A/N- Huzzah! The next chapter is up and it's pretty long compared to my other chapters. I won't be updating again until next week or the week after D: sorry but hopefully the wait shall be worth it! Until next time! Oh and please review! :D I just adore reviews!
Disclaimer- As much as I want Harry Potter, I can never have it... :'(
Credits- Massive thank you yet again to QueenMinnie for BETA reading this chapter! She is amazing! 3
Chapter 9
A month passed, and before Hermione knew it, it was a week before Christmas. The past month had been busy. Not only was she taking care of Draco, but she was also working at St Mungo's and was forced to leave Draco at home by himself. During the first week or so when Hermione had to leave Draco alone, she would come back and always find him in his room, hugging his knees and muttering to himself with fresh cuts on his wrists. Every time this occurred, she would force Draco out of the bedroom and into the living room, where they would talk whilst drinking coffee. Things got better after that first week. Draco would occasionally cut himself whilst Hermione was gone, but it didn't happen very often anymore, which she was glad for.
Hermione entered her apartment after a long day at work and froze when she began to smell something burning from the kitchen. She entered the kitchen, and found Draco scratching his head, perplexed as he looked at a picture of a steak in the cookbook he was holding, and then back to his own burnt steak. Hermione started laughing, and Draco turned to look at her. He smiled at her, but then blushed when he realised she had seen his failed attempt at cooking.
"I uh... tried to cook?" he said, smiling awkwardly as Hermione started laughing more.
"It's all right, but you just... look so cute," she replied. Hermione then froze. Did she really just say that he looked cute? She knew she was starting to develop some feelings for him, but she knew it wouldn't work; she was a Muggle-born and he was a pureblood. They were friends, and Draco would never imagine them being more than that… would he?
"Wow, cute am I?" he smirked.
"Oh shush! Look at the man who can't cook!" Draco blushed again when she said that.
"I just wanted to help. You're always helping me, and you're always working. So I wanted to help by making dinner. Since cooking didn't work, how about I take you out for dinner?"
She raised an eyebrow and gave him a disbelieving look.
"What? Can't a guy take a beautiful girl such as yourself out for dinner?"
Hermione blushed when Draco called her beautiful. The only other person that had called her that was Ron. Before she could reply to Draco's question he spoke again.
"Get changed, wear something nice, nothing too fancy. Be ready in leave in an hour." Then he left and went to his room.
XxX
Draco shut the door behind him, locked it and then started rummaging through his closet for something nice to wear. He knew he had to wear something with long sleeves to cover his bandaged arms. As he looked through his closet for an outfit, he couldn't take his mind off Hermione. I finally got to ask her out! Although, I really wouldn't call this an actual date... I am simply taking her out to dinner. She also called me cute! Does... does this mean she might have some romantic feelings for me? No, no, that can't be right! It must have just been a spur of the moment comment, or something. But maybe I could get her to like me…
After what must have been at least half an hour, Draco finally decided on a long sleeved white polo shirt and dress pants. He then started to fix his hair, and began wondering what Hermione would wear...
XxX
Hermione stood in the living room after Draco left the room, shocked. Had Draco just asked her out on a date? Or was it really just repayment for all that she had done for him in the past month? A part of her wanted to believe that it really was a date, but another part felt like it was the latter. A tapping sound on the kitchen window interrupted her train of thought. It was Angel, Ginny's owl, so she opened the window and let the small owl inside. She opened the letter that it was carrying and immediately recognised Ginny's handwriting.
Dear 'Mione,
I haven't seen you in ages! I hope you aren't busy on Christmas Eve, because there's going to be a huge dinner at the Burrow… even Charlie is coming! I really really miss you and we need to catch up! I know you've been busy, but come to the dinner! We have to talk! Also, Teddy is growing up so quickly! I know that Draco is staying with you, so bring him too if he wants too. Hope you aren't doing anything! *wink wink!*
Missing you loads,
Ginny
xxx
Hermione smiled as she read the letter. It was true that she hadn't seen the Weasley's or Harry once this past month, but now she would definitely make time to go to the Christmas Eve dinner and she would bring Draco with her. There was no way she was going to leave him to celebrate Christmas alone. She got a sheet of parchment and a quill from one of the living room drawers and wrote her reply to Ginny.
