A.N: It wouldn't be right to post this chapter after a year of waiting without an author note, but if you read my fics you know this isn't a hobby I can dedicate a lot of time to. It's just something I do when I can and want to, frustrating? Oh hell yea, I'm sorry. I'm a terrible person. Anywho. Here are 5k words with snogging and light groping, #spoileralert.

Chapter 13: Of Cats and Cads

October 20th

'five days to go' she repeated it over and over in her mind as she paced her bedroom. They had avoided eye contact since their last encounter, not because of any magical reason but because when they did connect it inevitably resulted in barely hidden smirks, creeping blushes and racing pulses. The missed coursework was quickly caught up on, both she and Malfoy had independently covered the entire prescribed seventh-year curriculum during the war years. There was a light tap on her door when she pulled it open she was pleased to see Maggie standing with a small card.

"George let me in the tower." She said by way of explanation.

"Come in." Hermione ushered her into the heart of the room, she noted the consternation in the girl's face "No bombs this time." Hermione smiled kindly and waved her arms.

"I brought you this." The young girl held out the small envelope "Don't open it now, it's just a thank you for everything. Not just the throwing yourself in the line of fire for me." She pulled a tight smile, clearly a little uncomfortable, her eyebrows shot up when she spotted Crookshanks "Hello pal!" she smiled broadly as she crouched to be at eye level with the pet.

"Hello human." Crookshanks purred, Maggie, tilted her head as her expression shifted to curiosity.

"Oh he's purring, he likes you!" Hermione whispered happily.

"He's only part Kneazle."

"That's right and part tabby." Hermione plonked herself on the floor next to Maggie.

"No, you're not are you," Maggie said with a laughing tone and tickled Crookshanks' chin.

"This one's smart." Crookshanks meowed.

"He's a bit kneazle, but he's all Cat Sith aren't you sir." Maggie gave Crookshanks a knowing nod.

"a cat what?" Hermione asked, befuddlement sweeping her face.

"A Sith, ancient folklore. But true… there's lots of old magic even the wizards don't believe in anymore… He's from the island of cats." Crookshanks appeared to nod his head a little, Hermione for a second, thought he looked like he was agreeing but shook it off as coincidence.

"Cat Island?" she asked sceptically.

"It's off The Isle of Aran, overrun by wild cats… legend says it was an old witch who lived on the island and bred them as her children and gave them powers, and when she died, they became like humans." Crookshanks yammed "I know it's nonsense Crookshanks" the tall Scottish girl reassured the large ginger animal "They're just like the wizards of cats Hermione, some cats got magic, and some didn't… I just know he comes from that island because of his markings." Crookshanks rolled onto his back without any prompting and Hermione wondered how much of her life he actually understood… and then her brain shot to all the times she and Ron had done it with him in the room, and her heart stilled a little "Two white dots on his chest and that grey stripe on his belly mean his lineage goes back there, there are lots of Cat Sith colonies… my granny had a book on them… well, she wrote it." Maggie allowed Crookshanks to guide her hand with his paw to the centre of his tummy, where she proceeded to scratch.

"So he understands everything?" Hermione asked, still a little sceptical.

"yes, he just doesn't have the mouthparts needed to speak human… but he understands it from the perspective of a feline. We're all probably just big noisy pink blobs to him."

"She's not wrong," Crookshanks responded in a contented purr.

"I'll bring you the book from home, we leave for break tomorrow." Maggie looked sadly at her knees.

"I'd really like that" Hermione nodded enthusiastically If Crookshanks was a "Magical cat" she certainly wanted to know more about it "I'm sure Magnus will miss you," she reassured with a pat on the girl's arm, all the while eyeing her pet in a new light.

"I know it sounds silly and very girly, but it's going to be so strange not to be able to talk to him every day and tell him about the dream I had or what new song I really like. It'll feel empty." Hermione paused at the girl's words, she wished briefly that she could've lived a life where feeling so strongly came so freely.

