When Hermione Fights

The Quibbler

Chapter beta: Dani ♥

Chapter translator: Aivy with help from Sophie and NoX

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"Leave us!" I demanded from our companions, which they did immediately. Shortly after we had left Snape's rooms, I pulled Draco into an alcove. I knew the things Snape had divulged so disrespectfully had hurt him, even though he'd never admit it. But I couldn't be mad at Snape; it was still one of the most harmless things he could have stolen from my mind.

This time I placed him against the wall and he leaned back and braced himself against it. I stepped in front of him, grabbing his hips, and he put his arms around my shoulders and looked at me with an unreadable expression, not showing any emotions.

"Draco..." I wanted to begin justifying myself, but he put a finger on my lips, thus shutting me up gently and shook his head. I followed his wish and remained silent until he was ready and started to speak.

"Hermione, I knew that Potter was important to you, but so much? I mean, I think you don't say that often, do you?" The words came very quiet, thoughtful and maybe a bit melancholic from him, though I couldn't hear any hint of an accusation.

"No, you are right. I've never before said it to anyone, except now to Harry ... And no, not even to my parents, I somehow always got around it..." I admitted openly, albeit somewhat shocked myself, and sighed.

"Could you say it to me as well?" he asked me suddenly, his tone of voice difficult to determine. He was not looking at my face, his gaze fixed on the dark distance of the corridor.

"I'm cautious in this regard, I do not want to rush things. If I knew where you stand... Harry did say it first too! But I want to be careful here..." I tried to explain to him gently.

"Where I stand? Well, I'm a Malfoy. I don't wear my heart on my sleeve like your hero Potter!" he said without any emotion, still not looking at me. This conversation wasn't easy, for both of us.

"Then this time I should be the one to muster the lion's courage, right?" I mused softly and he nodded curtly to me, so I pulled his head to me and he went with the motion, leaning over to me and I paused until I could look deep into his eyes.

"I need you very much, Draco! You are my stronghold, I belong to you!" I breathed so softly that I almost did not hear it, looking at him imploringly and he returned my gaze. It was difficult for me to vocalise these intimate and trusting words. I noticed a flash in those beautiful, grey eyes and I think I knew what it meant although he kept silent. Then I plucked up the courage and continued talking.

"And I truly don't see you as a brother and you are already family for me, aren't you?" I summed up further, now more determined, still holding his face cupped in my hands.

I could witness how he fought with himself.

"Hermione, it means so much to me that you are giving me the honor to hear those words out of your mouth. I thank you!" he replied starchily. Wasn't that beautiful? A Malfoy, right up to the white tips of his hair. Sweet, how difficult it was for him to share this intimacy with me. Here he was very different from Harry.

Abruptly, he straightened his posture and freed himself brusquely from my grasp. He now stood proudly in front of me, grabbing both hands of mine and pulling them to his chest, and looked at me insistently.

"I've never said this to anyone before! You understand? Never...No one..." he urgently tried to make it clear to me, before he took a deep breath and confessed hoarsely: