.Chapter Two.
Over the next couple of weeks, Draco and Hermione's friendship blossomed at the dismay of Harry and Ron. They looked outright delirious and shot looks of cold blooded murder at Draco whenever possible. All this didn't matter to Draco. Having Hermione's friendship was all that mattered to him and his spirit soared whenever he was near her. Things between the two were merely friendship until one chilly November evening.
Hermione was trying to concentrate on her potions assignment but thoughts of a certain blond-haired boy kept popping in her mind. She slowly allowed herself to drift into a peaceful sleep with thoughts of Draco clouding her mind. Draco slipped out of his room to grab a quick snack when he saw Hermione peacefully napping on the couch. He stopped and just took in the site of her-the way her hair fell into her face, her soft pink lips, and her delicately tan skin. Her blanket had slipped off and some of her cleavage was showing which caused Draco to blush. He quietly tiptoed over to her and covered her once more. His fingers brushed ever so slightly against her shoulder and her hazel eyes fluttered open to meet his icy gray ones.
"Malfoy?" she inquired sleepily.
"Call me Draco." he whispered in her ear. Goosebumps erupted all over her body as his warm sultry breathe caressed her skin. She smiled genuinely up at him.
"Draco," she stated, "Call me Hermione." she smiled. He nodded in understanding and made to get up off the couch to let Hermione sleep.
"Draco, please stay." she pleaded with her eyes full of hope. Without another word, Draco settled himself behind her and wrapped his arms protectively around her waist. He felt her tense up at first but after a couple of moments, she relaxed into his strong embrace. Her eyes fell shut and she was again overcome by sleep, this time with a small smile. Draco looked down upon her and he couldn't believe it. Here he was, lying next to the girl of his dreams. He carefully brushed her hair out of her face and kissed her cheek.
"Good nite my love." he whispered in her ear. All was right in Draco's mind as he drifted into the most peaceful sleep he had ever encountered.
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Hermione awoke the next day in the arms of Draco Malfoy. At first, she was scared because she didn't remember inviting his company last night. Her thoughts finally collected and she smiled at his presence. She turned to face him. She smiled adoringly at his innocent features. His supple pink lips were slightly open and his wispy blond hair lay scattered about his handsome face.
"Good Morning Draco" she whispered in his ear. Draco awoke but didn't open his eyes.
"Good morning Hermione," he smiled. He pulled her closer to him and kissed her forehead tenderly. He opened his eyes and smiled at the now blushing, but positively beaming Hermione.
"How about some breakfast beautiful?" he asked while carefully stroking her hair. She nodded happily and got up to take a shower. Draco slowly clambered off the couch and called Dobby into the common room.
"Good morning Master Malfoy," Dobby trembled reverently with a bow. Draco got down to Dobby's level and bid him a good morning.
"Dobby, could you send up some breakfast for me and the lovely head girl?" he asked kindly.
"Of co..cou..course master!" Dobby stuttered excitedly.
"Good, and make it special." Draco winked. Dobby left with a pop and Draco settled himself into the couch again and started a fire with his wand. A few minutes later, Dobby reappeared with a tray of pancakes, eggs, sausages, and anything else anyone could ever ask for. He also revealed a bouquet of fresh pink roses.
"For the head girl," Dobby squeaked.
"Good man Dobby! This is perfect." Draco exclaimed. Dobby nodded and with a pop, disappeared again. Hermione stumbled out of the shower enveloped in thoughts of Draco. She wanted nothing more to be more than friends with him but she shook her head sorrowfully. "He doesn't want me. He's out of my league." she whispered to herself sadly. She quickly got dressed and jogged down the stairs to meet Draco.
"Mmm, it looks wonderful!" she exclaimed while eying the feast hungrily.
"These," Draco said presenting the roses," are for you."
"Oh Draco!" she gasped, "They're beautiful!" she beamed. She threw her arms around his neck in thanks and lingered there for a while taking in his scent. She pulled away to find his hands still wrapped around the small of her back. He leaned in and Hermione knew what was about to take place. His lips met hers softly and she smiled into the kiss. He licked his lips playfully across hers and she opened her mouth to allow him entrance. Her heart soared. So many pent emotions of love and desire were all released in this moment. She held his face with her small hands and kissed him back. They stood utterly enveloped in each other for a couple lingering moments. They broke for air and Hermione gazed into Draco's eyes. His raw emotions were clearly visible in his soft gray eyes. He had never experienced such a heartfelt kiss. He knew in this moment that he had to have her for himself.
"Hermione," he whispered while gazing into her loving hazel eyes. "Be my girl?" he asked with a voice full of hope. Hermione smiled softly.
"Of course Draco." she whispered back. Draco had the biggest smile plastered onto his face. He drew her in for a hug and whispered, "Let's eat." They settled in for large breakfast and ate in a blissful silence. They sat together on the couch after a satisfying breakfast and talked of themselves and asked questions to get to know each other.
