Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

There was a pause, his eyebrows furrowed, and he reached slowly towards her, water dripping from his hand until his fingers brushed against the back of her left hand where it was resting on the edge of the tub. His fingers traced slowly over her knuckles.

“Is this real?” His voice was almost a whisper.

Hermione hesitantly placed her right hand on his.

“It's real .”

All she could see was grey, flecks of white a ppearing in the color of Draco's eyes . She could have sworn that there were actual sparks from where his skin touched hers. What was this feeling? His eyes were like a light, drawing her closer to him like moths to a flame .

With a startled gasp, Hermione jerked up in her seat on the Hogwarts Express. A dream. It was just a dream. Taking a deep breath, she quickly checked her surroundings to make sure she was still in the same place.

She was. Draco was still next to her, flipping through the pages of a book. At the sound of her gasp, he looked up, giving her a questioning look. With a sheepish smile, Hermione nodded and looked back at the window, trying to take another deep breath and ignore her quickly racing thoughts. She needed to keep her focus. They were going back. All of them. 

If you had told 11 year old Hermione that she would be sharing a compartment with Draco Malfoy willingly, she would have laughed and declared you insane. Current 19 year old her though…

Less than a year after the war ended, Hogwarts had finished repairing itself. As a result, McGonagall had sent out letters to all the students to return. And that included herself and her year. They would essentially be repeating their 7th year but now they got their own dorms and private bath instead of sharing with three others at minimum.  Hogwarts provides as Dumbledore had always said. Even though they would all be back at the castle, it would be more like they were living in their own flats. 

Normally, it would have been either Harry or Ron who would have been sharing a compartment with her for the train ride, but both of the boys were already seated with the other prefects. Harry had been given Head Boy for the other Gryffindors, sharing the title with a 7th year so that things were still fair. It had been a surprise when Ron had been given the shiny and new prefect badge, Hermione would have guessed Neville from their year, but she didn’t make those choices. There had been a time when being a prefect or Head Girl was all Hermione wanted, but things had…changed.

Each day was harder, but she kept doing it. She couldn't remember the last time that she wasn't in survival mode. Even in her first year at eleven years old, Hermione was already facing danger once she chose to help Harry. Each year had a new problem and it only got worse each time. From the Sorcerer's Stone, a basilisk, the whole mess that was the TriWizard Tournament and then the mess at the Department of Mysteries…all that mattered was staying alive during the final battle. Hermione told herself that she could rest once the war had ended, but even now, she still couldn't.

The rest of her friends had seemed to move on. They were able to finally take a deep breath and just let go. She envied them for that. Both her and Harry had stayed with the Weasleys in the beginning, especially as they all mourned Fred, but after only four months, Hermione had moved into her own flat. The tensions between her and the others were too high. They couldn't, or wouldn’t , understand why she would still wake up screaming, twisting and turning in the sheets and her body covered in sweat while clutching at her left wrist where the scar still remained from Bellatrix's cursed knife.

Ron had been the most difficult to deal with. While the rest of them couldn't even eat more than a few bites the first week or so, he was immediately wolfing down once the first plate had appeared. Hermione could have dealt with that though, if it hadn't been for the rest of their issues. He was still convinced that now that the war was over, she was going to marry him right away and settle down and start a family. When she told him that she didn't even want kids until a few years well into her career, Ron had just laughed. Apparently, his wife wouldn't work at all and would just stay home and take care of him and the kids.

Hermione had said a big hell no to that.

She liked  kids and definitely did want them someday, but having a career was important to her as well. She had started volunteering at St.Mungo’s, wanting and needing to do something to chase away her intrusive thoughts, especially regarding her parents. Hermione  wanted to make actual changes in the Wizarding and Muggle world, helping every person and creature have a better life. And she wouldn't be able to do that if she was just being a housewife popping out a dozen kids at once.

Yes, Ron had been one of her best friends. He, along with Harry, were the brothers she always wished she had. True, Hermione thought she might have feelings for Ron in fourth year but that had quickly gone up in dust once the Yule Ball had happened. Lavender Brown was the one to steal his heart that year and once again, Hermione was left behind.

And that kiss…

It still made her cringe that she had kissed him during the final battle while in the Chamber of Secrets. Emotions had been running high, but that kiss answered the question of what her feelings were the second it happened. Still, she tried for a relationship with him. She really did. But she just couldn’t. Things were getting worse, so she tried to turn him down gently, but Ron persisted, saying she just needed to see it clearly and they were meant to be together. Hermione had left the next morning and rented out her current flat before she hexed him into the next life. 

That hadn’t stopped him though. He constantly came over and sent letters, ignoring her pleas for space. Hermione hadn’t thought things could get any worse but then it had.

Ron had hit her.

He had been drinking, and came into the clinic absolutely drunk. Trying to not cause a scene, Hermione had given in and led Ron to an empty room where he had tried to force a kiss on her. When she had pushed him away, Ron had grabbed her around her throat, squeezing tightly, before throwing her across the room. Hermione still had a scar from the glass vase she had landed on. When she went to defend herself, he had slapped her hard against the cheek causing her to freeze in shock. 

“You’re mine, Hermione. You know that as well as I do. Stop fighting already.” His face was red, even more than his hair and she found herself frozen as he entered her space.

“Don’t…don’t do this.”

“Or what? You’ll tell?” His grin was mocking, all traces of the boy she once knew gone. “No one will believe you, you know. I’m a War Hero and more than that, I’m a Pureblood. You’re nothing but a stuck up little whore, ready to spread her legs for anyone other than someone who actually loves her.”

