Draco dutifully made sure to continue checking on Hermione every day, and Harry started coming back every couple of days. At least until he had to leave for another raid. It was a little overwhelming for Hermione, so she asked them to leave her be today. Just one day of alone time, to see how her brain and body coped. It was hard.

She felt numb. Physically and mentally, she was straining herself and the tipping point was quickly upon her. She picked up her wand for the first time in months and cast a muffliato on the room she occupied.

She walked over to her bed and sat. It took seconds before she was crumpled into a ball hugging her pillow, sobbing loudly. She didn't know why she was crying, only that she needed to. All this time she kept herself closed off from everyone and everything. It wasn't enough that the war ravaged her youth, but barely into adulthood, her parents were ripped from her and there was never any getting them back again. She blamed herself. If she hadn't got sorted into Gryffindor, maybe she could have avoided Harry and Ron and not been pegged as Undesirable Number Two on the Ministrys and Death Eaters most wanted list. If she had not been crying in that bathroom when the troll came in, if she hadn't snuck out with the boys to the third floor corridor, if she hadn't spent all those nights up in the common room plotting and planning... maybe her life would be different...

She sobbed harder. Of course life would be different. Harry would not have had her. Harry was the Chosen One, but Hermione was the brilliant one. He'd needed her, just as much as she had needed him. Who could say the light would have won, and the war would have ended as quickly as it had if Hermione hadn't been such an integral part of the fight?

She couldn't help but to feel bitter. After everything they sacrificed, why was life still mistreating them? Why did other people have to suffer for their actions? Why did her parents have to die for having a child born into a world they knew nothing of?

She would never have the answers she was seeking and she shuddered, clinging to the pillow until she fell into a fitful sleep. She was completely unaware that her magic had been tingling through her body as she wept, and had not noticed the effect it had on her room, or on a certain blond across the hall that stopped pacing his room mid stride. Head down, and fists clenched, he let the anguish, despair and loneliness that was not his own wash over him, knowing there was nothing he could do to make it go away.

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Hermione woke in a state of confusion. She'd been dreaming in a blur of swirling images, and nothing seemed to make sense. She was sweating and felt the chill from outside filling the room. It was dark now, so she assumed she'd been asleep for quite some time. She rolled to her other side and could see the glint on her bed side table from the metal food tray the house elves still left her daily.

Scooting over to it, she sat on the edge of her bed and grasped the cup of water, drinking greedily. She must be dehydrated. Refilling it, she drank it all again before placing it down and staring at the food. She knew she should eat it, but there was always something that prevented her. Her appetite was non-existent, and she hated that because she actually really loved food. Sighing, she picked up a small sausage and popped it into her mouth. It was tasteless to her.

How frustrating...

She got up and waved her hand to light the candles in the room. She was stunned to see the disarray. Clothes and books strewn across the floor, shoes and her bag tossed haphazardly by the door. She sighed, and padded her way to the bathroom and got herself undressed. She desperately needed a shower. As soon as she'd turned the water on, there was a knock at her door. She heard the familiar tapping that accompanied it.

She wrapped a towel around herself and walked over to the door. She stood a little distance away, waved her hand again and the locked shifted allowing the door to swing gently open.

Draco stood there leaning against the door frame. She thought he'd be surprised once he caught sight of her, but if he was, he didn't let it show.

"Bad time?" he asked quietly.

"I'm about to shower."

He raised a brow at her, glancing out the window behind her.

"I.. I slept all day, mostly." Hermione mumbled, and averted her eyes. She didn't want to tell him she cried herself into exhaustion. He nodded.

"When you're done, come over."

"Okay."

She shut the door and went back to her bathroom. She wondered why she so easily agreed to everything he said to her. Why should she go over? He was Malfoy. Since when did she listen to him?

With a resigned sigh, she got herself washed off, and out in a matter of minutes. No use lingering, as if the water would do anything for the actual grime on her soul she wished could be washed away.

Dressing in a simple pair of pajama shorts and shirt, she left her room quietly and knocked on Dracos door. It opened almost instantly, and she walked in to find him laying on his bed, one leg up bent at the knee, the other extended outward. He was sat back against his headboard with a book opened in his hand.

She fidgeted with the bottom of her shirt, waiting for him to say something. He looked up at her, and studied her a moment.

