Draco and Hermione: Lust or Love

..Now or Never..

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Dictionary of this chapter is at the bottom of the page.

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Hermione got ready for the day as fast as she could. She wanted to be ready for anything Draco threw her way. When she was done in the bathroom, she made her way to Nadine's bedroom and checked in on her.

Draco was there, his arm on the side of the small bed, staring down at her face with a look of disbelief on his own.

Nadine muttered something in her sleep and Draco backed away an inch. Her eyes slowly opened and she yawned loudly. Her arms stretched up and her belly came off the bed and she stretched her whole body out. She sighed as she relaxed again. Her eyes landed on Draco and she titled her head to the side in wonder.

Instead of saying anything, Draco kept quite and watched the child take him in.

Nadine frowned and then smiled slightly. She hugged a bear to her chest and lifted her other arm to her shoulder. She opened and then closed her hand twice as a wave as she stared at Draco.

Draco bit his lip and whispered, "hey there. What's your name?"

"Nadine," she replied back, her eyes wide.

"That's pretty. My name is Draco."

"Draco?"

Draco nodded and bit his lip again. "Yeah, that's right."

"Where Mommy?" the child asked.

"I don't know, maybe making your breakfast. Would you like to go see?"

Nadine nodded eagerly and jumped off of the bed, her baby blanket dragging behind her.

Hermione slid out of the room and leaned back again the wall.

"Come on," Nadine said. She soon came out of the room, leading Draco by the hand down the stares calling her name.

Hermione hurried down after them and appeared down in the kitchen to find Draco in a chair with Nadine in his lap. A look of helplessness was visible on his face, it soon turning to relief as Nadine called Hermione's name and ran to her.

Hermione picked up her child and returned the fierce hug that was given. "Hello, pumpkin. How are you this morning?"

"Good. I'm hungry, Mamma."

"I know, sweetie. What would you like?"

The child perked up and thought about it. "Becon," the child replied, excitement in her eyes.

"Bacon?" Hermione asked and her one brow rose.

Nadine nodded and frowned. "Yeah, becon."

Hermione laughed and went to the fridge for the bacon her daughter wanted.

"Is bacon, eggs and hash browns alright, Draco?"

Draco nodded and watched as the two went around the kitchen getting breakfast ready. Hermione got the plates, cups, forks and butter knifes and put them on the island. Nadine put then each in their place and then got out her milk and Hermione's orange juice.

"Draco?" Nadine asked tapping his shoulder, shaking him out of his trance. "Juice?"

A knot appeared in his throat so he nodded and replied with, "that would be great," in a choked voice.

Nadine poured orange juice into his cup. Before he knew it, he was led to the table filled with fruit, toast, bacon, hash browns and eggs.

Hermione and Nadine both sat down and reached for each other's hand. Nadine grabbed Draco's hand and Hermione lightly touched his other. Both of them started to say a soft prayer with their heads bowed and their eyes closed. Soon enough, they both looked up and reached for the delicious food that was placed on the table.

It was silent as they ate and Draco was sure that the table was a time of silence until Nadine missed her mouth with her fork and stabbed her nose. Hermione jumped and then laughed as she realized Nadine was not hurt.

"Ouch," Nadine complained. She frowned as her mother threw her head back and laughed at her. A pout then came on her lips, making Hermione laugh harder at the child.

"'Tis not funny!"

Hermione controlled her laughter but could not help keep a smile on her face. "I'm sorry, pumpkin. Why don't you go and get your bag ready for daycare, then come back and finish your breakfast?"

Still pouting, Nadine got off of her chair and ran to get her things ready for the day.

Hermione then turned to Draco and studied him. "How long are you going to stay for, Draco?"

Draco, who was staring at his food felt the shiver go down his spine as his name rolled off of Hermione's mouth. He shrugged and looked up at her. "How long can I stay?"

The smile was gone from Hermione's face as she replied. "As long as you want to."

Draco stared Hermione in the eyes and answered. "I have a daughter that I wish to take care of. I would like to stay and watch her grow up. I want to be here for her life, Hermione."

"You're sure?" Hermione asked and Draco nodded solemnly.

"Thank you."

Before more could be said, Nadine came running into the room. "Look, Mommy, I found Molly." Nadine held up an old rag doll and then stuffed the thing into her knapsack.