Hey Ginny,
It has been a while hasn't it? I've just been so busy with work and with looking after Draco, but we'll be sure to come. Yes, I'm definitely going to be bringing Draco with me! I just hope your family will be all right with that. We'll talk then, haha! I can't wait to see everyone, especially Teddy!
Missing you,
Hermione
xoxo
Hermione reread her letter, making sure that she hadn't made any mistakes before giving it to Angel, who then flew away. With that done, she quickly remembered that she had forty-five minutes to get changed and meet Draco for dinner.
Once in her room, she sat on the floor staring at her closet for at least fifteen minutes, before finally decided on an outfit. She had chosen to wear a black strapless top with her grey skinny jeans. Then it was time for her hair. Hermione wasn't going to bother with a lot of make-up because she absolutely hated it. She decided on leaving her hair down and straighten it. She didn't have her hair straight often because it was always such a hassle and she never really had enough time in the morning to worry about her hair. But tonight would hopefully be a memorable occasion, and she wanted to look nice for Draco.
She looked at the mirror and checked her appearance. It had taken twenty minutes to tame her hair and straighten it, but now that it was, she had to admit to herself that she didn't look bad. With her hair straight, it reached just a few centimetres past her cleavage. She had applied just a touch of mascara to make her eyelashes look longer. Her heels gave her at least a few inches more of height, and she was sure that she was now almost as tall as Draco. Trying not to look as nervous as she felt, she peeked out of her door to see Draco already standing in the living room waiting, and he too looked nervous. She smiled to herself and walked out of the bedroom, Draco watching her as she entered. She tried not to laugh as Draco's mouth formed an 'o'. At least she knew that someone liked the way she looked right now.
XxX
Draco started at the woman in front of him. Was it really Hermione? She looked so beautiful with her hair straight, yet he preferred it when it was curly. It wasn't as frizzy as it had been in their first year; it had tamed down as the years passed and along with that, she had matured into a beautiful woman. How he hadn't been able to see it until now was beyond him. But now that he had realised it, Draco knew that he was falling for her and it worried him. Would she return those feelings for him? She was the only one keeping him alive now, and if he was to lose her... he had no idea what he would do. His train of thought was interrupted when Hermione spoke, her voice sounding so angelic to his ears.
"Are you alright?" she asked, wearing a worried expression on her face.
"Yeah, it's nothing. Let's go shall we?" he replied, holding out his hand for Hermione to take, which she did, and let him lead the way out of the apartment.
XxX
They walked down the streets of Muggle London with Draco leading the way. Surprise showed on Hermione's face as they walked, surprised that Draco had a good idea of where he wanted them to go.
After they had been walking around for about fifteen minutes, Hermione's feet started to hurt from the heels.
"Draco, where are we going?" she asked.
Draco smiled back at her and shook his head.
"It's a surprise," he said, "I apologize for the long walk, I could have apparated us there but…." he chuckled and then continued walking, holding Hermione's hand.
Keeping to his promise, they soon arrived at a Muggle restaurant. 'Zabini's Snitch'was its name. Hermione laughed at this and looked at Draco, who was also laughing. They walked up to the maitre d' standing at the front of the restaurant.
"I have a reservation for two under the name of Malfoy? Blaise's friend?" Draco said to the maitre d', as the man looked down at his reservation list.
"Oh yes, Mister Malfoy, two for the Balcony table?" he asked, confirming that the information was correct.
Draco nodded at this and then allowed the man to lead them to their table. Hermione gasped softly when she saw the table that the maitre d' had led them to.
There was a candle on the table and two chairs on opposite sides. The view from the balcony was what amazed Hermione the most. It was looking over the streets of London, showing the lights from nearby tall buildings, and cars could be heard from below them. She looked at Draco and gave him a surprised look. She was speechless. For once in her entire life, she didn't know what to say.
