Chapter XXII

Well I don't suppose there's a way I could have prepared for this. The Weasley's were a little unease and quiet, but I can't really blame them. Mrs. Weasley seemed a bit down, I remembered her like a loud person, full of happiness. Then it occurred to me that she lost a son last year. Fred Weasley was actually fun, he and his brother managed to do some pretty good stuff.

They got me a room, that Hermione told was from the bloke that married that French girl that was a Champion on the Triwizard Tournament, I think her name was Fleur. She wasn't there, Ginger said she recently had a baby. Must be exciting, having someone that's yours, something you've created and love so much.

Potter and Weasley were down in the kitchen, talking with the rest of the red heads. The house is much like them, too much stuff. I was actually wondering how they managed to get the thing to stand at all, I admit it was a little impressive. And I heard that the Death Eaters burned it last year, they were really proud of that. That is, until the Dark Lord was informed that Potter had managed to escape.

And here we are again, but this time we want them to come. I sincerely hope that Potter's plan work. The sooner we get them the better. I was feeling awfully depressed there. They were poor, yes you can't deny it, but they were happy. You could see it, even if it was awkward because of me. The place had an atmosphere of family, nothing fancy, but because it was so simple it was so much homey.

-Why the face?

I finely managed to get a grip on Hermione's suddenly appearances. Took me some time, but now I almost don't get surprised at all.

-I don't know, must be something between meeting my supposed-to-be-dead father again and all the Weasleys on this place.

She smiled a little and walked to my bed. The concerned look on her face made all my insides warm. We really shouldn't be alone like this; I don't think I can get a grip on myself when she's so close.

-Don't be like that. We're all here nothing is going to happen to you.

It actually made me laugh, not a happy one, but the irony of it was pretty stupid. She thinks I'm concerned about me… well it's not like I'm not scared, but it could turn out worse than that.

-Now you think it's funny, really Draco, sometimes I don't get you at all.

She sat by my side, with her back to the wall, and glanced out at the window on the other side of the room.

-When I think I finely got it, you do something new and unexpected and I really don't know what to do. Sometimes I still can see that little prat, calling me Mudblood and talking about your father like he was a god. But most of the time you're this new person that changed so much, and there are times that I just…

She sighed and I looked at her. Her face was contorted on a frown, much like it does when she can't solve a question in Arithmancy. She sighed again and turned her head to look at me, and I couldn't help the smile.

-I know it must be hard to you. But I can't help it, I'm too handsome, and witty, and you like my body too much and it's not really your fault. You lived all this time around Gryffindors, it must be really sickening.

She slapped me on the shoulder, but grinned in the end.

-You're unbelievable.

-I know, I'm too good to be real.

-Yeah right, and so much humble.

-Well, that's not really for me. I don't need to lie and say things I don't believe just so people will like me.

-Humility is not an act Draco.

-Most of the time it is. And the times it's not, that's because the bloke likes the attention.

She looked at me again, and raised an eyebrow before giving me that smile. And it made me think that I finely managed to understand why just married people are so sickening sweet. All the times, in the past when I was younger, when mother blushed if father really laughed. It's stupid how one can be so happy with so little.

But looking at Hermione, so close and so at easy, and smiling like that, like she was really happy to just talk with me…well I really couldn't help it. She didn't move when I got closer, just kept looking at me. When my nose touched hers she closed her eyes. Never in my life I felt so much so fast.

It was exciting, and I was nervous and a little scared that she would just stand and leave me. But it felt good, really incredibly good. I turned a little to face her properly and she surprised me when her hand was raised and she stroked my cheek. It's ridiculous to even think that something so simple could feel so good, but it did and I almost moaned.

-That's what I was talking about.

She said just before kissing me. And Salazar helps me! That girl will be the death of me. It began slow and simple, she came closer and her hands intertwined with my hair in a way that made me moan. I grabbed her waist and pulled her on my lap, she was just too good. My hands started to roam everywhere, and the more I touched the more I wanted her. I don't even remember who did it, but we ended lying on the bed. Not that I was complaining, far from it.

