Chapter 6: Draco's Vows
"Hermione? Hermione wake up!" said the familiar voice. Hermione was slowly regaining her consciousness and felt a gentle hand patting her cheek as she groaned and called for Severus' name. She slowly opened her eyes expecting a dark haired man, but instead met a young blonde kneeling beside her wearing a smirk on his face as he looked into her disappointed expression.
"Expecting someone else?" he mused receiving a playful slap on the shoulder and a hug from the damsel who was distressed. Hermione's once disappointed look changed into relief and gratitude towards the young Malfoy. She was so thankful at Draco she gave him a tight hug which suprised her rescuer yet received her welcomingly as tears started to fall from her tear duct and trembled from her emotion.
It was a first for Draco. He had not seen a woman especially Hermione cry in front of him but being as gentleman as he tries to be, he held her tighter and caressed her back comforting her in the best possible way that he can.
"Shhh, now, now Hermione, he's gone. Everything is fine now. I'm here for you, don't be afraid." he gently pulled away from her, handed her his handkerchief and used his thumb to wipe her tears.
'His hands are soft' she thought and gave Draco a smile.
"What happened? Where's that bloody old fool? And why are you here?" Draco laughed at the questions. 'Now that's the Hermione I knew' he thought.
"For your first question, I hit that man with a cruciatus curse and you passed out when you both fell on the ground..." she nodded as she recalled her last memory of that scene.
"...second, he ran off, limping I might add and third..." Draco paused, thinking whether he should tell her that he has been following her for almost a month.
"I was just a few blocks away when I heard a scream, so I ran towards here and so you with that man." he said casually but not convincingly. She knew he wasn't telling the truth and he knew she was not convinced yet he hoped she'll shrug it off but knowing Hermione, it might be a slight chance.
The young wizard stood on his feet and offered her a hand which she gladly accepted.
"Thanks."
"No prob." Malloy smiled. The evening air was starting get chilly causing Hermione to slightly shiver as the cool air hits the areas where her skin was exposed.
"We better get going its getting cold out here." Without waiting for Hermione's reply, Draco wrapped his arm around Hermione's shoulder and apparated. After a few seconds, they appeared a few blocks from their place where no Smuggle can see them.
They walked silently towards Hermione's flat in total silence with Draco on heightened alert for any possible danger, maintaining a close distance to his companion while Hermione, was in deep thought on whether it was Draco who has been following her. Determined to get something out from the man who helped her, she invited him inside her abode.
Draco cocked his eyebrow and eyed her with interest smelling something fishy. Hermione pleaded with a puppy eyed face trying to look cute.
"I just, want someone to accompany with me tonight..." she lowered her head and turned away from him hoping that Draco will fall to her dramatic effect.
"...'cause...I'm...I'm scared." she said softy but enough for her companion to hear. Draco smirked at her effort of manipulation.
"Okay, I'll come in. But I won't stay for too long okay."
After getting acquainted with Hermione's house, Draco did have a taste. He noticed that every room differs from the other when it comes to their styles of decoration though all in all her house has a certain Victorian-like essence.
Hermione and Draco stayed in the study in front of the fireplace sitting on the carpet with a glass of Fire whisky on their hands. They started their conversation with light topics and maintaining a close distance from each other.
Hermione waited for Draco to have his 3rd glass of Firewhisky before she decided to ask the questions she had been dying to ask. She didn't have the guts to ask him when they had a chat during the time they were having breakfast at his place since she didn't if she could trust him.
"Draco?"
"Yes, 'Mione? Can I call you 'Mione?"
"That's fine with me..." then she was silent, thinking on whether or not she should proceed. Draco noticed that she was in deep thought and waited for her to let that thing out, whatever it is that was bothering her.
"Draco, I hope you don't mind me asking, why are you here anyway?" Draco almost choked at her question.
"I beg your pardon? Why am I here? I don't understand, you invited me..."
"That's not what I meant." she interrupted.
"Then what DO you mean?"
" Last time I heard was you were living with your Mum, but I was surprised to be honest that you left your Manor and started living next door. Why did you leave your house?" Draco was surprised of her inquiry.
"Oh that. Well, I had to leave the Manor. Let's just say that Mum and I had a little difference when it comes to principles."
