Prologue pt 4

7th year:

Hermione leaned against the column in the Great Hall, suddenly overcome with how tired she really was. A year on the run; tortured at the hands of Bellatrix; the first leg of the Battle of Hogwarts now behind her… the adrenaline was starting to subside now, bringing with it an unhealthy dose of reality. She looked up at the grieving Weasleys, her heart lurching in her chest.

Dispose of your dead with dignity...

Voldemart's words still pierced her skull, giving rise to goosebumps on her flesh. She should go and comfort them…. They were her surrogate family, after all. So why did her gaze keep flicking away from them and landing on the boy ensconced in the shadows, his lean frame propped against the wall, his head bowed? There was still soot on his face from the fiendfyre and his normally white blond hair and sharply dressed black clothes had definitely seen better days. He just looked so lost.

Hermione pulled the wand from her pocket, gazing down at the simple carved Hawthorn, unremarkable in its appearance and so unlike its previous owner. She had pinched it from Harry, trading her wand for this one. She didn't even understand why. She had kissed Ron… she was with Ron now… wasn't she?

Her eyes tilted in Malfoy's direction, the movement subtle. She gasped when his grey eyes caught her staring now. He held her gaze for the space of several heartbeats, his face an impassive, hard mask. His head jerked slightly to the left and he immediately turned away from her, taking the stairs behind him two at a time, disappearing out of sight in a matter of seconds.

Was he motioning to her? Did he want her to follow him? Did she simply just imagine the head tilt… her tired eyes and mind playing tricks on her?

While her heart screamed bloody obscenities at her brain, her feet were already moving in his direction, passing the Weasleys with nary a glance. She paused only for a moment at the base of the staircase before starting the ascent. She didn't see him but somehow she knew where he was going.

By the time she had reached the last step up to the astronomy tower, she was panting and out of breath… having run most of the way, the lack of adrenaline no longer an issue. She stopped when she saw him, his back to her, standing at the edge of the blown out façade (the tower an obvious causality of the earlier battle). He had his hands thrust into the pockets of his trousers as his gaze travelled down into the darkened abyss before him. He was standing so close to the edge that she was afraid if she startled him, he'd plummet to his death.

"Go away, Granger," he bit out, without even a hint of turning to face her. His voice shook with malice… or was it something else entirely? He briefly glanced at her over his shoulder, sneering, "I can smell your awful perfume even through the stench of death that permeates the air."

Hermione drew in a deep, steadying breath, wrapped her arms around herself and took the last step into the tower. "I'll leave… but only when you consent to come with me."

His head shot up, his mask giving way for just a moment as he stared at her in surprise. But as quickly as it came, now it was gone. Only the pale, cold smirk of her bully now remained. "Scared I'm trying to off myself, is that it?"

She swallowed, "The thought had crossed my mind, Malfoy."

He turned away from her, "Don't worry your pretty little head over it, Granger. Malfoys are harder than that to get rid of."

Hermione couldn't help it… her heart skipped a beat with the word pretty. It made her visibly cringe which didn't go unnoticed by him. He half turned towards her now, watching her intently yet saying nothing.

She leaned against the railing of the staircase, her limbs suddenly growing so very tired, "Why would you come here, of all places, if not to…" She stopped, the word trembling on her lip.

"Why do you even care?" he asked quietly. The words contained no venom. He really was just curious.

"I don't hate you, Malfoy," she sighed, her gaze falling on the wand she twirled within her fingertips. She didn't even remember when she pulled it out.

He took a cautious step towards her. When she made no move to flee, he suddenly closed the distance between them. He kept his hands in his pockets while he stared down at her. She kept her gaze focused on the wand but she swallowed nervously, aware of his scrutinizing gaze yet desperately afraid to meet it.

"Leave with me. Now." It was an order, not a request.

"You're running," she confirmed, her voice now shaking. She felt the first tear slip down her cheek.

And just as she suspected, he reached his hand to her cheek, catching it with his thumb. With his other hand, he grabbed her chin, tilting her head to look up at him. "We can be in France before anyone knows we're missing." His breath was warm against her lips as he spoke.

