Pride and Pretenses. (Dramione)

Chapter 33

"Are you sure you're ready for this?"
"Yes Harry," Hermione answered with a determined look on her face. "I want to do this. He needs me. And I...I – "
I need him.
Harry looked at his friend sceptically. He was surprised to find Dumbledore in the hospital wing after he woke from his nap, but the sight of Hermione struggling to get out of bed told him that she knew about Draco. Harry shook his head. Barely hours had passed after waking up from a five day coma (due to the fact that she nearly died, he might add) and she was already trying to fight another battle. But if he knew his best friend, he knew that nothing in the world would stop her when she set her mind to something. He just hoped, for her sake, that this was a battle she could win.
"Well, are you just going to stand there and stare at me or help me out?"
Harry almost wanted to laugh at the tone of her voice. She sounded so much like the bossy eleven year old he met on the Hogwarts Express. He sighed. Things were so much simpler then – back when magic was simply a new and wonderful thing and the only thing he had to worry about was the difference between a quaffle and the snitch.
With another shake of his head, Harry focused back on the present. He held his hand out to Hermione and helped her off the bed.
"Easy there," Harry said, putting his arms around Hermione when she sagged against him. "I don't think your legs are quite ready – "
"I'll be fine," Hermione said shortly. "Just give me a minute."
Harry wisely bit his tongue as Hermione tried to steady herself. After a moment her legs eventually regained some of their strength and Hermione let go of Harry's hand and walked towards the door. Harry followed close behind.
oOoOoOoOoOo
"Hermione!"
As soon as Hermione set foot into the suite, a little blonde bundle launched herself in her arms.
"Sophie!" Hermione said, holding the little girl tightly. She buried her face in Sophie's curls. "Oh, how I've missed you!"
Hermione walked over to the couch and gently sat down, keeping Sophie in her lap. She gave the girl a kiss on the forehead. "How are you doing? Are you ok?"
Sophie nodded gravely. Then she tightened her arms around Hermione's neck and leaned her head against the older girl's shoulder. Hermione became alarmed when she felt Sophie start to shake and her shoulder became wet.
"Sophie, what's wrong?" Hermione asked.
"I'm...I'm scared," Sophie said, her voice shaking. "You left before and I don't...know when...you'll leave me again."
"Oh Sophie," Hermione said sadly, gently smoothing Sophie's curls from her face. "I'm so sorry about that. I'm not going to leave you again. I'll always be here for you ok?"
Sophie lifted her head and looked at Hermione. "Promise?"
"Promise," Hermione answered. "I will always be your friend."
"Good," Sophie said with a big smile. She gave Hermione another hug.
Harry watched as Hermione held Sophie tightly. It saddened him to see that Hermione had a whole other part of her life he knew nothing about. Despite everything that Malfoy told him, he was still shocked when a curly-haired little girl walked in with Narcissa Malfoy a few days ago to visit Hermione in the hospital wing. Now, he was shocked once again at how attached the two girls seemed to be with each other.
"So if you're awake..." Sophie's voice broke Harry from his musings. He almost laughed when the little girl scrunched up her nose in thought. This is what Hermione must've looked like as a little girl.
"That means Draco should be awake soon too, right?"
"I – "
"I knew it! You're the one who can make him okay again! I knew he was just waiting for you."
Hermione's heart broke at seeing Sophie's hopeful face. "I don't know if – "
"You can do it Hermione," Sophie encouraged. "You always knew how to make Draco feel better. Remember a long time ago, when Drake was really sad and I asked for an angel but got you instead? Well, I'm glad it was you because he wasn't sad anymore after that. And..." Sophie paused as she tried to think of more examples. Then her face fell. "And when you left, Drake was really, really sad again. Then I was sad too because you didn't want to play with us anymore. Why did you leave? Did I do something wrong?"
"No sweetheart," Hermione answered with a sad smile. "You didn't do anything wrong. Sometimes, people argue and your brother and I had a bit of a fight."
"But you love him again, right? When Draco and I fight, Mum makes us forgive each other and say 'I love you'. You have to say that to Draco. Maybe that'll make him get better."
Hermione didn't know what to say. "I –"
"Sophie, who are you talking to?"
Luckily, Narcissa walked out of Sophie's bedroom at that moment, interrupting the conversation.
"Hermione!"