"Good girl. Now, you sit down and eat while Mommy goes and gets ready." Hermione turned to Draco. "I'll take the day off of work to take you shopping, Draco. We have to leave in twenty minutes though. Is that alright?"

Draco nodded and a frown came to Nadine's brow.

"Can I go too, Mommy?"

Hermione shook her head. "No, sweetie." The pout reappeared. "Remember," Hermione continued," you have a trip to the zoo today." The pout was gone in an instant and was replaced with a yelp of joy and the sound of tiny feet echoing throughout the house.

"Nadine," Hermione called after her. "Come and finish eating your breakfast. Draco, you can go and have a shower now."

Without a word that morning to her, Draco stood up and headed up the stairs to the bathroom.

Hermione breathed in deep and brought the dirty plates to the sink and ran the water. She rolled up her sleeves and started to clean the dishes, her mind going all over the place. She never not went to work. Draco had no idea what this shopping trip meant to her.

"Do you need any help down here?" Draco asked from behind her. Hermione jumped and turned towards him, her heart hammering hard against her chest.

He was cleanly shaven and wearing old clothes.

Hermione shook her head and turned back towards the sink to restrain herself from looking at him.

"No, thank you. I'm fine doing this by myself."

The kitchen turned silent but Hermione undeniably hear Draco move closer to where she stood at the sink. She didn't however realized how close he was until his warm breath ran across her bare neck sending jolts down her spine. Her hands froze in the warm water and even to her, her shiver was physically visible.

"Are you cold?" Draco asked, his voice quite and supple.

Hermione shook her head and swallowed hard. Her pulse ran wild as Draco's eyes moved from her eyes and down to her mouth. He licked his own lips before returning his gaze back to her eyes.

"Hermione," Draco whispered, as his body came closer into contact with Hermione's. His face came closer as Hermione lifted hers up.

A dark cast was held over Draco's eyes, as they became a dark blue, persuading and seducing Hermione nearer. It was like a child approaching a candy store, enticed by the goods and sweets.

Draco raised a hand and ran his finger along Hermione's jaw. Hermione quivered but made no effort to pull away.

The fruity smell of soap was strong as Hermione reached up and grasped Draco's wrists with her wet ones. She could tell Draco was waiting for her to pull away from his gently embrace but Hermione made no move to do so.

Hermione stood there, trapped against the counter and Draco hard body, gazing at him helplessly. Hermione knew firmly that what she was feeling in her heart was shining in her eyes-longing, uncertainty, need, a touch of fear but most of all, pure burning desire.

"Hermione." Her name came out Draco's mouth like a caress. His eyes drifted shut as he lowered his mouth to hers.

Hermione let out a small and agonizing moan, part desire and part relinquish. From the moment his breath whispered across Hermione's neck she was lost. Her body was weak with longing and a commanding need.

"Mommy!" Nadine called and Hermione was slammed back to reality.

Slowly, oh so slowly, Draco parted his lips from hers. His eyes deliberately slow, fluttered up to reveal his magnificent blue eyes painted with a flash of purple.

"Mommy!"

Trying to break free of her trance, Hermione could faintly hear Nadine's impatient call.

Draco took a step back and gave her a nod to go to her daughter. Hermione took it. She leapt from the counter and ran down the hall to Nadine.

She sat on the floor, her slightly heeled shoes in the wrong feet, the silky laces undone.

"Help, please."

Hermione smiled and crouched down near Nadine. She took of the nice shoes and replaced them sneakers. Hermione tied them up, saying her routine to help Nadine remember how to tie her own laces.

The three were out of the door no less than five minutes.

They first dropped Nadine at her "Nanny's" house and then it was off to the mall.

Hermione showed Draco around, soon realizing that he had never seen a mall before, only wizard shops.

"Okay. We'll start with your pants. Jeans," Hermione decided and started for the small store opposite of her. Draco stood where he was, transfixed.

Hermione vigilantly and cautiously made her way to him. Following his gaze, Hermione found a little set-up in the middle of the mall with a man selling knifes, guns, whips and other hurtful objects.

Hermione looked up at Draco, her curiosity exchange by worry. His breathing was shallow and his jaw was locked tightly.

"Draco?" Hermione placed a hand lightly on his chest and gazed up at his face. She lightly shook his chest and waited until he blinked and his eyes focused on her face.

