Hermione's hand fell to the side, dropping the dagger with a loud clunk. She was lying on what felt like hard rocks.
No, not rocks. Tile?
Something surrounded her back to lift her up and she wailed in pain, thrashing and kicking.
"Accio," a familiar voice said.
Suddenly, she was drenched with water. Not freezing cold like the stream, but warm water that came down on her like rain. It mixed with blood and flooded the tiles on the bathroom floor, creating a stream through the door into a bedroom.
There was an audio gasp beside her when the fabric was finally peeled from her back. The voice was shaking as it gave commands. Blood replenishing, powdered silver, dittany…
The voice was whispering comforting words to her as the first vile of potion was brought to her lips.
Not a voice. Draco's voice. Wasn't there something she wanted to say to him?
"Thank you…" Hermione spoke before the darkness swallowed her whole.
Hermione woke in an unfamiliar room. Pain shot down her spine when she attempted to sit up. Now, she resigned to stare at the ceiling. Searching her mind for how she got there, she remembered nothing. Hermione attempted to push herself up into a seating position a second time, but the pain was so strong that a whimper escaped her lips.
"Stop," Malfoy's hand was on her shoulder the next moment, carefully guiding her back down.
"Malfoy? What are you- where am I?" She asked, confused.
"You're in one of the guests' suites. You've stayed here before. Don't you remember?" Malfoy asked her gently.
"Guest suite? Where- is this your home?" Her voice was so hoarse, each word was like a knife in her throat. "How did I get here?" She choked.
Malfoy clenched his jaw and looked down at the floor. His fingers were tapping on the bed inches away from her as he struggled to find the right words to say.
"What is the last thing you remember?" He asked neutrally.
Hermione had to think about it for a moment. The comfort of the bed kept her on the brink of sleep. Malfoy brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers. She met his eyes as he continued to gently stroke her cheek, not paying mind as to why it felt better than it should.
"We were running from the Snatchers. There was a taboo on Vold-… You-Know-Who's name and the enchantments…" Hermione's voice trailed off as her mind started working again. "Wait no. I was running alone. The enchantments failed- no, the wards." Panic fueled her and she shot up in the bed despite the thunderous pain.
"Careful! You're fine, Granger. I promise. But you need to lay down or you'll hurt yourself further." Malfoy held her with one arm while cupping her face in his hand with the other.
Hermione nodded and unconsciously leaned into Malfoy's hand as she tried to control her breathing. She looked down and saw that she had grabbed Malfoy's shirt with both hands. Releasing him instantly from her grip, she let him direct her back down.
"I'm sorry I…"
It all began to come back. Her time with Draco. Hiding in the manor. Walking around the grounds. The wolves.
Her mind cleared enough for her to silently chastise herself. Wards or not, wandering a forest alone without a wand wasn't something she would do. It would be something Ron would suggest and then she would shoot it down, sensibly. Draco must have seen the realization in her eyes as he fixed her blankets tightly around her.
"You have been unconscious for four days." Hermione's jaw dropped as Malfoy continued, "It's not as bad as it sounds. Most of it was due to the potions. It is better that you don't move much if the wounds are to heal properly."
The wounds. "Am I-"
"You're not infected." He cut her off coldly. "It was better to keep you under. We didn't want to risk more tearing, or scars or-"
"I understand." Hermione cut in when she saw him starting to get irritated. He seemed to lower his defenses at her words, and she kept trying to connect all the dots in her mind. "How did they even get through the wards?"
"They tried to claim that they didn't. But my father was alerted the moment they triggered them." He spat out. "My father should have been more prepared. Especially after what happened."
Hermione looked at him, waiting for him to continue. "What happened?"
"Now isn't really the right time."
Hermione just closed her eyes. Of course, it isn't.
Malfoy seemed to recognize his old habits at the same time she did and ran his hand through his hair before continuing.
"When I got called away, the night I-" Malfoy paused, spinning the ring on his finger. "The night Bell was killed and you left. Greyback had told the Dark Lord that I was hiding something."
Hermione stopped breathing.
"He said he could smell you on me."
Greyback had scented her the night Katie died. He was just less obvious about it.
"The Dark Lord demanded we let him search the manor for you." Draco was getting visibly angry at the memory. "He was at our suite within minutes insisting I let them in."