Sophie jumped off Hermione's lap as Narcissa walked over to give Hermione a hug.
"Thank goodness, you're alright dear," Narcissa said.
"I'm so glad you're okay," Hermione said at the same time.
They both gave a small laugh, tears streaming down their faces.
Hermione stopped when she caught sight of the door Narcissa just walked out of. The Malfoy matriarch followed her gaze.
"How is he?" Hermione asked quietly.
"He's hanging on. The healers have done all they could to make him comfortable. All we can do now is wait." Narcissa looked at Hermione. "The healers said that he can hear us when we talk to him. Maybe he's just waiting to hear your voice," Narcissa said, squeezing Hermione's hands.
"Sophie?" Narcissa let go of Hermione and turned to her daughter who was busy showing a stunned Harry Potter all her toys.
Narcissa smiled as she walked over to Sophie. "Why don't we go to Hogsmeade for some ice cream, hmm?" She turned to Harry. "And I'm sure Mr. Potter would love some as well, wouldn't you Mr. Potter?"
"Mr. Potter?" Sophie giggled. "His name's Harry mum!" She turned to Harry. "Oh, please come! Pretty please with cherry on top?" Sophie batted her eyelashes for good measure. She liked her new friend.
Between Narcissa's arched eyebrow and Sophie's pleading pout, Harry couldn't really say no to either.
"Uh, sure, ice cream sounds good." He gave Hermione a small smile as they walked out the door.
Hermione's smile faltered once the door closed behind them, leaving her alone in the suite. Well, almost alone. With a deep breath, she opened the door to Sophie's bedroom.
Hermione barely noticed her surroundings as her eyes immediately focused on the mop of blond hair in the middle of the bed.
"Oh Merlin, Draco," she breathed. She almost collapsed in grief but she willed her feet to move closer.
She would've liked to say that he simply looked like he was sleeping but that wasn't it at all. She always loved to watch him sleep but the figure on the bed was a completely different person. The normally strong Draco, the one who made her feel safe in his arms, looked small and fragile as he lay on Sophie's bed. He was lying so still that she could barely detect the shallow rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. She always marvelled at how peaceful he looked when he slept but this time, his face showed nothing – he was simply blank. And calling his skin pale at this point would be an understatement. It was as if he didn't have any blood at all running through his veins. He looked like he was...dead. Transfigure the bed into a casket and no one would know the difference.
Hermione choked back a sob as she sat on a chair beside the bed. She gently reached out and took his hand in hers, trying to ignore how cold he felt to the touch. For a few minutes she just sat there silently, her lips against his hand, willing him to wake up.
"Draco," she whispered. "It's...it's me." Hermione tried to swallow past a lump in her throat as sobs threatened to overtake her. "The healers said you could hear me but I don't even know what to say." She gripped his hand harder as she gazed at his still form.
"I want...no, I need you to be okay. Do you hear me? You have to wake up now. You have to keep fighting. Sophie and Narcissa – they're free now Draco. But it doesn't mean anything if you're not with them. Sophie needs her big brother. Who else is going to teach her how to be an insufferable, haughty Malfoy? You don't want her to become a Gryffindor do you? A Malfoy in Gryffindor – can you imagine? Well, that's exactly what's going to happen if you don't wake up. Mark my words Draco, leave her and I will turn her into a Gryffindor. She'll be my special project; and you know I always get 'Outstanding' on my projects. I'll even make her vice-president of S.P.E.W. She'll wear red all the time and free all the house elves –" Hermione stopped, half expecting Draco to suddenly sit up on the bed, vehemently protesting his sister's fate. Her face grew serious once more when he remained still. "Draco, please," she pleaded.
As she said his name, wave after wave of memories came rushing through her head. She remembered the morning after their first date and his favourite way to wake up.
"I know I'm ridiculously good-looking but could you please go back to bed?" Draco murmured, with his eyes still closed.
Hermione shook her head. She turned to lean over him. "I'm sorry to say this but it's time to get up," she whispered in his ear.
"No," Draco answered, still with his eyes closed.
"Get up," Hermione said softly, kissing his forehead.
Draco shook his head.
"Alright then, I'm just gonna have to try harder," Hermione whispered, her lips moving down over his nose, toward his lips. "Draco," Hermione breathed, her lips ghosting over his.
Draco made his move but Hermione pulled away at the last second, leaving him no choice but to follow and sit up so he could capture her lips with his.