"Is this has something to do with your Lucius?"
"Yes, actually. I found out that Mum knew were Dad was and had been communicating with him. I told her not to get involve with him anymore and convince him to surrender..." Draco's eyes were starting to fill with tears as he quickly downed another glass of his liquor.
"...but she told me that I am an ungrateful son for telling her that. So I told her that if she won't surrender Dad, then I'll leave. So, here I am." he laughed though it was not a laughter of humor Hermione knew. She moved closer to him and put his head on her shoulder as tears began to fall from Draco's face into Hermione's blouse.
"I'm sorry Draco, but I'm sure your mother still loves you."
"I doubt that." Draco sniffed raising his head to look at her and continued, " I tipped some Aurors and I went with them as they raid the Manor but Dad wasn't there only Mum. She was so mad at me that she started yelling at me. She said that she disowns me, hate me, wished that I was not her son..." and with that he broke into tears again.
Hermione held Draco's tight and comforted him feeling guilty for asking yet proud for making him vent out his feeling. It was a first for her to see him cry and she was proud at him for doing so. She did not find a man who cries weak but instead she found those men of having true emotions, capable of love, of being hurt, capable of being human. She suddenly wondered whether she will be able to see Snape cry in front of her and be able to comfort him.
'Oh that man, I would so like to put me arms around him. I want to smell him, hold him tight-wait! Draco's crying for heaven's sake! Snap out of it Hermione! You insensitive fool!" a voice told her.
After he was finished sobbing, Draco pulled himself from her and gave her a sweet and sincere smile Hermione had ever seen him give before.
"I know why you invited me here."
"You do?" Hermione asked feeling a rush of blood rising in her head.
"Yes, I am actually good at Legillimency. I have read your mind Hermione, and yes, I HAVE been following you," she was surprised at his revelation and jabbed Draco into the arm which made him winced in pain.
"What did you that for?" he protested.
"You've been reading my mind? And you've been stalking me? How-Why-?" Hermione stood with her fists in a tight ball. Draco raised his hand guarding himself motioning away from her impending attack.
"Wait let me explain."
"Oh please do Mr. Malfoy!" she spat slowly advancing toward him.
"Yes, I have read your mind, but on occasional only. I swear!"
"And the stalking?"
"I'm not stalking you! I was only following you" 'Wait, that didn't go right' he thought.
"They are just the same you moron!" Draco immediately jumped off his feet but stood frozen when Hermione's wand was an inch from his neck.
"Why are you following me?" Hermione's tone was rising indicating that she's not to be mess with.
"I made a vow to follow you, protect you! I swear!"
"Protect me?"
"Yes. I swore that I will follow and protect you no matter what."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
"What do you mean you don't know? Is that why you're living next to me? Is that it?" he nodded. Hermione became a little bit calmer and lowered her wand which gave Draco a sigh of relief.
"Look, I don't know why I should protect you but I did it anyway."
"Who ordered you?"
"I can't tell. I made an unbreakable vow not to tell anyone." he lied. There were both silent. Hermione has no idea who and why would that person order Draco to protect her though she has a hunch that she might be in trouble.
"Does this have to do with Lucius?"
"Again, Hermione, I don't know." Although she has no evidence as to why but she hoped that it was Severus who wanted Draco to protect her.
"Did Severus order you to do this?"
"Again, unbreakable vow." Draco said emphasizing the last two words and laughed with amusement and Hermione cocked her eyebrow and crossed her arms over her breasts.
"What's so funny?"
"I've noticed that you have been calling his name ever since the attack. My, my, Granger, I'm starting to think there is something going on between the both of you." he smirked while Hermione rolled her eyes yet failed to suppress the blush on her face.
"So tell me, what's going on? Did my method work than I expected?" Draco moved closer anchoring his arm over her shoulder.
"Ooops! it's getting late Draco. You better go, I'm tires." she said forcing a yawn. Draco chuckled and began to leave the room and was accompanied by Hermione. Before he exited he turned to Hermione and said, "Remember Granger, I will be watching you." he teased and was pushed outside by Hermione before slamming the door into his face.
Next day after Draco's revelation, Hermione was surprised to see Draco waiting for her outside her house, she figured it would be futile for him to hide himself from her while following her around after what he just told her last night.
