Mine

[65]

I realized I was awake before my eyes had opened thanks to the dull aching present in the back of my head. I slowly, and quite unwillingly, opened my eyes to find a pale set staring down at me.

"Good morning." Draco said softly, brushing a strand of hair off of my face.

"Good morning." I said back, giving him a small smile. "How long have you been staring at me?"

"Well, you were groaning in your sleep." Draco said with a chuckle. "You look like you could use some coffee."

"Oh, shut up." I grumbled, smacking his shoulder as he sat up in the bed. "It's not like you look perfectly ready for the day first thing when you wake up either."

After saying this I took the opportunity to look him over. Aside from his hair being a little ruffled, he did look pretty much presentable. What was it with guys and them having it so easy in that regard?

"C'mon, let's go get some breakfast." Draco said. He didn't miss a beat with getting out of the bed and opening the blinds. I, on the other hand, immediately groaned and covered my eyes the second the bright sunlight entered the room.

Begrudgingly, I got out of bed and collected my clothing from the ground. I mentally cursed myself as I pulled my dress back on. It would be impossible to pretend this wasn't a walk of shame thanks to me not having any clothes other than this evening dress I wore to dinner the night before.

* * *

Draco and I were sat in the corner of the small restaurant located in the hotel. I was chatting away, hands wrapped around my coffee mug while Draco sipped at his tea and just listened.

"I'm talking too much, aren't I?" I asked, sheepishly looking down at my coffee.

"No, not at all." Draco said quickly.

"Really?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Well..." Draco chuckled lightly, "I think you've taken maybe two sips of your coffee and have only had one bite of your breakfast. But I do now know all about Granger's plans now that she's finished with Hogwarts as well as how the Weasley girl will probably soon be married to Potter."

"So...yes, I am talking too much." I said with a light laugh.

Draco reached a hand out, taking my left hand from my mug to hold it on the table. "I've always admired how much you care about your friends." He said softly, his thumb stroking the back of my hand.

"You care about people too." I said, finally taking a sip of my coffee.

"I care about you." Draco said. "I'm not sure how much I ever really paid attention to what the other Slytherins would talk to me about when we were at school. If anything, our conversations were definitely much more superficial. I couldn't tell you whether Crabbe or Goyle were passionate about anything. Those weren't – they weren't real friendships, ya know?"

"What about Blaise?" I asked before I could think better of it. As soon as I mentioned him, I regretted it.

"Blaise is the only one aside from you who truly cared about me. Or, was, anyway." Draco said, mumbling the last bit.

Silence fell over the two of us for a moment. Blaise had truly always cared about both me and Draco. He wasn't as stuck up and oblivious as the other Slytherins that hung around Draco during our school days. He was real and we – well, I – really hurt him.

"He'll forgive you one day, you know?" Draco said softly, breaking the silence.

"I know." I said quietly. "I really fucked up though."