Chapter 10 - Remember to Breathe

She felt her heart and every vein in her body pulsating as he laid on his side directly next to her, the front of his body matching perfectly with her curves. His hand tracing around her eyes, lips, and chin then slowly continuing down her neck and shoulders. Breathing was proof she was definitely paying attention and enjoying every touch. His finger traced down the middle of her chest, his face closed in on hers to create multiple concentration points - and the confusion they caused.

Feeling her move, it was obvious something was happening with her thighs secretly rubbing together over the light cotton pajama pants. He smiled inside their kiss, hand finding it's way underneath the bottom of her black tank top. As his fingertips slid over her soft stomach and slowly finding their way up to her chest, Draco felt her breath pause as he inched further and further causing her to jump just enough to notice.

"Are you okay?" He froze, hoping there was no need to stop.

Her head nodded quickly, eyes closed so tight her eyelids were turning whitish. Kissing between her ear and eye seemed to be a key to relax, loosening up next to his tough body and still breathing like a runner in a race. His bottom lip never left her skin and dragged gently up until her forehead. The tips of his fingers lined against her skin, following the edge of her undergarment.

A finger dipped under the soft cloth, causing Hermione to rush her arms around his neck and pull his lips to meet back to hers. Understanding the meaning, he did not pull away as his hand slipped fully into the cup of the bra - the tip of his middle finger stroking the small bump of raised skin, as another breath caught within. Pulling his face away just far enough, and squeezing his hand just enough to cause a gasp, he whispered so softly.

"Breathe, Hermione. Don't forget to breathe." His voice was so gentle, it added to the experience of feeling his skin in the places no one else had ever seen or touched.

She gasped again, her eyes half open just enough to watch him. His hand closed again, her eyes closing in response with her body tensing with every minute pressure. Leaning and kissing her again, she buckled her hands behind his head.

"IN THE NAME OF MERLIN," a familiar voice made them both jump and his hand automatically to slide out of her shirt. "GET AWAY FROM HER!"

"Harry!" She stood up, hand on her hips. Draco still sat on the ground.

"WHAT are you doing!" He quieted very little. "Hermione! Are you bonkers! Have you lost your mind?" He pointed at Draco, "THAT is MALFOY! DRACO PRAT-ASS MALFOY!"

"Harry, I thought it was fairly obvious, especially that I basically explained him and I were dating!" She poked the air toward Harry, "don't you DARE tell me who I can and can't be with!"

"I thought you liked Ron? What happened to that?" His anger filled his voice, continuing to stare at Draco.

She let a snort out, "how could you like a person who joins the DEATH EATERS!" She burst in anger.

Harry's eyes widened, and the anger seemed to disappear immediately, "what in the world are you saying?"

"I caught him opening a portal behind that tree," she pointed to where the oval transport had appeared, "and his 'marking' showed!" She looked at Draco, obviously having to create a little white lie of actually viewing a marking.

Harry couldn't say anything. He couldn't seem to comprehend one of his best friends had betrayed him. It took a few moments, but finally he whispered just loud enough and turned to the other direction, "thanks, Hermione, for telling me." And he walked back towards the door, body seeming to drag in sadness, closing the door behind him.

Hermione turned to Draco still in his position on the ground, sitting next to him. Harry's sudden voice had ended something that could have been most memorable in two entire lives.

"Well, that was fun," Draco tried to obtain a smile from her face, attempting to rid of the absolute sadness wearing her body down.

"That was probably one of the toughest things I've had to say - ever."

He pulled her shoulder to relax her head in the crook of his neck. "Potter had to know."

"I could have never done it without you. Thank you."

He smiled slightly, "I would never be here if it wasn't for you."

Finally, it was impossible to remain in sadness; sitting up so she could lay against the cool grass and stare at the charmed ceiling - the clouds, smeared colors, and stars growing brighter. Draco followed, but laid on his side instead so her face was the absolute focal point.

"You are so beautiful, Hermione."

Her head turned to him quickly enough, asking herself what his game was. "I disagree." Attempting to cover the blush covering her cheeks and her inescapable smile, "but thank you for the compliment."

"Well, I disagree with you with disagreeing with me," he grabbed her chin gently, pulling her eyesight back to him. "But I wont lie to you. You are very beautiful. And you," he placed his hand on the chest raised above her heart, "are the most beautiful person I have ever seen, heard of, and met. Inside and out."

She swallowed a knot of nervousness, visible to Draco and causing his smile to grow a little more. Her eyes widened in the shapes of giant almonds, her stare not able to be broken from his.

His hand found her neck in unison with his face drawing closer, just stopping so slightly close to her ear. "I love you, Hermione Granger," face returning to meet hers, slowly lowering to her lips.

But without the smallest moment being able to pass, her hands slid around his neck softly, joining behind and pulling his face to hers in a single pull. His hand found her waist, running his thumb over the small opening between her clothing allowing her skin to show. It seemed like and took forever to end, but it lasted until the darkness covered them... and then it was time for dinner.