Alright so here is the next chapter where I assure you more will happen, I'm feeling the tingling sensation that means I'm going to encounter writers block very soon, so please after reading this, write in some ideas for me to consider.
Thanks so much too everyone that has reviewed, I have to give a extra special thanks to FreeSpritSprite who has been a regular reader and reviewer! (I think that was a typo and it was supposed to be 'OOC') Thank you very much!
Now, on with the story.
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This time, Hermione was able to enjoy their entire meal within the restaurant and accompany Draco home. But they didn't return to the apartment straight away, instead Draco took her to the Manor once more.
Now that they weren't there in hiding, she could fully appreciate the age and wealth of the Malfoy family. The artefacts contained within each room and hallway were ones she had only every heard of, such legendary objects she never thought she would ever see in her life. They were objects deeply associated with the dark arts, but she could not hold back her awe.
Draco had grown with these dark artefacts around him all the time and could only mildly understand the curiosity and wonder Hermione expressed.
They toured the entire Manor, the lower levels containing many old records and family trees. Draco hardly ventured here and it still smelt of his father's presence. Sensing his unease, Hermione didn't wander long and told him she wanted to see the upper levels.
For so long the Order had tried to obtain information that had been within Draco's grasp all his life, within his very home. It was bitterly ironic but she understood why Draco could never give any of these documents to the Order, his father would have found out for sure.
"Would you like to see the kitchens?" He asked mildly. No one had ever been given such a close tour of every part of Malfoy Manor apart from Draco himself.
His family would have been furious that he was showing a mudblood everything in his home. But all of his family was dead, so he didn't really care. He didn't feel the fear he would normally have at breaking the rules because he was the one making the rules now; he was the only Malfoy left and damned if he was going to let his father rule his life even in death.
"Yes, I would." Hermione smiled, taking his hand. It was such a natural reflex now. She found she liked the feel on his palm on hers. It was smooth and gentle. Not the cold, harsh hand she imagined it would be.
Draco led her up a flight of narrow stairs which opened up to a magnificent kitchen. It was the size of Griffindor common room at least. Plates, pots, pans and all kinds of cutlery were put away neatly along each wall. Through the middle was a long line of stoves and ovens.
Hermione saw a group of house elves scuttling around but didn't say anything. This didn't stop Draco from spotting the slight frown that flashed across her face.
"Anything else here you wanted to see?" He asked, indicating there was more to see than house elves and kitchens. Hermione turned and nodded, following him out and up more stairs to the drawing room.
"Well you've been here before." He began, stepping into the room.
Hermione certainly had, it had been here that they had argued. She had seen a hand full of rooms that he had shown her but never took the time to observe her surroundings carefully.
"It's a lovely house Draco." She said when her tour finally ended in the formal lounge.
Draco snorted, sounding very unlike his usual cool self "'Lovely'? Merlin's beard, what have you been looking at all afternoon?"
Hermione threw him a defiant look "It's so interesting, that's what I meant. Of course it isn't my cup of tea, it's too dark and creepy."
"Yes, it was supposed to be like that." Draco replied dryly.
"That will all change." Hermione informed him with a business-like tone in her voice.
"How do you mean?" He could just imagine coming home and seeing a blindingly bright colour scheme throughout his home and house elves merrily skipping through the halls dressed in pink ribbons.
"This place needs to lighten up, open the curtains and let natural light in for once." She looked around a contemplative expression on her face.
Draco knew it was better not to question her at this stage, instead he led her to a seat and sent the house elf for drinks. "How exactly do you feel about this arrangement?" He asked suddenly taken over by impulse.
Hermione looked up, confused "What arrangement?"
"Our engagement." He replied off hand.
Hermione seemed to think about this for a moment and met his gaze, smiling slightly "I guess you could say, it's better than I thought."
Draco smiled back, a true genuine smile "I feel the same way."
Hermione would never have believed the words would come from his mouth unless she had heard it in person. It was truly incredible to see him smile; something she felt she would never tire of seeing.
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Upon returning to the apartment, Draco and Hermione separated to sleep. It was late and both of them were content with the day's activities.
But when Hermione closed her bedroom door she felt the happiness draining away slowly. Like someone was sucking it out of her through a straw.
She couldn't fathom why she would feel this way, she had just enjoyed a day with Draco, they hadn't fought at all and she was feeling for once that they were going to be alright.
So why the nostalgia? She shook her head, clearing her thoughts and changed. Lying in bed she felt cold, restless and … Lonely.
The realisation hit her with the force of an elephant. She sat bolt upright, and breathed deeply. She was feeling lonely? How could she possibly feel lonely?
'Because you know he's there.' A voice in her head told her. She knew it was true but tried to deny it. She enjoyed Draco's company, but she didn't need it.
"Oh Merlin." She whispered hugging her knees to her chest. It was true, she wanted Draco with her, hugging her close like he had done so earlier that day.
It seemed her legs moved of her own accord, she got out of bed and opened the door. Outside all the lights were off and the apartment was silent.
