Draco had led her into a small-medium sized room, almost like a clubhouse a young child would have, lit dimly by candlelight. In the room lay a large green rug, a long wooden table against the far wall, a row of books on a low shelf on the left side, two doors one on the far left side of the room and one on the far right side, and a mini fridge, which unlike the muggle world needed not be plugged in, and stayed cool with magic.
Hermione smiled the room was very nice and warm; it reminded Her of a cabin her family had once rented for a summer. Small, but homey and cozy.
"I created this living space when I was young" said Draco, releasing Hermione's hand and walking further into the main room. "I had always thought I could bring my friends here and it would act as a clubhouse" Draco looked to his feet then back at Hermione, a look similar to a frown grew across his lips "but I never found anyone to bring here"
"What? You had friends. I knew you as a child, everyone in Slytherin house thought you were brilliant," said Hermione simply
"No" Draco said shaking his head "none of them are really friends, more like… I don't know, I don't want to say servants but it's as if they're afraid of me, and my father's power"
Hermione nodded slowly, understanding what he was saying. She felt pity on the poor boy. She couldn't imagine how it must have felt to grow up without a true friend. Hermione hadn't had many friends growing up, but at least the ones she finally gained were true friends, not just there because they were afraid of her.
"I'm sorry," she said frowning, taking a few steps towards him.
"Don't worry about it" he said rubbing the back of his neck, walking forwards as to fill the gap between them "because now I have you to bring here" he grinned down at her and she smiled largely back.
"Would you like a tour?" he asked in a tone that suggested there was nothing else to talk about. Hermione chuckled lightly
"Well I don't know what you could be hiding, but alright"
Draco took her hand once again and first showed her through the door on the right. Inside was a very large bath chamber. It shocked Hermione as the previous room was so dark, and his room was so light. Black sparkling marble floor, white walls, a large mirror over the white marble sink, a normal white toilet, and a very large round bath tub, with three different spouts.
"Wow" gasped Hermione "so bright and clean" she said as though she expected Draco's bath chambers to be filthy.
"Yeah it's alright, barely come here so it's not as though it gets dirty" he ushered her from the room, back to the main entrance, then through the door on the left wall. Inside was a bedchamber. With nothing but a small side table and large king sized bed, with green and black linens.
"Looks comfy," said Hermione jumping onto the bed.
"used to have two twin beds, changed it once I actually started staying here some nights" said Draco still sounding a bit sad. Hermione released a long moan as she felt her muscles relax into the soft bed as she lay on her stomach. Slowly she turned onto her back, then propped herself onto her elbows. She lifted a finger and motioned for him to come join her.
"I'd love to" he said admiring the girl "but I'm afraid we must be heading back, classes start again soon, and we haven't even eaten lunch, I'll get you something from the fridge" he smiled as he left the room. Hermione frowned, was she becoming the immature one?
Hermione left the room closing the door behind her. Draco handed her a sandwich and together they walked back to the vanishing cabinet in Borgin and Burkes, out of the room of requirements, and out into the hall, Draco exiting first to make sure there was no one in sight.
"Draco?" asked Hermione once they were alone in the hall "may I ask why you brought me to that… um-uh well I don't really know what to call it" Draco smiled down at her
"I was thinking maybe it could be … our place. You know some where the two of us can spend time without getting caught" Hermione stared at the boy in shock, then a large tooth filled grin spread across her face
"That would be lovely" she stood on her tippy toes and kissed Draco lightly on the cheek, then skirted down the hall to grab her books.
The next day
Blaise, Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle walked into the three broomsticks to meet Lucious Malfoy. The four climbed the stairs to the room above the small pub, opening the door and filing in to see the blonde man sitting slouched in the large armchair.
"So" said the man straightening his posture "what have you, summoned me for young man" he asked almost annoyed
"It's Draco!" shouted Crabbe without thinking "he's gone mad!"
"Shut up" spat Blaise and Pansy in unison
"Sir" said Blaise sternly "it has come to my attention that Draco is spending a great deal of time with… a mudblood" the man's eyes widened
"How do you know?"
"I had been flying on… erm- my broom, I passed their window only to see the two… snogging. And last night I followed Draco into the Room of Requirements, where he met the girl, proceeding to take her into some sort of wardrobe"
"The vanishing cabinet" said Lucious under his breath
"They were gone for quite some time. I didn't wait around for them to come back, but he was in afternoon classes"
"Who was it? Who was the girl?"
"It was that ugly, stupid, muggle born Gryffindor princess!" called Pansy walking towards "Hermione Granger"
The man's eyes narrowed sharply "I should have known. Foolish boy…"
"Any idea where they might have gone?" asked Blaise eyeing the man
"Yes. I have a hunch" the man smiled sinisterly at the group of teens "so. Here is what's going to happen…"
Hermione and Draco POV
Instead of going into Hogsmeade with the rest of the students, the two decided to go spend time at the home Draco had created. Hermione told her friends she had to speak with Slughorn about a potion she wanted to perfect, her friends rolled their eyes and ceased their arguing, allowing Hermione to do what she pleased. Draco meant to tell his friends that he was going to be taking care of some head boy duties, but he never came across them.
The two had to be more careful this time in Knockturn alley, so Hermione, daringly doing the unthinkable, stole Harry's invisibility cloak from his trunk, so that she could wear it until her and Draco reached their place, and she could come out in the open.
Hermione was so happy with the small sanctuary Draco had created. It made her feel so glad to be there with him, without having to worry about someone finding them. Together they lay on the large bed, talking casually.
"Hermione…" said Draco suddenly ending their talk of how muggles travel from place to place.
"Yes Draco?"
"I've been thinking… will you be my girlfriend?" he shouted quickly without much thought. Hermione was startled by his out burst then giggled when she registered what he had said.
"I kind thought I already was" she said turning onto her right side to look at him, he did the same, turning on to his opposite side so he could look at her
"Well I guess but I thought I'd make it sort of.. Official" he said reaching under his pillow and pulling out a small silk white box. He handed it to her shyly. Hermione gapped at the gift then took it with slightly shaking hands.
She opened the box slowly to reveal a silver band ring, with one large green stone in the middle, surrounded by several small light scarlet stones.
"Draco…" gasped Hermione "it's beautiful"
"The green represents Slytherin, the scarlet Gryffindor. It's so every time you look at it, you'll be reminded of me. Take a look on the inside" Hermione looked on the inside of the band, and carved delicately into the band read " Love is stronger then hatred " Hermione stared for a moment not sure how to react. She then turned to face Draco quickly "l-love?" she stuttered "do you… what do you mean by that"
"What do you think?" he grinned at her softly "I'm falling in love with you Hermione" he said his eyes gentle as they stared at her with longing. Hermione felt her bottom eye lid fill with light small tears.
"I'm falling in love with you too Draco"