Love Changes (Dramione)

[R: sixty six]

When Hermione's eyes fluttered open the following day, she found herself and Draco drowning under the rays of the spring Sun coming from the magical window in the corner. Her head had been nestled in Draco's chest, his arm slung loosely over her waist.

She could hear his heart beating. It was the loveliest sound to wake up to.

Hermione looked up to watch him sleep, gazing at his pale features glowing under the sunlight. She traced the angles of his face—the height of his cheeks and the sharpness of his jaw, with her fingers ever so lightly. Hermione brushed her thumb over his brow, hand carefully cupping his cheek that had turned slightly pink from the warmth of the Sun's rays. Draco seemed to lean into her touch in his sleep, his lips slightly parted to release a small breath of relief.

She loved being in his arms,

But a small thought pierced through Hermione's peaceful admiring.

What if last night had been a cruel joke?

Hermione immediately dropped her hand. What if despite their urgent kisses, burning touches and desperate murmurs of possession, Draco still wasn't back to normal? Or worse, what if he had been himself last night, but not today?

What if he wakes up cursed again today?

Hermione's eyes darted to the closet he'd pushed her against, the last time he had been in this room, and felt the fear grow in her chest.

That Draco can't possibly wake up with her naked in his bed.

He will kill her.

Hermione carefully slipped out of sheets, Draco's arm falling limp on the spot where she'd laid. No, she had to be out of this room. In case it all went wrong again, she can't be here.

Hurrying into the bathroom, Hermione wasted no time heading into the shower, letting the warm water rain on her head. Her mind was spinning—racing with the numerous ways things could go wrong once again.

The universe was cruel and vindictive. It wont ever give her something good without giving her something bad to balance it with. She had to be ready.

Hermione's face was in her hands as the shower continued to douse her with water, waking her to her senses.

Oh, Draco, she thought.

Suddenly, strong arms snaked around her waist from behind, evidently startling her from her overthinking "Your thoughts are too loud, my love."

Draco's voice was grumbling and sleepy against her ear, his blond hair tickling the side of her cheek.

Hermione breathed "My thoughts?" Her voice was small "You don't mean the—"

"The bond, yes." Draco's lips were on her jaw, pressing a soft kiss "I felt anxious in my sleep, and woke up to find you gone from my side. You know I don't like you leaving me in bed like that."

Hermione's heart almost exploded from the relief. The bond, it was back. If only she'd checked before she allowed herself to get carried away from her thinking.

"If only you'd let me speak before you seduced me last night." Draco said, agreeing with her thought.

Hermione spun around, eyes narrowing "Seduced you?"

Draco's eyes were still sleepy, a lazy smirk plastered on his face "Yes, you seduced me, Granger."

"Excuse y—"