Chapter 15-Stay with me.
Draco had nearly died of shock when his aunt told him who her new house guest was.
"She hates me," he'd said looking with pleading eyes at his cousin knowing that he might have to leave for Hermione's peace of mind.
"No she doesn't," Tonks told him placing a calming hand on his shoulder.
"But…" he began, his cousin cut him off.
"I have watched her mourn you, she is broken Draco. Hermione Granger, who survived the Department of Mysteries who stood toe to toe in a duel with Death Eaters and walked away, crumpled when she thought you were gone." Tonks told him.
"You're mistaken cousin, Granger was not broken by any affection for me," he told her, "she was broken by guilt."
Tonks shook her head, "You're wrong Draco, she was-she is, in love with you."
Draco looked at his cousin aghast.
"We'll see-twenty galleons she tries to slap me again!" Draco challenged.
"Done!" Tonks agreed smirking at him, "I will go and get her then."
Andromeda eyed him carefully after her daughter had left the room. Her scrutiny was unnerving but when she had seemingly reached some sort of conclusion about him, she nodded and left the room leaving Draco to wait alone.
His hands were trembling by the time Tonks returned, he hoped to Merlin Hermione wouldn't attack him but he was very afraid she might. He heard the soft click of the door as it closed, he nervously pushed back his hair then heard rapid footsteps heading towards, he spun ready to defend himself and she flew into his arms.
At first he was so shocked he almost lost his balance, and then she was speaking to him,
"I'm so sorry," she said placing a tear stained kiss on his cheek, "I'm so sorry," she told him.
Draco's heart was beating so fast it was barely contained within his chest. He pulled her in to him, breathing in that characteristic smell of jasmine.
"I thought you hated me," he whispered breathlessly into the shell of her ear. She didn't say anything but sobbed again as she caressed the line of his jaw with small tear salted kisses. He buried his hands in her hair. "Hermione," he said in a choked whisper. She didn't speak, she kissed the corner of his mouth, ran her tongue along his lower lip. Draco's breath hitched as she kissed him hard. He responded immediately bleeding every ounce of his longing into their kiss fearing that he might never be allowed to touch her again. Finally, near delirious from lack of air he reluctantly pulled away.
Draco knew he was trembling as she buried her face against his chest. He pulled his arms around her tightening his grip. I will not let you go he swore to himself and he meant it both literally and figuratively.
They stood there for a very long time, neither moving nor speaking, content merely to hold each other, knowing that for now, at least, they were both safe.
It was dark when a small 'clearing of the throat' brought their attentions back to the real world.
"I think perhaps you should eat." His aunt Andromeda said her face quirking into a smile as she clearly resisted the urge to tease.
Draco took Hermione's hand and led her from the room.
It had taken Hermione some time to register any coherent thought. For what felt like hours she had been content to revel in his warmth, the smell of him. She had not dared to let go, fearing that he was some phantom and if she let go he would disappear.
As some logic finally returned to her she realised it had been wrong of her to blame Draco for Ron's death. It was her own guilt that had been talking and she owed him an apology. Besides she knew where the real blame rested, with Bellatrix and her demonic master.
She sat listening intently at lunch as Draco explained how he had found his way to his aunt's home. She had to admit to herself that it took a tiny bit of the edge off her guilt to hear that the protean charm she had given him had kept him safe in the end.
When the meal was over Tonks said her farewells, she was eager to return to Grimmauld Place be the barer of good news for once. Andromeda moved to see her daughter out.
"I thought you were dead, I thought I had killed," Hermione told him in a breathless rush, "don't ever do that to me again," she said in an echo of Draco's own words. Draco smirked;
"I will try not to," he promised.
Although she had thought she would stay awake all night that nothing could stop her staring at the miracle that was Draco Malfoy alive and well, as the hours past Morpheus slowly crept across the room. Hermione, resting in Draco's lap, her head snuggly against his shoulder, went to sleep. Draco smiled at her fondly and somewhat awkwardly, trying not to jostle her from her sleep, rose with her in his arms and carried her to bed.
His aunt had given Hermione the room across from his own, it is a beautiful room he thought idley as he lay Hermione down on the large bed, removing her shoes and gently covering her with the soft down duvet.
"Good night beautiful," he whispered tenderly placing a chaste kiss on her lips, "sleep well," he added as he slipped noiselessly from the room.
In his own room Draco stripped down to his boxers and climbed into his own bed quickly succumbing to sleep himself.
"Draco!" he was jolted awake by her pained screams, not waiting to dress he tore across the hall way into her room. When she saw him she sobbed,
"I thought it wasn't real," she told him as she hiccupped through her tears, " I thought I had dreamt you."
He moved towards her seating himself at her side and pulled her close.
"It's alright," he reassured, "I'm here, I'm alive."
"I need to know this is not a dream, stay with me Draco." She pleaded.
Author's note
So what happens when Draco stays with Hermione? Hah (evil laugh) you will have to wait and see. Reviews greatly appreciated and likely to encourage me to up date sooner.