The Inevitable

Chapter 22 - Peace

Draco's POV:

I grabbed her the second we were alone. I couldn't stop myself even if I wanted to. My mind had been constant screams and cries. I just wanted, no, needed some peace. Her lips were soft and inviting. I had been craving them since our first kiss on that blasted counter. Her initial shock wore off quickly and her hands came to rest on my chest. The kiss was filled with hunger and want. I wanted her terribly...but I wasn't sure where she stood on us. I reluctantly pulled back resting my forehead against hers.

"Hermione...I'm not sure where you are when it comes to us. I'm not really sure there is an us to speak on, but," I stopped looking into her eyes. I start to think about the fact that there wouldn't even be an inkling of us if it hadn't been for our accidental trip to our future. Would we have found our way to each other without the initial nudge? We've known each other our whole lives...but did we really know each other on that level? I know I had certainly paid more attention to her in the recent years. "I think I would like for there to be an us..." I finished staring into her beautiful brown eyes. She smiled in return before pulling me back to her. Our lips connected once more and that was all the answer I needed. I tangled my hand into her wild curls holding tightly. I held onto her as if she could disappear any second. Her small hands came behind my neck clasping together. Grabbing her hips, I moved her backward until she hit the wall. I froze when she hissed in pain as my hands came up her sides in a sharp movement. I pulled back noticing her tense.

"It's nothing Draco," she said trying to pull me back to her. I ignored her hands and lifted the bottom of her shirt. A bandage sat on the left side of her abdomen. I flicked my eyes to hers before pulling the bandage off carefully. She had been hit in the raid the death eaters had enacted tonight. The people I had once aligned with had hurt her. The anger from before quickly returned staring at the bruising skin. The cut had been taken care of quickly so only a small scar sat in its place. "Theo is actually a good healer," she whispered. I smiled at that. My best friend was a man of many talents. She grabbed the bandage from my hands and put it back in its place. "Draco, we will have to endure much worse than a small cut. Please don't be too worried about it right now."

"But I am I worried about it Hermione." I stood back to my full height before turning to the small sofa. I sat down placing my elbows on my knees. I rested my head in my hands releasing a sigh. "You shouldn't have to be enduring any of this." I felt the cushion shift as she sat next to me. Her delicate hand landed on my thigh.

"Unfortunately I have to. We have to deal with all of it. The important thing is, we have each other." I looked at her face to see that same old determination. I grabbed her hips pulling her to straddle my lap. She came willingly placing her arms on either side of my head. "I promise I will do everything to keep myself safe...you need to promise the same."

"I promise," I said claiming her lips once again. A sigh full of contentment left her lips. I felt her small hands in my hair as mine explored her sides careful to avoid her injury. Her fingers worked quickly to unbutton my shirt causing me to stop once more. I grabbed her hands and looked into her eyes. "Are you sure you want to do this?" I could wait for as long as she wished. I didn't want her to rush anything if she wasn't ready.

"Yes," she replied kissing me once more. I pulled back again eliciting a whine from her mouth. I chuckled putting her feet on the ground.

"I don't want our first time to be on this sofa Hermione." I stood to my feet grabbing her hand. Following my memory, I led us up the stairs to the third floor where only one room had sat.

"This one is ours," I said pulling Hermione into the large room. It was akin to a master suite. We would have our own private bathroom and our own private floor. Theo had just completed the charm and we were already doing room assignments.