"Did you?" She breathed and Malfoy answered with a look of disgust she was sure matched her own. It felt just as violating as when the death eaters searched her childhood home.
"Once he was inside the study he went into some sort of frenzy. Like a fucking hound. He didn't let up until the Dark Lord casted a charm himself to prove the bedroom was empty."
"So, they know I'm here?" She said, her panic rising even her dulled senses.
He shook his head, "Zabini came to our rescue on that one. He mentioned Greyback had never been in the same room with you without me in attendance as well, since I was there both times you were brought in. Suggested he must have thought my scent was yours by mistake."
"It doesn't work like that." Hermione corrected.
"I know that. But the Dark Lord hardly cares about the particulars of werewolves. Neither does my father for that matter." A malicious smile crept on Malfoy's face, "He was not too happy the beast had gotten himself into a rut due to his son. He nearly slaughtered him right in my study."
Malfoy seemed amused at the dark statement. Hermione hated that she also was pleased that Greyback was at the receiving end of Lucius Malfoy's wrath.
"Greyback wouldn't be fooled. He will still be after me the next time he comes here." She would need to leave. If she was in the rooms the next time they searched for it, it would be all over for them.
"No wolf will step foot on the grounds again. In human or other form." Malfoy's voice was hard and unforgiving. "You should rest."
"Draco?" She blurted out before he opened the door and he turned to look at her.
She sat up, trying to find the words but she had nothing to say. She just couldn't stand the sight of him walking away. They stayed there, looking at one another for a minute. Malfoy leaned against the door, letting his head fall back as he looked down at her.
The comforter had fallen around her waist, revealing her middle was wrapped in cloth from collarbone to hips and she wore no shirt. The bandages decently covered her, but Hermione fought the urge to grab the blanket and pull it up to her chin. This isn't how she wanted him to see so much of her for the first time.
"How long do I have to stay here?" She asked finally and Malfoy's face fell before he could manage to shield the pain from his expression.
"You still want to leave," he asked hopelessly.
"How long do I have to stay in here?" She said, darting her eyes around the room.
"You want to come back to ours?" He said, this time emotionless. Hermione bit her lip and gave a small shrug.
Malfoy pushed off the door and was by her side the next moment and Hermione pulled him to her, taking a deep breath of him from the croak in his neck as they embraced. She felt his lips brush her bare shoulder and his warm breath traveled across her skin. A moment later, he was moving her legs to surround his middle as he lifted her up by the bottom of her thighs, careful not to apply any pressure to her back.
"I can walk." She protested.
"I know, I know," he countered, and she gave in, tightening her limbs and leaning into him.
He did a quick peak of the hall before walking the short stretch to their rooms. It was appalling that Voldemort and Greyback had been in their study. They would have to think of a way to cleanse the place of them.
Hermione tried not to wince as he set her on their bed. She found that her body was more sore than anything else. Moving around would probably help her heal faster than just lying there.
"No." He chided her lightly. "I know what you're thinking. No running around until your potions have worn off. They'll knock you off balance."
Hermione brought her brows together in frustration. "We at least need to discuss…"
Everything.
"We shouldn't discuss such things when both are not in the appropriate state of mind." Draco spoke delicately. "The potions will make you a bit… loopy."
Malfoy drug his thumb over her lips while Hermione pouted, and she closed her eyes relishing the feeling. She missed his touch. As her eyes fluttered shut, the effects of the potion started to overpower her again.
"What is it with you two and drugging me?" Hermione joked from her groggy state.
"Neddy is determined to have her way with you. Wicked thing." Malfoy said in a sly, suggestive voice. Hermione couldn't help a laugh escape her.
Malfoy sat on the bed next to her and ran a knuckle down her face as his mouth curved into a small smile.
"There's my girl."
Neddy was the only one in the room with Hermione when she came to again. Once the bindings were removed, she was able to look at her back in the mirror and all that remained of her wounds were the faintest of scars. Neddy refused to accept her gratitude, or groveling, but she stayed with Hermione for as long as she could before she had to leave to tend to the guests downstairs.
Fate took pity on her as she managed to get away with both her bag and her knife. It was only her tent that would be lost forever. The enchantments made it nearly impossible to find once it was out of sight. Hermione grabbed the vials of living death from her bag and held them in her hand. After all Malfoy had done for her, was it fair for her to risk her life without even telling him her plan? She set the vials on their bedroom fireplace, deciding it wasn't.
