Thanks so much for all the reviews. Not sure about this chapter but have to say had a lot of fun writing it, hope you enjoy reading.
Draco flipped through the book of old magic that Hermione had found, hoping that it would offer some clue as to what Hermione had experienced within the Sensieve or at the very least be boring enough to send him into a deep sleep that seemed to be alluding him. Thoughts of Granger and the worry of what he might have to face once he got home for the holidays was enough to keep his mind active and his eyes wide open and stinging. He sat up slightly in bed when he came across the obliviate spell, the information on it suggesting a large number of warnings surrounding its casting, which was far more than he'd ever read.
"Effects all memories, even those that are protected by other spells." He murmured, mulling over the implications. The Sensieve made with powerful magic, some of the most powerful magic he had ever witnessed, it didn't seem possible that another spell could affect it, but then again, if there was a spell that could it would have to be one that was designed to erase memories. That only begged the question of; what it was that Mina had been trying to forget?
Goyle snorted loudly in his sleep, letting out a grunt and turning over violently. Draco shook his head at the large lump of Slytherin; with Goyle making all the noise that he somehow managed to in his sleep it was a wonder he ever got any rest. He glanced at the small scroll he and Granger used to communicate, he had taken to putting it right next to his bed in case she needed him, not that she ever had or would, but there was a potential for it, plus keeping it close to him meant that he could fend off anyone that decided they want to snoop. He wondered whether he should write to her and tell her about what he had found, she would probably be sleeping and wouldn't get his message to till the morning, but if she wasn't? He rubbed his forehead, sighing heavily at his own stupidity, he never really could get used to how time he now wanted to spend with her.
He turned back to the scroll blinking rapidly when he noticed that it was glowing faintly in the darkness. Either someone else had gotten hold of the other scroll or Hermione Granger was up and trying to communicate with him. He gently unrolled the scroll to see two words.
You awake?
Smiling gently to himself he quickly stood, sneaking out of the dorm room as quietly as possible and making his way down to the common room. He eased the door open, scanning the room quickly and sighing with relief when he found that it was in fact empty. Insomnia seemed to be an issue among the Slytherin's many of the students staying up late into the night. Luckily all the Slytherins seemed to be happily tucked up in their beds. He quickly snatched up a quill that lay abandoned on one of the tables, scribbling his reply and hoping that Hermione hadn't given up on trying to talk to him.
You caught me!
There was a brief pause, long enough for Draco's shoulders to drop in disappointment, before three more words materialised below his.
Can we meet?
He considered making a joke out of it, pointing out how unbelievably ludicrous it was that she was asking to meet him, so late at night, especially when she had already seen him that evening, not that many hours ago. He paused though, something wasn't quite right, if Hermione Granger was contacting him so late then something must have happened, something bad. The thought filled him with panic, quickly scribbling down his question.
You okay?
Not really.
Meet me by the main doors. Wear something warm.
He quickly grabbed his scarf and coat and, after some deliberation, a bottle of Luden's Promise, whose contents had been helping him get through a relationship with Daphne Greengrass and survive Pansy's speeches without Avadaring her ass. It hadn't helped that she'd nabbed little sips in between, which apparently only fuelled her fervour for him to see her point of view, which she assured him was correct. He pulled his large black coat around his shoulders and slipped the bottle into his pocket and guiltily took one last look at the common room. He was acutely aware that he was once again ignoring quite sane advice to stay away from Granger, but if he found it difficult to stay away before, it was harder when he knew that something was wrong. As soon as she ran to him though, throwing her arms around his neck, he forgot that he was feeling guilty about anything. All he cared about was the fact that she was crying, and he wanted to make it better.
"Woah Granger, you okay?" Hermione sniffed and shook her head. Draco held her close, rubbing her back as she cried, his heart racing at having her so close and also with the knowledge that she's sought him out for comfort.
"What happened?" Hermione stepped back, wiping her eyes, sniffing and looking up at him a little embarrassed.
"Can we…can we go somewhere?" Draco nodded, glancing around before gesturing for her to follow him.
