After Everything (Dramione)

Chapter 6

Chapter 6.

Hermione took a deep breath before knocking on the door to Peter Brews' office the next morning. It opened to reveal Draco Malfoy in the doorway.

"How can I help you, Minister?"

"Please could you come with me for a moment, Mr Malfoy?"

"Um, of course. Mr Brews, I'm just going somewhere with the Minister. I'll be back in a bit." He closed the door.

"What's wrong Hermione? You look really nervous."

Hermione's heart was in her throat. He was worried about her!

"No I'm fine. Absolutely fine."

She silently led him to her office where she closed the door behind them. She turned to face him and began, "Draco, I have to talk to you," she stopped as she studied Draco's face. He didn't say anything but something in his quizzical expression willed her on.

"For the last few days, I have been distracted. I haven't been able to concentrate on my work or anything. I have thought of nothing. That is to say, nothing but you. Everytime I see you Draco, I get this feeling in my heart, a kind of longing ache for you, that I have never experienced before. Not for Ron, not for anyone. I spoke to Ginny about it and she thinks I'm in love. She said it's how she feels about Harry. I'm in love with you. If you hate me and refuse to speak to me after this, I completely understand. I just had to tell you."

"I don't hate you Hermione."

"You don't?"

"I have to tell you. That is what I have been hoping to hear since that moment you bumped into me in the corridor. And now you've said it, I guess I've got to say it too. I'm in love with you Hermione."

Hermione slid her hands into Draco's and he slowly tilted his head towards hers. Their lips were millimetres away from each other when he stopped. She closed her eyes and leaned in. Their lips touched and Hermione felt a warmth spreading from her lips, filling her whole body. She pulled him close, wrapping her arms round his neck. The kiss was so gentle, so perfect, she had never had a kiss like this with Ron. They pulled apart, staring at each others' eyes. Hermione noticed how beautiful Draco's eyes were, a dark shade of stormy grey, yet they sparkled with a brightness she had never seen in his face before.

"I guess you should be getting back to Mr Brews now."

"I guess. Shame, I'd like to spend more time with you."

"Even though I'm a filthy mudblood?" She laughed.

"Hermione I regret every single time I called you that. I have this guilt when I see you, because I an reminded of how foul I was to you. I can't ever expect you to forgive me."

"Of course I forgive you Draco, that was years ago and you regret it. Let's just cast it away and focus on the present."

He kissed her once more then left.

---

"Ginny Ginny Ginny Ginny Ginny Ginny Ginny Ginny guess what Ginny Ginny Ginny?!"

"What Hermione?" Ginny walked into the room looking at the ecstatic Hermione whi had just appeared in her kitchen.

"I did what you said Ginny! I told him I loved him and he said he loved me too and he kissed me!"

"Arrgghh Hermione that's amazing!" Ginny squealed and flew at her friend, pulling her into a tight bear hug.

"Has he asked you out?"

"No but he's coming to see me tomorrow lunch time!"

"Wow this is brilliant!" Ginny cried just as Harry appeared in the room.

"What's brilliant?"

"Oh Harry, Hermione told Draco she loved him and he kissed her!"

Harry didn't show quite as much enthusiasm as his wife, but he smiled at Hermione.

"I'm glad you're happy Hermione. If he makes you happy, I'm happy. But if he hurts you, even the tiniest bit, I will personally go and kick his arse."

"He wouldn't hurt me, I feel so safe with him, but thanks for the offer."

She grinned and pulled Harry into a hug.

"You're the greatest best friend I could ever have, Harry."

"Um, excuse me, offended!" Ginny said jokingly. Hermione laughed and said, "You're both my best friends, just in different ways. Can we go to the beach again?"

"Sure we can! I'll get some towels to lie on." Ginny said, darting upstairs.

"Hermione, I know you say he's changed and everything, but please be careful."

"Harry, you worry way too much. You're just hoping he'll hurt me so you can come in and save the day."

"Ah, you know me too well."

Just then, there was a scream of pain from upstairs. Fear crossed Harry's face. Hermione knew how much Harry loved Ginny. She knew he would quite happily die for her if it came to it. The two of them ran upstairs with their wands out and found Ginny lying on the floor of the corridor clutching her stomach, a ladder next to her.

"What happened?"

"I was on the ladder, getting the towels, and I tripped and fell off. Then I got this pain in my stomach."

Hermione's jaw dropped. She knew what was happening.

"Harry, we need to take her to St Mungos. She's having the baby."