Title: Anger Management

Author: S.L. Pagniello

Chapter: 5

Ship: Dr/ Hr

Rating: R

Synopsis: He hates her, everything about her. Her hair, her eyes, her fucking muggle clothes! Now, during their 7th year at Hogwarts, he must not only deal with her but also learn to live with her. However, that may take the destruction of everything in his room... (HBP totally blows this into AU, but oh well!)

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The dreaded morning after, only no memories of a good fuck. Only memories that tore at his brain and made him want to vomit. God he needed a shower. Draco lifted his head, opening his eyes. His whole body then instantly froze. He stared down at Hermione Granger laying in his bed, tangled up in his dark green duvet, night gown slid off her right shoulder. Why was she still there? Draco had told himself that she would be gone come morning, that she just wanted him to start being quieter at night so she herself could sleep. He'd never, not ever believed that she could possibly hold something for him.

She shifted on the bed, turning into him and reaching an arm over his body. She had no idea who he was! That was the answer. He would wake her up, and she'd scream at him for trying to rape her or something, that... that had to be it. So, he was going to get it over with. He would wake her so she could blame him for whatever it was she was going to blame him for, then he could shower and ready for classes. He shook her gently; even with his thoughts of disaster he couldn't bring himself to wake her with a start.

Granger's eyes fluttered open, and she yawned quietly. She was rubbing an eye with the heel of her hand as she looked up at him. A smile graced her lips as she moved to sit up, Draco staring unabashedly at her, mouth slightly ajar. She wasn't screaming, she hadn't thrown a single object at his head nor accused him of hexing her.

"Good morning, Draco." She said, sliding off the bed, and adjusting her nightgown. "You stay up here, I'm sure you'll want to shower," She was brushing a hand through her hair, talking around a yawn as she stood next to his bed. "and I'll go get you some breakfast. You haven't eaten anything solid since your little spell, so it'll be good to start small, alright?" She took his face in her hands and kissed his forehead like a mother doting on her son. With that, she turned on her heel and exited his room.

Hermione Granger just walked out of his room... without a look of contempt, an uttered spell, or a screaming fit. In fact, she'd walked out of his room with mussed hair and a slightly askew nightgown, a smile on her face and a bounce in her step. Hell had frozen over. That, or Draco had died and this was the few lighthearted moments before he was thrown into Hell. He'd walk out of this room and he'd meet the Devil himself, waiting to take him to be tortured for the rest of eternity.

Draco got out of his bed, sliding a robe over his open pajama shirt. Without tying it, he threw open the door from his room into the common room. Everything looked as it should. No flaming depths of the underworld, or little demons with pitchforks. Simply the common room he'd been sharing with Granger for what seemed like so long now. Parchments were scattered along the tables, as were several library books.

Christ, it was all real. Everything he'd experienced had been real. He'd told Granger everything, his whole life, every weakness he had. He'd expected her to leave him, but she hadn't. She stayed with him, let him fall asleep holding her, and had held him in return. Draco wasn't used to this, not at all. He sat down in one of the overstuffed chairs in the common room, staring blankly at the wall, trying to grasp all of this.

She cared. She really cared. His enemy of enemies, the woman that would have seen him tortured and killed just a year ago... had spent the night in his chambers, letting him soak her nightgown with his tears for a family and a life lost to the Dark Lord. Oh God. Oh God, oh God...

Just then, Hermione came spilling through the door, carrying a plate and the daily prophet. She wore her uniform, though no robes, her tie was undone, shirt barely tucked in and no socks on her shoed feet.

"Draco! I thought you'd be taking a shower. Class starts in hardly an hour, are you going to be able to get ready? I don't know how long it takes you to shower and be presentable, but you have to eat as well!" She was scolding him, setting the plate on the table amidst the books. A honeyed biscuit and a sliced apple lay on the plate.

"You stayed all night." Draco said to her now, as she was coming over to him, probably to continue scolding him for not already showering. She stopped, seeming to think of her answer.

"Well... yes." She nodded, her messy hair bouncing with the movement of her head, "Of course. I couldn't... just leave you to your own demise. You shared your life with me, everything about yourself. When you fell asleep I just couldn't leave you to deal with your torments all alone." She gave an embarrassed chuckle. She seemed so uninhabited now. She spoke to him as if they had spoken on friendly terms all their lives.