There was a knock at the door. Excited, Hermione turned on her heels and ran up to open it.
"You are here." Theo said incredulously, and he walked into the study grinning.
Hermione was hesitant to reveal too much information. "Would you expect me to be anywhere else?"
Theo gave her an approving grin. He seemed rather proud she was catching onto the art of deceit. "You had us worried. Zabini was sure Malfoy killed you to rid of the evidence." He tried to say jokingly, but the sincerity in his statement started to seep through.
"What? Why would he think that?" She asked, tucking her legs under her as she sat beside him.
"You know. The whole debacle with Greyback. No matter. I told Zabini you were just lying low. Only sensible." Theo sat forward to make them a cup of tea from the tray. "When is lover boy expected back? I found the thing he was asking for."
"What thing?" Hermione should have known Theo was baiting her to see what she knew.
"Looks like you'll have to wait and see." He said grinning over his shoulder.
"But he won't be back for hours." Hermione whined.
"Excellent." He exclaimed, sitting back with the two cups in his hand. "I've been dying to know about the latest advancement of our favorite star-crossed lovers."
"Oh, geez." She muttered and accepted the cup from Theo.
"Don't play innocent. I noticed the way you were walking just now."
Hermione playfully batted his shoulder. "You seem really interested in the process of shagging a girl. Thinking of branching out?"
"Never," Theo said, pulling a face. "I've really on heard the dirty details from Blaise, and I refuse to believe his renditions to be the universal experience."
"You two talk about Blaise's past partners?" Hermione asked, surprised.
"Just in the beginning. Zabini enjoyed giving me live updates when we were first figuring out things between us." Theo sneered at the memory.
"That sounds awful, Theo." Hermione had only seen Malfoy kiss Astoria a handful of times, and it was before they were even together. Not that she could say for certain they were really together now.
Theo let his head fall back on the couch as he wistfully thought of the memory. "It really was. But I forgave him for that ages ago."
"How?" She blurted out and then immediately corrected herself. "I mean… How do you forgive someone who did something knowing it would hurt you?"
Theo met her glance, no doubt trying to figure out the real meaning behind her question. "Forgiveness isn't limited to misunderstanding, pet. People make mistakes. And real mistakes require real forgiveness."
Hermione let the words stew in her mind.
"So…?" Theo spoke, pulling her from her thoughts.
"What?"
"What'd you do?" He asked, wiggling his brows.
They conversed over the next couple hours. Most of the topics revolved around how annoying the conflict between Blaise and Malfoy had been. Luckily, Hermione had observed enough of it over her time outside the room that she was about to successfully pretend Malfoy had been keeping her up to speed. It was nearly dinner time when Neddy popped into the study.
"Evening, Mistress." Neddy said formally.
"Hello, Neddy. I am sure you remember Theo."
"Yes, good evening sir." Neddy addressed Theo with a small bow of her head. When he remained silent, Hermione shot him a look that could kill.
"Um… hi?" He said as he turned his hand in a wave, unaware of what he had done wrong.
Neddy frazzled at the acknowledgement, started bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Master asked Neddy to find Mr. Nott. Mr. Zabini said he needs to see him right away."
"What- Blaise? What's happened?" Theo stood, turning towards Neddy, but she was gone with a pop in the next moment.
"What was that about?" He looked nervously at Hermione.
Draco threw the door to the hall open, and Blaise stormed in right on his heels. Theo had been holding his breath and finally let it go once he saw them enter.
"Zabini" Theo called. Blaise turned his head toward the sound of his partner's voice and barreled straight to him. "What's going on? Malfoy's elf vanished before-"
Theo's words were cut off as Blaise grabbed his face and forced their lips together. Caught off guard, Theo wrapped his arms around his waist pulling him closer in return before remembering the other occupants in the room.
"Wow- wow, easy Zabini," he muttered from around Blaise's lips, but the other boy just held him tighter. Theo tried to turn his face away, but Blaise refused to lessen his grip.
"Fucking- stop! Blaise!" Theo shoved him away. Blaise, apparently mindless, started tugging at Theo's robes to open them.
"Fucking hell," Malfoy muttered as her grabbed Blaise from around his waist and throwing him into the seat. "Incarcerous."
Ropes appeared from Malfoy's wand, binding Blaise to the chair. "You said you could keep it under control!"
