Chapter 24
Hermione slept soundly that night. Part of it had to do with her interrupted sleep schedule the night before, but she also felt better about…everything. Writing to Ron mad her feel slightly better and her talk with Draco the day before had been beneficial to her, before he decided he would kiss her. Nevertheless, she slept like she never had before and enjoyed the feeling of being refreshed when she woke.
Draco on the other hand had tossed and turned all night long. He barely got more than three hours of sleep because his thoughts wouldn't allow him to fall asleep. He lain awake tossing and turning all night. When the sun finally rose, he groaned, not wanting to leave his bed. He needed sleep for the day, but he clearly was not getting it. With another groan, Draco rolled out of bed and went to start his day with a hot shower. After washing quickly he dressed and went to check what his shore was for the day. Seeing that he only had to set tables, he felt relieved since there weren't too many patients in the facility to begin with. Though he didn't like the fact that he would have to be doing it with Hermione.
Ever since his brash move, he wanted to avoid her. Clearly she did not want to talk with him, and he would respect that since the whole thing equally embarrassed him. If only he had been sensible and not kissed her, they wouldn't be avoiding each other and Draco wouldn't be shoved off into a corner because he refused to try and make friends with anyone else in the entire house. He would be gone soon enough anyway, he kept telling himself. Begrudgingly, he moved toward the dining room to begin his chore for the day. Fairly simple task. Lay down the plates, then bowls, then the cutlery. Though he did have to do it three times a day. That was the worst part. Some people easily finished their tasks and could do nothing all day, while others, like himself, had to continue doing it all day.
When he walked into the room, Hermione was already there, setting plates around a table. She didn't notice him walk in, so he stayed silent and went to the cart with everything that needed to be set out. At the sound of Draco picking up the cutlery, Hermione jumped and whirled around to see him. She had thought she was alone and didn't mind doing this by herself.
"You can set up for lunch, Malfoy. I've got this," she spoke softly before returning to her duties.
"I thought maybe we could talk," he suggested as he began to lay down the cutlery.
"About what, Malfoy? Our childhood? Or who won the last Quidditch match?"
Draco rolled his eyes at her joke and shook his head. "No, I wanted to talk about…when I kissed you," he spoke softly, not looking anywhere near her. He was already embarrassed enough.
Hermione sighed and looked up at him with a pissed off expression. That was the last thing she wanted to think about that day. "No," she said before placing down more plates.
Draco frowned in response and focused on the cutlery. He gathered his thoughts before finally speaking up. "I know it was stupid and irrational for me to do that. I wanted to comfort you, and I'm just not good at comforting others," he explained, hoping she would understand.
There was a silence between them for a moment. Neither one of them dared to speak. Draco had stopped setting the tables and just watched as Hermione continued around. Noticing that he wasn't doing his job, Hermione began to place out the cutlery herself.
"I'm sorry," he said, nearly inaudibly. Hermione paid no mind to the apology. "I was out of line. I have been since we met each other. I was an idiot kid who only cared about himself," he told her, trying to think of any logical explanation for the way he had acted towards the woman. "And the other night, I really shouldn't have come onto you like I did."
Hermione wanted to snap at him, saying that really had no right at all for what he did, but she knew that was what he wanted. He wanted her to respond and she wouldn't give him that satisfaction. This continued throughout the entirety of them setting up, then when meal time came, Draco sat with her and continued to try to get her attention. Hermione would not give in. He was out of line and she didn't want to speak with him. Instead she talked with others at their table. When she was able to ignore him, it made things easier, though someone had to mention it.
Once she finished eating, Hermione excused herself, and hoped Draco would not follow after her. She hurried up to her room and closed the door behind her, locking it. She was going to hide until it was time for her to set up for lunch. Draco could clear up by himself. She sat on her bed, looking out the window in her room. There was a tree out her window. Some days she would see squirrels, or birds, but today it was empty. No life was shown on the branches. She frowned slightly and moved off her bed to get a better look out her window. She looked along the tree. Nothing at all. With a sigh she leaned against the window frame, looking at the field next to the house. It was an empty field. Hermione fell into her thoughts of anything and everything.
It wasn't until there was a knock on her door that Hermione broke from her trance. She jumped at the sound and whirled around to look at her door. Not thinking twice, she went to open the door and glared at the man who stood in front of her. She just wanted a break from him.
"What?" she asked sharply.
"May I come in?" he asked, motioning inside of her room.
With hesitation, she allowed him in. If she were to go off on him, she'd rather him be in her room so no one could hear her yelling at him. She shut the door once he was in and resumed her glare.
"You're an ass, you know that?" she asked, a little too calmly.
"I apologized for it, Weasley," he said with a slight groan. Apparently she wasn't going to let this go.
