Malfoy Manor
She arrived almost two hours early in the foyer of the manor. She looked around and saw nobody. Unsure what to do, she took a few steps and called for her friend. "Draco?" when he didn't respond, she tried to find the bracelet in her enchanted bag. "Damn it," she mumbled, "where is it?" Still searching, she called for him once again. "Draco? It's Hermione." A house-elf appeared. "Misses calls for master Draco?" Relieved she wasn't alone in the manor, she answered. "Yes. Draco and I were supposed to have lunch together. However, I came a little early without informing him." The elf looked appalled. "That's very rude, young Miss. You can't just drop unannounced. Master Draco is a busy man." She chuckled. "I'm a friend of Draco's. I am not here to bother him, I am here to entertain him while he can't leave the premises." The elves eyes widened. "Good young miss. Master Draco is very lonely and sad. Young misses must cheer him up." The elf grabbed Hermione's hand and led her trough the corridors.
"Master Draco is still in bed. He don't listen to Tiana. I tell him, he should get out of bed." The elf happy expression turned sad. "Master Draco doesn't listen. Master Draco very sad for many years. He's a good master. Yes, yes, he is. But sad, so sad and scared." The elf now looked at Hermione again. "You must make him happy. You can! He told Tiana you were nice and very smart. Nice girl helps master Draco." They stopped in front of a black door. 'Draco' was engraved in it with silver letters. Tiana let go of Hermione's hand and started pushing her towards the door. "Young miss must go in. Must make master Draco smile." Hermione was surprised at the house-elfs behavior and strength. She let herself be pushed towards the door and opened it.
Draco lay on his bed and was staring at the ceiling. When he heard the door open, he sighed. "Tiana I already told you. I am not getting up. Come get me when it's nearly time for lunch." Hermione smirked. "Well, guess Tiana is going to have to entertain me until lunch then." Draco immediately shot up and stared at her in shock. "Hermione. I thought you wouldn't be here until lunch?" She nodded as she sat down on his bed, trying not to stare at his bare chest. "Correct, but Harry thought it would be wise if I left earlier and stay longer. I hope you don't mind, Tiana told me you're very busy." She said with a smirk. Draco pushed his blankets off and sat down beside Hermione, only wearing pajama trousers. "No, of course I don't mind. But why did Potter sent you early?" Hermione no longer looked amused by the situation. "Ron and I had a fight. He wasn't too pleased when I said I would come visit you. Harry told me to leave so I wouldn't hex him. Harry is going to talk to him, but I don't want to see him now or anytime soon." Draco moved closer to Hermione and put his arm around her shoulder. "You can stay as long as you want."
Hermione recalled what had happened and Draco sat beside her listening. When she was finished, he sighed. "Hermione, I don't want to come between Weasley and you. I don't like the tosser, but you love him. I don't want to ruin this for you." Hermione shook her head. "You're not ruining anything, Draco. We both made mistakes, but he should trust me nonetheless. And I'm not so sure I love him to be honest. I have wanted this since I was 14, but now? I don't know. He gets angry so easily and every time he gets angry, he leaves. I don't think I can handle a relationship like that. I need someone I know I can count on, someone I can trust." She closed her eyes and whispered. "Someone like you." Draco's body froze beside her and she knew she had made a mistake. Quickly she brushed off his arm and walked towards the door. "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I- I think I'll just go to Harry's."
Draco stared in shock at the empty doorway. Hermione had stood there just seconds ago, but now she was gone. He rapidly ran after her and gripped her wrist to stop her. "Hermione, wait." he puffed, "please stay. I don't want you to go." he begged. Hermione looked at him hesitantly. "Are you sure? I mean I know I made you feel uncomfortable back there. I wasn't thinking, you told me you weren't interested in a relationship with me." "Granger stop. Do you really think I am the same 15 year old boy who turned you down? I was being stupid Hermione. I was afraid about what would happen if my Father or worse Voldemort would find out. I am not scared anymore, at least not of them. But you're with Weasley and you loved him for years. I don't want you to give that up for me. You will regret it if you don't give him a fair change and you will resent me for it. I can't let that happen, Hermione. I need you in my life." She looked in his grey eyes and saw his honesty. "You're right. I should see where things with Ron go, instead of looking for another man to comfort me. Can we just forget this happened? For now at least?" He nodded and pulled her in his embrace.
"Come, I'll show your room for tonight." He said after a minute. They walked back to his door and he pointed at the entrance beside it. "You can sleep there if you want. It has his own bathroom and everything." he told her while he pushed the door open. She walked into a warm room with beautiful four-poster, a desk and an enormous closet. She grinned at him. "I love it!" He chuckled. "Good. You can leave your stuff here if you wish. Then we can go down for brunch, and after that, I think I'll show you the Malfoy library. Her eyes grew wide and Draco was reminded of Tiana. "You have a library?" she squealed. "Of course, my little bookworm. Follow me, I'll take you there and ask Tiana to bring us something to eat." She ran into his arms and hugged him. "You're the best."