Chapter 15

Several hours later Hermione was back down in the library. She was desperately trying to focus on the book in her hands, but her mind wandered back to the blonde in his study and what had happened on that desk. Those stormy grey eyes piercing her soul as he brought her to ecstasy. She was still a little tender from the second round in the shower. Hermione shook her head to try and clear the thoughts swirling around. They still had so many things to discuss. While there was no regret for the running leap, they took into this relationship they would need to do some back tracking sooner than later.

Draco had told her he had to get some prep work done for the next day so he could work to close the case quickly. He also asked her if it was ok if he asked more about her time with Thomas. Hermione had agreed but was worried she wouldn't be very helpful because she barely remembered anything from those weeks. Draco had soothed her worries with the reassurance that any little bit was helpful.

It was a shame he was quitting, he was good at his job those aristocratic manners and flattery went a long way to getting someone to do things for you. She was sure though most people didn't find him quite as human, and kind as she did because the other side of Draco Malfoy was mostly hard edges and cold shoulders. When he first mentioned quitting his job as an Auror she wanted to balk but then she saw the toll it took on him. She could see his desire for something different, a quieter sort of life. She considered he probably hasn't really known peace for more than half his life. Not that she had either but comparison was a pointless exercise at this point. No one their age had it easy, they were just all doing the best they could.

Merlin this line of thought started by fantasizing about mind blowing orgasms and now here we are having an existential crisis. Typical. Leave it to me to over analyze every moment until I have a mental breakdown.

Draco rescued her from this macabre internal monologue by entering the library and calling out her name. She had found a cozy nook in a window and made a nest this time.

"Over here," Hermione called out.

Draco appeared from the stacks with half a grin playing on his lips.

"Just making yourself at home I see," Hermione was about to protest, "I like it, I am glad you are comfortable enough here. I mean Tippy has already decided you are Mistress unless you missed that because I certainly didn't. I know we have a lot to talk about, but I want to give you something if it is not too much."

Draco pulled a small box out of his pocket and Hermione jumped out of her seat and landed haphazardly in a heap after getting tangled in a blanket in her effort to escape.

"Well glad to know jewelry elicits such a strong response," Draco chuckled, "This is not a betrothal ring witch so get back here. I am almost offended you think I, Draco Malfoy would just whip out a lame box such as this with no ceremony to propose. Good to know the threshold is so low," he said wryly.

He had the audacity to look wounded. Hermione extricated her legs from the offending blanket and returned to her nest sans blanket.

"Are you quite ready to listen now?" he said with a raised brow.

"Yes," Hermione hissed in annoyance.

Draco opened the box and in it was a simple silver band with a single small ruby set into it.

"This is a family heirloom, yes, it's a ruby, I know shocking. Moving on. I have imbued it with my blood so you can enter any home I own, and the wards will not prevent you under any circumstances. This would be like the muggle version of here is a key to my apartment, mine just needs to be fancier because my homes have ancient angry magic that protects them. We have established I love you and would prefer if you could come and go as you please, without my leave or permission. Is this acceptable to you?" Draco's face was so open and hopeful.

"Yes, this is very thoughtful Draco, though really a ruby? A bit on the nose don't you think," Hermione teased.

"I mean I can switch this out for any piece in the family vault you want this was just in the house already," Draco said with a level of sincerity that was unnerving.

Seriously Malfoy money was a level of wealth she wasn't sure she could ever get used to, to just have this lying around and available.

"Glad I got some rubbish just collecting dust in a drawer, thank you," Hermione said with maybe a bit too much sarcasm.

"This was actually a piece my father gave my mother as a betrothal gift, she agreed to part with it because it was for you," Draco said with a bit of irritation creeping into his voice.

She was digging her own grave this morning. Hermione was so out of sorts and didn't know where this was going with him, and it was driving her to act like a lunatic. Now she had actually wounded him. She reached out and took his hand holding the ring.

"Draco it is beautiful, I am just insecure and nervous about this whole situation, and I am lashing out and that is entirely unfair. I am sorry."

