This Bitter Earth

SEVENTEEN

A/N: This chapter picks up right where the last one ended since it was split. Thank you again, to the amazing and wonderful Bree for betaing and providing the song for last chapter and this one. Enjoy, my dear readers!

Soundtrack- "Set Me on Fire" by Estelle and "Set Me on Fire" by Birdmask

SEVENTEEN

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Hermione rubbed the towel against her hair as drops of water rolled off the ends of her curls. She hated magically drying her hair. Somehow it made it even more frizzy so Hermione did the best she could with the towel and when it was merely damp, she pulled on her clothes and headed out of the bathroom.

The hot shower had helped her sore muscles. Training had taken more out of her than she realized it would and she was already dreaming of tucking herself under Draco's arm in their much too little bed.

She could feel her shirt sticking to her skin as she walked down the hall and back to the room she shared with Draco. No one had mentioned anything about the fact that they were sleeping in the same bed, but Hermione had caught a fair share of sideways glances. She met them when she could, daring anyone to speak, but so far no one had.

Her relationship with Draco wasn't a secret and she wasn't keeping it from anyone. They all knew. Still, Hermione treaded softly passed the door to Harry and Ron's room before opening the one right next to it and slipping inside.

She stopped at the sight of the empty bed.

The door shut behind her.

Before Hermione could even turn, a strong hand grabbed her long loose curls, wrapping them around his hand a few times before pulling her head back to stare into silver eyes.

"You took your sweet time in the shower. Were you thinking about me in there?" He spoke in a low, deep voice which seemed to match the mischievous glint in his eye.

"No," Hermione breathed out. "I was trying to work out the knots in my shoulders."

Draco's other hand ran lightly down her arm and Hermione felt goosebumps follow his touch. "Your arms are still sore? Well you probably shouldn't use them then."

She heard a familiar clink and then felt the cold clasp of metal around her wrist. The chains from the Manor. Hermione shivered. The last time she had these on, she had been cut into and watched Crookshanks die. Not to mention the days she had spent attached to his bed, not knowing if she was ever going to get free, get out.

"You know how to take them off. We don't have to use them if you don't want to."

Draco's cool fingers traced the skin around the cuffs, cooling her heated blood pounding down her arms.

She knew how to get out. She wasn't trapped. And... Draco was here. He wouldn't let anything happen to her. She trusted him. Hermione didn't want to live in fear, didn't want to let those terrible memories take her over. Draco had always known how to stop her brain from churning.

"Lectio Nefastus," she whispered and the chains fell loudly to the floor.

Draco watched her carefully, his expression unreadable. His grip on her hair loosened slightly, but he didn't let go of her completely.

"I just wanted to try it. Make sure I knew how." Hermione looked deep into his eyes. "You can put them back on."

Her choice this time. She wasn't losing control, she was giving it. And Draco took it.

His lips pulled in a smirk and he bent down to pick up the chains. Hermione felt her blood start to race through her at his langious movements. He was taking his time, letting her get excited for it.