Hermione's Crush
Hermione Granger was the brightest witch of her age, no one had any doubts about that. But as she had once stated, it was all books and cleverness, because when it came to more personal aspects of life such as social norms or love, she was lost.
It was true that she had gained much more sensibility throughout the years, but she still found herself confused and speechless when she found out she had a crush on someone. She knew she wouldn't find answers that didn't have to do with being under a love spell on books (she had looked) and she couldn't really have learned from experience since she had only experimented similar feelings with two other boys: Viktor Krum and Ron Weasley.
With Viktor it hadn't really been that hard because she had known from the beginning that it was only physical attraction she felt, since the boy hadn't even picked up a book since she had met him; and it had taken her about five years to figure out how she felt about Ron, with another whole year before actually doing something about it. There was no where in hell that she was going to wait that long to figure out how she felt about this new romance possibility. What was anyone supposed to do when presented with a guy that not only was extremely good looking, well-mannered and mysterious, but that also had that sweet-tooth for knowledge that she valued so much?
He would have been number one in almost every class he took if it hadn't been for her, which meant that he either really liked to study or was just that smart; and even if she suspected it was the latter, she definitely was not going to be very disappointed if she found out it was the first one. She had seen several books in his backpack, maybe there were the ones of his classes? But no, because Hermione owned every single textbook required for Hogwarts and only about half of them looked like the ones she'd seen in in the floor the day that Draco accidentally dropped his possessions after therapy; she thought she recognized a couple of them, but the only thing she knew for sure was that those were not textbooks. Draco Malfoy surely read for pleasure.
Yes, she might have been letting her eyes linger on his a little more than necessary when they were talking on lunch, and had maybe found herself checking him out when she thought he wasn't looking while analyzing many facts about him like the incident of the books, the way he addressed the professors with just the exact amount of arrogance to make him look smart yet still polite or the way he dressed when they were out of class like he was going to a magazine photoshoot, but she still needed concrete proof of her feelings.
Call it fear or stubbornness, but Hermione Granger did not have a crush on Draco Malfoy, not until she could prove it. She was going to run tests, take notes, read books and analyze everything until she was completely sure of how she felt before doing anything about it. But she needed to get some help first from someone that had had some experience on the boyfriend department and with whom she felt comfortable enough to discuss her love-life. Someone she trusted.
-Ginny! Can I ask you something?- Asked Hermione once they had gotten to the empty Gryffindor dorm, which they shared with all the Gryffindor girls from both seventh and eighth year.
-You know you can Mione, what's up?-
-How do you know when you have a crush on someone?- Replied Hermione as fast as she could before backing out while looking everywhere but her friend.
-Oh my Merlin, I knew it! Is he from another house? Is he a Ravenclaw? Agh, of course you would have a thing for nerds! Is he even a he? Oh my Merlin, it's Lisa Turpin isn't she? I knew there was something going on that day at the library. But didn't she have a thing going on with Michael Corner? Dear Merlin Hermione! I never thought you'd steal someone else's girlfriend! I'm so proud of you!- Exclaimed Ginny with the speed of a Firebolt and the excitement of a Cheering Charm.
-Ginny calm down! There's nothing to be proud of, I just asked you a question- Replied Hermione with a giggle.
-Yes, but you wouldn't have asked it if you didn't already knew the answer, even if you are too stubborn to admit it even to yourself- Said Ginny as she crossed her arms and her mouth twitched into a knowing smirk.
Hermione knew Ginny was right, if she didn't think that she was crushing on Malfoy, she probably would have let go of the topic weeks ago. Her cheeks became the deepest crimson color at the realization of her feelings and all the implications these would have. Was she ready to tell Ginny who all the fuzz was about? She had to, Ginny was never gonna let her go without a proper answer.
-Ok, come, sit with me, let's start over. Tell me about it.- Said Ginny as a reply for the silence and red cheeks from Hermione.
-Well, to answer your questions; yes, he is from another house; no, he's certainly not a Ravenclaw and yes, he is most definitely a he, so there's no need to bring Lisa Turpin into the conversation, that day I was just asking for a book she had that I needed.- Answered Hermione, stalling as much as possible to prepare herself to say the name of her crush out loud for the first time.
-Ok, who is it then?-
-Well, he's a Slytherin...- Said Hermione as calmly as she could, while her cheeks kept gaining color.
-Oh. My. Merlin. It's Draco Malfoy, isn't it?- Replied Ginny as everything clicked into place. She took Hermione's impossibly red cheeks and nervous look as a positive answer.
-Hermione, this is huge! Are you gonna tell him? Nevermind, of course you are, I'm in charge of your love life now; we have to make a plan.-
-A plan? Whatever for?-
-Well to get you close to him of course! Here's what we're going to do...-