"It's only until next Thursday, and then you'll both be back to being the 'It' couple of Hogwarts!" Hermione joked playfully, as she nudged the much younger girl.

"That's you and blondie McMalfoy!" Maggie giggled in response.

"He hates that you call him that."

"I know." Maggie's giggle intensified.

"And we're not a couple" Hermione added 'we've not even kissed' silently.

"Maybe not officially, but soon… all the girls in my dorm ship you two!" she clasped her hands over her mouth to cover the constant overspill of tinkling laughter that came from her smiling mouth.

"Ship?" Hermione suddenly felt both old and stupid, the little girl used a hundred words she'd never understand and seemed to have the entire knowledge of an ancient magical island poured into her like a time capsule.

"It's a muggle word, it means they want you to get together!"

"Are we really that interesting?"

"We live in a castle with one tv that I invented and no other forms of entertainment, you're prime time!" Maggie unfolded her legs and stood, Hermione, joined her.

"I have to go pack, and then I promised Magnus we could get some kissing time in before curfew." Maggie said by way of explanation, Hermione kept the laughter over their scheduled 'kissing time' at bay and hugged the girl goodbye.

October 25th

Hermione decided it was a good thing to have a friend with a drinks cart in her room.

"Lime?" Pansy asked as she gripped a slice of green citrus between small tongs, Hermione nodded.

"Relax." The dark-haired beauty said as she placed the gin and tonic into Hermione's hand.

They both looked stunning, as seventh years and registered adults they had both been invited to the ministry ball to revel with the great and the good of Wizarding society. They had been delivered strict warnings about alcohol by their headmistress, the party was slated to end at 10 pm given it was being hosted on school grounds. Guests were due to start arriving at 5:30 pm for a meal before the band began, time seemed to have slowed to a halt as Hermione had spent the day fretting over whether or not he'd do as she requested. She was scared to encounter him at all, what if she looked at him and he just shook his head or just acted like nothing had happened.

Hermione was in crushed red velvet, strapless, knee-length party dress with plenty of underskirts and a pair of red pumps. The sweetheart neckline accentuated her décolletage, which Pansy had draped with a diamond necklace, she hoped they weren't real diamonds, though knew they probably were.

"Do I look ok?" Hermione asked for the millionth time as she fussed with her hair which she'd left down.

Pansy stared at the Gryffindor girl for a second, pretending to evaluate "you look beautiful" the Slytherin responded, smoothing her own long black satin gown.

"You do too," Hermione responded quickly, she was so freaking nervous, she thought her stomach lining might try to crawl back up her throat, so she downed the glass of gin and tonic she held.

There was a knock at the door, George stuck his head round, not bothering to wait for a response;

He said "You look so hot." as he marched towards Pansy and wrapped her in his arms "hello bestie" he shot quickly over his shoulder to Hermione before placing a kiss on Pansy's lips.

"I need to go grab my wand, I'll meet you both down there," Hermione muttered as she exited the room, leaving George and Pansy to play a somewhat vigorous round of tonsil tennis. She walked to her own chamber, the hairs on the back of her neck prickled as she both dreaded and delighted in the thought of seeing Malfoy, her breath hitched at the mere notion of him. It was fast becoming apparent that anticipation was nearly as potent a mood alterer as the strange paste of Tekken Uit.

Her mind was so lost in thoughts of the blonde boy who had once been her enemy, she didn't even see him walk towards her, she didn't know the purpose in his eyes or the firm set of his jaw. The first she was aware of him was his fingers gently wrapping her upper arm in their grasp, she looked up with fright which quickly transformed into nervous trepidation when her eyes met his. Using muscle memory, she reached for the handle to her door and pushed it open, all the while still locked in an unflinching gaze with him. She backed slowly through the entrance and wondered if he'd let go of her and turn away, he didn't, he took two swift steps, so he was in her room and toe to toe with her. He closed the door behind him and swallowed hard. Hermione felt her heart thud violently in her chest and wondered if he could hear it, it was so thunderous.

He took a breath and opened his mouth as though to say something;

"Hermione, Pansy wants to know if you want to walk down with us," George yelled from the other side of the door.

