Imperiused (Dramione)

Hermione's Decision (Part 4)

"What are you doing here? How did you get here?" Hermione Granger asked Draco Malfoy puzzledly. She knows that Grimmauld Place is still unplottable and its fireplace is blocked from other fireplaces aside from the Ministry of Magic and the Burrow.

Draco grinned at her before replying. "Kreacher apparated me here," he replied. "I brought you some flowers," he said, handing her a bouquet.

Hermione looked at him for a few seconds before asking, "How? Why?"

"I'm a Black and Kreacher is bound to serve the Blacks. I brought you flowers because I am courting you," he answered confidently, still offering her the bouquet.

The witch was stumped at his answers, she still couldn't believe he went back here. She was not yet ready to talk to him again.

"You should leave, I'm about to take a nap," she informed him, clenching and unclenching her fists nervously.

Draco's heart fell, but he feigned confidence. "I will just wait for you in the drawing room then," he suggested, still smiling at her.

Hermione thinks it's odd that he was smiling at her, as if they have been in good terms for a long time. Her heart flutters at his handsomeness, but she refused to give in to the temptation in front of her.

"Here, take this," he extended the bouquet again towards her.

"Fine," she said curtly, not wanting to argue. "Stay in the drawing room if you like, I'll take my nap now."

"Thank you," he replied with a dazzling smile. He saw the hidden desire in her eyes. "I will see you later, Hermione," he said, backing away from her bedroom door, emphasising her name.

The brunette witch closed the door then locked it. She couldn't give in to him just yet, flowers could not buy her forgiveness. She sighed loudly. Draco Malfoy is courting her like a normal person!

She lied down on her bed, trying to fall asleep. But her mind keeps drifting to the boy in the next room. After a few minutes, her eyelids became heavy with sleep so she surrendered to it.

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Draco went to the drawing room, then went straight to the wall with the Black Family Tree Tapestry. He touched his child's blank picture lovingly.

"I will make this right," he promised to his child. "I promise to be better than my Father," he added.

He hopes that Hermione will give him a chance to prove himself worthy of her. He wants her and their child to be together with him.

He sat on the couch after some time, still staring at the Tapestry. He tried to think of other ways to woo Hermione Granger while waiting for her.

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Hermione woke up a couple of hours later, feeling refreshed. Then she remembered that Malfoy was waiting for her in the drawing room.

She was not ready yet to talk to him but seeing he is already here and was patiently waiting for her, she has no choice.

She prepared herself mentally and emotionally before going out of her room to meet him. She also made sure to check herself on the mirror to see if she looked presentable.

She drank another vial of the pregnancy potion before proceeding to the drawing room, knowing she needed all the energy she could muster for their talk.

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Draco waited patiently. He used his time alone to think of ways to let her know that he is sincere in pursuing her and wanting to make things right.