Chapter 14

Hermione didn't awake until early the following morning. She rolled over, yawned and stretched. Her muscles ached a lot. The events of the day before flashed through her mind. She smiled and blushed at the thought.

"Good morning my beautiful girlfriend." Hermione turned to see her very much handsome boyfriend, his usually immaculate hair tousled about. Ha, sex hair, she thought. It was so odd to hear him call her his girlfriend.

"Good morning my equally beautiful boyfriend," she said gently before leaning up to kiss him. The joy of kissing him would never grow old.

"Are you hungry?" he asked.

"Mmm," replied Hermione.

"I'll send for some food then," he said.

"Wait," Hermione stopped him. "I'm not wearing anything."

"It doesn't matter," he said smiling cheekily. Sensing her discomfort though, he reached over the side of the bed and picked up his discarded shirt, and her knickers from the day before. "Here, put these on," he said gently, and Hermione obliged. Draco pulled on his boxers. His shirt felt good on her. Over-sized yes, but very comfortable. It was filled with his intoxicating scent.

They had a leisurely breakfast of croissants and orange juice – Hermione's favourite. She very much enjoyed Draco's company and conversation. All the while though, she couldn't help but worry about their future. What would happen to her now she'd given herself to him. Would she be allowed to stay here with him? She hoped so.

"Would you care to take a bath with me?" asked Draco once they'd finished their breakfast.

"Yes, I would like that very much," she replied. It sounded the perfect cure to her aching muscles.

"I'll go and run it, I'll fetch you when it's ready," he said with a smile. He headed off to the bathroom, and Hermione could hear the water start to run.

"Hermione," he called a few minutes later, popping his head round the door. She followed him. She was a little shocked to see him stood there completely naked. She blushed. This was going to take some getting used to. Draco let out a laugh when he saw the expression on her face.

"So innocent and naïve," he smiled. "But I wouldn't want you any other way ," he added. He pulled Hermione close to him and kissed her softly. He began unbuttoning the shirt she was wearing. The fire she felt last night re-ignited deep inside her. The things this man did to her. He slid it off her shoulders, and Hermione quickly pulled off her knickers.

Draco climbed into the bath, and gestured for Hermione to do the same. She got in so that her back was against his chest. He kissed her neck softly and Hermione very much enjoyed the sensation. He reached for the soap and lathered it up in his hands before massaging it into Hermione's back and shoulders.

"Sore?" he asked. Hermione nodded. "Is this helping?" he checked.

"Yes, a lot," she answered. His hands on her felt good, releasing all the built up tension in her muscles. Hermione reached for the soap and began washing her front. As much as she enjoyed last night, she wasn't ready to do it again, and she didn't want to give Draco the wrong impression. All too soon, he'd finished Hermione's back and he quickly washed himself. I could stay here in his arms all day, thought Hermione. Draco began to stand to get out of the bath. Over so soon she thought, feeling a little disappointed.

Once Hermione and Draco were out of the bath, he wrapped her in a warm fluffy towel.

"Looking at you right now Hermione, I feel like the luckiest man in the world," he said softly. Hermione blushed. He made her so happy.

"I feel the same way about you too." They kissed each other softly.

If you'd told me a couple of weeks ago that I'd be kissing Draco Malfoy and enjoying it, I'd have thought you were off you rocker, thought Hermione.

Both of them headed for the closet and got dressed. Hermione noticed that when they went back into the bedroom, the table and chairs had vanished, and all the flower petals had been cleared away. The only reminder of last night that remained, was a vase of red and white roses on the bedside table. It'd been so romantic. There were fresh bed sheets on Draco's bed; a stark reminder of her reality. The thought of Voldermort looking at her blood-stained bed sheets made her feel quite nauseas.

"Hermione," Draco started. Oh no, not that tone again thought Hermione. "I have to go and meet him today," he said quietly, not meeting Hermione's gaze.

"I wish you didn't have to," she said. Hermione knew he had to go, and that she was only needlessly making him feel guilty, but she couldn't help it. She was worried about him.

"I'm sorry," he whispered with sadness clear in his grey eyes.

"You don't actually support him do you?" asked Hermione. She'd never thought to ask before. She hoped for a no, but she found herself a little worried about what he might say.

"No, I don't, but it isn't as simple as that."

"Explain then."

"I never really had a choice in becoming a Death Eater," he said, cringing at the last two words. "I was never fortunate like you. My only option was to become one, or risk being disowned by my family, or worse killed. I couldn't choose to be good. You don't realise how lucky you are to be able to choose your side freely."

Hermione had never thought of it in that way. She never really considered the fact that she'd had an option. It was something taken for granted that she would follow the side of the good.

"But given the chance, you'd change sides?" The answer to this mattered more than anything to Hermione at that moment.

"In a heartbeat," he whispered, "but I don't think that opportunity will ever come."

Hermione nodded. She wanted to promise him that it'd all be alright, but she couldn't. Life had really dealt him a bad hand. She kissed him tenderly on the forehead. It seemed to bring him some comfort.

"When are you going?" she asked.

"Just after lunch. I should be back for dinner." Hermione noticed he didn't promise.

They had quite a lazy morning just enjoying each other's company. They ate lunch in silence. Neither of them wanted Draco to go. All too quickly they'd finished and Draco got up.

"I have to go. I'm sorry," whispered Draco. Hermione nodded.

"Try and stay safe," she pleaded.

"I'll try," he said softly. Hermione wrapped him in a tight embrace. He hugged her back, but eventually he pulled away.

"Goodbye Hermione," he said and headed for the door.

"Goodbye Draco," she replied. When the door closed, a single tear slid down her face. She was scared for him.

Hermione tried to keep herself occupied by reading. The afternoon passed far too slowly for her liking. A little after five in the afternoon she heard a tapping on the bedroom window. It made her jump. She carefully peered out to see what was making the noise. Sat on the ledge outside Draco's window was an all too familiar bird.

Hermione ran to the window and threw it open.

"Hedwig!" she cried. The majestic bird flew in through the open window. Hedwig looked as pleased to see Hermione, as Hermione did her. Hedwig nipped Hermione affectionately, once she'd taken the letter she'd been carrying from her beak.

"I'm sorry, I haven't got anything for you to eat," said Hermione. The bird understood, and after gently rubbing her head against Hermione's hand, she took flight. Hermione watched her disappear into the distance.

Hermione turned the letter over in her hand. She instantly recognised Harry's handwriting. It was addressed to Draco. Why was Harry writing to Draco? Did he know she was here? Hermione couldn't wait for Draco to get back to find out what the letter contained. Hermione took a deep breath, opened the envelope, and pulled the letter free.