She stopped kissing my mouth, and began to trace a path of open mouth kisses down my neck. It made me feel light headed, and I almost didn't manage to contain myself from ripping off all her clothes. But reality came to me just as she returned to kissing my mouth.

-Hermione.

But damn her and that lips! I was really trying to sober up, but she wasn't making things easy for me. I stopped kissing her, and just when she was reaching back I put a hand on her cheek to stop it.

-Hermione, please. As much as I hate to say this, and I'm cursing myself for it, believe me, we need to stop.

She looked a little puzzled for a moment, before her eyes widened and she backed off so fast she fell on the floor. Her cheeks were as red as ever, and her lips so sullen that it made me feel proud. She was a mess, but a bloody delicious one.

-Oh Draco, I'm so sorry.

That confused me. What was she apologizing for? I should be the one saying sorry, because I was. Not for kissing her back, that was bloody good, but for stopping it.

-What for?

-I shouldn't have, and here of all places! Really Hemione, what are you doing? Oh Merling, what if someone had come to fetch us?

She got up and starter to pace in the middle of the room. I was a little amused at that. She looked so regretful and sorry, but her state gave it all up.

-Well I'm most certainly not sorry. And I didn't stop because of that, it's just not the time right now. But tomorrow, hopefully, we will get rid of my father and then we can finish this.

-But-but it's not right Draco, I shouldn't- I mean look at us- and Ron! Merlin, we just broke up and now he will be sure that it was because of you! And Harry will take his side, and Ginny suspected it too, and I denied it, and she'll say I lied to her, and they will all get mad at me, and-and

I stood and walked to her. She was shaking and pulling at her hair. I grabbed her shoulders lightly and pulled her to me, she was so scared that her hold on me was almost painful, but I hugged her and stroked her hair to try and make she calm down.

-You two broke up? That's why you were so stressed all week. Well can't really say I'm sorry, actually I'm quite happy. Hermione look at me.

She didn't right away, but I pulled her a little and cupped her cheeks to make she look up.

-You did nothing wrong, if there's someone to blame it would be me. I have been cornering you, and trying things and again, I'm not sorry, but you did nothing wrong. You helped me, and listened to me, and most important of all, you cared. And I'm so grateful for that you can't even imagine. I haven't really thanked you for it, and I really don't know if I can ever make it up to you. But there's something I realized some time ago, and I think it's the right time to say it.

I stroked her cheeks and smiled. Her eyes were red, and her lips were still rose, and it made me want to snog her senseless.

-I like you, too much for my own good, but I do. Merlin, I'm possible even in love with you. I know I'm not the best choice, and you sure deserve better, and I should keep quiet and let you be happy, but I'm too selfish for that. I want you, and I have wanted for a long time, and I would do anything to be good enough for you.

She smiled and it made me so warm and excited I was ashamed of myself.

-I really can't stay mad when you're like this. I've been so confused all this time. First I just wanted to help you, because I knew no one would. And then you changed so much, still the ferret git, but this time without the malice and the prejudice. And I just wanted to give you a chance, to see this other side, the one that wasn't corrupted by all the pureblood craziness. And then I started to feel something new, something I couldn't understand and it made me so scared because I wasn't supposed to feel like that, and Ron…I felt so ashamed of myself.

-There's nothing to be ashamed for. And I was right, like always. You couldn't resist me in the end.

She slapped me on the chest and giggled. I grabbed her on the waist and kissed her lightly; she sighed and wrapped her arms around my shoulders.

-Mione? Where are you Hermione? We need you here.

She stopped and went rigid. Really why they have to ruin everything?

-Damn Potter, I still don't understand how you're friends with him.

-Don't be a prick. I really should go, they will come here searching for me and it's not gonna be a good thing to see.

-Yeah, go to them. I don't mind at all.

She rolled her eyes and headed to the door.

-Not even a goodbye kiss? Really Granger, you're heartless.

She turned at the doorstep and smirked at me. Need I tell that she was just gorgeous at that moment?

-If you behave yourself we can finish that conversation later.

And she was gone. I was left standing like a retarded idiot in the middle of the room. If I still couldn't feel her skin on me, and her taste on my mouth I would've thought that I was hallucinating. But it really happened, and just under Weasley's nose.

-Mother will love the news.