Memo: Well I'm about to go to Maths now... Enjoy while I suffer...
Hermione woke up that evening, cuddled against Malfoy's chest. No. Not Malfoy... Draco. She rubbed her eyes and felt his chest rise with steady breathing; nestling against him, loving how he smelled and how he held her so protectively.
This was Malfoy! The two of them were mortal enemies and here she was cuddling with him in the middle of the night!
She shifted and tried to move his arm, but she just felt his hold tighten and she slipped deeper against him as he hugged her tightly in his sleep.
She looked at his sleeping form. She delicately touched the fine eyelashes fluttering ever so gently as his eyes moved around in deep sleep. She ran her fingers over his cheek, the bride of his nose, and his lips. They were so soft and kissable. She let her finger linger on his bottom lip, feeling his steady breathing rubbing over her cold hands.
She pulled her hands away and then ran her fingers along his firm and strong jaw line. She watched quietly as her fingers tickled the starting stubble on his firm chin. He shifted again and she was pulled closer to him, practically melting into his arms. She craned her neck and planted a soft kiss on the curve of his jaw, remembering so long ago she had wished to do just that.
This wasn't right! He had ruined her life for so long! Harry and Ron would always hate Draco, and it was because of him that Buckbeak was almost executed and Norbert was sent off to Romania... he had ruined the lives of those she loved for so long.
So why was it now that all those things just didn't seem to matter as much?
She ran her hand along the curve of the muscles in his chest. She felt a soft shudder go through his body as he was woken from a deep sleep.
"Granger?" he asked in a voice that was still half asleep. "What time is it?"
"Late," she answered. He blinked heavily several times but made no movement to release her from his grip. She did not try to move either. He smiled at her with exhaustion.
"Come with me," he murmured, lifting her in his arms and towards his bedroom. Fear trickled through her.
"Draco... no. I don't... I can't..."
He continued to walk towards his bedroom and he just laughed quietly.
"Hermione, I just want to sleep," he answered and opened the door. The room was dark and she clung to him tightly as he walked closer to the bed in the centre of the room. He set her down softly on those soft, silk-like sheets. She felt him climb into the bed next to her and she listened to him remove his shirt. She was breathing heavy.
He would never do anything to hurt her.
She quietly and quickly removed her robes, shoes and socks until she wore her skirt and blouse. She didn't dare do anything more. She felt his arms reach out for her and wrap around her. Before she could object he had drawn her against him tightly. Her face was buried in his chest and his face was buried in her hair. He inhaled deeply and held her even closer. The safety and comfort of her arms caused a single tear to escape her eye and touched his warm skin.
"Hermione? Are you alright?" he asked in a whisper and stroked her hair. She looked up at him sadly, tears glistening.
"Draco, the entire world has turned upside down," she whispered and dabbed at the tears in her eyes. "I mean I'm sleeping with the enemy, I don't care about school work, and I'm... I'm..."
"Shh," he whispered. "I can tell you're not ready, Hermione. You will speak up when you are," he said and kissed her forehead gently.
"Why are you so perfect?" she asked him sadly. He laughed.
"I can't help it. Don't hate me because I'm beautiful," he mumbled, slowly drifting off to sleep. She smiled and ran her hands along his chest slowly.
"Then can I love you?" she asked in a whisper of a whisper.
"Hmm?" he asked, half asleep. "Didn't catch what you said," he yawned.
"It was nothing," Hermione whispered and then pressed her face against his chest. He inhaled deeply and held her tight.
"I like this nothing. Can we have nothing every night?" he mumbled and nuzzled her head gently. She giggled and discretely kissed his chest, right over his heart. His heart was beautiful, wonderful, and perfect.
"I suppose, if you promise to be civil to me," Hermione said sternly with a giggle. Malfoy smiled against her forehead and began to tickle her.
"Is this civil?" he asked.
"No!" she screamed with laughter and thrashed about as his hands danced across her skin. She giggled and laughed, screaming in delight.
He folded his arms around her and drew her in close once again, his back pressing into her stomach. She leaned against him and let him protect her. She let him hold her. She let him complete her. She sighed deeply, wanting to drift off to sleep. Apparently she had completely woken Malfoy up, because he kept on pestering her.
"Granger? Granger! Granger..." he kept on asking, tracing small circles on her upper arm.
"What?" she asked with a yawn.
"Have you noticed that Head boy and girl duties are ridiculously simple, or is just me?" he asked.
Hermione shrugged.
"I don't know. We both make our rounds... it's just like being a Prefect again," she answered with a yawn. "I think it's partly my fault things are so simple. I think that the Professors don't want to give me too much stress, considering my condition," she said and stretched.
"I see," he said simply and began to play with a curl in Hermione's hair. He sighed and continued to play with that single curl.
"Are you having fun?" Hermione asked.
"Yes... but I know something that would be even better," he said and turned her around quickly. Her face was inches from his. His full-moon-on-the-water eyes stared straight into her soul. The kindness and warmth she found in the depth of his eyes almost drowned her, though she didn't mind. She could barely resist running her fingers over the smooth skin of his lips.
"Draco..." she whispered and shook her head slowly. He sighed and ran his fingers along her cheekbone, tracing sensual circles about her skin.
"hat do I mean to you, Hermione?" he asked. She went pale at the question. "I told you the truth. I put myself out there for you. Now please, be generous and return the favour," he told her. Hermione sighed and looked away, saddened.
"I don't know what you mean to me. It's the truth. I plainly don't know... I've done nothing but try to figure it out, but it's just so complicated... I mean Harry and Ron would never..."
"I didn't ask about Wonder Boy and his pet Weasel, Granger. I asked about YOU," he said sternly. She sighed and shook her head.
"They're a part of me, Malfoy. No matter if you approve or not, they're a part of me," she answered him coldly. He frowned, regret in his eyes.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled. "I'll get over it, Malfoy honour," he said and tipped his fingers against his head in salute.
"Well at least now I know that you three will never be friends, considering your honour and all," Hermione grumbled sarcastically and Draco pinched her shoulder playfully.
"I'm off to bed, Granger. I don't think my self-esteem can last through another one of your insults. You can make up for it though... by letting me give you a goodnight kiss," he whispered, his breath tickling her skin.
"Malfoy..." she whispered nervously. He let out a loud sigh and leaned in. She puckered her lips and closed her eyes, but was surprised when his lips planted a kiss on her forehead.
"Goodnight, Granger," he mumbled and closed his eyes, leaving Hermione speechless in his arms.