Relentless - A Dramione FanFic

Fireworks

The sitting room was vacant when they arrived back at the cottage. At one in the morning, why would it not be, but they were cautious anyway, dropping their hands down to their sides and putting several feet between them before entering.

"The coast seems to be clear." Draco stated suggestively, taking several steps toward her, a seductive smile playing across his face.

Hermione blushed and couldn't help but return his smile, while placing a hand on his chest to stop his progress. "Yes, it does... But I happen to know that Harry's been sneaking down to the common room every night to spend time with his parents. He could decide to head there at any moment."

Draco pulled back, stepping away to achieve the proper amount of distance should Harry suddenly appear. A frustrated sigh escaped his lips and his eyes burned with unfulfilled desire. "I guess this is good night, then."

"Yes. I guess it is." Hermione replied, suddenly regretted that she'd stopped him from doing whatever it was he was planning to do just moments ago.

"Can I at least walk you to your room?" Draco obviously wanted to make the most of every moment they had together.

"You mean the forty feet from here to there?" She gestured toward the landing.

"Yes, I mean those forty feet." Draco teased. "Unless you think that would look too suspicious."

"No. That should be fine. I mean it only makes sense that we'd both be heading to our rooms after returning from class." Hermione sounded as if she was trying to convince herself.

They fell into step next to each other and Draco casually reached over and grazed her fingertips with his own. She started at the touch but didn't pull away, rather, she reciprocated the gesture by hooking one finger around his. The hint of a smile tugged at each of their mouths. When they reached her room, she attempted to pass in front of him to her door, but he smoothly blocked her path and after a glance at Harry's door, placed a quick kiss on her lips before proceeding down the landing to his own room.

She was just about to climb into bed when she heard a soft knock on her door. "Surely that has to be Harry, because Draco wouldn't dare risk getting caught coming to my room at this hour." She thought, so she padded across the room wearing only her flimsy night shirt, an old, worn out muggle t-shirt bearing the logo of her parents' dental practice, which barely grazed her mid-thighs. She was caught dumbfounded when she opened the door to find Draco standing there in nothing but his satin pajama bottoms. His chest and arms shamelessly on display. His hair tousled and unruly. She simply stared at him for several seconds before her sensibilities kicked in prompting her to grab his wrist, pull him inside and quickly shut the door.

"What in Merlin's name are you thinking?" She whisper yelled at him. "What if Harry saw you?"

Draco couldn't stop his eyes from wandering the length of her body. Through the worn shirt, he could tell that she wasn't wearing a bra. He tried to remain collected, but his voice lowered lustfully as he replied, "Don't worry, Granger. I was very careful. Triple-checked and everything."

She shivered at the desire is in his tone, suddenly realizing she was wearing next to nothing. She crossed her arms in front of her and blushed profusely, giving him a 'stop-looking-at-me-with-those-hungry-eyes' look, which, of course, was of no use. She refused to let on that he was having the same effect on her that she was on him, and calmly asked, "Just what was so important that it couldn't wait until morning?"

Draco smirked, knowing she was doing her best to remain composed. "I just remembered you still have my wand." He scanned the room, his eyes quickly finding it laying on the dresser. "May I?" He asked, taking a step toward it. Hermione nodded, and he strode across the room, leaving her staring at his backside. She bit her lip longingly as his back muscles rippled with each step. He picked up the wand and casually made his way back to the door. He gripped the door knob and Hermione found herself disappointed. She was hoping for something more than a silent exit. Her heart leapt when he glanced over his shoulder and said, "I guess I'll see you in the morning, Granger." He raised an eyebrow playfully before adding, "Unless, of course, you want me to stay."

Hermione grinned, unable to hide her amusement. "Don't push it, Malfoy." She retorted, shaking her head at him like a mother disciplining an incorrigible child.

"Just checking." He smirked as he exited.

***

Several months passed and the three housemates were getting on swimmingly. True to his word, Harry and Ginny had been joining Draco and Hermione for meals in the cottage on a regular basis. Ginny made sure, however, that she kept Harry away at least two nights a week, stating she still needed to fulfill her prefect duties, keeping an eye on the Great Hall during meals being one of them. Hermione was grateful to her best friend for setting her and Draco up with the inconspicuous alone time. Snape's portrait even played a role in keeping their secret by alerting them when Harry was about to come through the portal. The routine worked well, but keeping Harry in the dark began to weigh heavily on Hermione.

"Draco," Hermione inquired, tracing the buttons of his shirt with her index finger. They were curled up together on the couch, enjoying their last few minutes of solitude before Harry and Ginny would return from dinner in the Great Hall.

"Hmm??" He was too relaxed to form a proper response.

Hermione propped her elbows up his chest and again spoke his name. "Draco..." He opened his eyes to indicate he was listening. "I think its time to tell Harry about us."

His body stiffened slightly indicating he wasn't one-hundred percent in agreement with his girlfriend, but he conceded they had waited long enough to tell their housemate. "Okay. I know its been torture for you to keep this from him for this long." He sat up, pulling her alongside him and looked her straight in the eyes. "Before he has the chance to react, however he will react, there is one thing I need you to know..." Draco had to take a deep breath before he could actually form the words. "I love you, Hermione." He wanted to add, 'I've loved you for longer than you can imagine,' but knew her brilliant mind would start asking questions about that statement that he didn't have time to answer, or more honestly, wasn't ready to answer. Instead he said, "Being with you these past two months has filled me in a way I can't put into words." He took her head in his hands, leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers. "I. Love. You."

Hermione melted against him. She placed her hands on either side of his face and pulled him into a tender kiss, wet by tears she could not hold back. "I love you, too, Draco."

***

a/n: First and foremost... picture cred to emersongirl. I know it says Tom & Emma in the pic, but it fits to perfectly with this chapter, so just imagine it says Draco & Hermione. :)

Secondly, Thank you to everyone who voted/liked: The Most Natural Thing In The World and commented re: the author's note.

And third... Sorry for the super short chapter, but I wanted to get this out as if I waited to write the whole telling Harry scene, it would take several more days, and I thought this would be a nice way to say #Happy4thOfJuly to everyone.

Have a great holiday weekend & be safe around those fireworks.

I will be spending my weekend at the ballfield. Last tournament of the year. Bittersweet, but will definitely leave me more time to work on this story.

~E