Thanks to everyone who has followed and put this story as their favourite! It's really nice to know that you're enjoying this (at least I hope so!). Reviews are always welcomed! I'm not sure how I feel about this chapter, but hopefully you lovely people will!
Disclaimer - I don't own HP.
As the night drew to a close Hermione had found herself enjoying it more than she had first thought. After the little hiccup things had become a lot better, and now they were all getting ready to leave. Having said her goodbyes to Susan and Adella, who she had spent most of the night talking to, she turned to Draco and smiled.
"Thank you for inviting me out"
"Thank you for coming" He returned the smile and dug his hands into his trouser pockets "Come on, I'll walk out with you" He smiled, offering her his arm she arched an eyebrow as she looped her arm through his.
"How..Gentlemanly of you" She smirked "Is this the alcohol talking?" She teased
"I have always been a gentleman Granger."
Her eyes shot up to look at him and snorted. "Really?"
He nudged her slightly as he opened the door "I have always been a gentleman, just not necessarily to everyone" He muttered.
Hermione laughed slightly "I guess that's one way of putting it..."
"Considering I'm your boss now, I expect you only to think of me a gentleman"
"I think you're letting the power go to your head" She smirked
"Well, that's what power is isn't it? What use is power if you don't use it?"
Hermione was about to respond but she stopped herself. Squinting to look at him she stopped walking and just stared at him. He turned to look at her and frowned
"What?"
"I can't figure you out." She said simply "I've gone through this a hundred times over in my head, I should hate you." she whispered letting go of his arm "You were a Death Eater."
Draco sighed and lifted up his sleeve, Hermione's eyes went wide. The mark was still so prominent. It sent a shiver down her spine just looking at it.
"Hermione this is my constant reminder, I don't need you to keep telling me that I was a Death Eater, cause this" he waved his wrist in her face "This is pretty much the biggest fucking reminder that IM get."
She flinched as the mark was waved in front of her face "I know...It's...You were there! It was in your house I got tortured."
"I remember"
"Your Aunt tortured me, Kept people prisoner, killed Dobby for fucks sake"
"I SAID I FUCKING REMEMBER GRANGER!" Draco grabbed hold of her wrists "You don't get a scar! You don't get a constant reminder!"
Hermione glared at him, trying to get out of his grip she felt the tears running down her face, eventually she broke one of her arms free and used it to rub fiercely against her other wrist. Draco watched her and frowned
"Granger what the fuck are yo.." He stopped as he saw the make up fade away from her wrist and the words started to show.
Mudblood.
"Hermione..." He whispered "Hermione I'm so sorry, I..."
"You forgot." She muttered "It's understandable, Why would you remember? My welfare has never once been a concern of yours. Your Aunt did this to me, and I'm now working for you, I can do my best to smile, cover my scars with make up, put on a brave face. That doesn't mean for a second I'm over it and I'm sorry that I struggle to forgive you."
Draco just stared at her, her cheeks were stained with her tears, how could he have been so inconsiderate? They both had their own scars. Their own battles to fight. He had to stop being so self centred. He scratched the back of his neck and shrugged. He didn't know what to say to make things better.
"You can't fix this." She whispered, as if she had read his thoughts
"I can help you...We...We could help each other?" he said, almost pleading with her. He was letting his emotions getting the better of him. This was the first time he'd let his guard down, he took hold of her hands again and Hermione looked up to him, she had never seen him so vulnerable.
"Dra.."
"Don't say it Hermione... Don't say anything" He whispered, his face was inches away from hers, his trouble eyes looking into her innocent brown pools. "I think we need each other...We need to help each other get better."
She stared at him, his face hadn't moved away from hers. She took a deep breath and nodded "Okay." she breathed.
Draco smiled pulling her into a tight embrace he planted a small kiss on her forehead and rested his head on top of hers. At first, she stood rigid. She hadn't been hugged like this in a long time and if you had asked her who she thought the next person would be to hold her like this. Draco Malfoy was way down on the list. Eventually, she pulled away from him and looked up to him, a small smile tugging on the corner of her lips.
"Hermione..."
"Yes?"
"Will you stay with me tonight?"
Hermione gave him a quizzical look and opened her mouth to speak, he immeditaley chuckled and shook his head "Not like that... I don't think either us want to be alone and although what I said does sound suggestive, I promise you it is with innocence that I ask"
"Where do you live now?"
"We will have to apparate there... Don't worry I'm not taking you anyway near my parents house"
"I should think not..." She murmured "I think your mother would have a fit anyway"
Draco laughed "Well that wasn't my main reason...But come to think of it that is another good reason to avoid the place."
She smiled and chewed on her bottom lip slightly, had she gone mad? Was she actually considering spending the night with Draco Malfoy? Well...He had said it was an innocent night away and given that she hadn't had a decent night sleep in ages, anything was worth a shot. Wasn't it?
"Okay... Lets go."