If Only in My Dreams (Dramione)

Chapter 10: The Things We Have in Common

Hermione's eyelids fluttered open and she sat up slowly, looking around the room. For a moment, she thought she was in the library at Hogwarts but then she remembered where she really was.

The library of Malfoy Manor enchanted to be part of Draco Malfoy's current home.

That thought made her turn her head towards the desk Draco had been sitting at earlier. She was relieved to see that it was empty. She didn't like the idea of having fallen asleep in front of him. It made her feel vulnerable. Although, with any luck, he hadn't even noticed.

As she stood up, a soft white blanket fell from her. Hermione picked it up, confused.

Where did that come from? she wondered. She was certain it hadn't been there when she fell asleep. Had Malfoy put it on her?

No, most likely she had subconsciously thought she was cold while she slept, and the house had provided it. She folded it up neatly, draping it across the couch.

Hermione picked up the stack of books she had been reading earlier and put them back on the shelves.

By the time she was satisfied that she had put her books away in the right spots, she noticed it was dark outside. Her stomach growled so she made her way out of the library towards the kitchen.

***

Draco had just finished pulling a loaf of garlic bread out of the oven to go with the spaghetti he had made for dinner when Hermione entered the room.

"Just in time," he said. "Did you sleep well?"

"Oh, um, yes...thanks." Hermione put her arms around herself and rubbed them, looking slightly embarrassed. "I guess I needed it."

Draco nodded as he handed her a plate then made his way over to the table. Hermione followed.

As they started eating, Draco couldn't help but remember the last meal they had shared and how poorly it had gone. He certainly didn't want another repeat of that. However, after a few more minutes, he decided the silence might be worse so he spoke.

"I hope this meal is a little more to your liking than breakfast was."

Hermione glanced at him awkwardly, then back at her food. "Uh, yes, It's actually quite good."

He took a sip of water and regarded her.

"Glad to hear it."

A few more moments of silence passed, so Draco spoke again.

"Spaghetti was always my favorite meal as a child...I used to sneak down to the kitchen to watch the house elves make it. I think I liked it because the noodles reminded me of worms."

Hermione nearly choked on her pasta over his odd revelation. She coughed but managed to recover enough to speak.

"And that made you like it?"

"I was five." He shrugged. "I liked anything that reminded me of worms."

She shook her head. "I have a hard time picturing you hanging out in the kitchen with house elves."

"Well, my father certainly put a stop to it after he found out." Draco smiled bitterly. "But I guess something must have stuck with me or we wouldn't have this fine meal we're eating now."

"I guess not," Hermione said dully and continued eating.

Draco frowned. Making conversation with her was about as easy as tying a bow on a Blast-Ended Skrewt. After a few more minutes, he tried again. Their conversation from lunch was still weighing on his mind, so he said, carefully, "I Obliviated my mother's memory and sent her into hiding in New Zealand, for her safety." Draco wasn't sure if it was the right thing to say, but he wanted Hermione to know the truth about that, at least. "That's why she's been reported missing."