To a Better End

Chapter 48

June 5th 1977

The night Draco came back from returning Theo, he held her. His hands didn't wander to regions that would fill her with pleasure. He peppered the top of her head with kisses as her head rested on his chest. He didn't fill her ears with depravity that would wetten her core. He told her stories of their youth and all the moments in which he couldn't rid his mind of her.

She held his hand, staring at the dark mark she didn't know still lived on his arm. She traced the edges of it, letting his words be the lullaby that she needed—gods, how she needed him.

And that was their routine. Night after night, they held each other intimately but not sexually. They found comfort in each other's presence. It was the start of something beautiful. Something she didn't want to let go of any time soon.

She found peace at night in his arms. Except the night she was jolted awake by a summer storm. The thunder rattled her awake, making her gasp. Her sleeping wizard pulled her in closer, pressing her tightly against his body.

The night sky illuminated his skin in a way that could have made her believe she was looking at a marble statue. She shifted in his hold so she could admire his face, the sharp edges softened by his sleeping state.

Hermione placed her hand over Draco's chest, feeling the rise and fall accompanied by his heart beating. Giving in to the desire, she grazed her hand down his chest. She watched as goosebumps prickled his skin and a small moan escaped his mouth. She ran her hand up again, fingers barely touching him. Another soft hum released as his eyes fluttered open.

"Granger?" His voice was raspy from sleep.

"Hi," she whispered shyly.

He scooted up on the bed a bit to elevate his head to look at her. "Are... are you okay?"

Hermione nodded. "I'm fine. There's a storm. It woke me up."

Her hands resumed the previous path they took. From his chest down to above his waistband and back up. She retraces this a few times before Draco shudders at the light touch and gently stills her hand.

"That tickles a bit, Granger." She could hear the smile in his voice.

"Do you need a tighter grip, Malfoy ?" She pulled her hand away, placing it on top of his boxers where she was met with a slight firmness.

"Hermione," he warned.

"I want you, Draco. Please," she begged.

"Come here, dear," he whispered, gesturing with his fingers for her to get on top of him.

She straddled his hips, wishing they didn't have any clothes on. She was wearing one of his button-ups and a pair of knickers. It wasn't a sexy pair by any means, but what else was she expecting from 1977?

"Can I hear you say it again?" He looked up at her like she was his salvation. Wide-eyed, waiting for the words they whispered to each other daily as his hands rubbed soft circles on her thighs.

Hermione leaned down, pressing her chest against his. Her lips grazed his as she breathed out, "I love you."

His lips briefly pressed against hers. "Again," he said.

"I love you," she said with a smile.

He captured her lips, gifting her with a longer kiss. Just as she was about to deepen it, Draco pulled away, looking up at her with hazy eyes.

"One more time."

She smiled at him, her beautiful wizard. "I love you, Draco Malfoy."

Draco closed his eyes, breathing in like her words were giving him fresher air regardless of the cool nighttime air coming in from their window. Her hair hung around her face, falling onto his blonde locks. The intertwining of their hair was such a stark contrast, but it looked nothing short of perfect. Made to be with each other. She was foolish to think it would have ever been someone else. She was foolish to give her heart to anyone else when Draco was the one who cradled it like a fragile egg.