Pancakes at Dawn.

Chapter Twenty-One.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Draco grasped at his throat as he felt his chest begin to tighten from lack of air. He let out a gasp as his eyes flashed across to Hermione who was still stood in the same position in front of him. Her hair was blowing wildly around her face, her eyes as dark as the night sky and the sound of rumbling thunder continued to fill the room. Her outstretched hand was shaking, her knuckles turning red with the pressure of her clenched fist.

"Her- Hermione," he managed to gasp out. "Please-"

Hermione's nostrils flared at the sound of his voice and her grip seemed to tighten, the sound of glass smashing beside him as a vase full of flowers exploded, the sharp glass shards narrowly missing him.

"Hermion-ah!"

Draco let out a cough as he struggled to get even a word out of his mouth with the pressure on his throat.

"Hermione," he finally managed to say. "I know you're in there-"

Draco was cut off again as books began tearing around the room once more, carried by the ever growing wind. He could feel the life leaving him with each passing second, his head becoming light and his chest aching. He stared at her, his eyes pleading with her to let him go, to remember who he was, to remember something, anything. His legs flailed below him, crashing against the wall and he clawed at his throat, desperate to breathe.

"STUPEFY!"

A bright light shot through the room and Draco watched as Hermione was thrown backwards against the desk, shattering the lamp that once sat there. Draco instantly fell to the floor, welcoming the oxygen into his burning lungs and he looked up to see Theo stood, wand outstretched in his arm with a murderous expression filling his face.

"Drake, you okay?" called Theo, glaring at Hermione who was clambering to her feet, a thin line of dark red blood dripping down her arm.

"Yeah, I'm okay," Draco managed to gasp out.

"Don't take a single step, Hermione." snarled Theo. "I'm calling the Aurors."

"No!" Draco called out. "She isn't herself! No Aurors, Theo!"

Hermione finally righted herself and Theo flourished his wand, casting a non-verbal sticking jinx on her which had forced her to stay as she was. He watched as she struggled, pulling her hands but they were stuck to the desk and she snarled, her hair crackling with static and the thunder boomed louder. The television that was settled atop her chest of drawers cracked down the middle of the screen.

Theo's wand hand shook as he stared over at the woman who he had begun to call his friend. He didn't know what was going on but one thing was clear to him. That woman was long gone and a monster stood in her place.

Draco took one look at the expression on Theo's face and he scrambled to his feet, rushing to Theo's side in an attempt to block him.

"Theo, stop!"

"She tried to kill you, Draco! I don't think I'm being too harsh!" snapped Theo.

"She's not herself!"

"I know that! Whatever has happened, that woman is not Hermione, not anymore. Hermione is gone and we need to alert the Ministry before she manages to kill one of us!"

"Don't be stupid, Theo. Put your wand down and at least try to reason with her-"

A loud scream filled the air and Draco whipped around to see Hermione's eyes and her mouth wide open mid-shriek. A large blast took both wizards off their feet and Draco flew out of the open door, landing in a heap in the living room.

"Draco!" shouted Ashleigh and she rushed to his side. "Are you alright?"

"Get back, Ashleigh!"

In a blur, Hermione charged through the door no longer stuck, completely ignoring Theo who still lay in a heap in the bedroom. She swallowed up the ground with her steps and Draco sprung to his feet just as she reached him. Before she could even move to attack, he reached out and pressed his fingertips to her temples. He pushed every ounce of his strength and magic down onto her and he heard the small brunette let out a gasp as the power flowed through her.

"Come back," muttered Draco, his fingers shifting slightly as her glazed black eyes fluttered closed. "Come back to me, Hermione."

"Come back..."

"Draco?"

He could hear her confused voice flowing into his own head and he sighed in relief that she was still there, her pretty voice like music to his ears.

"It's me," said Draco. "You have to come back to me, Hermione."

"I don't know how!"

"I'm going to show you how," he muttered before his head filled with memories of her, of them together. He could see her memories of him as clear as day, like he was watching one of those funny muggle pictures that she had made him watch one night while they lay in her bed. He pushed his magic over to her, feeling his fingertips tingle.

"I can take care of myself." she insisted with a shrug.

"I don't doubt you can, Granger." He said with a smirk. He bent down to the ground and picked up a small rounded pebble. He cast a quick 'Scourgify' before he transformed the rock into a black suit jacket, something very similar to many he had in his wardrobe at home. He took a step closer to her and placed it gently around her bare shoulders. She reached up and pulled her hair from inside the jacket, looking up at him. "It's cold out."

"Thank you," mumbled Hermione and he nodded his head.

"When you're ready, I'll be inside."

With that, he turned and began to walk away. After a few steps, he turned to look at her while walking backwards, a small smile creeping onto his face.

"Oh and Granger?"

"Yes?"

"You look bloody fantastic."

A flash and a second memory was forced upon her.

"People change," he said slowly. "Change is part of life. It means that you've grown as a person and that you've experienced life. In fact, I happen to like this Hermione Granger just fine."

He watched as she breathed out softly and spun slowly in his arms. He was impossibly close to her and Hermione glanced up into his grey eyes which sparkled, even in the dark.