"You don't fight fair," he said with a pout when they broke for air.
"I learned from the best," Hermione replied with a smirk.
She knew it was a crazy idea but she was desperate enough to try anything. With a deep breath, Hermione gently climbed onto the bed beside him. Her heart broke once more as she gazed at his face. She reached out and touched his hair, gently sweeping it aside from his face, her tears falling on his cheek. She leaned down and softly kissed his forehead. No response.
"Draco, time to get up," she whispered in his ear.
Nothing.
She slowly moved her face across his and stopped over his mouth.
"Draco," she breathed, her lips ghosting over his. She slowly lowered her lips to his in a soft kiss.
Nothing happened. Draco remained still.
Hermione's head fell on his chest as agony ripped through her body. The thought of losing him hurt like hell but this was a whole other level. He was right there in her arms. He was so close but still out of reach. She had never felt so helpless in her entire life.
"You selfless prat!" Hermione screamed. "Why would you do something so stupid?! You should have just let me die! You can't go and be a hero and then leave me here alone! You can't do this to me! Damn it Draco, wake up!" She buried her face in the crook of his neck as she wept. "Please Draco. You can't leave me. I don't think...I don't think I can take it. My life means nothing without you. Do you hear me? You may have saved my life Draco Malfoy, but it means nothing without you. I need you."
As she lay beside him, Sophie's words came back to her.
"When Draco and I fight, Mum makes us forgive each other and say 'I love you'. You have to say that to Draco. Maybe that'll make him get better."
Hermione grimaced. Who was she kidding? She was never one to believe in fairy tales – she already tried to kiss him and it certainly didn't work. Still...
"I love you," Hermione said, taking Draco's hand in hers once more. And she did. As she looked at their intertwined hands she knew that she never stopped loving him. Even in the moments when she felt sure he had betrayed her, she never, for one second, stopped loving him. She looked up at his face.
"Did you hear that Malfoy? I love you. Despite your flawed plans and crazy schemes, I still love you. You're an egotistical, pompous, conniving...Slytherin, but I still love you. You need to wake up now so I can see what it would be like to have a normal relationship with you. Granted, a relationship with you will never be normal, and I certainly hope it wouldn't be but I'd still like to see where things could go."
Hermione looked at Draco expectantly. Still nothing.
"Draco..."
oOoOoOoOoOo
There must be a God.
Whoever was in charge up there certainly had a forgiving nature, because despite everything he did, there was no other place he could be right now than in heaven. It was the only place where they could be together.
Draco smiled as he gazed at the sleeping figure beside him. He gently swept a curl off her face marvelling at her beauty. His angel. He buried his face in her hair, breathing in her scent.
As he looked around, Draco noticed that the place was very similar to Sophie's bedroom and he was lying in what looked like Sophie's bed.
How odd.
But who was he to question higher powers? He would be content wherever he was as long as she was with him. He brought his attention back to the girl beside him, tracing the planes of her face with his eyes. Merlin, how he loved her! He was about to touch her lips when suddenly, he felt darkness pull him under.
oOoOoOoOoOo
Hermione slowly opened her eyes, smiling at the familiar feel of Draco's body against hers. But as she looked up at his expressionless face, reality came crashing back down.
Hermione slowly got up as she heard someone enter the room.
"Good morning Hermione," Narcissa said with a sad smile. She looked at her son's lifeless form. "Why don't you go and get some breakfast?"
"No, I'm alright," Hermione protested, dreading the thought of leaving Draco.
"I'd like to have a few moments alone with him please," Narcissa insisted gently.
Hermione saw her sorrow mirrored in the woman's eyes and she understood. She kissed Draco's cheek and squeezed Narcissa's hand as she made her way out the door.
oOoOoOoOoOo
No, please...this can't be happening.
He was in Malfoy manor and lying at the foot of the stairs was Hermione, lifeless. He reached her in two strides and gathered her in his arms. He struggled to catch his breath as anguish tore through his heart.
"Hermione," he pleaded, willing her to breathe.
Suddenly, his father appeared before him and without a word, ripped Hermione from his grasp.
"No!" Draco tried to stop him but the darkness consumed him once again.
But this time, Draco would not succumb. He fought through the oppressive darkness, desperate to get Hermione back.
oOoOoOoOoOo
"Hermione."
