Lavender cornered Hermione in the Gryffindor common room after lessons.
"So, did you talk to him?" Lavender asked.
"Well, yes....But....Well, he said no," Hermione said, trying to inch her way up to her dorm rooms.
"Then, you have to ask him again," Lavender said stubbornly, and climbed up her stairs.
Hermione collapsed into her favorite armchair by the fire in the empty common room and put her head in her hands. Tears began to flow down her cheeks. How would she ever be able to ask Draco to be his girlfriend? What if he said no again? Did she even want a future with him? She knew she had to stand up to Lavender at this point, but it was confusing just how.
"Don't you ever learn your lessons?"
Hermione jumped, but it was only the Fat Lady, talking to....
"Sorry, sorry, but you should really install a door-knocker on this wall...."
"Draco," Hermione whispered frantically, jumping up and pushing open the portrait hole.
"Hello," Draco said awkwardly, seeing her.
"What?" Hermione said, sniffling, though trying to hide it.
"Well...." Draco climbed through the hole and took Hermione's hand. Hermione stared.
"I've thought about it, and yes...I do want to be your boyfriend."
And Draco swept Hermione off her feet.