In that moment, Hermione Granger was tempted to concede… to flee with her enemy someplace safe and hide away from the magical war that waited for her down below. Her left arm started to sting under her jumper… a reminder that she could never do what he asked, no matter how much her heart may desire it.

She wrenched free of his grasp on her face and stepped around him. "You know I would never leave my friends."

Draco leaned his hands on the railing, clenching the wood with all his might she feared he may splinter it. "Your friends," he spat. He suddenly whirled on her, the mask now gone, his grey eyes raging with an uncontrollable storm, "Harry Potter is going to die! Your friends will die! There is no stopping The Dark Lord and even now he is merely toying with you all while he waits for Potter to come to him!"

"Harry would never," she started.

He grabbed her by her shoulders, giving her a good shake, "He will! He will sacrifice himself because that is what Potter does and it's weakness."

Hermione looked up into Draco's eyes then, her fierce loathing for the boy who had bullied her for so many years finally spilling over, "And you know all about weakness, don't you, Malfoy?"

He dug his hands into her shoulders, surely bruising her, as he searched her gaze for something… anything. "Yes, Granger, I do…" he spoke softly.

She reared back, confused. She hadn't expected him to agree with her.

Draco suddenly fell to his knees before Hermione, his hands sliding down to settle on her waist. She gasped, her own hands covering his in an attempt to pry them off of her but yet she didn't make a move against him. She simply stared at the broken boy before her, his own tears now evident on his soot dusted face.

"Please, Hermione…" he begged, "…I…I…" He searched for the words, swallowing past a choked sob, "I… I fucking love you…"

It was as if he had knocked all the air from her lungs, her breath coming in shallow, uncontrollable bursts. She pulled away from him, a shocked and incredulous look of pain coloring her features. She reached for the sleeve of her jumper, yanking it to her elbow to show him the fresh and still raw cuts his own Aunt had made on her flesh. She thrust it into his face, "Is this how you love me?!"

Draco turned away in disgust, the carved word MUDBLOOD making him sick.

It made her lash out. She pushed against his chest, hitting him and punching him in the hardness of his lean muscles. "You let her torture me!" she screamed. "You just stood by while she cut me!" Her foot slipped against the wood and she tumbled into him. He caught her with ease and she fought against his hold with everything she had, but he didn't release her. He took her hits, wrapping her tightly in his embrace while she raged.

"I'm sorry…I know…I know…" he whispered against her forehead, cradling her. And then she was weeping. She was on her knees, clutching at the lapels of his jacket as she bowed her head into his lap and sobbed. He curled his body over her, letting her know that for right now, she was safe… safe to let her emotions break free…. To release all the pain… all the agony …of the last year so that it crashed over them like the waves of a tempestuous sea.

She let herself feel for the first time in a long while… without the fear of consequence. She didn't have to be the strong one right now… the smart one… the one with all the answers. Draco would be that for her. Draco Malfoy… always there when she needed him to be. She raised her head to look into his eyes. His hands immediately fell to her cheeks, his thumbs wiping away the tears and dirt from her face.

"I lied to you…" he whispered.

Her heart clenched in her chest at his words and her stomach flipped.

He smirked, "I really do like your perfume… Fuck me, I want to drown in it."

She laughed, good and heartily, as did he. Then his face grew serious. He leaned forward and she knew he was going to kiss her.

His lips were but a breath from hers when she stammered, "I kissed Ron." The words tumbled from her mouth of their own accord and the moment they were spoken, she wanted to take them back.

Draco stiffened against her. "I see…" he drawled, his lips so close his hot breath danced over her face, sending shivers raking through her.

It was a moment or two longer before his hands suddenly fell away from her face and he reared back on his heels, pushing to stand. He stepped away from her, turning to give her his back. She could see the tension in his shoulders, his fist clenched at his side but he said nothing more.

"Please say something," she begged.