“You don’t love me, Ron.” Hermione wasn’t sure who this person was in front of her, but it sure as hell wasn’t the Ron she knew. This person was cold and cruel, eager to hurt her.

His eyes were hard. “I’ve already told you. You are mine . You might have helped us in the war, but you’re still not a pureblood. No one else will love you. You’re not worth that. You know that, right?”

A healer had knocked on the door and Ron immediately stepped back. Hermione had been too shocked to even say anything, even as Ron grinned and charmed the other nurse. 

She never told anyone.

Harry and Ginny still didn't understand exactly what she was going through, but they were trying to be supportive, which she appreciated. They were there for her when they could be. When she had gone to the Wizengamont to testify on behalf of Theo Nott, Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy, both Harry and Ginny had not complained or made a fuss. Ron, on the other hand, had thrown a fit. Complete with throwing things and punching a hole in one of the walls as he had loomed above her, face red and eyes dark. In his eyes, Hermione was betraying them by defending ‘Death Eater Scum’, as he called them, while she should be there supporting them while they grieved over Fred's death. It hadn't occurred to him that maybe she needed support as well. 

He hid his darker tendencies well though. No one seemed to notice the change in him, save for her. Of course, Ron was careful. He hit where the bruises wouldn’t show, using his words more than his hands. 

Though that first day had shown he wasn’t afraid to use his hands. No matter how much she tried to stay away from him, Ron had always found her. She was safe while she was at her flat, but he always managed to find a way to get to her everywhere else. 

She was afraid of him. Hermione knew that. She also knew that she refused to show it to anyone else. What would the world think of their “Golden Girl” if they saw what was going on? That she let these things happen to her and had no way of stopping it. Ron was right in that no one would believe her. They might have fought a war over blood status but that didn’t mean that everything had changed overnight. Prejudices were still held and she knew where she stood.

So Hermione was glad that she still had Harry and Ginny. It would hurt if she lost everyone she cared about. Hermione had tried to go to her parents once it was safe and repair their memories, but the mind healers there had told her it was too dangerous. She could do worse damage if she tried to give those memories back. Not being able to fix that was one of the main reasons she started at St.Mungo’s as a trainee Healer. No one should have to go through losing someone like that. It was like losing them all over again. 

If she hadn't started training though, Hermione would never have gone to Azkaban that fateful day and seen her school bully, Draco Malfoy, in one of the cells. Despite both hers and Harry's testimonies, he had still been given a two year sentence in Azkaban. The conditions she had found Draco in were inhumane. It had barely been six months and already she couldn't believe that the person in front of her had been him. Dementors were not supposed to be there any longer but there had been no other reason for the icy chill that filled the area. Draco had been unresponsive, his grey eyes flat and when the guard there had finally turned him over to her, Draco had flinched when the portly older man had handed over one of the runes that sent electric shocks through the inmates body if the holder activated it. 

After going through endless red tape, Hermione had finally convinced Kingsley Shacklebolt to release Draco into her care, changing his sentence into a sort of house arrest. It had taken her two months to do so, but she had been relentless. No one deserved what Draco had been put through. Endless scars that had been clearly left to heal by themselves still covered his body and though he had now been out for two months, Hermione was still trying to help convince him that everything was real and he wouldn't be going back to that awful place. It had taken a bit of time, but Hermione liked to think that they had become sort of friends. A lot of nights were spent in quiet comadre reading or talking about different books they had both read. Draco was surprisingly fun to talk to, easily keeping up with her quick mind and they both could go on long tangents on a variety of subjects. Draco never seemed annoyed with her way of talking so excitedly about subjects that most people would find boring. In fact, he actively participated and even challenged her ideas and thoughts. It was invigorating. That didn't mean that everything was peachy. There was a lot of trauma that Draco needed to deal with and Hermione wasn't the one that could do that. She could be there for him and be a listening ear, but she wasn't a fully trained Mind Healer. He needed a professional. 

And now, ten months since he had first been sent to Azkaban, they all were returning to Hogwarts. Draco sat next to her on the train, still not speaking. He had been more quiet ever since they had first gotten their letters and Hermione figured he was anxious about going back to the castle. She knew she was. According to the deal she had made with the Ministry, Draco would be staying with her for most of the time with the exception of some classes and the Great Hall if he wanted to sit with the other Slytherin’s. She wasn’t sure how the room situation would go but Hermione figured that they would find that out once they arrived.

If they could finish the year without some epic battle or someone dying, that would be really great. Eight year was going to be her year. She had spent each year at Hogwarts and the last year fighting at least one battle or the other. Enough was enough. This year was going to be her own. A whole year where she could focus on just her studies and the most stressful thing for her to worry about would be passing her exams at the end of term. 

Hermione Granger was finally going to have a normal school year.

_____________________________________________

Hermione took a dee p breath before she entered the Great Hall. The last time she had been in this room, they had used it as a place to put their wounded and dead during the final battle, the bodies seemingly never ending. Though it had been cleaned and you never would be able to tell if you didn't already know, all she could see was blood on the stone floor. It made her want to vomit. 

Her morbid thoughts were interrupted by a wave of a hand and the loud voice of Ginny Weasley calling her name. Hermoine hadn't realized just how much she had missed her redheaded friend until she was there in person and Hermione went over towards that table, doing her best to smile even if she was out of practice, pulling Draco with her. 

The happy smiles of Ginny, Ron and Harry turned to grimaces (from Ron) and confused looks from the other two as Hermione came closer and they saw who she was with.

