10.

His kiss is soft. It's sensual. It's everything she shouldn't crave. But she does. Oh, how she savours the bitterness of coffee on his lips and the way his tongue caresses hers like Ron's never could. His left hand is on her thigh, his right at the nape of her neck. She shifts closer to him, her skirt hiking up as she does, her hands are on his chest. She can feel his heart beating hard through his shirt. He breaks the kiss and she opens her eyes, seeing him for what it feels like the first time.

His eyes are a little bloodshot, but it just seems to bring out the grey more. His lips are slightly parted and she can't help but feel like kissing him again.

''We shouldn't,'' she whispers.

''Maybe all the reasons that we shouldn't are also the reasons that we should,'' he replies. ''Maybe it was all meant to go like this. Maybe we were meant to find each other.''

''Okay Malfoy if you're going to refer to faith or anything I'm afraid I'll have to stop you right there, I don't really go there.''

She remembered the infamous moment she had stormed out of Divination. She was glad she did, logic and reason are always better and more reliable.

He lifted one eyebrow, giving her a curious look. ''Yeah I remember you really weren't too keen on the whole Divination thing.'' She smiled before turning serious. ''Why did you hate me at school? Just curiosity.'' His face pulled in and crumpled, eyebrows furrowed. ''I don't know. Prejudice, the pressure of my parents to be better than you… If you had been in Slytherin and was a pureblood, my parents would've loved you.'' She snickered at that. ''I would've had to compete with Pansy though. Either way some flower-named girl would ruin things for me.''

That made Draco laugh, and it was quite a handsome one. His teeth were extremely well set and white, competing with his skin.

''Why didn't it work out with Pansy?'' He looked at her as if the question alone caused him a headache. ''I love attention and being cared for, but when your girlfriend starts fussing over you more than your mother does it just gets… a little suffocating.'' She smiled at that, realising all too well how much of a mothers-boy he must be.

''Ronald was quite the opposite. We let each other do what we wanted to do, but maybe we let the strings get too loose.'' His eyes peered into hers, looking a little reserved but curious as well. ''I can't imagine you being with that git for as long as you did- how long were you two together?''
''We got together when we were seventeen, right after the war, married when we were 20- so together for nine years, married for six. Actually.. I don't even know if I should count the last year.'' Her heart still managed to beat out of sync when she thought of that period. It started with little arguments, until it became so unbearable that Hermione spend most of her time at work.

''You know, I still got some contacts if you want to get back to him.''

She laughed, taking it as a joke, until she saw the serious look on his face. ''Oh no! Please- no. It's not worth it.'' He shrugged, leaning back. ''The option will remain open for when you – rightfully – change your mind.'' She smiled, nudging him softly. ''I don't think I will, but thanks anyway.'' Involuntarily she yawned after saying this- she had forgotten how tired she was after he had suddenly started snogging her. Also, the skirt she was wearing was highly annoying to her since it was impossible to sit comfortably in them.

''Since I am obligated to do nothing today-'' she shot Draco a very murderous and accusing look, ''I'm going to change in something more comfortable.'' She looked down at the proper suit he was wearing. ''I could- I think I have some old pyjama bottoms lying around that Ron never wore, if you want to wear something more comfortable too. I mean, I can imagine wearing that suit must get quite annoying.''

He looked at her, disgust plain on his face with a hint of consideration. ''You mean- wearing Weasels clothing? No thank you, I'd rather wear like.. dirt or anything like that. Is your hearth connected to the floo network?'' Hermione raised one eyebrow, crossing her arms. ''Well, of course-'' ''Good, then I'll floo myself home and get some of my own things.'' Without any hesitation he stalked towards her hearth, getting a little floo powder and throwing it in while mumbling his address.

Draco stumbled out of his hearth, not quite used to this one yet.