"Draco… how..." she tried to say, but Draco shook his head and motioned for her to sit. He pulled out a chair for her and she sat down. Once Draco sat opposite her, they looked at each. She looked into his eyes and saw that there was peace. He was genuinely at peace with himself for once in the whole month that he had stayed with her.
"Do you trust me?" he asked. Hermione didn't respond, as she was too caught up with looking at Draco. He realised this and smiled. He then repeated the question, which this time Hermione responded to.
"What? Sorry," she looked away and blushed.
"It's all right, I just asked if you trust me…"
"Trust you? Of course I do! Why?"
"Would you trust me to choose for you?"
"Well… I've never been here before, so yes I guess you can."
Draco smiled at this and Hermione looked back at him. He looks so much better now. His hair is really nice brushed back out of his eyes. His eyes are gorgeous, that shade of blue really suits him. He's not completely well, but he's getting there!
XxX
Whilst Hermione was daydreaming and looking at Draco, he busied himself with looking through the menu. He already knew what to order, but with Hermione looking at him like this, he used the menu as an excuse to hide his rising blush. But just because he couldn't looking at Hermione, that didn't mean he wasn't able to think about her. She must have feelings for me, she must! She's been studying me for the past five minutes, and that smile on her face hasn't faded. I may actually have a chance with her!
A waiter came over a few minutes later and Draco ordered for both of them, including a bottle of the best champagne the restaurant had to offer. After the waiter took their menus they sat there and started talking about everything and nothing.
It was through this conversation that he learnt a lot more about Hermione. How at first she had planned to become an Auror along with Harry and Ron, but after the war, she had gotten sick of chasing after the bad guys and decided to become a healer instead. What surprised him the most about what Hermione had told him was that Ron and she had broken up soon after the war had ended, with Hermione doing the dumping. She believed that they weren't meant to be together and that they were better off being friends. Ron at first had been reluctant about it and wanted Hermione back, but he then started dating Lavender Brown, and they were now getting married on the last Sunday in January.
Draco told Hermione about his life as a kid and when Dobby was their house elf. Even though his father was absolutely horrible to the poor creature, Draco had absolutely adored him. Dobby was the only person he could talk to. When he found out that Harry had freed the elf, Draco was furious. His father was prone to unleashing his anger upon him, and Dobby was no longer there to comfort him. Narcissa was there for Draco whenever Lucius did beat him, but it wasn't the same.
When their meals finally arrived, they were both hungry and began to eat their dinner in silence, broken with the occasional question from Draco on how Hermione was finding her meal and the clatter of utensils on their plates.
XxX
Once Draco had payed the bill; quite insistently, which annoyed Hermione greatly, they started making their way back to the apartment. They were laughing at a joke Hermione had said as they walked into the apartment. Draco closed the door behind him, taking a quick glance at the clock as he did. It was close to midnight. Hermione also saw the time and suggested that they go to sleep.
"You'll... sleep with me right?" Draco asked nervously, pulling on the collar of his shirt.
"Draco, you ask me this every day. Of course I will! Just let me get changed first," Hermione said as she rushed her room to quickly get changed.
XxX
As soon as Hermione entered her room, she put up a quick silencing charm, and then started jumping up and down in glee. She thought about the time that she had just spent with Draco and she absolutely loved every second of it. Draco had given her the chance to listen to him talk about his childhood, something he was always reluctant to talk about whenever he had one of those 'nights'. He blushed when I was looking at him tonight, I swear he was! Oh my gosh! Does that mean he likes me too? Be calm Hermione, and get changed before he gets suspicious.
Finally she calmed down and changed into her light blue sleeping shorts and top. She left her room and went to Draco's, only to find him already asleep on the bed in his sleepwear. She smiled at the sight, and then quietly joined him on the bed. She snuggled close next to him, close enough to smell him and minutes later, she joined him asleep.
Hours later, Hermione woke up to Draco screaming. She sat up quickly. Draco was sitting up in bed, shaking and covered in sweat. He was muttering things under his breath; his eyes were open wide and dark with fear.
