Hermione
"The city is nothing but filth and depression, Granger. What about a nice home in the country? I'll build you a wrap around porch, raise a few chickens, those are the birds you're so fascinated with, right? Though I do think Peacocks would be a better addition to the family" Hermione chuckled to herself while taking Draco's hand in her own before pulling him across a busy street behind her. His endless list of promises never ceased as he tried in vain to convince her that they needed a home in the country and not the city.
"You would think for such a spoiled prat that you'd enjoy all of the convenience the city has to offer." A horn blared as they crossed yet another busy intersection, Draco giving the impatient driver the bird before he was yanked along by Hermione once more.
"I'm a country boy at heart, Love. What is that American saying? You can take the boy out of the country but can't take the country out of the boy." Hermione jolted to a stop nearly resulting in Draco plowing into her from behind.
"A country boy? You were raised in a Manor big enough to house at least four large families and all their pets. Did you not have elves to wait on you hand and foot?" Hermione had to bite back the hysterical laugh at the thought of Draco Malfoy tilling the land and milking the cows.
Silver eyes danced with amusement and the lips Hermione loved to kiss curved up in a cheeky grin before morphing into an expression of unimaginable pain.
"Her- "Draco choked out before stumbling backward, his shoulders hitting an unforgiving brick wall before crumbling to the pavement.
"Plea- "Hermione rushed to Draco, her heart racing as she ran her hands over his body, looking for anything that might explain what was happening to her husband. "It- hurts."
"I'm going to get you to St. Mungo's, they will help you," she said, her tone frantic, tears stinging her eyes. "Just hold on Draco, hold on for me." Draco's jaw fell open in a silent scream a moment before his voice so full of pain struck Hermione to her core.
"Help me! Somebody help me!" an unfamiliar voice called out.
What? Hermione had heard the words, but that slack-jawed expression had remained.
"Granger! Pansy! Luna! Somebody get the fuck down here and help me!"
Theo?
"He's dying! Draco is dying! Somebody help me!" This time Hermione jerked awake, her legs tangling in the damp sheets as she tried to jump out of bed, resulting in her crashing to the floor.
Heart racing and covered in sweat, she untangled herself from the mess of linen and bolted down the stairs, nearly crashing into Pansy on the landing in her haste.
"Draco?" Hermione called down the stairs, gripping the railing to prevent another tumble as she raced toward the sound of Theo struggling.
"Granger! He won't wake up." Theo rushed out, sweat trickling down from the damp curls plastered to his temples as he struggled to hold Draco in his arms, in any other situation the image may have been comical but under current circumstances it was heartbreaking. "I tried everything I know and it's not bloody working!"
"What happened?" Pansy shrieked from behind Hermione, shoving roughly into her shoulder in her haste to get to her friends. Hermione stood paralyzed, her limbs refusing to move as she met Draco's unseeing gaze.
Silver eyes that had once looked upon her with desire now stared forward, unblinking and unmoving, as if frozen in time. His skin already pale, looked ghostly, crimson tears left a trail from the corner of Draco's eyes and down his cheeks. A paintbrush designed to bring horror to life had brushed a curtain of red from Draco's lips, over his jaw, and down his neck. The end result made him look like a demonic ventriloquist doll as he lay in Theo's arms.
Finally, Hermione felt her limbs unlock, and she whipped out her wand with trembling fingers, pointing it at Draco before casting. "Wingardium Leviosa."
Theo's legs trembled for a moment before collapsing beneath him-Luna was right there to offer comfort while he sat shaking as though the weight, he'd been holding had broken him. Hermione floated Draco up the stairs and into their bedroom. After placing him gently on his side of the bed, she began casting one of the basic diagnostic charms she'd learned while on the run with Harry and Ron. How many times had the more complex spells she'd spent countless hours learning ended up saving one of their lives? More than she would have liked.
Focus! Hermione chided herself.
Wand hovering over his chest, while lips moved mechanically as her mind pulsed with the desire to access that power again.
Though the spells were simple for what they were, Hermione still found her magical core tiring from the effort of maintaining the floating medical chart. Malfoy had spent every moment when he wasn't on a mission for the Dark Lord or planning the safest way to reach Harry, working with Hermione on casting and rebuilding her physical strength.
Thinking about their training sessions, Hermione forced herself to stop. To match her breathing with the too-slow pace of Malfoy's heartbeat that echoed from his chart.
Slow breath in and hold for two.
Thump
A steady exhale of breath out.
Thump
A memory floated to the surface and Hermione didn't hesitate to take hold of the anchor and lose herself to the past.
"You are overthinking it again, Granger." Malfoy barked in frustration; full lips pulled down into a scowl.
"How the fuck do you expect me to stop thinking? I am literally known for my brainpower, and I am royally pissed that despite all of my knowledge, it is of no help right now." Hermione snapped back as she shot Malfoy a scathing glare.
They'd been at it for a few hours, and both had nearly run out of patience. She watched as Malfoy's long fingers tangled in his hair and gripped it at the roots as he paced, the motion making her stomach flip despite how hard she tried to squash the feeling.
Yes, they were finding their way forward, but she was rather miffed at him, herself, and the world right now so no, he would not be granted any response related to butterflies, racing hearts, or lust in general.
At least that is what Hermione tried to tell herself and her over-eager omega.
"Do you know what you need, Granger?" Malfoy finally asked, his rapid steps coming to a halt as he stood before her.
He does NOT smell nice. He's a big-headed blond buffoon. I do NOT love the way he smells right now.
