A/n: Hello dear readers, in advance I apologize for this unbelievably short chapter. I found that over the last week (as it's now Friday) I was just so excited/anxious for my trip that I couldn't concentrate at all on writing.

If you've been reading the author's notes for the last few weeks you'll know I'm taking off for London in 3 days (as of today 24 March). If you want to see pictures from my trip and updates, please follow my Facebook group, which is /groups/mrsturtlesreaders I'll be posting daily pictures there!

Thank you as always to my amazing beta kanewolfe for her quick edits that made this little chapter coming to even possible!

Shoutout to HarryPGinnyW4eva for noticing in Chapter 12 that when Draco was terrified that Hermione would leave that his eyes were grey. This is important because it wasn't his wolf who was afraid but him. While I'm constantly trying to improve my writing, I am getting better at leaving little clues like this, in his eye colour, and I wish every day that it was natural to have Hermione's normal human eyes change, alas it is not.

Sunday, 5 November

Draco honestly knew that it was too much to hope that he might be able to spend the full moon near Hermione and be saved the torment of knowing she was safe. His entire life, he'd learned that the indulgence of foolish and romantic notions was impractical, improbable, and, more often than not, rarely worth it. Hermione made him want more, more out of life.

It had been two hours since Milly had left with the letters from Addi, and the sun was fast approaching the horizon, making Draco's skin crawl. Even with Hermione running her hand up his back and through his hair, it did little to calm both he and his wolf. He had already asked Norman to fashion one of the old cages in the dungeon to be ready while moving a comfortable chair or loveseat down for Hermione.

He hated to remember what this house had once harboured, or the fact that he had dungeons at his disposal, but he would make use of them if it meant keeping her safe. It was just such an ironic turn of events, because after years of knowing the witch in his arms, he hadn't given much thought to her safety, and now it seemed to be the only thing he could think of. He couldn't seem to think of anything else, even his ache to mark her seemed to ease with the notion of her safety taking over his thoughts. Right now it hurt to know he was her greatest threat, but the need to comfort her, and if his hunch was correct, the only way to do that was to bring them together.

"Draco, please look at me," Hermione's voice broke through his thoughts, he turned to look at her, her brown eyes wide. "Milly is back."

He looked around to see his loyal house elf holding two letters, shocked that he hadn't heard the sound of her apparating back into the room. Addi and Ellis both stood from where they had been sitting on the other side of the room.

"Master, Milly is sorry it took so long. Mister Matt and Missus Cleo were not home, and I had to go find them at their winter cabin. But Milly has their replies." Milly handed both scrolls to Draco, who unfurled the first one from Matt and Cleo, confirming his theory and encouraging him to be near his mate during the transformation, that it would help them both. He handed the scroll to Hermione when he was done and hastily unrolled the second. Needing to hear from Terrance, who was by far one of the smartest wizards he had met, he also had confirmed that Draco and Hermione both would be comforted being near each other and that Draco was incapable of hurting her, especially under the influence of wolfsbane.

Hermione had read the first scroll before handing it over to Addi, who had smiled brightly as her eyes had scanned Cleo's words. Her brown eyes looked up at Draco, suddenly hopeful. "So we can be near each other."

Draco handed the second scroll to Ellis, who read Terrance's words, "I still think a cage might be best."

"Why Draco? You just read that you'll be no danger to Hermione," Ellis said, he had known that even with the confirmation of this information Draco would struggle not to see himself as the monster capable of hurting Hermione.

Draco shook his head, unable to find an understanding pair of eyes. None of them understood. None of them had a past like he did. He wouldn't risk Hermione when he was capable of doing so much harm. "At least for the first night, I wish to be behind the cage, until we are certain she'll be safe."

Hermione took a step near Draco, her hand automatically extending to rest her palm flat against his chest. As she rubbed the area of his heart, feeling the steady beat, a rush of heat rose in her blood, stemming from the spot on her neck he had recently bitten again. She rose onto her tiptoes and lightly placed a kiss on his lips. "Draco, you won't hurt me. They say you're incapable. Don't you trust your friends? Don't you trust yourself?"

Draco sighed, cupping her face in his hands, "I only care about your safety. Nothing else matters. Please, allow me to keep you safe, at least for one more night."

Hermione couldn't help but nod when his lips descended on her's capturing them gently before his fervour grew and they found themselves breathless. "Ok, but only for tonight. Tomorrow no cage, as long as you're calm and behave yourself tonight."

To be continued...

Sorry, it's so short, I assure you I will put my fingers to the keyboard again when I get back from London!