Later that night, Draco and Hermione picked up Aria and returned home. They walked to their own room as soon as Aria had been tucked in.

'So...er...where do you want me to sleep?' Draco asked.

'Well, considering Aria could burst in like she did yesterday, in the bed,' Hermione said as innocently as she felt was possible considering what she was saying.

'Are you sure?' he checked.

'Yes. You just wait here for five minutes so I can get changed.' Hermione went into the room, hurriedly put on her pyjamas from the night before, and opened the door again.

'Hermione, you look like you're still seventeen. Do you know that?' he commented.

'Thank you. And, because I look so young, you wouldn't try anything with me, would you?' she teased.

'Ah, but you forget that I still have my seventeen-year-old mind,' he grinned, with a trademark double eyebrow raise.

Hermione smirked. 'Goodnight.'

Draco bent down and kissed her cheek. As he was straightening up, Hermione impulsively turned her head and kissed him swiftly on the lips.

'Goodnight,' Draco said, smiling at her.

Hermione climbed into bed and fell asleep before Draco even got in.

Hermione was jolted awake, not by a small blonde-haired girl jumping on her, but by Draco screaming out in his sleep.

'Shhh. Draco, wake up. Wake up,' Hermione murmured, gently shaking him. He stayed asleep, tossing and making incoherent noises. So much for waking him up gently. She shook him harder. He sat bolt upright, breathing heavily.

'It was just a nightmare. You're right here,' he said, touching her cheek.

'What happened in your dream?'

'It was the final battle. You-know-who had been killed by Harry, but...'

'But what?'

'Lucius was still alive, even if just barely. He raised his wand and began the killing curse. Pointed at you.'

'You screamed out,' Hermione said quietly, running her fingers through his hair to soothe him.

'What did I say?'

' "No!" '

'I wasn't fast enough. I couldn't save you. You were killed,' Draco said mournfully.

'It was just a dream, though,' Hermione comforted. 'I'm glad you did try to save me from your father, even if was just a dream. Now, lets go back to sleep.' She rolled over, and curled up with her head on her pillow.

Draco curled up behind her and put his arm over top of her waist tentatively. Hermione clasped his hand in hers, sighed contentedly, and fell asleep.

'Wake up, Hermione.'

She opened her eyes. Ow. Light.

'Nope,' she decided, 'I'm too tired. Come back later. I'm going back to sleep.'

'I'll put my ice-cold hands on your face,' Draco warned her.

Hermione sat up. 'I'm awake. No cold hands.' She put a hand out. Draco took it and helped her up. It was warm. 'You! Your hands aren't the least bit cold!' she berated him.

'Well, maybe not. But you did wake up, didn't you?' he grinned.

'Why do you want me up, anyhow?' she asked as she walked into the closet, closing the door behind her.

'I sort of made breakfast, and thought you might like some,' he answered.

He can cook?

After dressing hurriedly, she came out, and threw her arms around his neck.

'You made me breakfast?!' she asked happily.

'Yes,' Draco said.

'That was so sweet of you.'

Hermione was drawing away, but then decided his lips were too tempting, and kissed him, tightening her embrace instead of loosening it. Draco put his arms around her and kissed her back.

'So,' she said after their kiss. 'Shall we go down to the kitchen?'

'I'd so much rather stay up here,' Draco said in a low voice.

'Draco!' said Hermione. 'Naughty boy.'

'Should I take that as a no?' he asked.

'Take it as a later,' Hermione responded.

'Really?' he asked, raising an eyebrow.

'Maybe,' Hermione said innocently. She pulled away from him and left the room. Then she returned shortly.

'Back so soon?' he drawled.

She swatted his arm playfully. 'I don't know how to get to the kitchen.'

'Well, I do,' said Draco loftily, offering her his arm.

Hermione looped her arm through his. She smiled and held her cheek up for a kiss. Draco obliged, of course, and after that they went down to the kitchen.