“What's he doing here?” Ron sneered, crossing his arms and gave a pointed look at Draco who was standing next to her. “Didn't know they let Death Eaters back here.”

Hermione's own anger flared but Draco didn't respond, even as she immediately took a step closer towards him, angling her body so Draco was more behind her.  

“What? Not gonna say anything?” He directed the question to Draco, who was still silent. “Or are you just going to run back to Mummy and Daddy? Oh wait, you can't do that anymore. They're in Azkaban. Waste of resources if you ask me. Should just give them the kiss and save the rest of us a lot of trouble.”

Draco tensed next to her but made no further move. Instead, it was Hermione who was instantly in his face, staring him down as she momentarily forgot her fear in lieu of protecting her friend,

“Don't talk to him like that.” She seethed, pointing her finger into his chest. “How dare you? You've seemed to have forgotten Ronald Weasley that we just fought and finished a bloody war!”

Shocked looks surrounded them and not just from Ron, Ginny and Harry. The entire hall had gone quiet enough that you could hear a pin drop.

“What is the meaning of this?” The stern voice of Headmistress McGonagall came up to them then, her eyes narrowed in disappointment. 

Ron opened his mouth to speak, but Hermione cut him off before he could. She had had enough experience to know that Ron was extremely biased and if he spoke up, he would most likely put all the blame on Draco himself. Hermione wasn't having that.

“Ron was rude to both Draco and his parents, Headmistress.” She answered. “I admit that I lost my temper. I'm sorry.” She said that last part to Ron who just huffed. The look in his eyes promised hell. 

“Do try to keep your impulses under control, Miss Granger. Ten points from Gryffindor .” McGonagall looked at Ron. “I would suggest Mr.Weasley, that you refrain from making comments on subjects you do not understand. Mr. Malfoy has as much right to be here as you do and I will not tolerate rudeness from any of my students. Ten points from Gryffindor. Now, if you would excuse me, it's time for the Welcoming Feast. Miss Granger, you and Mr. Malfoy need to come to my office once the feast is over. I have a few things to discuss with you.” She turned away from them and headed back towards the table where all the other teachers sat.

With a glare, Ron turned away from them and Ginny and Harry both just gave sheepish looks before following him. Hermione huffed but took a seat at the table, Draco sitting next to her. There were quite a few looks when he did so from everyone at their table and even the other Houses. Draco ignored them.

“You didn't need to defend me, Granger.” Draco said in a low voice. There weren't too many people around them, the other Gryffindors choosing to sit away from them. “It's not like I haven't heard worse.”

“You shouldn't have to be treated like that. It's wrong. And I will never let someone hurt any of my friends, which includes you. So get used to it.”

For a moment, Hermione thought he would argue back but after only a few seconds, he huffed and took a sip of his pumpkin juice.

There was a loud clanking sound from the teachers table as McGonagall stood up, ready to welcome everyone. She cleared her throat. “Welcome new and returning students. I know how hard it might be to be back in this castle after the past few years, and I sincerely thank each and every one of you for showing up. Voldermort may have tried to break our spirit, but we are still here. It's time to focus on healing, honoring those we have lost and moving forward into an era of love…and peace. Our new 8th year students will be together in one dorm instead of separate ones. We encourage all of you, new and old, to intermingle with the other houses.” She raised her goblet. “Now, all of that said, enjoy the feast!” 

Hermione glanced around the rest of the Gryffindors at the table, purposely sitting away from her and Draco. Ah yes, intermingling with the other houses should be simple.

Not.

Chapter Text

With a heavy sigh, Hermione flopped onto the oversize couch that sat in the middle of their new living room. She had just come back from seeing McGonagall and her mind was running as she processed everything. Since she was technically Draco’s warden during his house arrest, they would be rooming together instead of having their own space like everyone else. He wouldn't even be able to leave the grounds without her. If he wanted to go to Hogsmeade, they would have to go together. Though, she didn’t think she would mind that.

Hogwarts always had its own magic and the aged castle had created special dorms for the returning 8th years. That part seemed to make sense.

It had also decided to only give her and Draco one bed.

Seemed like the castle had a sense of humor. 

Not only did they now share a living space, but they only had one room and one freaking bed to sleep on. Draco seemed to be taking it in stride though, quietly accepting it when they were told. McGonagall had asked him to stay behind once she had finished meeting with them, and now Hermione was restless, waiting for her new roommate to get back.

Hermione liked their new space. Their dorm was decorated in inviting, warm colors, not the Slytherin green and silver like she had assumed based on the location. Dark cherry furnishings with oversized pillows and a few cozy blankets laid in the living space. A delicate crystal chandelier even hung from the vaulted ceiling, adding to the soft light that the other lamps were already giving out. It felt warm. 

With nothing else to do other than wait, her mind drifted back towards the blonde she was waiting for. He was more distracting than she thought he could be. It wasn't only that he had somehow gotten even taller or that his platinum blonde hair was no longer slicked back but left in a careful tousle that was just begging to be touched. 

No…the most distracting thing was that Draco Malfoy was an enigma. He had been in Azkaban for 10 months and the haunted look still never left his eyes. They had only been living together for about four months but Hermione still couldn't reconcile the Draco she now knew, compared to her schoolyard bully. But the war had changed them. It would be idiotic of her to think that Draco or any of the Slytherins hadn't changed at all. Of course they had. All of them did.

They all wore different masks. Draco was just better at wearing his than most. They all had roles to play, especially in the war, and the world seemed unable to let them forget what they had to be. 