He heaved a heavy sigh before turning to face her, his mask of indifference firmly in place now. "So you two are together then?"

"No…" she shook her head, more tears threatening to emerge. She looked down at her hands, "Yes…"

"Which is it – yes or no?!" he bellowed, his voice so loud it made her jump.

She clamored to her feet. "I…I don't know. It was sudden and out of place…" She swallowed past the lump in her throat, "Before today, you were the only one I had ever kissed…"

His head snapped towards her, the surprise alight in his gaze. Then he turned away, "Impossible."

She snorted her disdain in a very unladylike manner, again wrapping her arms around herself protectively. "Yes, because I'm some great beauty all the boys long for…"

He took a step towards her, firmly replying, "You have no idea." There was conviction in his voice that she had never heard before.

Her mouth dropped open in surprise then she quickly closed it. She cast her vision down to stare at her trainers. She had to swallow down the bile that suddenly rose in her throat as she saw specks of blood on the once practical shoes. Oh my God… she thought warily, what was she doing? Lamenting over being kissed while her friends lay dead or dying?!

A shuddered sob tore from her throat and she pressed her fist to her mouth to quiet it. She couldn't look at him. She couldn't think. So she did the only thing she knew how to do and bolted for the stairs.

Two strong arms encircled her waist before she could even place her foot onto the first step. Draco dragged her back into his embrace, holding her tightly against the hardness of his chest, tangling his long arms with hers. She struggled briefly within his grasp but then she gave in, falling slack against him.

"Let me go," she whisper-cried.

He dropped a kiss to her shoulder, then the nape of her neck, his mouth dragging to the skin just below her ear. "I cannot…"

"Why?" she pleaded.

He buried his face into her hair, "I'm not ready for you not to be in my life."

It was enough to break her, shattering the last bit of willpower she had left. She turned to face him and crushed her lips against his.

He reacted immediately, threading his fingers through her hair, bringing her flush against his body. She clutched fervently at his shoulders as he kissed her over and over, his mouth pulling at her bottom lip, urging her to open for him. And once she did, he wasted no time in thrusting his tongue into her warmth, sliding into her mouth and around her teeth until he had her gasping for breath.

Only then did he relent and only long enough for her to breathe.

He was an assault on every one of her senses. His masculine smell of sandalwood and musk invaded her nose; the feel of his hard form was a perfect fit for her soft curves; the taste of his mouth like spearmint on her tongue… Hermione couldn't help herself - she groaned against his lips, a guttural sound he swallowed eagerly.

Suddenly, their hands were everywhere, the motions frantic with a heated need neither of them would ever be able to explain. They kicked off their shoes. She tore at his jacket, pushing it down his shoulders and off his arms before starting to rip at the buttons of his shirt. He pulled her jumper over her head, tossing it aside, followed by the tank top underneath. He didn't hesitate, the palms of his hands covering her breasts through the simple cotton bra she wore, a moan of pleasure tearing from her throat unbidden.

Draco covered her mouth with his, muffling the sound, but his hands did not relent. He shoved the cups of the bra up, exposing her to the crisp night air in the tower, her nipples hardening in response. She gasped, her hand clasping at the back of his neck as she pushed wantonly against his fingers, his hands kneading the mounds, his thumbs caressing the pink peaks.

She arched her back, wanting more from him but not knowing exactly how to ask for it. But he knewDraco Malfoy always knew

His hands slid from her front to her back, his fingers splayed against the center of her spine. He tilted her to lean back as he lowered his mouth, his tongue trailing a path from her throat to the valley of her breasts, tasting her before he drew one sensitive peak between his teeth and began to suck.

Hermione's hands grabbed at his hair, holding him against her as she spewed incoherent words, gasping and crying out. With a distinct pop, he released her right breast, dragging his tongue across her chest to suckle the other.

Her mind a foggy haze, she let go of him with one of her hands, sliding down to the pocket of her jeans to grasp the Hawthorn wand. She pulled it out and raised it above them.

