Hermione paused, her vision blurring around the edges. Malfoy's confused face came into focus – his hair was matted around his forehead, as if he'd been tossing and turning in his sleep. He almost looked relieved.
"I- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."
"You practically summoned me."
"Summoned?" Hermione's eyes snapped up.
"Another perk of this situation." He sighed, unconsciously scratching his arm where the dark mark glared against his pale skin.
"Right."
She crossed her arms over her pyjamas, suddenly self-conscious. The pain in her abdomen subsided and she felt a rush of fatigue wash over her, swaying slightly on her feet.
"We can talk tomorrow, Granger."
"Yes - sorry. Um, goodnight."
He nodded and closed the door softly behind him.
Hermione let out a breath she'd been holding and smacked her cheeks with both hands, walking down the corridor to her room. She was losing her mind. The pain started again, and she tried to slow her breathing, she would just have to learn to deal with this.
She'd managed to drift off for a moment but was woken again by the swelling ache which now constricted her ribs. Whimpering, she tried to focus on the glowing embers opposite her bed, breathing in and out. When that didn't work, she tried to conjure an image of Malfoy and cringed when the first one that came to mind was his side profile, illuminated by moonlight in the dungeon.
"Uhr." Hermione sat up, clenching her sides.
She grabbed her wand, pulling a book on magical rituals from her purse. The chapter on bindings opened and she started to scour for anything that might help.
Her finger paused on the word 'exchange'.
"In rare cases" she muttered, "wizards may exchange magic during a binding act". Sighing, she continued, "this can only happen if there is risk of certain death and a wizard's magic is freely given to save the other. If both wizards offer their magic, they are bound thereafter and must exist as a pair. Indeed, if the pair are separated, they may experience adverse side effects, such as pain and in extreme cases, death." Hermione inhaled sharply. "The strength of the binding depends on the circumstance of the exchange and the nature of the relationship."
She flipped the page over, almost tearing it, scanning for any mention of relief or a cure. All she found was an illustration of two wizards fused together by a horizontal beam of light and the next chapter subheading.
She felt sick. The weight of what they had done settled in her mind.
"Malfoy is going to kill me." She muttered and then laughed hysterically as she realised what she'd said.
She groaned, holding her head in her hands.
"Granger."
She snapped the book shut, "shit" she whispered.
"I know you're awake, so open up."
Hermione froze.
"Dammit Granger, my insides are about to rip open."
"Ok, ok, just - give me a minute." Hermione scrambled out of bed, wrapping her dressing gown around her, and shoving the book to one side.
She opened her door to find Malfoy with a pillow under one arm and a duvet in the other.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" She spluttered.
"Trying to get some sleep, obviously." He pushed past her chucking the bedding on the floor.
He looked around the room and settled on the only chair Hermione had. With a flick of his wand, he'd transfigured it into a mattress.
"Close the door, Granger." He waved dismissively.
"You can't possibly stay here!" She squeaked.
"Look." He crouched. "This isn't exactly my ideal situation either, but evidently we can't be separated, and I really need to sleep."
Hermione stood awkwardly.
"I promise I won't try anything." Draco smirked.
"I didn't think that was a risk!"
Malfoy ignored her, pulling the duvet around himself and turning away from her.
"Unbelievable." She huffed, slamming the door, and climbing back into bed.
Moments later Malfoy had gone quiet, so she shuffled over to check he wasn't about to hex her. Instead, she saw that he was fast asleep. She watched him for a moment through her eyelashes, matching his breathing with the rise and fall of his chest. It was hypnotic and she soon drifted off.
Malfoy was awoken by the light streaming through the window, making out the shape of a mountain. For a minute, he had no idea where he was and then he remembered.
Granger was still fast asleep, her hair spread in every direction, one curl bobbing up and down over her mouth. She was frowning, probably trying to work something out even in her sleep.
He let his thoughts drift to where he was and what he'd done. He wasn't sure if he was entirely sane and his insides squirmed thinking about what could happen to his mother. Still, there was no going back now and if he was honest, that terrified him.
Hermione turned over so she was facing him. She mumbled something incoherent, and he crept towards her, curiosity getting the better of him.
He observed how she had a light smattering of freckles across her nose and felt an awful compulsion to move the loose strand of hair away from her eyes. She muttered something again.
"Mmfoy."