"How can you possibly know?" she whispered. "You don't really know who I've become or what I've done. You've only known this Hermione for a couple of hours."

He chuckled. "That's all I need."

Hermione placed a gentle hand on his chest as she lifted herself onto her tiptoes. She met her lips with his in a searing kiss, allowing her eyes to flutter closed. His large hands immediately lifted to her head, winding his fingers in a brunette curls as she swayed slightly, a small moan slipping from her mouth. Draco let out a deep breath through his nose as he pulled her closer, one hand now cupping the back of her head, the other slipping down her side to grip at her waist. Hermione couldn't tell if it was the drink that was making her far more confident but as he slipped his tongue into her mouth, she met him with a matched enthusiasm of her own. Her hand on his chest gripped a fistful of his shirt as she felt the warming charm wear off, the wind chill in the air beginning to burn at her cheeks.

Hermione gasped and her eyes fluttered open before she was sucked back into another memory

"Pancakes, really?"

"Yes," Draco nodded. "I spent some time in America last summer and fell in love with them. I hope you like them too."

"I do," said Hermione simply.

The waitress placed the plate down between them and stalked off towards the counter making Draco roll his eyes.

"She's friendly," he said and Hermione scoffed slightly.

"It is almost five in the morning," she told him. "What did you expect?"

"Manners cost nothing, Granger," replied Draco.

"Shame you didn't realise that in school then."

"Ouch," Draco placed a hand over his heart and smirked. "You wound me."

"Oh, give over," Hermione responded with a laugh, picking up the bottle of syrup that was on the table. "Syrup?"

"Please," said Draco with a small nod, watching as she swirled the brown treacle on top of the small stack of pancakes on the plate.

Draco groaned as the next memory consumed them.

Draco's fingers were tracing tiny figure eights on her calf now and she sucked in a breath. She glanced out of the large windows that showed beautiful morning views of Canary Wharf and she smiled. Draco couldn't take his eyes off of her.

"This view really is beautiful," she said, content watching as the sun rose high in the sky.

"Yes," he agreed. "It is beautiful."

Hermione turned her head to look at him and she realised that he was staring directly at her. A warm blush covered her cheeks at his words. She smiled softly at him and scooted ever so slightly closer. Draco sat up straighter and began to lean forwards, his hand creeping further up her leg to rest on her knee. In a second, he was on her. His lips were attached to her own and she let out a small gasp at the contact. Both of his hand moved to her waist and he manoeuvred her quickly so that she was straddling him, her dress now hiked up to her hips and her heels still on her feet. His lips attacked hers and she gripped at his shoulders as her brain started to fuzz. The faint scent of his cologne tickled at her nose when she took in a deep breath and let out a gasp of pleasure at his touch. He swiped her long brunette ringlets away from her neck, placing them gently down one side of her head, allowing him to see her bare neck. Without hesitating, he leaned down slowly, lips trailing downwards.

"DRACO!"

Draco was ripped out and fell backwards at the sound of his name, hitting the floor with a bump. He blinked twice, willing his eyes to work as his head was throbbing. As his eyes began to focus, he noticed Ashleigh to his right was stood by the sofa, shaking and sobbing to herself. As he went to stand, he was knocked down by a strong force and instinct forced his eyes closed, his breath hitching in his throat as he awaited the inevitable pain that would undoubtedly follow. His eyes sprung open when no such pain arrived and instead a pair of lips connected with his own. His grey eyes landed on Hermione and he realised she was hovering above him, clinging to him for dear life.

When she pulled away he could see tears streaming down her cheeks and his hand moved to grip her curls as his forehead pressed against hers.

"Oh thank god you're alright," sobbed Hermione, her grip tightening and she choked through a shortness of breath.

"Ssh, it's alright." murmured Draco, breathing heavy. "Look at me - just breathe, okay?"

"I would have never forgiven myself if I had hurt you-"

"You did hurt him," said a voice behind them and Hermione's head snapped around to see Theo leaning up against the door frame, his arms crossed over his body.

"Theo, I-"

"Just stop, Granger. Whatever you're about to say, just save it."

"Theo," warned Draco, shaking his head at his best friend from his position on the floor.

"No Drake, she needs to hear this," said Theo, looking down at his friend before his eyes shifted once more to Hermione. "You put him in danger today-"

"Do you think I don't know that?" snapped Hermione, narrowing her eyes at Theo who had taken several steps towards her. She felt Draco shift beneath her and she delicately rolled off of him, allowing him to stand up to his full height. He held out his hands for her in order to help her to her feet which she gladly took and he pulled her up beside him. Once she was upright, she took two steps closer to Theo. "Why do you think I tried to stay away from him in the first place!"

"You can't possibly expect me to believe-" Hermione didn't let him finish. She didn't care what he was about to say. How dare he try and suggest that she would hurt Draco on purpose!

"I don't care what you believe, Theo! I'm telling you the truth, alright? My magic has become volatile and even I can't control it. He was better off without me in his life, safer without me in his life-"

She knew she was blabbering but she couldn't stop talking. The room was silent except for her words and Theo just stared back at her with wide eyes, taking in every word she said.

