Title: Remember When It Rained
Author: Kathea
Pairing: Draco/Hermione
Rating: Somewhere between PG-13 and R.
Summary: A new and completely different take on how Hermione and Draco could get together.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to the Harry Potter world and it wouldn't be a good idea to sue me because I just bought a house and therefore have no money.
AN: Sorry this is late but yesterday I decided to check and make sure the laws of gravity were still working by taking a header off my front porch. So everyone knows, gravity still works.
To my reviewers: Druscilla Danuliete: Thanks, I think. If you send me the website I'll think about joining. Lazy: It sure is, I think. Attica: I am in the process of reading your fic and will review, I promise. Fieryred20: Thanks so much. Danny: Thanks. Dramaqueen72: Or else what, I already fell down the steps, I can't take much more. Mryna: Thanks. G: I'm going. Desiree K Troy: You win! And you were the only person to answer my little quiz so that makes you even more special. So, the important questions are: Do you keep dancing with Jareth or break the glass? Wearing the white dress or picking something a little more this decade?
Chapter 13: Peace that Passes Understanding
Hermione lay in bed trying in vain to sleep but sleep was pointedly avoiding her. She was positive that it had something to do with Draco being so close to her. The distance between their beds never seemed so small. A warm spring breeze was blowing through the open window. It was warm enough to warrant a tank and shorts to sleep in. She saw a shadow pass across the bright room and for a second the room was very dark. The knowledge that now swirled in her brain terrified her. After Ginny had explained herself, Hermione had read and reread the section of the book explaining what to do. Her hand reached up to grasp the necklace lying heavily on her chest. While wand-less magic wasn't illegal, Hermione wasn't sure if she was ready. In theory, she knew what to do, it was quite simple. Instead of focusing your spell through your wand, you focus it through your mind. She knew all she had to do was focus the spell at Draco and use the innate qualities of the moonstone to channel the spell. Sure in theory it sounded simple. Thunder rumbled in the distance and lightening flashed across the sky and startled Hermione. Settling back down, she heard the rustling of the sleeper next to her and the creaking of bed springs as its occupant rose. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Draco go out the portrait door. With only a moment's hesitation, Hermione jumped form her bed and followed Draco out the door. Her breathing sounded horribly loud in her ears and she strained to make out the sound of bare feet on stone. There! She found him headed down one of the dusty side corridors. She was lead only by sound as her wand was till next to her bed. She reached an intersection and made a sharp left turn. He was headed towards the Astronomy Tower! Hermione tried to hurry and be quiet at the same time. Easing the door shut behind her Hermione waited until she heard Draco reach the top before beginning the ascent. When she finally reached the top, Hermione peeked around the door to spy Draco resting against the battlement. When a particularly loud peal of thunder split the air Hermione carefully shut the door behind her. The lightening lit up the sky and flashed off Draco's painfully pale hair. Hermione shivered as a burst of wind rushed past her. He must have sensed her behind him for Draco turned and pinned her with an icy glare.
"You shouldn't have followed me, mudblood." Draco growled.
"I am very aware of that," Hermione answered. She pulled the necklace from around her beck and clutched it in her hand, her fingers pressing hard into the stone. She started muttering the spell, feeling the power pull from her and through her hands and out through the stone towards Draco.
"What in bloody hell do you think you are doing?" Draco asked confused as he rubbed a hand across his heart and took a step towards her. Hermione continued to chant the spell as the storm rumbled overhead. Draco stumbled forward almost falling to his knees but regaining his balance at the last minute. "Stop it!" Draco yelled against the fury of the storm. Hermione stiffened her back as the wind pushed against her and watched as Draco tried to move closer to her. She looked up and caught his eyes with hers. They were wild, quickly dilating in and out. Draco stumbled forward again and with lunged for the stone. The second his hands clasped over hers Hermione shouted the spell one last time.
"PACIFERO ENCARDIA!"