"Is this a pop quiz? Do I get a reward if I get the answer right?" Hermione smirked and lifted a brow in question.
"Don't be a brat. It doesn't suit you. So, please just shut up and listen for a moment." Malfoy's expectant stare wasn't a challenge, but Hermione struggled not to take it as such.
"It's still in there, Granger. It never left. I think the problem is that a disconnect or a sort of barrier formed after a prolonged period of forced separation."
Hermione considered his words; it actually made a lot of sense. Why she'd been unable to perform at the level she was used to. She still had the knowledge, but when she tried to use more powerful or complicated spells, she seemed to be able to access only a portion of her magical core instead of tapping into the whole reservoir.
"Do you have a suggestion on how I go about accessing the entirety of my magic?" Hermione cocked her hip to one side and crossed her arms across her chest as she pondered the potential solutions.
"I do." Malfoy dipped his chin in an affirmative nod, something primal gleaming in his eyes as he appraised her.
"And? Care to share with the class or do I have to beg?" Hermione quipped.
"Just be patient and do as I say." Malfoy's voice dropped an octave, the notes slowly alluring Hermione into a sense of calm. "Do you trust me?"
Hermione nodded, realizing she was folding like a lawn chair at the first gravelly note. The way Malfoy moved, smelled, and spoke was like a beacon, pulling her into his shores where he promised sweet oblivion. Someday she would love to study exactly how alpha's could just turn this mysterious allure on and off like a switch.
She watched with bated breath as Malfoy took another measured step toward her until they stood nearly chest to chest. A part of her longed to close that scant bit of distance between them so she could see if he was as warm as she remembered. What would it feel like to have those arms wrapped around her while not under the influence of her heat?
Goosebumps pebbled along Hermione's skin at the thought as those long fingers trailed down her arm before wrapping around her delicate wrist, the slight pressure calming as it pressed against her pulse point. Taking her hand in his own, he placed it against his chest, right over the place where his heart beat strong.
The thin layer of black cotton did little to separate the heat radiating from Malfoy's skin and into Hermione's palm. She found herself wishing in equal measure to vanish the only thing between them and build it up further.
"Close your eyes, Granger. Just listen to my voice." The warmth of Malfoy's breath danced across Hermione's skin as his chin dipped to meet her gaze.
As the small training room disappeared and darkness enveloped her, Hermione's other senses slowly sharpened. The masculine scent that was all Malfoy was more potent on every inhale, her lungs sucking greedily at the scent like an aphrodisiac.
"That's perfect, Darling. Now, match your breath to mine." The endearment made Hermione's heart skip, but she kept her eyes closed and focused on the pattern of his breathing.
Hermione felt like she was in a cocoon crafted from the peace that Malfoy offered. Her thoughts no longer raced, the only thing that existed or mattered was the next slow breath they would share.
"That's it. This time I need you to picture your magic. Picture what color it is, and what it would feel like if you could touch it. Let everything else fall away." Malfoy's voice floated through Hermione's mind, warming her from the inside.
She didn't overthink it, just let the sound of their joint breathing pull her into the abyss that was her consciousness where a kaleidoscope of pinks and purples floated like fairy dust around her. The particles shouldn't have been tangible, but it felt like the softest velvet as it caressed her skin. It pulled her into its embrace like a hug from a long-lost friend.
A laugh burst from Hermione, it was an eruption of joy born from an innocent part of her untouched by darkness, it was a celebration of all that was her. A part of her mind tingled with distant awareness. It told her that Malfoy was pleased.
"That's it, Granger. Take hold of that feeling and don't let go." Malfoy's encouraging words surrounded her. "Now, come back to me."
With another deep inhalation, Hermione felt her lungs expand and collapse before she left her inner magical place of solitude. The sparkling dust danced around her body once more before she slowly opened her eyes.
Malfoy's lips were tipped ever so slightly up at the corner, hardly a real smile but enough to give away his feelings. Hermione's stomach flipped happily in response, her earlier joy bleeding into the waking world.
"Care to try again?" Malfoy asked before nodding his head at one of the mannequins serving as a target by the wall.
Hermione's hand slid from Malfoy's chest, her skin chilling slightly at the loss of his warmth before she pulled her wand from her pocket and faced her adversary.
With her arm held steady, Hermione didn't think, she just let her magic flow naturally before casting the exploding curse.
"Bombarda!" Her magic instantly found its mark, a loud crack sounded as the wooden figure exploded, scattering pieces of its form everywhere.
Hermione squealed with delight as she turned to face Malfoy again. It was so natural, just like connecting with her magic, so she didn't hesitate when she felt the urge to throw her arms around his neck and close the distance between them.
His hands instinctively caught her around the waist before slipping around the small of her back, returning the hug.
"Thank you- Uhm Draco." Hermione felt a blush color her cheeks as she tested the waters by using his first name. After everything she'd been through, Hermione would have thought something so innocent as the use of a first name would be trivial. It didn't feel that way though. It felt monumental. Like the first step towards something big.
She and Draco had been dancing around each other for weeks now, neither certain of the exact way forward but both wanting to try, perhaps this was the next logical step. The way her belly flipped excitedly provided some reassurance that they were on the right track.
The small quirk at Malfoy's lips turned into a warm smile that radiated contentment. "You're welcome, Granger."
Hermione rolled her eyes in response, "If I'm to call you Draco then you should call me Hermione. Don't you think?"
"Fine. But only on special occasions. You are Granger to me and always will be."
Hermione withdrew from the memory but held onto the feeling of reassurance it provided. She would figure this out and Draco would be okay.
He had to be.