Narcissa suddenly looked up when she heard it, not daring to hope.
"Hermione."
She was definitely not imagining it!
"Draco?" Narcissa cried as she rushed to her son's side.
Draco slowly opened his eyes. "Mother?" He asked in a hoarse voice.
"Oh thank Merlin!" Tears streamed down Narcissa's face as she held her son. She searched his face, drinking the sight of him in. "Are you alright? How are you feeling? Oh, I must get Pomfrey – "
"Mother," Draco said, stopping Narcissa's flustered speech. "What happened? Why am I in Sophie's room?"
"Oh, sweetheart, I – " Narcissa paused, not knowing where to begin.
Suddenly, everything came back to Draco. The battle...his father...Hermione –
"Hermione! Is she...Mother, is she – " Draco choked on the last word. He looked at Narcissa with panic in his eyes.
"She's alive," Narcissa assured him.
Pure, unadulterated relief went through Draco. His whole being practically sang upon hearing those two words.
"I should probably call her. She'd want to know – "
"No." Draco interrupted Narcissa, surprising her.
He didn't want Hermione to know he was awake just yet. He wasn't even sure if she would want to see him anyway. Considering what he did to her, he wouldn't be surprised if she hated his guts. He needed time to collect himself. It would hurt to see her knowing she didn't feel the same way he did. If he saw her now, he would probably lash out at her and hurt her even more. He would need all his strength to let her go and be happy.
Narcissa watched her son as he raked his fingers through his hair. She wanted to take away the sadness in his eyes but she knew that she wasn't the right person to do it. She had never met more stubborn people in her life! They were just as set in their insecurities as they were in their opinions. She could tell them that they loved each other until their ears fell off, but neither would believe it unless they heard it from each other's mouths.
"Is Sophie alright?" Draco asked, breaking Narcissa's train of thought.
"Yes, she's fine and she would be very happy to see you."
oOoOoOoOoOo
"So she's really gone then?"
Hermione was sitting in the Gryffindor Common Room with Neville and Luna. After an emotional reunion with them and Ginny at breakfast, Hermione insisted that Ginny and Harry go out by themselves for the rest of the day. They had, of course, insisted that she, Luna and Neville come with them, but Hermione declined saying that she didn't feel that her body was quite ready to spend a whole day out just yet. She smiled at the thought of Harry finally being able to go on a date without having to look over his shoulder. Knowing that he was busy worrying about her after defeating Voldemort, Hermione was glad to give Harry and Ginny some time to actually enjoy total freedom for the first time.
"No one was supposed to know what happened at Malfoy Manor so naturally, everyone at school knows," Luna replied, leaning her head on Neville's shoulder. "Everyone hated her for betraying Harry and almost making us lose the war. She couldn't handle being a pariah so she left. I think her family may be moving back to France, at least for a little while. Whether she'll be back next year is anyone's guess."
"Although, I don't really think it was fair for people to blame her," Neville added. "I mean, who's to say what anyone would do if Voldemort was in front of you, threatening to torture you."
"Well, we certainly would have died before betraying Harry!" Luna retorted.
"I know that," Neville replied, squeezing Luna's hand to reassure her. "I know that none of us would have betrayed Harry." He looked at Hermione apologetically.
Hermione gave him a soft smile. "I know Neville."
"I'm not saying what she did was right," Neville continued. "What I am saying is that if they were put in that situation, none of these other kids would hesitate to do anything to save their asses. It was hypocritical of them to jump on her case when they probably would've done the same thing. But that's Hogwarts for you."
"It's society in general," Luna said pensively.
"Oh well, that was merely my two cents," Neville said. "I really couldn't care less about Genevieve. If she never comes back, I say, good riddance. I never liked her anyway, especially after all she did to you Hermione." He looked up when someone approached them. "Speaking of people we don't like..."
"Hermione, can I talk to you for a minute?" Ron asked.
Neville and Luna looked at Hermione, ready to back her up if she needed them to.
"You have one minute," Hermione told Ron. "It's okay," she said to her two friends.
Neville and Luna reluctantly got up.
"I need to get a book I lent to Ginny so I'll be in her room," Luna said to Hermione though she was looking pointedly at Ron. "Just yell if you need anything."
"I should make sure the mandrake hybrid I've been growing for Herbology is getting enough sun," Neville said, clearly indicating the window on the far side of the Common Room.
