Venom and Velvet

Vod-buh

19. Vod-buh

"Hermione?"

Hermione looked up at Draco, who was sitting across from her in the back corner of the library. Draco had suggested sitting there so they could talk quietly without Madam Pince giving them the evil eye. She nodded for him to continue, holding her place in her book with a finger and looking at him expectantly.

"How have you managed to stay so... okay?"

"I'm not sure what you mean."

"I just..." Draco hesitated, searching for the right words. "I know you went through hell last year. I know you've seen and experienced too much. I just want to what makes you able to stay so... normal."

Hermione gave him a sad smile. "I'm not normal, by any means, Draco. I'm just better at regulating my emotions than most people. I knew to give you the Potion for Dreamless Sleep because I take it almost every night to keep the nightmares away. Besides that, I have so many people to stay strong for."

Draco looked into her eyes deeply.

"You don't always have to be the strong one, Hermione." Hermione felt her throat constrict. "I just want you to know that I'm here for anything you need. You've helped me so much in just a few months. I want to help you, too."

Hermione felt her eyes start to water as she beamed at him. They lingered in each other's gazes for a few moments. Draco leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss on her lips, then returned to his studies. Soon, it was time for dinner. They packed up their bags and went straight to the Great Hall. Their friends were already at one of the round tables, apparently laughing at something Neville had said.

Draco sat next to Hermione at the table, allowing their knees to rest against each other. Even this small connection made her blush. Next to Hermione, Ginny was jovially describing her experience in Care of Magical Creatures, which she excelled at much like her older brother, Charlie. Hagrid was doing far better with choosing creatures than he had in the past and Ginny was telling them about her studies of six-legged salamanders.

"Okay, Hermione. We need to talk about something serious," Ginny said, looking at her pointedly. "Now, I think I've been very generous with your time. I've shared you willingly, but tonight you're spending some time with me. One-on-one girl time. 'Kay?" She gave her a wink to show she wasn't upset.

"I think that's very fair, Gin," Hermione giggled. "We have lots to talk about, anyway." Hermione nudged Draco playfully under the table. At least she'd finally have something to tell Ginny that was, as she would put it, juicy. Draco leaned closer and whispered in her ear.

"I don't think that's fair at all." His breath on her skin made her shudder, which made her blush. She could feel her friends' eyes on them but found that she didn't mind.

"Anything particular in mind, Ginny?" Hermione asked.

"Well, I have loads of chocolate frogs in our room and I got you a... special gift. Let's call it a belated birthday present," the mischievous glint in her eyes made Hermione nervous.

Across the table, Neville was watching intently as Hannah and Luna chatted about earrings. Of course, Hannah preferred earrings made of metal and jewels, while Luna's favorites were radishes.

Once Ginny and Hermione had finished and Hermione was satisfied that Draco was well-fed, for she was becoming more like Mrs. Weasley by the day, they made their way up to the dorm.