Author's Note

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They had been the pair to find the burgundy snitch first so Giurbin had assured them they would win this challenge.

Hermione was absolutely beaming when she had found out and she and Draco had celebrated with their own little feast in the common room. Followed by laughter, butterbeer and lots and lots of bantering.

The weeks passed on and Hermione couldn't have felt closer to Draco. They did nearly everything together. Including D.A. Draco had accepted to join and the other members were shocked but weren't completely exclusive. By the end of the class, they were quite taken by how much Draco had changed.

Hermione had begun obsessively studying for N.E.W.T.'s in the mid December season and was feverishly jotting notes down and reading through as many books as she could find.

She had even skipped meals to make sure she got all her studying done. Ginny had tried and failed to get her to come to the Gryffindor quidditch practice and watch instead of studying but failed. Neville had prodded her to brainstorm for another D.A. session but also failed. Harry had owled after hearing from Ginny and had begged her to go out more. He failed. Draco had bantered with her and tried teasing her but he even failed.

She knew they were getting anxious but she couldn't help it. She had to study.

"That's it!" Draco said snatching a book out of her hand. She blinked and stood up angrily.

"Give that back now Draco." she warned in a low voice. She heard her stomach rumble and the sound of the book returning to her room.

"No way. You've been studying like a mad woman and it's only December!" he exclaimed. He crossed his arms and frowned. "When was the last time you ate?" he demanded nodding towards her stomach.

Hermione blushed and looked at her feet. She felt so childish as she replied. "Breakfast." she said hastily.

"And how much exactly did you eat?" Draco asked pointedly.

"An apple." she said wincing before the boom.

"Hermione!" Draco cried. Hermione bit her lip. Draco shook her by the shoulders. "You can't harm your body like this. That's it!" he said waving his wand before turning back to her. "We're going for a picnic and you're going to eat till you're about to vomit."

Hermione bit back a laugh. "I am not. I am going to study and you are not getting in the way." she said moving towards her room. A broom suddenly whizzed in front of her. She stopped in alarm and spun towards Draco. He had a picnic basket in hand and he blocked off her other exits.

"Draco….." Hermione said cautiously.

"Hermione it's one meal. Do you know what time it is? It's 8:30 and you at an apple at what 8 in the morning?" he asked.

"Seven." she muttered. He sighed.

"Please get on." he said motioning towards the broom. Hermione felt fear flash through her.

"No….I can't. I hate flying." she said shaking her head. Draco studied her before replying.

"You can. You're Hermione Granger. And I'll be here. I'll be right behind you." Draco assured.

"I don't trust that….thing." Hermione said stubbornly.

Draco laughed. "It's a broom Hermione. People sweep with it." he said grinning.

"I don't trust anything that can think for itself." she grumbled.

"Gryffindors and their damn stubborn pride." Draco sighed. "Tell me." he said coming closer to her. "What are you afraid of?"

"Falling," she stuttered. Draco came close to her but not touching. He whispered into her ear sending chills.

"I will never let you fall. I'll always be there to catch you." he said. And she believed him. She believed every word. She carefully got on the broom and closed her eyes as anxiety coursed through her. The basket was levitating after them. He climbed behind her and pressed her flush against him. Her breath caught in her throat. She leaned back and clutched nervously at the handle of the broom. He placed his hands on top of hers and she felt them lift off. She nearly yelped and felt Draco's arms around her. She melted into the embrace.

"Open your eyes." Draco whispered. She carefully pried one eyelid open and saw the night sky glittering in the moonlight. The stars were out already at 8:30 and the air was chilly. She felt a blanket wrap around the both of them and she shivered as she looked down. She nearly went into hysterics and her skin prickled against the thought of the ground meeting her.

"Hermione…..it's alright. You're doing amazing. It's beautiful out here and you're perfectly safe. We're almost there." Draco said guiding the broom to the top of the Astronomy tower. They landed gracefully and they hopped off. Hermione wrapped the blanket closer around her and sat down on a blanket that was spread out on the floor.

Draco joined her and opened the picnic basket. She smelt the aroma of food and her mouth watered. He smirked and handed her the food. She ate it eagerly despite her denies of hunger earlier.

After the meal she stretched out on the blanket. It felt like their night on the "beach" when they had eaten then looked at the constellations.

"What's that one?" Hermione asked pointing to one that stood out beautifully in her eyes. Draco leaned closer to her to see.

"That's Ara. She's one of my favorites." Draco said smiling.

"She stands out brightly. She magnificent." Hermione also smiled. "What about that one?"

