Before All Else

V

Draco fell backward into the door with a thud, knocking a picture from the wall. With blood oozing from his nose he looks up to see Ron already preparing to attack again.

"What the fuck!" He yells, looking down at the blood staining his white shirt.

Ron doesn't answer, instead punching Draco once more.

The men tumble on the floor all arms and insults. A mess of bloodied lips and noses.

"Ron! Malfoy!" A voice called from somewhere nearby, before Draco felt a pair of hands desperately trying to separate the ball of man.

Hermione was still in the bedroom unaware of the shenanigans going on just outside the door. Her mind still replaying the events of the past half an hour. Draco showing up, his deceleration of love. Her admittance to love, their kiss. It all has her head spinning. Her hand absentmindedly tracing the plains of her lips and the spot on her cheek where Draco's touch had been only minutes before.

It wasn't until a loud thud on the wall shook her from her day dream did she move to esquire about the ruckus. Opening the door she was confronted with a mess of Red and Blond hair, flying fists and a disgruntled Harry watching the fight unfold, his wand firmly in his hand, firing off charms but each one missing.

Hermione was quick to whip out her wand and fire of a simple stunning spell. She wasn't concerned who it hit, but when it landed right in the middle of Ron's back, causing him to freeze and fall off of Draco, a small pang of relief flooded her.

Draco stood slowly , looking at Harry, then to a stunned Ron on the floor before his eyes finally landed on Hermione.

"He was listening. Apparently something I said upset him because I was greeted with a pretty solid hit when I came out" Draco shrugged, embarrassed that Hermione had to witness that.

Before Hermione had a chance to respond Molly came racing up the stairs, yelling about using magic inside, she froze, dropping the tray of tea to the ground at the sight in front of her, she looked down to Ron who was still stunned, then to Draco, his face smeared with blood and bruises, his hair a disheveled mess and his only shirt was torn, but it was nothing a healing spell and a quick repairo wouldn't fix.

"What happened?" She asked, as if she already knew the answer.

Harry slid his glassed back up his nose, "Ron attacked Malfoy when he came out from talking to Hermione. I was trying to break it up but failed miserably. Thankfully Hermione is still a great shot when it comes to spells. She came out and stunned Ron."

Molly looked over at Draco, who was watching Hermione. "Lets get you cleaned up hey?" She says, the same hospitable smile still plastered to her face. Her eyes sympathetic.

Draco hesitates, "Actually I think I should be going. Thank you Mrs Weasley." He smiles politely at her and Harry before turning to Hermione, he takes her hand in his and squeezes, "Saturday?" He confirms to which she nods.

Her eyes never leave his, still watching the stairs after he had long left the house.

She felt lighter in his presence but was determined to hold on to the feeling of elevation. Even after Ron had come to and arsed his apology, she still held onto the feeling of Draco's lips on hers and the joy she felt seeing him again.

"He shouldn't have come." Ron states for the hundredth time since Draco had left. Hermione only shrugged in response. Not in the mood to entertain this conversation.

"It was nice to see him again." Hermione commented as she climbs into bed beside Ron.

For the first time in months Hermione let her mind drift back to the nights she'd spent with Draco.

Skin to skin, sweaty passionate nights. Laughing and playing. She imagined she could feel his lips on her neck, and the way his tongue felt on hers. Draco always had a way of making her feel dangerous and safe all at once. She trusted him to take care of her. I still trust him she thought.

"Nice!" Ron spat at the thought, breaking her from her memories. "He's a snake. The sooner we marry the sooner we can be away from him and you can get over what ever spell he's put on you. It's sickening."

Hermione gave Ron a look of complete disbelief. Who was this man?He was not the Ron she had met at school or the man who had taken her in and shown her love after Draco. This was a different man, a changed man. He was stubborn, rude, but he was sturdy, and he loves her. Draco loves me she thought.

"I'm seeing him again Thursday." Hermione informed Ron.

"Like hell you are!" Ron raised his voice,you may not be my wife yet but I absolutly forbid it do you hear me?" Ron yelled, glaring at her like she were a naughty child.

Hermione nodded. Ron wasn't always like this, when he first came back into her life he was so gentle, sweet, romantic. Everything he was at school. Hermione was sure that man was still in there somewhere, he was just very stressed with work at the Ministry and the wedding. Hermione reassured herself.

"You're right Ron. I'm sorry. " She smiled reassurlingly, before rolling over to sleep.

"I know I am. I love you Hermione. I'm gonna make a good husband for you. You'll see. You just gotta give it a chance." He spoke, kissing her cheek before rolling to sleep himself.

A tear rolled down Hermiones' cheek, silently she prayed thursday would come fast. Her mind drifted back to Draco and she fell into a dreamless sleep.