Draco the Death Eater.

Hermione the Golden Girl.

It enraged her. Couldn't the rest of the world see that those titles were not all a person was? Draco had taken the Dark Mark to keep his mother safe. That didn't make him a horrible person. If he hadn't taken the mark, Narcissa would have been killed. Hermione couldn't pretend to understand the pressure Draco had been under. He was slow to open up and she still barely knew much of his growing up, but Hermione knew it hadn't been pleasant. Narcissa loved him, yes, but the Malfoy name came with a heavy price.

One that had almost cost Draco his life.

They had lost so many people in the war and Hermione hated how lost she still felt. She grieved for her parents, for Tonks, for Lupin, for Fred…but she never did so out loud. Too many people around her were already grieving and she didn't want to add her burdens onto them. Especially the Weasleys. Losing Fred had broken them. Dinners were more quiet than normal and George was drinking again. Hermione wasn't family, so she felt as if she couldn't grieve with them. She could be there and help support them, but she couldn't add her own pain as well. While most of the family had returned to normal, Hermione recognized the pain of grief that still flew through the home.

Her chest tightened as she thought of her parents. They weren't dead. Which almost made it harder, she thought. If they were, maybe she could have had some type of closure, a way to say goodbye. But her parents were safely in Australia, living a simple and happy life, unaware of the daughter that had been erased from their memories. Still alive. Just…gone.

A feeling of despair washed over her, despite her best efforts. Hermione felt like she was stuck, waiting for her grief to finally become small enough that she could move on enough with her life. 

She could make it. She would make it. She was fine.

All lies of course.

It was such an easy defence mechanism, but it was better than dealing with the reality of the situation. Almost like occlumency, Hermione was able to bury every emotion she didn’t want to feel into her mind. She just retreated into her mind when things popped up that she couldn’t deal with. Nothing remained except for the exhaustion of keeping her walls up. It wasn’t the type of exhaustion that a good night's rest could easily cure, though she would probably kill for one of those. No, it went more than bone deep, past her core. It made her numb to everything and being numb kept her sane. 

And being sane was all she really had going for her right now, she thought morosely. It wasn’t like she was happy. True, she had some happy moments, but they were quick and fleeting, usually leaving her feeling worse after.

Maybe happiness eluded her for a reason—

Most likely because she didn’t deserve it. Not after everything she had done…

“Granger?”

The baritone tone of Draco's voice interrupted her quickly spiraling thoughts, the sadness almost overwhelming her. Looking up, Hermione had to blink a few times to clear her vision. Had she been crying?

“Sorry,” she mumbled, quickly wiping at her eyes with the heel of her palm. “I got lost in thought.”

He nodded, setting his bag down on a kitchen stool. His face was blank, his mask completely in place. Hermione chewed at her bottom lip. She hated it when he did that.

Draco raised a brow at her, obviously having noticed her staring. “What?”

“You're wearing your mask again.” 

There was a brief flash of something in his eyes before Draco nodded slowly, letting his mask fall and his real emotions show. His entire face looked tired, almost as if he had the whole world on his shoulders. He turned away from her and started to pull out two mugs and a few things of tea. Hermione watched as he methodically made two cups. Both made the same way, with two sugars and a spoonful of honey. Draco left the spoon in the purple mug that he now handed to her. She took it.

“You look like you need it.” He said as he sat down in one of the overly plush chairs nearby. “And you never drink coffee at night.”

It always surprised her a little when Draco did or said something like that. He seemed to already know little things about her that she had never told him. Like how she took her tea or what music she played while cleaning versus studying. It made their living together so much easier.

She took a sip of her tea. It was perfect.

“Did everything go okay with McGonagall after I left?” 

He paused, his mug halfway to his lips. “I suppose. She mostly wanted to give me a pep talk for my time back here. Even she knows that no one will be happy that I'm here.”

Hermione frowned. “I am. I'm glad you're here, Draco.”

He slanted her a look. “You're different, Granger. You're…you. No one else cares about people and other creatures like you do.” 

Her frown deepened. “There are others. You know that.”

Draco shook his head. “None that I've seen. And I don’t blame them. I was a Death Eater.”

Hermione frowned, unsure how to argue with that. They both had vastly different experiences and she knew that the world hadn't been kind to him, especially after the war. People only saw his Dark Mark and heard his family name before refusing to look any farther. It was maddening.

Not for the first time, Hermione resolved once again that she was going to make others see the real Draco Malfoy. She would help show him the good that still was in the world. It was still there if you knew where to look. She didn’t know how to help herself, but she damn well could help him.

“Come here.” She told him as she put her mug down and stretched her legs out on the L-shaped couch, patting her lap.

Draco hesitated for only a moment before he joined her on the wide couch, laying his head on her lap, hands resting on his stomach, thumb twirling his signet ring that he always wore. Hermione gently started to card her fingers through his hair as he let out a pleased hum, eyes now closed.  It had started by accident one night. Draco had been stressing even more than usual, and Hermione remembered how her mom would lay her head on her lap and card her fingers through her hair. It always made her feel better. And Draco seemed to relish in it, almost touch starved. But she didn't mind it one bit.

“Hermione?” His voice was soft, eyes still closed. 

“Yeah?” Her own reply was just as quiet, neither wanting to break the bubble around them.

“I’m…sorry. I wish I could take it all back. Everything…everything I did to you. What my family did to you…I'm so goddamn sorry, Granger.”

Her heart broke just a little at his words as he turned his head away, unable to look at her.

