Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Les Mis. I don't make money from this fic.
November 28, 2000 London, England - Theo's Flat
"What do you mean you're not leaving?" Theo demanded, looking quite red in the face. Hermione and Draco merely shared a look, not budging from their seats.
"It's really a very simple concept, Theo. Hermione and I won't be returning to our respective homes tonight, in favor of spending the night with you." Draco said, then looked to Hermione. "Was that scientific enough? Perhaps you ought to explain." Hermione smirked at that.
"Yes, Hermione, perhaps you ought to, as this dunderhead isn't giving me a direct answer." Theo retorted.
"Theo, we know what today is; you've been avoiding us when we ask you how you're doing, you've obviously still been sleeping horrendously, if the bags under your eyes and your trouble focusing at work are any indication. We're worried about you, Theo. You've spent the past twelve years grieving alone on this day, and we just want you to know that you don't have to any more." Hermione said.
Theo looked at her warily.
"So you're not going to leave me because you care?" he asked slowly.
"Remember that morning in sixth year, Theo? What you told me works both ways. If I can help it, I'll never leave you. Especially when you need a brother." Draco told him.
"I'm still getting used to the whole 'I-have-a-family' thing." Theo admitted, slumping his shoulders slightly and dropping into the armchair next to him. "Draco, you've been like a brother since school, but then you disappeared for nearly two years. I know why, I don't blame you because you couldn't help it, it's just hard opening back up, I guess. And Hermione, I've been playing big brother to you for nearly a year. You'd think I'd get it through my thick skull that I can trust you like you trust me." Theo laughed half heartedly.
"There's a learning curve, always is. But we don't want you to be alone tonight, even it's just a normal night. It would put my mind at ease knowing that if you need someone, we're just in the next room." Hermione told him. Something must have clicked in Theo's head, because his expression changed a bit, and he looked to Draco.
"You told her." Theo said. It wasn't a question, it was a statement.
"It's scary how you just know things sometimes, mate." Draco shook his head. "Yes, I was worried about you, and I had to explain why. I hope you're not too mad." Theo's face looked like a mask, an expression that Hermione was used to him exhibiting when he was deep in thought. Suddenly, he stood, moving over to the door, where his work bag hung on a coat rack, returning to his seat with it. He looked up to the pair of anxious faces with a smile.
"Well, if you're spending the night, we might as well make it a productive one. I always find the best answers to philosophical questions are proposed at two in the morning and are usually helped along with a bit of alcohol." He told them. Draco and Hermione's faces lit up and they visibly relaxed. Hermione stood, moving to the familiar kitchen and bringing back a bottle of wine and three glasses.
"I know you two typically prefer harder stuff, but we do still have work tomorrow." She said. Theo grinned.
"As long as Draco doesn't turn into a wine snob and criticize my taste in wine, I'm perfectly happy with it." Theo chuckled. Draco looked insulted, and Hermione couldn't tell if it was real or an act.
"Me? A wine snob?" He asked, looking at the bottle and making a face, but quickly catching himself. "Okay, I can perhaps see what you mean. I'll try to not be a prat." Draco said seriously. Hermione burst out laughing at that, shaking her head at the two. It was going to be an interesting night.
Theo and Hermione stayed up late into the night, discussing different theories about any number of philosophical topics ranging from the true nature of time to the existence of an afterlife. Draco was equally involved in the conversation until he could no longer hold his eyes open and padded off to the guest room around midnight. He had protested to taking the bed, but Hermione told him she wasn't going to be sleeping anytime soon and that when she did, the couch would be fine.
Theo and Hermione finished another bottle of wine by themselves before Theo's usually well-thought-out sentences became slightly slurred and incomprehensible due to exhaustion. Hermione made him go to bed, helped along with the last of her dreamless sleep potion, around one thirty. She returned to the living room sleepily after changing into a pair of her shorts she'd left during her stay with Theo and a borrowed t-shirt, grabbing the blanket Draco had laid out for her before he'd gone to sleep. As soon as she layed down on the couch, she was wide awake.
She felt strange. She knew she wasn't alone, Theo and Draco were just down the hall, she had spent all day with them. And yet, in that moment, alone on the couch, a wave of loneliness hit her like a wave crashing on the sand. She felt herself slipping into a panic and pushed herself up from the couch.
She paced back and forth in the little living room, a coping mechanism for pent up anxiety she'd learned. She tried to focus on her breathing, even counting backwards from one hundred, but nothing seemed to be working. She quickly exhausted her list of coping skills and knew the next step was reaching out to someone. Theo was out of the question, as he'd just gone to sleep with the aid of a potion and wouldn't wake up til it wore off in several hours. So that left Draco. Hermione debated waking him for nearly half an hour until she realized if she didn't, she likely wouldn't sleep at all.
She crept into the guest room, opening the door softly. She closed the door behind her and stood blinking in the darkness for a moment to let her vision adjust. Once she could see, she padded over to Draco, gently touching his shoulder and calling his name quietly. He jolted awake, a scared look in his eyes.
