Hermione realized she had overreacted, her face flushing slightly, but she was unwilling to be so easily manipulated by him.
Suddenly, he suppressed his anger and leaned forward a little, almost touching Draco's neck.
Then, she blinked her beautiful big eyes and deliberately made an extremely cute face:
You won't~
As she spoke, she shook her head and nuzzled Draco's neck.
"Because..." Hermione explained, seeing Draco's stunned expression at her sudden approach.
Because you like me the most~
After saying that, she hugged Draco's neck.
These words, coupled with her deliberately cute demeanor, flushed cheeks, and confident, sweet eyes...
It struck the deepest, most passionate spot in Draco's heart.
A storm raged in his eyes, and he could no longer control himself.
He suddenly reached out and grabbed Hermione's head, then lowered his head and kissed her lips deeply with an irresistible force and burning heat.
"Ugh..." Hermione's exclamation was completely swallowed up.
The kiss was filled with a sudden surge of emotion that not only stole Hermione's breath but also overwhelmed her senses.
My mind went blank for a moment. I placed my hand on his chest, but it quickly fell limply down. Instead, I gripped his shirt tightly, like a drowning person clinging to a piece of driftwood.
Her lips and teeth were filled with Draco's cool yet burning breath, and the intense love that seemed to want to devour her.
It was unclear how much time had passed—perhaps just a few seconds, perhaps an eternity—before Draco finally managed to pull away a tiny gap, his forehead pressed against hers, his breathing still heavy.
Looking at Hermione's lips, now rosy from the kiss, and her cheeks flushed, Draco said gently, "... You win, Miss Granger! This life, the next life, and the life after that... I'm completely in your hands, are you satisfied?"
Hermione was still reeling from the dizziness and pounding of that domineering, almost ferocious kiss.
Hearing Draco's gentle, resigned words, Hermione felt as if she had been abruptly pulled back to reality from a dream.
A belated shyness and a sweet thrill overwhelmed her!
At this moment, looking into Draco's fiery eyes, she could clearly see her own reflection in them.
Her cheeks were flushed, her lips were red, and her eyes were filled with panic and lingering passion, making her look like she had been thoroughly bullied.
Hermione became even more embarrassed and instinctively tried to avoid Draco's gaze, but she couldn't move and could only passively endure his aggressive and possessive stare.
"You... you... suddenly..." Hermione said softly.
Unable to finish her sentence, she could only weakly punch his still firm chest with her hand in embarrassment and annoyance, then bury her burning face deeply in Draco's neck.
But a triumphant voice inside cheered: Look, he only likes me, and he likes me the most!
They lingered for a long time in that sweet and heart-fluttering corner by the window, until the blush on Hermione's face faded slightly.
She remained nestled longingly in Draco's arms, her fingers unconsciously fiddling with the buttons on his robe.
"I almost forgot!" Draco suddenly remembered something.
"What's wrong?"
Hermione looked up at him, puzzled.
"I almost forgot something important." Draco released her, but still held her hand. "Come on, we need to find someone."
"Who?"
Professor Lupin.
They quickly found Professor Lupin in an empty classroom on the third floor of the castle; he was packing some personal belongings.
Hearing footsteps, he turned around and saw Draco and Hermione, a gentle but slightly tired smile appearing on his face.
" Draco, Hermione, what's wrong?"
" Professor Lupin, what's your decision?" Draco asked directly, getting straight to the point.
Lupin paused for a moment, then understood what he meant.
Looking at the young student before him, who possessed abilities and backgrounds beyond his years, and recalling Lucius's recent actions and public statements at the Ministry of Magic, many of his initial concerns and resistance dissipated.
Working for the Malfoy family might no longer mean being surrounded by darkness and prejudice, as I had previously imagined.
Lupin was still somewhat hesitant. He was indeed considering where he would go after leaving Hogwarts, Werewolf identity made it extremely difficult for him to find a stable and respectable job in the Wizarding World.
He then understood and was about to agree when a gentle voice rang out at the classroom door, "You've already poached people right to the professors' lounge, Draco. Your efficiency is far greater than your father's in winning people over at the Ministry of Magic."
Dumbledore appeared at the door at some point.
" Professor Dumbledore..." Hermione greeted him.
"How can this be called poaching?" Draco said without changing his expression. "It's clearly Old Dumbledore who can't retain talent."
" Remus, your decision to stay or leave is yours, but the doors of Hogwarts will always be open for you." Dumbledore did not argue, but instead turned his gaze to Lupin.
Looking into Dumbledore's sincere eyes, and then at Draco beside him who had offered him a condition he could hardly refuse.
He knew that Dumbledore genuinely wanted him to stay, and Hogwarts had indeed given him rare respect and warmth.
But what Draco provided,
It is a stage where he can truly showcase his talents, a stage where he no longer has to worry about survival and identity, and may even help more people like him in the future.
Without much thought, Lupin made his decision. He bowed deeply to Dumbledore and said apologetically:
" Albus, thank you so much for your care and trust over the years. Hogwarts will always be my home."
"But... the opportunity Draco offered is significant for me personally and for many others in similar situations."
"I'm sorry, I can no longer continue teaching at the school."
Dumbledore looked at him quietly and sighed softly, but the sigh contained more relief than disappointment.
"I understand, Remus. Do what you believe is right. Remember, wherever you are, you are a proud graduate of Hogwarts and one of my finest students."
" Hogwarts welcomes you back anytime."
Dumbledore concluded, his words bringing tears to Professor Lupin's eyes, "Thank you, Albus."
Dumbledore then turned to Draco: "You've given me another problem, Draco. It won't be easy to find someone equally suitable to replace Professor Lupin."
"Is there anything difficult about this?" Draco looked at him doubtfully, seemingly thinking that this was not a problem at all.
"Didn't my Laodeng Mad-Eye Moody, invite him out of retirement and give him a sinecure as an Auror Office consultant?"
"With his volatile temper and paranoia, it would be a waste of his talent to have him sitting in an office at the Ministry of Magic."
"Why don't you let him teach Defence Against Dark Magic at Hogwarts? He has plenty of practical experience and can keep the students on their toes."
"Anyway, it's just an advisory role; there's no conflict between being an adjunct professor and a full-time professor."
This suggestion caught the attention of both Hermione and Lupin.
Mad-Eye's reputation and strength are beyond question. Although he has an eccentric personality, he is definitely a top candidate to teach defensive techniques.
Dumbledore was also considering this possibility.
"However," Draco changed the subject.
"Actually, I have a better candidate, more suitable than Mad-Eye, and certainly more... willing."
"Oh? Who is it?" Hermione asked curiously.