A/N: Hello! I am Nessa, and this is my first fanfiction that I published on-line. I hope that you read it till the very end.

Note: For this chapter, most of the italicized parts are memories of Draco Malfoy. Not all, but most.

DISCLAIMER:

Harry Potter belonged, belongs and will belong to Joanne Kathleen Rowling.

Chapter One: For the Sake of Memories

Draco Malfoy opened his eyes, searching for someone. Sitting up, he saw a note on the bedside table, the penmanship quite recognizable. He read it hastily.

Malfoy,

Sorry for what happened last night.

Granger

Draco sighed, and then laid down on the bed again. She was sorry... Sorry for completing my night. He thought. He ran his hand across his face and stood, heading for the bathroom. It smelled of roses and lavender, like Hermione's hair. He sighed again. He turned on the faucet and filled the tub, and when it was half-full, he soaked himself in, remembering each and every single thing that happened last night. He closed his eyes.

There was a party for the Department of International Magical Cooperation, and of course, Hermione was there, being the Assistant Head and Draco too, being the Most Valuable Negotiator. Someone proposed a Spin the Bottle, a Muggle game in which one spins a bottle in the middle of people in a circle and whoever the bottle 'picks', needs to choose between truth or dare. Surprisingly, everyone joined in. Hermione was picked first.

"Truth or Dare?"

"Truth." Replied Hermione.

"Okay then. Did you ever have a crush for Draco Malfoy? During your Hogwarts days?"

"Uh," the girl was blushing furiously. "Yes."

Draco smiled at the memory. He did not know why, but it made him happy. Knowing that Hermione had a crush on him back then. Then he remembered when it was his turn.

"Truth or Dare, Mr. Most Valuable Negotiator?"

"Dare. Oh, I know I'm the charmer. People just can't resist me." He said with a smirk.

The others laughed, and then looked at each other knowingly.

"Okay then Mister Malfoy. I dare you to kiss Hermione."

"What?"

"Come on, kiss Hermione Jean Granger."

"But-"

"Coward? Chicken? What suits him best?" the group laughed, and so did Hermione. Suddenly Draco stood up and kissed Hermione fully on the lips. Surprisingly, Hermione kissed back. A flash of light separated them. One office member took their picture.

"Memories." Sniggered the witch who took the picture.

Draco absentmindedly traced his lower lip with his forefinger. He opened his eyes, only to close them again. Last night, last night was one of the best nights of his life.

"Hey, Draco! Can you bring Hermione to your house for the time being?" said Sarah Scamander. "I don't think she can bring herself home."

Draco looked at Hermione. The girl was still slightly sober, but you never know.

"Uh, sure." Replied Draco, taking Hermione. His house had seven bedrooms, so it was not a problem at all.

"I can go by myself, you know." Said Hermione, before fainting.

"Sure you can." Replied Draco, catching Hermione. "Never thought I'd live the day to see the brightest witch of her age get drunk." He added in an undertone, then Apparated to his house. He laid Hermione on the couch then proceeded to the kitchen to mix some coffee for the two of them.

When he went back to the living room, Hermione was half-awake. Draco sat beside her and handed her the coffee.

"Careful, it's hot." He said. The witch only nodded, then sipped at the coffee, becoming fully awake by the minute.

"Sarah said that you sleep here for the time being, it's not safe for you to go home alone. You're drunk." Said Draco.

"I can take care of myself. I'm going home right now." Said Hermione, preparing to leave. Draco grabbed Hermione's wrist.

"No, you stay here."

"Let me go!"

"I will if you stay for the night. It's just not safe."

"Give me three reasons why it's not safe."

"One, it's 12 in the morning and who knows what danger lurks in the corner. Two, you're Muggle-born, respected, and famous, even more dangerous for you to go alone, and three, you're drunk." Replied Draco, ticking each reason of his fingers.

Hermione sensed defeat. Sighing, she stopped struggling, and Draco let her go.

"Why don't you just accompany me home?"

"And get my balls hexed off? No thanks."

Hermione sighed again. "Do you have any potion that's for hangovers?" she said, but Draco shook his head.