Hermione was touched at Neville and Luna's concern for her well-being. She almost smiled when Neville purposefully bumped into Ron on his way out since he was at least a foot smaller than Ron so it was more awkward rather than threatening.
"What do you want Ron?" Hermione asked.
"I just wanted to say I'm sorry." Ron said.
A few moments of silence passed.
"Thank you," Hermione said when he didn't elaborate.
"Thank you? That's it?" Ron asked.
"What do you want me to say Ron?" Hermione countered.
"That you forgive me; that we can be friends again."
"So what, you thought that you would just come over here, say sorry and that's it? We would be friends again and all would be right in the world?" Hermione asked incredulously. "Do you even know what you're sorry for? Or are you just apologizing so people will talk to you again?"
"I...well...er...I'm sorry for...I know it probably wasn't the best way to break up with you," Ron stammered.
"Break up with me? You cheated on me Ron! You didn't just call it off. You went behind my back and cheated on me with another girl. On top of that, you humiliated me – insulted and badmouthed me behind my back. What's worse is that you used me. You never cared about me at all. You just used me to up your status so that you'll have a girlfriend like everybody else. Once someone better came along, you dropped me without a second thought. So pick any of the above Ron, but don't apologize for breaking up with me because it was the only thing you did right."
Ron huffed, his temper slowly rising. "I knew it. I try to apologize and here you are getting all self-righteous again."
"Oh, was that an apology? I didn't know apologies consisted of 'sorry' and an insult in the same breath these days." Hermione paused. "Forget it Ron. I neither want nor need your apology. Let's face it – you're only doing this so that we can be the 'Golden Trio' again and you can have your status back. After all, everything you do is for yourself. I wouldn't be surprised if you just became friends with Harry because of his scar."
Ron fell silent.
"Oh Merlin, no," Hermione whispered as she watched Ron's face.
"You don't understand!" Ron protested. "I was nobody! Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George – they were all good at something. Even Ginny was special because she was the girl. But me? No one cared about me! My whole life, I was always looked over, always so-and-so's brother or Arthur's son, never Ron Weasley. When I got on that train and saw Harry, I thought I could change all that. Finally be somebody – Harry Potter's best friend. Can you imagine?" Ron's tone turned pensive. "My parents would finally be proud of me; to be friends with someone so important, helping him save the wizarding world. Then you walked in, looking for that stupid toad." He looked at Hermione in contempt. "I hated you, you know. Harry was supposed to be my best friend. But once we saved you from the troll, that was it – you became his best friend, too. What's worse is that you both had an identity. Harry was Harry freaking Potter and you were the smartest witch of the age. Even my family loved you! And me? I was once again swept aside – the 'other friend', the other third part of the Golden Trio. Sure, I got some attention, but without you and Harry, I was completely and utterly forgettable. Do you know how that feels, Hermione? To be a nobody? To know that no matter what you do, you'll always be ignored? So yeah, I may have done some things I'm not proud of but can you really blame me? I had no choice. I did what I had to do."
"You always have a choice," Hermione answered. "If you had swallowed your pride for a moment and looked around, you would've seen that you weren't nobody – that you were loved. Your family loves you Ron – exactly the way you are. They weren't expecting you to find a cure for lycanthropy or save the world. We all cared about you, and not because you were Harry Potter's best friend, but because you were Ron and you were our friend. So yes Ron, I do blame you because none of us were pretending. If you just stopped caring about what other people thought of you, maybe you wouldn't have felt the need to use us, to use me."
As she said the words, Hermione had an epiphany – one that she'd been having for some time now and here it was again. She was guilty of the same thing Ron was. Sure, she never intentionally used or betrayed anyone, but she did let her insecurities affect her relationships and the way she lived her life. What Ron did was wrong – plain and simple – but she did understand; more than he could ever imagine.
"I forgive you Ron," she told him. His face turned hopeful. "But I can't be friends with you, because frankly, I can't trust you."
"And what, you trust Malfoy?" Ron spat.
"Yes, actually, I do," Hermione said firmly, willing herself not to take Ron's bait.
Hermione looked into his eyes. "I hope you find the courage to talk to Harry. I don't want him to get hurt the same way you hurt me."
Ron started to protest but Hermione interrupted him.