“I know, Draco. I know.”

He shook his head, sitting up now and facing her head on. “I need to say this. I never told you how fucking sorry I am for everything and you, out of everyone, deserve an apology the most. I was a coward for not doing more when my…my aunt was hurting you.” He swallowed, regret etched deep on his features. “If I tried to stop it, she would have killed you and then all of us. I couldn't stop it but I can't stop regretting that I couldn't save you.”

Her smile was soft but real as she reached back out and placed her hand on his. “I know, Draco. There wasn't anything else you could do. She would have gone after you next…or your Father…”

“Or my Father would have finished the job for her.” He finished darkly. Hermione nodded, having talked through some of this with him already. The Mind Healer he was seeing had thought it would be good for him to open up more about his family to someone, and Draco had chosen her. Hermione had seen a few of the memories that Draco couldn't talk about where Lucius would crucio his son for everyday he didn't call Hermione a mudblood or beat her test scores.It angered her so much when she had learned that. 

“Do you even know why I hated you?” His words were barely above a whisper.

“Because of my blood.” 

Draco shook his head. “No, because you made me question everything my parents ever told me. We were always told that our blood is what made us better than everyone else, and yet here you come in, beating all of us with no knowledge beforehand. You…you were amazing. Are amazing.”

“I already told you that I forgive you, Draco.”

“I don't deserve your forgiveness.” He muttered. “I–”

Hermione didn't let him finish that before she was hugging him. Enveloping him tight in her arms as he first stiffened before slowly relaxing, his own arms wrapping loosely around her waist.

“I know who you are, Draco Malfoy.” She whispered fiercely. “And I am so proud of how far you've overcome everything.” Feeling brave, Hermione took his left arm into her hand and traced the Dark Mark with her fingers. She studied the mark with intensity for a full minute before raising her eyes to meet his own again.

“This Mark may be a permanent part of your body, until we can find a way to remove it, but it’s not you.” She took a deep breath, trying to find the right words that she wanted to say. 

“I see you as you are, Malfoy. You’re not perfect but none of us are. You’re still a prat most days,” that finally coaxed a smile from him, small as it was “way too snobbish over clothes and have the eating habits of a child, but I can say this. I see you. You are not a Death Eater or a bad person. You are Draco fucking Malfoy and I’m proud to call you my friend. I don’t give a fuck what anyone else says. I'm here and I'm staying. You got that?”

Draco was blinking rapidly, no doubt trying to stop his eyes from watering just as much as hers already was. “Such a Gryffindor. And my middle name is Lucius, not fucking.”

That seemed to break the moment and Hermione couldn't help the tiny laugh that escaped her, finally realizing that she was still hugging him. She pulled away.

“Nah…I’m pretty sure it’s fucking.”

Draco rolled his eyes. “Whatever you say, Granger.”

It was finally time for them to head to bed. 

The king-size bed, which was heaped with fluffy pillows and white coverlets, sat proudly in the middle of the room. The walls were painted in the same soft sage green as the rest of the dorm, the plush carpet just inside the door cushioning their feet as they entered the room. Dark brown curtains went from floor to ceiling over the arched windows, the view outside hidden by the dark. 

Hermione placed her hands on her hips before turning to face Draco.

“We're both adults. We can handle sleeping in the same bed until we can find another solution. Besides, it's big enough that we could both sprawl out and still not be close to touching.”

“I can sleep on the couch, Granger.”

She rolled her eyes. “Scared, Malfoy?”

There was a mischievous spark in his eyes at her words and she couldn't help but grin just a little. 

“You wish.” He parroted the words he had once said to Harry during second year, as he stalked forward and went towards one of the tall dressers. The elves had already dropped off their things so there was nothing to unpack. Before she could blink, Draco had already pulled his shirt off and was quickly exchanging his school clothing for a sleep shirt and pants, uncaring of his state of undress.  The sight of his bare chest so close to her was breathtaking…Hermione felt her brain go fuzzy as she tried, and failed, not to stare.

“You! You can't just!” Hermione sputtered, her face turning red. 

He grinned and all she could do was stare. Merlin, he was a handsome wizard. Always had been if she was honest with herself but appearances were deceiving. “I can and I'm not ashamed of it.” Draco went on as if her brain wasn’t going haywire. “What was it that you just said? That we’re both adults that can handle this? News flash, Granger, but humans sleep in sleep clothing, not school uniforms.” Draco gave her another smirk. “I could just go nude. I've heard it's the best way to get the most restful sleep.” Now he waggled his brows, clearly enjoying making her squirm. “Come on now. Don’t just undress me more with your eyes.”

“Clothes on!”

The arse didn't stop chuckling as she grabbed her own clothes and stalked to the bathroom. She would have to find a way to make him pay for that later.

But for now, it was time to try to get even the smallest amount of sleep. Tomorrow they would be facing their first days of classes and the entire school body. But Hermione had meant what she had said earlier. She wasn't leaving. Draco wasn't alone anymore.

Neither of them were.

Chapter Text

He was drowning. No matter how much he tried, Draco couldn’t get enough air back into his lungs. He was back in his cell, the guards opening his cage door to lead him somewhere. Maybe to another sentencing, or maybe to beat the shit out of him because they could and he was nothing but a fucking Death Eater.

The man that greeted them past the door was a surprise.

“Father?”

Lucius Malfoy only sneered as he looked at his son. “You are no son of mine. You are a disgrace.”