"None. I don't go around getting wasted, you see." He said with a hint of sarcasm.

"Is that a compliment or an insult?"

"Whatever." Draco said, then stood up. "Now, if you'll just follow me, I'll show to your temporary room."

"I haven't even agreed to stay here!"

"But you know that the argument's won. By me." He even pointed a finger on himself.

"You're giving me a head ache." Said Hermione, rolling her eyes, and fingers on her temple.

"That's because of the alcohol."

"Can't you just show me to "my room" and shut the fuck up?" said Hermione, air quoting the words my room.

"After me, Granger."

Hermione rolled her eyes and followed Draco upstairs. They passed 8 doors before stopping in front of a cedar door. Draco opened it and the room was very nice. The walls were in a nice shade of red, with a few gold accents and woodwork was in cedar. The bed itself was huge, queen size, perhaps. Hermione thought. It was Gryffindor-ish to Hermione.

"I figured that you'll like this room." Said Draco.

"Very Gryffindor." Said Hermione.

"Yeah. I have a Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin room too. I think it's obvious that I stay in the Slytherin room."

"How many rooms does this house have, anyway?"

"Uh, seven bedrooms, two living rooms, two baths, one kitchen, one dining room, a library, a sitting room, a music room, and an attic. Seventeen all in all."

"And you live here alone?"

"Yeah."

"God, that sounds quite lonely."

"Not really, when you're accustomed with being alone."

Draco's eyes fell downcast, and Hermione felt guilty.

"Sorry for bringing that up."

"It's nothing. Good night Granger."

Hermione didn't respond, and Draco left the room. He headed towards his room while Hermione headed for the bed. She didn't feel remotely sleepy, since she was still in her office clothes. I need a bath, Hermione thought. She went out of the room and was glad that Draco was just a few feet away.

"Uh, Malfoy?"

Draco spun around, looking at Hermione.

"What?"

"I need to take a shower, and I think I have to borrow your clothes for the time being."

"Er, okay." Pictures of Hermione in Draco's clothes suddenly passed his mind, making his cheek flush slightly.

"Uh, would you mind showing me where the bathroom is?"

"Oh yeah, right. Third door to your left, door is made of oak."

"And the clothes?"

"Oh, that. Wait here."

Draco walked away, disappearing in a room with a door made of ebony. Five minutes later, he came back with a white long sleeve polo, obviously from their Hogwarts days.

"Those were what I could find on such a short notice." He said, giving them to Hermione who took them.

"Thanks anyway."

Draco just nodded and disappeared to his room again, while Hermione proceeded to take a shower. Thirty minutes later, Hermione was in Draco's shirt and was walking towards her temporary room again. Just as she was opening the door, Draco got out from his and caught Hermione's attention.

She turned around to see Draco half naked, he was wearing his green boxers. Hermione stared at Draco and stared at her. Brown met grey.

It was Hermione who averted her gaze off, looking down at her feet.

"Uh, good night." Said Draco hastily.

"It's good morning, actually." Replied Hermione, and entered her room in record time.

Draco opened his eyes, and decided to fast forward things a bit.

He heard someone shouting, and his instincts kicked in. Draco casted a strong protection charm on him and went out of the room. He followed the source of the noise and was surprised to see that it came from Hermione's room. He unlocked the door and entered cautiously, his wand aimed.

"Mum! Dad!" yelled Hermione. "Put out the fire! Please, my parents!"

Draco immediately lifted the spell off him. Hermione was thrashing on the bed, almost strangling herself. He tentatively approached the bed, then got hold of Hermione, then straddled her, holding her arms above her head, his forehead millimeters away from Hermione's.

"Granger! Granger wake up!" he said.

Hermione was still struggling, groaning and crying in her sleep.

"Mummy! Daddy!" cried Hermione. "Please don't be dead! Please!"

"Granger! GRANGER!"

Draco practically yelled at Hermione. Fortunately, that was what the witch needed to wake up. Her eyes opened, brown meeting grey again. Draco sighed and lightly rested his forehead on Hermione's before getting off her.

