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Despite his earlier thoughts on leaving Draco found he couldn't, the few days he had wanted to stay had turned into two weeks. Hermione and her mother did not seem to mind but once again they found themselves drowning in their money problems, not that Hermione was not working they were back to their fights and bickering over what was too be done. Draco had heard the fights, even if he was on the other side of the house, Hermione's mother had a loud voice when her temper got hold. Although the fights sounded violent they weren't, whether it was his presence in the house or the fact that Hermione's mother had only slipped up once he didn't know. He didn't want to know.

Hermione had gone out for the day, her father was taking her to lunch and then shopping, she had insisted that Draco accompany them but he declined. He had no desire to sit around while Hermione and her father spoke of pasts, he did not want to be reminded how bad his father and his relationship was. Hermione was a bit reluctant to leave him, she felt bad for doing so, but Draco held up a bag of cookies and a remote and convinced her he was set for the day. She had left half an hour later.

Draco was nothing but set, the moment she was out the door Draco was up, pacing the floor before the TV he said he would be watching. It had been weeks, his father had told him he would contact him when he was ready, how long did it take the old man to figure out what was to be done. The more time spent here, with Hermione, the less he liked this scheme his father had cooked up. At first it had been set in stone, he was to get information on Potter, yet she would not drop any information and had been curious to know why Draco was asking about him. Draco had owled his father about this and he had replied, telling Draco he would think of a new plan and send him word.

The shrill squeal of Hermione's owl gave Draco a dreadful fright, he spun to see an angry looking Falcon perched on the sill. Draco sneered at the bird, the bird had a look that told him he was none to pleased to see him either, both boy and bird had a deep hate for each other. Lucius had bought the bird after being told they were faster then owls, he thought it best to get a bird that could zip through the skies and pass messages to his Lord in record time. Not only did it have a fast speed but a fast temper, one that matched Lucius to a T, the damn bird could fly into a fit of rage if its seed was mixed the wrong way.

Draco opened the window, with skilled hands he dodged the beak and took the parchment from its foot, the bird sat obediently, but impatiently, while he read the note and replied. His father's letter had confirmed his fears, he was to return to the Manor, offer Hermione her job back and then ensnare her. His father had made it clear in the letter that failure to do so would bring upon extreme consequences, ones that he would rather not to delve into, even minor punishments were hardly tolerable, extreme...he shuddered to think about it.

Draco wrote a hasty reply, confirming the plans and the date that he would go back to the manor. He felt sick as he tied the letter onto the Falcon's foot, the bird screeched into his face before taking flight, gone before he could blink. For the rest of the day Draco moped, he could not eat for fear of throwing up, the TV could not entertained him only reminded him of the doom he had signed Hermione too. He had done something that was below even dirt, yet to go back would not only risk his life but her's.

"I'm home" Hermione called, like every other time she stepped through the door. "You should have come Draco..it was wonderful, the restaurant had in house entertainment and the band played one of my favorite songs" Hermione rounded the corner and saw Draco sitting on the couch, his cookies untouched and the TV shut off. "Are you ok?"

"I am going back home, I sent a letter to my father and he has accepted me back."

"What! Why, you wanted to get away from him, why go back?"

"No matter what he does, no matter what he is he is still my father, they are my parents." Draco felt like spitting the words out, he felt no love for them, well perhaps his mother but certainly not Lucius.

"I guess, are you sure about this? Don't feel like you have to leave, you are still welcome here."

"Thank you, for everything...after the way I treated you at the manor. . ."

"When do you plan to go back?"

"Tomorrow perhaps"

"Well we might as well celebrate your last night of freedom" Hermione joked. "How does cheese and tomato on toast sound?"

"To good to resist."

Hermione smiled and walked into the kitchen, she was glad Draco never complained about the quality of the food, she was not some A grade chef. It took only a few minutes to have the food ready, together they ate in silence, Draco managed to down the food down without throwing up, the feeling still wedge into his stomach. After dinner the two sat on the lounge, the TV was turned onto some reality TV show but it was of little interest to him, the show was so staged he was amazed nobody could pick up on it.

They were halfway through the TV program when a loud crack of thunder filled the room, startling the two on the couch and plunging the house, and street, into darkness. Draco was freaking, in his mind he pictured DeathEaters, lots of them, breaking down the door and tearing the two from the house. Hermione on the other hand was calm, she stood up and fetched some candles, they gave off little light but enough for her to see the mixed emotional face of Draco.

"It's just a black out, the storm has cut of the power."

"How long will it take to come back on?"

"I'm not sure, it could take a few minutes of a few hours. The best thing is to hit the sack early, I'll go turn the lights off incase they come back on." She handed him a lit candle. "Take this and make your way up to bed, I'll see you in the morning."

"Night" Draco said, clutching the candle, eyes flicking around incase any DeathEaters were hiding in the blackness.

"Night."