They were down in the dungeons now, the deepest parts of Azkaban that only the truly wretched and unfortunate souls went to. It was colder down here, if that was even possible. Dementors were technically outlawed there but no one said anything if they showed up. Death Eaters weren’t worth it afterall. The air bit into his skin, clad in nothing but ill fitting pants and a tattered old cloak. 

Draco was led to the center of the room, a pair of rusted chains dangling from the ceiling as a few other guards in dark cloaks and hoods stood in the otherwise empty room. His heart began to beat more frantically in his chest. He knew those chains, knew this horrid place. He knew it painfully well. It wasn’t Azkaban anymore, but how did he get here?

He struggled to fight, but his body was too sluggish, too beaten down to do much of anything as his cloak was taken and Draco was strung up to the chains that dangled from the ceiling, the sound of metal clanking the only noise in the otherwise silent room. 

His arms now above his head, he could do nothing but attempt to stay on his feet as his Father neared. Draco knew what was coming, he knew it and yet he couldn’t stop the childlike whimper that escaped his lips. 

Lucius sighed as if simply annoyed, even as he brandished the whip in his hands.

Draco began to pull, to yank uselessly at the chains even though he knew it was futile. His survival instincts begged him to run, to flee, to get as far away from this voice as he possibly could. His tugs were only feeble as he hung there, tears starting to build as his Father stood in front of him.

“Why do you make me do this, Draco?” Lucius asked in a deceptively soft voice. “Hmm? You know what happens when you don’t do as I say.” His eyes darkened. “I was told that you tried to help the mudblood. You were almost even kind to her. This is unacceptable. No Malfoy would do this.”

His heart was beating faster, panic building even more as Lucius walked behind him.

“Please, Father.” Draco knew it wouldn’t help but the words, choked and raspy, escaped his lips anyway.

The sound of the whip in the air filled the empty space. Leather meeting flesh was heard and then there was only blinding pain. He was burning from the inside and he was powerless to stop it even as his screams echoed in the room. His screams only made his Father swing harder and yet Draco could do nothing.

“Did you think I wouldn’t find out?” Lucius asked, shaking his head slowly.

Draco still could not move.

“You’ve never amounted to much.” Lucius continued before swinging the whip again.

The pain was too much. He could feel it in every cell of his body and yet his mind did not release him into the escape of being unconscious.  Draco squeezed his eyes shut.

“Open your eyes, Draco.” His voice was calm, deceptively so. Draco knew Lucius didn’t need to raise his voice. He was powerful enough that he never needed that. 

Cold fingers gripped at his chin, forcing Draco to look at him. 

“You will return, Draco.” Lucius stated. “You will obey and you will treat that mudblood with what she deserves. She is nothing more than scum on your shoes, you understand. It would be a shame if she ended up here next to you, would it not?”

No. Not her. Not Granger. 

Lucius carried on. “It should be her in these chains, and yet you continue to disobey. I will not stand for it. These punishments will continue until the lesson finally sinks in.”

The pain threatened to swallow him whole, to let him disappear.  He would never be whole.

He was nothing.

He was drowning.

He deserved this.

Worthless….

Never ending darkness…

“Draco!”

His eyes opened, meeting large chocolate colored ones. He knew those eyes. Draco would recognize them anywhere.

“Hermione.” His throat was dry and he attempted to clear it.

She was kneeling across from him, hands on either side of his face, face pinched in worry.

“You…you were having another nightmare.” She whispered before her arms wrapped around him as her cheek rested against his chest.

“What are you doing?”

“It’s called a hug, Malfoy.” He knew she probably rolled her eyes. “Usually the receiver of said hug returns the gesture. Often used by friends.”

“Swot.” He replied but his arms wrapped around her anyway, his nose burying into her curls, inhaling the scent of honeysuckle and vanilla.

Friends though? Draco wasn’t sure. He had very few that he would actually call friend and not just groupies that followed him because of who his father was. Pansy had been his first friend, their parents wanting them to become betrothed once they became of age, and they had literally grown up together. Theo Nott was the closest thing he had to a brother and had been since the tender age of six when Draco’s mother, Narcissa, had brought Theo home with her. Theo’s father had business to attend to, his mother had said, but Draco could read between the lines. Glamour charms could only hide so much, and some bruises still showed. Blaise Zabini was the biggest man-whore he had ever met, but the dark skin Italian had carved his place in Draco’s life as well. In their first year, Pansy had brought Daphne Greengrass into their little group and she had quickly become the mother hen of the five of them, always there without you needing to say anything and the best secret keeper a person could know. 

Now Hermione’s hands came up to brush through his hair, so tender and light. Her touch was like a balm that soothed away at his hurts, yet in the back of his mind, Draco couldn’t help but freeze. The instinct to shove anyone away, even her, was in front of him, begging him to listen.

“Am I hurting you?” She asked.

“No.” The word came out strangled, thick but clear. Hermione watched him closely as he struggled to hold back the ugliness of his past.

“Draco…if you don’t want me to touch you–”

He caught her hand before she could remove it, uttering a low curse. “Don’t stop. You’re not doing anything wrong. It’s just…” He couldn’t hold her gaze. He didn’t want her to see past him to the monster he had left behind but never totally managed to escape. To see what truly happened to the children of Purebloods and especially Death Eaters if they didn’t do as they were told.

Her eyes were warm. “You can tell me when you’re ready, Draco…or not at all.”

Hermione was always so patient, and had always cared too much. What would she think when she found out more of his past? 

But Draco was selfish and didn’t want to lose her. As his mind healer had begun teaching him, he had to let someone in. The words started to build up in his throat, spewing out as word vomit that he knew he couldn’t speak fast enough, nor could he take it back.

