Hermione smiled and leaned in toward Draco stopping just shy of his lips. "Dad does too. He just won't admit it. I overheard him telling mum before."
Draco smiled and kissed her lips. Before she knew it Draco had put her onto her back and his lean body was now pressed against her own; kissing her more deeply. Her hands travelled up his back as she removed his t-shirt. His hand moved lightly over her stomach as he made his was up her shirt. There was a knock on the bedroom door and Draco quickly removed his hand, lay on his back and pretended to be asleep.
"Come in" Hermione said quietly, smiling at his ruse.
Her father entered the bedroom, his eyes squinted a little as he noticed Draco lying shirtless next to his daughter. They softened slightly as he realised that he was asleep. He sat down quietly beside Hermione on the bed, clearing his throat gently.
"I just wanted to tell Draco..." he made a pained expression like it was torturing him to say what was on his mind. He turned to look straight into Hermione's eyes. "It is difficult for a father to realise that he isn't the main man in his daughter's life anymore. Letting go is hard. For your whole life I have been the one that you have come to when you were sad or hurt, to give you support when needed. Now, I am forced to take a back seat because you have grown into an intelligent, kind and beautiful young woman capable of making her own decisions. I want you to know Hermione that I will still always be here for you if you ever need me... for any reason. However, I recognise how you and Draco feel for each other and I won't be standing in the way of that. He is a fine young gentleman who I can see cares for you deeply."
Hermione hugged her father tightly. "I love you dad."
"I love you too." He stood up suddenly. "I'll let you get to sleep" he finished awkwardly then left the bedroom.
Draco's eyes flicked open as soon as the door had closed, he was smirking.
"You make a very convincing sleeping person" Hermione said laughing lightly.
"I thought that it would be easier, if it was your father, to take me being asleep in your bed then if I were awake."
"Especially because you are shirtless."
"Yeah that too." He looked down at his own bare chest. "So your father does actually like me then."
"I told you so. He isn't a bad man. Even if he is a muggle" she joked.
Draco ignored her comment and kissed her cheek. "Now where was I" he smiled as he kissed her again.
"Hermione. Draco. Breakfast" Mrs. Granger called through the bedroom door.
Hermione sat up sleepily, shaking Draco lightly to wake him up. He pulled her back down onto the bed and into a tight hug, kissing her forehead. "Not yet" he said sleepily, his eyes still closed. Hermione cuddled into his body. She soaked in the feeling of his body against her own. Draco had woken her three times the night before to save her from her nightmares of his father. After a few minutes he squeezed her quickly then let go, standing up and getting dressed.
"Better not keep them waiting too long."
Hermione watched the movement of his body as he bent, turned and reached, smiling to herself. Draco turned buttoning up his long sleeve shirt, and saw that Hermione was watching him from the bed; she hadn't moved. He smirked.
"Like what you see?" His voice taking on the arrogant tone that he was so used to adapting in public.
Hermione answered by pulling him toward her and kissing him passionately. Draco forced himself to pull away after a few moments.
"Breakfast" he said breathlessly.
Hermione smiled, knowing that it had taken all of his energy to pull away and say the single word. She quickly dressed and led him down the stairs to the kitchen.
After breakfast Mr. Granger took Draco into the garden to discuss his intentions from the previous night. Hermione watched them through the kitchen window as she cleaned the dishes with her mother. Their expressions were serious and determined. Draco's aristocratic training was evident; his posture perfect and body language formal. Draco stood gracefully and shook Mr. Grangers hand before turning towards the house; smirking as he noticed Hermione watching them.
"I can do that Mrs. Granger" he said taking the tea towel from her hands. "Hermione can show me where to put everything."
Mrs. Granger smiled, commenting on his lovely manners and joined her husband in the garden.
"Well?"
"You need to tell me what I'm doing" he was holding up the partially wet tea towel with a confused look on his face.
Hermione quickly demonstrated the muggle way of drying dishes and posted her question again.
"He basically just told me what he said to you last night but we talked a little about what my intentions with you were. He also told me that he came to the room last night when he heard you screaming but left because he heard me consoling you, apparently that meant a lot to him because it means he can trust me to be there for you."
"He heard me screaming?"
"It wasn't quiet."
Hermione stood silently at the sink, starring out the window. She had obviously realised that her screams escaped into the real world but she hadn't realised how audible they actually were. She felt Draco turn her towards him. He had one hand on her waist, the other holding her cheek gently.
"Hey. He can't hurt you anymore. If it isn't me to protect you it will be your father or Ginny okay. There will always be someone there for you."
"I just didn't realise quite how much it affected me I guess. For dad to actually come to the room..." she said meekly.
Draco bent his knees so their eyes were level. "Hermione I will help you through this okay. In any way that I can. Tell me what you need and I will do it. Anything."
Hermione pulled Draco into a tight hug, burying her face into his chest. The dishes lay abandoned as they stood silently in the kitchen.
"I don't know what I would do without you Draco."
"Me either."
She could hear the smile in his voice. Suddenly she thought of something her head snapping up to meet his gaze. "So what are your intentions with me?"
"You'll just have to wait to find out." Draco kissed her cheek, laughing as Hermione pouted and let go of him to return to the dishes.