He leant a little closer, concentrating.
"Malfoy." She breathed, tickling his ear.
He stilled. A different kind of heat pooled around the base of his stomach. He closed his eyes, trying to calm down. Every sense in his body wanted to reach out and touch her. He felt the warmth from her almost pulsate like a tangible aura. He'd been this close before, but this time felt different, and the daylight illuminated every angle of her. Malfoy wondered what magic of his coursed through her. He noted her wrist turned upwards towards him, her veins were visible, barely concealed beneath her skin. If he cut it, her blood would run dark red like his.
Hermione's eyes fluttered open and found his, her mouth forming a small 'o' of surprise. Neither moved.
"'Mione, are you up? We're leaving soon." Harry's voice came from outside, breaking the spell.
Draco stood, smoothing his clothes down and walked towards the door.
"Malfoy, wait!" Hermione hissed.
"Morning Potter." Malfoy drawled, leaning against the door frame.
"Uh, Hermione?" Harry raised his voice.
"This is not what it looks like. Explain Malfoy." She rushed to the door, throwing daggers his way. He rolled his eyes, a moment of something else flicking across his face.
"Easy Granger." He turned back to Harry, "this is purely practical."
"What he means is that we can't be separated right now."
Harry's eyes grew larger in his head, and he gripped his wand in his pocket.
"No, just – oh for goodness sakes Harry" Hermione glared, "It's just like I said before about the side effects – it got worse in the night and became extremely painful to stay in separate rooms."
"Look 'Mione if you want me to stay a bit longer." Harry whispered to her, eyeing Malfoy suspiciously.
"No, no, it's fine, we're fine. It's just like Remus said, we need to explore." Hermione coughed at her choice of verb, "we need to work this out." Malfoy sniggered next to her, and she restrained herself from kicking him.
"Ok" Harry responded slowly, clearly not convinced. "Just come downstairs. We need to pack some of your healing potions just in case."
"Of course, I'll grab my bag."
"Oh, and Hermione?"
"Mm?" She turned back, still feeling Draco's eyes on her the whole time.
"Maybe don't mention this to Ron."
"Right. Yes, ok. Be down in a minute."
She closed the door and began gathering her things, tucking her curls behind her ears.
"Do I embarrass you, Granger?" Malfoy sneered.
"What? No, of course not." She flicked her wand to make their beds.
"Because you know most witches would be grateful to wake up next to me." He approached her, closing the space between them.
Hermione looked up, his face bent down towards her, his mouth inches away. They breathed in and out, staring at the other. Hermione watched Malfoy's eyes grow round with confusion, his pupils dilating.
"Hermione!" Harry called from downstairs.
"Coming!" Hermione croaked.
Draco watched her scramble past him and out the door. He leant against the wall, his heart hammering in his chest. He ran into Hermione's bathroom and splashed cold water frantically on his face. Gripping the sink, he glowered at his reflection.
Hermione reached for Harry and Ron, embracing them in a tight hug.
"Just be smart." She smiled at them, tears falling down her cheeks.
"We'll try." Ron joked.
"We'll be back before you know it." Harry reassured her, giving her an extra squeeze. "And Ginny will come to check on you in a week or so."
"Right." Hermione breathed, trying to hide her disappointment that she wasn't going with them.
"The house is protected, inside and out, so even if Malfoy tries something, he won't be able to hurt you." Harry lowered his voice so only she could hear.
"And does this 'protection' extend to me too?" Hemione bristled.
"It's just to keep you safe."
"I can look after myself."
"We know 'Mione." Ron interjected, trying to mediate the tension. "It's just the whole binding business."
"How could I forget." She sniffed, crossing her arms.
"Come on, let's leave on a good note, ok? We'll send you updates; you've got enough food here for a while and Snape has stocked the attic with books from Hogwarts to help you." Harry reassured her.
"You're right." She sighed, "just promise me you'll come back as soon as you can, ok?"
"We will." Ron replied, giving her another tight hug.
Malfoy appeared on the balcony, "don't fuck it up."
"Cheers Malfoy." Harry rolled his eyes.
"Bye boys." Hermione gulped, hugging herself.
They disapparated and then the house was quiet.
Malfoy didn't move to comfort Hermione, feeling awkward and exposed. She wiped her tears with the back of her sleeve and then turned around to him.
"Attic. Now."