"Good Morning Hermione!" He greeted with a smile.
"Good Morning to you too, Draco. So, I guess from now on, you will be walking with me to the Ministry is that it? Draco nodded.
"And coming home?"
"I'll be waiting outside the building."
"Uhhuh" she nodded feeling she has no choice. During their journey to Hermione's workplace, they both found themselves enjoying their walk and decided to continue their routine until one of them decides to stop.
Hermione upon arriving in her office began pondering as to whom would want her to be protected. She began deducing the potential people. 'Remus? Nah, I don't so; Harry? Why not, but...' her deep thought was cut short when her door slammed open and saw Severus panting. Hermione stood from her chair and walked around her desk to approach the man while Severus shut the door closed grabbed Hermione by the hand and slammed her into the wall though not enough to cause her pain.
"Mr. Snape what's the matter?"
"Are you alright?" Severus eyed her with concern.
"What do you mean?"
"I met Draco outside."
"Oh, he told you." Then suddenly she felt Severus moved closer to her that they were an inch apart and raised her head to face him. His hands cupping her face while the other on her was close to him that she can feel him breathing and can smell his scent and suddenly a twisted knot was felt on her stomach.
'Sandalwood, hmm.. I like it.' she thought as she closed her eyes enjoying his scent.
"Look at me." he said in his slow silky voice. She swallowed her saliva and looked at his dark eyes. She knew that he was penetrating her mind, if it would have been another person she would've already hex him but since it was Severus, it was alright with her.
Severus entered her mind passing through her memories concentrating the events that happened that night until he saw her in the middle of the night walking alone until he noticed the bald drunk wizard blocking her way. He watched with disgust and agony as the events unfold in front of him hearing her cries as the man attacked her, her screams calling his name.
"Hermione." the present Hermione heard him whisper as she felt his hands tremble sensing what he was seeing was the horrid past of last night.
It pained Severus so much to see her call his name but wasn't there for her aide. He then heard a familiar voice shoot a Cruciatus spell at the attacker and turned to see Draco approaching from the dark corner.
" It's about time!" Severus yelled at the image of Draco kicking the trembling wizard on the rib threatening him and ordering him to ran away which the old wizard obliged as soon as he was able to regain himself and took off.
As Severus delve deeper into Hermione's thought she felt his body leaning closer to her and his hold was beginning to tight until he removed his hands from her body and put both his hands on the wall maintaining his close distance to the witch in front of him but dare not to meet her eyes. He felt a pang in his heart, like someone had pierced it. The last image he saw was Draco entering her house and decided he would not delve further from that afraid of what had happened behind those closed doors. 'Why am I so angry? Am I jealous?' he asked himself though he knew that answer to his question.
Hermione held his face caressing his thumb, she has no idea why she did that but touching him for her felt good, so damn good. She knew he heard her screams and feared that he felt guilty though admission from him was surely slim.
"Look at me." and now she was pleading for their eyes to meet which Severus, though reluctantly at first, glanced back at her.
"I'm okay now, thank Draco for that." she smiled but Snape scowled at her and grabbed her tightly by the arm.
"And I'm pretty damn bloody sure you showed him how grateful you are?" Hermione was surprised at his anger, she was starting to compare her to a woman. Up until now, she still couldn't predict his mood. He'd be kind and sweet to her then the next he'll be snarky and moody.
"What the hell are you talking about?" she said in a high tone, Snape was about to respond when Hermione's secretary entered and was surprised to see Hermione and Snape in their position. Snape noticed he was so close to Hermione and released her and exited the room leaving again a confused Hermione.
"I'm sorry I interrupted you guys." the secretary blushed and smirked at her boss. Hermione rolled her eyes and knew that she and Severus will definitely be the main topic of office gossip.
Office hours are finally over, and Hermione was relieved and excited to go home now that someone will accompany her. She hates to admit that she felt lonely at times living alone. She was about to leave her office when Snape entered and they were both standing in front of each other beside the door.
" Miss Granger, do you have a minute?" Snape said in a clam voice. 'I really can't understand this man.' she told herself.
"Well I'm actually in a hurry..." she said as she thought of Draco waiting outside the Ministry.
