FORTY

Thursday, 13 November 1944

Monday night she had woken to a blistering pain in her left forearm. Right where her scar used to be. Draco had bolted up at the sound of her screams and held her until the nightmare faded and she calmed down. She had allowed him to summon a House Elf and they ate dinner in bed. After that, she forced them to leave the room and head back to the dorms. He walked her to her door and bid her goodnight after promising for the thousandth time that he wasn't going to start another fight with Riddle.

Tuesday, Hermione woke in her own bed feeling cold and empty. The only thing that helped was that, for the first time in months, when she reached up to twist the chain at her neck, there was actually something there. It helped her through their quiz in Defense and her kept her calm in Astronomy.

She had almost been surprised to see Riddle slide into his usual seat next to her. He hadn't so much as looked at her or Draco in Defense and he ignored her completely then as well. Hermione's stomach clenched in agony as he sat beside her. It was like waiting for the other shoe to drop. She knew his anger was there, simmering beneath the surface. She could feel it in her bones that he would snap when she least expected it. It filled her with dread.

Wednesday was no different. Dumbledore had asked them to stay after and spent a good few minutes chatting with them, making sure they were okay. He asked them a few questions about their search for a way home. Hermione told him a condensed version of her theory and said that she had a good feeling about it. That they seemed to be on the right path. Her smile was forced and her stomach flipped as she said it.

Thursday morning was the same as Tuesday. Riddle hadn't shown up then and she highly doubted he was going to show up now. She told Draco as much and assured him that he should get to class. When he was gone, she pulled out the books Riddle had given her and continued to read. Even if he wasn't there, learning about Grey magic was fascinating.

There was only one small difference in Astronomy. As she pulled out a few books to get to her text for the class, Riddle pulled the book on Grey magic he had given her. He gave her an apprehensive look and then set it back down near her bag. He said nothing as he pulled out his own notes, but he wasn't as rigid next to her for the rest of class.

After dinner, they ended up in the common room with her roommates and some of the others. All the while, Hermione's mind was focused on the way Draco's thigh was pressed against hers on the couch. On the way his fingers kept trailing up and down her wrist, stoking the flame of desire low in her gut. If he noticed her shifting uncomfortably next to him, he didn't acknowledge it.

Normally she would be one to say she was going to bed before the rest, but she had a plan to wait until the majority of them were gone. And as curfew hit, one by one, their housemates began trickling to their dorms. When it was down to a handful of students, Hermione pulled Draco to his feet and led him towards the exit of the common room.

They had been sneaking around for long enough that they knew the routines of those out that night. It would be easy enough to get to their destination without getting caught. He laced his fingers with hers and pulled her along in the darkness of the castle. The only light was that of the moon beaming in from the windows, spilling silver atop the stone floor.

Unable to wait until they got to the Room of Requirement, Draco stopped and pinned her against the stone wall. His hands were in her hair, tugging her head back roughly so he could place his lips over hers. She gripped at his shirt and bit down on his bottom lip before shoving him away.

He chased her down the next corridor, only catching up with her as she peeked around the corner to make sure the coast was clear. As she took a step forward, his arm looped around her waist and pulled her back flush against his chest.

"Draco, we're going to get caught," she breathed as she struggled against him.

He responded by strengthening his grip and leaning in to flick his tongue over the shell of her ear. "I don't care."

"Well I do," she protested.

He sighed, his breath tickling her neck, but he let her go. He followed her to the stairs and up they went. She stopped short and he crashed into her with a grunt that echoed around the hall. Muffled voices not too far off voiced concern for students breaking the rules and footsteps in their direction slapped against the stone floor.

Hermione grabbed his hand and ducked down the first corridor that attached to their landing. It put them off course for their usual destination, but when they stumbled into a little alcove a few steps later, they found they no longer cared. She was just glad that he wasn't treating her like glass and that her brain had finally turned off the guilt that was still in her system from their trip to Hogsmeade.

He shoved her against the wall again, swallowing her meek protests with his mouth. Their lips moved as one in a frenzy of fevered kisses. They weren't easily detectable from the landing of the stairs, but there was still a chance that someone would see. The thrill of it all sent a fresh wave of slick to her core and her hips arched into his.

His hands stole into her curls, tugging her head back. It amused her that for someone who constantly griped about her hair, he spent an awful lot of time using it to his advantage. Her hands fumbled with his trousers, pushing them down enough to free him. She wrapped her fingers around him, eyes fluttering as he hissed into her mouth.

