That day, Draco recovered first from the draught that Hermione had given him to keep him still and quiet and then from the insufferable case of stiffness that sleeping on a sofa for three days gave him.
Draco refused to lie still, so Hermione propped him up and turned on the TV. Draco had never cared much for muggle contraptions, but this TV. that Hermione had was much better than the nightmares that he had stared at for the last year in his father's house. At diner time, Hermione fixed him spaghetti and sat him a comfortable place at the table.
"Hermione," Draco asked as they sat in the den that evening, "how long has it been since I had a shower?"
Hermione laughed in spite of herself. "Well, I guess it has been a few days, at least. Don't worry; I didn't give you a sponge bath. I worked a cleansing spell, but that was it."
"Well, if you don't mind…"
"Well, actually I do, Mr. Malfoy."
"Don't call me that!" snapped Draco. Hermione shut up. "I am sorry, I shouldn't have hollered at you, just please. Don't call me Malfoy."
"Draco, oh, I am sorry. I shouldn't have said that. But still, you can't have a shower, you aren't strong enough to hold yourself up in a slick shower."
"But I have to do something, I can't stand feeling all grimy."
"I have an idea," Hermione smirked.
A few minutes later, Hermione had the tub filled to the brim with hot water and bubbles, candles were set out on the counter and there was a pile of fluffy purple towels beside the tub. Hermione helped Draco into the bathroom.
" I can undress myself," he said and cautiously she let go of his arm. HE had only stood supporting his own weight for a moment when his knees buckled and Hermione had to catch him. "I feel like I total git," he admonished himself.
"No, no, don't be hard on yourself," Hermione scolded, "you have been through a lot these last few days, it will take a while to get your strength back. Please, let me help you, I swear I won't look."
Draco leaned on Hermione's shoulder as she slowly undid the buttons on his tattered shirt. Beneath the shirt, Draco was still battered and bruised but his physic had not suffered as his emotions had under the years of Lucious manipulation. Quidditch and sports had kept him toned and tanned. His recent scars only made him more attractive to Hermione. It was as if the pain that he bore equaled the pain that she felt on the inside. She slipped the shirt off him one arm at a time, and then she undid the button and zipper of his slacks with one hand.
"You will have to show me that little trick again when I feel more like myself," Draco said, for the first time since she had seen him again, she saw the old Draco shining through.
Draco held onto her arm but made Hermione close her eyes as his slipped off his knickers and slipped into the water. Though she had her eyes shut tight, Hermione felt Draco accidentally run against her body as he worked his clothes to the floor. Even though it had been more than seven years, the mere idea of Draco standing naked next to her was enough to make Hermoine's core burn.
Hermione sat in the bathroom as Draco bathed with the curtain drawn. They talked about anything to avoid the obvious conversations they would have to have with the Ministry when Draco had recovered. Draco drained the bath water; dried off and changed into some pajama pants that Hermione had sent Harry out to buy the day before. So much for Draco's lack of inhibitions thought Hermione. She remembered the days when Draco would burst out of the bathroom that they shared stark naked just to see Hermione tuck behind her book, her ears and cheeks flushed blood red.
Instead of taking Draco back to the couch, she steered him into her bedroom. "Well, Miss Granger, aren't you the promiscuous one these days." Draco was regaining his sense of humor, which was nice to know.
"Wouldn't you like that!" she retorted, "Actually, I am putting you in my room, it is far more comfortable than the sofa.
"Like hell you will. Where would you sleep?"
"On the couch, or bring the chair in here. Where do you think I have been sleeping the last few nights, at the Ritz?"
Draco could not believe all that Hermione had done not only to rescue him but also to make sure that he was safe and comfortable. For the first time in his life, he felt humble. He realized that he had no choice, it wasn't like he could resist, yet, so he let Hermione guide him to her bedside. "Would you, eh, stay in here tonight? I mean, unless you don't want to, or you wouldn't be comfortable, or, oh never mind."
"Yeah, Draco, I will stay in here tonight."
Hermione drug the big recliner into her room to the foot of the bed, she turned on a small lamp at her side and settled back to read. Draco drifted off to sleep quickly.
Sometime later, Hermione fell asleep with the book in her lap. It was after 2 o'clock in the morning when Hermione woke up. Draco was sweating and tossing in the bed. She went to his side and stroked his forehead. She spoke softly to him. He slowly came conscious, obviously embarrassed about his condition, but Hermione stayed at his side. After a minute, Draco scooted over on the bed making room for Hermione. She lay down beside him and stroked the hair out of his face. She meant to get up as soon as he was back asleep but when she woke up again, it was after 9 o'clock in the morning and she was curled up in Draco's arms.
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