Chapter 16: Dreams

Hermione apparated directly into her house. When she got home, the lights were all off.

"Draco?" called Hermione.

She called a few times, but he wasn't anywhere. Hermione sighed. There was no way she was going back there to get him… or maybe that would be a good way to prove to him she wasn't mad? Or not. She wasn't brave enough for that… her Gryffindor gene had temporarily abdicated it's throne. It was ok for her to forgive Draco, but not anyone else.

There was a loud crack and Draco appeared on the other side of the room. Hermione quickly rushed to him and threw her arms around his neck.

"What…?" asked Draco confused.

"You weren't here and I couldn't bring myself to go back for you," said Hermione, "I was afraid you wouldn't come back, that you would think I would be mad."

"I did. This isn't what I was expecting at all," said Draco still holding her.

"I went to Harry and Ginny's," said Hermione.

"I figured. Also why I didn't think to come back. I thought you would stay," he said.

"It crossed my mind. But they really like you and they always talk me through everything," said Hermione.

"I'm really glad," said Draco finally letting go.

"Anyways, I also realized something else," she said looking at him, "I realized that I missed you and I love talking to them about everything and they're a great help, but I should have stayed and listened and talked to you. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. I know you wouldn't purposely hurt me."

"No. Of course not. But I really should have told…"

"No. That wouldn't have made anything better. I mean I don't think I'll go back over for a very long time and I can't just… accept this like I guess I did in the past. But it wasn't your fault," said Hermione.

"Yes it was! I should have thought about what could happen and how you felt and…"

Hermione put a finger over his lips to silence him.

"It's not your fault, so don't blame yourself. I don't blame you," said Hermione.

Not fighting her anymore Draco leaned his forehead against hers and said, "You're amazing. I love you."

Hermione smiled and leaned closer to him. And once again… Ginny was right. Draco was incredibly sexy and she couldn't deny that she really wanted to kiss him right now. She didn't have to wait very long before he closed the distance and kissed her. She couldn't help herself, she wrapped her arms around him pulling herself closer to him. Tentatively, Draco deepened the kiss. Hermione responded eagerly. After a few minutes Draco pulled back; he didn't want to push it with her.

"I love you," Draco said again smiling at her, "Sorry. I don't mean to make you uncomfortable by saying that. I'm still not expecting it back; I just want you to know."

"I know," said Hermione smiling back at him.

"So… I just have to ask something," said Draco.

"Yeah?" asked Hermione.

"You really thought about going back to get me?" he asked.

Hermione blushed, "Well I mean I thought about it, but I couldn't actually bring myself to do it…"

"You're such a Gryffindor," said Draco smirking at her.

"Oh quiet. See if I do anything nice for you anymore," said Hermione stepping away but then smirking back.

Draco caught up and pulled her back to him.

"I like the thought that you care about me that much," said Draco winking at her.

"You and your ego," said Hermione laughing, "But fine. Yes. I care about you."

Draco kissed her forehead.

"Good," he said.

Draco kissed her once more before they both headed off for bed. Hermione went off to her own room again and couldn't stop thinking about what she remembered. She was glad things were ok with Draco, but things were definitely not ok with his parents. Once again, she wished she had her memories back so she could see what she was missing and just how things worked out last time. She fell asleep thinking of her parents.

Hermione woke up very startled, heart pounding, with tears running down her face. She dreamt of her parents' death. Not knowing what happened, her dream was probably worse than reality, but it was still awful. She got up trying to calm herself down, but nothing was working. Without even thinking she walked to Draco's door – or rather their door. She hesitated a moment worrying what he would say when she told him, but then opened the door.

Draco heard the door open and immediately sat up.

"Is everything ok?" he asked.

"No," said Hermione, still very clearly upset.

"Come here," said Draco.

Hermione climbed in next to him and immediately wrapped her arms around him. He put his arms around her and held her close and let her just cry until she was ready to talk.

"Bad dream?" he asked.

He felt Hermione nod.

"My… parents…" said Hermione between sobs.

"Oh, Hermione. I'm so sorry," said Draco. His arms tightened around her. He felt horrible and felt like it was his fault again.

"I shouldn't have done that. I wasn't even thinking and now you're having dreams about it. Hermione, I'm sorry," said Draco.

"It's not your fault," said Hermione quietly. She had calmed down enough.

"I feel like it is. I was so careful in the beginning, but then I guess I just figured things would be ok. I'm still sorry," said Draco.

"I know. You can't blame yourself for my over-active imagination," said Hermione, "You can blame the war and the fact that I fell asleep thinking about it."

Draco only nodded but didn't say anything.

"Do you mind if I… stay?" asked Hermione nervously. She knew she was technically married to him, but it still felt weird. This wasn't something she would have done. And she just noticed that Draco was shirtless… and gorgeous if a man can be called gorgeous. It made her even more nervous and she found herself more attracted to him than she was before.

"Of course," said Draco trying not to smile too big. While things were going well for them and he loved it, he still missed Hermione being with him every night.

Hermione laid down next to him. Draco couldn't help himself and pulled her closer to him. Hermione smiled to herself; she liked the closeness.

"I love you. Good night," said Draco.

"Good night," said Hermione.

Review explosion! That was totally awesome! Thanks guys - especially my regulars and AnnabelleGreer for going back and reviewing every chapter. That made me laugh :) And then I have to say sorry to those who didn't like the direction that this story went, but thanks for reviewing and sticking with it. Hopefully you will like the rest of it. I appreciate both good and bad reviews so I can either fix something or not do it again in the future. It was a random thought that popped into my head that I thought would make things interesting again, and I've seen it in other fics as well. But anyways, thanks for being awesome readers/reviewers either way!