Draco put a hand to his forehead, "I can't... believe it." He muttered, eyes searching the floor as if it had the answer to all his questions. He couldn't dredge up any reason for this to be happening. She was impressed by his sacrifices, yes. She knew he could have very well turned the other cheek on everyone, and perhaps Hogwarts and Dumbledore would no longer be standing. But... that didn't make up for years or torment, did it?

"Well, believe it. Now, I ran into Professor McGonagall on my way back, and told her you'd be in class today! Don't make a liar out of me Draco Malfoy! Let's get you cleaned and dressed!" She said, now grasping his arm and tugging him to a standing position. He stared at her as she half led, half dragged him to his room, and into his bathroom.

His bathroom was large, just like her's. A bathtub that was sunk into the floor, and large enough to accommodate at least three people. Everything was gorgeous and ornate, however they hadn't come in to admire it. Hermione began to run the water, making sure it was warm before plugging the drain. She turned to look at him, and helped him with his robe as the water filled the tub.

"Now, as soon as the tub is full, get in. I'd advise you to be quick about it to, because I will be back in to make sure you're hurrying! Plus I am going to go gather up your uniform and such." He shooed him to the edge of the tub before turning and exiting, hardly shutting the door before going to riffle through his things.

"She's running my bathwater." Draco mumbled, staring down at the steaming water. It was, of course, charmed to stay hot and to fill only to a certain degree. When the water stopped, Draco sighed and slid out of the rest of his clothing. She'd probably give him enough time to wash up before she returned. He leaned back in the tub, water coming to mid chest as he did so.

The door opened again, and Draco turned to see Hermione setting clothes out on a dressing table a few feet away. She glanced at a clock on the wall and frowned. She turned him, face carrying nary a blush.

"You haven't even washed your hair yet!" She exclaimed, dropping to her knees and stealing his shampoo. She was going to wash his hair as well now? Surely she was daft, lost her mind! He pulled away from her to begin with, beginning to ask her if she was out of her bushy haired head.

"Now Draco, don't be shy," She said, now her cheeks beginning to color as she grabbed a handful of his hair before he could fret away to quickly. She was gentle however as she tugged his head to a position she could work with. "You were out for a week. Didn't you notice you don't reek? I have been taking care of you nearly on my own for the whole week." She said, making sure to keep him facing away from her so he couldn't see her reddened face.

God, did she have any more surprises lurking about? So she'd bathed him as well... God. He had no dignity about him when he was with her did her? Not only had he bared his soul to her, but apparently his being as well. He settled into her comforting hands as they scrubbed at his hair.

She finished with his hair and picked up her previously discarded wand to help with the removal of the shampoo from his hair. She then reached around him, setting the body soap in his hands.

"Though I have practice, I am sure you'd be much more comfortable washing yourself." She said, her hand trembling slightly as he took the body wash. He watched her hand, and an old smirk came to his face. So, she'd washed all of him had she? She must think he was awfully good looking, those hands trembling like that. Draco shook off those thoughts, trying to chase the grin off his face as well. He nodded, not turning to look at her, something he knew she'd be grateful again.

He heard her get up and busy herself with his robes, making sure they were clean and wrinkle free. When he finished washing himself, he turned to look at her. She had his back to him, trying to give him as much privacy as she could. She was mumbling to herself, as she straightened his tie once, twice, and then a third time. Draco found himself smiling without meaning to. She fretted of the most trivial of things. The tie wasn't even on him yet.

"... Hermione." Her name was foreign on his lips, but he just couldn't use her surname anymore. She'd wasted too much of her time on him to still be treated with such hostility and rudeness. He may as well try to return the favors she was admitting him. She turned to look at him, noticing he was finished. She carried over two towels, holding them out for him as she averted her eyes so he could get out of the tub.

Draco did so, taking one towel to dry himself, before wrapping it around his waist. She turned to him again, brandishing a smile to try and cover the twinge of a blush on her face.

