Chapter 8

At the sound of her name coming from him, Hermione felt her stomach flip. It was the first time she's ever heard her name pass through his lips. She put the towel back into the bowl, never taking her eyes off of him. She gently brushed his hair out to the sides of his forehead with the tips of her fingers. She let them travel to his cheek, slightly grazing them. She pulled away her hand, letting out a tired sigh. "What are you doing?" She whispered herself. "Why are you letting him push you through theses roller coaster of emotions?"

She went around the bed and sat at the edge of the other side. She studied him. The steady rise and fall of his chest, the air coming in and out of his slightly parted lips. The faint lines on his forehead from frowning so much, and the tired ones under his eyes. His blond hair slightly covering the sides of his forehead. His nose with the slight imperfectness from when she punched him third year. Her eyes traveled to his right arm. She let her fingers graze where the dark mark used to be, which had disappeared when Harry had killed Voldemort, but there were still faint traces of it. She was surprised at the huge relief she felt at not being able to see the dark mark on his arm anymore. She saw his hand tremble. She firmly held it, trying to stop the trembling. She let her head lie on the bed, keeping their hands at eye level. She held on tighter as Malfoy's hand unconsciously wrapped around hers. His hand felt extremely warm. She closed her eyes, taking in the feeling, and slowly she drifted off to sleep, joining him into dreamland.

Malfoy turned his head slightly to the right, willing for his eyes to open. It felt too good to stay asleep. It was the most sleep he's ever gotten for a while now, ever since Hermione came back, and that was over a month ago. Hermione...his eyes flew open, remembering her. He groaned as the sun shone brightly into his eyes. He tried to lift his hands to shield them, but something held his right hand down. He looked down to see what, and he felt his heart skip a beat. Hermione held onto his hand as she continued to sleep peacefully. He smiled as she pushed the hair covering her face behind her ear.

Hermione stirred as she felt something graze her cheek. She quickly shot up as she recalled where she was. She looked over at Malfoy, and saw he was up. "Hey, you're awake." She smiled.

Malfoy grinned back at her. "Yeah, I didn't want to be though. That was the best sleep I've ever had in a while." He said squeezing her hand.

She noticed that she was still holding onto his hand, and immediately pulled away. They both felt disappointment, as the warmth left their hands. "So...um..." Hermione looked at the clock. "Oh! It's already two! It's past lunch time, you should eat."

"Food's the last thing on my mind."

"Well you still have to eat." Hermione stood up, and went around the bed. She grabbed the bag of food from the nightstand. She took out a Tupperware, and opened it. "Chicken Noddle Soup, and it's still really warm, thanks to magic." She handed Malfoy the opened bowl, and a spoon. She noticed his hands shake as he held on to the items. "Here, let me help you." She sat on the edge of the bed, and took the bowl and spoon from him. She took a scoop, and lightly blew on it, before offering it to him. They never broke eye contact as she gave him a couple more bites. "How is it?" She asked

"Best soup I've ever had." He sighed, knowing it was not the food that made it the best, it was the person feeding him the food. "I hate feeling useless though."

"You're sick, you're supposed to be useless."

He sneered at her. "Thanks" he said sarcastically.

Hermione laughed "You know what I mean."

"Yeah, yeah. I still hate being sick."

"Guys are such babies when their sick.

"Not me!" He pouted. She laughed again and Malfoy smiled. "I like making you laugh."

Hermione looked away blushing. "It's not that hard … making me laugh … I mean."

"Really?" He cocked an eyebrow

"Really. Ron says I will laugh at anything."

"Nuh-uh. Hermione Granger, an easy laugher? Now way!"

"Yes way! Try me"

"Let me think … okay I got a joke. What do you call a Mexican with a rubber toe?"

"Uh..."

"Roberto!" Malfoy grinned as Hermione's laughter rang in his ears. "Okay I got another one. What do you call two Mexicans playing basketball?"

"What?"

"Juan on Juan!"

"Hahaha, okay I got one, too"

"Okay shoot."

"What's the similarity between a Roman Catholic Priest and a Christmas tree?"

"What?"

"The balls are just there for decoration." Hermione's smile widened as Malfoy roared with laughter. She liked seeing him like this...happy. She got lost into her thoughts. She and him were having a good time...together. They were actually having a decent conversation without fighting. They were laughing, getting along. They were acting like good old friends, unlike the times where they argued.

Hermione looked at Malfoy and noticed his face inches from hers, and getting closer. "Malfoy..."

"Hermione" He whispered

"Please don't..."