Normally Hermione felt like your average Ravenclaw, but right now at this very moment she finally felt like a Gryffindor. She eyed Draco cautiously and licked her lips, she had never really noticed how scrumptious he looked, she had known he'd matched her intellectually (almost) but she never noticed how attractive he was. His pale blond hair matched his skin tone nicely, and you could easily fall into his beautiful grey eyes…..
"Hermione! Quit daydreaming about me and get back over here" yelled Blaise.
Hermione swam over to join the remainder of her group, and ended up right in between Draco and Pansy.
"Hey Blaise, got any more whiskey left? We drank ours" asked Pansy.
"Yes Pansy, in one of the many pockets I appear to have there is indeed a bottle of fire whiskey" he teased.
"You don't have to be so rude, you could have just said it was on shore" she said swimming away.
"Babe, come back I'm only joking. Why don't we go get it, and head back to the dorms and leave these kids alone?" he asked her batting his long dark eyelashes.
"Fine, but you're going to be working for it. She said splashing him playfully.
They both bid their adieus and swam back to shore.
"Looks like we're all alone" Hermione whispered. "What would you like to do?"
"I for one would like to find out what you were doing in my head when I kissed you?" he asked her
He looked furious, but in all honesty she didn't know.
"Was it legilimency?" why would you do that to me Hermione? All you had to do was ask what I was thinking about." He said
"No, no. it was nothing of the sort. I honestly have no idea what that was, nor do I know that spell" she exclaimed. "All I know was it felt like a warm oceans breeze, and then it was as though you and I were the only two people in the world, molding with each other. I swear I will check the library tomorrow to see what the hell that was"
"What is it with you and the library?" he asked questioningly. But alright, I believe you, I'm sorry for being so accusing, it just it's been hard to trust people since the war especially when people who claimed they were on your side never truly were.
He looked down into the water, appearing to be saddened by his revelations. Hermione reached out and touched his cheek running her hand over his soft skin.
"You know I tried to save you from Aunt Bella, but I really did try, but I couldn't risk mother, dying at the hand of her evil demented sister. I know it's no excuse for not properly protecting you, but I want you to know how sorry I am, and how horrible I feel about it" he said sadly.
"It's alright Draco, aside from nightmares every night, which are easily cured with a dreamless sleep potion, I got a tattoo to prove I survived a war" she said scratching at the word Mudblood carved into her arm. I am however putting you on the hook for brewing my potions for the rest of the year" she joked.
Draco grabbed her wrist, and looked deeply into eyes, he knew she was trying to make light of the situation, but he knew the little Gryffindor princess being as brave as she is would never see it as anything more than a joke.
"Moving on to a brighter note" Hermione said "why don't we head back up to the castle and have a quick drink"?
"Sounds good to me" Draco said putting her arm back down.
He cast a couple drying spells and they both slipped their clothes back on and walked back towards the castle hand in hand.
Once back in the common room, Hermione noticed that Blaise, Theo, Pansy and Daphne were all waiting up for them to get back. "They look a little too eager" Hermione noticed.
"Yes well were off to bed, meet for breakfast at seven? Pansy asked. "And Hermione we want details first thing tomorrow before breakfast" she added walking away.
"Goodnight Hermione" Theo said kissing her on the cheek.
"Phew, glad their gone" Hermione said.
"Draco, do you think maybe it would be alright if you slept next to me tonight, with the nightmares and suddenly sleeping in a strange room, I don't think I'd be ok if I woke up in a panic. Normally Ron or Harry would sleep with me when I was having the dreams, but they're not here now….."
"Absolutely, it's the least I can do for you. Come on I'll show you to my room and get you something comfy to wear." He said
"Just sleep though, nothing more please, not tonight." She said
"Of course princess, anything you wish" he said. Now cotton or silk?
"Cotton" she said it seems as though it might get a little cold down her in the dungeons even with you right next to me."
Hermione and Draco faced away from each other as they slipped into their nightwear.
"Good night Draco" said Hermione sleepily
"Goodnight sweet princess" Draco murmured into her hair.
The last thing Hermione remembered was Draco rubbing her back in small circles as she drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
Thank you so much to the few of you who have made this story a favorite! it means so much, thank you! as I've said before, this is my first fanfic, but I do have something of my own in the works! so stay tuned :)