"No" Hermione shouted back, a little higher and a little louder than she would have liked.

"Are you freaking out about Malfoy?" George's voice, the slight rattle as his hand rested on the doorknob, Hermione groaned. She just wanted a kiss for god's sake, was that too much of an ask.

"No George I'll be down in a bit, go without me." She tried to sound calm but Malfoy was staring at her, a small grin tugging at his lips and It was making the very follicles on her head tingle.

"I'm coming in Hermione." The handle rattled, but before he could push Draco had turned and pulled the door open a crack and shoved his head out

"Go without her." He said in a barely calm tone.

"ok doke." George turned away from the door closing behind his back.

"What was that all about?" Pansy asked as she pulled a fur stole over her bare shoulders.

"Either something wonderful is about to happen, or something terrible… I haven't decided yet." He slung his arm around her waist and pulled her towards him.

"So just every day then." She responded with a light chuckle and allowed him to guide her to the hall.

Draco stood with his back pressed against Hermione's door, she was planted in the centre of her room, he watched her intently, and she found she had to retell herself to breathe. Hermione was reminded of that cat that was in the box until it was opened it was neither dead nor alive, it existed in two states. Their kiss was that box, once opened things would go one way or another, and both of them were painfully aware of that. Both of them had been broken down by life, both had to be stronger than they thought they could be, both had good reason to be cautious.

They were at a strange stalemate, neither budging, neither blinking. Hermione knew they couldn't live forever in this perpetual state of unknowing and longing, it was far too distracting for one, but she didn't want to be the one to break it, she always had to be the bigger person. All the situation needed, was for him to be just a little bit brave.

She breathed then marched to him, she had him pinned between the door and her own body, she stood on her tip toes to make a bid to see him eye to eye, "you should've done it." She felt a little disappointed, but she'd given him the go-ahead on two occasions, and he'd come in here and made her feel all fuzzy. But she supposed he'd just lost his nerve, she reached behind him for the handle, to leave.

Draco blinked and grabbed her hand in his, stopping it from pulling the door "stop being so impatient Granger." He murmured as he lowered his head closer to her ear.

"Stop being such a wimp Malfoy." Her tone was challenging, her eyes locked on him, daring him.

He wasn't quite sure what the feeling that came over him at that moment was, it was somewhere between arousal and indignation. The result, either way, was Malfoy grabbing her by the waist and spinning her, so she was now the one trapped against the door, he breathed heavily as he lowered his face to meet hers. She still looked at him challengingly, she took her bottom lip between her teeth and gnawed it gently forcing his gaze to her mouth. That had been enough, his lips crashed into hers. She gasped, the force more aggressive than she'd expected, he cradled the back of her head with his hand his fingers getting lost in her curls his other hand cupped her face, it was fierce and the result of weeks, or months or perhaps years of built-up tension. A taboo kiss that in any other world would never have been allowed.

Hermione's small hands balled in the front of Draco's white dress shirt, she'd tried to manage her expectations of the kiss as it had been so awaited, she'd thought the end result would inevitably be a disappointment. But the feeling in her gut, the prickle of her skin and the thudding of her heart spoke otherwise. It was so intense that for a second a panic took a grip on her breast, that perhaps this was all still a result of the magic that had so callously altered their emotions. She pushed him back, her breath heavy and hard to catch, she took in his face looking for any signs of an altered mind. He appeared to be doing the same, pupils checked, no tell-tale cheek twitches…

"That was…" She breathed, unable to finish her sentence. The words explosive, intense, immersive, terrifying and beautiful just weren't enough.

"I know." He leant his forehead against hers and closed his eyes slowly.

He kept his eyes shut as he breathed slowly, his hands still holding her head, she raised her trembling thumb to his chin her eyes transfixed on his face. She brushed his bottom lip with it, before prying it open slightly and tilting her chin to nestle her own bottom lip between his. She kissed him softly, experimentally, now that the first climactic kiss was done she wondered what else there was. She wondered if it would feel as right, she was ever the inquisitive mind.