"Are you an only child?" Hermione asked Draco.
"Yes, I dare say that another Malfoy would wreck havoc at Hogwarts." he smiled gently. Hermione giggled femininely. She laid her head on his defined chest and asked another question that plagued her thoughts.
"What about you parents? What will they think of me?" she inquired softly. Draco frowned at the question. He inwardly wrestled with the question debating whether or not he should reveal the answer to her. Hermione opened her mouth to apologize about her sensitive question but Draco cut her off.
"They're dead." He said blankly. Hermione's eyes widened in surprise and sorrow.
"Oh Draco, I'm so sorry. I should have never brought it up." she replied sadly. She hugged him tighter as tears threatened to fall from her eyes.
"Don't be." he whispered. "I had to tell you sometime. Their death is the whole reason I joined the order. I was living under my father's tyranny and constant pressure to become a death eater. We constantly fought at my mother's expense. She loved me and she pleaded with my father to spare me of his fate. He was angered severely and he…he killed her." Draco hung his head in sadness. Tears were flowing from his beautiful eyes and Hermione reached up to brush them away.
"I'm so sorry Draco. I don't know what else to say." tears were now steadily making their way down her face. Draco continued his story.
"My father was killed by Voldemort. He had failed a couple missions and Voldemort had enough." he hissed in disgust. "After my father's death, all of our family possessions passed down to me since I was of age. I had no idea what to do with myself. I knew it was only a matter of time before Voldemort came after me too. That's when I turned to the order for refuge." he murmured. He looked down and saw the tears flowing from Hermione's eyes. His heart was touched. No one besides his mother had ever cried on his behalf before. He leaned down to kiss her tears away and held her close.
Meanwhile in the Gryffindor common room, Harry and Ron were puzzled at Hermione's absence from breakfast.
"The ferret was gone too," Ron snarled vehemently. "If he lays one finger on her I'll…arggg!" he cried in defeat. Harry laid his hands on Ron shoulders consolingly.
"Come on mate, let's go up and check on her. Maybe she's just not feeling well." Harry and Ron made their way up to the Head Boy and Girl dormitories. Harry silently pleaded with the Gods for a perfectly innocent explanation of why Hermione wasn't at breakfast-for Ron and Draco's sake. When they reached the painting of an elegant princess, they stated the password.
"Amore Sbocciante" Ron stated rather dully. The portrait swung open to reveal the warm common room and Draco and Hermione in each other's arms talking peacefully. Ron furious to say the least.
"You bastard! How dare you touch her?!" Ron screamed as he ran towards Draco with a fist raised. Hermione looked up in surprise and screamed with fright.
"Weasel, you shall not raise your fist in front of a lady." Draco hissed as he stood to shield Hermione from view. Ron was slightly taller than Draco but Draco was far more built. Cold grey eyes clashed with electric blue ones as they stared at each other with disgust. Ron finally turned from Draco to look at Hermione who was cowering behind Draco.
"Hermione! Why are you associating with the likes of him?!" he snarled with a voice full of hate.
"How could you do this to Harry and I!?" He bellowed as his face turned the shade of his hair.
"You stupid-"Ron was violently cut off by Draco's fist.
"You WILL NOT talk to her that way Weasel!" Draco declared as he and Ron continued to fight on the common room floor. The outburst sent Hermione into a fit of tears. Harry, who had been merely an observer rushed to Hermione's side.
"Shhhh, it will be ok. They're just being boys." He whispered as he took her into his arms.
"I don't want any of them to get hurt." Hermione sobbed. "Please stop them," she pleaded with despair. Harry nodded and took out his wand.
"Immobulus!" Harry bellowed as he pointed his wands to the tumble of blond and red hair. The two men froze involuntarily. Their eyes still glared daggers at each other but their bodies no longer were allowed to inflict damage. Hermione quickly stepped over to the two boys with rage in her expression.
"Ronald Weasley! I have never been so embarrassed in my life! You have no right to barge in here and just attack me about my decisions!" She screamed on the brink of explosion with fury. "I want you out of my room now, Ron! And don't you dare talk to me again unless there is an apology involved!" She muttered "Finite Incantatum" bitterly and kept her wand trained on Ron has he stalked out of the portrait hole. Harry apologized for his friend's actions and ran out of the room to find him. Hermione turned her attention to Draco who was still frozen.
"Finite Incantatum" she whispered. "Draco, I'm so sorry about Ron. He can be a real git sometimes." she apologized.
Draco pulled himself off the floor and was sporting a bloody lip and the beginnings of a black eye. Upon spotting his injuries, Hermione ran to him and enveloped him in a hug.
"Oh Draco, I'm so sorry."
"Don't be, he had no right to call you names and I was defending you. No one calls my girlfriend stupid." He smiled at her. He liked the sound of that. 'My girlfriend.' he thought in wonder.
Hermione wiped the blood from his mouth and gave him a quick kiss.
"Thank you." she smiled.