"I didn't mean it, my Lord! I didn't mean to let them escape! NO, MOTHER!" Draco started screaming even louder. Hermione quickly pulled him closer to her and held him.
"Draco... calm down... he's dead, he's gone..." she said reassuringly. "He's gone forever." But that didn't seem to work. Draco suddenly stopped, pushed Hermione away and then fell off the bed and crawled towards the drawers. Hermione suddenly realised that he was going for a razor, and leapt onto him. "Draco, no!"
"I... it hurts too much!" he cried and continued to slowly crawl towards the table, even with Hermione's weight on his back. Just as he was able to open the table drawer, Hermione grabbed his wrists and pulled them behind his back.
"Draco, calm down!" she shouted, the authority in her voice obvious. Draco stopped struggling, his face slumped on the floorboards and he continued crying. She got up off Draco and pulled him up carefully before pulling him into a bear hug. "Draco, please stop. You haven't cut or had a nightmare for at least a few days now. You are doing good, you are recovering. You can keep going." She continued to hug him, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. She too was crying now, seeing Draco like this always made her break down. But now that she was starting to have such strong feelings for him, being sad whenever she saw Draco like this was an understatement- it was killing her.
For at least an hour they stayed there, Hermione hugging Draco as they both cried. Sometime during their crying, Hermione had found a way to get Draco to sit down and to get them both more comfortable. When Hermione realised that Draco had stopped crying, she looked up at him to confirm her suspicions and was proven right. His eyes were puffy and red from crying and there was some dried blood on his lips, which Hermione presumed was from biting his lip too hard.
"Are you okay now Draco?" she asked. He nodded in reply, not trusting his own voice. "Good... Let's get coffee." Before she could wipe away her tears, Draco grabbed her wrist and with his other hand, wiped away her tears for her.
"Thank you..." he looked at her and titled his head slightly as he inched closer to her face. He stopped only millimetres away from her, allowing her to pull back if she wanted. Hermione placed her arms around his neck and closed the remaining gap with her lips.
XxX
Draco closed his eyes as he kissed Hermione. It was filled with passion and need. Outlining the bottom of her lip, he asked for entrance. When Hermione granted it by opening her mouth, he plunged his tongue inside and explored, tasting what he could. After a few seconds he pulled back reluctantly and looked down at Hermione. Guilt suddenly filled him.
"Oh dear Merlin... Hermione... It was just..." he tried to say, but words were beyond him.
"Don't..." she replied, placing a finger on his lips. "I liked that, now let's get coffee." She pulled away from him and led him into the kitchen. He sat and watched Hermione whilst she was making coffee, and he decided to think back on their kiss. It was quick, but it was filled with passion. He really did like her a lot, and he knew that she had some feelings for him. But how strong were they?
Hermione came back minutes later holding two cups of coffee, and she handed one to him. He accepted it and nodded his thanks.
"Hermione... I am really sorry about that kiss, I wasn't in the right frame of mind-" he tried to say more but Hermione put her hand up to stop him.
"Listen," she said. "Let's not talk about that right now. What's more important is what you tried to do an hour ago."
Draco looked away and avoided Hermione's face.
"Draco. Look at me." Draco knew the tone well and knew that he should listen. He did, and looked up at her face. There wasn't pity like his mother, there was concern instead. "Now, talk to me. We had such a great night last night. I don't want you cutting."
"I... my dream. My mother was being tortured… he knew how much Mother meant to Lucius, and to me especially. Instead of torturing me to hurt Lucius, he tortured my mother, to hurt both of us. She still has scars from then, and I feel so guilty about it. The dream felt so real. I don't know… my pain just took over and I just went for it, not caring who was there... I'm sorry..." he looked down at his hands.
"It's all right," Hermione scooted closer to Draco and she pulled him in for a hug. "Just please don't do it again... You can probably guess but I have feelings for you. I don't know how strong they are, but they are there... I need you to stay alive, I need you Draco,"
He looked up at Hermione after hearing what she had just said. "I have feelings for you too... I... I was scared you wouldn't return them because... of what I am."