Her fingers splayed against his chest as her other hand continued to grip his chin, gently angling his head as she continued to press soft kisses onto his slightly open lips. He looked almost pained, his brow furrowed if he hadn't been returning her kisses so fervently she would have stopped.

Her own eyes gradually closed as the kiss deepened again, She ran her open palm down his chest and over his abdomen, she felt him shiver and smiled against his lips, she hooked her fingers into his belt and jerked him forward, so that his whole body was pressed into hers. He groaned into her mouth as his fingers started to navigate her neck and shoulders, her own small hands brazenly gripped his bum, and he grinned at her.

"we need to stop." He gasped, as he pulled away from her mouth, his whole body still crushed into hers.

"why?" her hands spidered up his waist, eliciting a genuine smile from him.

"Because we were due" he placed a gentle kiss on her neck "at dinner ten minutes ago."

"balls." She sighed and gently pushed him away, attempting to straighten her dress and will the blush from her cheeks. "You go if we both walk in together, late and looking…" she eyed him and couldn't hide the smile that crept onto her mouth. He looked dazed, his shirt was only partly tucked in, his tie askew and his hair mussed. She stepped to him and slowly tucked his shirt back in, his breath heaved "don't get any ideas, I'm just straightening you out" she smiled up at him shyly. She moved to his tie which she straightened easily "come here" he bent towards her, and she took the opportunity to run her fingers back through his hair, resettling the strands that had gone wild during their kiss. Draco took her moment of concentration to steal another kiss, and it took all of Hermione's self-restraint not to hook her arms around his neck and get swept away in it all again, but she pulled back.

"go, tell McGonagall I had back pain." She chivvied him from the room before turning to look at herself, her dress was askew, her hair more prominent and her lips puffed and red. She actually looked pretty, she thought, that just ravished look so many women strive for.

She waited a few minutes before heading to the great hall, a smile tugged at her cheeks. When she arrived at the large open doors, it was to find a room already seated and feasting. She was very late indeed. "Miss Granger, might I escort you to your table?" it was an elf in tops and tails, she grinned at the sight and took his arm happily.

"You are seated at the top table, they were worried about you." The elf said informatively.

"Bother," Hermione said as she waved to the Weasley family who were sitting next to George, he looked sullen. Pansy had been seated with McGonagall, her aunt, on the top table, and looked just as forlorn.

There was an empty seat beside Draco which she assumed was for her "I'm sorry I'm late" she said as she arrived at the table, the group stood as she sat.

"Mr Malfoy informed me you've been having back pain." The old headmistress looked at the girl sidelong.

"Just a general ache," Hermione answered, she felt Draco chuckle beside her and she shook her head.

Hermione didn't talk as she ate, it took every part of her good-sense and self-control not to leap onto the man beside her and stick her tongue in his mouth. She was a ridiculous human being, she watched as Geroge's eyes flitted from his parents and up to the raised dais where 'his woman' sat… perhaps this could take her mind off it. Having finished her main course, she took the lead of other guests and stood from the table "I'll be back in a minute" she whispered to Draco before heading over to her second family.

"Hello, Weasleys!" She said. Happily, George slid over in his chair allowing her to perch beside him.

She ignored the fact that Ron was sitting there, he was still bald and had taken to wearing a flat cap, but he wasn't her problem anymore.

"Hello, beautiful girl!" Arthur said happily "You look the picture of loveliness."

"Thanks, Mr Weasley" Hermione sniffed thoughtfully "Hey Ginny, I know you're very pregnant but could you pop up to the big table and have a chat with Minerva?" she stared at her best friend stonily, hoping she could subliminally pass her plan into her brain.

"what about?" Ginny asked obliviously, ramming a spoon of mashed potato into her mouth.

"anything." Hermione whispered angrily in her friend's ear "and send Pansy down."

George looked nervous, "Mr and Mrs Weasley have you met Pansy Parkinson?" Hermione asked as she watched Ginny send the girl over.

