Last time:

The more I knew about him, the more I liked him and the more our friendship grew. I don´t know if it was because of the wine or the confidential atmosphere, but I cuddled to Draco´s chest and we both lied on my couch. It didn´t occur to me that I was next to my old enemy. No, I was next to my friend. Happy about that, I fell into dreamless sleep with Draco by my side.

I woke up surprised the next morning. I didn't have any dreams. I usually travel through my bed and have wild dreams. This time - nothing. I woke up, but I didn't open my eyes. I felt hot but very comfortable. Enjoying my morning, I ran my hand over one side of my body. And I froze.

Somebody's hand was on my hip. I immediately opened my eyes and slowly turned my head around. I gasped. Draco was lying next to me, one hand on my hip and the other one under his head. He had his mouth opened a bit, shaped in perfect "O". I didn't know how to feel. It was wrong, we were just friends. But I felt safe, like I belonged in his arms. I didn´t want to risk a headache so I stopped to analyze it. I smiled and made myself more comfortable.

"Draco," I whispered.

He murmured something, but didn't move. I don't know what's gotten into me, but I leaned forward and kissed him on the top of his nose. His presence made me do silly things.

"Draco. Wake up." He shook his head a bit.

"No?"

"No."

I laughed. "Come on, Sleeping Beauty. Get up."

He took a deep breath and opened his eyes. At first, he only looked confused. Then his eyes widened. He stood up so quickly that I almost fell on the floor.

"Sorry, sorry," he mumbled and looked confused around my apartment.

"It's okay." I smiled and touched his shoulder. He jumped at that touch and pulled away.

"I have to go."

My smile wiped away. "Oh. Okay."

I hopelessly watched him running around my place and gathering his stuff.

"Don't forget, we have to meet Minister today," I reminded.

"Yeah, I know."

"So...I guess I'll see you there."

He obviously couldn't answer. He just nodded and left my apartment. I went back to the couch. It was still hot and I could see the silhouette of our bodies. Draco was the friend I desperately needed right now. And now he was acting this strange. I didn't want to lose him. I couldn't afford to lose him. I don't know what his lost might do to my psychic health. I got used to him. He meant much more to me than I did to him, but it didn´t matter. I simply prayed for him to be normal again when we'll meet today again.

It was the same day. It was 15 pm, so I decided to go to Ministry. I and Draco were supposed to meet Minister there and invite him to dinner. We thought that after some delicious food and wine, he might be more open to our ideas. I arrived to International Magical Cooperation Department. Monsieur de Vitte was standing there, talking with somebody. He looked nervous.

"Bon jour, Monsieur de Vitte," I smiled at Minister.

He looked at me quickly and tried to put on a smile. It wasn´t honest, I could tell.

"Bon jour, Ms. Granger."

"Have you seen Draco? He was supposed to meet me here," I sighed.

Monsieur de Vitte took a deep breath and sent the other person away. "Come, Ms. Granger."

With mixed feelings, I followed him to his office. He made me sit and looked at me seriously.

"You see, Ms. Granger. I´m afraid I have unpleasant news. A very dangerous wizard escaped from our magic jail today."

I let out a surprised gasp. Didn´t the French magic jail have even better security than Azkaban?

"I´m sorry to hear that. Is he really that dangerous? What has he done?"

"He destroyed one whole village and everybody in it. Nobody knows why."

I covered my mouth with my hand. "That´s...I can´t find the right words to describe it. Does he have a name?"

"We don´t know. We all call him here "Nex"."

I nodded. Nex was a word from Latin. Together with Exitus, it meant death.

"But I still don´t understand it properly. Where is Draco?"

Minister looked at me, unhappily. "Mr. Malfoy came here early today, just before Nex escaped. We desperately needed help and Mr. Malfoy volunteered to help with catching Nex."

My eyes widened. I started to shake in anger. "And you let him? He has no idea what that guy is capable of. He wasn´t prepared. He´s not any Auror, for Merlin´s sake. How could you let him go there unprepared?"

Minister looked terribly sorry. He put his head into his hands. "I know. You have full right to be angry at me. Please understand my situation. We needed help and Mr. Malfoy offered it to us."

"I can´t even talk to you right now, Monsieur," I whispered hostile and ran out of his office.

I didn´t care if this is going to ruin my work. He could fire me and I wouldn´t mind. I had only one thought in my head – Draco. What if something happens to him? He was so unfocused this morning, he might not be careful enough.

"Ms. Granger! Please, let me explain," I heard Minister´s voice behind me.

I quickened my step, but he was next to me in few seconds.

"I understand your anger. Merlin knows I deserve it. But if you just listen..."

"No, I will not listen. You sent Draco towards some madman. What if he...," I couldn´t say "die" out loud.

"Ms. Granger..."

"Didn´t you notice his behaviour today? He wasn´t prepared for this kind of mission."

"Ms. Granger..."

"What?" I practically yelled.

Monsieur de Vitte pointed to somewhere behind my back. I turned around and I felt like a huge rock fell off my heart.

"Merlin has mercy," I whispered.

Draco was standing there. He has few scratched on his cheeks and few centimetres long cut on his arm, but he looked alright. At least he was alive. He looked confused.

"What is going on in here?" he asked.

I didn´t answer.

"Hermione?"

I couldn´t bring myself to say something. I couldn´t, because the sound of my name from his lips made me move towards him. I made few slow steps and then I started to run. I fell into his arms and pulled him closer. I felt how surprised he was, but he hugged me too and stroked my hair.

"Hey, it´s nice to see you too."

I didn´t react. I just smiled and hugged him tighter. I needed him. When Minister explained me the situation and I realized he might die, my world crashed. I held him as if I was drowning and he was the only thing that could keep me alive. No matter how hard I pulled myself towards him, no matter how long I have been in his arms, it still wasn´t enough. It was like a drug. Once I had it, I wanted more and more. I hugged him before, but this time was different. Then after few minutes, he pulled away.

"Somebody is happy to see me," he smirked. He obviously was himself again.

"I´m just...so happy that nothing happened to you," I mumbled ashamed.

"It was actually pretty easy. Nex – that´s his name, isn´t it? – was still half mad happy he managed to escape, so he didn´t pay much attention. He defended himself bravely, but we caught him and he´s back in your jail," he addressed those last words to Minister.

"I´m so thankful, Mr. Malfoy. And I apologize. To you too, Ms. Granger."

I nodded and looked back at Draco. Something inside me wanted to go back to him. But I felt something weird in my chest. I had to be alone.

"I´m so glad you´re okay," I breathed one last time and disapparated.

I have been chasing streets of Paris for several hours. I didn´t look for anything particular, I just needed to think.

Draco Malfoy. He bullied me. I once punched him. He hated me and I hated him. But here in Paris...I brought down his wall, he opened to me. I told him my secrets, he told me his. He completed me, taught me how to relax. When I was next to him...I felt happy. After all those months filled with darkness, Draco was the light and he made my life colourful again. After today...I saw him in completely different way. The misery after I realized he might die. The happiness when he came back. The feeling I had in his arms. I gasped for air, because I realized what it all meant.

"No. That´s not possible." I whispered.

But it was. Now I realize it clearly. I didn´t know when or why it happened. I didn´t know anything, except from one thing. I was in love with Draco Malfoy.

Short, but important. They know each other for quite a long time, they are good friends, they tell each other everything. And somewhere between all of that, she fell in love with him. Ah, damn it. Gryffindor and Slytherin - this is not going to be easy. You want to know how they will solve this problem? Me, too, but I have to write it first :D Stay tuned, I´ll try to post the next chapter as soon as possible.
Betty xxx