"What the fuck is going on!" Theo yelled, pushing Malfoy away from Blaise and standing between them.
"I don't know. One minute we were listening to Dolohov go on about the expansion to Italy and the next he was going mental." Draco answered, waving his arm in Blaise's direction. "He was acting like he would die if he didn't see you right away."
"Do you think he was cursed?" Theo asked and Malfoy threw his hands in the air and began pacing in a circle.
"You need to leave, Theo." Blaise finally forced out.
"I'm not going anywhere."
"He fucking hurt you, Nott. You need to leave until we can fix this. Go wait in one of the rooms down the hall." Malfoy cut in before glancing at Hermione with a dark look. "Take Granger with you."
"Did you get hit too?" Theo asked, catching the look Malfoy was giving her. At his words, Blaise started struggling against his binding.
"Get away from him!" Blaise threatened Malfoy.
"For Salazar's sake. I'm not interested in your boyfriend, you git." Malfoy said, kicking Blaise's chair.
"Have you two drank anything?" Hermione suggested after observing their odd behavior. "The effects seem more like a love potion than any curse I know."
Malfoy thought for a moment, as Blaise was fighting to maintain restraint of his impulses. "My wine. I hardly had a sip before you downed the rest."
Blaise nodded in confirmation before leaning his head back to look up at the ceiling.
"That is what you get for snatching it." Malfoy goaded him.
"It was meant for you? "Hermione was unsettled at the thought of someone trying to slip a potion to Malfoy.
Malfoy nodded. "It also would explain why the effects are considerably more on Zabini. He consumed nearly all of it."
"Brilliant." Blaise choked out sarcastically. "I actually am starting to feel a bit better if it is any consolation."
"And you?" Theo asked, looking towards Malfoy who turned his head to Hermione.
"Worse."
"Touch may soothe its effects," Hermione suggested, forcing herself to break eye contact with Draco. "It's interesting that you are feeling pulled to separate people."
The boys all share a look amongst themselves, waiting for someone else to speak up.
"What is it?" Hermione demanded.
Blaise was finally the one to crack. "Lestrange created a potion a few years back. It enhanced the drinkers' feelings towards the person they… fancied." His tone suggested he was using that term loosely. "He slipped it to his wife to make her more amenable to his advances. But she ended up running to her lover instead."
"What could someone gain by giving it to you?" Hermione turned to Draco.
Blaise and Malfoy shared another knowing look before Malfoy gave in and answered for them. "Greengrass is the one who handed me my glass."
Theo walked over and sat on the arm of Blaise's chair and started to brush his neck with his fingers to sooth him. Blaise closed his eyes and leaned into his touch.
"You poor thing," Theo whispered to him. "I can take care of you, love."
"Ew. Stop that." Malfoy snapped at his friends. Theo flinched at his words and shook his head, seemingly clearing his mind.
"Always such a prude, Malfoy." Blaise smirked.
"I- I didn't mean to say that," Theo said standing up.
"It could be residual potion. From when Blaise kissed you. You should probably maintain some distance until we can fix this." Hermione determined. "Lestrange's modified potion, if it's a deviation from amorentia then its antidote should be effective enough until it wears off completely."
Malfoy met her eye and his glazed over with something dark and primal. It sent a chill down her spine in a way she had not felt since before she left. "I'll go get the ingredients. Make sure these two don't christen our study."
The sly look on Theo and Blaise's face suggested that it was probably too late for that.
Draco hesitated a moment longer, like he dreaded to put more space between them but eventually forced himself to apparate to the potion's lab.
Theo sat perched on the side of the chair, this time opting to massage small circles into Blaise's neck and shoulders. Blaise instantly relaxed at the touch, sighing, and letting his head fall back as the tension left his body.
"You're right. Physical contact does help." Theo spoke to Hermione, feeling a morsel of relief himself. "Does that help narrow down what potion is made with?"
"I'm afraid not." She apologized. "I can't believe Cyrus would slip it to Malfoy. And why he would make it strong enough for the consumer to go mental is extra concerning. Shit- no offense Zabini. It's not your fault."
"None taken." Blaise laughed out. "It intensifies the desire that already exists. I don't expect he thinks Malfoy has quite as strong of feelings for Tori as I do for Nott."
