Fiercely Stubborn Hearts

Chapter 13

The days passed far too quickly for Hermione, who was already dreading going to Grimmauld Place and seeing Ron. She and Draco made the most of the time they spent together, finding new ways to entertain themselves as they went through the week and finding more and more that there were no more awkward pauses. They seemed to flow from conversation to conversation flawlessly, whether they were insulting each other playfully or having a rather serious discussion about the laws that needed to be replaced in the Ministry. They were a perfect match, Hermione thought one night as Draco played with her hair and hummed a Prince song. He fit every requirement she had dreamed up for her perfect partner, and that was not an easy task.

Then, they were sitting at breakfast on the couch two days before Hermione would have to leave for Harry's place and Draco looked up and smiled at her, "Are you looking forward to spending Christmas with Harry and the Weasley's?"

She grimaced and shrugged, "I wouldn't mind spending Christmas with Harry, but I'm not looking forward to seeing Ron. Knowing him, he'll make this whole scene in the middle of dinner and I'll be humiliated."

Draco huffed, "I wish that you didn't have to go through that alone."

Hermione shook her head, "I won't be going through it alone. I'll have Harry, and of course, Ginny is on my side, along with George and possibly a couple of the others."

"Yes, but that can't stop him from saying anything."

Hermione sighed, "No. It can't. And that's what I'm not happy about."

Draco leaned over to her and placed a gentle kiss on her jaw, "Well, if you need me, you can Floo me, or do one of those Patronus charms."

She leaned into his chest, placing her empty plate on the table in front of her, "I wish you could come."

He wrapped his arms around her and place his chin gently on her head, pressing his lips to her hair briefly, "I wish I could too, but we both agreed that it was too early for any of the Weasleys besides Ginny and George to know."

"I know," she said quietly, "but that doesn't stop me from wishing."

They spent the next two days waiting. It was only a night, Hermione told herself again and again, only one night. Surely, she could make it through one night without him and with Ron. 

He walked her to the Apparition station with her after two of the fastest days she had ever lived and bent to kiss her. She bit her lip as she prepared to leave, feeling his eyes on her back and turned and threw her arms around him again, letting him tuck her into him.

"It's only one night, Hermione," he chuckled, "and you can always Floo me."

She nodded, pulling away, "Okay. Okay. Thanks for walking me down here."

He caught her hand as she went to turn, "You'll be fine, Hermione."

She nodded.

He brushed a thumb along her jaw, teasing, "Come on. You're the big, brave Gryffindor. Give me a smile?"

She pushed her toe against the ground and twisted it back and forth, cheeks turning red and gave him a sheepish smile.

He grinned, "There you go. See? You'll be just fine."

She twisted her arms behind her back and looked up at him, "One more kiss?"

The corners of his lips twitched up again, "Alright. Last one."

He bent down and pressed a kiss to her lips, and then one to her forehead, "I hope you have a good time."

She smiled, "It won't be the same without you."