AN: Longer? I'd say so. =) And thank you for all the great feedback, it's really appreciated, and it's gonna get even better soon. The character I have in here later on might've died in the Battle of Hogwarts but I'm not sure, ignore it if he's really dead. I'm trying to stay pretty accurate. And as always, let me know what you think.
If Hermione had believed things had changed, now it seemed as if they truly had. She found herself greeting each new day in Draco Malfoy's arms, laying comfortably against his chest. He still was very closed off and both parties usually kept to themselves during the day. But the night was always theirs. She would tell him about her trials in trying to free them and he would listen, glad to hear her voice so near to him. It wasn't much…but it was certainly something. The mood itself seemed lighter now and even the scars that covered his arms became a thing of the past. He wasn't ashamed. He had promised not to do it again and he meant it, for her.
"So Malfoy how many girls have you been with?" Hermione said teasingly to him, using his last name with ease, almost like a joke. They stood in the kitchen of the Manor, just having eaten dinner. They leaned casually across from each other, simply asking questions for the sake of asking.
"Truthfully? A good few. And not all at Hogwarts either." Draco said with a small smirk as his grey eyes met hers. The answer inevitably troubled her a bit, but the next one bubbled to her lips without a second thought.
"And how many of them did you love?" Instantly she knew she'd ask the wrong question. He stiffened slightly, the smirk vanishing from his face.
"I don't believe in love." Liar….He thought to himself as he spoke the words. Part of him did believe, the same part which believed he may in fact be in love with the girl before him. How could he not love her? For years he had treated her like the dirt in which he walked over and still she found it in her heart to forgive him, care about him even. She was his fire, burning and passionate in everything she did. Watching her face twist in concentration as she would try to figure out the mystery of their entrapment captivated him. She had seen him at his worst and didn't walk away. And she was stunning. Standing before him he felt breathless as he looked at her, her brown curls tied up and maintained. Her brown eyes so curious and worried about what she had said…her lips so pink and waiting to be kissed, flush on the mouth. Even her body with it's womanly curves fascinated him. Why had he never understood before?
"And why don't you? Isn't there supposed to be someone out there for everyone? A soul mate?"
"Do you honestly believe that? It's bullocks is what it is," He frowned as he spoke, both looking away from each other, "Love is just a story parents tell their kids to make them feel less alone. I believe in lust. That's what's real. Unless you believe you love the Weasel." Hermione looked back at him, someone saddened.
"I thought I loved him. And I thought he loved me…" Her voice was soft and she shrugged slightly, "You were right about what you said before, he did only want to have sex with me. It wasn't like that at first, he really cared. Things just….changed."
"If your whole bit about love is real then maybe it wouldn't have changed. You don't want some rotten git like him anyway, doesn't know his way around a woman even if someone gave him a bloody map." She smiled slightly at what he said and he shrugged slightly at it himself.
"I do believe in love though, even if it's just a fairytale. I have to believe in something…We can't all be destined to be alone forever." She said softly as she looked at him and he scoffed at what she said, looking away.
"That's the rub isn't it though? We're always going to be alone Hermione. You just need to find someone to be alone with. And not that ruddy red haired mess. I may not know a lot about what you call love but I know he wasn't it." She leaned forward at his words, their eyes meeting once more.
"How can you be sure of that? Maybe there was something wrong with me…maybe I'm just…unlovable." She said the last word in a near whisper and a small smirk spread across his lips as he crossed his arms, still looking at her.
"You're bloody blind. Supposed to be the smartest witch of our time and you can't see what's right in front of you. You're lovable. It's him with the problem. Careless is what it is. Haven't you seen the git try and fly a broom? I'm surprised he's wise enough to ride it the right way," She smiled slightly as she blinked back the tears that threatened her eyes, Draco stepped closer to her, "Don't let him ruin what you believe in alright? And me either for that matter. There was never anything wrong with you, it was him. I saw it firsthand didn't I? You're damn loveable Granger." He reached out and lightly touch his cool fingertips against her warm cheeks and her eyes closed, welcoming the touch. He watched her face and felt the warm under his fingertips, enough to rip him apart. Even the words he said terrified him. Very careful not to reveal anything too deep. Because this girl was certainly lovable. She was the essence of love in his mind.
