The Plan

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Despite the fact that I wish I did.

A/N: Yes, it was a BIG cliffhanger, but I didn't end it there to be mean. It seemed like a good way to end the chapter. Adding to it felt… weird to me somehow so, I ended it there. Relax though, I won't make you guys wait that long for the next one. Besides, we're nearing the end.

Chapter 25

"I can't because I love you, you idiot!"

She almost screamed out the words and it echoed violently in her ears. The only thing that was any louder was the thudding of her heart and the breaths that she took following her outburst. She didn't mean to say it like that. She certainly didn't plan on screaming the words to his face.

Looking at Draco, the expression on his face mirrored hers. Like her, his eyes were open in shock. She didn't know if it was because of the fact that she actually screamed at him, or if it was about the words that had actually left her mouth.

She was frozen; rooted to her spot. She didn't do what to do now that things didn't exactly go as she had planned or hoped. She watched as he quietly laid his books on the table and approached her. His brows were knit together as if in anger and she couldn't help taking a step backward with every step he took to bring himself closer to her. She finally found herself against the wall of the common room and she began to panic as he continued his approach.

There was such a tension in the air that made her anxious.

"Draco?" she timidly called out to him, her voice quivering a little. There was no response.

He was drawing ever closer and Hermione couldn't help closing her eyes. There was no other sound for a long moment aside from the sound of them breathing. She slowly opened her eyes and at the same time, felt his hand close around one of hers as he lay his head on her shoulder.

"Draco?" she whispered again, unsure if she should even break the silence. There was so much tension emanating from him that made her almost frightened.

"Say it again," he whispered back to her. His breath was warm against her neck.

"What?"

"Say it again."

"I…" Hermione took in a deep breath, trying to find the strength of her voice. "I love you."

The moment the words left her, he captured her lips with his. It was similar to the kiss he gave her that night by the lake. It was passionate, wild, but it no longer frightened her.

Because this time she knew that it was what she wanted.

She rode the wave with him, equaling his fervor and letting herself drown in his embrace. When their lips parted, she let out a shaky breath. Always his kiss left her like this; undone. She was wondering now how it took her so long to realize what was obviously there all along. All of the questions that had danced around her head… she already knew the answers, because she had already felt them before.

"Draco…"

Upon hearing his name, Draco let out a sigh of relief. She could feel all the tension leave his body, and he slumped slightly into her.

"I thought I was hearing things," he said with slight amusement with his voice. He raised his head to look her in the eyes and rested his forehead against hers. "You have no idea how long I have wished for you to say those words… no idea of how long I've been restraining myself from taking you into my arms… of denying myself from touching you… it was almost impossible to bear…"

"So don't bear it," she whispered, her voice quivering again.

"What?"

"I love you, Draco. Do you…"

"Feel the same way?" he finished the sentence for her. She nodded. He smiled, "If I didn't I wouldn't be smiling like an idiot now, would I?"

He was indeed smiling, Hermione found. And it was beautiful to see. Only what he said next could be more beautiful in comparison, "I love you, Hermione. Longer than I cared to admit before. Until it dawned on me that it didn't matter when I started, but that it just went on."

She smiled, totally enveloped in her happiness and she pulled him in for another kiss. It was as passionate as before, but now also fueled by both their bliss in finding out about their love for one another. She strained to be nearer, intoxicated by what his touch did to her. It seemed that everything else disappeared; there was nothing around them, there was no time. There was only herself and Draco.

The mixture of happiness and pleasure was addicting, making Hermione feel heady but wanting more. His nearness wasn't enough, and she felt spontaneous and reckless. As she began to unbutton his shirt, he caught her hand in his.

"Hermione –"

"This one time, please don't be such a gentleman," she whispered, "You told me once before: 'not because you're hurting'. And I no longer am, Draco. I want this… so please…"

The breath that escaped his lips was shaky, "Only if this is what you really want. I'm in no hurry, Hermione. We love each other, we can take our time."

She smiled. Ever the gentleman. "You know the feeling that things seem impossible to bear, don't you?"

He nodded in response.

"I don't think I can bear this any longer, either."

In a flash, she was in his embrace once more. His desire matched her own, and where his skin came in contact with hers, she could feel frissons of heat rushing up her body. She felt rather than saw his arm come around her waist, and she was too intoxicated by his mouth that when he lay her down on his bed, the feel of his sheets against her skin surprised her.

She felt like her skin was on fire and only his touch provided her with any relief from it. Her body molded perfectly into his, and she gave in to him completely; she stopped thinking and just gave in to the feeling. The waves of pleasure that she felt inside her rose higher and higher with every moment. It seemed that they were locked in this eternal dance, locked in their own world until she felt herself reaching the brink, and they fell together in sweet oblivion.

A/N: How was it? Read and review please! I would love to hear what you think. Cheers!