"And? You think I'm just going to kneel down and kiss your damn ass because you said sorry? Things don't work that way, Malfoy. I'm married Malfoy, and for some reason you think you can come and swoop me off my feet? Or do you just want to fuck me again?" She asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
Draco glared at her. "You're married, but you've cheated on your husband with at least two men," he pointed out, his stare never lightening.
"That is none of your business, Malfoy."
"As a matter of fact, it is," he said with a shrug. "You dragged me into your little affair by sleeping with me."
"You wanted to do it. You could've said no, and went on with your life, but you decided to fuck me. And I don't even remember it! I was an alcoholic, Malfoy. I was always drunk! I can barely remember anything that happened during that year," she defended, making her stance stronger.
Draco stood up straight now, making himself a little taller than he already was. He towered over Hermione's small frame. "Weasley, as I recall, you came onto Blaise and me," he told her with a shrug. "And we were more than happy to accept it. Of course my mind was a little clouded so I didn't even recognize you," he defended.
Hermione huffed and rolled her eyes at his pathetic excuse. "You are engaged, Malfoy!" she reminded.
"Yeah, and you're married Weasley," he pointed out and crossed his arms, smirking down at her.
"Maybe we were both in the wrong, but then when I am trying to be reformed, you just decide to try and make out with me!" she reminded and did her best to make herself look taller.
"Not make out," he defended. "Just a small kiss."
Hermione rolled her eyes and turned to walk away from him. She went back to her window and glanced out of it. Still no signs of any life outside of it. "Why would you think that was a good idea?" she asked as she finally turned to face him again.
"I-you were upset and I wanted to make you feel better," he muttered and looked away from her.
"How would that make me feel any better, Malfoy? I would just feel guilty, like I did every morning after a night out."
"But you still went out," he pointed out. "And slept around like every other night."
Hermione glared at him, collecting her thoughts for her next argument, but before she could speak, Draco's lips were on hers again. She was stunned at his bold move, and stood completely still, her eyes wide open. Once she registered what was happening, she quickly stepped back and haphazardly swung at him, smacking him across the face.
"How dare you!?" she shouted at him, wiping her mouth to get rid of any taste he left on her lips.
"I thought you would calm down," he admitted and took a step back. "And I was wrong," he mumbled.
"I wouldn't have guessed!" She gave a sarcastic remark and rolled her eyes, going into her bathroom to brush her teeth. She didn't want any trace of him left on her body.
Draco frowned slightly and watched her for only a moment more before leaving her room and going to hide in his own room. It was obvious she was pissed. This slap stung more than he remembered from his third year. He would just see her later in the day during lunch. Of course she would try to keep him away, talking with other people in the house, but he would be able to talk with her after the meal, not to mention, she would have to see him when they worked together to set the tables. Those assumptions were wrong when he went to set up for lunch, and she was not there.
Of course he could have reported her for not showing up, but then she would have to explain why she was avoiding him. Draco certainly didn't want to have to deal with anything in the sorts of sexual harassment, which made him realize he certainly hoped she wouldn't be reporting him even if she didn't have to tell the staff why she wasn't doing what she was assigned to be doing.
Hermione decided she would turn up late to lunch, hoping Draco would have been finished and left, but when she arrived, there he was. Sitting alone like always. He was finished eating, but he was still sitting at the table. As soon as the two locked eyes, Draco quickly stood and walked towards Hermione. She froze for a moment, not sure what to do, so he was able to fully approach her.
"Listen, I want to apologize for what I did earlier. You had the right to slap me," Draco said, glancing at her face before looking away.
"Listen, Malfoy, I'm not in the mood to deal with this. I just wanted to come eat lunch. Please, just leave me alone," she said softly and ran a hand through her hair. He just didn't know how to give someone any space whatsoever.
"Right…fine. I'll see you later, yeah?" he asked, taking a step backwards. "I'm going to need some help setting these tables," he pointed out.
Hermione shrugged, not sure if she was up to spending another ten minute with him alone. "I don't know," she admitted, not liking the sound of her voice saying those words, but she had been feeling that way for such a long time now. "I might see if I can talk with my doctor," she told him honestly before turning find a spot at the table with the rest of the people in the house.
Draco watched as she walked away before leaving the dining room. Maybe she would take responsibility for cleaning up since he set everything down. As he walked back to his room, Draco thought of all the ways he could get to her.
A/N: I know guys! It's been waaay too long since I've updated and I also know this chapter kind of drags on, that's why it took me so long to write it. I will try my hardest to get the next chapter up sooner than this one took. I am sick at the moment and don't plan on leaving my bed, so as soon as I update, I'll start writing the next chapter! Don't forget to review!
