I dare You

2. "How did it go?"

Ginny had tried to get Hermione alone all morning, but without success. She had been successfully avoiding the Weasley girl. Though they both knew that sooner or later the older girl would have to tell her friend about what had happened. She was finally cornered in the library and the excited whisper of Ginny made her smile.

"How did it go?"

"Brilliant. You should have seen his face. Absolutely priceless!"

"Do you think he is going to leave you alone now?"

"I hope so."

"And... how was it?"

Hermione looked at Ginny over her homework.

"What do you mean?"

"You know, what I mean! How was he? What was it like to kiss..." Her voice dropped to barely audible. "...him?"

A heavy sigh was the answer.

"That good? Or that bad?"

"It was a bit weird. I mean, I just wanted to give him a kiss and then leave."

"But...?"

"He actually put his arms around me, held me close and then..."

Ginny saw her friend blush.

"What? For Merlin's sake! What did he do then?"

"He kissed me."

"You are joking!"

Hermione shook her head.

"No. First he just stood there, then he put his arms around me pulled me really close and then he... kissed me."

The girls were looking at each other. Ginny was totally lost for words. That hadn't been part of her plan! She could only hope that there wouldn't be any repercussions that she hadn't anticipated!

                                                --- + ---- + ---- + ---- + ----

Hermione tried to avoid Draco as much as she could over the next week. They had several classes together, but she arrived before him and made sure, she never left on her own. She had noticed him looking at her. In a way, that unnerved her.

On Friday evening Ginny and Hermione were sitting in the Gryffindor common room together.

"I tell you, Ginny, he is up to something!"

"What?"

"I don't know, but I'm not going to walk the castle alone for the next weeks."

"Are you scared of him? Hermione! He is just a guy."

"He is a bloody Slytherin and I know that he is plotting something in order to get back to me."

"What can he do?"

"How about the same I did to him!?"

Ginny stared at her.

"Are you serious?"

Hermione nodded.

"Merlin's beard!"

"Ginny, if he gets a hold of me alone, he will probably try the same thing. It would be the easiest way to silence me. He would taunt me even more, just to make sure I know how superior he is."

"Probably time for Plan B."

"What is Plan B?"

"I don't know yet. I'll think of something. Don't worry."