"We can talk while walking, I just really need to talk to you." Hermione blushed and nodded. Snape stepped aside and extended his arm.
"Ladies first." His expression was unreadable bit still Hermione couldn't help herself from smiling as she walked ahead of him. They exited her office but did not escape the suspicious glances and murmurs of the staff nearby. Snape noticed the women giggling and talking in soft voices while giving them glances which made him cocked his eyebrow and looks at Hermione. The young witch looked back at him and met his eyes, asking her what the hell was going on. She knew what they were gossiping about, and so she just giggled at Snape's look of inquiry.
"I'll tell you later " she whispered. One of the younger male staff walk passed them and gave Severus thumbs up and winked with a wide smile slowly nodding his head in the process. Snape stopped walking and glared at the young wizard but seemed that didn't budge the young man a bit. Noticing that her companion she turned to see the exchange between the two and chuckled, grabbing Severus' hand and pulled him closer to her as they walked through the hall and entered a lift.
They were pushed further inside the lift as people began to enter. Severus pulled Hermione closer to his body as he leaned at the far corner of the lift standing behind Hermione. Slowly, Hermione held loose of his hand but maintain the palm of her hand touching with his. She fiddled the tips of her fingers against Severus' rough palm while maintaining a casual posture as if she wasn't doing anything. Her touch made the tip of Severus' hair raised feeling, an electricity rippling inside his spine. Hermione bit her lower lip as she felt Severus responded with her touch slowly playing his fingers with soft her fingers. She felt his breathe heating her hair sensing him smell her fragrance which sent sensation through her entire body.
They knew there were other people inside the area but they did not care nor care what the others may think. It was that very moment that they felt they were the only thing that exists and nothing else mattered. Slowly Severus hands shifted to Hermione hips slowly making from the back of her hips moving towards the anterior part with only the tip of his middle finger touching her blouse. His plan to talk to her was now gone and was apparently at a lost with their current state and if they go on any longer, Hermione knew she would definitely wet her knickers.
'This is not going well as I planned' Severus thought as he continued caressing her, teasing her and making her shiver to his delight. Hermione was enjoying what he was doing yet she knew she should stop it before she cannot hold herself and jump into him in that very room ignoring the people inside it.
"Severus." she whispered controlling herself not to give even a softest moan.
"Hmmm?"
Hermione held his hands and removed them from her hips snapping Severus back irritated but at the same time relieved for he might go too far that he might regret.
"You have something to discuss with me, right?"
"Oh that." he said causally.
The lift stopped its motion and quickly, the lift became empty as people began to move their way towards the exit building as if sensing freedom outside the ministry. Snape followed Hermione and began to discuss his plan.
"I heard that the lab you have been using in the Ministry to test for Potions is too small for all of you to work on and the instruments are insufficient..." Hermione stopped and raised her arm on top of his chest making halting him in the process.
"Wait, you heard? Do you not use the lab in the Ministry?"
"No. I have my own lab." Hermione's eyes grew wide open and her jaw automatically dropped. She never thought that a man like Severus could afford to have his own lab, well maybe own a few instruments but not a laboratory.
"How come you never told us-Wait-let me guess, you don't want to let us know because you don't like to share." she crossed her arms over her breasts raising her eyebrow.
"Well, I am a very private person. I don't like anybody going in and out of my house." he began walking followed by Hermione who was still in awe at the man beside her. ' You never fail to surprise me Severus which makes you even hotter and your voice, urgh, so sexy.' she thought.
"Miss Granger, going back to your problem with the lab..."
"So what do you have in mind?"
"I will tell you if you let me finish." he said hinting a slight irritation which made Hermione rolled her eyes. 'Here we go again, the sulky Snape is back.' she told herself.
"I have a proposition for you..."
"What is it?" she interrupted.
"Miss Granger!"
"Sorry, continue...please" When Snape was about open his mouth they suddenly heard a familiar voice.
"Hermione!" Both Severus and Hermione stopped and saw Draco waving at them standing beside the fountain. Severus scowled. He has nothing against the young Malfoy as a matter of fact he has a high regards to the young man but at the moment he wasn't pleased to see him. It made his irritation to him even worse when he saw Hermione jumped in joy and ran towards Draco, hugged him and by the looks of it, was glad to see each other. The sight made Severus turned away feeling like someone had crumpled his heart. He had no idea why he was feeling like that but he knew he doesn't like the feeling.