“There were dungeons in the manor, you know.” he murmured, his voice sounding wooden in the quiet of the room. “But they didn’t just hold prisoners. They were built to teach lessons, especially to the children of Death Eaters. Usually with pain. All…kinds of pain.” 

Hermione’s eyes widened. “Draco …” 

He kept going. He knew he had to push through before her sympathy froze him up. “The beatings were easy enough to handle. Even the torture. Eventually you find a place to park your mind and you can separate yourself from what’s being done to you. That was the lesson our parents were trying to demonstrate. Except, when nothing seems to break you, it creates a temptation in some people to find something that will. They get creative. They get fucking sadistic.” 

She swallowed hard, staring at him.

“They used clubs and chains, though whips were the favorite.” he recalled, still able to feel the crush of his flesh and bones when the strikes landed on him. He exhaled a tense breath, recalling the countless hours and days he spent huddled and shivering on the floor of his cell, enduring the anguish of broken bones and savage injuries that should have killed him. But death hadn’t been the goal of the followers of the Dark Lord. The parents wanted their children to obey. “After some time, they decided to test us in other ways. They started teaching us new lessons. Inflicting wounds that would leave scars on my mind, ones that no magic or medicine could heal.” 

Hermione let out a soft, ragged sigh. “Draco, don’t. You don’t have to tell me any more.”

 “I do.” He bit out the words. “You’re the last person I want to tell any of this to, but you’re also the only one … ever. And you need to know, Hermione. Before you keep being so kind to me, you need to understand who I am. You need to know all of it.” As he continued, she held his stare, eyes unwavering. “Instead of limiting the torture to me alone, one day they brought me into a cell with another kid. I didn’t recognize him or his parents though. He was younger than me, and our parents informed me this was his first teaching lesson. I could see he was afraid, even though he tried to hide it. I thought they would start abusing both of us. They spared him, only made him watch all the things they did to me. And their creativity that day was especially brutal.” Draco blew out a harsh breath. “I didn’t realize the other lesson would come later. We both would learn something different that day.” 

Hermione reached out for his hand. It took all his will to accept the kindness, to wrap his fingers around hers even as he relived the horror of what was done to him that day in the cell and the even worse lesson that followed. “They left me on the floor in a pool of my own blood and vomit. I didn’t realize the other kid was still in the cell until sometime later, when I felt his hands under me, helping me up. He moved me out of the puddle of filth, then used his shirt to clean the worst of it off my face. Neither one of us realized that our Fathers and the other Death Eaters were watching the whole time. Waiting for just this kind of failure. Eager to make both of us pay for it.” 

Hermione drew in a breath, her fingers squeezing his tighter. “No…” 

“They’d beat us, brutalize us, then come back around after a while to offer a hand up or some other small consideration. If I accepted, there was always more pain. And much worse than any that came before.” He looked at Hermione, saw even more moisture gathering in her eyes. “After that incident, they brought more kids into the cell with me whenever any of us needed to be punished. If they touched me afterward or showed me kindness or pity at any time, the Death Eaters would torture them even more. If I warned the others not to do those things, then the Death Eaters made me hand out the torture instead.” Hermione covered her mouth with her free hand, mutely shaking her head. One of the tears that had been welling now spilled over her and rolled down her cheek. 

“My God, Draco. How long did this go on?” 

“I was eleven when it first started and it continued all the way until I was sent to Azkaban.”

“Merlin, you were just a child. What lesson could a child possibly need?”  Her eyes flashed angrily.

“That anyone who wasn’t a pureblood needed to be treated like dirt. That we, purebloods that is, were better than everyone else. And if we treated anyone else with even a modicum of respect or kindness…it was a lesson they wanted to teach.”

“Your own parents…”

He shook his head. “Just our Fathers. My Mother was unaware of the…lessons. She was made to believe that they were dueling lessons or something like that. If she started to become aware, she was oblivated. If we told, our Mothers would be in more danger. My…aunt was the only woman who was part of Voldemort's circle.”

Anger was written plainly on her face, sparks of magic coming off the ends of her hair. “And your father…did this to you?”

He nodded slowly. “It was the Father’s position to teach their child.”

Her arms were back around him, tightly, and Draco could feel the hot tears that fell onto his neck.

“I’ll kill him, Draco.” Hermione whispered darkly. “I’ll kill him for even thinking he could harm you.”

He pulled away from the embrace, even as his heart jumped. “He’s in Azkaban now, Granger. He can’t hurt anyone anymore.”

The strength of her emotions surprised him. Tender empathy for what he’d been through, or undeserving absolution for all he’d done, he didn’t know. Nor did he know how he could ever be worthy of the affection Hermione gave him so openly. 

Draco didn’t deserve it. Didn’t deserve her . He was nothing, afterall. And Hermione…Hermione was everything that was good in this world. She was warm and kind and so much better than the rest of them. And she didn’t even realize it. She genuinely cared for others, cared for him. He would search her face for any inch of deception, any sign that what she showed was fake. But Draco found nothing but pure sincerity. It should have brought his walls up, but around Granger, they just seemed to crumble, almost without effort. He wanted to follow her to the ends of the Earth if she would allow it. Lucius had raised him to be the perfect Pureblooded Heir and all it had gotten him was a dark mark and what Hermione had called PTSD. He hadn’t been allowed to want things, to change the plans that had been laid out before his birth. 