Theo's smile was larger and more authentic than Hermione had ever seen it. He crossed his arms and started to bounce his knee. He looked a mixture of nervous and excited. Zabini's eyes were still closed, and he leaned his head to rest on Theo's arm. It was so different from the cunning and collected pair they often put on to be.
"That's it!" Theo declared, slapping his hands to his knees before standing up. "Out Granger."
"What?"
"Out." He tried to boss her again.
She crossed her arms across her chest. "No."
"Granger, this is torture. And as the only one in the room not feeling the effects, you don't get a vote." Theo attempted to argue back.
"Nott, Blaise is essentially drugged. He can't consent to-"
"I'm fine with it!" Blaise announced, looking hopefully at Theo.
Hermione took a deep breath, gathering her most authoritative tone. "You can't consent to sex while you are under the influence-"
"Of course, I can. I do it all the time." Blaise argued.
"No one said anything about sex, you little minx." Theo cut in, putting his arm around Hermione's shoulders and walking her towards the bedroom door.
"Just an innocent, little wank to take the edge off." His voice was so nonchalant, you'd think he was discussing sharing a cup of tea.
Hermione huffed but took the last few steps into the bedroom. She looked at Blaise whose expression was no longer distressed but amused. He did appear significantly more coherent than when he entered the room.
"Fine." She relented, admitting defeat. "But nothing more than that. Its improper to-"
"Yes, yes we know. Close the door. Or don't for all I care." Blaise called, still restrained in the chair. "Theo, get over here."
Theo looked from Blaise to Hermione, giving her a big cheeky grin before slamming the door shut in her face. Hermione went out on the balcony to look over the grounds and give them some privacy, the silencing charm only working one way between the bedroom and study.
Being out there in the familiar fresh air reminded Hermione of all that had happened. There was still so much to discuss with Malfoy about their time apart. She still needed to tell him about her plans. There was a chance that he would try and stop her, but there was also the possibility that he would want to help. If they could get more death eaters to defect then-
Hermione's train of thought was cut off when Malfoy flung the door open to the balcony. She jumped back, squealing in surprise as Malfoy stared at her in horror.
"Why are Zabini and Nott shagging in my study?!" He barked at her, eyes nearly bulging out of his head.
"Why are…? THEO!" Hermione stormed past Malfoy into the bedroom. "That is NOT what we agreed, Theodore Nott! You said nothing more than a wank-"
She was nearly to the study door when Malfoy grabbed the back of her jumper to stop her. "At least let them finish?"
"Don't listen to him, Granger. We've been perfect gentlemen, we swear it!"
Theo was still chuckling on the couch when Hermione and Malfoy entered the study cautiously. "Oh, don't look at me like that. Hardly had more than a snog before your boyfriend barged in."
Hermione looked between the two boys, looking not the slightest bit disheveled and significantly more coherent. Their little snog session appeared sufficient enough to hold them over while she completed the antidote.
"I'll get started then, can you set up the cauldron?" She turned to look at Draco and was startled to see how closed he had come to stand behind her.
He stood there, looking down his nose at her and she was locked in his gaze. She felt a gentle grip at her hip, pulling her closer, inch by inch, until she had to crane her head up to look at him.
Their bodies were nearly flush against one another as Draco reached up with his other hand, pulling her bottom lip down with this thumb to slightly open her mouth. She could taste his breath on her tongue and inhaled deeply. How she missed the smell of him, the taste. She contemplated how she survived without it for so long as he leaned closer to finally close the distance between them.
"Oi! Fair is fair! No snogging until Granger fixes us!" Blaise shouted from his chair.
Hermione and Draco jumped apart from each other at the same time. He conjured the table and cauldron in the middle of the room, and she turned around to look over the ingredients. Heat was pooling in her cheeks and fanning across her chest. The boys could blame their lack of restraint on the potion, but Hermione didn't have anything but her own desires influencing her behavior.
"They're your rules, Granger. We'd be happy to do away with them if you are." Theo all but sung from his spot on the couch.
"They are not my rules, they are the rules." She said sternly, beginning to prep the supplies as Draco set the cauldron over flames. "Imagine behaving as if you are in love with someone, and then effects wear off and all the feelings that influenced your actions are gone."
"Mm." Blaise hummed while looking at Theo. The two communicating without words like they always did.
