Chapter 9 - Willow Tree

Hermione in a small hidden space near the fountain, flipping through a muggle's book her grandmother had bought her. Apparently, the elderly woman didn't understand what "Harlequin" was, as Hermione was towards the late-middle and blushing. The fountain created delicate sounds around the area, allowing anyone with stress and worry on their minds to relax. Not being able to take any more of the extreme writing, she placed it down and laid on her back staring at the ceiling filled with a typical sunny sky from a charm like the dinner hall at Hogwarts always held. Closing her eyes, she wished for a thunderstorm and rain, and in a moment it came true.

The thunder lit up the dark sky, the rain lightly sprinkling over her face and body. It felt amazing, picturing the spring time and the beautiful thunderstorms.

The door made a small creaking noise, as a pattern of footsteps caused the gravel to grind together quietly. Hermione slowly pushed herself up, remaining hidden behind the bushes. The back of their head showed, orange hair - Ron Weasley; he walked to a far enough distance behind a large tree, apparently to be out of sight to anyone else. She could still see half of his body, his eyes scanning the room. A flick of his wand revealed some kind of dark circular portal he easily stepped into.

She stood up, attempting to run to the portal. As she approached the tree Ron had hid behind, something wrapped around her wrist gently yet tight enough. Hermione fell back into what was definitely a person.

"Let me go! I need to see where he's going!" She attempted to pull away harshly.

"Hermione, you can't go there," Draco's voice was filled with a caring yet demanding tone.

"But he is obviously..." she continued to pull away unsuccessfully.

"No." He stated, but had to keep holding her from running.

Removing his wand from a pocket in his pants, he tapped her neck gently causing her to fall backwards. Picking her up, he brought her under the hanging branches of a willow tree, sitting down with her falling into his lap. The trunk of the tree held him from falling backwards; his hand caressed her cheek, caused her eyes to flicker moments later.

Her eyes opened, seeming to be calm before she remembered what she had been trying minutes before.

"Where is he?" She asked with worry and intensity. Looking at Draco, "what did you do to me?"

Draco pulled her stubbornly into his chest, holding her tight to himself. She weakened, placing her cheek on his shoulder.

"I couldn't let you run into that portal, Hermione. I had to weaken you just to get you away from it." He could tell she wasn't happy about being forced. "Don't be mad, it was only for your best interest. I wouldn't do it to hurt you."

She didn't say anything for some time, nor did she move from his chest. Finally her breathing seemed to return to it's calm rhythm.

"He went somewhere he shouldn't, Hermione."

She lifted her head, her eyes lightly scanning his face, "what do you mean?"

He sighed, "I mean anyone who goes there is obviously not a good..."

It clicked in her head, how she couldn't have figured this without all of the hints. "He's with Voldemort," she looked at him with his face falling. "Isn't he?"

With that spell on Draco keeping the secret hidden, all he could do is raise his eyes back to hers.

Hermione attempted to stand, but Draco pulled her back into his chest, "he's not going to be back for a while, don't worry right now." He kissed her forehead, her eyes still fixed on where the portal had stood.

"We should still do something," her body knelt like a stiff statue. Her arms being pulled back again, she nearly yelled, "stop it!"

He successfully got her to fall back into him, that specific tender spot on her neck perfectly visible. He blushed, leaning over to place his lips onto her soft skin. Causing her eyes to close gently, her body immediately falling back into him more, her tense limbs letting go of their stiff ways. When the tip of his tongue met the region of sensitivity, an almost silent moan escaped her throat. His hand caressed the other side of her neck, causing small goosebumps to follow his trailing fingers. Pulling his face away, he blew very little at the small wet area he had left, causing her to shudder and squirm.

"S-stop," she whined softly.

"Stop what, Hermione?" he asked, playing his words softly.

"Stop teasing me," she said softly, continuing to squirm lightly in his lap. "I don't want to be left like-"

"Who says I was only teasing?"

Her eyes rushed to meet his, feeling his hand on her jaw and lowering his face to hers. His other hand found hers, picking it up and placing her arm around his neck. Finding the right way to position his legs, he lifted himself without breaking away from her and gently laid her on the soft, cool grass. Her hands cupped his face together, never leaving when he pulled away. As of that moment, Ron the Deatheater was forgotten about with the world, because the only things that mattered were together under the breezy willow tree.

Don't worry! Those of you who read the "mature rated" stories for a particular reason will not go without. Even though Draco usually teases Hermione, I'm going to tease you for a few hours! (Actually, I'm really just going to get something to eat and give you another chapter in a bit.) Also, please review for me! What is the point of writing and posting for others to see if you never get any feedback for it? Later, Loves! :)