Draco saw Severus' reaction when he gave Hermione a welcoming hug. He smirked and held Hermione tighter when Severus turned back and met his eyes. 'Oh he's jealous alright.' he thought which made him happy at the realization. He pulled himself from Hermione and fixed a stand of her hair that was covering her hair pushing the strand at the back of her hair using his fingers making sure the tips touched her cheek. Pretending he just noticed Hermione's companion, Draco greeted the man advancing towards them with a wide smile. He saw Severus' hands had gone pale closing his fist in a tight ball.
" Nice to see you Snape."
"Malfoy" he scowled. Hermione did not like Snape's response and glared at him. Ignoring her sharp stare Severus turned to Hermione with his back facing Draco.
"Why are you here Malfoy?" he said without giving Draco a glance and moved closer to Hermione, being territorial.
"I'm here to take Hermione home."
"Mr. Malfoy, I think Miss Granger here is capable enough to go home on her own."
"I know that. But after what happened last night I'd rather not take the risk."
"No need to worry. I'll take her home." Draco saw Hermione blushed after what Snape said. Before he could respond Hermione interrupted.
"It's okay Severus, he can come with us." Severus looked at her and raised his eyebrow and leaned his head towards her touching cheek-to-cheek. Hermione felt she was about to be hypnotized by their closeness and his fragrance. What made matters worse for her is when Snape whispered to her ear in his slow, deep, silky voice.
"But I want to talk to you in private." he said. 'I so want to do him right now.' she thought, 'Snap out of it Hermione! He's your former teacher!" said the voice inside her head. She snapped back and said, "Its okay, I trust him." The words that she uttered gave a piercing feeling to Snape, he realized that he was not fond of the idea that Hermione trusted another man other than her friends, other than-him-though he was not sure if she even trusts him.
"Let's go." Severus grabbed Hermione's hand and began to walk dragging her with him. Hermione looked back at Draco gesturing him to follow in which the young wizard obliged maintaining a distance between him and Snape.
'What's the matter with them?' Hermione asked herself wondering what's up with the two of them for she was feeling a tension rising between them. They walked in silence making Hermione feel more uncomfortable so she opened her mouth and spoke.
"So Snape, about your proposal..."
"A proposal? My, my Severus proposing already? You two haven't dated yet." Draco interrupted. Hermione laughed yet gave Draco a look telling him to shut his mouth before Snape explode.
"I never said proposal, it's a proposition." Severus corrected.
" And the difference is?" Draco smiled teasingly and received a playful slap at the shoulder from Granger. 'That's it. I can't take this display of-whatever this is!' Snape told himself. He stopped making Hermione collide with his lean body. He wrapped his arm around her and glared at Draco as if telling the young man 'hands off' before they apparated.
Appearing at the same spot as Draco and her did the night before, Hermione was then pulled by Severus as he began to walk fast.
"Snape, what is wrong with you? Why did you leave Draco behind?" she yelled.
"I told you I want to talk in private."
They only stopped walking when they reached the front steps of Hermione's home.
"Miss Granger, I propose that starting tomorrow I'm going to let you use my lab for your work together with myself." Hermione was taken aback. 'Work in his lab, in his house, with him...closer to him. Oh Merlin, what's happening?'
"Well?"
"I-I, I thought you don't want anybody going in and out of your house?"
"You're not just anybody Miss Granger so you're excluding from the list of 'anybody'"
'And did I mention because I want to be closer to you?" said the voice in Severus' head. Hermione thought for a moment weighing the possibilities of being close to him and a possible disaster that comes with it.
"My instruments are advance and the area is being enough to occupy a class." he said hoping to be able to encourage her.
"How can I use your lab when I'm at my office on work days? Surely you would know that weekend will not suffice for me to test all my assigned Potions."
"You can come after work."
'Hmm...After work...a possible dinner with Snape. Late at night hooplas with him...very tempting-Oh stop that Hermione! You're such a flirt!'
"Okay. But I can't start tomorrow?"
"Why?"
"I will be going to the Burrow tomorrow. It's Arthur's birthday."