"What- huh?" He asked, looking around. Hermione had retreated slightly at his violent reaction but she laid a slightly trembling hand on his arm to calm him. Draco seemed to become instantly more alert at her touch.
"Hermione." He muttered, his eyes meeting her face. He sat up, a hand gently caressing her arm. "What's wrong, love? Is it Theo?" She shook her head quickly.
"N-no. Theo is in bed, gave him some dreamless sleep and sent him off nearly an hour ago. I'm just-" Hermione laughed slightly at herself. "I'm really anxious for no apparent reason and I couldn't handle it on my own." Draco's grip on her arm tightened a little, providing more security somehow.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart." Draco murmured. "What can I do?"
"Could we, erm- cuddle, maybe?" Hermione asked, her cheeks heating. Draco chuckled softly before moving over in the bed and pulling her by the hand into bed with had only worn his boxers to bed, and that fact hit Hermione rather suddenly. She situated herself in the bed, feeling rather self-conscious at being in bed with a half-naked Draco. She was in no way a prude, but in her current mental state, even the slightest awkward moments were subject to over analysis. She felt Draco slip an arm behind her head. He was on his side, using his other hand to trace patterns along Hermione's arm.
"Relax, love. It's just me. I've got you." Draco murmured in her ear.
Hermione let herself think back to their kiss in the field, the euphoria she'd felt that night, and the tension in her limbs drained away. She turned towards Draco, burying her face into his chest. His arms wrapped tightly around her and Hermione focused on his breathing instead of hers. She focused on the feeling of Draco's fingers running across the skin of her arms, rubbing her back in soothing circles. She listened to his heart beat, timing her breathing with it. She inhaled his scent and melted into his arms as though she was meant to be there all along.
"There you go, love. How are you feeling?" He asked her gently. Hermione took a deep breath, assessing her mental state carefully.
"Much better. I'm actually getting sleepy again." She murmured into his chest.
"Go to sleep. I'll be right here when you wake up." Draco told her, giving her a gentle squeeze to emphasize his point.
"You're right, Draco." Hermione mumbled, looking up into his eyes, her eyelids feeling heavy.
"I usually am, but what about, specifically?" Draco asked with a chuckle
"Being next to you, knowing that I'm not alone. There's nothing like it. You make me feel safe." She told him. He dropped a kiss on the top of her head, smiling down at her.
"I'm glad I can make you feel safe, love." Draco whispered, his hand brushing some of her hair out off of her face. "Sleep well, sweetheart."
She drifted off to sleep, finally feeling calm and relaxed.
November 29, 2000 London, England - Theo's Flat
"If you two don't wake up, we're going to be late for work." Theo's voice carried through the guest room and jolted Hermione awake. It apparently had the same effect for Draco, who tightened his grip on Hermione protectively.
"Finally. There's coffee made, but I'm not sure you'll have time for a shower." Hermione turned over to see Theo leaning against the doorframe, dressed already, his robes still left open showing off his slacks, button up, and tie. His hair was still a little damp and he held a cup of coffee. Hermione blushed at her best friend, realizing Draco's hand was still wrapped around her waist.
"Theo, I-" Hermione started, but Theo was apparently two steps ahead of her.
"You don't need to explain yourselves to me, Hermione. I'm just glad you both look more well-rested than I've ever seen you, and neither of you were talking or struggling in your sleep." Theo told her. She looked the man's face over, studying him carefully before she smiled.
"You look rested, too." She commented. He nodded, grinning.
"What can I say, I had a great night with friends. You tired me out, slipped me a potion, and took me to bed. It was a great night." Theo waggled his eyebrows at Hermione. She giggled and felt Draco sit up in the bed behind her, pulling her close to him.
"If I hadn't spent half the night with her in my arms, I'd be suspicious of you two. But as I did, I have to concur with Hermione for once, Theo. You're a pervert." Draco said groggily.
"I maybe a pervert, but it got you out of bed, now, didn't it? Seriously, get a move on, you two! You're slower than Christmas this morning." Theo chuckled, shaking his head and padding down the hall towards the kitchen.
Hermione looked back over her shoulder, leaning into Draco's bare chest.
"Thank you. You really helped a lot last night." she murmured.
"I'd be lying if I said you didn't help me sleep better, too, 'Mione. And I love having you in my arms." Draco murmured close to her ear, his arm wrapped around her waist and hugging her close to him to emphasis his point. She blushed, looking away from him. He caught her chin with one hand, lifting it until her eyes met his.
"Have I told you lately you're beautiful?" Draco muttered. Hermione bit her bottom lip, her blush deepening.
"You may have mentioned it." she replied. He cupped her cheek, his thumb caressing her skin gently. He leaned in and kissed her softly, and Hermione tilted her head, deepening the kiss. This kiss felt different than their first. It held more heat, more passion. Hermione frowned when he pulled away, not wanting the feeling to end.
"If we don't get going, Theo's likely to have an aneurysm." Draco chuckled. Hermione smiled and nodded, stretching as she stood and headed for the bathroom. She felt amazing as she got dressed and attempted to tame her unruly hair. For the first time in months, she felt like she could take on anything. She smiled at herself in the mirror. Things were looking up.