Draco's long fingers suddenly gripped her wrist, staying her movements. He lifted his head to look over at her clenched fist, before meeting her confused gaze.

The corner of his mouth curved into his patented smirk, "Nice wand."

She released a shaky breath, "Stole it from Harry."

Draco tossed his hair out of his eyes, releasing a joyous laugh. "Why, Granger, I think I have seriously underestimated you."

She cocked a brow, "That makes two of us."

He tilted his head and studied her for a long moment, before his face grew serious, "You sure about this?"

"Yes…" came her breathy response.

He took a step back, his hands falling to his belt. "Set the silencing wards," he replied, working to unbuckle his trousers.

Hermione quickly turned away to hide her maiden embarrassment as she whispered the incantations to prevent them from being disturbed or heard. Then she calmly laid the wand down and proceeded to unbutton her jeans with trembling fingers. She couldn't turn to face him… not yet.

But he was already there, his hands unclasping her bra before falling to her hips, his fingers sliding into the waistband of the jeans to slowly push them down her legs. She lifted one leg then the other, kicking them away from her. He pulled her back against him then, and she could feel he had rid himself of his shirt and trousers, leaving him only in his trunks, the hard, rigid length of his arousal pressed firmly against her backside.

Draco nuzzled her neck, his tongue trailing a wet path from her shoulder to the sensitive skin just under her earlobe. "Turn around," he whispered, his breath hot in her ear, giving rise to goosebumps on her flesh.

They were really going to do this. She was going to do this with him...

She swallowed then slowly turned in his embrace. She thought she had mentally prepared herself but when her soft brown eyes met his grey gaze, she froze. His eyes burned with such intensity and he was suddenly trembling beneath her touch, that her mind faltered, rendering her mute.

With the back of his knuckles, he traced a path down the length of her, his eyes burning a trail across her skin. He stopped just shy of her knickers, his fingers toying with the waistband of the sensible white cotton as he just stared at them.

Again, she swallowed, her voice shaking as she said, "If I'd known you'd be seeing them, I'd have perhaps chosen something maybe more lacy…"

When he said nothing, and neither moved nor flinched, she suddenly grew very uncomfortable under his scrutinizing. She shrugged, "One never knows how to dress for a battle, I suppose…"

"Hermione," he breathed, "you're perfect." He swallowed thickly, "I simply can't fathom why you're here… with me…"

Her heart stuttered in her chest at his confession.

He dropped to his knees before her, his hands settling low on her hips. He let his thumbs lightly dance over the apex of her thighs, sending a shiver of pleasure raking through her. Her hands fell to his shoulders as her knees grew weak. She looked down at him, the fingers of one her hands combing through his beautiful blonde hair as she urged him to look up at her.

"Draco…" she started, her voice cracking. She closed her eyes for a moment, her courage threatening to flee.

"You can ask me anything, my love…" he whispered, his chin resting against her stomach as he gazed up at her.

"Have...have you...have you done this before?" she stammered.

He grimaced and her heart sank.

"I...have…" he said slowly.

"Oh!" She was surprised to hear him admit it but not all that shocked by his answer. This was Draco Malfoy, afterall...Slytherin's bad boy. She stiffened in his embrace as she bit her bottom lip. She couldn't look at him, focusing her gaze on some point beyond him, her eyes glazing over as her brain churned with emotion.

"It was just a rite of passage… for Malfoy men…" he stuttered.

"I don't want to know!" she interrupted, speaking quickly but still avoiding his eyes.

Draco reached up and grabbed her chin, tilting her face to look down at him. His heart seized at the unshed tears in her eyes. "She was no one… It meant nothing to me," he urged.

"And this?" she couldn't help but ask.

He smiled slowly, "This is everything to me, Hermione."

He locked his gaze with hers, an unspoken command in his eyes for her to not turn away. His hands again settled on her hips, his fingers digging in to hold her still. He leaned forward and her breath hitched, her heart racing at an unnatural rate that she could hear it in her ears like a beating drum, deafening her.

His tongue slid against her core, tracing over her slit through the cotton of her knickers. Her head fell back as she released a soft whimper.

