Then, he was pulling back, and the inferno simmered to a slow burn. When his lips finally left her own, Hermione did not remove her hands from around his neck immediately, nor did she open her eyes. She allowed her forehead to rest against his own for a fleeting moment, not wanting to end whatever they had started that afternoon. She felt when Malfoy slowly lowered his hands from her face to her neck, his fingertips leaving a burning trail. She was thankful for the continued touch as it seemed to entirely erase the pull. Her magical core was still singing from the prolonged contact and something within her very soul felt a sort of satisfaction. 