Draco grinned. "That's little Scorpius. He's quite hard to find so I'm surprised you saw it. He's a little guy who likes to hide out. So Slytherin." he smirked.

Hermione laughed. "Oh who's that?" she asked her eyes widening.

"Lyra. I feel she's so different from all the others. She's definitely unique." Draco said tilting his head against Hermione's.

"They're all so pretty." she smiled turning to look at him. He grinned. They looked at another for a moment. They couldn't hear anything but one another and they couldn't see anything other than the other. They couldn't feel anyone else but the other. Before she knew it they were looking so intensely at one another, only 30 cm apart.

"Hermione….." Draco said.

There came a sudden yell and they jerked apart. Hermione stood up terrified and gripped her wand. Draco flanked her and held his wand.

The door banged open and a distraught Hagrid came rushing in.
"Hagrid? What's wrong?" she asked in alarm.

"The dementors. They're attacking the castle. There's the dark mark outside. There's also a message Er-Mione. "You either fight with us or against us. Voldemort's reign never dies. Those against us will."" Hagrid said his eyes wide.

Hermione and Draco rushed to the window and to their horror he was right.

"Someone's already dead." Hermione whispered. There came loud screams from outside. Hermione stiffened.

"McGonagall says all 7-8 years may help fight the dementors if they know how." Hagrid said winking before bumbling off firing some spells.

"Let's go." Hermione said dragging Draco along.

"We're fighting." Draco said scowling out the window.

"We're fighting." Hermione repeated. We.

They raced out to the battle. The reasons why the dementors were attacking weren't completely difficult to figure out. It was either revenge against the people fighting for Harry and the ministry, because of revenge against Draco or both.

"Expecto Patronum!" Draco bellowed pointing to a couple of dementors floating towards some second years.

"Go to your dorms!" I yelled at them before returning to firing spells.

"Expecto-" Draco began before he was cut off. A horde of Acromantula had surrounded Draco and were creeping closer. Draco had stunned a few but there were too many.

Hermione screamed his name but a group of dementors came swarming towards her. She struggled to produce a proper patronus as she warded a few off. She raced to Draco. He was bleeding on the side where it looked like a pincer had stabbed him. He managed to stun one more before his wand was knocked out of his hand. Hermione raced towards him and stunned the group of Acromantula. They were angry as they struggled to reach Draco.

Hermione grabbed Draco and levitated them to an empty hallway.

"Draco! Draco stay with me!" she cried tears flowing as she attempted to fix up the wound. The death eaters must have sent the Acromantula to target Draco specifically. She shook his shoulders weakly and muttered a few healing spells.

Nothing seemed to ease the blood flowing freely. His grey eyes fluttered closed and she began to panic. She rushed them to the hospital ward in hope that Madam Pomfrey was there. Indeed she was.

Hermione wept as she helped Draco into a bed and Pomfrey looked alarmed as she tended to his wounds. Hermione drew the curtains around them and held Draco's hand as Pomfrey began a sequence of complicated spells. Draco gasped and his eyes widened. He squeezed her hand and she murmured words of empathy as he underwent the treatment.

"Come on Draco." she said as his eyes began to close again. Pomfrey looked frustrated as she fixed up the unconscious Draco.

There were shouts coming from outside the room and hermione knew she ought to go back and help. She felt tremendously guilty for leaving him at a time like this. But when Luna, Parvati, Seamus and Colin were brought into the hospital ward, Hermione kissed Draco's forehead lightly before rushing off to help.

She felt her blood boil when she was the dementors overrunning the castle.

"Expecto Patronum!" Hermione yelled and banished a group of dementors. She raced from corner to corner aiding anyone in need. She felt angry as she watched her school being demolished. Eventually, ministry members came and helped dismiss the dementors and Acromantula. McGonagall was in a mad state as she tried to get the castle into control. Flitwick was talking rapidly with some ministry members and Hagrid was talking more like weeping to some Order members.

Hermione helped some students get to the hospital ward and directed them back to their dorms but all she could worry about was Draco.

She managed to wrap up and ran to the hospital ward. It was cluttered with injured or distressed students. She found the head of blond laying still unconscious in a bed. She didn't care if there were many students watching, she rushed to his side and grabbed his hand as tears trailed down her cheeks.

Please let him be okay. She thought helplessly. He was becoming more and more to her and she needed him now. Her best friend looked like he was dying. He was the only one that got her. Understood her. And she loved him for that.

