Saved by Malfoy*

Chapter 24

Draco's P.O.V

She shook her head and changed the subject.

"I've been wondering what happened after I used the shield charm?" She asked quietly.

"Not much. You were tortured by my aunt and slipped into a mini coma," I stated simply. "It was really unnecessary though. Theo can handle a cruciatus."

"I've just felt the curse so many times... I would do anything if you or Theo or Blaise never had to feel it again. Theo’s done so much for me, I couldn't bear to see him hurt."

I kissed her forehead.

"You and your kind heart," I shook my head.

She lightly slapped my arm, before cringing from her action.

"You don't have to be afraid of me," I stated.

"You can't blame me for it."

"Why?" I asked, regretting it the second it escaped my lips.

"Well, you have hit me before. You have a wand, while mine was snapped years ago. I was tortured for years by someone who had the same mark as the one on your arm. And, lastly, I was tortured to the brink of death every time I so much as looked Ron in the eye," she listed.

I wrapped my arms tightly around her.

"Hermione, you know I'm not like that," I mumbled into her hair.

"Y - yeah, I know."

"Then why are you still afraid?" I asked.

She was quiet for a few moments, so I decided I wanted to make her smile. I started nibbling on her ear. She swatted at my face.

"Leave my ear alone!" She squealed, pushing me away.

I grinned at her and pecked her lips. Suddenly, she jumped back.

"We didn't do anything for your birthday!" She gasped.

"Theo, Blaise, and I got drunk out of our minds," I waved her off.

"But we should do something, just us."

"You know what I want more than anything else in the world?" I asked.

She shook her head, so I laid back on the bed and pulled her down with me.

"Rest," I sighed.

She curled up to my side and relaxed.

"Okay."

I summoned a sleeping drought, so Hermione tensed.

"I'm not really gonna sleep. I'm just gonna rest," she stated. "I sleep too much."

I nodded and set the potion aside. We cuddled together.

I rolled my eyes when I heard Hermione's light snores. I knew she would fall asleep. I allowed myself to pass out.

~ * ~ * ~

When I woke up, I was highly amused to see Hermione and I were in much different positions.

Her arms were tightly cradling my face to her breasts. Her cheek was on the top of my head. I had my hand pretty low on her back, like really low. Her knees were to my stomach.

I didn't bother to move my face or hand. I was quite comfortable.

It wasn't long at all before Hermione started to wake up. I was surprised that she didn't yell at me for having my face in her boobs or my hand on her bum. I was even more surprised when she lightly kissed the top of my head.

We stayed like that for a long time.

~ * ~ * ~

"Be careful when you wash. I don't want you to break open the wounds," I told Hermione as she got ready for her bath.

"I'll tell you if there's too much blood," she stated, grabbing her clothes and going to the bathroom.

"You'll tell be if there's any blood," I corrected ad she shut the door.

"I can take care of myself."

I was frustrated when she came out of the bathroom later. Her arms and legs had blood smears on them. I rushed over to her.

"I'm fine, Draco. It's only a little blood," she stated.

I looked at her for a second before I tried to enter the bathroom. It was a red flag when she tried to stop me. I pushed back the shower curtain to see the dark red water still draining.

It was more than "a little blood."

I glared at Hermione.

"Get in just your undergarments. I need to heal you," I ordered, getting worried when blood started to show through her shirt.

"N - no," she mumbled as her cheeks turned red.

I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"I'm not gonna do anything bad, Hermione. I just need to help you."

She shook her head as tears started to well in her eyes. I reached to pull her to me, but she flinched away.

"I just want to heal the wounds, I promise."

She took a deep breath and nodded. She slowly walked back into the bathroom.