Could it be…Love?

Chapter Fourteen

I Remember the Butterflies

Draco found himself outside. It was a beautiful sunny summer day. The grass felt crisp and soft on his bare feet. The sky was so blue and there were no clouds in sight. He sat down and ran his hands across the grass giggling as it tickled his palms. Butterflies fluttered all around the courtyard occasionally landing on the nearby flowers. His mother, young and beautiful hummed softly behind him. He stood and chased a brightly colored butterfly but abruptly stopped as a shadow appeared in front of him.

"Butterflies, Narcissa? Isn't he a bit old to be chasing butterflies?" The deep voice was full of an iciness that made Draco grow cold.

He heard his mother stand behind him. "He's only four Lucius! He's still just a baby!"

Then he heard himself screaming. But he wasn't sure why. He just knew something bad was going to happen.

Seventeen-year-old Draco woke up gasping and covered in a thin layer of sweat. He had been having nightmares about his childhood for the past few days. Ever since he'd read that list. That bloody list. My life was good here. Not perfect certainly, but good enough. Then Dumbledore had to create a project and put thoughts of Granger in my head. Then he gave me the damn list and dredge up old buried memories. I never wanted to think about my childhood ever again. It's the past and that's where it should stay.

He brought his hands to his head and began rubbing his temples. Then he ran a hand through his hair and rolled over to look at the clock. It was only three in the morning. He'd been asleep for three hours.

He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, repeating this process a few times until his breathing was steady. Then he rolled back over and curled up under his blanket, trying to banish all thoughts of the time before Hogwarts. He closed his eyes and drifted off again.

Hermione was before him now. Only she wasn't ink-stained robes and her hair was done to perfection. She had make up on and looked positively stunning.

He stood in the doorway, staring at her. She was lounging casually on his bed as if she belonged there.

"I hope you don't mind the intrusion Draco darling. I thought you'd enjoy a surprise." She said, smiling at him seductively.

He felt his jaw drop and he couldn't form words right away. Finally, he found his voice. "Not at all… It's quite a nice surprise." He felt himself grin at her as he began walking towards the bed.

She smiled at him invitingly. He sat next to her and gently took her face in his hands. The next thing he knew he was kissing her.

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A/n: I realized I had put in a lot of Hermione's thoughts but not too many of Draco's. Hope you enjoyed. Please review!

I'd also like to thank all of you that have reviewed and/or favorited me or this story! That is what gives me the motivation to continue this story. After all, it was a single review that caused me to start writing this story again after leaving it without an update for several years.

Thank you all again and the next chapter will be up soon. Don't be afraid to leave suggestions or things you'd like to see in your reviews. I'm more than willing to consider any ideas.