Because of you

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

I lay in the guest bedroom and stare at the ceiling. Dinner was great. It was nice to listen to Hermione talk about school and me. I let her talk about us because I'm not really good at describing it. When I try to talk to her, I lose track of my thoughts. There aren't words to describe her really. Ginny always laughs at me because of it, but Hermione seems to enjoy it. I don't think anyone's ever treated her like I do and I relish that.

It was also nice to here her parents talk though. I never thought that muggle jobs could be so fascinating, but her parents jobs are really interesting. Her father described one time that a kid bit him and it was funny. That doesn't happen in the wizarding world. We generally keep our fingers out of other people's mouths for one. It was nice to be able to listen to them talk without the weight of my father's prejudice. It's nice that I can finally be my own person.

"Are you awake?" Hermione whispers as she opens the door.

"No." I chuckle as she closes the door.

"Very funny."

She sits on the edge of the bed and smiles at me. I sit up and pull her onto my lap. Hermione leans her head on my shoulder and closes her eyes. We sit there for a long time, just enjoying each other's company. I never realized that something like this could be so filling, but with Hermione I'm perfectly content to stay just like this.

"Draco?" Hermione whispers.

"Yes." I reply.

"Do you think about me?"

"All the time."

"Do you... fantasize about me?"

"Uh...."

"You can tell me the truth."

I lift Hermione's chin so that I can look into her eyes. She expects me to say no. It's obvious when I look into her eyes that she doesn't think that anyone would ever think about her like that. I've never seen Hermione look so.... vulnerable. She honestly thinks that she isn't beautiful. That she isn't the most attractive girl I know. She doesn't realize that anyone can think of her as more than just a nice companion.

"Yes." I reply.

"Really?"

"Absolutely."

Hermione stares at me. I'm not sure what she's thinking, but I can tell that she's thinking about something. I wish she would believe me. I just wish she could realize how beautiful she is and that she deserves so much more than me. She doesn't think she deserves to be loved at all though. After all, her best friend couldn't love her and he even cheated on her. This is the first time I've realized just how much damage he really did to her.

"Hermione, I love you. You're the most beautiful person I know. You're the kindest, smartest and most caring person I know. I love you Hermione. Nothing is going to change that." I say.

Hermione smiles at me and brushes a few tears from her eyes. She kisses me and falls backwards onto the bed. I deepen the kiss and let her hands roam up and down my bare chest. Most of the time, she keeps her hands in my hair so it's nice to feel her soft skin against mine. She pulls away and looks up at me.

"I love you too." She whispers before kissing me again.

We stay like that for nearly a half an hour. Finally we both decide that Hermione needs to go back to her room so that her parents won't find us together. They seem to like me, but I'm not sure if they like me that much. Hermione finally agrees only because she wants me to be able to stay. She kisses me one last time before leaving. I close my eyes as the door closes and I can't help but think how lucky I am to have her.