Someone once said—
Girls are made of sugar, spice, and all the good things in the world.
Draco had never heard that saying before, yet at this very moment, he could personally understand what it meant.
The faint fragrance lingering at his nose, the softness pressed against him, and… the kiss that felt almost enchanted. The unfamiliar yet wondrous sensation froze Draco's thoughts in place.
He could almost see it clearly: the delicate girl standing on tiptoe, her eyelashes trembling slightly as her eyes remained tightly shut. A thought suddenly flashed through Draco's mind.
'So this is…'
Compared to dangerous magical creatures like a Thunderbird, Hermione at this moment gave Draco a far more overwhelming sense of helplessness…
...
At the top of the Astronomy Tower.
The moon seemed to grow shy, retreating behind the clouds, while the music that had been drifting through the night sky of Hogwarts abruptly fell silent.
In the dim, hazy darkness, only two figures remained locked together, accompanied by the heated, unsteady thumping of their hearts.
Time seemed to pause at that exact second.
Only when the moonlight peeked out from behind the clouds and once again illuminated the tower did Draco's scattered thoughts slowly return to him.
He didn't push her away right away.
Draco blinked lightly, still trying to process what had just happened.
Compared to how proactive he had been during the dance, he had now become the passive one. Or perhaps… it was the cool softness lingering at the corner of his lips that made him unwilling to let go.
That unfamiliar yet stirring contact caused Draco's hand at Hermione's waist to tighten instinctively, pulling her a little closer. The increased closeness made both of their heartbeats quicken.
Only when Hermione finally ran out of breath and pulled back to gasp for air did the heat and darkness in Draco's eyes ease slightly.
Even then, Hermione didn't seem to leave his arms, as if she had momentarily forgotten to do so.
"Huff… huff…"
Hermione's small head rested against Draco's chin, her soft breaths brushing against him in a way that made it hard to ignore. Her trembling lashes and wavering gaze seemed to be trying to hide her embarrassment.
After that impulsive act, the courage that had carried her forward seemed to vanish all at once.
In response—
Holding the soft girl who needed his support just to stay upright, Draco didn't say anything. Instead, he absentmindedly rubbed his chin lightly against the top of her head, almost as if he were soothing a cat.
Like Hermione, though far less overwhelmed, Draco also needed time to calm the strange heat and unfamiliar emotions stirring inside him.
He pressed his tongue lightly against his teeth.
So close…
So close to losing control because of Hermione's boldness.
After all, a young girl's clumsy yet earnest affection was the most intoxicating thing in the world, a sweetness capable of making anyone lose themselves in it.
Even someone as rational as Draco found it difficult to pull away from such instinctive closeness…
…
After midnight, Hogwarts grew even quieter, and the cold in the air deepened.
Yet for Draco and Hermione, that silence brought a sense of peaceful calm. Wrapped in each other's warmth, the chill of the wind and the cold no longer seemed to exist…
At this moment, neither of them wanted to speak and break the atmosphere.
Especially Hermione. Having just gathered the courage to kiss Draco, she was now too shy to lift her head, yet equally unwilling to push away the arms holding her close.
Just for tonight, being a little greedy wouldn't hurt, right?
Pressed against Draco's chest and feeling the steady, powerful heartbeat beneath it, Hermione quietly savored the moment, as though she were bathing in a happiness warm enough to melt into her bones…
Even though Hermione had been the one to take the initiative, Draco had no intention of pretending nothing had happened, nor of playing dumb.
Doing so would not only trample on Hermione's feelings, but also betray his own heart.
'So that's Gryffindor for you… always unexpected.'
Draco lowered his gaze to Hermione, who still didn't dare look up at him.
He licked his lips, which seemed to carry a faint sweetness, feeling the strange emotions and heat surging in his chest. Remembering his own lapse in composure just now, a sudden urge rose within him. He leaned down slightly, bringing his lips close to Hermione's ear.
"What happened to that courage just now?"
"..."
It was obvious. The tips of Hermione's ears, which had only been faintly pink, instantly turned a deep red. At the same time, Draco felt the small body in his arms tremble.
Caught off guard by Draco's sudden move, Hermione's head spun for a moment. Then, her strong competitive streak flared. She puffed out her cheeks, lifted her head sharply, and glared at him.
But the tenderness in her eyes and the watery sheen in her gaze robbed the glare of any real force. Instead, it looked more like she was sulking at him.
And because of their close embrace, Draco could see things he normally wouldn't.
The slight press against him, her fair and graceful collarbone, and the delicate expression on Hermione's face as she looked up at him were all laid bare before his eyes.
Faced with such a sight, Draco suddenly felt his throat go dry…
…
Hermione wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but she thought she saw something in Draco's eyes.
'Was that… gold?'
In any case—
The moment Hermione noticed the subtle danger in Draco's gaze, and saw him lick the corner of his lips, the embarrassment that came rushing in made her spring out of his arms.
Seeing Hermione scramble away like a startled rabbit escaping a lion, Draco didn't press the issue. He loosened his hold naturally, and at that moment, his pupils seemed to return to normal…
"I was just—"
"Shut up!"
"I wanted to say—"
"Shut up! Shut up! Forget what just happened! Do you hear me?!"
Earlier, caught up in the moment, Hermione hadn't felt much. But now that she'd calmed down, the overwhelming wave of embarrassment hit her all at once. The proud Hermione covered her face in mortification.
Only then did it truly sink in, and she suddenly had no idea how to face Draco anymore…
"Ahem. I just wanted to say, the ribbon tied around your waist is with me."
"..."
"..."
Hermione's expression stiffened slightly as she stared at the ribbon that had once been at her waist, now held in Draco's hand.
When did it end up there… no, wait.
When did he untie it?
And… was it really normal for him to be that smooth about it?