Veela Love

Chapter Thirty-Five: Return of Hermione

            Draco and the rest of his friends sat in various chairs around the room, waiting for Hermione to surface. Every second felt like an hour.

Blaise finally broke the silence. "What'd you show her?"

"Everything," Draco said simply.

"From the beginning?" Blaise asked, shocked.

"From the beginning."

"Beginning of what?" Harry asked, looking between the two Slytherins.

Blaise was silent, looking towards Draco for permission.

"What is it, Draco?" Ginny asked.

With a nod from his best friend, Blaise started speaking. "Draco's always been in love with Hermione. He's showing her how he felt, even back before."

Silence permeated the room for several minutes while Harry and Ginny tried to absorb this information. Finally, Harry whispered, "Before what?"

"Before he was allowed to."

Ginny whispered, "Truly?"

Draco dropped his head into his hands. "Yes."

He heard someone move and then felt a warm hand on his shoulder. Glancing up, he found Harry standing next to him, a tiny grin in place. "If that doesn't convince her, nothing will. And I'm glad to know you've always had a bit of sense in you even if you hid it from the world."

Smiling back weakly, Draco said, "After that left hook, how could I do anything besides fall head over heels for her."

A burbling noise stole everyone's attention, and they all turned to watch Hermione pull herself out of the pensive. Everyone stared at her, not moving. Glancing around the room, her eyes landed on Draco, and she stormed forward. He shrank away from her, confused.

"YOU'VE CARED ABOUT ME ALL THESE YEARS AND YET YOU WERE STILL A RAGING GIT TO ME?" Hermione yelled.

"Uhhh..."

Before Draco could form a word, Hermione had broken down into sobs and flung herself on top of him. His arms wrapped around her automatically, which was good because his brain was still frozen. She buried her face in his neck, sobbing uncontrollably. Draco started rocking her back and forth, rubbing her back. Her friends stayed where they were, unsure of what to do.

"It's okay, Hermione. It's all going to be okay," Draco crooned.

She lifted her head to meet his gaze, her eyes still brimming with tears. "No, it's not. You've loved me all this time, and I forgot you!"

Hope-filled his chest, especially as he realized no anger was coming from her. "Hermione -," he started, only to be cut off by her lips on his. For one long heartbeat, he sat still. Then he growled, pulling Hermione more firmly against him and started kissing her back.

"I think we did it!" Ginny squealed, and Blaise wrapped an arm around her, smiling.

"I'm happy for them," Harry said, smiling wide.

Draco pulled back, searching Hermione's face. "Do you -,"

"It doesn't matter if I remember or not. I know that you love me, and that's all that I need."

"God, do I love you, 'Mione."

She smiled brightly through her tears. "I know. You have some explaining to do."

"Don't worry, I'll explain it all to you, Hermione," Blaise jumped in. "He's been quite pathetic all these years."

Hermione giggled at the look Draco gave Blaise. "I am a Malfoy; we are never pathetic."

"Give it a break, mate," Harry laughed.

Draco shifted and then rose, still cradling Hermione in his arms. She squealed in surprise. "If you all don't mind, I have a girlfriend to reacquaint myself with." Ignoring Hermione's protests, he walked them back to their common room. Only once they were safe inside did he release her, setting her gently to her feet.

"That was completely unnecessary," she huffed, straightening her clothing.

"Hermione, look at me."

She stopped fussing and looked up at Draco. He couldn't fathom how happy he was – he was on another plane completely. "I love you. I've always loved you. You're the reason I wake up in the morning, and I can't believe I've got you back. Please don't ever scare me like that again. It felt like I was dying."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "It wasn't on purpose. But I promise you're stuck with me now." She raised herself up on her toes and pressed her lips to his. He immediately responded, tasting her sweetness, and he almost cried. Everything was okay again.

"I want to finish the mating, Draco."

He froze.