Chapter 9
Hermione spent a blissful afternoon with Draco, and all her worries seemed to vanish. Yes, she had been kissed before, but it was an awkward affair. Nothing like Draco's kisses. He was so good at this. Hermione wondered whether he'd had much experience. Who was she kidding, she thought, of course he had. He was the pureblood prince of Slytherin; he could've had any woman he wanted, anyway he wanted them. Would he have got her back at Hogwarts? Yes, was probably the answer – he had his ways at getting what he wanted. What did he want with her know? She cast the thought from her mind.
In the evening, Elwing brought up a roast dinner for them. Was it Sunday? Hermione had really lost track of the days. The roast was lovely, just like all the food she had had at the Malfoy's. When she found out that she to be Draco's 'present', she had imagined a fate much worse than this. Draco once again interrupted her thought pattern – he had an uncanny ability at doing this.
"Hermione…" he started. She didn't very much like his tone of voice. She had a feeling she didn't want to hear what he had to say. She looked at him.
"I have to attend to some business tomorrow." Malfoy glared at his left forearm.
"You'll have to stay here by yourself I'm afraid." Hermione wasn't happy. She was just starting to get to know the real Draco, and then he was going. Whatever this business was too, she was certain she didn't want to know what it involved.
"How long for?" asked Hermione quietly.
"Just for the day. I should be back for dinner." Hermione breathed a sigh of a relief. It wasn't for too long then.
"Will you wake me up before you go?" she asked.
"Of course." Malfoy audibly released the breath he was unaware of holding in. Hermione realised that he may have been expecting a different reaction.
"Yes, I'll wake you up. It'll be early though," he added.
"That's okay," said Hermione, smiling a sweet smile. He had to go away tomorrow, whether she liked it or not, so she decided she'd better accept it. It was clear he didn't want to go either.
"I think it's time for bed," suggested Malfoy. Hermione nodded.
"I'll let you use the bathroom first," said Malfoy, trying to act chivalrous.
"How kind of you Mr Malfoy," she said with a hint of sarcasm.
"Watch is Miss Granger," he said raising one eyebrow.
Hermione took this as her cue to leave for the bathroom. She went through the mechanics of getting ready for bed. She was relieved to find that someone had bought her a toothbrush. When was the last time she'd brushed her teeth? She was disgusted when she couldn't remember. She laughed at the colour of the toothbrush. Bright pink. Did he think she was like, five? Maybe it was Elwing's decision, either way, she was thankful for her minty fresh breath.
Hermione was already wearing her pink flannel number, but something in the laundry hamper caught her eye; Draco's navy cotton pyjamas. She wanted to put the on, but she really shouldn't. He'd been nice enough to buy her her own pyjamas. Ah well, she thought and quickly changed into them before she could give it a second thought. She raked her fingers through her hair in attempt to look slightly more attractive in these oversized pyjamas. How Draco could want her in the hideous battered and bruised state she was in, remained a mystery to her.
She walked out of the bathroom trying to ooze confidence. It didn't work. Draco saw what she was wearing and smirked.
"The pyjamas I got for you not good enough?" he asked. Hermione couldn't gauge his expression. Maybe she should've stuck to her own.
"I…uh…" said Hermione, not knowing what she should say.
"Well I think you look hot in my pyjamas," said Malfoy. He winked at her, and strode past her into the bathroom. Hermione blushed. That wasn't what she'd expected him to say.
A few minutes later, he re-emerged from the bathroom wearing nothing but a pair of black boxers. They were slung low on his hips revealing a trail of hair down to… Hermione blushed at the thought. Was he doing this on purpose?
"Bed," said Malfoy. Hermione climbed into bed followed by Malfoy. He wrapped his arms around her. He gave her a small chaste kiss on the lips.
"Goodnight Hermione,"
"Goodnight Draco," she said, staring at him the expectant eyes.
"Sleep," he said firmly answering her unspoken question. Hermione obliged, falling into a deep and comfortable sleep for the first time in the arms of a man.