Chapter 8
Hermione awoke back in Malfoy's four poster bed. She couldn't remember going to bed. Then all of a sudden the bruises flashed through her mind. She looked down to see that her arms were just as bad as she had remembered. She didn't find it quite as disturbing as before. Someone had dressed her in pink flannel pyjamas, presumably Malfoy. Speaking of which, she looked up. He was sat at his desk again. He was writing instead of reading. Hermione wondered what it was that was he was writing. As much as she wanted to know, she wanted him to give her hug. She felt guilty at this thought. That was something she only ever wanted Ron to do. She pushed the thought from her mind. What effect was he having on her?
"Draco," she said softly. The word seemed a little foreign in her mouth, but not at all unpleasant. He looked up, and in an instant he placed his quill down on his desk and made his way swiftly over to her side.
"Hermione," He took her hand in his. She enjoyed his touch.
"I'm sorry," he said, "I didn't mean to upset you. I'm sorry…" Hermione cut him off midsentence. "It's okay," she said in an instant. She didn't want him to feel guilty. "You had to do it. I know. I was just taken off guard. I didn't realise quite how different I'd look. I didn't think it would be possible for me to look anymore ugly than usual," Hermione admitted.
"Ugly!" said Malfoy. He sounded angry. "Ugly? You're meant to be bright Hermione Granger. No bright person could ever think you were ugly. You're beautiful" he said, stroking her cheek. Hermione started at him in shock. Had Draco Malfoy really just called her beautiful? What odd parallel universe had she slipped into? She looked up into his deep grey eyes, to see if he was lying. If he was, he was a good actor. He looked straight at her, willing her to say something.
"You don't mean that," Hermione whispered. It was all she could manage.
"Of course I do. I wouldn't lie to you Hermione." It was a whispered promise.
Hermione couldn't stop herself before a "prove it" was out of her mouth.
Malfoy bit his lip, paused a moment, and then led down on the bed next to her. He took her face in her hands. "Do you want this?" he asked, staring at her with vulnerable eyes. Hermione nodded. Yes she wanted this. Maybe she even needed this. He lowered his face towards hers. Their lips met and he kissed her gently. Hermione felt her insides melt. She'd never felt like this before – not even with Krum, or even Ron. She cast the thought from her mind. She kissed him back and she felt his smile against his lips.
All too soon it was over, and she gazed up at Draco, unsure of what she should say.
"Now do you feel beautiful?" whispered Malfoy. Hermione nodded, "yes," she whispered. She leant up to kiss him again, but he stopped her. She felt rejected.
"Later," he promised. This comforted her a little. He wanted to kiss her again too. "You need to have something to eat Hermione. I don't want you to waste away."
He got up off her and she pouted. This man was so frustrating. She wanted to kiss him, but there he was worrying about food. Malfoy called for Elwing to go and get something for them to eat. Once Hermione had finished her plate of fish pie and Elwing had cleared it away, Malfoy spoke. "Where were we?" he asked with a wicked grin spreading across his face. He reached for Hermione and kissed her passionately. She swooned. What had she done to deserve this beautiful man?
A/N Sorry this chapter is so short. I'm going away for a day tomorrow, and I wanted to get this uploaded before hand :)