Professor Sprout had grown quite a considerable rose garden around the back of the castle that she liked to disappear into when the students had annoyed her, which of course they always inevitably did. Draco knew that she frequented the garden far more when she'd had the privilege of teaching the Slytherins. Their general disregard for most things led her to a point of anger that meant that a few hours in the rose garden was needed. During the Yule Ball, the rose garden had been a sanctuary for any lovebirds wanting to shove their tongues down each other's throats.
If he was honest he had never taken anyone to the rose garden, never shifted close and pulled the ole stretch and cuddle. Whenever he had made the trip it was always alone with the sole purpose of being alone, even timing his visits to a point when he knew that no one would be there. The main reason was that it was beautiful, the flowers magically blooming all year round, the scent of them wonderful and calming. Whenever his thoughts got a little too loud, or the people around him a little too much, he would retreat into the eternal summer and try not think about anything for a while.
He heard Hermione suck in a breath when he gestured for her to enter through the archway, her eyes darting to him and back to the garden. He was a little worried that perhaps she knew the rumours of what people did in the rose garden, but after a few seconds, she stepped inside, seeming to be unfazed by being there alone with him.
"Professor Sprouts rose garden?"
"The one and only, it's good to see your skills of observation are up to scratch, even at this time of night." She glanced back giving him a withering look and he was suddenly stunned by how beautiful she looked in the setting, Roses of all colours bloomed around her, snow blanketed the floor a stunning white, and tiny fireflies flew lazily in the air, seemingly unconcerned with the cold outside. Although Draco had no particular love or care for anything that Professor Sprout taught them, he had to admit that what she had done with the garden was rare and beautiful and the sight of Hermione stood within it, staring in open-mouthed wonder was beyond magical.
"I've never been here before, Viktor wanted to bring me here the night of the Yule Ball, but…well you know, we ended up in the Sensieve." Draco imagined, with happiness, the middle finger he would wave in the seeker's face next time he saw him. He knew exactly what the dickhead had been planning, bringing her into the garden and it made him want to send a particularly nasty jinx in his direction.
"Professor Sprout used to tell the first years that some of the roses could bite, genius really, hardly anyone comes here now."
"Yeah, I heard about that," Hermione mumbled, sitting herself down on a bench and watching as Draco settled himself next to her.
"So, Granger, what's the matter?" Hermione stared at the snow-covered ground and sniffed again, worry making her stomach cramp painfully.
"Ron's dad…Harry said that he saw him being attacked."
"What?"
"I…I know it doesn't make much sense, but Harry…he's been having these visions and well, he saw Ron's dad being attacked."
"But if it's just a vision then…"
"Professor McGonagall came to get the twins and Ginny, apparently it's true." Draco sat back, his mind reeling. He wondered if this was what his father had meant in his letter, were his plans coming together?
"I wanted to go with them, but McGonagall, she wouldn't let me."
"Has Potty gone?" Hermione nodded.
"I think so," she wiped her cheeks with her fingers, more tears quickly replacing those she had dried, "I waited for him, but he didn't come back."
"Hey, hey, Granger it's okay." Hermione glared at him and he drew back.
"It's not okay, I care too, I want to know that he's okay too and I just…I get left behind. Apparently, the rules that apply to me don't apply to Harry." Draco was actually shocked that Hermione was speaking out against the spectacled wonder, but he knew that it wasn't because she believed what she was saying, she was worried and being angry was just an easier way of dealing with it.
"It just feels like, sometimes…sometimes I'm overlooked. Harry has so much to deal but I…"
"You've got your own shit too," Draco said with a nod, digging the bottle of Luden's Promise out of his pocket and unscrewing the lid.
"Yeah." Hermione breathed, watching as he took a swig of the clear liquid and offered it to her. She eyed it suspiciously.
"Don't worry, it won't kill you, Granger, only mildly singe your insides." Hermione reached out lifting the bottle to her lips, hesitating only a moment before taking a sip and instantly falling into a coughing fit.
"Geez, it feels like drinking fire."
"I actually feel like drinking fire would probably be easier. It will burn your troubles away though." Hermione took another swig, wincing slightly but managing not to cough or splutter.
"Never would have guessed, Granger handling her drink like Slytherin," Hermione smirked a little.