"You're so fucking wet, Hermione…" Draco purred against her thigh, his wicked mouth planting tiny kisses on the inside of her legs. "Is that all for me?"

She gave a quick nod of her head, words failing her.

"Hermione Granger speechless… I never thought I'd see the day," he teased, his fingertips drifting back and forth lightly over the folds of her sex.

"Prat," she groaned, clutching desperately at his shoulders now as her legs trembled beneath her.

He chuckled low. His hands moved up to the waist of her panties now, "Do you think you need these, love?"

"N-no…" she gave a violent shake of her head.

She squeezed her eyes shut as she felt him rise up on his knees, no hesitation as he pushed the thin fabric down her thighs to her ankles where she quickly discarded them. She couldn't look at him while she stood like this, completely naked in front of Draco Malfoy. She had to fight the urge to cover herself.

She heard his sharp intake of breath. Then she felt his lips there at the soft spot where her hip bone met her thigh and she nearly jumped out of her skin.

"Hermione…" he whispered, "...if this is too much for you…"

"No!" she interrupted. She wanted this. Merlin's beard, she wanted this with him. She opened her eyes, swallowed and took a deep, shuddering breath before meeting his gaze. He was watching her, his head leaning against her hip. He looked so soft there, an indescribable emotion in his beautiful grey eyes.

She let her fingers drift through his hair, suppressing a giggle at how mussed his usually perfectly coiffed locks were. "I want you, Draco. I've always wanted you..."

He lifted his head and smiled warmly at her. Then he bowed his head, inhaling deeply of her scent right before he buried his mouth against her feminine core with nary a warning. Hermione fell back against the railing of the staircase, her hands barely catching it in time as a strangled sound tore from her throat.

Draco's tongue found her warm center with practiced skill, licking and rolling against her folds until she could feel her own juices running down her thighs. It was exquisite torture, the pleasure that rippled through her as his mouth worked against her, but she wanted more… something was missing or elusive… she just didn't know what.

His hand traveled to the back of one knee and he guided her leg over his shoulder, opening herself to him. His tongue was slow now, giving her lazy strokes across her slit before drawing her clit between his lips. Her hips jerked against his face of their own volition and a moan escaped her lips. He took the opportunity to slip one long finger inside her, filling her while he suckled the most senstive part of her. He gave her a few quick thrusts before adding another finger, her wetness making it easy for him to slide in and out of her without hurting her. She gasped as a wave of new feelings crashed into her. At that moment, she was incredibly thankful for his experience… or whatever the hell the Malfoy Rite of Passage was.

"Draco!" she cried out, her hands finding purchase on his muscular shoulders, her nails digging deep into his porcelain flesh. He quickened his pace, crooking the tips of his fingers to hit the perfect spot inside her. She fell forward over him, her nails scratching down his back as she was hit with a blinding force of pleasure unlike any she had ever felt. Something deep and low quickened in her abdomen as he continued sliding his fingers inside her, alternating between slow movements and fast thrusts.

"Come for me, Hermione," he encouraged. He lowered his mouth to her once again, his tongue rough against her core as he feasted on her. Her head fell back, her hips rolling against him, his fingers like magic inside her. And then it hit, slamming hard into her… her first orgasm… shattering her inside and out as her channel contracted and her legs collapsed underneath her.

He reacted quickly, withdrawing from her as he caught her with ease, gently lowering her to lay down on the ground. There was something soft beneath her… his jacket, she realized. Her fingers drifted over the fine fabric, her mind foggy from the waves of pleasure still shaking through her. She was only dimly aware of him rising above her, the width of his body sliding between her thighs, spreading her wide for him. Then she felt the tip of his shaft prodding her womanhood, and reality swiftly came crashing down around her. She immediately tensed, her thighs tightening around his hips in an attempt to close herself from the coming intrusion.

Draco froze. "Hermione?" he questioned, his voice cracking under the pressure. He leaned over her, his left hand coming to rest beside her head.

