Chapter 13: Archenemies and Wants

Draco's POV

I didn't know how I landed up like this. It was not planned at all. Just seeing her so broken and upset, something overcame me and I just wanted to pull her into my arms. Which I did. This was not like me at all. The only person I ever touched or let touch me meaningfully was my mother. This was completely uncalled for. My father's face flashed in my mind and his words ringed in my ears.

"Draco, you must stay away from people like Granger. They are nothing but filthy Mudbloods. Nuisance and waste in the Wizarding World. Don't talk to them. Don't touch them. Don't even look at them. They are not worth any of your senses."

No.

I pushed out his voice as I held her tight in my arms, rocking her back and forth. I could feel her hot tears through my shirt. There was a weird pain in my heart as she cried out. That was the first time I had ever seen or heard her cry. And I hated it. I didn't know why, but I hated seeing her cry like this. Still, I knew she had to. It was the best thing for her. She needed a release, and I was happily willing to provide it.

"I'm so sorry, Hermione." I whispered as I rested my cheek on the top of the head.

Wait…

What?

Did I just call her Hermione?

Where did that come from?

I never actually meant to say that. I only meant the sorry part. But her name just slipped out without me even realizing it. But it felt nice to say her name. It felt so…natural.

Her sobbing soon died down and she slowly pulled back, her arms still on my chest and mine still around her back. She looked up at me as our faces were mere inches apart. Her warm brown eyes bore into mine and I immersed myself in them, never wanting to re-surface again. She blinked once, causing me to snap out of my trance into her eyes. Slowly, my gaze shifted own to her lips. For some reason, I couldn't take my eyes off them. They were full and pink, and looked as soft as velvet. I could feel her breath on my mouth as her lips were centimeters away from mine. If I leaned forward just a bit…

"Draco."

My eyes snapped up to hers again as I heard my name roll off her tongue so smoothly. Hearing my name being said by her felt so nice, and I wanted to hear it again and again.

"W-What are we?" she whispered.

I stared at her confused for a moment.

"Meaning?" I asked.

She shyly looked down to our positions and looked back up.

"Are we still enemies? Or friendly enemies? Or mere Head-mates? Or friends? What?" she murmured, gazing deeply at me.

"I guess…after all we've been through. After we've shared and opened up so much to each other. After all the tears and laughs. We're probably…archenemies." I said with my signature smirk.

She gave out a small laugh and it sounded like music to my ears.

"Very well then. In that case…I hate you, slimy Slytherin ferret-face." She smiled, her eyes twinkling in amusement.

"And I hate you, annoying Gryffindor know-it-all bookworm." I replied, smiling genuinely at her.

She cleared her throat awkwardly after a few seconds and I realized that we were still holding onto each other.

I quickly let go and so did she, and I was rather upset from the loss of warmth from her.

"Well…um…goodnight." She mumbled as she stood up, a small blush on her cheeks.

"Yes. Goodnight." I replied, standing up as well.

She nodded meekly and turned away, heading back to her room. I did the same when I suddenly heard her voice.

"Malfoy."

I was rather upset that she went back to calling me by my last name, but turned around nonetheless. She was standing at her doorway with a small smile.

"Thank you."

I chuckled lightly at how she nervously stood. I had never, in my seven years of knowing her, actually seen her nervously and shyly smile at me.

"No, Granger. Thank you." I replied before heading into my room and closing the door gently behind me.

That night, I lay in bed, staring up at the blank ceiling. It had been a long, overwhelming day. But as I recalled everything that happened, I realized that the highlight of my day was holding her in my arms.

Just having her close to me.

She smelled like vanilla, sweet and pure.

I thought back to her chocolate eyes.

Funny.

Chocolate eyes and vanilla scent.

I remembered her perfect lips. I was confused as to how I was so drawn to them. They were so close, and I knew if I leaned forward even the slightest bit, they would have touched mine.

Funny thing was…

I wanted that to happen.

Hermione's POV

I played with a strand of my hair as I recalled the day's events. It was…overwhelming to say the least. I had never broken down like that if front of anyone, let alone in someone's arms. But I felt much better now. Like my heart became lighter by ten times. I suddenly realized that the best part of the day was actually being in his arms.

Just being close to him.

That was confusing.

Was it right to feel this way?

He called us archenemies, but I could see the humor in his eyes when he said that. I knew deep down, we actually shared a genuine friendship. Not just friendly enemies…but an actual real, close friendship.

I thought back to his metallic eyes.

For the first time, they seemed so soft and pure and innocent. There was no mystery, or coldness or sorrow in them. They were just…warm.

Funny.

Warm cloud-grey eyes.

I remembered his lips. Something drew me to them and I didn't exactly know what. They were mere inches from mine. If I had leaned forward just a bit…they would have been on mine.

Strange thing was…

I wanted that to happen.