"I'm full of surprises." Draco thought she didn't know just how achingly right she was, how much she constantly threw him off with all the little things she slowly revealed about herself.
"Is the head of the Weasley clan okay?" He muttered as a way of distraction from the direction his thoughts were heading, cutting those buggers off at every pass.
"I don't know…I think…I think so or at least I hope." Draco wiped his face, he wasn't very good at the whole comforting thing, but he wanted to least try for her.
"Well it's obvious people are looking into it and with Potty on the case I don't think anyone up to anything nefarious is going to get away with it." Hermione paused but eventually nodded, wiping more tears from her eyes. "I think you should drink some more and forget about it for now."
"Forget about it? How can I forget about it? Someone I care about is injured and…and hurt and I'm stuck here." Draco slipped his arm around her shoulder gently, hoping it wouldn't cause the fiery Gryffindor to lash out at him.
"That's my point Granger you're here. Going over the same crap isn't going to change that."
Hermione was quiet for some time before taking a large sip of Luden's Promise, her eyes watering more from the dreadful drink than being upset.
"You're strangely insightful." She handed the bottle back to him.
"I'm full of surprises." He winked at her, taking his own sip of firewater and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. His eyes widened slightly when Hermione shivered, her whole frame shaking violently just once.
'You cold?"
"A little." She nodded feeling suddenly shy in – whichever way she looked at it – the quite romantic setting.
"Hold on, hold this." Draco handed the bottle to her, undoing the buttons of his coat, revealing a deep green t-shirt.
"Wow, house-coloured pyjamas."
"Got to let people know what you stand for, even when sleeping," Draco mocked, and Hermione giggled a little, realising, with horror, that the clear liquid was actually going to her head a lot quicker than she'd imagined it would.
"What are you doing anyway?" Hermione eyes him suspiciously as he opened out his coat.
"You trust me?" Hermione narrowed her eyes.
"I don't know," she mumbled, eliciting a grin from the blonde.
"Smart move, Granger." He gulped meeting her gaze and opening his arms. "Come here." The last two words were spoken much more gruffly, in a tone of voice that made Hermione's stomach knot with something other than worry. She knew she shouldn't be there with him, not supposed to be getting drunk while her friends dad was possibly dying, but she had to admit that Draco was right, all her worry would not change anything, so she slipped along the bench and allowed him to pull her into his arms, her cheek resting against his chest as he tried to pull his large coat around her shoulders. She tucked her legs up beneath her, her own heart speeding up when she realised how fast his heart was racing.
"How are you so warm?" Hermione marvelled, realising that she had always thought that he would be a cold person. Draco's laughter vibrated through his chest and she found she loved the feel of it against her cheek.
"Part Luden's Promise, part survival."
"Survival?"
"Dungeons are a cold place, Granger, need to keep warm somehow." Hermione laughed, letting her arm slip around his waist, bottle clutched in her fingers.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually think you might be making me feel better."
"You sound surprised." Hermione handed the bottle to him when he gestured for it, glancing up to watch him take a swig, hypnotised by the bob of his Adams apple and the glisten of liquid on his bottom lip. She gulped and looked away, her fingers curling around his side, the feeling slowly returning to them as his body heat warmed them.
"Well you don't exactly make this side of you known, do you?"
"People will come to expect it then, and that's just a whole of nice to live up to."
"I reckon you could do it." Hermione became aware that his arm was draped the length of her body, her own coat falling away so she could feel his hand resting all molten on her hip.
"Nope, only special people receive my kindness."
"Oh, so I'm special." Hermione could hear herself flirting and wanting to hate it, but the moment was serving as a beautiful distraction, she was left breathless by this side of Draco and the drink was making her feel giddy. He rested his cheek against the top of her head as if it was the most natural thing, and she could feel his smile against her skin.
"Brightest witch ever to grace Hogwarts, if you don't realise you're special then you're way more of an idiot than you like to have people believe."
"That sounded like a compliment, back-handed mind, but a compliment." She teased leaning back to meet his gaze, stunned by how beautiful he looked when he was relaxed, a lopsided grin on his face.
