Saved by Malfoy*

Chapter 26

Hermione's P.O.V

The next time I woke, I felt dreadful. I was freezing and my nose was stuffed. I cuddled closer to Draco for warmth. I knew I was sick, but I wasn't gonna tell Draco. I didn't need more rest.

Draco slowly started to stir. The moment he opened his eyes, he was moving away from me.

"Hermione? You're really warm," he stated before putting his hand on my head. "You've gotta fever."

Well... this sucks.

"It's nothing. I'm fine," I mumbled, sniffing.

"You're sick," he stated.

"It's allergies," I excused it.

"You have a fever," Draco argued.

"It's nothing, honest," I tried to reassure him.

Draco got up and rummaged in his potions cupboard. He tossed me a red potion, which I tried to catch. It fell next to me on the bed.

"Pepperup potion," he explained when I looked at the potion.

I quickly downed it and put the potion bottle aside. I instantly felt better. Draco plopped back on the bed and pulled me into his arms.

I cuddled into his chest.

"Better?"

"Yeah."

"What do you want to do today?" He asked me.

"Can we go for a walk?" I grinned, getting excited.

I'd only been outside three times in the past two years.

"As much as I hate to crush your excitement, you're still sick. The potion only makes the effects go away, not the sickness," he explained. "Your body needs to heal. I don't think exposing you to outside for a long time would be the best way to heal."

"I'm not sick."

He glared at me.

"Maybe tomorrow," he suggested.

I nodded quickly, glad to still have the chance at going outside.

"Do you want to invite someone over?" He asked suddenly.

"Blaise?" I suggested.

Draco's P.O.V  (later)

"Thanks, Mate. I had fun," Blaise smirked, getting ready to leave.

"No problem. It was Hermione's idea actually. Thanks for the whisky," I replied smoothly.

We weren't completely drunk, though my mind was a bit fuzzy.

"She had a good time," Blaise stated, nodding to Hermione, who was asleep on my bed.

"Yup, she was completely drunk," I agreed.

"See you later," Blaise said before apparating out of my room.

I got into comfortable clothes and slid under the covers next to Hermione. I gently put my arms around her waist and pulled her against my chest.

"Mmm," she grunted.

She relaxed again. I heard her light snore start up again. It was more of a purr than anything else. I held her close and let her snores lull me into a deep sleep.

~ * ~ * ~

I was cold when I woke. Like... really cold. My eyes snapped open when I realized Hermione wasn't by my side.

I relaxed when I saw Hermione's shoes in the corner. The bathroom light was shining from under the door.

I knocked on the bathroom door.

"I need a minute."

I heard the tub draining. Hermione's head popped out of the Crack of the door.

"Uh, Draco?" She blushed.

It was a dark blush.

"Yes?"

"Do you - do you have any potions for a menstrual cycle?" She asked, blushing more.

"Oh... yeah," I nodded, quickly going to my potions cupboard. "I had Mother get you some."

I handed one to her, so she quickly shut the door. It was a few minutes before she came out of the bathroom.

I drew my wand and quickly healed all the wounds that were visible.

"You don't have to do that, you know," Hermione stated, the blush slowly fading from her cheeks.

"You need to be healed," I replied simply.

"It's fine, I'm used to the pain anyway," she mumbled.

"You really shouldn't be," I stated.

"It's the world we live in, Draco," she said a bit louder.

"It doesn't have to be," I whispered, moving closer to her and putting my hands on her shoulders. "You need to let me help you, so you don't suffer."

"I - it's just hard for me when you're always checking on me or healing me! I went from 'I love you, Hermione' to 394 to 'I love you' again! I'm just - just having trouble with it. I've let myself love you, but I'm still afraid it will happen again just like before - "

"I would never let that happen," I cut in.

She was panicking already. She kept running her hands through her hair as her voice got higher.

"I - I'm sorry. This is just hard for me."

"It's okay," I muttered, kissing the top of her head.

Once she'd calmed down, I led her back to the bed and sat down.

"I want to ask you something, but I'm not sure if it's too personal or of its rude..." I trailed off, not looking at Hermione.

"I'll let you know if it's rude, but I have very little personal stuff," she stated.

I hesitated.

"You don't have to answer... I'm just curious," I continued, but when she nodded, I asked the question. "Like... okay so... I don't understand why your period is just now starting. I thought those were once a month, but you've been with me for a few, so I was just wondering why."

"Oh," the blush returned. "I was really messed up at 394, Draco. They did things that really messed me up. I don't really know why I still have it really... it's only every few months. I don't know what it means really. Maybe that I can still have kids... maybe that my body is able to start having a baby still, but couldn't handle it a few months into pregnancy. There's no way to be sure really," she replied.

Her tone didn't sound happy. She sounded slightly upset.

"What do you think it means?" I pried.

"I don't know, but I do want to have kids, so I want to try someday," she said quietly.

And that got me thinking. Would Hermione and I still be together after the war? Did she know I was serious when I proposed? Was she planning to stay with me forever like I'd hoped, or would she try to find her old friends and leave me in the dust?

"We can try someday," I agreed.

She smiled.

"Promise?"

"I promise."