Try as she might, she could not stop herself from approaching the couch and gazing at the silhouette of his sleeping form. She paused for a moment, at loss.
All these emotions inside her were so foreign, she didn't know what she was supposed to do. Slowly her hand reached out to him, but it retracted as she thought again. Was that his shoulder? Or his head? She leaned a little to the right, trying to see where exactly his head was. But she couldn't make out anything in the shadows.
Again her hand reached out, she prodded him gently. 'That feels too soft to be a shoulder.' She thought, moving her hand up a bit and prodding him again. 'Alright, that was a shoulder.' She knew for sure now.
Nudging him again, he stirred but didn't wake. Hermione stood up, wondering if she should even wake him. The feeling had gone, but that was probably because he was right there with her, even if he was sleeping.
"Draco?" She said quietly. He didn't react. She poked his form, again receiving no reaction.
Moving her fingers softly from his shoulder, she found his ear and leant in close to in "Draco." She said louder.
Draco jumped, his eyes were wide but it was so dark he couldn't be sure if they were open. A hand was on his arm, he grasped the wrist sharply, hearing a gasp of shock.
"Who are you?" He growled, slipping back into the defensive mode everyone had acquired during the war.
Hermione found he was very strong. When she heard his voice she realised he didn't know where he was. "It's me, Hermione." She answered softly, immediately his grip lightened.
Draco fought back a sigh of relief, he understood that the war was over, he was in the apartment and following those thoughts was a wave of memories from their day together. He smiled, but knew she couldn't see it in the dark.
"Are you alright?" He asked, turning to face the general direction she thought she would be in.
"Yeah. I'm fine." She breathed, wondering how she was going to go about her task now.
Draco saw her vague outline and managed to take her hand and sit her down beside him. "What is it?"
Hermione shifted uncomfortably, feeling that she must have imagined her loneliness. "I … Nothing." She mumbled.
Draco could tell she was lying "You just woke me up for fun?"
Hermione could hear the smirk in his voice. "No, I came out to… Ask you something."
"Ask me what?" Draco intertwined their fingers sub-consciously.
Hermione took a deep breath, 'Is this a mistake?' an urgent voice asked. 'You're engaged to him.' A stronger voice retorted. 'Because you were forced into it!'
'But he's alright, he's a good person.' She nodded slightly to herself.
"What did you want to ask me?" Draco pressed, not knowing what to expect from her.
Hermione breathed deeply again "Would you… Do you… I mean if you want…" It was an utter disaster and she was sure Draco would be able to feel the heat from her face.
"If I want what?" Draco had never seen Hermione so awkward. She usually was calm and cool, always knowing what to do.
"Come and sleep with me?" She blurted, cringing at the bluntness of her words.
Draco was taken aback, he had never expected this. They had been living together for over a month and he felt they were on very good terms, but did she really feel that way towards him? He never thought she did.
"Sleep with you?" Was all he said, stunned.
Hermione quickly stood up "No, not like that. I mean to literally sleep; in the same bed as me." She thought that steam must be coming out of her ears by now; she had made it sound so much worse!
Draco thought, he had been sleeping on the couch for a long time and although it was rather large and soft, he did miss the comforts of a bed.
"Alright." He replied, getting up and stretching slightly.
"W-what?" Hermione stammered, 'Did he just agree?'
"I said alright, lets go. I miss sleeping in a bed." He smiled, forgetting she couldn't see it and led her over to her room where a soft light seeped out from the door that was slightly ajar.
Hermione followed numbly, she had just asked what she never thought she would ever ask Draco Malfoy and now they were heading to her room, to sleep together.
When they were inside he shut the door and flopped onto her bed. He sighed in bliss "Oh this feels so good." The expression on his face made Hermione chuckled in spite of herself.
Draco looked up through half closed eyes, "Come on then, don't just stand there."
Hermione made her way slowly to her side of the bed. She bent down and slid between the covers, lying on her back, inches from Draco's arm.
He turned to her "Thank you for liberating me from that over stuffed couch." This time she could see his smiled and returned one.
"You're welcome."
Draco leaned over and kissed her lightly. "Goodnight." And with a small whisper of a spell, the lights went out, leaving Hermione in the dark and blushing terribly.
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The sun rose early, waking Hermione softly with its warmth. She yawned widely and stretched.
Her hand hit something and that something grunted in surprise. She leapt from the bed as the figure sat up rubbing its head.
"Draco?" She breathed.
The events of last night crashed down on her and her face was crimson. Draco turned to look at her and smirked "Oh yes, I think I'll take the couch back now, I didn't know the bed came with a wake up call."
Hermione turned away, embarrassed that she had needed Draco; that she had asked him to sleep with her last night. It was simply too much.
"Come here." Draco had been shocked when her hand collided with his head, and he could tell she was still embarrassed about last night.
Hermione turned to him slowly, not meeting his eyes and sat on the edge of the bed.