Draco's body seized up and his body arched against the power of the spell and his father's pull on him. The muscles on his neck corded as he tried to scream but nothing would come out. His hands flexed convulsively around Hermione's with painful strength. Then the heavens broke lose and rain came pouring down and Draco collapsed to the floor. Hermione dropped to her knees with the moonstone still clasped in her hands. The rain pounded down and plastered her hair to her face. She leaned over Draco's body and touched his abnormally pale face. She stroked his cheeks as her tears mingled with the rain falling down her face. She pressed a hand against his bare chest hoping to feel his heart beat against her hand. If he was dead, she would never forgive herself. The tears and rain were pouring down so fast and it blurred her vision and she didn't see Draco's eyes flutter open. She looked at his face, stunned when his hand and slowly risen and covered hers resting on his chest. The next few minutes of getting a weak and wet Draco down the tower stairs and back to their room went by in a blur. Hermione couldn't be sure what possessed her but she knew that she needed to get him warm or breaking him of the Imperious curse would have been for naught. Once she was inside their room, instinct took over.
"Accio wand." And her wand came flying across the room into her waiting hand. "Leviosa!" And Draco's heavy weight lifted off the ground and followed Hermione into the bathroom. She might be strong but she just wasn't physically able to handle somebody as big as Draco. She dropped her wand on the counter and turned the water on warm in the shower. She pulled Draco in and let him slide down the wall until he was seated on the floor under the spray of water. She was kneeling between his legs trying desperately to keep him awake.
"Draco, stay awake. You need to stay awake. I need your help here." Hermione said and pushed his wet hair out of his eyes.
"I'm so tired." Draco mumbled and slumped forward.
"No, no, no. NO sleeping." Hermione moved forward until she was straddling his lap and raised his head with her hands. "We'll get you warm first then you can sleep. Stay with me now." Hermione felt Draco's arms come around her and pull her as close as he could in his weakened state. He buried his head in the crook of her neck and pressed warm lips to her throat.
"Mmmm, I love you Hermione."
"I know but right now you are delirious and don't know what you are saying."
"Yes, I do." Draco said quietly and pulled Hermione forward until their lips met. This wasn't like before. Draco was in full command of himself and was applying all that ability to her. It was like being on the receiving end of an atomic bomb. Sensation exploded inside her mind in multicolor fireworks. She felt is tongue brush once then twice across her lips and she opened her lips to let his tongue swirl with hers. Hermione could only revel in the feelings that were running rapidly about her body. The warm water pounding on her back and Draco's smooth hands caressing her neck and shoulders sent her into overdrive. She pulled back, surprised by her own reactions and paused to stare at Draco. Her confidence disappeared when she noticed the hungry look on his face and the position they were in. She pulled back quickly and carefully stood on the slick floor tiles.
"I don't think either one of us is ready for what you have in mind, physically or otherwise." Hermione said ruefully and turned the water off. Hermione reached a hand down to help Draco off the floor and the stepped from the shower stall. Hermione grabbed her wand and quickly said a spell that dried them both. As the pair entered the main room, Hermione quickly lit the fire and called half a dozen blankets and pillows to a place in front of the fireplace. She felt Draco sag against her and carefully pulled him over to the nest she'd made in front of the roaring fire. "You'll be weak for a while yet. So just rest and get warm." She pushed him down into the pile of blankets and wrapped him deftly and then sat on the couch behind him.
"You're not going to sit with me?" Draco asked with pleading eyes. Hermione snorted at his requested and settled herself more comfortably on the couch. "I promise I'll be on my very best behavior. Wizards honor." Hermione pinned him with a look that said I'll believe you only as far as I can throw you. The look on his face changed from playfulness to pain then. "Hermione, I don't want to be alone." Hermione couldn't turn down such an honest request especially from him and joined Draco on the floor. He spread the blankets out in front of the fire and lay down with his back to the fire. Hermione spooned up with her back to his front and tried to relax. She'd never been this close to a boy before and with what happened in the shower she didn't quite know what to expect. Hermione stiffened when Draco sneaked an arm around her waist and pulled her snug against him. Well this is bloody uncomfortable, Hermione thought and lifted her head from the pillow. Draco slid his left arm under her head and leaned up to whisper in her ear. "I haven't thanked you for saving me."
"You don't have to." Hermione said quietly.
"Yes, I know but you were the only one who tried. There were times when my father wasn't in control."
"I know. You would talk in your sleep."
"What did you hear?"
"Enough. Enough to know I couldn't let it go on."
"Thank you."
"Your welcome, Draco."
"Hermione, I love you."
AN: I know another cliffhanger. I took some liberties with how magic works and things like that so please don't hate me for it. I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. Oh, and the latin translation means either "Peace of the Heart" or "Heart Peace", either translation works.