Hermione walked round, turning all the lights off that had been on and the TV set. She pulled the blankets she had been using and settled down on the couch, her candle stood, smoking from being put out. Normally storms did not faze her, she could sleep through them easily, but tonight she was fearful. Each clap of thunder made her jump, each flash of lightning lit up strange figures on the wall. Her mind's eye played cruel tricks on her, a chair became a troll's face, the curtains a ghost. Her heart beat faster and faster with every passing moment till she could stand it no more, the half hour she had been laying there had been filled with nothing but terror.

Hermione fumbled with the matches, flicking her wrist to rub the two surfaces together to make the small flame. The candle lit easily, its light held no courage for the witch, still she saw the wolves and demons hiding beneath the common creations of the house. It proved too much for her to deal with, slipping from beneath her blankets Hermione picked up the candle and made her way up stairs. Normally she would have ventured to her mothers room but she was staying at a friends house, a birthday party or something and rather risk driving home Drunk she sided to stay the night.

The other option was Draco, Hermione stood paused at the door of her/Draco's room, how would he take her intrusion? Another loud clap of thunder almost made her drop the candle she held, with a beating heart she pushed the door open and stepped in. The flicking light from the lightning lit up her room, there, surrounded by bears and pillows lay Draco. He slept soundly, his ears deaf to the loud noises, a small smile on his lips as he slept. Hermione crept to the side of her bed, placing the candle on the bedside table she reached forward, a hand on his shoulder shook slightly.

"Draco"

No response.

"Draco!"

She shook his shoulder a little harder, the smile slipped from his lips and was replaced be a frown. Hermione's eyebrows furrowed and she shook him a little harder. Draco sat up startled, his hand swinging round to take a hold of the hand on his shoulder and jerk it away from him, instincts guiding him. Hermione let out a startled cry as she lost her balance, being caught of guard by both him and another roll of thunder, she found herself on the floor beside her bed staring up at Draco.

"What the hell Hermione!"

"Sorry..I didn't mean to...the thunder it frightened me...sorry" Her words gushed from her mouth faster then the rain outside. Draco pulled the blankets aside and slid from the bed onto the floor, Hermione was shaking her head and muttering, a few sorry's were mixed in with the words. He took her hands and pulled her into him, feeling her jump with every clap that sounded over head. He found it slightly amusing she was afraid of thunder, after all it was only sound, this girl had been up against much worse then some blinking light and loud sound.

"Calm down its only Thunder!"

Hermione squealed in fright and hugged Draco tighter as a series of softer noises sounded, Draco chuckled but it was lost in the sound. Slowly he pulled himself from her fear grip, returning to the bed he had been currently, peacefully sleeping in and beckoned her in as well. After all that's what she came here for, for protection. In the blinking light he could see the red blush that appeared on her cheeks, she was both embarrassed about being afraid of thunder and of sharing a bed with him. She complied anyway.

The space between the two in the bed was large, Draco had made no contribution to this space but Hermione had, lying on the very edge of the soft bed. Still she jumped at the thunder, the movement made the whole bed jiggle, disturbing Draco's once peaceful sleep.

"Stop moving"

"I'm sorry, it's just...well it's frightening."

"Come here"

"What!"

Draco gave no reply, instead he stretched out his arm and took Hermione by the waist, it took little effort to move her closer to him. Hermione struggled against his grip, she had no desire to get closer to him, it was bad enough she had feelings for him at a distance! He had drawn her tightly into him, her whole body was pressed against the side of his, she was all to well of the heat his body gave off as well as other things. His arm was casually draped over her waist, his body curved against her, back to front that lay together. Her clothing was thin, allowing her to feel every inch of the bare chest that pressed against her back, with eyes close she mentally pictured what he looked like without his shirt. She shivered, this time not from fright.

- The Next Morning-

The sun was filtered through pink curtains, its welcome warmth filled the room. The two lay, entangled in the sheets. Hermione and Draco had changed positions through the night, Draco lay on his back, a arm wrapped around Hermione's shoulders as she rested her head on his bared chest. Neither was aware of the current situation, deeply immersed in the dreams of the night.

Draco was the first to wake, blinking back the blurry sight that was caused by waking, looking down to see the bushy haired beauty that slept against him. His fingers stroked the hair that was able to be touched, it was soft against his calloused fingertips, the smell of strawberries tickled his nose and he had to groan. He could not let himself be taken over by her, feelings would only make all this harder on the both of them, he could not risk it.

Hermione felt her head move, a groan had risen from her pillow! Her brown eyes opened and were her pillow had been had been replaced by a lightly tanned chest, it was a more pleasant sight then the pillow but more embarrassing to wake up with your head on. Draco was now aware she was awake, his fingers stopped playing with her hair and were now resting on her shoulders once more. Hermione made to move off, thinking he would not have wanted her there.

"No stay"

His voice was so soft, the hints of sleepiness still burdened his tongue, making the words deeper and huskier. Hermione looked up to his face, there was no trace of a lie on his features, blushing a soft red she settled her head back down on him. Draco's fingers started to move up her skin, the feather light touches made her skin tingle and goosebumps to form, it was so different to anything she had ever felt. His body shifted and a second hand rose, resting on her cheek and tilting it up to his own face.