Hermione sat with the unconscious Draco for hours and well into the night. Pomfrey had been so busy rushing about the castle tending the wounded, she had been able to stay with Draco. All the other patients were asleep as Hermione prayed that he would be alright.

She curled up in her chair and rested her tired head on her knees. What if he wasn't alright? What about their unfinished meal up at the astronomy tower? What about her?

Tears were coming down quickly and she couldn't deny the doubts of whether he would make it or not. The blood was already seeping out of the bandage.

"Hermione?" a voice croaked. Hermione looked up and her eyes widened and her heart clenched.
"Draco! I thought you were dead!" she cried hugging him tightly. He winced and hugged her back.

"It's my fault. If I hadn't been in the castle, the dementors wouldn't have come or the Acromantula." he said warily. Hermione sighed and glared at him.

"We've discussed this." she said quietly, tears still trailing down her face. Draco moved a pale finger out to wipe the tear away. He reached out toward her and pulled her in beside him.

"Have you been here all night?" he asked softly as he tucked the blanket over them both. She rested her head on his shoulder. She nodded. "You saved me." he finally said.

"I would do it again." Hermione replied earnestly. Draco squeezed her closer.

"Thank you." he said sincerely. She nodded and wrapped an arm around the side of his torso that was uninjured.

"Sleep." Draco commanded. Hermione willingly melted into his arms and went to sleep, more relieved than ever.

The week passed and Hermione spent majority of it promoting Draco's recovery. She carried his books, bags and was there to remind him to take his medicine. His recovery was slow but it was progress. He was still grimacing at times and Hermione grew worried. She knew he put on a casual face in front of her and she didn't buy it.

Hermione was sitting in the common room, studying feverishly as she scribbled down note after note. Her hair was overtaking her face and she was impatiently, shoving it out. She had three books propped up in front of her, some quills and ink beside her, bits and pieces of spare parchment littered everywhere and all her other studying necessities around her.

She was considering setting up another D.A meeting since they hadn't had one in ages. Learning patronus' in the session before was lucky given an attack had approached unexpectedly. There came a cry of agony from the other room-Draco's room.

She leaped up and raced to his room. She threw open the door without invitation to find Draco in a rage mode. He looked murderous and there was a single piece of parchment on his bed. He was groaning and he held his side. Her eyes widened when she saw the blood trailing down his trousers and onto the floor. She sent a patronus for Pomfrey and assisted him to his desk chair.

"Draco? Draco what happened?" she asked worriedly, her eyes darting from the parchment to Draco and from Draco to his wound.

He groaned and gripped the table. "The bloody coward!" Draco screamed as he groaned and his head lolled back. Hermione grew frightened and stood rigid at this sudden outburst.

The letter or whatever that was must have been what aggravated Draco.

"What happened? Draco! Talk to me!" Hermione said blocking his vision from the parchment. He looked close to tears as he hissed in pain. "Draco!" Hermione exclaimed.

"I was mad and then I went to take my medicine and I guess I had taken it a little late and in my anger, I banged my side against the post of the damn bed!" Draco said looking extremely pale. Hermione felt faint as Pomfrey charged in attending to Draco. She stood in silence, wincing when he did and holding his hand throughout.

"Well , you are very lucky Miss. Granger was here. You would have bled to death! From now on, Miss. Granger will give you your medicine and you will take it. Healer's orders." Pomfrey said sternly before marching out.

As the portrait door swung shut, Hermione realized tears were gracing her features. Draco turned and looked surprised to see her crying.

"I'm sorry that I disturbed you and that I didn't take my medicine. I can't believe that old bat is making you give it to me. Sorry." he said not meeting her eyes.

"Did you purposely not take your medicine?" Hermione asked barely able to squeak it out.

"Of course not." Draco said shocked. Hermione inhaled and exhaled as tears blurred her vision. "I'd hug you but I can't feel my stomach." he said jokingly which only made Hermione cry harder. "Aw come on Hermione! I don't know how to handle this…." he said awkwardly which did cause Hermione to laugh. He threw his arms up in mock exasperation. "I'm glad my failure is to your liking." he said smirking.

Hermione smiled a watery smile. "Please take your medicine."

"Well you'll just have to remember to give it to me." Draco said grinning.

"Were you mad because of those letters?" Hermione asked softly.

Draco nodded sullenly. "They were from death eaters." he replied guiltily.

"Are you alright?" she asked gently sitting down next him.

"I am now. Thank you for saving me. Again." Draco thanked sheepishly.

"Always." Hermione said reassuringly.