"It still feels like I have a hole in my chest." Hermione said as she opened her eyes and looked at him. Merlin…he really is something…The part of her that had hated the fact she felt this was slowly given in to the part that cared for this boy. He was different, he still had rough edges but they had been smoothed by war. And she couldn't deny his own manly beauty either. The white blonde hair that was casually pushed back, pieces falling aimlessly in his sharp, gray eyes. Eyes that could rip you open or shelter you away. And now his calloused fingers against her cheek, but they were still gentle, still soft despite the hardness he once possessed. He could've been a statue carved for a museum. But he wasn't…he was real, alive and in front of her. And he was a new man. She stepped closer to him, drawn in by his scent, his presence, his words. Him.
"It all heals. Even if you don't want it to." Their eyes were locked. So close now, so near. It was different then the nights they spent together, that was to keep the demons at bay. But this was so real, so vivid. He spoke softly his last words, both falling into silence. Kiss me….Hermione thought within her own mind, staring into those storm cloud eyes, not daring to speak it aloud. Kiss her….Draco's mind pleaded with him as his hand now went to cup her cheek, teasing him with the fire he so loved. But there was still that damnable space. And in that simple moment, he didn't force himself away, he didn't close himself off. Her lips parted in questioning and it was here he took his chance. A small gasp escaped Hermione's lips as his crashed against hers. Instinctively her arms wrapped themselves around his neck and moved closer, his own arms going securely around her waist as their bodies met, burning and burning. Their lips worked passionately against each others, Draco held her close and didn't plan on letting her go, he could've died having her there in that moment. Hermione pressed herself against him, trying to soothe her beating heart and understand the wave of emotion flooding her head. She was kissing Draco Malfoy…and liking it. He held her firmly, steadily. His lips were soft and sweet, expertly moving against hers. His tongue met hers and it was almost too much. He was so different, so much more than….than….Ron….Draco's hands moved up to her shirt, unbuttoning the front as his lips still locked lustfully with hers. Hermione pulled his shirt over his head without even thinking, the few seconds without his lips on hers seemed like an eternity.
When their lips met again Draco discarded her shirt and threw it on the ground. Hermione's fingers wrapped around his blonde hair and he made a small noise of approval as he pushed her back against the countertop. What am I doing? Hermione asked herself as she ran her hands against his bare, muscled chest. No…I wouldn't even have sex with Ron and I loved him…this isn't right. Her mind kept rationalizing but still she continued to kiss him. Draco lifted her up onto the counter with his strong arms as his lips moved to caress her neck, gently sucking on her pale skin. His hands held her thighs as he trailed his lips across her skin and down to her collarbone, "Wait…Draco…wait," Hermione said breathlessly as his lips found hers again, silencing her. Dirty trick…She thought as she was once more helpless to his kisses. His hands left hers and began to unbuckle his belt and with that she snapped back into reality. She moved her hands from his neck and pushed on his chest, his strong body not so willingly moving from hers, "Draco stop!" She said more firmly, almost yelling as he now moved back to meet her gaze, his own bewildered. She crossed her arms over her chest to conceal herself slightly. He was still breathing heavily as he looked into her eyes, his face becoming a mask as he moved back to allow her to hop off the counter and grab her shirt. He ran a hand through his hair as he turned his back to her, "I'm sorry…" Her voice was soft as she reached a hand out to brush his shoulder but he shrugged it off.
"Don't fucking apologize," He said in a low voice as he turned back to look at her, "Maybe that's why Weasley left….you're a bloody tease." He said with a slight sneer as she glared at him and grasped her shirt against her chest.
"How dare you say that…after everything you said before…"
"Everything I said before?" He let out a cold, dark laugh. The gesture even making him feel upset with himself. Hermione held back tears, "Before you decided to string me along? I don't stand for that. In case you've forgotten, I am Draco fucking Malfoy." She pushed past him and headed for the stairs, turning back to look at him.
"You are the most infuriating human being I have ever had the misfortune to meet!" She yelled at him and he simply let out another cold laugh, glaring at her as hot tears spilled down her cheeks.
