A/N: Sorry for taking too long to update T_T. Thank you for the reviews and again, I really appreciate your comments ^_^.

Warning: Emotions..emotions everywhere! Rated 18! (?) hehehe

Chapter 4 - Silencio

The silence between them was intense. Hermione felt Draco's eyes piercing her soul. His grey eyes were beautiful against his pale skin. His pale skin wad magnificent against his luscious lips. She can't help herself from tracing his features with her eyes as he was so close to her now.

'Did he put a spell on me or something?' Hermione asked herself, 'Why do I keep having these thoughts..?'

She backed away from him a little, however, he moved forward as she did, making every attempt to evade him futile.

"So, what is it, Granger?" He asked again, "Have you fallen for me?"

Hermione could not risk looking into his eyes again or she might faint. His low voice and his warm breath across her face made her stomach churn in a weird way.

"H-h-how is that possible?" She managed to utter out.

Draco narrowed his eye at her and smirked. "Just asking." He said and stood up. He took Moonlight in his arms and started to walk to his room. "I'll just be here, come in if you want."

He left her there in front of the fireplace, frozen stiff, almost as if she had been stupefied. She placed both hands on her cheeks and felt them heating up. Her heart was still racing from the aftermath of Draco's sudden question.

'His mind must be really in a state if disarray...' She thought, '...or maybe, he really is just trying to divert me from asking him about his attacks...'

She was so lost in thought that it was until Crookshanks purred and rubbed her muzzle on he leg did she snap back to reality.

'No..I have to know..Now!' She said to herself as she swiftly stood up.

She began to storm to Draco's room, only to be left stunned again. Her jaw dropped and her eyes widened. Her cheeks felt hotter than before and her heart almost raced out of her chest.

Draco was standing in the middle of the room across the doorway. His body shirtless and his pants were unbuttoned, revealing dark blue boxers inside. His pants were resting on his hips, preventing it from completely falling on the floor. Her eyes traced up to his abdomen which was sculpted, his strong, hard looking chest, his protruding collarbone, the twitching muscles of his arms as he flexed to remove the shirt above his head. His skin was so smooth and pale, the bruises which previously plagued them have now vanished.

Hermione, stopped in her tracks and let out a soft gasp, Draco looked at her nonchalantly.

"I'm sorry!" She said, "I thought...the door was open...you said...I could come in..."

Draco smirked yet again at her and threw his shirt on the bed. He walked towards her, not minding that his pants were still unbuttoned.

"It's not like it's the first time you've seen me half naked, Granger." He said to her.

She let out a gasp again, this time, in disbelief. "I-It's not the same after taking a bath." She replied, "You're stripping! You should have closed the door!"

Draco smirked and looked at her teasingly before returning to his room and closing the door.

Hermione was baffled, "Aagghhh! I hate you Draco Malfoy!" She yelled back at him and stormed to her own room as well.

Draco was laughing behind the door as he heard her frustrated screams. He always has a knack for teasing her, even before when he was really bullying her. It brought excitement to him, how she always finds a way to say what was exactly on her mind, how she would retort to his teases. Now, it makes him feel light when he teases her and she reacts incredulously. As if all his worries have vanished in that instant she made her laugh or smile. He could just forget everything when she's around. Even at night, he feels safer around her. In just a few nights, he became addicted to her presence. He started to crave for her warm soft skin as they embrace each other in the mornings.

Without Hermione knowing, Draco always wakes up hours earlier before her. At first, he observed how she slept. Sometimes he hears her talking and moaning in her sleep. The weirdest thing was there were times when she would call out for him in his first name, then she would smile sweetly. It happened on the first day.

He rolled her over to face him. He was surprised that she was light, more so, that she slept like a log. Draco swept the hair from her face to get a better look at her. Her skin was glowing from the moonlight beaming through the window. Her lashes were long that it touched her cheeks. Her lips seemed soft and luscious.

'She also beautiful when she's asleep..' He thought

He brushed her cheeks softly with the back of his hand and stopped near her lips as he held it with his fingers. 'They're really soft...' He said to himself again.