"Feel a bit more like yourself now that you're clean?" She asked, flipping the other towel over his head to dry his hair. After toweling it a bit, she let the towel fall around his shoulders, and coaxed him over to the dressing table. She had him sit before he could dress, and she finished drying his hair with a spell, and brushed it out quickly. She then had him put on his undergarments, turning again to give him privacy. She allowed him to pull his pants on before turning, and fussing more. She buttoned his shift for him, let him pull his sweater vest on, but did his tie herself. She smoothed all the fabric out, and helped him into his robes, adjusting those as well.

"You're shoes are at the door, and I'll be back in the common room in a moment!" She said, taking one last tug at his tie before rushing out of his bathroom. Draco looked after her, then turned to look at himself in the mirror. In his opinion he looked better than he had in months. As of late, he'd simply been throwing his uniform on, hardly taking time to brush his hair or anything of the sort. Hermione seemed to be making sure he felt like his old self, sturdy and handsome. Draco quickly brushed his teeth before exiting. He found his shoes and socks at the door, as promised and proceeded to put them on.

Hermione came out of her own room a moment later, wand pointed at her head and muttering some spell to tame her wild tresses. After a few failed attempts, she tucked her wand behind her ear and decided it was worthless to try any more. However, she took a look at Draco, a smile gracing her face again.

"You look so much better, Draco." She said warmly, picking up her bag and slinging it over her shoulder. Draco to had gathered his things. Hermione glanced at her watch, "We're going to be late if we don't hurry!" She said, shooing him out the door. After closing it, she turned to look at him once more, fretting over the non-existent wrinkles in his robes.

"Now just take your time through classes, alright? Don't stress too much over anything, I'll help you with what you have to make-up. Don't worry at all, just take it easy." She smiled, seemingly satisfied with his looks. And, admittedly, he looked great. He hadn't looked like himself in forever, but now he was as classy as ever. If only he'd smile, just to make his little make over complete.

"Thank you, Hermione." Draco whispered. He didn't say this lowly so as not to be heard, more for the fact that he wasn't used to thanking anyone and wasn't sure how to get the emotion across. She smiled at him.

"It's not a problem at all. Now get to class, and I'll see you in Transfiguration, alright?" She touched his face with a soft hand, letting her fingers trail down his jaw line. Draco stared into her eyes, bewilderment in his own. She cared so much for someone who was so cruel and inhumane.

Before he knew what he was doing, he'd taken the back of her head into his hand and leaned down to catch her lips with his own. Her hand hadn't left the side of his face, and still it stayed. She allowed him to kiss her chastely, before he pulled away, opening his eyes to stare into hers.

"Get to class Draco." She said softly, patting his face now, then turning to dart off. Draco stared after her, and touched his lips. Since he was a child, he'd been told half bloods were filthy, disgusting, unintelligent and weak. Hermione Granger was none of these, yet her blood was as muddled as they came. Hermione Granger was beautiful, talented, intelligent and strength brimmed from her very soul.

He felt it again, the same feeling he'd had last night. He wanted her, everything about her. But his heart clenched in his ribcage. She didn't need someone like him and he didn't deserve her. She doted on him too much, fretted over everything. She deserved... someone more fitting. What he felt, he guessed was what people described as their heart breaking. He'd have to tell her. He'd make her stop this nonsense, realize she needn't do all of this simply because he'd done what he had. He realized now it had been his choice, and he had made it. He had sacrificed everything, and he was going to have to learn to accept his new life. With the much-needed boost Hermione had given him, he felt he had a chance to live in peace. But, he wouldn't allow her to sacrifice her own way of life for him. He knew she had friends who would never accept him... especially those closest to her.

Yes, he'd speak with her that evening, make her see the error in her ways. God, it hurt already... but he'd do it. He'd ensure her life would be fulfilling, and she would go on to do great things, rather than fret over his stupid mistakes. He would.

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A/N: again, written in one sitting. I tried to pay more attention to my spelling/ grammar. I am actually really good at both, but in my haste to write, I type incorrectly. ;.; then in my eagerness to post this, I don't beta. O.o;; I think I will begin reposting chap. 1-4 all cleaned up so no one can laugh at me anymore. :P

Anyway, I hope I didn't make Draco seem too much like a sissy. ! I knew everyone was loving his craziness, but it is going to return. He's going through that shock stage right now. He'll be angry next chapter, I assure yeh. :D Tell me what you guys think, I can't wait to hear it all!

Update: Someone give me a cookie. This grammar/ spell check thing on all chapters is killing me!