"So... you decided to kill me?" Draco immediately said, finishing Hermione's sentence.
I was like a balloon had popped between them. The strange mood had vanished instantly, making Hermione frown and drop her glass onto the bar loudly.
For some reason Draco felt relieved.
"It was a glass of orange juice, Malfoy, not some bloody poison." Hermione snapped at him, eying him angrily.
"Could have fooled me. That taste… that sourness… ugh." he said, trying to mask his amusement, while faking an expression of disgust.
"Drama queen. Next time I'll be sure to use poison then. Thanks for the idea."
'Her reactions never disappoint.' Draco snorted inwardly.
Hermione finished her drink, paid the bartender and got up to leave. Draco followed suit.
At first, he planned on walking behind her like he did when they came to the bar, but after seeing her sway dangerously and tripping every other step, he decided to walk alongside her. He steered her gently towards the apartment.
Draco took in a deep breath, absorbing the pleasant feeling of being outside.
The rain had stopped a while back and the air felt fresh against his face. Draco looked up and could see small shining dots appearing on the ever-darkening sky. For a brief moment he felt free, his heart lightening. Even seeing Hermione's swaying shadowy form gave him a reassuring feeling, made him feel like he wasn't alone.
He smiled into the shadows as a sudden surge of curiosity hit him.
"What made you go out tonight, Granger? Honestly."
"Honestly?" she echoed him, looking at him, eyes wide in surprise.
It was like she never expected to hear that word coming out of his mouth. Draco Malfoy, honestly asking her anything was as strange and impossible to her as failing an important exam. She gave a loud, rather unladylike snort at the idea. This time her reaction made Draco frown.
"Something funny, Granger?" he asked irritably, grabbing her arm and pulling her slightly into the right direction.
"Yes. You are" Hermione chuckled.
Draco was just about to give her an angry reply, but on perceiving the genuine smile she was giving him, he swallowed his words. He looked away, clutching her elbow a little tighter, steering her along the narrow street that took to their flat.
After a few moments, during which the only sounds they could hear were their footsteps on the pavement, Draco heard Hermione's voice resounding into the night, right beside his shoulder.
"Haven't you ever felt so fed up with everything that you just want to run away from it, but you can't? Haven't you ever felt weak to the point of looking into the mirror and not recognizing the person staring back at you?"
She had stopped walking and was now looking up at him. In the dim light that came from the street ahead, he could see her eyes boring into his. His insides lurched and he felt the same uncomfortable feeling he had every time he had to deal with the ugly truth: he felt scared and he felt weak.
Nevertheless, due to his upbringing and all the years of training his mind, he was capable of burying those feelings under a mask of indifference and coldness.
Draco looked at Hermione, as if bewitched, not able to avert his eyes. Those eyes told a different story than his. Those round, brown eyes, told a story of bravery and sacrifice, of strength. She had transformed her weakness and fear into courage and perseverance.
'This is the difference'. he thought bitterly. 'This is the big difference between us. While I run and hide my fears, she embraces hers and transforms them into powerful weapons. SHE is not afraid to admit that she's afraid, but you can be sure she'll never back down without a fight. Bloody Griffindor!'
As he finished that thought, Draco shook his head slowly.
Misinterpreting his gesture, Hermione sighed and looked away from him. All that time she had been watching him, almost transfixed, waiting to hear his reply. For some reason she felt it was important to her to learn the truth about him, what he really felt. But upon seeing his reaction, a feeling of disappointment flushed over her.
'I should know better than to expect honesty from him.'
"Then again," she said quietly into the night, "Draco Malfoy cannot possibly feel afraid and weak".
With that, Hermione started walking again, gaining a few steps in front of Draco, who remained still.
"I am not what you think, Granger." he whispered with a small tinge of sadness, looking at her back, but Hermione didn't seem to hear him.
It was better that way. He couldn't admit to her the fact that he felt scared and lonely, but that he always had to hide that, that he always had to look strong and composed. He could never show a weakness no matter what.