"Closer." He urged gently
Hermione moved slowly over to her pillow, feeling intensely awkward. Draco closed the distance between them and surprised her by hugging her to him.
"Embarrassment is good for building character." He recited as though from a text book.
Hermione couldn't help but laugh. Instantly she was relaxed against him and he lay down. Her cheek was resting on his chest and she could hear his steady heart beat as the breathed.
"Who said that?" She asked when her voice had returned.
Draco chuckled causing Hermione's head to bounce a little "I did."
She looked up then, smiling at him. He was so different, instead of the usually smirk there was a smile and it transformed his face. She felt safe with this man, she felt comforted and assured that everything would be alright.
It was rather ironic seeing as he was once the man that meant death to the Order. They had tried for so long to hunt him down and in the end he had found them.
"Are you hungry?" She enquired, moving off his chest and laying in the crook of his arm. Her head just fit there as though it was meant to be.
Draco looked down at her head, in what could be classified as wonder. He never knew anyone could make him feel so complete. "No, I'm not." Came his reply.
They lay there, getting used to the feeling of being in each others arms. It was peculiar at first, but soon the feeling was natural and they relaxed into slumber once more.
"HERMIONE!" Someone bellowed. Hermione jumped, startled she looked to Draco who was also looking disorientated and sleepy.
"HERMIONE!" It was Ron. She quickly slipped out of bed and took a blue gown from the hook. The moment she opened the door Ron took her arm and was dragging her over to the lounge, muttering all the while.
"Bloody prat…Think's he can tell me what to do… Doesn't bloody own the world…"
"Ron, what is going on?" She managed to gasp as he flung her down on the couch and stood opposite her, running a hand through his red locks.
"Harry." He said shortly, pursing his lips.
"What?" Hermione also began playing with her hair, wondering what Harry had done now.
"He set me up." Ron said tightly.
Hermione's eye's widened. "With who?"
Just then Draco entered, looking annoyed but saying nothing.
"Pansy Parkinson." Ron muttered gloomily.
Draco's eyebrows soared "Pansy? Whatever for?"
Ron looked up, noticing for the first time Draco was in the room. "To show unity." He spat.
Draco tried hard not to grin, he really did and so he ended up with a twisted grimace on his face. This suited Ron well who took it as an expression of understanding. "I know. It's downright unfair."
Hermione frowned "Pansy? I don't understand, when did she join our side?"
"Right after me. Never been able to get rid of that leech." Draco muttered.
"Oh? Ron, you're supposed to be with Pansy?"
"Yes, but he's got be going nuts if he thinks I'll ever do this." Ron began pacing.
Draco sat next to Hermione and they both watched his agitation grow with each step. "He's totally lost the plot." Ron finally announced, coming to a stop before them.
Draco leaned back, his trademark smirk in place "I tried to tell you that years ago Weasley but you just wouldn't listen."
Ron glared "He has been perfectly fine these few years but I think this is taking it too far."
"He set me up with Draco." Hermione stated, matter-of-fact.
Ron looked down at her "I know, that was bad enough. Now this…"
Hermione stole a glance at Draco who smiled at her before sliding his smirk back into place for Ron.
"Weasley, you know there is no stopping Potter." He drawled.
Ron sighed and sat down opposite them. "It doesn't mean I don't want to."
"Meet her Weasley, she'll have an opinion on this too." Draco drawled listlessly.
"Yes, she does. She stormed in on Harry actually and threatened to hex him into oblivion if he didn't take it back."
Hermione chuckled at the image. "What did Harry say?"
"He told her it was final and shut the door in her face." Ron sounded deeply upset by this and was frowning.
Hermione laughed out loud receiving a glare from Ron and a look of surprise from Draco.
"I don't know what to do." Ron admitted.
Draco knew how he felt, having experienced the same thing when he found out he was supposed to be Hermione's fiancé. "Just go along with his plan for a while, see how things go."
Ron was surprised. He had never heard any thing mildly nice escape from Malfoy's lips and certainly didn't expect the first time to be now. He thought the git would take the opportunity to tease him mercilessly. But instead he had offered him words of reassurance, like a friend.
"I suppose you are right." Ron replied warily. He glanced at Hermione who was smiling at him and didn't seem to find Malfoy's actions at all suspicious.
Draco felt at ease, he had just been nice; such an over-rated concept. It didn't make him feel like a better person but it made Hermione happy therefore it satisfied him.
Alright, how was that? I think it is 10x better than chapter 12 but that's just me. I've received a suggestion that Hermione should get kidnapped and Draco rescues her. I'd like to know what other people think about that and how it would fit into my story.
Oh yes the Ron-Pansy thing? Don't really know where it will go at this stage, let me hear your ideas.
Thanks so much and please review even if you don't have an idea to offer, I would like to know what you think of my writing!
A/N: Yes I have a lot on at school right now so I'm sorry for the slow updates, don't stop sending reviews though and I will get onto it in all of my spare time. Thanks!
