Secrets

Chapter Twenty-Four: Under the Stars

(Disclaimer: I own no HP titles, ect…)

The rest of the party went the same way- random Slytherins and Gryffindors asking me to dance. But Draco preserved the last hour- ten to eleven- for himself and I to dance and mingle together.

At ten till midnight the party was long over and everyone had left. Draco had blindfolded me after a little bit of snuggling and kissing in his room. He led me outside, I assumed, because I smelt the night air and felt a light draft.

"Draco, where are you taking me?" I asked, gripping Draco's hand like no tomorrow.

"Trust me, love."

I let out a sigh and felt something scratch my cheek. I let out a scream out of instinct and I felt a hand that I hoped to be Draco's creep around my waist. Draco guided me through the darkness and sat me down on something cold and hard. He took the blindfold off and exposed me to a gorgeous garden filled with every kind of flower I've seen in books. Four curved stone benches were circling a fountain topped with a cherub with water coming out of its wand.

"Oh Draco…" I said in awe, taking in all of the sights. It was a full-moon tonight, and the stars were twinkling their brightest. I turned to Draco and wrapped my arms around his neck. "You know me too well…"

Draco set his forehead against mine and smiled genuinely. I was truly happy standing here in Draco's arms. Nothing else mattered except for him and I. With the beautiful plants surrounding us and the stars above us, I was in absolute and total heaven.

"Hermione, words can't describe how much I love you. Last year- fifth year that is- I hated you with everything in me. That's only because I was 'programmed' to… But now- all that matters is you and I. We'll be together always- I promise." I smiled and kissed Draco lightly on the lips.

I didn't feel I needed to say anything- the silence said it for me.

But Draco's random soft humming broke the silence. The song was sweet and slow- I was hanging off every note. When he finally stopped I looked up into his endless grey eyes.

"What was that?"

"A song that my mother used to sing to me when I was younger. My father was never home, and when he wasn't she felt the need to read me muggle stories and sing me songs." Draco let out a sigh. "Personally, I'm glad my father is gone. I'm allowed a lot more freedom and independence. I love it." He kissed my cheek. "I love you."

XxX

About an hour later I found myself building up my courage and climbing onto a broomstick behind Draco.

"You know I'm still slightly afraid of heights, right?" I asked, my voice wavering.

"That's the whole point, my love." He replied, smirking. "Just hold on tight- I promise I won't let anything happen to you."

I smiled and wrapped my arms around his waist, pulling myself closer to him and straddling the broomstick. The night was particularly chilly for a summer night, and I knew that once we were in the air that it'd be a lot cooler.

"Hold on, love!" Draco said, kicking off of the ground harshly, sending us soaring into the night air.

I held onto his dress robes tightly, shutting my eyes and refusing to open them until we leveled out.

"I thought you weren't afraid of flying on a broomstick anymore, 'Mione."

"Only with two people…" I replied, blushing.

We soared high above the Malfoy Manor and above the clouds, moonlight illuminating our skin. Several birds ventured high enough but quickly flew back down when caught sight of Draco and I.

I let out a satisfactory sigh and Drac veered left- heading straight towards the moon.

And as we flew farther and father away from what I knew to be home, I knew that there was no place I'd rather be than under the stars with Draco Malfoy.

The End