"Come here."

She walked over slowly, the sound of light footfalls and the creaking floor boards filling the room and stood next to him. She didn't know why she felt so anxious. He usually brought her comfort, but with her emotions running haywire, it made sense she was on edge now.

He set his book off to the side, and grabbed her hands. Without saying anything, he pulled her down, pretty much lying on top of him, and hugged her close. Her heart thudded dangerously in her chest and she was certain there was no way he didn't just feel that.

"Draco, what-"

"I hate when I can't do anything to make you feel better."

She bit her bottom lip, and settled for burrowing her head under his chin, her cheek resting against his chest. She felt a tear fall down her face and wondered what she could have possibly done that called Draco into her life. He still confused her, and she still fretted sometimes that she was being too casual with him, but then, he did things like this and she didn't seem to care anymore. Within the walls of the Leaky Cauldron, nothing else in the world mattered.

"Granger, stay here with me tonight." He whispered into her hair.

What the hell...?

Confused wasn't the right word to describe how she felt. Her heart was hurting now with how fast it was beating. She gripped onto his shirt without thinking.

"Okay." She said just as quietly, and even she was in disbelief that yet again, she was agreeing to whatever he said.

He shifted them slightly and pulled the comforter over her as well and tucked her into his side, wrapping his arms around her.

She wondered if he wasn't just doing this for her. She wondered if he needed the closeness, as much as she probably did. Maybe that's why she kept agreeing. He never talked to her about his life. All she knew was that he was an Auror and was looking for her parents killer. He didn't work as much as Harry, and she tried to figure that out. If he was new, he couldn't possibly have less responsibility than Harry did.

Still, she knew he only left a few hours every day, anytime he felt like it, and would always come back, looking for her. She supposed she could ask Harry about it, but what if... what if there was a chance Draco was lying about being an Auror? It would make Harry suspicious, and demand she stay away from him. She frowned at the thought. Shouldn't she, though? Now, probably yes, but if he really was lying, then should she not be more than willing to tell him to shove off and never seek her out again? She burrowed into his arms further and he squeezed her lightly.

No... She thought. No matter what, I know I don't want to be apart from him.

He was stroking his thumb lightly across her hip and she felt goosebumps rise all along her body, despite the warmth surrounding them together under the covers. Without fail, he continued to elicit responses from her she thought she'd never experience again. Even though she slept all day, she felt the comfort wash over her and lull her back into sleep, this time much more restful.

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Hermione woke up the next morning feeling warm, content and safe. She realized Draco hadn't let go of her, as she was still pressed snugly against him, and felt herself blushing. He was a man after all, and she was in his bed, and well... He was not immune to the morning reactions of his body, apparently. She didn't want to wake him, but also knew he'd be angry with himself if they remained this way for too long.

"Draco... wake up."

He grumbled into her hair and pressed himself into her even more. She flushed bright crimson now, and nudged him a bit.

"Draco, please wake up."

"I'm tired." He moaned, and Hermione had to fight to keep herself together.

"Parts of you don't seem to be..." She whispered. She felt him tense beside her, slowly realizing what she just said. He pulled back to look at her face. She offered him a small smile to show she wasn't upset, and he carefully peeled himself off her and to the other side of the bed. He sat up, took a few breaths and walked to the bathroom with out a word, shutting the door with a soft click.

Hermione let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding and giggled into her hand. She actually giggled. How long had it been since she'd done that? Malfoy looked so embarrassed, and it was kind of sweet.

She looked over when he emerged from the bathroom, now in complete control of himself, and sat back down on the bed next to her.

"I'm sorry, Hermione."

She blinked several times.

Did he just apologize for that? Silly man.

"Its alright. It's natural, I suppose." She shrugged, and without thinking, again, she reached out to him to lay back down with her. He complied, pulling her close and they just enjoyed the feel of the warmth between the shared space under the comforter.

End Chapter 6

I know this was a short one, I apologize. We are almost done though, 4 more chapters to go, already written and waiting to be uploaded and enjoyed! I just wanted to take a moment to thabj everyone that has been favoriting and following because those notifications seriously make my day! Thank you all so much for enjoying the story. See ya tomorrow for the next chapter. Dont forget to leave a comment as well. I love to hear from you.