She kept her face turned to the side, her eyes staring hard at the Dark Mark there on his forearm, her throat working but the words stuck on her lips. It was a glaring reminder that what she was about to do, could never be undone.

She felt him shift, drawing away from her. She willed her hands to tangle around his neck, staying his retreat. She turned to look up at him, his eyes hardened with uncertainty.

"You don't have to," he replied. "I understand…" Though the look in his eyes told a different story.

"Draco, please kiss me," she murmured.

He hesitated for a moment, then with a quick shake of his head, he leaned down, his lips brushing against her mouth. She opened for him and his tongue swept inside, deepening their exchange immediately.

Christ above, she could taste herself on his tongue. It was strangely erotic and very wicked.

Hermione tugged him towards her now, her thighs drifting apart as she urged him to settle between them. He followed her lead, only going as far as she allowed.

She laid flat on her back and he rose above her, resting on his forearms. Her fingers drifted over his swollen lips. "Make me yours, Draco," she whispered.

"I don't want to hurt you," he confided, swallowing past the tightness in his throat.

She moved beneath him, her hips rolling against his erection pressed firmly against the inside of her thigh. He choked on his gasp, his fingers falling to her hip to keep her still. His eyes closed and he clenched his jaw as he fought his body's natural instinct to claim her.

"Please, Draco…"

She watched the tick work in his jaw, then he released a shuddering breath. He moved, rising above her, his hips pressing her down onto the ground as he thrusted hard, his member burying itself deep.

Hermione cried out, her insides feeling like they were tearing apart at the seams. It burned and it hurt and it was tight...too tight...he was too big…

Draco's forehead rested against her chest as he stilled. "I'm sorry...I'm sorry…." he chanted weakly against her skin.

He shifted, partially withdrawing before he thrusted again, bottoming out. Again, the pain followed and she choked on his name. She wasn't sure if she wanted to push him away or keep going. She couldn't think… was too scared to even breathe.

But he began to move slowly, his hips searching for a rhythm, his thrusts shallow. Hermione closed her eyes, focusing on the movement, the way he slid in and out, the feeling of being so full of him and yet still wanting more. She realized the pain was becoming less and less with each thrust and he was allowing her the time to get used to the feel of him, his passion restrained.

"Draco," she panted. He grunted in response, his mouth still buried against her chest. "Draco, go faster," she begged.

His head snapped up to meet her gaze, his eyes still uncertain.

"Please...please…"

He mumbled something, pushed up on his hands, and thrust faster, harder against her. Hermione arched her back, her hips lifting into his thrusts as she cried out. The pain was almost gone, replaced by a primal urge long buried deep inside her.

She clawed at his back, his shoulders… her nails leaving raised red marks across his skin. It seemed to spur him on. He moved faster, his hips snapping against her, his groans punctuated by shouts of her name. It was hot and fierce and she could feel her slick covering the inside of her thighs, dripping down her legs as his hips rocked against her again and again.

She felt his fingers settle between their bodies, searching for her clit. He rolled his thumb against her, circling over the flesh in time with each of his thrusts now. She was so sensitive that it almost hurt but she felt the familiar pressure starting to build low in her belly from his ministrations.

"Yes...yes…" she heard herself say. She clutched him tight as the explosion hit, ripping through her.

"Draco!" she screamed, her face burying against the corded muscle of his neck.

He managed only three more short thrusts before he joined her in bliss, hand pulling her hip from the floor to press against him as he came, his cum filling her.

She slowly eased back to lay down on the floor, her breathing short and fast, mingling with his. He held her in place as he looked down at her, his finger pushing a stray sweat-soaked lock of hair from her face. There was raw emotion in his gaze as he studied her for a moment. Then he laid a gentle kiss on her forehead and on each cheek before claiming her lips with his own.

"Hermione…" he whispered into her mouth as he kissed her over and over. Then he shifted his body, withdrawing from her tight folds with a grunt before rolling away from her.

