Jealousy or love?

It was getting dark. Outside the window of the room, absorbed in peaceful silence, a snowstorm swept by, accompanied by a blizzard, sweeping everything in its path, and only the bright lights of garlands hung on houses gave the city a mystery, despite the raging weather. — I think I'm definitely not going anywhere today, — the girl said regretfully, putting her palm to the glass, watching the weather raging outside the window, whose wavy curls were tied in a light ponytail. — And don't,— said a familiar voice behind her, in which irritation seeped. — You're as categorical about this as always, Draco,— the girl said, turning around, looking into the piercing gray eyes of a guy standing against the nearest wall, leaning against her back with his arms crossed over his chest. — Because you're always running away somewhere, and I don't like it,— he replied with a note of displeasure, coming close to the girl, burning her with an angry look. — If this Potter stays once without your presence, nothing will happen to him. — Oh, come on, — Hermione said angrily, with a hint of resentment, turning away from him, crossing her arms over her chest. For some reason, these words spoken by Draco especially hurt her. — Stop acting like you're offended, hey, Hermione! — he shouted with irritation, looking at the girl's back. There was silence in response. The girl wasn't even going to listen to his angry sayings. For some reason, when it comes to Harry Potter, Draco gets furious. As soon as she mentions Harry's name in conversation, he stops listening to her, and this has repeatedly annoyed her. They graduated from Hogwarts three years ago and it seemed that after they started dating, their relationship should have improved, but none of this happened. No, he doesn't treat her the way he did when they first met, but his reaction to Harry remains the same. But still, the moment when he confessed his feelings to her remained forever in her memory. The end of the last course was approaching. Hermione was preparing for the TOAD exam, picking up suitable literature in diagon alley in the company of Harry and Ron, who, unfortunately, did not continue their studies after the war. —You know, Hermione, you're probably the only girl from our faculty who decided to continue her studies, — Ron said, walking not far from the girl. — Well, it's Hermione, she can't help but finish school,— Harry continued for his friend. —Shut up, both of you! — the girl exclaimed, unable to stand it, realizing that irony was seeping into their words, which involuntarily hurt her, boring both friends with angry glances. —Oh, come on, we were just joking, weren't we, Harry? — He looked towards his friend, looking for support. –That's right,– Harry nodded, —you shouldn't take our words to heart. Hermione just took a deep breath and continued on her way, ignoring the words of her friends discussing extraneous topics that were not at all interesting to her. As soon as the girl broke away from her friends, who, in all likelihood, were stuck at the broom shop, once again looking at a new model, someone's approaching footsteps and a vaguely familiar voice were heard in the distance: – Granger! Before the girl could react, she was grabbed by the arm, stopping her in mid-step. Looking up, her eyes immediately widened in shock as she met those cold, silver-tinged eyes again. — Before you break free and run away, I want you to listen to me. — It's more expensive to listen to something from you, — the girl said with disbelief. — I know that all this time I've been acting like a fool, not thinking about the feelings of others. I know that I hurt you with my words, and sometimes with my actions. Constant bullying of you and your background, I do not know what motivated me: childishness or to seem better? Just what? I understand if you don't believe my words, but I honestly want to make it up to you. – Malfoy... — Please give me a second chance. I will do my best, the main thing is not to see your tears anymore. It took me too long to realize the main thing, which may sound strange and too contradictory, but, Granger, I like you like no one else. For your sake, I am ready to step over my pride, turning a blind eye to the fact that you are a Muggle-born sorceress. It's not that important anymore. The important thing is that you are special to me and your friends. The world seemed to freeze for a moment as soon as these words came out of his mouth. She froze, unable to even move, let alone respond to the words of recognition from a man who had bullied her all her life, who was on the side of the enemy, but at the same time felt out of place in the company of those people. She realized this when she was held hostage by the dark lord himself and with what pain in his eyes, unable to do anything, he watched Bellatrix torture her. It turns out that if it weren't for a circumstance that could easily take his life, he would have made attempts to save her? Somehow it's hard to believe. But... — I accept your offer, — Hermione replied and noticed how a happy smile spread on his lips from her words, she continued sternly, — But keep in mind, one wrong action and there will be no second chance anymore. The answer was a positive nod and still released her hand, leaving a light kiss mark on the back of her hand. — I promise I won't hurt you...Have a good exam. I'm sure you'll pass them with a high score, — he said with a sly smile on his lips, which made the girl blush, either from anger or indignation. This phrase spoke in plain text: "You're a nerd, of course you can't fail the exams." Draco Malfoy had always liked to tease her about it. What can we say about the rest. And these words are no exception. Before Hermione could say anything after him, his trail immediately disappeared, as if he had never been there. "And once you were a romantic", — Hermione mentally concluded, remembering with a fleeting smile on her lips the moments of their dates, taking place either in expensive restaurants, in simple cafes, in cinemas or theaters, or in general in nature, watching the sunset. This man knew a lot about choosing a meeting place, so these meetings remained forever in her memories. Accepting Malfoy's feelings, the girl initially did not think about their relationship breaking up for a long time, at most until he accidentally did something wrong himself, which would be the reason for their separation. At first, Hermione did not take his feelings seriously until she herself was convinced of the truth of his words that he really liked her and he was doing everything possible to make amends to her. Yes, Draco has a contradictory character and he messed up countless times, which is why they had quarrels, but over time the girl herself became attached to this man, therefore, without noticing it, she forgave all his mistakes, whatever they were. Feeling the cold coming from the slightly open window, Hermione hugged her shoulders tightly, hoping to keep warm, but, unfortunately, all attempts were in vain. — Don't stand by the half-open window, you'll freeze,— Draco's voice sounded behind her, warning, with notes of excitement, and before the girl could somehow object to him, a warm blanket was thrown over her shoulders. — It's rare to expect such care from you. The girl commented sarcastically. — Don't start, Hermione, — unable to prove anything to her anymore, Malfoy said wearily, clinging to the girl from behind, wrapping her waist in a ring of arms, adding in a low voice, — You just have to understand how your and Potter's parties look in my eyes. It's like you're a couple in love. — You fool! — Hermione exclaimed, unable to hold back a light laugh, running her fingers through his disheveled blond hair, running them through each other. — He and I are nothing more than friends. And he has a girlfriend. Why would I need someone else when I have you? — Okay, let's close the subject of Potter. I don't want to talk about him right now, — Draco said with a sigh after a couple of minutes of silence, which was broken by a Christmas melody coming from the slightly open window, turning the girl towards him. — By the way, you're beautiful and sweet when you're not angry. — So, when I'm angry, I'm ugly, right?! — the girl couldn't stand it, she exclaimed, flushing with anger, to which Draco only laughed. — That's it, don't get mad. It was a joke. — Your jokes are cruel, but, Mr. Malfoy, did you know? — I know, — he whispered, looking into the girl's brown eyes, pushing back a strand of her hair. A sudden tenderness, so unusual for him, flashed in his gaze, causing the girl's heart to beat at an accelerated pace. Feeling her cheeks turn red, Hermione, reducing the distance between them to a minimum, reached for his lips herself, wrapping her arms around his neck. The return kiss did not take long and the girl just enjoyed the moment when she was being held by a loved one with whom they had once been sworn enemies, but at one point they became close to each other. It's probably for the best after all. The next morning, accompanied by a melody from the street and conversations of people, apparently rushing to the shops for gifts to their loved ones, began with bright sunlight illuminating the living room, in which a fluffy fir tree majestically towered, decorated with many glass balls. — Draco... — the girl began, as soon as the guy crossed the threshold of the living room, lighting a garland on a fluffy fir tree, turning in his direction, — I need to tell you something. — I'm listening to you. Something happened? — Nothing serious, — the girl replied with a shake of her head, moving away from the fir tree, flashing bright lights, clasping her fingers behind her back, – I invited Harry, Ron and Ginny to the evening tonight. I hope you'll accept it? — What?! No, no! — Draco exclaimed in surprise, and his eyes seemed to flash dangerously.— Are you serious about this?! — Absolutely, — Hermione replied calmly to his exclamations, taking a deep breath and explaining, — They are my friends, Draco, and I want you to finally resolve all your differences. I don't really want to keep you apart all the time, and tonight can serve to improve your relationship. — I can't promise that it will work, Hermione. — It will be enough for me that you at least take the initiative to reconcile,— she came up to him, squeezing his hands with her own, looking into his eyes, "Prove that you are not the boy they remembered. Then maybe something will work out. There was a short silence, followed by the sound of footsteps moving away from her. It seems that it will be much more difficult than she expected, since Draco Malfoy himself is unable to do it. But her doubts were immediately dispelled when Draco stopped at the threshold of the living room and, turning in her direction, threw: — I'll do my best... And Merry Christmas to you, Hermione. And only after that he left the living room, leaving the girl alone with her thoughts in high spirits. — Merry Christmas to you too, Draco... The girl replied in a whisper and a slight smile suddenly blossomed on her lips.