"-and I should never have spoken to him that night at the club because I would have been able to walk away without knowing and he would have been safe from me. I should have walked away sooner but I couldn't. I was greedy and selfish because instead of walking away when I had the chance, I caused us both pain when I fell in love with him"

Theo's eyes widened further and his mouth dropped open in shock. She let out a sigh, spinning around to face Draco who was still standing perfectly still behind her.

"I love you, Draco."

Hermione watched as the blond closed the space between them and took her face in his hands, placing a single sweet kiss against her lips. When he let go, he let out a sigh and she felt like the world would be fine as long as she got to stare into those deep grey eyes all day.

"I know you already know this but I do," she said. "I love you, Draco. I just - I'm selfish and I don't know if I can stay away from you anymore, not this time."

Draco ran his fingers through his tousled blond locks and stared back at her, her big brown eyes making him weak at the knees.

"That potion was brewed to try and keep you safe," he finally said, his voice hoarse.

"I know-"

"And I would really like you to continue taking it." Draco continued. "I will arrange for Theo to ship you your recommended dose monthly."

"Draco," Hermione could feel her heart pounding in her chest. His tone of voice made her cringe. It was almost cold and she hadn't heard him speak like that since they had reconnected. She knew what he was implying but she had to ask anyway. She had to be sure. "What are you saying?"

"I love you too, Hermione," Draco replied with a small smile creeping onto his face. "But-"

"No," said Hermione simply, a single tear slipping down her cheek and dropping off her face. "Please don't say but."

"You know I've fallen for you, Hermione but you were right to walk away. Your safety means everything to me so please, take the potion and this time I'll walk away. You'll be safest away from the Wizarding World as long as your magic is controlled, even if that means you would be away from me."

"Draco no," she cried, rushing to him. "Please, I'm sorry. I should have never walked away from you-"

"Take the potion Hermione," said Draco simply. He leant forwards and placed a soft kiss against her forehead. She whimpered at the contact and tears leaked from her eyes,

"Please stay with me," whispered Hermione as she gripped Draco's shirt in her hands. She felt like her heart cracked in two pieces when she watched him shake his head.

"I love you, Hermione." Draco told her, running his finger under her eyes to wipe away her tears."But I think it's time I left."

Draco's eyes dropped to her lips, almost like he was considering one final kiss but then he turned his body away from her. After one final nod to Theo, he was gone with a crack.

Hermione immediately sunk to the floor and began to violently sob. She had lost him and this time it was clear it was for good. She knew she had no one to blame but herself. She was a danger and she had wanted him to be safe from her, away from her. She could hear footsteps through her cries and she knew that both Theo and Ashleigh were walking towards her. She glanced up when Ashleigh sunk to her knees beside her, the petite blonde reaching up to brush her curly brown locks out of her face.

"Mione?" whispered Ashleigh, When she didn't receive a response, she spoke again. "Mione, speak to me."

Hermione simply sniffed and continued to stare ahead.

"Granger?" Theo tried.

"He's gone," she managed to choke out through her cries. "He's gone!"

Ashleigh glanced over at Theo, a worried look flashing across her face.

"What do we do?" she mouthed at him and he simply shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know," he responded at a low whisper. He cleared his throat and ran a hand through his tousled locks, drawing in a deep breath.

Ashleigh began to chew on one of her perfectly manicured nails, unsure what to do next.

"Granger?" said Theo, slightly louder than the last time. "I need you to look at me."

Hermione blinked, her chest rapidly rising and falling as she attempted to control her breathing. Her eyes finally focused on Theo who had appeared behind Ashleigh, leaning down on one knee with his left hand resting on the blonde's shoulder.

"What?" Hermione sniffed.

"I'm sorry," said Theo, his big eyes sad as he stared back at her. "I shouldn't have reacted as I did without knowing the full story."

"It's alright-"

"No, it's not. I didn't know how serious this was and I guess what I'm trying to say is.." Theo paused for a moment and allowed a soft smile to pull at the corner of his mouth. "You can trust me, Granger."

Theo held his hand out for her to take and she hesitantly placed her hand in his.

"Come on, let's get you up," mumbled Theo and she nodded her head slowly as he rose to his feet, bringing her up with him. Ashleigh quickly followed and looped her arm through Hermione's once Theo had let her go.

"Hey, I'm with you, okay? Always." Ashleigh said to her with a smile.

"I know," replied Hermione. "You know I'll always be here for you too, Ash. I just worry I might hurt you,"

Ashleigh shook her head and her smile only widened. "Not possible, Mione."

"I'll make sure you get the potion you need from Draco which should help control the outbursts." she heard Theo say

Hermione was grateful for Theo's silence and his desire to help her, even if she was slightly unsure why. She knew he was trustworthy since Draco did trust him wholeheartedly. She was snapped out of her own thoughts by the sound of Ashleigh's voice.

"Yeah and I'm sure Draco will come around," said Ashleigh.

Hermione glanced back to Theo and she bit her lip. They both knew however, Draco wasn't coming back and that thought alone made her chest ache.