Chapter 14

The following months following the Halloween Ball, Hermione became the object of evil glares and snide remarks from the other girls, mainly from Slytherin. Her newfound relationship with Draco was starting to become troublesome for her from others, but she wasn't letting it get to her, much.

She finally made it back to the Head dorms and threw herself down in her oversized armchair. she plopped her bag down beside her and she threw her legs over the side. She closed her eyes and tried to get her brain to shut down from the day. End of term exams had just finished up and she was tired. She let her mind drift to Draco. Did he really love her? Could he? She was in her own head and didn't noticed when the blonde running through her mind had walked in.

Draco walked in the door, exhausted from the day. He dropped his bag beside the large table and looked around the room to eat if Hermione had come in already. He smiled when he seen her legs dangling over her oversized chair. He walked over to see her eyes closed, deep in thought. He always knew when she was thinking because her forehead had creases between her brows. He gently nudged her leg, causing her to jump slightly.

"Draco, don't do that!" Hermione clutched her chest as she sat up.

"Sorry, love. I just wanted to let you know I was here." He chuckled as he scooped her up and sat down. He kissed her Temple and pulled her close. "How were exams?"

Hermione sighed. "You know. Tiresome. I still don't think I done enough on my written parts or put enough effort into the physical areas."

"Don't worry, you're going to pass. You always do. Besides, you're the top of our class."

She shrugged. "How did you do?"

"Same as always. Enough to pass. But it won't do because I'm always a few points under you."

"Don't down yourself. You're smart. You'll do fine."

Draco smiled. She always knew how to make him feel better about himself lately. "So, why don't you tell me what was going on through that pretty little head of yours before I come in."

Hermione sighed. "It's complicated." She looked at the blonde who was eyeing her to finish that statement. "Fine. It's just that, everyone is becoming judgmental and saying rude and snide remarks behind my back or to my face about our relationship. I'm beginning to wonder if it's even worth it." she said, standing up and walking over to the large window over looking the grounds.

Draco stood up and walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her. "Listen to me. No one has any rights to make any kind of remarks to you about our relationship, because that's just it, it's ours. No body else. Fuck what everyone else says. They don't know what we have or how we feel." He turned her around to face him and looked into her beautiful brown eyes. "I love you, Hermione. Don't ever doubt that."

Hermione gasped at Draco's confession. She looked deep in his eyes and could see the truth there. She reached her hand to his cheek and smiled. "I love you, too, Draco."

Draco smiled a smile that Hermione had never seen on him before. He leaned down and took her face in his hands. His lips touched her and she wrapped her arms around his neck and intertwined her fingers in his hair. Draco pulled her in closer to him, his hands on her cheek and the small of her back. When the kiss ended, Hermione smiled.

"Well, Mr. Malfoy, I do say, you know how to produce butterflies in a woman."

"Really now? I have to say you know how to make me blush with your words, Miss Granger."

The moment between the two was interrupted by the knocking on the window. Hermione went to open it and found a beautiful snowy owl with silver around it's eyes, sitting on the window sill, letter attached to it's leg.

"That will be for me. This is Mother's owl, Finia." Draco took the letter, noticing she didn't leave, letting him know his mother wanted a reply.

My Dearest Draco,

I wanted to inform you that we will be having our annual New Year's party this year. I would love to have you home to help me plan. I expect you to come spend Christmas with me this year, seeing as how your Father in looked away and cannot be home. I will see you in a few days, my son.

Love, Mother

Draco folded the letter back up and went to his bag and pulled a piece of parchment and his quill. "I'd like for you to accompany me to Mother's annual New Year's party. She throws one every year and they are boring. People I don't know very well. It would be much more interesting with you there."

Hermione sat on the arm of the chair beside him. "I don't know, Draco. Would your mother accept me coming? I mean, I'm not Pureblood, so I wouldn't fit in with he kind of crowd."

"Mother would want me to be happy. You're what makes me happy." He kissed her hand.

The witch smiled. "Okay, you win. if you want me there, I'll go. Just know, I'm doing this for only you because I love you."

Draco gave her wide grin and began to write his mother and I letter informing her he would indeed be home and would help her plan and also that he would be having a guest attend with him for the party. The rest of the evening consisted of the two of them sitting by the fire and reading. Hermione sitting with her legs under her, Draco's head in her lap. Every once in awhile she would run her fingers through his hair.

The two of them sat and enjoyed the company in silence, knowing they would be apart for awhile during the holidays.

A/N: Hello my lovelies! I'm back! I'm so happy to be back writing this story for you all. I received an amazing Christmas gift from the husband, a tablet with attachable keyboard just so I could write my stories! Hopefully I can keep up with writing this now instead of on my phone like I have previously done. I hope you have stuck with me. This is just a little filler, I'm working my way up to where I want this to go. Reviews please! and let me know what you would like to see in this lovely story.