Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter nor am I affiliated with it in any way, I don't get money from these stories so don't sue me.
She woke up and felt for a moment completely happy, content and safe. And then she realised that the arms that surrounded her were the ones that no longer belonged there.
She gasped inwardly as the acts of the former night came back to her in a rush. And she had to close her eyes for a moment to breathe.
What had she done?
What had she done.
But even as these thoughts came to her, the regret didn't. She had been with him. And it had felt right. As it always did, when she was with him.
Last night, last night before she lost all control of her thoughts, she had realised one very important thing.
There was no coming back from Draco Malfoy. She couldn't deny that anymore.
She had betrayed he husband deeply, but she would not let it be in vain.
Just as it was obvious that she couldn't escape Malfoy, by his reaction to her presence last night, it was obvious he wasn't totally over her either.
She would use herself to save him. And if that couldn't be done, she would use herself to destroy him.
~
He felt her tense around his arms as he pretended to be asleep once more, controlling his breathing to a normal even pace. He knew at once that she was awake and remembering what she she had done the previous night.
And as he held her, he knew that he was inevitably going to lose her.
For he knew her too well for his own piece of mind.
He knew that even as she woke up she was highly alert of what had happened. Just as she woke up she was already analysing the situation.
And just as she woke up she was already contemplating her power over him, and how she was going to use it.
Oh yes. She undoubtably already had a clever plan.
Too bad she wasn't going to be able to use it.
Oh yes she did have power over him. The greatest kind of power.
He would die for Hermione Granger. He would kill for Hermione Granger. He would give up all the power in the world for Hermione Granger.
That was of course before she sullied herself and became Mrs. Potter.
No.
He wasn't going to be bested by a POTTER.
He had loved her more than life itself, he loved her still. But he could never have her.
He tightened his arms around her more and pulled her closer to himself.
But for now he would keep her.
~
She felt his arms tightening around her and felt panic rising.
He was awake.
She felt his arms slowly turning her over to him and smartly decided to be complacent.
She felt him place feather light kisses on her shoulder before turning her completely towards him.
And for a moment she felt a pang of grief, remembering all the times he had done the exact same thing as they had woken besides each other at Hogwarts.
Remembering one night in particular when the gesture seemed especially sweet the grief buried itself deeper in Hermione's heart.
~
It was Christmas eve and the night grew late, the school was as quiet as it could ever get. Hermione had been left alone at the castle for her last year as everyone else had hurried happily home, she had wanted to savour her last Christmas at the school. Even Harry and Ron had escaped to the Burrow saying that unlike her they didn't feel studying through their Christmas holidays.
She had scoffed saying that she had no plans to study, a total lie of course, a total lie that became very true as she had found Draco Malfoy in her bed on the first morning of the holidays.
She had watched him sleeping and as he woke up said teasingly,
"You are very presumptuous Mr. Malfoy thinking you're welcome in this bed."
He had only smiled then and kissed her.
Later she found out that he had decided to stay with her as soon as he realised he wouldn't have to share her with "Potty and the Weasel" as he worded it.
And so they shared their holidays together.
Hermione forgot all about studies in his never boring company.
For once in her life, Hermione had felt complete. She had naught to bother her mind.
It was on Christmas eve however when he sprung on her the greatest surprise of all.
And perhaps committed the biggest mistake as well.
They were lying together peacefully in the Head's common room beside the blazing fire when he suddenly disturbed the silence.
"Hermione."
"Mm?"
He placed a feather light kiss on her shoulder before continuing.
"Do you love me?"
She turned to him surprised at his question.
They had never once talked about love. She paused for only a second before answering truthfully.
"Yes I do."
He nodded and paused for a second his lips becoming a thin line as he searched for the right words. And finally shifting his weight so that he was as close to her as possible, he cupped her face and looked in her eyes, his own heavy with tension.
And he spoke the words that had shattered her life.
"Marry me then."
~
She looked at him now and could have laughed.
His hair still looked as it always had in the morning. Ever the sexiest bed head.
"Good morning." She greeted him with a slight kiss on the corner of his mouth. A last greeting for old times sake.
"I trust you slept well." He questioned.
"I slept"
He nodded.
Enough of the pleasantries.
She stood up gathering the bedsheets around her for modesty, leaving him lying in bed with no coverings.
She stood at the foot of the bed and regarded him.
He sat up and watched her carefully.
"Listen Malfoy, about what happened..."
"What about it Granger."
She sighed. At least he had dropped the Mrs. Potter business. At least for now.
"It never should have happened. I just lost my head for a bit that's all."
"If you haven't noticed. So did I."
"I know.. But it's not the same you see? I'm married. You're..."
"Not."
"Well yes."
"If I'm not married it's not by choice is it?" He asked sharply.
How had he done that? Hermione wondered.. It was as if he knew exactly what she had been thinking of just moments before.
"Anyway, does it matter that I'm not?" he asked.
"Of course it does."
"Would you prefer I get married and do this all again then?"
She shriveled at his sarcastic tone.
"That's not what I meant at all Malfoy."
"Then what do you mean?"
"It can never happen again." she said turning from him.
He quickly stood up not bothering to put anything on. He grabbed her around her waist and pressed her to him hard. Looking darkly into her eyes he moved even closer.
"Like hell it will never happen again." He growled before pressing his mouth to hers harshly.
She never had a chance.
End Chapter.
Hope that wasn't too terrible. Sorry for the long wait. Have been extremely busy lately. Next chapter will be up quicker.
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