Chapter 16. Close

POV Draco

The twins left shortly after Potter made his exit. They stayed long enough to ensure Hermione was alright, promising they would stop by next weekend. The whole day felt surreal. He had never liked the Scarhead, but he never in his wildest imaginations could have thought he would turn his back on Hermione. He couldn't help but wonder if anyone but him had been the one to save her, if he would have been more inclined to believe her.

Is it my fault?

He was lost in thought, pushing the food around on his plate.

"Draco?" he heard her ask faintly.

He looked up and could see the sorrow in her eyes. He needed to pull it together; she was the one who should be upset, not him. He dropped his fork, and ran his hands over his face, letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

"Yes, Granger, sorry, I was just lost in thought."

"What were you thinking about?"

"Nothing worth entertaining." He said, forcing a smile.

"Are you sure? You can tell me, Draco, it's okay."

"I am. It's just been a long day, how about we go shower and head to bed early."

"How about a bath instead?" she asked, waving her wand, sending the dishes to the sink to clean.

His eyes locked with hers. "Alright."

He took her hand and followed her up the stairs to their bathroom. Once he shut the door behind them, he flicked his wand to turn on the tap. She turned to face him and his heart began to thunder in his chest. She caught his gaze and he thought he could feel her reaching out through the tether. Not breaking eye contact, he tried to allow his magic to envelop the sensation, entwining them together.

He closed his eyes for a moment as the sensation settled. It was overwhelming at times, the sensation of another's magic mixing with your own, and yet he never wanted it to end. He reopened his eyes and took her face in his hands, hers reaching up to lay atop his own.

"Is this okay?" He asked tenderly, stroking her cheeks.

"Yes" she breathes.

He nodded his head before leaning forward and planting a soft kiss to her lips.

Salazar, I would surrender my entire vault if she would let me kiss her forever!

She dropped her hands to the hemline of her shirt and pulled it over her head.

Fuck..

Following her lead, he removed his own shirt and waited for her cue to continue. She bites down on her lower lip and suddenly covers herself up, shying away. He reaches out, taking her hand in his own and placing it on his chest, using his free hand to lift her chin up to look at him.

"You're beautiful."

She unclasped her bra and let it drop to the ground at their feet.

Keep it together. Do not get hard right now.

She slipped off her shorts and knickers, and he followed suit. Sensing her hesitation, he climbed into the tub first, the water was steaming hot, immediately turning his alabaster skin red. Once settled, he offered his hand to her so that she could steady herself as she climbed in. For a moment she just stared at it, before finally reaching out and taking it, stepping carefully between his legs and lowering herself down.

"Is this alright?" he asked as she tried to settle her back against his chest.

"Yes, this is fine… yes." Draco wasn't convinced.

"Hermione look at me."

She slowly turned her shoulders so that she could crane her neck to look back at him. He placed a hand gently on her neck, thumbing the skin just behind her ear.

"Its just a bath. I wont do anything you don't want me to. I'll keep my hands right here on the edge, unless you move them. Okay?"

She didn't move. She just stared at him for what felt like an eternity. He didn't dare break the spell that had settled over them, so he started counting the flecks of gold that freckled her honey brown eyes.

37

He was so lost in her gaze that he hadn't noticed her hand take ahold if his and move it down to her breast. He did however notice her wrap her hand around his neck and pull his mouth down to meet hers. He was cautious at first, gentle, until he felt her tongue lick at his bottom lip. Accepting her invitation, he enveloped her mouth, pouring all his emotion into every movement. She grasped his hand once again and guided it down her stomach, beneath the waters, and between her legs.

His hand landed at the apex of her thighs and she let out a quiet gasp. He peppered kisses down her jaw to her neck as he slowly ran his finger across the sensitive bundle of nerves at her center. Her hands reached up around his neck and ran her fingers through his hair. Draco closed his eyes relishing the feeling.

Her breathing grew heavier and he covered her mouth with his own, swallowing a moan that had escaped her lips.

"God's your perfect."

He pulled his hand away briefly, switching to his thumb, and reapplied pressure to her clit, slipping one of his long slender fingers inside of her. She cried out against him, throwing a leg over the side of the tub.

"So beautiful."

She was writhing in his arms, he quickened his pace, slipping a second finger in. He knew she was close, trembling against him, her skin flushed. He noticed her eyes were pinched shut as if she was frustrated, so he slowed his pace and gentle kissed her below her ear.

"Relax Hermione, I've got you." He kissed her neck again, "You're safe love, I'm here."

Her face began to soften and Draco increased his pace again.

"That's it. Can you cum for me love?"

She shattered against him, crying out her release. Draco was sure he had never seen anything so beautiful in his entire life than that of Hermione Granger coming apart in his arms. He held her tight against him as she came down from her orgasm, whispering praises into her hair.

"So good, so beautiful. Perfect."

As her high wore off she slowly turned her body around to face him, pressing a long kiss to his lips. His cock throbbed beneath the water, longing for release. He had expected he would need to take care of himself once they were out of the tub. She had touched him before when they were in here last night, but she was in the middle of desire then. Now she was lucid and sated, and he didn't have any expectations for her to be ready to confront that again. He was satisfied with just being allowed to be close to her, all the rest he can handle on his own.

Hermione continued to kiss him, having turned completely around, sitting between his legs with hers draped over each of his. He thrust his tongue into her mouth and she reciprocated, biting his lower lip. His cock felt like it would explode with just the feel of her kisses and body pressed against him.

His eyes shot open when he suddenly felt her hand grasp around it. Locking eyes with hers he rumbled a growl from deep in his chest. "You don't have to do this Hermione."

"I want to."

