If Only in My Dreams (Dramione)

Chapter 15: Ice Cold

As Hermione dried her hair that morning, she was once again lost in thought. She glanced at the towel where she had hidden the Dream-Blocking Draught last night and sighed. She had since placed it with the other in her dresser drawer.

She only needed one more draught and she would be able to put her plan in action. In one more day, she might be able to escape. But for some reason the thought didn't make her as happy as it originally had.

After Draco's sincere apology last night, she found herself becoming more drawn to him. What had prompted him to say those words to her, and most importantly, did she really believe that he meant her no harm?

She did. Which made her contemplate not trying to run away, and instead staying and talking to him.

It would be difficult, she knew. He had previously thwarted any attempts she had made to get him to open up about what he wanted to speak to Harry about. She wondered if there was any way she could get him to tell her, and if he did, whether she would believe him.

She had a feeling Draco was in danger and she didn't want to leave him like that. But she knew she first and foremost had a duty to keep Harry safe. Even though Draco had said he didn't want to hurt Harry either, she still worried that he might, if he was desperate.

She made a decision. She would try to get Draco to tell her the truth today. If he refused, she would go ahead with her plan to escape.

Of course, there was the chance that Harry would arrive today and then she wouldn't be faced with making that decision. She mentally did the math of how long she had been there. Suddenly, she realized that today was Christmas Eve.

How odd that tomorrow she would be spending Christmas with Draco Malfoy. If someone had told her that last Christmas, she would have been horrified at the thought. But now, it didn't seem that awful to her. She shook her head and made her way downstairs.

When she entered the kitchen, she smelled coffee brewing and saw Draco eating a plate of food at the table, staring gloomily at the wall. He didn't greet her when she walked in, but she said, "good morning."

He frowned, narrowing his eyes, but said nothing.

She regarded him curiously while she poured herself a cup of coffee. Why did he seem so angry? She recalled how he had come into her room last night, called her name, and then left just as suddenly. Had something happened she didn't know about?

She glanced at the stove but didn't see a meal waiting for her like there had been other mornings.

"Is there any food?" she asked curiously, wondering if she just hadn't seen it.

"For heaven's sake, Granger, I'm not your house elf!" he barked at her. "If you're hungry, make something yourself. I'm not here to wait on you."

Draco got up abruptly, then brushed past her and placed his dishes in the sink.

She stared at him, taken aback by his harsh words and demeanor.

"I know that," she said, "I was just asking." She cocked her head to the side. "Is something wrong?"

"No," he answered curtly, "I have work to do." He stalked out of the room, leaving Hermione standing there, very perplexed.

Where had that come from? Annoyed, she stared after where he had stormed out. He was acting as cold as he had when he first brought her there. Perhaps even icier. Was she a fool for thinking that things had warmed between them over the past few days?

She shook her head. Whatever it was, he would calm down and she would try to get him to talk about it later. He had mentioned something about having nightmares in the past too. Maybe he just hadn't slept well last night.