"Merlin, you scared me." He said, sitting up.

"My parents…" muttered Hermione, silent tears flowing from her eyes.

Draco was slightly in a mocking mood, but he was sensitive enough not to. Daphne was like this during their seventh year, when her mother and sister got murdered by a drunk Pansy Parkinson. He knew that Hermione needed a shoulder to cry on, and seeing that the Weasleys are in Romania, except for Ron who was in Ireland and Ginny on her honeymoon, he has to let Hermione cry on his.

He conjured some hot chocolate and tea, coffee was not to be given to any person crying, he knew that fairly well.

"Er, Granger.." he said.

"They are never coming back." Muttered Hermione, not even moving a muscle.

He sighed, then faced Hermione.

"But they will be in your heart forever. They can never be truly dead until you forget them." He said. The witch looked at him in slight surprise.

The witch can't believe her ears. Draco Malfoy, the foul, lousy, prejudiced, pureblood prat, was saying words she thought he'd say.

Draco turned to look at her, brown meeting grey, and slowly, he leaned towards the witch. Hermione, surprisingly, slowly inched up, propping herself up to meet Draco's lips. Their faces inches away from each other, their breaths washing over each other… Draco eyed Hermione's lips. Their lips a breath away, Draco sighed and pulled away. Hermione let out a shaky breath.

"Sorry." Said Draco, his face flushed. "I conjured some hot chocolate and tea, drink up if you want. If you need anything, I'll be in my room, ebony door."

Draco stood up, but Hermione grabbed his wrist.

"C-Could you stay, please? I'm scared." Said the witch.

Draco faced Hermione. "Scared of what?" he said, on eyebrow cocked.

"I-I don't know."

The wizard sighed, then sat back on the bed.

"Okay, I'll stay here.."

"Thanks."

The girl let go of Draco's wrist and settled herself on the bed. Draco just stared at her. Hermione chuckled slightly.

"What?" said Draco.

"Are you going to stare at me the whole night?"

"No."

"You can lie down. I trust you that nothing's going to happen."

Draco smirked and laid down beside Hermione, keeping a safe distance between them.

"What were you dreaming of a while ago? When you were yelling?"asked Draco, trying to will several thoughts away.

"My parents' death. Our house burned down, by the Fiendfyre. In our fifth year." Replid the witch.

"Five years ago."

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For everything."

"Forgiven but not forgotten."

"Right."

"Sweet dreams Malfoy."

"Sweet dreams."

Hermione closed her eyes and was soon asleep. Or at least Draco thinks so. He turned to face Hermione, brushing a stray lock of brown tresses from her face. He tentatively traced Hermione's nose with his forefinger.

"You don't know how much I want you." He muttered. "You don't know how much I love you.."

He sighed and turned away, preparing to sleep.

Hermione opened her eyes, her skin tingling where Draco touched her. She moved closer to Draco, her hand caressing Draco's biceps.

"You don't know that I do too." She said.

The wizard was surprised. He faced Hermione and smirked.

"You what?" he said.

"I feel the same way. I want you, I love you, I need you." Replied Hermione. Draco smiled genuinely and leaned to Hermione, aiming to kiss her, and the witch closed the gap.

Their hands found their places, Draco's hands on Hermione's cheek and hair, and Hermione's on Draco's nape and chest. They deepened the kiss, and their clothes seemed to find their way of the couple's body. His hands cupped her breasts, her fingers playing with his hair, moaning in his mouth…

Draco smiled, relishing each memory. Getting out of the tub, he rinsed himself and proceeded to dress in his office clothes. Combing his sleek blonde hair in place, he went down the stairs, heading to the kitchen for a bite or two, only to find a fully prepared breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast, juice and coffee. He smirked, and sat down, starting to eat.

An owl zoomed in, carrying with it a small package. He opened it, and it revealed his shirt, laundered and ironed. It smelled slightly of roses. A small piece of parchment fell from it.

Thanks. It read, in that soft, feminine script.

A/N: If you've reached this part, I would like to thank you so much for reading. Please review, and await the next chapter next week at the latest.

Take Care!

-Nessa