"Oh that." Both of them received a letter from the Minister inviting them to his Birthday. Hermione was thrilled, she has wanted to see her old friends but unfortunately work had kept her busy, Severus, in the other hand, was not interested.
"Aren't you coming tomorrow?" she asked expecting Severus' response.
"I'd rather not." Though she knew he wasn't going coming from his mouth about his refusal really disappointed her. Inside her was a slightest hope for the possibility of enjoying the party with him.
"Oh, I see. I hope you change your mind, I'm sure it will be fun. Goodnight.-Oh Draco! How long have you been standing there?" she saw Draco not far from them with a smile on his face.
"Long enough to hear you two going to be lab mates." Draco then looked at Snape and received a glare...again. Hermione bid them goodnight and entered her house, after she disappeared behind the door, Snape turned to Draco and said, "Let's talk." Without waiting for a reply he then walked toward Draco's house.
Upon entering his abode, Draco offered Severus to stay for dinner in which his former Professor immediately refused, saying, "I won't be long." They stayed in Draco's study offering his guest to sit and again received a refusal. While Draco was comfortably sitting on his sofa, Snape decided to stand in front of the fireplace turning his back on Draco.
"And what do I owe you this pleasure Severus?" he said teasingly.
"Draco..."
"Oh, it's Draco now huh? Tired of calling me by my surname?" Ignoring the young wizard Snape continued.
"...how come you didn't tell me that she was almost sexually assaulted? Was I not clear when I told you to follow her? To keep an eye on her?"
"Yes, it was crystal clear. And that's what I have been doing for the past few weeks. And besides, I was about to tell you this morning but you suddenly took off when I said 'something happened to Hermione', you didn't let me finish."
"I saw what you did to that man."
"You saw? Did you use Legillimency on her?"
"Yes, she allowed me." Draco's eyebrow raised remembering Hermione's reaction when she discovered him penetrating into her mind. 'Maybe she prefers Snape doing the penetrating." he thought.
"You cast a Cruciatus spell at the man."
"He was attacking her!" Draco cried.
"You know it's illegal to use that curse!" he spat.
"So? Like he'll sue me, don't worry I was only defending Hermione."
"Don't worry? If you have only responded earlier that man wouldn't have attacked her!"
"I thought she can handle him. Well if you're so concern about Hermione why don't you keep an eye on her!"
'Maybe I will' Snape thought.
"Are you sure you're mad at me for not doing a good job as her 'shadow' and not reacting on time ? Or maybe you're mad at me because I was the one who defended her when she was calling for your help? Surely you heard her scream your name. You must hate yourself right now for not being there." Snape was silent. Draco knew that he had hit home run and at that moment he had proven how much Hermione means to Severus through his silence.
"I saw you entering her house last night." Snape said in a calmer voice.
" Yeah so?"
"Did you touch her?" Draco was surprised at his question.
"What?"
"I said did you take advantage of her?" Snape began to shout as different images of Draco and Hermione doing things he hopes did not happen popped in his head. Draco was beginning to feel insulted at what Severus surely has been thinking.
"Oh, you mean shag her? Well no! What made you think that? Do you not trust me?"
"Do you like her?" Snape turned and moved quickly towards him, his hand ready to throw a jab at the young man if he gave a wrong answer.
"What's not to like? She's smart, she's funny, fun to be with. A one of a kind." he said, realizing Snape's intense jealousy towards him.
'True.' Snape thought. He was beginning to cool down as he realize that he was making a fool of himself for asking Draco such ridiculous questions. 'Severus, get a hold of yourself you old git! So what if he likes her, that's none of your business!' said the voice inside him.
"It's getting late. I have to go." before Snape leave the room Draco warned him.
"Someone must rethink where he stands with Hermione 'coz you know many men out there would love to have her. So if I were that SOMEONE, I would definitely waste no time. Who knows I might change my mind and pursue her."
Snape said nothing and left leaving Draco sitting in his study scheming about his next move. 'Maybe Severus just needs a little push or maybe a painful kick in the head. Hmm...I guess it will need every Slytherine tactics I got under my sleeves for them to realize what's in front of them" Draco then stood and held his head eye.
"Starting today, I vow that I will do my very best to make Severus and Hermione end up with each other!" he said as evil grin begins to show on his face.