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Hermione finished scribbling her notes from the blackboard, Professor McGonagall had been discussing the vanishing spell and she wanted to make sure she could review as well as practice later.
"I want two lengths of parchment with a detailed report on the vanishing spell for homework, this is due by next class," McGonagall said as the bell signaled the end of class.
Hermione hurried and packed her things, excited to see Draco between classes. They had finally gone public with their relationship a few months ago. It was hard for Ron, which wasn't surprising, but everyone else took it quite well. That is, after she finally convinced Harry he wasn't a Death Eater after all.
She finished packing away her things, slung the bag around her shoulder before hurrying out of the room and down the corridor with the other students. Finally reaching the archway she saw him. He was leaning back against the smooth stone, head thrown back laughing at something she presumed Blaise just told him. He tilted his head and noticed her, she watched the smile on his face quickly form at the sight of her. Seeing the way his lips curled into a grin, and how his eyes lit up still gave her butterflies. She ran over to him and he wrapped his arms tightly around her. She breathed in deeply, feeling at ease in his arms.
"Are you ready for our picnic later?" Draco whispered in her ear.
"Absolutely," she answered, smiling up at him.
He lightly kissed her lips but before he could deepen it, the bell rang and students scattered, hurrying about to get to class.
"Let me walk you to class," Draco said, taking the bag from her shoulder and grabbing her hand, intertwining their fingers.
"But you'll be late," Hermione started to protest.
"Well we all know I'm a rule breaker," he laughed, wiggling his eyebrows at her.
Later that evening
A rush of cool air encircled Hermione as she stepped out of the Hogwarts entrance hall and onto the grounds outside, which caused her to bundle her sweater closer to her. As she walked down the steps, her eyes looked every which way to take in the fall scenery around her. The changing of the leaves was always her favorite, and she was excited for pumpkin patches, scary movies, and Halloween in general.
Taking no time she made her way down the pathway leading to the Black Lake, crunching fallen leaves underfoot as she went. Finally she spotted Draco, his back propped against a tree, with a blanket covered in several different dishes laid out in front of him. He was staring out at the lake, and Hermione couldn't help but stop and stare. She sometimes still couldn't believe they had finally told each other their feelings, and was even more shocked when he asked her to be his. Though she could never regret it happening.
Smiling, she walked down to him, watching his face light up when he caught her gaze. He stood and waited until she got within arms reach and then pulled her close, embracing her tightly. He planted a soft kiss on her forehead before taking his finger and tilting her head up, kissing her lips just as gently.
"Do you remember the first time I kissed you?" He asked, eyes looking at her with adoration.
"Like it was just yesterday. Here in this very spot if I remember correctly." She answered, looking back into his eyes with equal parts affection and joy.
"I had come down here to breathe after being questioned by a dozen ministry workers and you were standing here looking out at the Black Lake crying. The way I felt when I saw you crying, I had never felt before. I knew then my feelings for you were true, the ones I had tried to hide for so long but could never escape".
He paused before continuing, taking a seat on the blanket and pulling Hermione into his lap.
"I haven't spoken of this since, but you saved me that day and since then, I will forever be grateful to you Hermione. Last year I never thought I would even be able to come back for the repeat seventh year, much less able to be with you. But you helping me over the summer with court proceedings and proving my innocence showed me that someone other than my mother genuinely cared about what happened to me." He squeezed her and Hermione nuzzled into his neck.
However, the tender moment didn't last long, because the next thing they knew there was a huge splash of cold water hitting them. Draco had jumped up, wand pulled, and was sliding Hermione behind him when the giant squid playfully splashed them again and dipped back underneath the water.
Hermione laughed, and Draco slipped his wand back into his pocket and shook his head chuckling.
After a quick drying charm, they sat down once again eating the delicious spread Draco had gotten from the house elves in the kitchens earlier.
"Are you ready for the Halloween Masquerade Ball next week?" He asked her, taking a swig of pumpkin juice.
"I am, and I have the perfect couples costume! Rick and Evie from The Mummy!"
"Only you, the bookworm, would come up with that idea. You are right though, I think that's a perfect idea." Draco responded with a mirthful laugh. He was looking forward to the night immensely, even more so now Hermione had revealed her idea.