He proceeded to his bedroom, looking around for some comfortable pants. He picked up a pair of sweatpants he got at one of the cheaper shops at Diagon Alley, and he suspects they are from a muggle store. He slipped out of his proper attire, put on the pants and threw on an emerald sweater on top of his shirt. He was just putting his clothes in his washing basket when there was a knock on his front door.

He dropped the pants he was holding, wondering if he had made an appointment he had forgotten to cancel. Apprehensively he walked towards the door, opening it slowly. He nearly groaned when he saw an all-too-happy Blaise.

''Morning mate, I thought we'd get some lunch today but when I got to your and Granger's office nobody was there.'' He tried to look past Draco, quite obviously, so he threw the door open, motioning for him to get in.

''She's not here if that's what you're trying to say.'' He stepped aside for Blaise, who directly walked towards his small combination of a kitchen and living room. He threw his coat on the coach and sat down at the dinner table, tapping his fingers on the wood. He sat down opposite of him, leaning back in his chair.

''So, anything interested happened after I left last night?''

Had it just been last night? It felt like it had been days, maybe weeks, since Blaise had left and Draco had been forced to see the reality of things.

''Not much, went home not long after you'd gone. Didn't want to be stuck there with Granger.'' He tried to sneer when he said that, but by the way Blaise was eying him he probably sounded as convincing as he felt. ''Draco, I've known you for some years and I don't believe a shit from what you just said.'' He could feel his face getting warmer. He didn't want to admit it, not to him. It would just make it… real.

''Do really think I believe your weak ''we didn't do much'' story? Ever since I've known you there have been exactly three women in your life I had to hear you talk about constantly. Your mother, Pansy, and Hermione.''

He didn't quite know how to respond to that, and honestly, he didn't want to. It felt as if there were life snakes in his stomach, wringing and tangling in each other, trying to break free. He averted his gaze from Blaise, trying to find a safe point. Blaise's tone had softened when he spoke again.

''We've been raised with fucked up believes, Draco. And you have just been given the chance to re-evaluate your whole fucking life.'' He looked back to Blaise, his jaw was set. ''You're still thinking of the Weaslette, are you?'' ''Take your chance mate, that's all I'm saying.'' A silence fell between them, and in that silence everything from the past was being brought up. He could tell he was thinking about the Weasel girl, he always got a strange look when he did.

''It's just so… fucked up, isn't it? One minute you believe you hate someone, and the next... the next you just…'' he got distracted thinking back to last night, thinking back to just a mere 30 minutes ago. The way she seemed to engulf every sense of him, filling up his whole world…

''I know. Well, at least you got a clear shot now. I'll just have to suffer through all of Ginny and Scarhead's anniversaries.'' He smirked at Blaise's semi-pained expression. ''Don't worry mate, you'll find your dreamwitch.'' Blaise sighed dramatically, dropping the proper way of sitting. ''Maybe. I'm a family man, I just can't live the rest of my life with a different bird every night bouncing around on my-'' ''Okay I'm going to stop you right there. I do not, in any way, want to know what you do at night with whoever.'' Blaise just shrugged, a little smile playing around his lips from the disgusted look on Draco's face.

''Oh come on Draco, don't act like a prude. Anyway, if you're not going to seduce Granger, might I ask if you're planning on getting with anyone at all?'' ''Why would I?'' He looked at him funny.

''Well, maybe for the sake of feeling loved and nice and cared for and stuff?''

''I don't particularly care for those things,'' he replied coldly, looking Blaise straight in the eyes.

But the thing was, he did want those things. Badly. He told himself that maybe if he kept saying he didn't, maybe he would start believing it too. Blaise gave him a hard look. ''Well, that's just stupid. Everyone needs warmth and comfort, I bet even good ol' Voldy required some love now and then. Why can't you just admit it?''

He rolled his eyes, wanting him to leave right that second, because he was starting to doubt himself. A Malfoy never doubted itself.

