I run my hands through my hair, almost maniacally as I pace the kitchen. Why did I do that? I panic, She said yes, though. I rationalize, She's doing it. She's actually coming home.
For the first time since my assistant busted into my office the day of her accident, I find myself smiling. She doesn't remember, but she's open to this— open to being with me.
"You're wearing a hole in my floor, you know?" Ginny smirks from the doorway. Her smirk quickly changes to a look of concern. "How'd it go?"
"…I- I kissed her," I say, almost as if I'm asking a question.
Her eyes widen, and she slumps into a chair at the table. It looks like she'll say something - anything – as her mouth opens and closes several times.
"Well? She's been so confused, Draco. I wouldn't worry if she didn't take it well. She's confused about how you got together and feels guilty because she can tell how much you're hurting, which makes her only more confused, really. Not to mention how upset she is, because 'Brightest Witch Of Our Age' can't stand to not know such a massive portion of her life."
My head drops as I slip my hands in my pockets, hoping to keep some composure.
"She kissed me back."
I'm interrupted with a small gasp and greedy eyes as she demands me to continue.
"She – asked if I loved her and for just a moment..." I draw in a ragged breath. "it was like before. She leaned in, and I just – it's natural. I leaned into her, and everything was fine until her brain caught up."
I smirk sheepishly. Things finally felt normal after the worst week of my life—well, since my school days, at least. For that fleeting moment, it felt like I wasn't spiraling out of control anymore. Unable to compartmentalize the fear of losing Hermione, my mind is clouded. I look up to catch She-potter almost frozen in shocked delight.
"I'm going to give her some time to think. I'll be by tomorrow."
I bid both Potters goodbye and floo home. I make myself a steaming mug of earl grey tea, then curl up in my large armchair next to the gently crackling fireplace. I look at the chair next to me and sigh heavily, as for the first Sunday in many years, I was alone to read.
Knock. Knock.
I stand on the porch of the Potter's, palms sweaty and mouth dry. The front door swings open, and I'm surprised to see its Hermione answering the door. I open my mouth, but no sound comes out as I drink her in.
"Oh, hello, Draco..."
I clear my throat as her chocolate mane tosses over her shoulder. She's dressed simply, in relaxed gray slacks and a long-sleeved cotton tee, but that's what I love about her— Hermione Granger could wear nothing but a burlap sack, and she would still be the sexiest woman alive.
"Would you like to grab some lunch?" I finally forced out, the words tumbling clumsily out of me. "We could go for a walk after, talk about things, maybe trigger something before you decide to come home? If you'd like..."
She blinks several times. "That seems logical, yes. Did you have a place in mind?"
I can't help but smile. "We could apparate to that Chinese place you're fond of. It's in muggle London."
Her eyes widen as if she's trying to picture me in a muggle establishment.
"Also, when you decide to come home, would you prefer I prepare a guest room for myself? If you don't feel comfortable sharing our room yet."
"Thank you, Draco. Truly." She pauses, thinking over her words before she says them. "I'm trying— really, I am. You've been very accommodating... But yes, I don't know that I'm quite ready to—well, share a bed with you— yet."
She reaches out but seems to think better of it, dropping it to her side. She brushes past me to collect her coat, and I hear her telling Ginny she'll be out. Ginny shouts a response as she tries to get James to make up his mind on what he wishes for lunch. Harry claps my shoulder on his way in for lunch.
"Ready?" I ask.
Hermione grasps my arm, and I clasp her hand as we turn on the spot, the familiar tightness, and the sounds of cars passing the dark alley came into sound. I'm pleasantly surprised she doesn't release my hand as I steer her towards Chang's. The hostess greets us by name and walks us to our usual booth. I order our usual and catch myself as Hermione tilts her head.
"Unless you wanted something else?" I gesture.
"It's just odd... hearing things you know about me come from your mouth." She nibbles her bottom lip. "Nice to know I'm still me is all I mean."
"Of course, you're still you. I haven't swooped in, and poof Hermione's gone." My mood darkens slightly. As if she feels like I've brainwashed her. I scoff, scowling into my drink.
"That's not what I – I didn't mean to sound as if –" she takes in a large breath like she does when she needs to calm her racing mind. "I woke up with my belongings in a bag. An iceberg for a ring, an obviously expensive ensemble, and a diamond necklace – engaged to the most eligible pureblood bachelor –"
"Former bachelor," I correct.