"No, we haven't should we?" Molly asked carefully.

"not unless you want to see what a pug and a human baby looks like" Ron spoke into his goblet.

"Fuck off Ron," George said in a warning tone.

"Language George!" Mrs Weasley squeaked.

"Hello." Pansy stood nervously beside the empty chair Ginny had vacated.

"Sit" Arthur indicated with his hand, and a smile, the men of the table stood as was polite, Ron barely hovering above his chair.

Hermione stood too, allowing George to slide fully back onto his chair "Pansy has been a great friend since we came back." Hermione explained to Molly and Arthur "She and George get on tremendously." She added with a grin, George was blushing, but Hermione noted with delight that his hand had slid across the table and was now grasping Pansy's, in full view of his family.

"you two?" Molly asked Hermione had expected a little anger or at least some scepticism on the part of the Weasley matriarch. Instead, she witnessed a woman quite overcome with relief.

"Yes, Ma." George nodded, squeezing Pansy's hand.

"Well isn't this lovely," Arthur roared reaching across the table to awkwardly shake Pansy's hand, Pansy laughed delightfully at the act before jumping from her seat and running round to hug Mrs Weasley who was now wiping tears from her eyes.

"Mum, a little restraint please" George hushed his mother.

"I just… I just thought you'd be alone forever." She answered honestly as she gripped Pansy in a tight cuddle.

"Don't tell my girlfriend that please." George gasped dramatically but smiled when he saw pansy mouthing the word 'girlfriend' at him over his mothers shoulder a silly grin tugging at her feline lips.

"Hermione, a word?" Ron was gesturing over at her, she wanted to ignore him, but his father was observing her.

"what?" she asked, skulking around the table, keeping her voice quiet.

"My hair won't grow back." He said sharply, accusation dripping from his every word.

"that's not really my problem anymore Ronald? I'm really sorry, but I had nothing to do with your broom accident." She responded coldly, her eyes shifted to Draco, he was watching her intently.

"You are sleeping with Malfoy then?" he asked loudly, his mother and father turned and gasped.

"You were told Ron" his father expressed under his breath "we spoke about this before we got here."

"I think I'm owed an explanation." The former redhead, now just a red person, said haughtily as he looked down his nose at Hermione.

Hermione Granger leaned forward gracefully, allowing Ron a glimpse of her chest "I'm not Ron, but I will be so soon." She whispered so only he could hear, before turning and walking back to the head table. Ron was snapping something at his parents, but Hermione didn't care, she was feeling lighter than she had for weeks, people smiled and waved at her as she walked through the crowds.

"everything ok?" Draco asked in a soft tone as she took her seat beside him.

"Molly likes Pansy I think!" Hermione grinned triumphantly, "And Ron is still a pig, so the world is as it should be."

The tables and chairs were cleared, room was made for dancing, everyone looked excitedly at the raised dais. "Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you so much for joining us" Minerva started "and now, the Weird Sisters" the band ran onto the stage, the lead singer kissed Minerva on the mouth causing her to blush.

"Walk me to the loo?" Hermione whispered to Draco as everyone got distracted by the sweet beats.

They walked purposefully side by side, careful not to touch until they were sure they were out of sight of the great hall.

"quick." Hermione giggled pulling him towards the wall and trapping herself between the stone and him.

"Granger, this is very dangerous." He growled, his fingertips bunched in the skirt of her dress.

"I know" she whispered as she pressed a long kiss on his lips.

"After the party…" he started as he hiked her skirt a little "I am going to kiss every available inch of you" he peppered her neck with a preview.

"Jesus Malfoy" she shuddered under his touch and grabbed the lapel of his dress robe "that's the single sexiest thing a man has ever said to me" she pressed a hard kiss against his lips, before pushing him off her "I actually do need to pee, wait for me?" Hermione dashed off down the corridor, leaving a slightly breathless but incredibly happy Draco Malfoy leaning against the stone wall she'd just vacated.