"Find somewhere else to sleep tonight then." He said angrily as he grabbed his shirt from the ground.
"Fine! I will!" She yelled as she stormed off towards her own room, tears running down her cheeks. Draco stood there for a moment before letting out a frustrated yell and slammed his hands down against the counter. He'd been so close…right there. He had found paradise within the flames and yet she had refused him. Weasley….he knew the other boy had ruined her enough to make her second guess herself and everything else. And now he'd even made her cry…brilliant. To top it all off he'd be sleeping alone tonight, he knew she wouldn't crack and go to see him so easily. With a sigh he went up to his own room, the taste of her still lingering on his lips.
Hermione had slammed her door shut and flopped down onto her bed, still crying and yet she wasn't completely sure why. She was confused, that much was very clear to her. Only minutes before she had been kissing Malfoy…he of all people…and now the memory of his lips gave her shivers. Yet she had passed away, she had forced him back. In some way he had opened up to her and she stopped it. That thought only made her cry harder, and the sound of his own door slamming shut down the hall. She let the tears flow freely them for herself, for him for Ron who had left her so damaged, and for everything else she couldn't explain. Eventually sleep did find her and she was once more a victim to the night, after a month of being free.
**********
Hogwarts. She was there again, walking the halls. Something was wrong though. Something wasn't right. It was empty and cold now, nothing like the warmth and comfort she had always felt when she went there. She kept walking before realizing someone was there with her, someone was holding her hand. She looked down at the laced fingers and back up at whom she was with. Draco…He turned to her as she looked, somewhat taken aback. He gave her hand a light squeeze and smiled a distant smile at her. 'It's okay…' He said softly as he inclined his head forward and they kept walking. It seemed so natural in a way….walking through the place she once called home hand in hand with her past enemy…ironic. And yet the emptiness frightened her. It was like a part of her knew why it was like this, but she couldn't make it clear in her head. She continued to try and think as they walked down the Grand Staircase and through the big doors into the Great Hall. It was then the realization came back to her.
She tried to scream but it was silenced in her throat. She grabbed Draco's arm and tried to pull hi back but he wouldn't budge. 'You can't stop this Hermione. You can't save us.' He said as he pulled her further into the large room. The tables had been moved, disappeared. Death Eaters moved to block the exit as Hermione and Draco walked in, others had their wands pointed at the heads of people kneeling on the ground, their hands tied. Hermione looked to her left and right and saw all her friends, all those she cared about lined u next to each other at the mercy of the Death Eaters. Ron. Neville. Ginny. Tonks. Lupin. Sirius. Fred. George. Her parents. Luna. Dumbledore. Viktor. Everyone. But Harry….where was Harry? She was frantic now, where was he? Why wasn't anyone doing anything? As if reading her mind, Draco pointed towards the fireplace, his face blank as he did. The flames leapt up and out, Harry falling from them onto the ground, gripping his broken wand. He was covered in blood, some of his limbs twisted. Hermione once more tried to scream for him but couldn't. She couldn't even moved. The fire once more rose and Voldemort walked out from the flames, his black cloak billowing around him as he pointed his wand, and to Hermione's horror, the Elder Wand, at Harry who turned and faced him. In his other hand Hermione realized he held the impossible…Harry's invisibility cloak and the Resurrection Stone. All three of the Deathly Hallows now his.
'Did you truly believe you would triumph? The great Harry Potter….the boy who lived. The one destined to destroy me,' Voldemort said as he let out a wicked laugh and looked around the room at his grinning followers, 'But you have failed. How clever it was to chase my horcrux's how very bright of you. There is no one left to save you now, not even you,' His red, slit eyes met Hermione's and she felt tears run down her cheeks, 'You have killed them all little Mudblood,' She still tried to reach for Harry, to do anything, take his place if she had too, but she was much too late. Voldemort raised his wand and pointed it at Harry's chest, he simply lowered his head and waited for death, everyone was silent, 'Avada Kedavra!' He hissed as a jet of green light shot from his wand and hit Harry, the boy falling back and limp against the ground, his blood staining the floor as his body grew cold. NO! Hermione screamed out in her head, still unable to speak to do anything. Voldemort raised his hand and she knew what was going to happen. Shouts from the Death Eaters sounded in the hall as they all called out the killing curse, and Hermione watched as everyone fell dead around her. It was then she realized between sobs, that Draco wasn't beside her. Her shaking frame turned and saw Lucius Malfoy gripping his sons shoulder, his wand against his temple.
