Well, this chapter is going to be completely different from what I have in my magic notebook. I changed the last chapter, so this is going to be off the top of my head. And I'm just warning you, its 10:23 at night. Enjoy!

Chapter 25

Reconciliation and Alfredo

Draco's POV

I was starving. Granger was still sitting on the couch, reading her book. She kept flipping to random pages and sipping at the coffee I had set next to her. I sighed in frustration and stood up. I walked across the room and out through the portrait and headed for the kitchens.

It was loud. I looked at my watch and realized it was almost dinner time. No wonder I was so hungry. I hadn't eaten much today. Nothing, actually. We had walked down there for breakfast, but Potter had screwed that up. Damn him. My stomach growled and I grabbed a tray. I put a flask of pumpkin juice, two plates of chicken alfredo, two glasses and a plate of cookies. I slipped out of the kitchen and walked back toward my room.

Hermione's POV

I was surprised when he set the coffee cup by my hand. I thought he was angry with me. When he got up and left, I got a little worried. What if Harry showed up? No. I forced myself to keep reading my poems. I wasn't going to let Harry scare me. A few minutes later, the door swung open. Draco walked in with a tray and set it on the table. I looked over, curious. He looked at me then spoke.

"Come on."

"Why?"

"Because I went to get food, now let's eat." I shook my head.

"Not hungry." He gave me a look.

"Liar." He walked around the couch and stood in front of me. I looked up at him. "Either come to the table willingly, or I'll force you over there. You need to eat." I shook my head. His eyes narrowed slightly. He leaned down lightning quick and picked me up. I squeaked and tried to squirm out of his grasp, but he was too strong. He set me down in a chair in front of a plate. "Eat." I glared at him and he sat next to me in front of the other plate.

"I said-" He cut me off.

"Eat or I'll make you eat." I glared at him again, but picked up my fork. He 'smiled' at me and started eating. I looked down and saw it was chicken alfredo. My favorite food.

"How did you know I liked chicken alfredo?"

"I didn't. It's one of my favorite foods, so I hoped you would like it too." He half smiled and dug into his own plate.

"Oh. Well, thanks for going to get it."

"Don't mention it." This was said around a mouthful of food. I smiled and we ate in silence. A few minutes later, he levitated a cup of pumpkin juice over into my hand. I gave him a quick smile, then stopped. I searched my pockets, then stood up and walked over to my trunk. I dug through it for a minute then walked over to my bedside table.

"Malfoy, where is my wand?"

Draco's POV

The alfredo was perfect. I had to hand it to the elves, they knew how to cook. I levitated a glass of juice into Granger's hand and she smiled at me. Suddenly, she jumped up and ran over to her trunk and dug through it. The same for her bedside table. She looked over at me, puzzlement written across her face.

"Malfoy, where is my wand?"

"I'm not sure. Did you bring it to the ball?  I don't remember seeing it when…." I dropped off, not wanting to remind her, but it was too late. Her eyes fell and she started wringing her hands. Almost without thinking, I stood up and walked across the room to her. I gently placed my hands over hers and she looked up at me. Our eyes locked and hers were full of pain. "Your safe here, I won't let anything harm you." She looked away, but I used a finger to tilt her face back to look at me. "I promise." Her eyes searched mine for a minute, then she nodded slightly. She stepped forward and leaned against me, needing something. I carefully moved my arms around her and she laid her head on my chest. I didn't know how long we stood there, but I loved the feeling of having her in my arms. Eventually, and probably not to willingly, she stepped back but stayed loosely in my embrace. Tilting her head up to look at me, she half smiled.

"I-I'm sorry." She stepped away and my arms fell to my sides. She walked across the room into the bathroom and I heard the shower start. I decided now would be a good time to find Dumbledore.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Ok, I'm really really sorry this took so long, and it will take even longer now. The internet at my house is down, which means I cant post or access my email to write thank you's for the last chapter. As soon as the internet is working, I'll post this and the next chapter I'm going to type. Sorry for the wait!

~WF~