Chapter 10

The next morning Hermione woke aching and stiff. When she tried to sit up she hissed with pain. Carefully she got onto her feet and walked around stiffly, trying to let the fabric of her robes touch her arse as little as possible.

Blaise came up to her and handed her a small tin.

"Healing cream", he told her, "It'll help."

Hermione muttered a thanks, not wanting to look him in the eye. They all knew what Draco did to her and they had probably known in advance. Still nobody stopped him and she wasn't ready to forgive them yet. Maybe when hell freezes over.

Draco came in, bringing breakfast. He winced when he saw Hermione's pained movements.

"I've brought you your favourite", he tried, "Pumpkin juice, cheese sandwiches and a chocolate bar."

She silently wondered how he knew what her favourite was, but she ignored him completely and just kept staring out of the window. Draco wanted to go up to her, but Blaise stopped him.

"Let's go Draco", he told him, "Leave the lady to her breakfast... in peace."

Draco gazed at Hermione longingly, but he complied and left.

--

The following days Hermione refused to talk to Draco or even to recognise his existence.

Draco felt absolutely miserable. He didn't know he could regret something this much, but he just didn't know what to do.

"Draco", Theo said on the fifth day of sleeping on the couch, "You've got to do something mate."

"I hurt her Theo", Draco sighed, "Not just the hits, but like, emotionally I really hurt her. I don't know how to fix it."

"You grovel Draco", Theo advised him, "You grovel and you beg her forgiveness."

"How can I do that, she won't listen."

"Bullshit Draco, she'll hear you. It's not like she can go anywhere can she?"

Draco sat up. Theo was right, he was so stupid! He gathered his stuff and forcefully walked back to his room.

"Good luck!", Theo called after him.

He waited until Theo had put the charms back on the door and got in bed.

Whatever the result, you're sleeping in your bed Draco. You're a Malfoy! No, scratch that, forget you're a Malfoy for a moment and beg until she caves.

He took a deep breath and pulled the curtains aside. He was greeted by the sight of Hermione trying to rub the healing cream on her bruises.

She quickly lowered her robes and turned her head away from him. Carefully, trying not to startle her, he got on the bed and casted a silencing charm. She tensed, but made no attempt to flee from him.

"Hermione", he whispered, "I'm not very good at this. At the time I thought it was the only way, because it is the only way I know. Please Hermione, please look at me?"

At the pleading tone in his voice Hermione couldn't resist looking at him. He sat on his knees before her in his pyjama bottoms, his hands behind his back and his head bowed down.

"I know now that what I did was wrong. I vow to you Hermione, I vow that I will never, never hurt you willingly again. Please... please Hermione... Please forgive me..."

Hermione had never seen Draco so miserable. She felt that something in her heart and fluttering in her stomach again. Damn him! She wanted to stay mad at him, but she just couldn't. She wasn't one to keep grudges anyway.

"Draco... I accept your vow... And I forgive you."

Draco looked hopeful.

"But I will never forget."

She launched herself forward and grabbed him by the balls. Draco whimpered, but didn't dare to move as he looked her in the eye.

"If you ever...", Hermione hissed, "Ever pull something like that again... I'll crush these with my bare hands. Understood?"

Draco grunted as she squeezed his crown jewels a little tighter and nodded.

She let him go and settled under the blanket on her stomach, her face turned away from him. She was a little shocked by her own actions. Maybe that was a little harsh Hermione, but a girl's got to stand up for herself!

Draco saw the tin of healing cream was lying next to him.

"Hermione...", he said hesitantly, "Can I... You know... Help make it better?"

He quickly covered his weaker parts, just in case.

"Fine...", Hermione muttered, because why the hell not? She didn't move nor looked at him.

He sat stunned for a moment. When she didn't gave any more indication he reached out and peeled the blanket back. Slowly he lifted up the robes. When he saw the damage he had done he had to swallow, feeling sick with himself all over again.

Large bruises covered her pretty arse. They were fading to green and yellow with the help of the healing cream, but he knew they must have been dark purple just a few days ago.

Draco opened the tin and rubbed the cream on her bruises as gently as he could. She tensed up when he touched the first one, but slowly relaxed under his ministrations.

When he was finished he put the tin down on the nightstand and covered her again with the blanket.

"Goodnight H..., eh, Granger..."

--

Hermione woke up facing Draco. He was still sleeping soundly, his face snuggled into the blanket. He probably didn't sleep much the last few days. Serves him right! She snorted at that thought.

Suddenly he opened his eyes and looked into hers. She blushed, but didn't look away.

"Morning", he whispered.

"Hi", she whispered back, smiling a little.

"What would you like for breakfast?"

"Some yogurt please... And fruit salad and green tea."

"On a diet?", Draco asked teasingly.

"And some toast with eggs and bacon."

"That's my girl", he grinned.

"Prat...", she muttered, "Time to go."

He got up and dressed. Nobody commented, but they all seemed relieved to see Draco sleeping in his bed again.

"Bye Doll", he drawled, as she rolled her eyes the boys went on their way.