His fingers traced her lips and it sort of tickled her as she smiled for a brief moment. He was tempted. Yes, he indeed was, for he moved closer to her. Their face centimeters away. His breath brushed her face...his heart was racing. He thought that whatever he does, she wouldn't know about it unless he tells her. Heck, she wouldn't believe it even if he did.

Draco's palms were starting to sweat, for what he will do is completely unimaginable. He was so tempted to taste Hermione's lips that it's as if his heart were to jump out of his chest. His brows furrowed while he contemplated about the act he will soon do.

He closed his eyes in preparation and leaned closer to her. He can almost feel her lips brushing against his. He was nearly there...

But then, Hermione decided, out of nowhere, to raise her arms and legs to embrace him like a pillow.

Draco immediately opened his eyes to see if she had woken up. Thankfully for him, she didn't. She was still sleeping soundly. Hermione snuggled her head between his neck and shoulders and smiled again.

'What in Merlin's beard is she dreaming about?' He thought. She almost gave him a heart attack.

He smiled to himself as she spoke in her sleep once more, "Draco..feed your own cat..."

"Yeah..yeah.." He replied in a whisper.

He stretched his arms under her to prevent it from cramping and so that she'll be able to rest on it firmly. Draco also moved her body closer to him as it was a very cold night. His nose was touching her hair. He smelled her floral shampoo and smiled to himself again. He was becoming more and more addicted to her.

'For now...as a thank you...' He said in his mind and kissed Hermione's forehead with gentleness that he never knew he had.

###############

"What's wrong with him!" Hermione shouted as she slammed the door of her room shut. She leaned her back against it and held her cheeks. They were hot and she knew she was blushing like there's no tomorrow. "Uggghh..had he forgotten that I'm a girl?! Stupid!"

She threw her coat on the bed and followed suit after, her body was sprawled on it like a bird. Hermione sighed deeply and closed her eyes. She had been so tired waiting for him in the cold earlier. Then she remembered his gifts, the gloves and the ear muffs which she was still wearing. Raising her arms, she looked at the gloves on her hands. A smile crept on her face as she recalled his gesture.

'He went to get me something...' She thought happily. Surprisingly, as of late, whatever Draco did for her, makes her stomach fill with butterflies. Her heart would often skip a beat when she sees him looking at her with his cold grey eyes. It's as if she would faint right there on the spot!

His charm is really out of this world. Now, Hermione knew what the girls they caught loitering in the hallways were up to. She had heard them whisper about him before, how he looked 'hot' or 'cool'. They were trying to be caught and reprimanded by him! During the time he failed to accompany her, the amount of girls decreased. And now, she's turning into one of them!

She shook her head in opposition and to try to shake the thoughts away.

"I may like him..." She said to herself, "But not like, as in I have fallen for him!"

'or...maybe you're wrong...' said her inner voice.

"Uuggghhh!" She grunted again, "I'm just helping him!" She said as she gritted her teeth and covering her face with the pillow.

She screamed her lungs out against the pillow to let all her frustrations be released. The pillow somewhat muffled her scream, however, she was really loud.

Draco knocked in her door upon hearing her scream. "Hey, are you alright in there?!" He nervously asked.

Hermione removed the pillow on her face and looked up blankly to the ceiling.

"No, I'm not fine!" She yelled.

As she did, she heard rushed footsteps outside and objects being toppled over. Then, she heard Draco exclaim, "Alohomora!"

The door swung open immediately and Hermione jolted up in surprise. But what surprised her more was Draco's panicked face. He was paler and his eyes were wide open. It was as though all the blood from his face had drained.

"Hey..wha—" She was about to ask him why he was in a panic, however, he hastily rushed to her and hugged her tightly. Hermione felt the skipping of her heart once more.

"Damn it, Granger!" He cursed, "I thought...I thought ..that...I thought that...he'd get you too..."

'He...?' Hermione repeated in her mind. 'Who...?'

She became puzzled at his remark. He was hugging very tightly too, she felt his body shaking.

She raised her arms as well and embraced him. Her hand patted his back to calm him, "Hey..relax...nothing bad happened to me...the whole quarters is protected, remember?" She explained to him, but he didn't budge.

'Is this is...? Can I ask him about it now?' She thought.