"Be honest with him and maybe things will work out," she said. "I think you'd rather that it came from you rather than me. I won't say anything for now but mark my words, if you don't say anything and I get so much as an inkling that you'll hurt him, you'll wish you really were nobody."
Hermione walked away before Ron could say anything.
"Hermione, is everything – "
"I'm alright Neville, I just need some air."
oOoOoOoOoOo
Hermione found herself by the lake once again. It was a warm, spring day – the sun was shining and the Giant squid lazily swam around the lake. Hermione found it calming to watch the water gently lap at her feet. She wasn't even thinking about Ron anymore. She thought that for a minute they may have been making progress but Ron remained stubborn. She hoped that he would find a way to change before it was too late.
Right now her thoughts were of a sleeping figure in a hidden part of the castle. Hermione tried to think about other things, about life in general, about what it would be like now that Voldemort was defeated. She had plans of course – the internship then hopefully a career in the department after graduation...but her thoughts always went back to him. She just couldn't imagine life without him. She can't plan her life without knowing how his will turn out.
"Hermione!"
A loud voice interrupted her musings.
Hermione turned around just as Sophie ran up to her.
"Sophie! What a nice surprise!" Hermione said picking her up. "You're out of your suite!"
"Mum says I'm allowed to go out now! Draco's giving me a tour of the castle!" Sophie beamed.
Hermione's heart stopped. For a moment she couldn't breathe. She put Sophie down gently and looked up. Sure enough, Draco was walking up to them.
Draco was walking – Draco's awake! He's alright! He's...here. A million thoughts and emotions rushed through Hermione. Her heart was pounding, her blood was racing...she thought she would double over with the intensity of her feelings.
Suddenly he was there. Standing right in front of her. Close enough to touch. Their eyes met.
Merlin, she's so beautiful. Draco could barely breathe as he drank the sight of her in, afraid that she would disappear if he blinked. It worked. He still couldn't believe it worked. He knew it was insane and impossible but he was desperate. When he saw her there, lying on the floor, he couldn't think about anything else but her. His world had ended that night. Nothing else mattered, time and logic ceased to exist, all he knew was that she had to be okay. He wasn't going to let her die, he wasn't going to give up on her, not when he still had breath left in his body. And now here she was, in front of him, alive. She may hate him but it didn't matter as long as she was alright. His world had started spinning again. A breeze ruffled her unruly hair and he caught the scent of her floral shampoo. A yearning so strong hit him. He lifted his hand.
Hermione trembled. He was so close. His hand moved closer to her face. The look in his eyes made her lean closer –
A splash and Sophie's giggle brought them up short. Draco dropped his hand and stepped back. Hermione felt the empty space.
"Hello."
"Hi."
"I'm glad to see – "
"How are – "
"You first," Hermione said with an embarrassed laugh.
"Er, how are you feeling? Um, mother said you were in a coma for five days. Good to see you out." Draco rambled, cursing his awkwardness. Good to see you out? How old are you Draco, 12?
"Oh, um, I'm fine," Hermione replied, seemingly caught off guard by the question. "Thank you, for...you know..." Sweet Circe, how awkward can this get?!
Luckily Sophie decided to interrupt at that moment.
"Draco, I think it's time to meet Mum for lunch now."
"Oh, uh, sure Izzy," Draco replied, reluctantly taking his eyes away from Hermione. "Well, er...I should...go."
"Um, yeah," Hermione said. "Goodbye Sophie."
"Bye Hermione!" Sophie answered before running back toward the castle.
Draco slowly turned around and followed his sister.
Hermione watched him walk away and felt a sense of loss. She turned back towards the lake.
Who was she kidding? He probably only saved her because he felt guilty. He was, after all, the reason she got captured in the first place. She mentally slapped herself. Get a grip Hermione! You know that no amount of magic could've saved you if he didn't care for you. Go after him, you dolt! The man she loved, the man who was willing to give up his life to save hers was walking away from her. After everything that's happened, after everything they've been through, was she really going to let him go that easily?
"Draco."
"Hermione."
They both turned around at the same time. The next moment she was in his arms and he was kissing her like there's no tomorrow. She returned his kisses with fiery intensity. The moment their lips met, the whole world clicked into place. As Draco claimed her mouth, Hermione realized how lost she had been for the past few days. Now, she felt whole. She felt the sense of home that only came when she was with him.
