gently kissed her forehead.

"Huh?" She sat up straight and smiled when she saw Draco.

"Sorry... I fell asleep," she said and stifled a yawn.

"It's quite all right. It's late and we should head back," Draco said and helped Hermione to her feet.

They walked back to the castle hand in hand. Just before they parted to go their separate ways, Draco turned Hermione to face him and kissed her once again. When they pulled apart, Hermione headed up the stairs. She gave a little wave and then disappeared around the corner. Draco went to bed thinking about Hermione and Hermione dreamt of him.

To Be Continued