"Are you okay?" Hermione asked as she stared up at him.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Not convinced, however, Hermione grabbed his wrist and took him the opposite way of the small set-up shop.

Together they made their way through half the store. Hermione led the way and Draco followed in step. Everyone once in a while Hermione's hand would touch Draco's making them both pull away and let out a small nervous laugh.

They went from store to store, the tone light and the mood easy. Hermione once again felt Draco's hand brush hers. Before she could pull away, Draco snatched Hermione's hand into his larger one and held tight.

Hermione was pondering about dropping his hand but the image of the scene that morning stopped her. Instead, she lightly squeezed his hand and kept walking down the hall.

Soon, they found all they needed and left for the front doors of the mall.

"Draco?" Hermione asked, as they left the mall and made their way into the parking lot. "What happened to your father?"

Draco stopped mid stride and looked at her as if she blew her mind out. His jaw clenched tightly and his hands balled into fists. The flare of his nostrils and anger coming out of his eyes like balls of fire scared the hell out of Hermione.

"He died." The reply was hard as concrete getting thrown at you. Hermione flinched, as his stride became angry jerks of movements as he walked to the car.

Hermione slowly walked after him, her heart low and filled with worry. Why was she so stupid to even ask that? She got to her car and slid into the driver seat. Her eyes right away looked upon Draco.

"I'm sorry I asked that, Draco. I really am."

No reply, not even a stiff nod came from his direction.

Hermione took a breath. She needed to show that she was not weak, that she would not let him walk over her. She was stronger than that and she had to show Draco that she was no push over.

"Draco, did you hear me?"

No response and so Hermione put the bags in the back and sat slouched in her seat, the keys in her hand.

"Draco, I will not move this vehicle until you acknowledge me."

Finally, Draco then looked at her. Hermione wished that he didn't. His eyes were pure purple, haunting as well as haunted. Hermione gasped and leaned as far from him as the car would allow her to go.

Draco looked down at his hands and shook his head like a blind man who could finally see his own hands- he looked at his hands as if they weren't his own.

"He's dead."

"I know, Draco. I heard what you said. I'm so sorry I asked that. I had no right."

"Gone and out of this world forever," Draco went on as if Hermione had said nothing. It was now or never. It had to come out. Draco turned his head to look back at Hermione. She sat huddled on the edge of her seat, pushing herself into the door of the car. "I killed him, Hermione. He can't hurt others anymore and he cannot hurt me. I'm strong and I don't need him for anything." Draco said this as if he was trying to convince himself as well as explain to Hermione.

"I killed him with my hands." He once again looked at his hands, examining them closely.

"Oh, Draco," Hermione whispered as if to comfort him.

"No," Draco cut in, his eyes levelling back on her face. "I'm glad, Hermione. I stood over him and watched as blood came from wounds given by myself. I remember the power I felt as my fingers wrapped around is throat and squeezed the life out of him. I felt relief, Hermione, and I am not ashamed or guilt of what I have done to him."

Hermione trembled in her seat, tears wetting her face. She swallowed hard and sunk deeper away from him.

"What I say is the truth, which is what you wanted. But I know you'd rather have me lie to you, Hermione. I killed my father for my own pain to stop. So I could come back to you and hold you on my arms and feel love once again. But will you ever again hold these murderous hands of mine? Ever again kiss me with such passion that I could never know?" Draco shook his head. "I choose to tell you this and give you a chance to take me back. You may be scared, Hermione, but so am I. I've have not felt love, passion, or even belonging in over a year. I-"

"I will," Hermione whispered.

"-Can't tell you- what? What did you just say?"

Hermione looked at him closely and whispered the words. "I will take you back."

Draco almost wept with relief but instead nodded and thanked her.

Hermione smiled back and started the car. Five minutes of a heavy silence was too long for Hermione. Confidently, Hermione reached over and placed her hand into Draco's large one, giving it small squeeze.

Tears still swam behind Draco's eyes but he was no longer weak, he had no reason to cry. He had what he needed. He had Hermione.

Thanks for reading my story, you guys! I appreciate the wait and time you all have gave me. Please continue reading and reviewing the story. And like always, sorry about the wait and all of the spelling mistakes.

Chebetta

.Undeniably- definitely.

.Enticed- lured.

.Relinquish- surrender.

.Vigilantly- watchfully.