Her eyes narrow at me, cutting her off, and she continues. "It's just reassuring to know that I still enjoy the things outside of becoming Mrs. Malfoy." She gives me a small smile as she begins to dig into all of her favorites. We eat in peaceful silence, and I hear her sputter when I pull out muggle money to pay for dinner. I shoot her a signature Malfoy smirk as I grab her coat for her. Again, she doesn't pull away as I grasp her hand to make way to a nearby park. She talks about the new books she's picked up and asking about our library, of course. She's surprised when I tell her we live on the same street as Potter, smiling as I explained how I'd have never dreamed of pulling her away from the man who may as well be her brother and his wife, her best friend. She begins to slow her pace, turning towards me. The breeze plays with her hair, spiraling the scent of her around us. She looks up, and blush makes its way up her neck. Her eyes remind me of melted chocolate, garnished with 24 karat gold flakes. She's so beautiful; she takes my breath away.
"Hermione..."
My hand slips into her hair at the nape of her neck, and my voice sounds husky as I tell her I love her. Our lips connect for the second time since her accident, and it takes all my self-control not to whisk her away to our bedroom suite. Instead, I rememorize the taste of her. Spearmint. I run my right hand down her side as my left clutches her locks. I nibble her lip, just as I know she likes it. She's kissing me back, one hand planted on my shoulder and the other running through my hair. I moan against her lips, pressing her against me. I never want this to end, but, too soon, she pulls away. Breathless and slightly tussled, she eyes me curiously and licks her lips. My cock twitches, aching for her. She begins down the path again.
"So... how did this begin?" She gestures her hand between the two of us.
"I thought Ginny caught you up to speed with everything?"
"I wasn't very receptive the first time we talked, and then she just glossed over the details. Working together, friends, your drunken stupor. I just need to hear it from you." she breathes.
Chuckling, I begin to tell her about how fiery she was learning we'd be working together.
"Weren't about to take any shit from me."
She smiles a small smile, "Sounds about right."
"Lectured about 'pulling my own weight' 'I got my eye and wand on you, Malfoy'"
I mock playfully in my best swotty imitation.
"Finally, you realized I was serious about turning over a new leaf. We became friendly, which led to us being friends, which led me to your front door in the middle of the night, drunk mind you, because over time, I fell in love. I fell in love with the way you furrow your brow when you work, the stubborn set of your jaw when you were arguing something you believed in. Your passion— Merlin, your passion, Hermione. The way you love. It's a marvel how anything could ever be wrong in the world when you love someone."
I can almost hear her mind processing the information I'm telling her.
"And after you showed up at my door?" she whispered.
"You lectured me about my drinking habits, then," I let out a small chuckle. "When I woke, you had gone into work early. I went by your office, and it seemed as if you weren't going to acknowledge me kissing you at all when suddenly, you threw your work on the desk, asking me where I got off kissing you at. You got really worked up, pacing, wringing your hands together. You informed me about how our friendship was fine before I had to 'go and ruin everything.' I almost believed you. Then you looked at me. Like I said, Hermione, your passion. It's unparalleled. I crossed the office you just moved into, and that time you kissed me back."
I relaxed back into my seat and smiled.
"and we've been together ever since. Of course, you insisted on being Minister of Magic before we marry. Which, I've mostly respected." I smirk. "I've only insisted once or twice on being married beforehand."
"I- so how long is ever since?" she sits at a bench along the path, digesting information.
"Six and a half years." I brush her hair behind her ear as the wind begins to let loose a few strands. Palm resting against her cheek once her hair is captured once more.
"We've come so far. We were so happy— I suppose it was only Merlin's way of letting me know I never deserved you." I extend my hand to help her off the bench. "Any other questions from the gallery, madam?"
"That's all I need, for now." She smiles a small smile, and we head out of the park towards an alley.
"I have one for you. How much time will you need? To come back home, that is?"
I wait patiently for an answer that's been plaguing me since she left the hospital.
"I can have everything ready tomorrow if you'll come by after work. Harry says you've just been promoted to Head. Congratulations, Draco, truly. You should go back to work full time. Working from home and popping in when you feel like you can isn't good for your career," She smiles softly. "Even if your fiancée is attacked and loses about eight and a half years of her memory..."
Tomorrow. The rest of her lecture is lost to me as I sigh in relief. There's still some elitist out there out for Hermione, and all my instincts scream to hide her away until the threat is neutralized. So far, all Harry's tracker spell on that low life scum has brought forth is messengers and middlemen. Soon. Soon the people responsible will make a slip, or we'll run into someone who knows something. Until then, I want to hoard her away, The Dragon and Gryffindor's Princess.