'This is your fault you filthy girl. You Mudblood whore…' Lucius said through gritted teeth as Draco's eyes simply stared into hers as he stood still, not even trying to escape, 'He cared for you, and he will die for it. My only son, a blood traitor… a Mudblood lover…' Hermione shook her head, wanting to save him, protect him, she'd made a promise to help him and now she was powerless. The smallest of smiles came to Draco's lips as he watched her.
'This is all for you…' He said softly as Lucius called out the forbidden words, sending his son crashing to the ground in a mass of green light. Hermione screamed as loud as she could, until her lungs hurt but nothing came out. She had no wand to fight, no will to move her own body. Kill me! She called out with all her might. Kill me! Kill me! Don't leave me here to live! Fucking kill me too! She sobbed and sobbed but the Death Eaters and Voldemort turned away from her and walked casually out of the Great Hall as if they hadn't murdered all the ones she loved. Her brown eyes went to all their dead eyes, frozen in time. And still she cried out her own death wish, not wanting to continue her life, not wanting to keep living in this world any longer.
Hermione was awoken by a hand on her mouth, and her own racking sobs of pain. She was hysterical. Draco's eyes were filled with worry as he watched her, keeping his hand against her mouth. Without warning he pulled her up and against his chest as she buried her head in his chest, still sobbing as she did, gripping onto him for dear life as she tried to regain reality. He was here, he was safe. It was only a dream. His arms were around her, smoothing her hair as he shushed her, "Sorry for being such an insufferable ass before…" She gave a small laugh and pulled back to look at him as he brushed her tears away with his hand.
"It's ok…just don't make me sleep alone again. I can't deal with that every night. I can't watch you all die again." When she made reference to him being included in her dream, he looked at her curiously but shook his head.
"Listen to me Hermione…I woke you up because I think someone's here… a Death Eater, one of the old regime. He's downstairs. You need to stay up here and quiet. I might be able to lock him up or something but if he sees you…..he'll most likely kill you." Their eyes met, realizing their world had been shattered. They wanted to leave the Manor yes…but at the same time it meant it would be over. All of it…and they both knew it. Now someone was there to disturb the little world they alone lived within.
"I'll stay up here…but please be careful Draco. And I'm sorry too…" He shook his head at what she said and stood up, drawing his wand.
"Don't be sorry. I get it, I really do." He said with a very slight smile as he disappeared from her room and headed downstairs. Hermione took a deep breath before finding clothes to throw on, if anything were to happen, she had to be ready to help in any way she could.
Draco cautiously made his way downstairs, wand raised as he heard noises coming from the foyer. He composed himself convincingly as he walked casually down the stairs, seeing the large, broad shouldered man before him, his wand raised too but he lowered it when he saw Draco, a smile on his pock-marked face.
"Draco…you look more like Lucius every day." His words were a secret insult to Draco whose face still remained expressionless.
"So the rumors were true Rookwood, you managed to escape going to Azkaban after all." Draco's eyes met his and he grinned an evil grin.
"That I did. Been wandering around ever since they caught everyone else. I was in the area and I wanted to see if your family was still around. Bloody hard to get in though…it was like a spell was keeping me out or something." Draco's fists clenched at this. Idiot bastard…
"Just me here now. My dad's in Azkaban and my mum died shortly after. It was too much for her, everything that happened." Draco nodded slightly as they both watched each other, a distrusting gaze in both their eyes. A thud sounded upstairs and Draco tried his best to keep composed. What had happened? Rookwood's eyes went to the stairs and then back to Draco's suspiciously.
"I thought you said you were alone here Draco…" The Death Eater's eyes went to Draco's shirt which was rumpled and tear stained from Hermione. He had to think fast now, this man wasn't the brightest of people but he was starting to catch on.