"Draco?"

He made a small noise, perhaps to quieten her down but she took no notice. Her face was in his hands, his head tilting down, there lips met softly. It was the kiss he had been pining for, since the day in the hallway it was the only thing he could think of. Her lips were so soft, so untouched that he felt he should be damned for tainting them. His hand tilted her head up a little more, Hermione placed hand on his chest for leverage, the innocent act proved a little too much for his restraint. He groaned, more loudly then before. Hermione jerked away from him, thinking she had done something to upset him, was she that bad of a kisser?

"Sorry, I'll go"

"Like hell you will!"

Draco caught her around the waist before she could escape, tugging her down till she lay across his body, he wasn't letting her go after he had only just tasted her. Hermione went to protest, she meant to protest but Draco beat her to it. His lips caught hers again, more feeling was in this one then the previous, it was a little more frantic. She could not keep her eyes open, her hands bunched atop his skin and she felt her muscles turning into putty. It felt so right to kiss him yet so dreadfully wrong, he was everything she hated, for years he had made her and her friends lives hell. Reality came back when the lips left hers.

"You should sleep in my bed more often" That earnt him a punch in the arm.

--------------------

This was it, he was leaving, Hermione knew she would see him again soon but that did make her feel any better. She was use to seeing him first thing in the morning, she enjoyed teaching him how to use the toaster, laughing along side him to some stupid TV show. With her he was human, he was tolerable, he was enjoyable.

Draco stood at the doorway, slung on one shoulder was a bag, inside was the few clothes he brought. Out side was a bright and sunny day, it was warm and it was cheerful and Hermione hated it. It had been a quiet morning, everything was spoken in hushed tones, savoring the moments of peace they had together before Draco left. She had kept a straight face until now, Hermione felt the corners of her eyes slicken with salty tears, only to be brushed away with a feverish hand.

"Are you crying?"

"No" Hermione sniffed. Draco smirked at the bushy haired teen, this smirk was more of a knowing smirk not his trademark I-am-better-then-you smirk. Hermione moved to mock punch him, Draco dodged the swing and instead grabbed her around the waist. Before she knew it Hermione was pressed against the blonde wizard, her head buried into the black jumper he wore. "I don't want you to go"

"I have to. Don't get upset, I'll owl you and we might even spend a few days through the week together."

"Really!"

"It's the least I could after you let me stay here."

There was an awkward pause between the two, Hermione not wanting Draco to go and Draco not wanting her to be upset over him going. Gently Draco took Hermione's wrists in his hands, moving them from his waist where they were gripping him tightly. Hermione stepped away, a wrist still in Draco's strong grip.

"I best be off"

Hermione could only nod to this, her throat tightening to the point she could speak no words. Draco lent forward and brushed his lips to her forehead, when he pulled away Hermione's face was masked, the next thing he knew she was pressing her lips to his own. Draco's pack slipped from his shoulder as he wound his arms around her waist, adding more force, more passion to the once tender kiss. His mind screamed for him to leave but his lips wouldn't let him, the damn temptress he held in his arms was keeping him from his set task. With a groan he pulled away from Hermione, pulling the pack onto his arm.

"I really have to go, I'm expected."

Hermione felt a feather like kiss grace her lips, her eyes opened just in time to see the blonde teen slip through her front door, the house was now empty bar her. While she wondered the empty hall looking for something to do Draco was looking for a certain someone, he walked down the footpath in a hurry. He rounded a corner and faulted for a moment, there, parked in the street, was a black car, it was waiting for him. He felt his heart sink as he approached it, the door opened as he drew to its side and the young wizard slipped in.

"You're late!"

"I got distracted."

Lucius sneered at his son, he had been sitting in this ugly muggle contraption in this muggle town for far too long. The very air he breathed was tainting his lungs, any long and he would be in danger of contracting some thing from these commoners.

"We cannot afford to be distracted Draco, we need the information on Potter did you get it or not!"

"No, she would not give up any information on him. I had to stop for fear of being discovered."

"Very well, let us get you back to civilization, you have been in this place far too long."

Draco gave his father a Malfoy smirk, Lucius signaled for the driver to leave, his face set in distaste about the whole ordeal. The car jerked forward and turned onto the street, setting off for home, it was a few moments before Lucius spoke up again.

"I trust you have organized a way of getting the information from her"

"I told her I would organize a 'date' of such within the weak."

"This idea of spending more time with the Muggle is disgraceful, the dark lord had better appreciate this sacrifice." Draco remained silent, Lucius took this as a sign of agreement. This was going to be a long week.

A/N: Well there is the next chapter, finally they kiss but there is more to this 'happy' relationship...mwahahah.

I must thank all my reviewers, if I had a happy dance I would dance it after every review note to self invent happy dance.

Keep it up...Read and Review, you know you want to.