"And I promise I won't let anything, or anyone hurt you. Ever." Draco said so seriously I looked at him in surprise.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"Hermione those letters, were about you." Draco said apologetically.

After the letter incident, Hermione had been more on guard than ever. She knew death eaters were seeking revenge but to threaten Draco and talk about me was really putting me on edge.

The words in the letter ran through my mind:
You better watch yourself and that mudblood. We're not blind little Malfoy. We see you and that pathetic little mudblood running around together. Watch your back.

Not creepy in the slightest. "Mudblood" could have been a lot of people. But she was the only muggle born familiar with Draco.

He had been close to her the rest of the week and he wasn't doing a good job at hiding it. She was "Sleeping" and he had opened the door to check on her. Sweet and very kind but not necessary. He was so sweet when he had that guarded and concerned look in his eyes when he looked at her that she just wanted to melt.

Draco had been steadily healing and he was showing some progress. He had been banned from quidditch until top notch recovery but he had begun to fly around again. He could walk without grimacing and he didn't need as much medication any longer.

She was still watching him closely for any other signs of pain. She had also made sure to administer his medicine on time, every time. She wouldn't let another attack like that happen.

"Do we have to keep going? It's a Friday night Hermione." Draco complained. Hermione had been making him quiz her on some Herbology on a Friday night and he wasn't too pleased.

"Please! One more." she said sounding like a little child.

Draco smirked. "You've been saying that line for the past 30 minutes."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Please! Tomorrow we can do whatever you want." she said hoping she wouldn't regret that.

"I like that….." Draco said wickedly. Hermione groaned and waited as he asked the next question. Halfway through the question, she interrupted him and answered the question.

"Well that's one more question." Draco said handing back her notes. She was quite reluctant to put them away but felt it would be a big scene if she asked to do just one more.

"Has….Potter told you about anything with regards to….my situation or this entire situation in general?" Draco asked uncomfortably. Hermione smiled lightly at him before responding.

"No he hasn't. But I know for a fact he's been really busy lately probably out trying to catch the escaped death eaters." Hermione said. "You know that a lot of auror stuff remains confidential." she added.

Draco nodded and looked at the fire. She took note of how his eyes reflected the firelight ever so delicately. And how his hair framed his perfectly chiseled face. She blushed when she caught herself staring and looked out the window.

"It's snowing." she smiled as she walked to the window. She heard Draco join her and they watched the small flakes of snow fall and litter the Hogwarts ground with a flurry of white.

Hermione walked with Draco throughout the grounds. The snow made Hogwarts look even more magical than it was. She wrapped her scarf tighter around her as she and Draco made their way passed the black lake.

"Are you sure you don't mind missing Hogsmeade?" Draco asked studying her.

Hermione grinned. "Don't mind at all. I can buy gifts at the last Hogsmeade visit." she replied.

"Do you ever wonder if we'll ever escape Voldemort?" Draco asked out of nowhere. She was taken aback but considered the question carefully.

"No. Maybe not ever. There will still be those in the world that worship him and want him to reign. I mean he's dead and yet the terrors that were related to him are still never leaving us." she said trembling as she spoke.

"Do you regret becoming...friends with me which probably put more of this dark dark world into your life again?" Draco asked looking deeply into her eyes. "Be honest." he added softly. Hermione turned her whole body to face him.

"I will never regret getting to know you. Despite the dangers because I would be in danger anyways and I might as well be in danger with someone that I care about. I've never told you but you've become such an important person in my life. Even though I make you study with me and I make you take medicine on a strict schedule and I get mad and irritated and annoyed at you, you've grown on me. You were there for me when no one else was. You brought me out of my shell and you were just...there. You Draco Malfoy have completely set me free from my restraining past and you've made my present and maybe future better." Hermione said never breaking eye contact with Draco. Every word she was uttering, that took all her bravery was worth it. He had a beautiful glint in his eye, his face was beaming and a light pink tinged his cheeks. He was holding the side of her face and she could see the tears of joy threatening to break out. She couldn't have been more happy.

He took a step closer and she took another one closer. She looked deep into his eyes and she felt her knees go weak. His eyes! His grey eyes that held so much and yet gave away so little. She loved it.

The intensity burning in between them was so intense Hermione felt faint.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and they were so close, she could feel his breath, every inhale and exhale expelling from his strong chest.

Finally, he leaned in and kissed her.

The world stopped. Time stopped. But the sparks continued to fly.

Author's Note

AHHHHH! You don't know how long I've been waiting for that. Hope it's not too sappy. Thoughts? Comments? Likes? Dislikes? Reviews?