Chapter 10: Safe Haven

At first I wasn't full registering what was happening. Was Malfoy really kissing me? Was I letting him? Suddenly I found myself leaning into him and kissing him back. It was as though there was a fight in my sub conscious about if this was actually happening and if it even should happen. I felt his one hand leave my back and I started to pull away thinking he meant it was over. Before I could move, his arm was back around me.

"Closed the drapes." He murmured against my lips as he put his wand on the dresser and pulled me closer.

My head was spinning, I wasn't even sure my brain was in control of my actions anymore. I ran my fingers through his hair. I felt his hands settle on my hips and play with the hem of my shirt. I don't know if he realized but suddenly I felt his fingers ever so slightly graze my skin and that is when control washed over me and I jumped back. I let out a slight gasp and I put some distance between us. The look in his eyes was confusion which was turning into panic.

"Wha…" He started

"No, just don't speak for a second." I said, maybe a bit too hastily. I took a deep breath and sighed, looking at him, trying to figure out what to say. All of a sudden he sat down.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Granger, I have known you for a while, and I am guessing you are trying to form your opinion and pick out all of your words from your thesaurus. Basically this," He gestured to my current state of disbelief, "is going to take a bit."

"What the hell was that?" I blurted out, much to his surprise.

"Granger, just think for a second…"

"No. What did you just do?"

"I kissed you."

"Why?"

"Well I thought it was a good idea at the time. Your current look however, well I am torn between apparating somewhere far away and kissing you again so you can't punch me in the face."

"Do not kiss me again and I will not punch you in the face."

"Forgive me, if I don't trust your control on that last part. Unfortunately the look of pleasure on your face from that incident is forever burned into my head."

"Ok fair enough I suppose. But I am serious Draco, we should not have done that."

"Why not?"

"Because, it's…well we aren't…it just shouldn't have happened ok." I said walking to my bed and sitting down on the edge so that I was facing him as he sat on the chair.

"I liked kissing you." He said. He was smirking but I knew he was being serious.

"Well you shouldn't."

"Did you like kissing me?"

"That is irrelevant."

"On the contrary, I think it is very relevant Granger. Listen, what is going on? Is it Weasley? Potter? Your parents? My parents?"

"What do Ron and Harry have anything to do with this?"

"Well besides the fact that we share a mutual feeling of hatred towards each other and that you and Weasley were, well I don't really know what you were."

"We were nothing. We kissed. Once. We thought we might die. We are just friends. He is happy with Lavender."

"Ok well then Potter?"

"He is like a brother to me."

"Then I really don't see the problem."

"We are Malfoy and Granger. I know we have become friends but I just don't think this is a good idea. Now I have this mission thing I have to do and I don't want anything to complicate it."

"We."

"Pardon?"

"We have this 'mission thing'. I told you I am with you on this. I kissed you because I wanted to. I want to kiss you and I want you to trust me. I trust you Granger. And I think you trust me too."

"I think I do too." I replied. He got up and stood in front of me, taking my hands in his.

"I also think you wanted to kiss me too. And that you liked it."

"You think too much." He laughed.

"I don't think you, of all people, can say that to someone." He bent down and kissed my cheek.

"What about…" I started.

"I don't care what anyone thinks." He answered as he kissed my other cheek.

"But…"

"Now who's thinking too much? Hermione, please give me a chance." He said.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I knew why she was being guarded. I should probably be taking a page from her book but it had been so long since I felt safe, and like I was somewhere I could let my guard down that I didn't want to fight it.

I heard a faint sigh of "ok", escape her mouth. I kissed her ever so gently, even though it was killing me to do so. I knew I had to go slow with her. She is not like the others.

"It's late." I said quietly.

"I know. We should sleep."

"Alright, well, goodnight Granger." I said and pulled away. I felt her hand squeeze mine and I stopped and looked at her.

"Did you want to stay?"

"Here?" I asked to make sure I understood her right.

"To sleep? Stay here to sleep?"

"Yes." I said, and she smiled.

"Ok, good. I am, going to change." She said and she went into the Washroom.

I stood still, not really sure what to do. I grabbed my wand from the dresser and put it back in my pocket and sat at the edge of the bed. I heard the door creak open and then stop.

"Can you close your eyes?" I heard her ask from behind the door.

"I've seen you in your night clothes Granger. Remember?"

"Please Malfoy."

"Alright, closing my eyes." I sighed, while mumbling, "This is silly, I have already seen…"

"I can hear you." She scolded me as she tapped my head when she walked by. I could feel her scurry underneath the bed sheets. "Ok. You can open your eyes now."

I turned around to look at her. She was laying down with the covers up to her chin. "Are you sure you want me to stay. You don't look very comfortable."

"I am not used to sharing a bed with a guy. But yes I want you to stay."

"Well, did you want me to leave my clothes on?"

"What do you usually sleep in?" She asked

"Now I know you remember what I sleep in Granger." I smirked at her.

She rolled her eyes, "Well I guess if that is what you are comfortable in. Should I close my eyes?"

"If you want. I don't mind if you watch."

"I meant it when I said sleep only Malfoy." She said.

"I know, I heard you. I promise I will not try anything. You should note that I am not forcing you to make the same promise, so feel free to…"

"Just get in bed." Now she's mad. I smiled and turned around.

"I am taking off my clothes now."

"I am closing my eyes." I heard her say. I could feel her eyes watching me though and I knew she was lying. I considered calling her out on it but, well I guess I should let Granger have some fun. I can always irritate her more tomorrow.

I turned back around and she quickly shut her eyes, acting as though they had been closed the whole time. I pulled back the covers and climbed into bed.

"Ok Granger, I'm in. What is this?" I asked indicating to the pillow in the middle of the bed.

She opened her eyes, "A pillow barrier."

"A pillow barrier? One pillow is classified as a pillow barrier. It isn't even a full sized pillow."

"Nevertheless, I expect you to respect the barrier."

"Don't trust yourself not to climb all over me Granger"

"Very funny, I think we both know which one of us needs this more."

"I was not the one eyeing the other as they undressed."

"I was not!"

"Whatever you have to tell yourself Hermione." I said as I reached over to kiss her cheek before rolling over on to my side.

"You crossed the barrier." I heard her mumble as she shut off the light. "Goodnight Draco."

"Night."

Sometime throughout the night the pillow barrier disappeared, and she ended up with her head on my arm and I had my arm around her waist. I should replace the barrier before she wakes up but I am too comfortable to move and she probably threw the pillow on the floor anyway. I am in my safe haven, and I hope she knows she is in hers as well.

Ok so I feel that this was short, and I know it is a total filler chapter but I just wanted to write something cute. I hope you enjoyed it! Let me know what you think.