A/N: Copperblue: Thanks for the review. I will definitely take your idea
into
consideration. I only hope I can live up to all expectations.
Zirconiatheblue: T/Y for the support. Here's your update.
Applescm: *bows graciously*
Disclaimer: I regret that I own nothing.. Except my sick and twisted imagination.
Chapter 4: The Revelation
By the time Quidditch practice was called to a halt the only light that could be seen was coming from a very full moon. Using only the stars to navigate his way back to the castle, Draco tripped twice in the black oblivion.
His strenuous exercises had him near collapsing with exhaustion. Once in his room he removed his heavy green leather Quidditch outfit and slipped quietly into the shower. The scalding hot water did nothing to soothe his over exerted and tense muscles.
Draco's head hung loosely under the steady stream as he placed his palms against the cool tile wall to hold himself up. He cleared his mind as he inhaled the clean scent of the water pouring over his neck, down his back and legs, and into the lazy circle to the drain. Peace overtook him at last.
And just as easily as it had come, his peace of mind was gone. It had been shattered by an urgent scream and loud sobs coming from the other room. Slipping and falling in his haste, Draco wrapped a heavy towel around his narrow waist.
Without hesitation he walked directly into Hermione's room, not bothering to knock. He sought her out in the darkness but she was not in her bed. A few more minutes of searching revealed her huddled with her arms wrapped tightly around her drawn up knees in the corner of the room.
Tentatively her approached her. His hands were splayed out on either side of his hips, as if saying to her "I come in peace", showing her that she had nothing to fear from him.
Her face fell into her hands as she tried to hide her tears. It was a battle she was going to lose. He watched as they slipped down, one by one, making a path down her cheeks, trailing under her trembling chin, and further down to the collar of her nightshirt.
His tongue longed to trace that salty line down her graceful neck and into the hidden places. Before he realized what he had done Draco crossed the room in two long strides and gathered Hermione into his arms.
Easily supporting her weight he gently carried her fragile form to her abandoned bed. He stretched out on top of the crumpled sheets while holding her close as deep sobs racked her body.
He couldn't move. He was incapable of speech as his soul cried with her. Eventually her shaking ceased and her breath was no longer coming in short, quick gasps. In fact her breathing had become so regular that it appeared that Hermione had finally fallen back asleep.
Draco couldn't believe that at the simple sound of her crying he had immediately felt the overpowering need to comfort her. He hadn't even made a conscious effort; he had just reacted naturally to the distressing situation.
Not that rocking crying girls to sleep was a regular occurrence in Draco's past. It had just felt so right to hold her. Once she was nestled snuggly into his strong arms everything had become so simple.
Draco knew that if time were to stop at this exact moment that he could be happy eternally, content with holding her forever.
It was amazing to think how he had once despised her, and the way she had made him feel. He had always hidden the fact that deep inside he truly cared for her. It was a fact that he has concealed behind the mask of Slytherin indifference.
With this revelation Draco decided that he had better be heading back to his own room. Now that Hermione was in a deep sleep he could bring himself to withdraw from her presence. He spared her angelic face one last glimpse before cautiously trying to slip his arm out from under her.
The movement of her new pillow being pulled away made Hermione moan and entangle her limbs tighter around Draco. He tried one last time to dislodge himself from the sleeping girl only to succeed in momentarily waking her and forcing her to mumble "Draco.. Mmm. Don't go..Stop moving so much.. trying to sleeeeep."
He decided that he had better stay put for the night. Making himself comfortable, he wrapped his arms around Hermione and rested against the headboard.
He had only meant to rest his eyes for a moment. The plan to keep a watchful vigil over her to prevent any returning nightmares was a valiant one, but exhaustion had other plans for Draco. Before he knew it, he had fallen into a deep slumber.
Disclaimer: I regret that I own nothing.. Except my sick and twisted imagination.
Chapter 4: The Revelation
By the time Quidditch practice was called to a halt the only light that could be seen was coming from a very full moon. Using only the stars to navigate his way back to the castle, Draco tripped twice in the black oblivion.
His strenuous exercises had him near collapsing with exhaustion. Once in his room he removed his heavy green leather Quidditch outfit and slipped quietly into the shower. The scalding hot water did nothing to soothe his over exerted and tense muscles.
Draco's head hung loosely under the steady stream as he placed his palms against the cool tile wall to hold himself up. He cleared his mind as he inhaled the clean scent of the water pouring over his neck, down his back and legs, and into the lazy circle to the drain. Peace overtook him at last.
And just as easily as it had come, his peace of mind was gone. It had been shattered by an urgent scream and loud sobs coming from the other room. Slipping and falling in his haste, Draco wrapped a heavy towel around his narrow waist.
Without hesitation he walked directly into Hermione's room, not bothering to knock. He sought her out in the darkness but she was not in her bed. A few more minutes of searching revealed her huddled with her arms wrapped tightly around her drawn up knees in the corner of the room.
Tentatively her approached her. His hands were splayed out on either side of his hips, as if saying to her "I come in peace", showing her that she had nothing to fear from him.
Her face fell into her hands as she tried to hide her tears. It was a battle she was going to lose. He watched as they slipped down, one by one, making a path down her cheeks, trailing under her trembling chin, and further down to the collar of her nightshirt.
His tongue longed to trace that salty line down her graceful neck and into the hidden places. Before he realized what he had done Draco crossed the room in two long strides and gathered Hermione into his arms.
Easily supporting her weight he gently carried her fragile form to her abandoned bed. He stretched out on top of the crumpled sheets while holding her close as deep sobs racked her body.
He couldn't move. He was incapable of speech as his soul cried with her. Eventually her shaking ceased and her breath was no longer coming in short, quick gasps. In fact her breathing had become so regular that it appeared that Hermione had finally fallen back asleep.
Draco couldn't believe that at the simple sound of her crying he had immediately felt the overpowering need to comfort her. He hadn't even made a conscious effort; he had just reacted naturally to the distressing situation.
Not that rocking crying girls to sleep was a regular occurrence in Draco's past. It had just felt so right to hold her. Once she was nestled snuggly into his strong arms everything had become so simple.
Draco knew that if time were to stop at this exact moment that he could be happy eternally, content with holding her forever.
It was amazing to think how he had once despised her, and the way she had made him feel. He had always hidden the fact that deep inside he truly cared for her. It was a fact that he has concealed behind the mask of Slytherin indifference.
With this revelation Draco decided that he had better be heading back to his own room. Now that Hermione was in a deep sleep he could bring himself to withdraw from her presence. He spared her angelic face one last glimpse before cautiously trying to slip his arm out from under her.
The movement of her new pillow being pulled away made Hermione moan and entangle her limbs tighter around Draco. He tried one last time to dislodge himself from the sleeping girl only to succeed in momentarily waking her and forcing her to mumble "Draco.. Mmm. Don't go..Stop moving so much.. trying to sleeeeep."
He decided that he had better stay put for the night. Making himself comfortable, he wrapped his arms around Hermione and rested against the headboard.
He had only meant to rest his eyes for a moment. The plan to keep a watchful vigil over her to prevent any returning nightmares was a valiant one, but exhaustion had other plans for Draco. Before he knew it, he had fallen into a deep slumber.