"You make it sound like you are a monster." Before Draco could reply, she put her hand up. "No, you need to get it through your head that you are a human being. Everyone makes mistakes." He raised an eyebrow and Hermione laughed. "Yes, even I make mistakes Draco, but we all have to forget about them."
"I know a way to make me forget," He smiled.
"What would-" but her sentence was cut short by Draco's lips crashing into hers. It took her a few seconds to realise what was happening, but once she did, she returned the kiss with as much passion as she could. Draco suddenly pushed her down so that she was lying down on the sofa with him on top. Their tongues were fighting for dominance: Draco soon let Hermione win and allowed her a chance to explore his mouth. He could feel Hermione's hands running through his hair and then down to his shoulders, sending chills down his spine. They broke the kiss for a quick breath and then Draco started trailing kisses down her neck. He bit her skin, not too hard that it would hurt, but hard enough to leave a mark. He started doing this all over her neck, wanting to leave marks, showing people that she was his and his alone. He heard Hermione let out a moan and it just made him more eager.
"Draco... Bedroom..." He looked up at Hermione, smiled and followed her orders. He got up off her, and then he lifted Hermione up off the sofa into his arms. He kissed her fiercely and pulled her thighs around him so that they wrapped around his waist. Not breaking the kiss, Draco carried them both to his room, closing the door behind him with his foot before placing Hermione on the bed.
"Are... you sure about this?" he asked. "If we continue... I don't know if I can stop."
Hermione smirked at his comment and pulled him in for a kiss. When they broke the kiss there was a big smile on Draco's face.
"I take that as a yes?" Hermione just answered by pulling him into another fierce kiss. While they were kissing, Draco's hands worked their way to the hem of her top and lifted it above her chest. They stopped kissing for Draco to quickly remove her top and for Hermione to pull his sweater off, before they resumed kissing. He let out a moan when Hermione ran her hands across his chest and pinched his nipples. He slowly left Hermione's lips and continued where he had left off on the sofa, his hands squeezing her boobs and pinching her erect nipples.
"Draco!" she cried out. "Oh gods! Hurry up already and fuck me!" He smirked at her enthusiasm, but didn't listen. To tease her, he slowly took the rest of his clothing off, and did the same to Hermione, removing her shorts and knickers. He rubbed his erection against her core and started nibbling on her breasts. "Draco put it in already!"
He looked up at her and smirked. "Someone's feisty, aye?"
"I swear I will hex you to the next century if you keep teasing me!"
He laughed at Hermione's threat but then finally did as he was told. Holding his erection, he guided it to her entrance and thrust himself inside. He heard Hermione moan and call out his name as he pushed inside of her. "Oh Merlin, you're tight!" He started thrusting, slowly at first but then went faster and faster. One of his hands was playing with Hermione's clitoris, the other playing with her breasts. He could feel Hermione's hands travelling across his chest and playing with his nipples. Then suddenly, her hands grabbed his shoulders and pulled him in for a kiss. "Hermione... Oh Gods!"
Hermione pulled back from Draco's lips and smiled at him. He was making her feel so good... So alive,this was something she hadn't felt in a while. As Draco thrust deeper into her, she felt herself reaching her climax. Draco seemed to sense this and thrust even faster, causing Hermione to moan even more and shout out his name.
"Draco... Merlin, you're going to make me cum!" she shouted and pulled Draco back for another kiss.
"Cum for me Hermione, I want you to cum before I do," Draco whispered into her ear. He thrust into her as deep as he could. This caused Hermione to shout his name out loud, gripping onto the bed sheets as she reached her climax. Just as she reached hers, Draco also reached his and she could feel him spilling his seed inside her.
"Hermione!" Draco shouted as he spilled his seed into her and then collapsed on top of her. He quickly moved beside her to avoid crushing her, and they looked at each other. Hermione smiled and snuggled closely to Draco's chest. He wrapped his arms around her, and they both soon fell asleep in each other's arms.
A/N-Please review! Love you guys!
