Saving the Enemy

Chapter 15

Hermione

"Draco, honey, wake up," Hermione urges, running her fingers through his soft blonde hair. The look of devastation and guilt that consumed him moments before he fell broke her heart. Harry had helped her carry him to her office, but she needs to see his stunning grey eyes focus on hers before she can go to the meeting. She is letting them organize the raid, placing Griffin in charge of the planning this time because Draco is now her priority.

Hermione observes his sharp features, how peaceful he looks when he isn't consciously aware of what is happening, as his brain is processing this shock. She knows he feels guilty, thinking that it is somehow his fault because he escaped, but Hermione believes that they are trying to lure them. They left clues, made it easy to find this time. Before it was nearly impossible, every aspect covered, but they couldn't hide everything. Eventually they were found, years later. Not hours later as they have lead the Auror's to believe. Hermione is going to find why, what they want. But she needs to know Draco is safe.

"Draco," she calls out again, getting a flutter from his eyes in return. He looks so content when his eyes open, but she can see everything coming back to him, the news heard just minutes ago, the dress up news that consumes him with guilt and self-hatred.

"It's my fault," Draco whispers, looking so panicked that Hermione's heart falls. She moves closer to him so she is sitting on his lap. She takes his face in her hands, forcing him to look at her. Her heart breaks as she sees the tears in his eyes, his breaths coming faster in near hysteria.

"Hey, no. Draco, shh, it's not your fault," she comforts, gently rubbing the pad of her thumbs on his cheek, but her efforts are fruitless.

"No, it's my fault. If I wasn't saved, an innocent would not be taken. T-they wouldn't be t-tortured like I was. I deserved it. I deserve it. And it's my fault, Hermione," he is near yelling now, trying to make her understand but she knows in her heart that it isn't his fault. She wraps him in her arms, his head resting on her chest as she feels his violent sobs. He was getting so much better.

She knows that whoever is responsible will have to respond to her ultimate wrath. They have pained her love and that is unacceptable, a move that is unable to be forgiven. She feels his hands desperately grasp her shirt, shaking so terribly against her as he cries out. Hermione whispers reassurances to him, placing light kisses to his hair and gripping to him tightly, letting Draco know that she is here for him.

"Hermione, we need to go to the meeting," Harry interrupts the moment between the two with his formality. Hermione feels Draco gripping her tighter, almost as if he doesn't want her to leave, but they both know she needs to go.

"Hey Harry, ready- Bloody hell!" Hermione turns her head to see Ron's appalled expression with his wife eyes and opened mouth. "What the bloody hell are you doing with Draco? In his jacket nonetheless, I assume?"

"Ronald, go wait outside, you too Harry. I will be there in two minutes," she says sternly, knowing she will have a lot to explain later, but right now she needs to say goodbye to Draco. Harry nods, dragging a protesting Ron behind him, shutting the door after while Ron keeps yelling about how bloody confused he is.

"Please don't go. I can't let them take you too," Draco whispers, pulling back from Hermione. She notes his bloodshot eyes that reveal that broken look, that hopelessness that she hasn't seen for months. He had been improving so much, but this is clearly bringing it all back.

"You know I have to, Draco. I love you," she whispers, pulling him in for a kiss. She doesn't know what will happen, if she will ever feel his lips against hers again. So she relishes in the feeling of his soft lips connecting with hers, sending her heart into a frenzy. She feels his soft hair, his desperate attempts to keep her rooted right there with him. He is holding her waist so she is pressed closely against him, loving the heat radiating from his chest. She feels the electricity between them as the kiss intensifies, his fingertips scorching her, making her wish to stay on his lap kissing and holding him forever, but she knows this is not an option.