"It might have been."
"I thought Slytherins didn't do compliments." Draco shook his head in mock seriousness.
"Oh, we do, just rarely is all."
"What? Right time? Right place?"
"Right person." Hermione felt as though her heart had actually stopped, his gaze all serious, so dark in the low light. She turned away and had another drink.
"Ugh, that tastes disgusting." She took another swig though, just to be sure and Draco laughed at her, his thumb beginning to trace maddening circles on her hip.
"You sound like Pansy." Hermione frowned at the insinuation that she sounded like the Slytherin brunette.
"She hates this stuff but somehow finds it in her to keep drinking." He smirked and Hermione blushed, settling back into his side.
"You're the one that suggested I should relax."
"That I am and congrats on a job well done."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, Granger."
"What's she like?" Hermione muttered, feeling disconnected from her body as she ran her fingers up and down Draco's side, watching his stomach jump beneath the green material.
"What's who like?" He asked, letting out a shaky breath. He considered that maybe drinking late with Granger was a bad idea, but she felt so good against him, her fingers dancing across his side, tiny sparks of magic forcing him to bite back a groan.
"Pansy?" Draco frowned, it was difficult to think straight with Granger this close.
"Why you want to know?" Hermione shrugged, her fingertip tracing tantalizing patterns along his stomach.
"I just, I guess I don't really know her and, well maybe she is different to what I expect." He smiled down at her, ever the compassionate Gryffindor, always trying to find the good, it was such an infuriatingly nice quality but at that moment he couldn't be annoyed at her for it.
"She's…she's Pansy. Nosy, moody, she can make you feel like shit with just a few well-placed words, but…she cares about people, well some people. And when Parkinson cares for you," he sighed shaking his head, "well she'll literally do anything for you.''
'Really? She's always so…mean."
"Tell me about it. You're lucky that you're rarely on the receiving end."
"What? Your friends are always mean to me."
"Trust me, Granger, they're mean to everyone."
"Even you?" Hermione was leaning back and looking at him again in disbelief.
"Especially me."
"I thought they all followed you around like lost puppies."
"Pfft, yeah of course they do and I'm a Gryffindor."
"There might be some Gryffindor in you, I shouldn't write it off just yet."
"Ugh, I was having fun Granger, now I just feel sick." Hermione laughed along with him, pressing her cheek against his chest again, watching his fingers jump against the neck of the bottle and tiny tremors move throughout his body as she spelt out her name on his chest. She had no idea why she was suddenly so brave, touching him brazenly, but then again she couldn't think past the violent pulse of his heart and the breaths that he took in and shakily let out.
"You know…I want – I want to thank you, you're actually…I thought this night would be, argh, I thought I'd be alone but…but I'm not."
"Yeah well, I'm happy to help." He took another gulp of Luden's Promise wondering by all things Merlin how he was managing to keep any sort of control when Hermione was drunkenly driving him to distraction, her innocent touches and the way she looked up at him, cheeks all red and glowing, lips slightly parted.
"You know, I've been thinking…with everything that's gone on with Ron's dad, I think I want to stick around over the holidays."
"Understandable I guess." He muttered, gritting his teeth when Weasley was mentioned, he held back his distaste though, she didn't need him pocking fun at her friend, no matter how much he wanted to.
"And well, if I'm around then we could go to the Manor. What do you think?"
"I think that we should drink to that.' He passed her the bottle smiling as she took a deep gulp handing it back to him. She couldn't believe that she felt better, here with Draco Malfoy holding her and comforting her as if it were normal, as if they had done it so many times before. Hermione thought vaguely of what Daphne would make of the whole situation, but her head was too fuzzy and everything about the moment was too nice.
There was also the added issue that Harry had mentioned Draco's father's involvement with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and that spending time with Draco seemed like a slap in the face to her friends and all that they were going through. But she couldn't see that in the Draco that was holding her, he was so different to what she expected, so different to anything that any of them expected and she liked it, she liked it so much. Another thing that niggled at her as Draco tugged her closer - resting cheek against her head again, mumbling about her bushy hair - was the fact that when they had all gone Draco had been there for her and he had made her feel better.