"Ancient house elves I expect. I've been meaning to do away with the older ones but I've been busy…"
"Impedimenta!" The man cried out without warning and Draco froze in place as he disappeared up the stairs. Draco's mind went a mile a minute. The curse would break quickly, but what if he found her before then? What if he was too late?
Hermione heard the spell called out and her eyes widened. She backed away from the top of the stairs and heard footsteps race up. Rookwood came into view, a malicious smirk spreading on his lips as he neared her, wand raised, his eyes filled with hate, "So you're what he's been hiding? What would Lucius think having a dirty little Mudblood in his house?"
"Get away from me…" Hermione said warningly as she watched the man come closer. This was too real, too soon. Just seeing him brought back a thousand old memories of pain to her, to the nightmares she tried to escape. She raised her wand and he laughed.
"Expelliarmus!" He called out and her wand flew away from her as he grabbed both her wrists with his large hands, "You should've died Mudblood. But I won't kill you yet. I'll let him see you with me, let it hurt him…the traitor." He laughed darkly in her ear as he slammed her back against the hallway wall. He ran his hot tongue up her cheek and Hermione struggled to force him off but he was much too strong. It was then the curse broke and Draco ran upstairs, wand out as his eyes widened in fury when he saw Rookwood. Hermione's scared eyes met his, begging for help.
"Get the fuck away from her!" Draco roared and Rookwood simply laughed, grabbing her thigh with his hand as he smirked at Draco.
"Fucking Mudbloods now are you Draco? And I thought you were a Malfoy…" With those words Hermione broght her knee up and slammed it into the man's groin as she ran over to Draco and grabbed her wand, "You little bitch…" He said doubled over in pain, his voice full of anger as he staggered forward towards her, wand raised as Draco stepped in front of her, shielding her with one arm as he pointed his wand at the man. Rookwood growled and charged at them , but this time Draco was ready. He swung his fist and it collided with the man's face who stumbled backwards.
"Avada Kedavra you piece of shit." Draco snarled as a jet of green light came from the tip of his wand and hit the Death Eater, Rookwood looking with slight shock at Draco and Hermione before falling in a great heap on the ground. Draco lowered his wand, still breathing heavily, as he too lowered his head. Hermione's grip on his arm loosened slightly as she too stared at the body. He stepped in front of her field of view, "Go to my room, I'll be there soon. I need to get rid of the body." Draco's voice was very soft as he spoke, a false calm. She nodded slightly, unsure and slightly unable to speak as she slipped past the fallen Death Eater, one of the last, and went into Draco's room.
He watched her go, his mind racing as he dragged Rookwood's body downstairs and outside. The man he killed…Killed…..Killer. Words kept repeating in his head. Maybe he did have the courage to be a murderer after all. But he couldn't let his Hermione be harmed. She was all he had now…all her cared about. No one would jeopardize that, or her life. He made a hole in the garden dirt and tossed the body in, staring down as the man lay limp in the Earth. What had he done? Why had Rookwood even come? It was all so much to comprehend…and now he was just like his father. He didn't even think twice. Draco let the dirt drown Rookwood as these thoughts encircled him, and he knew that he wanted to be back with her, to forget this, as unforgettable as it was. He stared down at the fresh grave once more before turning his back on it, a new fresh wound in his brain to bare.
Hermione crawled into his bed and waited silently for his return. Had that all really happened? Had Draco just murdered that man to save her. It gave her chills thinking about it. She had washed her cheek but could still feel his warm tongue there. It was almost like her nightmares, but this time Draco didn't die, he saved her, they had triumphed. Relief flooded her face as he entered his room, glancing at her before slipping into his bed beside her. He didn't wait for her to crawl into his arms, instead he pulled her close, trapping her against his chest, "You saved my life Draco…Thank…"
"Don't thank me. Don't talk about it. Just let me forget, like you said before. Let's just forget." He said and she obeyed, happy to be back in his arms, away from the pain and the reality. He stayed silent and so did she, both wanting sleep but knowing it wouldn't come tonight. He was a murderer and she had seen. It was all so painfully vivid. But they had each other's arms, and it would save them before daylight came to haunt them again.