Hermione gathered all her strength and have started to prepare the lines she will say to Draco, for him to open up to her. She cleared throat for starters then pulled out gently from his embrace. She held his hands to her lips and smiled, "I'm alright..."

Their eyes were locked to one another. It was clear in his eyes that he was gravely worried for her. They were brimming with tears.

"Um...Draco..you..you mentioned that.." She started to say, "..that 'he'd get me too'..

"When you say 'he'..." Hermione gulped first before continuing, "...who do you mean by it?" she asked.

Draco opened his mouth to utter a response, but closed it again. He looked down on the bed and clenched his fist. He seemed pained and struggling on whatever it was that he was hiding from her.

Hermione place her hands over his fist and peeked at his face. "Malfoy...?" She said, "I want to know...I...need to know."

They were both silent for a couple of minutes. Hermione caressed his fist, hoping it'll relax. 'Please...Malfoy...Draco...' She thought.

"Granger.." Draco said in a low voice.

"Hmm?"

He lifted his head and looked into her eyes, their faces almost touched.

"I...He..." Draco stuttered as he find the right words to explain to her everything. "What he did to me...He can do to you too...and...I don't want that...I don't want you to get involved .." He said

Hermione frowned at what he said, "I am involved now!" she replied, "I thought you have found me a little bit trustworthy..."

"I do!" He said, "But—"

"—tell me!" She insisted him.

"Hermione!" He shouted.

"Tell me now, Draco!" She shouted back.

He didn't look mad when she shouted or pressed him for answers. He perfectly understood her wanting to know more. It was maybe because he was afraid on how she'll react if she knew the truth.

"I'm so sorry for shouting." Hermione apologized, "I really won't be like this if I didn't care for you..."

Draco's stomach fluttered a bit when she said that. He felt his heart being squeezed and made him feel to want to smile. However, he knew the atmosphere right now is heavy and this feeling creeping up to him can be dealt with in a later time.

He relaxed his fist and entwined his fingers with Hermione's. He felt them warm his cold hands and it started to spread in his whole body.

"Your hands are cold..." Hermione said as she lifted them and placed them close to her lips while she breathed warm air on them.

"It started after the war..." Draco suddenly said.

Hermione was surprised but listened intently while continuing to hold his hand.

"3 days have just passed...I last saw everyone before Lord Voldemort died..." He said.

She recalled that time. The dark lord asked if anyone wanted to join him because he thought Harry had died. She remembered seeing Draco not budging as he was with our side. However, his parents called for him and he went with them.

"He called for me when it was midnight. He asked me to be in his study..." He continued.

'Wait..what...?' Hermione asked herself.

"He used Crucio and Imperio on me. He also invaded each thread of my memory through Legilemens..." He went on, but Hermione was starting to know who this all leads to. No other person came to her mind.

"Wait..Malfoy..don't tell me.." She started, "..It was your father who did this to you?" she asked.

Draco looked away, his eyes brimming with tears. He didn't want to let anybody know. It makes him sick to his stomach to let others know about his real situation, his weakness.

"He tortured you?!" Hermione exclaimed, her voice now in panic. Her grip on Draco's hands tightened. "He did, didn't he? That's the reason for your bruises, for your night terrors, that's—" She halted at the realization of where her assumptions lead her, "—Oh my god...He still tortures you even of you're here! He uses legilemency to torture you wherever you go! Why? Why is that?!" She continued to press him for answers, but Draco just wouldn't look at her.

She cupped his face and turned his face to her. He resisted a couple of times, but she didn't stop. Hermione looked straight into his eyes and said, "Please, tell me why he does this to you...It's just..unimaginable...he's your father..."

"He became mad..." Draco said, still trying to aver Hermione's gaze. "Mother turns a blind eye to it. She pretends everything is alright."

Hermione can clearly see the sadness in Draco's eyes. He was the type of person who can't go against his parents wishes. He looked strong on the outside, but he really is a fragile boy. He grew up on wrong ideals and now after everything he'd been through, he still lets his father control his life.

"Why didn't you fight back?" She asked. "I mean, he's your father, but this is a different case..He's treating you like an animal...torturing you because he craves the sensation of power? What if you die? What then?