Draco met her gaze his face hard at first but softened when he saw her sincerity.

"Which finger do you want to wear it on?" he asked.

"My left index, I think," she said extending her left-hand palm up.

Draco took her hand then and the whole ordeal felt very much like a different kind of ring placement.

"I have to put it on you to seal the enchantment," Draco said as he slide the ring onto her index finger the ring automatically adjusting to fit perfectly.

Draco held her hand a bit longer and she met his gaze through her lashes.

"Witch if you keep looking at me like that, I will take you for the third time today right here. I really just wanted to talk to you about us and what we are doing. Those come fuck me eyes are not helping," Draco said a little breathless.

Hermione laughed then.

"I have been thinking the last several hours how to bring up the so what are we conversation. The direct and straight to the point route never presented itself," Hermione said with a lingering laugh.

"Well, I am done with games so this was the only option in my opinion. I want to be with you, for the rest of my life but I know that getting engaged and married now is ridiculous. I want to date you. I want to tell our friends. I want to have you on my arm in public. I want to take care of you and spoil you and love you," Draco says with a shy smile.

Hermione just looked into those tender grey eyes, the boy who sneered at her and bullied her was no where to be found. This man had been broken and forged anew. He was stronger and more beautiful for every trial that led him to this moment. A smile spread across her face then as she reached out to cup his cheek pressing a sweet and tender kiss to his lips.

"I want all of those things too. I want to love you. I want to build a life with you. One that is comfortable and full of the peace we both deserve but I think we both think we don't deserve. I am so sick of fighting and being strong. Can we just be imperfect people together that find happiness after a lifetime of hurt and heartbreak?" Hermione said with tears slipping down her cheek.

"Yes," Draco breathed as he kissed her tears away.

They sat in companionable silence for a while before Hermione broke the silence.

"I am ready to tell you about my time with Thomas whenever you are ready," Hermione said quietly.

"With your permission could I see your memories instead, I promise I will be gentle," Draco said.

He was asking to enter her mind to see her memories and dread filled her heart.

"I trust you Draco, but I don't remember those weeks and I don't think I want too, at least not like that, not right now. It is too close. I hope you can understand," Hermione said shame coloring her voice.

"Of course," his hand reaching for her, "do not feel shame for not wanting to relive moments that were horrible. I knew it was a big request I did not have any expectations. Can you tell me what you do remember," Draco said with his thumb grazing her jaw.

Hermione turned away from his touch and set her gaze firmly on her lap so she could get through this ordeal. Draco seemed to sense she needed space and backed up to his own end of the nook.

"I realized quickly I was in a box that suppressed my magic. I also realized I was silenced. I couldn't even hear my own breathing. Your mother is the one who realized when I started crying after letting my Occlumency go. I was so overwhelmed by my own sobbing I was terrified. After four weeks of near silence other than when he came to taunt me and bring food my own voice was so loud. I noticed my magic sparked when he opened the door, but it was still fuzzy like the box was dampening it. I knew it was not enough to cast silent wandless magic strong enough for me to escape so I used the moments to gather my Occlumency walls. They held once the magic was extinguished like they were in a stasis of sorts. After a week I barely even heard him speaking. I was so drawn into myself. I started working on Arithmancy and reciting Ancient Runes books I knew by heart. Its amazing how much space there is to work out complex spells when you don't have emotions to deal with. I think I actually worked out some new healing spells I am dying to try out for complex dark magic wounds. Other than that, though I was so lost to my own mind I don't remember anything after the first week and a half," Hermione finished her story and dared to looked up.

Draco was staring out the window, a muscle ticked in his jaw. He took a deep breath in through his nose and exhaled sharply flexing his jaw.

"I," he started and stopped, turning his face to her.

Those grey eyes were a tempest.

"He will pay for what he did, that is a promise," he said fiercely.

After that he flicked his wand summoning a book he snatched out of the air before hauling her to his chest. Settling herself into his body they relaxed like that the rest of the day reading together in comfortable silence. Occasionally, he would press a kiss into the bend of her neck or behind her ear but mostly they were just together.