Eventually they surrendered to the need for air and broke off, both breathing heavily. Draco slid his hands from Hermione's hair and gently caressed her face. She gave him a soft smile that had his heart racing faster than it already was. He locked his eyes with hers.
"I love you," Draco said.
Hermione's found it hard to breathe once more. There it was. The three words she had been waiting for from his lips. Her soul practically sang with joy. She looked down, overcome with emotion.
Worried, he gently tilted her face up and looked at her questioningly. Hermione searched the depths of his eyes and was stunned at the emotion they held – and it was all for her.
"Herm – "
She cut off what he was going to say as she crushed her lips to his once more. He pulled her closer to him, almost as if he was afraid of letting her go. She brought her arms around his neck and buried her fingers in his hair as she deepened the kiss, pouring her heart and soul, her worries and anxieties, her relief and her joy, into his lips. It was the only conversation they needed. The kiss expressed more than a lifetime of words could ever say.
"I love you," Hermione said breathlessly when they finally broke apart.
Draco's face broke out in a bright smile as he picked her up and spun her around. He put her down only to capture her lips once more.
"Oi! When you two are done snogging, can we steal the pretty brunette back?"
"Fred! George!" Hermione exclaimed when they turned to the loud voices.
Reluctantly, Draco let go of her knowing she'd want to go to them. Sensing his disappointment, Hermione took his face in her hands and gave him a searing kiss.
"I love you," she breathed, earning another brilliant smile from him. With a squeeze of his hand, she went to her friends.
"Welcome back to the land of the living bookworm," Fred said, as he picked up Hermione in a bone crushing hug. He passed her on to George.
"Dying? How unoriginal. Really, Hermione, were you that sick of us?" George said with a grin.
"I missed you guys," Hermione said, returning their hugs.
"We missed you too," the twins said simultaneously.
"Hey! Don't hog her! We want to see her too!"
Hermione looked behind the twins at the newcomers.
"Bill! Charlie!" She exclaimed, running over to the other Weasley brothers.
Draco watched Hermione and the others from his spot by the lake. He may have fought with them in the Manor but he wasn't quite ready to be chummy with them yet. He was alarmed, however when he noticed one of the twins – was it Fred? Or George? – anyway, a redhead, talking intently to Sophie. With a sigh, Draco made his way over to the crowd.
He found Sophie laughing with delight as the twin changed the colours of her pygmy puff.
"I hope you're not trying to corrupt my little sister, Weasley," Draco drawled when he reached them.
"Why not?" asked Fred. "You already corrupted ours."
They both looked over at Hermione who was currently being hugged by the rest of the Order.
"Touché," said Draco.
"Speaking of which Malfoy," said George. "If you ever hurt her..."
"If I ever hurt her again," Draco said, his gaze softening as he watched Hermione. "I'll floo to your house myself."
"Ah, there's hope for this one after all!" The twins said with a grin, clapping Draco hard on the back.
"Alright boys, that's enough," Hermione said with a smile when she returned to them. She entwined her fingers with Draco's.
"Well come on then, the party's starting," George said.
"We'll be there in a minute," said Hermione.
Everyone made their way into the castle, Fred hoisting a delighted Sophie on his shoulders, leaving Draco and Hermione alone once more.
"Hello," Draco whispered as he took her face in his hands.
"Hi."
He brought his lips down to hers in a mind-blowing kiss.
"I love you," he said.
"And I love you," she replied.
"I'll never get tired of hearing that," Draco murmured.
"Good," said Hermione, capturing his lips once more.
"Are you coming with me to the party?" she asked, when they finally broke apart.
"As much as I was willing to brave the Dark Lord for you, a room full of Gryffindors is more than I can handle," Draco replied.
"That's right," she said, remembering the night they drank Firewhisky to celebrate her interview invitation. "Gryffindor parties are too much for your delicate constitution. Lightweight," Hermione teased.
"But I'm your lightweight," Draco countered, leaning down to kiss her.
"Mine," Hermione breathed, nipping his bottom lip with her teeth.
Draco groaned. She better leave right now or those Gryffindors will never see her again.
Hermione seemed to sense his thoughts. She pulled him closer to her, their lips so close, her breaths mingling with his.
"So, I'll probably be looking for another party after all the Gryffindors have passed out," she whispered in a husky voice. "Can I count on you to be there for me?"
"Always."
...