"You don't need to become a bad person just because people around you are. You can find your own meaning to life and a place where you belong..." She said.

Hermione was also in the verge of tears as she said those words to him. She had seen Draco's good side. He was kind, caring and smart. He kept all the pain to himself that when it was already overwhelming for him, he releases his anger to others.

"..Somewhere I belong..." Draco whispered, "..That place..do you think I can find it?"

She smiled at him and said, "Of course you can. You're a lot stronger than you think. If protection charms won't suffice, then, we'll take it to the authorities..don't let your anger lead you to do bad things.."

He smiled as well and nudged his forehead against her, "You sure do love giving advices, huh?"

Hermione giggles, "Well, I've had a bit of training this past years.."

Draco touched her hands which held hid face and looked at her with gentle eyes. Hermione thought they were like an ocean. Calm and cool on the surface, but has a depth to it. They were full of emotion which made her heart squeeze as he gazed at her. She couldn't help but feel conscious.

"You really think so, huh.." He repeated and Hermione nodded.

"That place where I can belong..."He continued, "...can it be...with you?" He asked her.

Hermione's eyes widened as she felt her cheeks get hot. Her mouth fell open as if to respond, but no words came out.

Draco inched closer towards her, reaching his other hand at the back of her head. He gently pushed her head towards him as he began to close his eyes.

Her heart was racing. She couldn't breathe.

Hermione shut her eyes tight as she felt Draco's soft warm lips against hers.

The heaviness in her chest had been lifted as Draco continued to press his lips on her. Her hair entwined in his fingers as he gently grabbed them to pull he more closer.

She moaned in between their kisses as she caressed his chest before wrapping her arms around his neck. Draco's hand moved as well, tracing her spine and moving her entire body close to his. He felt the warmth of her body as he embraced her by the waist.

Their kisses were getting faster and rougher. Draco pushed his tongue on Hermione's lips, tracing and feeling its softness. He pushed it in between her upper and lower lip so as to part it open. She didn't hesitate and parted her lips for his tongue to enter.

His tongue was so much warm and hard as it battled with hers. Draco also moaned in pleasure that Hermione responded to his kisses.

They parted from each other. Both panting and sweaty.

Hermione smiled wickedly at Draco, which he replied with one as well. She moved close to his ears and whispered, "More..."

He smirked and reached for his wand that seemed to have fallen on the floor. "Wait" he said to her, "Sil—"

Hermione stopped him before he could cast the silencing spell on them. "I think there's no need for that."

Draco raised his eyebrow, "Hmm..you're probably right." They are indeed alone and no one knows the password to their dorms except the teachers. He smiled at her before taking her lips once more.

"Draco..." Hermione moaned as he started to kiss her neck.

"Do you want me to stop?" He said in between kisses.

"No..." Hermione caressed Draco's chest and let her hands unravel his shirt. "I want more..."

Draco smirked and lifted her to sit on his lap. She straddled on him and he pulled her body against his. Hermione's hand grabbed Draco's hair hard as he started to bite on the pulsating point of her neck. He traced his hands on her waist up to her chest. Hermione moaned at his touch and felt a tingling sensation in her body.

He cupped her breast and bit lightly on her nipple under her clothes. "Draco..." She called out to him in a seductive tone. She lifted his head and reached for his lips. Their tongues battled fiercely.

Draco pulled back and looked at the mess he made of Hermione. She was panting hard, her face red and beaming with anticipation on what they'll do next.

He swept the hair from her face and left his hand in her cheek.

"Granger..." He said in a gentle voice, "Hermione...I'm going to ask you again...

"Have you fallen for me?" He asked.

Hermione bit her lower lip and grinned at him.

Draco furrowed his eyebrows but grinned as well, "Answer me..." He said.

She inched towards him and brushed her cheeks against his as she whispered in his ear, "Seems like I have..."

This brought a huge smile on his face and with full strength, he stood from the bed lifting her with him. Hermione gasped and encircled her arms around Draco's neck for fear that she might fall. But he was strong and she felt it as he touched his body a while ago.

"Hey!" She exclaimed while giggling, "What are you doing?"

He looked up at her, a smirk forming in his lips as he said, "I'm taking you to my room."