And now the aftermath.

Chapter 20

Draco lay in the large, plush bed simply watching Hermione sleep. He absentmindedly ran his hand up and down her naked arm while he stared at her face. Even in sleep, she was gorgeous. Her smooth, tanned skin was unbroken by a single tan line, making her look as though she had been kissed by the sun. She had high, delicate cheekbones, accentuated at the moment by long, dusky lashes that fanned across them and fluttered ever-so-slightly as she rested. Her regally arched eyebrows were just a shade darker than the darkest strands of her hair and, when she was awake, drew even more attention to her warm, cinnamon-colored eyes. Her pert little nose just begged him to touch, so he did, running his finger in a featherlight caress down the straight bridge.

He honestly could not think of one single logical reason as to why Gryffindor's Princess herself would have ever chosen to be with him, every inch the haughty Slytherin Prince, but he found himself desperately hoping that she never changed her mind. He wasn't sure how he'd ever be able to let her go after what had just happened between the two of them, although he knew that he should do exactly that.

He thought, for the millionth time, of all the occasions on which he had hurt this amazing woman that lay in his arms. He was astounded that not only had she forgiven him, but she had also decided for some reason unknown to him that he was worthy of her love. He knew, however, that he wanted to become worthy of that love.

Although it went against every Slytherin trait he possessed, he wanted to mold himself into a man that deserved her. He wanted to be brave enough to stand up to the Dark Lord, to defy him, although he knew that he could not. He wanted to have the courage to do more to help her cause, although he was afraid to risk his mother's life by doing so. He wanted to be everything that Hermione was, but that was simply impossible. He would have to settle instead for being those things that she wasn't: the cautious, careful Slytherin to help temper the brash, bold, fearless Gryffindor.

She had changed him, deeply, although if he didn't know how she had managed to do it in such a short period of time. He did know, however, that he wanted to continue to change in order to be a better man…for her. He vowed to himself, lying there in that bed with her warm body in his arms, that he would make that happen. Not only would he prove himself to her and, eventually, to her friends, but he would also prove it to himself. He would become someone who was deserving of her, somehow…some way.

He also vowed in that moment that he would destroy anyone or anything that ever dared to threaten her. If anyone thought that they could take her away from him, they were sorely mistaken. They would have to get through him first. If people thought that the Lions were the only ones that fought fiercely for what was theirs…well, clearly, they had never tried to take something from a Snake.

Ambition; pride; cunning; self-preservation. All of these made for an ideal Slytherin. They also made someone who was not good at sharing what they perceived of as theirs. And Hermione was his. Dolohov might have gotten away with cursing her once, but that was before she and Draco had become…whatever label she decided to put on them. Now, no one would harm her – not while she was his. He would protect her; to his dying breath if need be. Gryffindors, after all, did not corner the market on loyalty; woe be to anyone who tried to harm someone that a Slytherin cared for.

So, he would complete his role in the plan that Dumbledore had laid out for him so many months ago now. He would be the pawn in this deadly game between the Headmaster and the Dark Lord. Once his part was complete, he would either join Hermione in the Order (doing whatever necessary to bring down the Dark Lord), or he would return to the Dark Lord's side and feed information to the Order, whilst keeping her safe from afar; it all depended on how things went down at the end of this year. Either way, his focus would be on bringing down the maniacal tyrant who was trying to destroy the wizarding world, while keeping Hermione safe and happy.

Finally, content in his decisions, he pulled her tighter to his body and allowed himself to drift off for just a few minutes, knowing that they would need to get ready to join their Housemates at dinner soon. Their Saturday freedom was nearly at an end and they both needed to show their faces in the Great Hall to avoid any suspicion, but he wanted to let her rest as much as she could until then. He placed a gentle kiss on her temple, then closed his eyes.

Not too much later, Hermione awoke in the warm cocoon of Draco's arms to find him asleep beside her. She knew they needed to get dressed and down to dinner soon. Even so, she took just a moment to study his sleeping face. She looked at his porcelain skin unmarred now by the dark smudges that had constantly been present under his eyes only a few months earlier and felt a bit of pride that she had been able to help bring about that change.

She had never seen any man more beautiful than Draco Malfoy and learning that his beauty went more than just skin deep had been a revelation. His soul was beautiful, his mind was beautiful, and she loved it all.

She leaned in and placed a gentle kiss to his lips, slightly parted in slumber. He mumbled in his sleep and shifted just a little before pulling her body closer to his, making her smile. She continued to kiss him softly until he awoke. They rose from the bed and redressed, sneaking looks at one another's bodies and stealing kisses the entire time.

When they were both presentable and preparing to leave the room, Hermione reached out, grabbing his hand and pulling him to a stop before he could open the door of their private sanctuary.

"I just want you to know, Draco," she said. "I love you. No matter what happens from this point on, I'm yours."

He looked at her solemnly, then pulled her into a tight hug. She breathed in his comforting scent and held him close. When he released her, she met his gaze with her own, snared for a moment by eyes that had always seemed to her to be so cold and steely; right now, they looked like molten silver, highlighted with flecks of blue here and there.

"I love you, Granger."

He looked like he wanted to say more, but the words weren't necessary. Hermione could now see his heart in his eyes...and it was beautiful too.

Song Inspiration: I Found – Amber Run

Hope you enjoyed a little bit of each of their perspectives!

sbz