The cool air hit her wet skin and she shivered. She leaned her head back and could see it was not yet dawn, but the sky was turning a pasty grey as the sun began to rise. She heard him dressing quickly and she knew she should follow suit. But she rolled to her side, her back to him. She clenched her thighs together as she felt the mixture of their lovemaking sticky between her legs. She swallowed back her tears as her brain came to life, compartmentalizing the consequences of their actions.

Oh God

Deft fingers drifted over the curve of her breast and across her ribs. "No regrets, Granger…" he whispered into her ear. Her gripped her chin within his thumb and forefinger and turned her to face him. He stroked his tongue into her mouth, slow and lazy, dragging a moan from deep within her. He smiled down at her for a moment before rising to stand, pulling her with him.

He helped her collect her clothes, turning away to run his fingers through his hair, giving her some semblance of privacy to redress. She stared at his back, the way his muscles in his shoulders tensed beneath the thin fabric of his dress shirt as she reckoned he worked through what had just transpired between them. He bent and retrieved his jacket, dusting it off, pausing at the spot of blood now coloring one part of the black fabric. He swallowed then opted to fold the jacket over his arm instead of wearing it.

She had just finished pulling her jumper over her head when he finally turned to face her. She folded her arms over her chest and he thrust one hand into his trouser pocket as they stared at each other then tore their gazes away to look at the floor.

Oh God...Oh God...Oh God… she chanted over and over in her head. She heard him approach but she couldn't look up at him. He bent to pick something up off the floor before closing the distance between them. He handed her his Hawthorn wand. She stared blankly at it before raising her gaze to meet his eyes.

"It's yours…" she replied.

"Take it," he replied. "I still have my mother's wand."

She couldn't seem to make her fingers move and she swallowed.

"Hermione, it's okay. I'm not going anywhere. I'll stand with you."

That got her attention. Her head shot up to look at him. He brought his thumb to trace over her bottom lip and then he gave her a warm, very un-Draco like grin.

"When this is done and the Dark Lord has been defeated, you have to promise you'll let me shag you proper in my bed..." He winked at her then gave her a quick kiss to her lips before shoving the wand into her one of her hands while he interlaced her other fingers with his, turning to walk down the staircase.

Hermione stared at the wand clutched in her hand and then the back of Draco's head. She swallowed, her chest constricting. He was still a Death Eater… there would be a trial… he would take his punishment, even if it meant a stint in Azkaban… he would do it all for her.

And for what?

Her friends would never accept him, not after everything he had done. She couldn't blame him for his actions… not entirely. He was still just a kid after all; he had a fierce need to protect his family. Just as she knew he would put everything he had on the line to protect her.

Oh God...Oh God...Oh God

His family would cast him out… Loving a Mudblood? They would never allow it.

He would come to hate her… he would commit himself to a life with her but the resentment they would feel at being torn away from all they knew would eventually kill any notion of love they had once shared...

Oh God...Oh God...Oh God

She raised the wand, pointing it at him. A tear slipped down her cheek.

"I love you, Draco," she whispered. He froze in mid step, his hand tightening on hers.

"Obliviate…" The simple incantation spilled from her trembling lips, the tears coming hard and fast. She felt the magic pour from her and suddenly his hand was gone, falling stiffly to his side. His fingers splayed against his thigh then relaxed. He turned slowly to look at her.

"What the hell, Granger," he sneered. "Potter have you following me now?"

Hermione lowered her wand and wiped at the tears with the back of her hand. "Draco.." she somehow managed to say before catching herself.

He reared back as if she had struck him. "You forget your place, Granger." He took a menacing step towards her but stopped. His jaw clenched tight and his fist balled against his thigh. He almost looked confused as his brain worked to fill in the blanks.

She had taken it all from him - any moment of kindness he may have ever shown her - gone forever. He would have to choose his path forward without her complicating his feelings.

But it didn't make it hurt any less. Her heart crushed beneath the weight of the memories only she would have now, bringing with it a strangled sob.

She pushed past him, a silent prayer to any who would listen that he would end up doing the right thing… eventually.