"Finite," Theo casted calmly, standing up and undoing the ropes binding Blaise. The other boy got to his feet and straightened his robes for a moment before turning and walking straight for the door.
"Theo!" Hermione shouted as they headed towards the door.
"He already loves me!" Theo turned around, throwing his arms to the side, in presentation of himself with a cheeky grin.
"Enjoy your antidote!" She heard Blaise yell right before the door to the hall closed.
Dumbfounded, Hermione stood for a moment in the space in front of the cauldron. She turned towards Malfoy, ready to complain about the other boys and their behavior, but Draco's gaze knocked her off her kilter. He was devouring her with his eyes. Unashamedly staring, looking her up and down while tracing every curve of her body.
"Brew." He said darkly.
Hermione worked quickly and silently. Stopping only to twist her hair in a secure bun on the top of her head. She could feel the weight of Draco's stare as he watched her every move when suddenly she felt him directly behind her once more. She kept working, excited at Draco's close proximity. Furious that she could not do anything about it.
"Bloody Cyrus. Slipping a man a potion to set up his own daughter," Hermione murmured, crushing the bits of moonstone into dust with more force than necessary. "I ought to shag you back to normal just to prove a point."
Hermione gasped as Draco turned her around and grabbed her face with both hands, nodding his head eagerly. "Yeah-yes. Let's do that."
Malfoy pressed against Hermione, lifting her by the back of her thighs to set her on the table before taking his spot between them.
Hermione looked up to the ceiling and groaned. Draco took it as an opportunity to start kissing and sucking across her neck and collar bone. She knew she would have to stop this, but her own body betrayed her as she wrapped her legs around his waist before leaning back; bracing her hands against the table to create more distance between them.
"We can't" she moaned, gasping as she felt his arousal grow against her. She snaked her hand up to his hair, touching as much of him as she could before gently tugging him off her.
"Why not? Zabini and Nott are doing it." He growled and tried to chase her mouth.
"That's different." She whined, forehead and nose brushing against his.
"How?"
The word was spoken with complete clarity and Hermione looked up at him. She panted, knowing there was a right answer and for the life of her not able to think of it. The security wards of the room ignite unpleasantly in the pit of her stomach, saving her from saying the wrong thing.
"That was quick." Hermione quipped as Draco went to let Blaise and Theo in. It was the first time she heard him genuinely laugh in days.
"Tori? What are you doing here?" Malfoy asked, surprised as he froze with one hand on the frame and the other holding the door ajar.
"You tell me. My father told me it was imperative I find you right away." Astoria said, mocking her father's tone. "Aren't you going to invite me in?"
Fuck. No.
"I'm sorry uh-ahem-Um... Now's not really a good time." Draco responded, clearing his throat.
Astoria laughed. There was no malice in her tone, but she also didn't seem surprised. "There seems to never be a good time as of late."
Draco rubbed the back of his neck. He began turning his head to look back in Hermione's direction but thought better of it. "Uh, yeah. I have a lot going on."
"It just- Well, I thought we got on alright. During our time together," she trailed off. "I can tell that you are busy. I'll just tell my father you weren't here."
"Tori!" Draco called out to her before she could get too far down the hall.
"Your father had very cruel intentions sending you after me today. I won't go into details, but you mustn't always just do as he bids." Draco warned her.
"I appreciate the concern Draco, but I have been maneuvering through men's cruel intentions long before today." Her voice was the same steady sound Hermione heard her use when she spoke up in the drawing room. "It is sweet that you think I'd allow any of them to harm me."
The desire between them had calmed, but she redirected her attention back on the potion anyways. When the antidote was finished, she called Draco over and he took a few drinks from the ladle. Tension he was carrying in his shoulders seemed to release and he let out a sigh before looking at her.
"Better?" She asked.
He set the ladle down before looking her up and down. He didn't seem crazed or impulsive. Rather, he looked at her the way she had grown to love over their time together.
"Not really." He whispered, taking her hands in his. "But the effects of the potion are gone."
Hermione pulled her bottom lip between her teeth as she watched their fingers laced together.
"We still need to talk." He said, inching closer to her and she nodded lightly in agreement.
"We could talk after?" She suggested.
"After?" Draco breathed in disbelief, letting go of one of her hands cradling her head at the nape of her neck.
"Later?" She tried again, less assuming than the first time.
Malfoy, riding the last breath of space between them, echoed back. "Later."