He closed his eyes, rubbing his hands down his face. He didn't want her to feel obligated to get him off. He sucked in a breath as she began stroking him.

Fuck!

He looked down at her hand and moaned. "Fuck. Hermione. Do you know what you do to me?"

She froze and Draco immediately knew he'd done something wrong. Without thinking, he took her hand, removing it from his member and quickly stood up, scooping her into his arms, performing a quick drying charm and carrying her to bed.

Dammit! Stupid! Why don't you use your brain?!

He tucked her into bed, climbing in beside her and wrapped his arms around her.

"Shit, I'm so sorry Hermione. Was it what I said? I didn't know, I'm so so sorry!"

She was trembling, her eyes tightly closed and she was muttering something under her breath he couldn't quite hear. He didn't know what else to do but hold her.

Five minutes passed.

Then ten.

He had to try something else.

Come on, think!

He gently pulled her over to her other side so she was facing him. He laid down beside her and put her hand on his chest.

"Hermione, baby, I need you to open your eyes."

She shook her head vigorously, curling up into a tighter ball.

"Listen to my voice. You're safe. Reach out and find me with the bond. Come on baby, I'm right here."

A flicker.

"That's it!" he praised, "Keep reaching! Find me! I'm here! You're safe!"

Another flicker.

"You've got this! Come on! Open your eyes baby!"

Slowly, her eyes opened and silver met gold once again. Tears burst forth from her and she snuggled in close to him as she cried.

"I'm sorry Draco!" she stuttered, "I don't know whats wrong with me!"

"Shhhh, nothing love, nothing. It was my fault!"

"No its not. I knew you meant nothing bad when you said it, but when those words came out of your mouth all I heard was "I EARNED IT!" and I couldn't move. This wasn't on you. Please don't blame yourself, it makes me feel worse."

He clung to her tighter, stroking his hand down her arm. They laid there as the sun continued to set and the room darkened. When her sobs ceased, he thought she had fallen asleep. He needed to use the loo so he slid his arm out from under her and quickly slipped into the bathroom.

Salazar help me. I don't know how to heal her.

He leaned over the sink, turned the tap on and splashed water on his face and neck. Tears stung his eyes as he racked his mind looking for some way to get her through this.

Please. Please. Please.

His hands shook as he rubbed his face. He needed to calm down, but how could he?

Hermione is the one who needs healing, not me. I have to be strong for her. It's the least she deserves.

He allowed himself a moment longer to cry before wiping his eyes and going back to bed. When he exited the bathroom he noticed Hermione sitting on the bed, looking intently at him.

"I hope I didn't wake you." He said as he sat down beside her, "Are you alright?"

She shook her head, "I should be asking you that."

"I'm not the one whose suffered a trauma Granger. I'm o—"

"You were the one who found me. You and Theo saved my life. If that isn't a trauma to you then I would question if I mean anything to you at all."

That silenced him. He cared about her more than anything. There's not a single thing in this world that he wouldn't do for her.

"Draco, I don't know how to be okay. One minute I'll feel fine, and the next ill feel like I'm back against that wall, or back on that floor. I just know that whatever this bond is between us, whatever is aligned for us? I want that. I want you, and I want you to know that I want you."

She slid off the bed onto the floor, shuffling between his knees. He gulped audibly.

"Hermione I don't—"

"Shhh. I need… I want to do this. Please. Let me take care of you, they way you take care of me."

Salazar….

She ran her hands up his thighs, leaning forward and kissing his knee. He looked down at her on her knees as she took him into her hand. Slowly she stroked him, and a sigh escaped his lips. The moonlight streamed through the window casting a halo on her mane of curls and he couldn't help thinking she looked like a goddess kneeling before him.

His cock was hard, and he knew it wouldn't take long for him to come undone at the sight of her alone, but she was stroking his faster now, and before he could protest she bowed her head and took the tip of his cock into her mouth. A moan tore from his throat.

"Fffuuuck." He gasped, biting down on his finger to stifle his words.

Her tongue swirled around his head and she slowly inched more in. He must be dead. He had died and gone to heaven, there was no other explanation for the way this felt. She pulled back and looked up at him through her lashes.

"Am I doing okay?"

"God's, yes, Hermione! So good!"

She smiled and took him into her mouth again. He reached a hand out slowly and placed it on her cheek, fighting his desire to tangle his fingers into her hair. Her head bobbed up and down taking him in deeper each time. His thoughts were clouding and his breathing quickened.

"Fuck. Hermione. Just like that. I'm so close."

Two more strokes and he came apart in her mouth. She wiped her mouth, and cast a quick cleansing charm before climbing into his lap to kiss him. She pressed her forehead to his and he could feel her energy flowing into him.

We really need to figure out how this tether works.

He pulled them down onto the bed, lying side by side, their hands tangled between them. Hermione looked relaxed and sleepy, which Draco realized might be his favorite version of her.

"You really are so beautiful, Hermione."

Even in the dark, Draco could see her blush.

"You're not so bad yourself."

He ran his thumb across her cheek. "I don't know how to help you."

"Oh, Draco, you already have." She shifted closer to him so their faces were mere inches apart, "I said it earlier; you saved my life, you and Theo healed me, you sat by my bed every day. You have done enough, it was time for me to put in some work. I needed to conquer the words that hurt me, because I earned it. I earned the right to my pleasure, not Ron, and I get to decide who I give it to. I know I'm not healed yet, I'm sure we will have more nights like tonight, but I want you to not shy away from me out of fear that you will trigger me. I need to face them, and if you're here with me, we can figure it out. Together. Okay?"

"Okay." He replied and she planted a kiss on his lips, covered them with the blanket and cuddled into him.

"Goodnight Draco."

"Goodnight Hermione."

Gods I think I love her.