Maybe picking up on Draco's gloomy mood, Blaise stood up. ''Well, I'd love to play therapist all day but sadly some of us got work to do. I am expecting you for lunch next Monday.'' And like that, he walked out of the room. A few moments later he heard the door open and shut again, and Draco was still glued to his chair.

His head seemed to be working overtime. Did he want to be alone for the rest of his life? Alone was being free. Alone was not having to take another person into consideration with everything he did. Alone was not worrying. Alone was safe. But there was something at the back of his head gnawing at him, demanding his attention. He tried not to think of the warm and complete feeling Hermione gave him, how he felt at home. How she had punched a hole in his wall while desperately trying to maintain her own.

And he realised, with his stomach twisting that alone sucked. He had been alone ever since the War, and it had been miserable. The only reason he survived was because of Blaise's constant company and the illusion that being a bachelor forever was the way to go for him. Well, that illusion had been picked up and thrown out of the fucking window.

He looked at the clock on the wall, and shot up. He had been gone for 45 minutes! She probably thought he had left and decided not to come back. He quickly hurried to his hearth, saying her address before stepping into the emerald flames.

When he stepped out on the other side, he braced himself for her fury. But nothing came. He looked around the quite living room, when his eye dropped and fell on her, sleeping on the couch with that muggle book on the ground next to her.

She was wearing a faded too-big-for-her t-shirt, big woollen socks and pyjama bottoms that exposed quite some leg. He felt a little uncomfortable, just standing there watching her sleep. Wasn't this what psychopaths did or something? Should he leave again?

He was about to turn back around when she suddenly stirred, opening her heavy eyes. He kind of expected her to jump when she would suddenly see him standing in her living room, but instead there was a faint smile playing around her lips.

''Hey Draco, I didn't expect you back here.'' The way she drawled on his name in her barely—awake state did something to him, which he couldn't quite explain, except that it felt pretty good.

''I would apologize but I see I wasn't missed that much.'' She smiled softly, and patted the space beside her on the couch. ''I think there's room enough for two, you know. I'm kind of sleepy and hungover right and honestly all I want is a good rest and company.'' He couldn't help but smile, as he looked at her tumble of brown hair and the soft rise of her chest.

This was kind of the point at which he could turn around and leave and be alone for eternity. But his legs we're moving without his permission, and suddenly he was standing by the sofa. He laid down beside her a little awkwardly, trying not to fall of the couch or squish her.

They were both laying on their sides facing each other. She was so close he could feel her warm breath on his skin, making his hairs stand up. He studied her eyes, nose, mouth, cheeks. She had an 'open face', as his mother would say. A face that would burst open when smiling or laughing. She was pure in a way that she wore her heart on her cheek, displaying her emotions to anyone who pays enough attention. Right now she was looking pretty calm and peaceful.

He was wondering if she'd already fallen asleep when she suddenly opened her eyes, startling him. He expected her to say something about the way he was looking at her, but she didn't. Instead her cheeks turned a little red and she scooted closer to him, burying her face in his chest.

He put his arm around her, and slid the other one under her head. He could feel her breathing in and out in a steady pace, completely giving herself to him. Her warmth was comforting, her scent intoxicating. It was simply the most delightful scent he had ever smelled. She was wearing a light and pleasant perfume, which made him think of cool summer nights at an ocean.

He was dozing off when she suddenly uttered something while pressing herself closer against him, probably not even meant for him to hear. ''Who would've thought, Draco Malfoy has a real beating heart.'' ''It must've restarted last night, then.'' He wasn't quite sure why he said that, and he felt embarrassed the moment he did.

She lifted up her face, an imprint of his sweater on her cheek. ''I suppose I shouldn't let you out of sight then, in case it stops again and you die.'' He lifted an eyebrow, wondering if she realised what she was saying. ''I suppose so.'' Satisfied with his reply, she settled back again and let out a content sigh.

He shut his eyes, wondering if there was such a thing as a time-freezing spell and if it was possible to cast it right there and then.