"What was that?" a large man Draco didn't recognise was approaching, Draco looked behind him, there was no one else. His fingers sought out his wand, but before he could find it the man had disarmed and bound him. He slumped to the floor where he stood "I saw you Death Eater, I saw you harassing Hermione Granger."

"We're friends," Draco said quickly.

"That's not what I heard Death Eater" the man spat as he leaned down to stare into Draco's eyes "I heard you've been pawing at her for months, and everyone's too scared to do anything."

Draco tried to refute the claims, but the man silenced him with a swift kick to the ribs, he felt a crunch and struggled to breathe.

"It's my job to protect that girl. If I'm getting information that a guy is laying hands on one of the saviours of the wizarding world…" the man kicked again, this time hitting Draco on the side of the head "I'm going to do something about that" the man grabbed Draco by the throat lifting him bodily.

"McKinley!" Hermione screamed running towards the pair "Put him down, McKinley!" Hermione bellowed, her wand drawn and pointed at the man.

"I saw him…" The man called McKinley tried to reason but Hermione had disarmed and bound him, she ran to Draco freeing him of his own bindings.

"What have you done?" she spat at McKinley "You're an Auror! You're not a thug, why would you do this?" fat tears were gathering in her eyes, and the Auror looked utterly bewildered.

"He was, he was assaulting you!" The man shouted, his voice filled with anger and confusion.

"We were kissing, consensually!" Hermione hissed, allowing her gaze to travel up and down the corridors checking for eavesdroppers.

"I was told he was harassing you, I was told he was touching you inappropriately," McKinley stated earnestly.

"By Ron?" Hermione really didn't need to ask, the man nodded. "I'll be contacting your superiors, McKinley, I'll be requesting a new protector..."

"Wait." Draco piped up, his mouth milky with blood "It's not his fault, he… did what he thought was the right thing." Malfoy pushed himself against the wall to stand, his wand flew back into his hands, and he used it to unbind the shocked Auror.

"He beat you half to death, what am I supposed to tell Poppy? You fell?" she looked at the two men in disbelief.

"He was trying to protect you." Draco reasoned.

"Fine." Hermione stomped "Fine… but in the future, remember two things McKinley, one; Ron Weasley is an idiot who makes up lies because his world is a very narrow one and two… I am an adult woman if you're worried someone is hurting me then ask me…" She dismissed the Auror who slunk off sheepishly. "right to the hospital wing" she sighed as she propped his weight on her body and started shuffling forward.

"no." he pleaded "Not Poppy, you can fix me up!" he beamed at her, and she grimaced at his bloody teeth.

"Fine." They limped slowly back through the castle, listening to the distant bars of the Weird Sisters as they went.

"I didn't know you had your own Auror protection." He said casually.

"They told me I had to after the package, and we weren't speaking at the time." She responded carefully.

"Because of all the mad sexual tension?" he chuckled.

"Did that buffoon kick you in the head?" she'd stopped walking and turned to look at him there was a lump forming on his cranium "Fantastic, now you're concussed… Bastard."

She took his arm and continued to walk towards their portrait entrance " I'm touched at how angry you are on my behalf." He said drunkenly as they stepped through the door.

"it's unethical to make out with people who are concussed." She stated by way of explanation, and he chuckled as she led him into her room and sat him down on her bed.

"come here." She grabbed his chin and waved her wand in front of his eyes "It's a mild one" she sighed with relief "any worse, and I'd have had to call Poppy." She pushed his dress robe carefully off of his shoulders leaving him in his shirt.

"Granger, I might be concussed but…" he made to grab her but winced.

"You have two broken ribs, a minor skull fracture, a sprained wrist and internal bruising Romeo so cool your jets." She reached under the bed and retrieved a goblet, she pointed at it, and suddenly it was full of potion "It's a field cup, it's connected to my store cupboard I can fill it with any potion." She grinned at her own invention and handed it to him.

He took a sip and winced "cool" he took another drink.

