Chapter 5

Hermione sat on the floor of her room utterly defeated. All she wanted to do was curl up in a ball and die. She sat their sniffling as Draco strode in.

"Why aren't you ready?" he snapped.

She brushed the tears from her eyes and let out a quite sob, "I can't. I just can't do it."

Draco looked at her genuinely confused as he sat on the floor next to her, "Can't do what?"

"I can't be here," she whispered. "All my friends, everyone I have known is dead. How can I survive when they have all suffered?"

Draco sighed, "Come here," he said gently.

She quickly pulled away, "I'm fine," she snapped.

"Come here," he coaxed.

She looked up at Draco and lost all thought. He was staring at her with his arms open wide. It was almost as if he was trying to get her to cuddle with him. It seemed like he actually wanted to comfort her.

Draco quickly snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her gently towards him. Don't scare her off he thought. He felt the indecision in her spine as she tried to turn from him, yet began to press herself closer to him at the same time. He wanted to laugh at the indecision, but couldn't. The seriousness of the situation was too dire. She had tired to kill herself, and all he could think of doing was putting the bed behind them to good use.

Hermione tried to fight him, but it felt so good. The soothing rubs on the back and the gentle strokes of her hair almost made her forget who he was and what he stood for. "Are we going on that tour?" she asked as she tried to disentangle herself from his embrace.

Draco held her tighter for fear of losing contact. "Are you sure you're ready?" he questioned as he tenderly tapped the bridge of her nose.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" she demanded.

Draco stood up and smirked, if only she knew. "Good things come to those who wait," he explained.

He offered his hand and hesitantly Hermione accepted it. As she stood up she felt his grip tighten. It seemed like he didn't want to let her go. She shook her head, she was just being silly. Draco was not starting to get romantic or nice or any of those things. All he was going to be was the same irritable pratt from day one. "Does this mean you aren't answering my question?" she asked.

Draco offered her his arm and she shook her head in decline, "I will, but all in good time. Come there is something I want to show you," he told her.

The moment they were out the door Hermione felt Draco slip his arm around her waist. She tried to push away, but instead found Draco giving her an infuriating smile. "What are you smiling at?" she snapped.

Draco laughed as he led her down the hall, "One day you'll understand," he told her and left it at that.

Draco took her up a flight of stairs and turned to the left. Hermione looked up and saw large oak doors blocking the entrance. Draco opened the doors and led Hermione inside.

"Where are we?" she demanded.

Draco came up behind her and placed both hands over her eyes, "Take a few steps forward," he whispered in her ear.

Hermione jumped slightly, why was Draco behind her? "And if I don't?" she snapped.

Draco rolled his eyes, why was she making this so difficult. "Just do it. Please?" he pleaded softly.

Hermione feel tan unintentional shiver go up her spine, why did he have to sound so….sexy? She took the few steps forward and paused, "There are you happy?" she asked.

Draco felt a smile star to turn up his lips, "Open you eyes," he instructed softly.

He took the blinders off and Hermione gasped, "What is this?" she asked breathlessly as she inspected all the bookcases with silent joy.

"It's the library," he informed her as he looked down with a bit of a blush tingeing his cheeks. "I thought you might want to explore it a bit.

Hermione ran around with the giddiness of a child. She had thought the Hogwarts library had been huge. It was nothing compared to this 3 story wonder of the world. "Oh my," she gasped as she saw the original copy of Hogwarts a History. "Oh Draco," she breathed.

Draco gasped silently. She had used his first name. He had to clear his throat. "I hope you like it. I just wanted to let you know that you have almost free reign of the interior of the house," he said rather dully.

Hermione felt her lips start to turn into a frown. She couldn't let herself get so worked up. It was just a library. "Thank you," she replied.

Draco sighed as he took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, "I know you hate me, but I just wanted to let you know that with all differences aside I do want to make this work."

Hermione's face shot up, "You have a funny way of showing it," she snapped.

Draco lifted his hand up and gently stroked her face, "If you'll let me, I would like to prove it."

Her eyes became daggers, "And just how do you intend to do that?" she growled sarcastically.

Draco tilted her chin up and moved in. His lips were just the barest inch from hers. "Don't worry so much about my tactics," he purred. "Just go with it."

Hermione took a deep breath to prevent a swoon she felt was coming on, "Don't you dare."

Draco pulled her against him, "Don't you dare do what?" he mocked.

She felt her body start to move closer. It was so wrong she had to consciously pull away, "Don't you dare try to kiss me."

Draco chuckled as his arms wrapped around her body and move her closer, "And if I do?" he asked as his grey eyes bore into her frightened brown ones.

"I…." she stuttered. "I'll…."

He cocked his head to the side as hands started to run up and down her spine creating goose bumps on her arms, "You'll what?" he demanded as his lips started to inch closer.

"I can't do this," she whispered helplessly. "Please no…"

Draco's lips found her forehead and he left a gentle kiss there, "I know. I won't push you, if you'll make me a promise."

Hermione looked down at the closeness of their bodies and felt the tears begin to stream down her cheeks, "What is it?" she whispered.

His lips left of trail of kisses from her forehead down her face to her cheek, "Promise me that you won't fight me. I won't push you, but I know you are also fighting me. Promise me you'll try to accept this."

Hermione sighed as she felt the warmth start to trickle up her spine. "I'll try," she promised.

Draco pulled her closer and hugged her, "That's all I ask."