He was already weeping when she touched him, the slick enabling her to pump him with ease. He growled into her mouth and reached down to bunch up her skirt, finding no trace of knickers beneath it. With it around her waist, his right hand slid across her core, eliciting a deep moan from her throat.

Her head pulled back from his, slapping against the stone behind her as he grabbed her thighs and pulled her up. She wrapped her bare legs around his waist. He seized the moment and brought his lips to her neck before burying his cock inside her with a satisfying amount of force.

She bit her lip to keep from crying out and closed her eyes as he thrust in and out of her in a pace designed to drive her mad. The majority of the trysts they had shared had been in the Room of Requirement and hadn't required silencing charms. There hadn't been time or forethought to cast one here and it was too late now.

She had one hand lost in his blonde locks, keeping his head firmly attached to her neck while the other dug into his bicep for purchase. Every thrust brought forth a mewl from her lips. Each plunge sent her closer and closer to the edge. The increase in his pace brought it closer still. She craved the bliss he always gave her. It was the only thing that quieted her mind.

Her heart skipped a beat despite the wild thumping it did against her ribcage. Her eyes opened and she sucked in a breath at the sight of Riddle. He was standing in the shadows of the alcove's entrance. For a moment, she thought it was a trick of the light, but she felt his presence in the back of her mind and she knew better. There was a bitter edge to the warmth he normally provided.

He was standing there with his hands clasped behind his back, watching her with an intensity she had never encountered before. His eyes were raging at her, demanding that she keep her eyes open and on him. She wondered if she had been able to close them if he wouldn't just make her open them again. Her nails dug further into Draco's bicep and tightened her hold on the back of his head. She bit her bottom lip as Draco slipped a hand between them and placed his thumb on her clit.

Riddle's chin tilted up slightly as if giving her permission to come undone. She kept her eyes open and locked on his. The sheer commanding power of his gaze combined with Draco's cock in her core and thumb on her clit sent her hurtling for the stars with such ferocity her vision swam.

Draco followed her with his own orgasm moments later. She felt his cock twitching as he unloaded himself inside her. His breath was hot on her neck. He stilled, but stayed inside her as they both panted for air.

Riddle disappeared into the shadows as quickly as he had appeared and Hermione let out a deep breath she wasn't aware she was holding.

Draco pulled out of her with a sigh and helped lower her legs back to the ground safely. He used his wand to clean them both and then smoothed her skirt down for her before redressing himself.

He grasped her chin and lifted her face gently so he could see her. He smiled and laid his lips over hers. "Coast should be clear now," she said when he moved his lips to her forehead.

"To the Room of Requirement or back to the common room?" he asked as his arms slid around her.

"The dorms," she mumbled against his chest. "Is that alright?"

He pulled away enough to look at her and gave a light nod. "Of course." Another kiss to the forehead. "But if it's alright with you, I'd like another minute or two here with you."

She smiled, "I'm sure the coast will be clear for awhile." She stood on her tip toes to reclaim his lips.

"That wasn't too rough was it?" he asked as they sank to the floor to lean against one another.

"No, Draco," she said, turning to kiss his cheek. "I'm not made of glass."

"Well forgive me, but you cried last time. It kind of sticks with you."

"You didn't hurt me," she assured him, reaching down for his hand and giving it a squeeze. "I just… There were a lot of emotions bottled up and they all just hit me at once."

His thumb brushed across her knuckles repeatedly. "You died."

"Draco-"

"No, Hermione, I don't think you quite understand how it felt to see you lying on the ground like that. Your skin was fucking grey." He paused to swallow and she felt a tear slip out from the corner of her eye. "You weren't breathing. You fucking died-"

Her heart broke along with his voice and he pulled her into his lap. She was straddling him with her arms about his neck, head tucked beneath her chin. He drew his legs up, pushing her further into him as his arms stole around her, crushing her. She could feel his body shaking beneath her and the collar of her shirt dampened with tears. "Shh, Draco, I'm here. I'm alive. I'm right here," she breathed, hoping that he heard her.

She wasn't sure how much time had passed before he had gone still beneath her. It wasn't until he pulled his head back and led her chin down so he could kiss her did she taste the salt on his lips. Before they could get carried away, she pulled back and carefully extracted herself from his lap and got to her feet. She extended her hand down to him and he took it.

Instead of leading him towards the dorms, she led him towards the Room of Requirement. Away from prying eyes and wandering minds. A place where they could express their feelings without saying a single word. A place where she could lose herself to him throughout the night and wake up in the safety of his arms.

She would deal with her lingering guilt in the morning like she always did.