"It's my own version of skelegrow, very potent and accurate." She tipped the goblet forcing him to drink faster. "I have to take off your shirt to bind the ribs in place." She said quietly as her fingers moved from the cup to his neck, she unfastened the top button and advanced on to the second and the third, her eyes focused on each patch of flesh exposed.

"Granger," he said, shaking her from her ogling "I'm done" he wiggled the field cup, and she took it from him, placing it on the bedside table.

She returned her fingers to the buttons of his shirt "you sure are taking a long time down there." He said happily, she looked up at him with a grin and a blush.

"You know I've bandaged you up, and stripped you down a million times, I'm a professional."

"but you've never done it and wanted to kiss me at the same time before!" he pointed to the ceiling to punctuate his 'Ah Ha!' moment. Hermione stood straight and shuffled between his legs, placing her hands on his shoulders.

"You and I know that's not remotely true Malfoy" she pressed a hot kiss to his cheek, he still had blood on his lips. Hermione returned to the unbuttoning, only now she was practically crouching between his legs. "there" she undid the last button quickly and stood again, pushing the shirt down his arms. He winced "I know, it's the ribs, but once they're bound I'll give you some pain potion, and you'll be right as rain by tomorrow." She pushed the shirt down the final inches of his arms and discarded it.

"but I was going to kiss you, all over." He said childishly as she raised his arm and examined his bruised ribs.

"You can kiss me wherever you like when you're healed," she said dismissively as she began to bind his chest.

"Anywhere?" one of his hands had found her leg and was spidering up her thigh, she bit her lip to hide her grin.

"anywhere." She agreed quietly, he did a little happy wiggle and then instantly regretted it, wincing again.

"You're absurd." She chided as she finished binding him, she moved to his face cleaning the blood he'd coughed up from his mouth and chin. She checked him for any further cuts before focusing her attention on the lump sprouting from the side of his head.

"I'm going to give you an anti-inflammatory, some pain potion and…" he interrupted her

"clear head please." He instructed he'd had enough bangs to the head to know what he needed.

"fine." She handed him another full goblet, and he drank it all down quickly, the pain from the broken bones was easing, and the fogginess in his head lessened ever so slightly though not enough.

"You'll sleep in here." She smiled, "I want to keep an eye on you."

"beside you?" he asked, as he pushed himself further onto her bed.

"Yes but no funny business." She grimaced "You're concussed, and I'm not going to be the person who takes advantage of you when you're at your most vulnerable."

"but I want you to!" he whined.

"no." she pursed her lips thoughtfully "Lie down" she commanded, and he obliged. She reached to her side and undid the top clasp on her dress then tugged at the zip. Malfoy lay on her bed gazing at her unblinkingly. She giggled as she shook the unzipped dress off, it and a world of taffeta pooled at her feet. She stood in a pair of pants and nothing else, he gasped and made to leave the bed and go to her, but she stilled him with an outstretched hand.

"you're injured." She said shortly, her long hair draped over her chest covering almost everything but not entirely. She reached into her dresser and retrieved a shirt, she pulled it over her head, and she turned to grin at him.

"That's my Quidditch shirt." He growled.

"it is." She grinned bashfully before spinning in it "I stole it from you."

"I'm glad." He sighed, falling back on the pillows and covering his eyes "You have to let me kiss you now Granger, it'd be unfair not to." He moaned, he felt the bed sag on the opposite side and turned to see her kneeling beside him.

"I don't think it's right." She lay down beside him, on her side, a small tug of a smile appearing.

"I don't think you believe that." He grabbed the shirt and yanked her closer to him with a squeal.

"You do like me, don't you?" it wasn't a real question, his arm had snaked around her back and was now holding her against his side, he was staring at her longingly.

"Yes." He said, gently pushing a kiss against her lips, followed by a second and a deeper third.

"what do we do tomorrow?" she asked ponderously.

"Well I'm going to be kissing you all over, that's already been established." He said plainly, and she laughed into his neck.

"Go to sleep." She pulled the blanket over them but didn't make to move away. Instead, she wrapped one of her legs around his and placed her arm on his chest, she let out a contented sigh and kissed his shoulder.