But there was just something about Hermione that compelled him to let her in. More than he had ever let anyone in, including the friends he had grown up with like Pansy and Theo. That something made him want to change the path he had been placed on and go scorched earth. He wanted to be able to choose. And it was because of her that it felt almost like a reality. And that, combined with everything else, left him unsure if what he was feeling was friendship or something more.

And that scared him shitless.

Hermione hadn't meant to fall asleep but was gently roused by warm breath tickling her neck.

Cautiously she opened her eyes and realized how intimate they had shifted while asleep.

Somehow their legs were tangled together, Malfoy's face nuzzled into her neck, and his arm thrown over her waist holding her close.

She wasn't uncomfortable (quite the opposite really), but rather feeling emotions that had been safely buried.

Attraction and want . Desire…

Hermione blushed furiously at where her thoughts ventured.

There wasn't much exploration in sex or intimacy with Ron. Their relationship had been brief before it turned dark, and the few moments she had tried to give herself to him hadn’t been pleasurable. Hermione had tried to give direction to what felt good, but Ron would only act more offended. She hated to admit it, but most of the time she would just fake it until he got what he wanted and she could go back to sleep.

Why did all good thoughts always lead back to him? She didn’t want to think of him, especially as she was laying in bed with someone else.

"Go back to sleep," Malfoy mumbled, nuzzling into her neck, the arm around her waist tightening. “I can hear you thinking.”

Chewing nervously on her bottom lip, Hermione carefully shifted so she could run her fingers through his hair at the nape of his neck.

Hermione felt his approving hum tickling her neck and smiled.

The thought that passed startled her enough that her fingers stilled.

She could get used to this. 

She was so tired of being tired. Tired of fighting, of never being enough. Hermione had spent most of her life sacrificing and giving every last piece of herself to everyone. There wasn’t anything left. 

But laying in Draco Malfoy’s arms, she thought that for once…maybe she was enough. 

Maybe this time …

Chapter Text

The darkness was crushing her. 

“No.” Hermione moaned out, shutting her eyes tight even as she sank deeper into the void. “Let…let me go.” The sound of Bellatrix’s laughter filled her ears and Hermione swung her arms out blindly, trying to hit the mad woman, wanting to get away. Lithe muscles took her blow and Hermione latched on, clawing at the cackling woman who sneered at her. 

“Hermione…can you hear me?” The deep baritone that answered back surprised her but she kept her focus on the witch.

“Don’t…don’t touch me.” She hissed, even as searing pain filled her body. No…her left arm. Bellatrix was digging the cursed blade into her skin. “I didn’t take it. I swear I didn’t take it.” She cried out as her skin burned, tears building up. She just wanted to get away. Wanted to get away and find the last of the Horcruxes so that they would be safe. But right now, she wasn’t safe. Bellatrix was still cackling and she was on fire and it was hard to keep her eyes open.  

“It’s just a dream, Granger. Wake up. I’ve got you.”

Her head was spinning even as she still clutched onto the warm muscles, her body shaking.

Granger …Bellatrix wouldn’t call her that. Only Draco did that. But why…

She was panting now, whispering indiscernible, panic seeming to rise to a head with each passing second. She could feel the frantic tick of her pulse as a scream ripped from her lips. It was a single word, a gasped exclamation that startled her awake, her face now less than an inch away from Draco. 

“You are safe,” Draco told her, the only words he had as he stared into the terrified honey brown pools of her gaze. He brought his hand up slowly and swept a tendril of dark hair off her damp brow before cupping her cheek. “You’re safe with me, Hermione. I’ve got you.” 

She gave him a faint nod. “I had a nightmare. I thought I was back there … in…the manor.” 

“Never again,” he told her. It sounded like a promise. She didn’t flinch away as he continued to stroke the delicate slope of her cheek and jaw line. Her eyes, however, remained fixed on him, studying him. Hermione couldn’t lie to herself and say that she wasn’t relieved to hear him say that, but she also knew that one day she would need to face her fears. She couldn’t fully move on until she had.

Her shoulders trembled as soft sobs racked her body. “Hey,” he whispered, reaching a tentative hand out to gentle her. He stroked her hunched back, slow caresses that only seemed to make her cry harder. She didn’t speak, just sucked in air and wept it out again. “Shh,” Draco soothed. “It’s okay,” he murmured, sweeping aside the limp strands of her hair. He lifted her chin, bringing her red-rimmed eyes up to meet his gaze.

He didn’t say anything else, just kept letting her know that he was there, rubbing circles on her back. Hermione leaned forward as she pressed her forehead into the crook of his neck. He was warm and she let herself feel comforted by his scent.

Once she had fully calmed down, Hermione pulled away and sighed. “I need to wash my face. And you probably want to change your shirt.” She looked sheepishly at the wet spot that was just below his collar. 

Draco looked down before looking back up and smirked. “It was an honor to donate this shirt for an honorable cause, My Lady.”

She smacked his arm, but grinned. “Prat.”

Once she reached the bathroom, Hermione couldn’t help but look up into the mirror. The face that reflected back in the mirror was almost unrecognizable. Dark circles under her red-rimmed eyes, blotchy skin that looked pale and sunken, and her curls were begging to be tamed. In short, she was a mess. 

With a defeated sigh, Hermione rolled her shoulders back and glared at her reflection. She may look like a mess, but she would be damned if she let that keep her from going out in public.

With another mental breath, Hermione and Draco exited their dorm room and headed towards the Great Hall for breakfast. She wasn’t looking forward to it but she also knew that she had to start going out more. She couldn’t just stay in her dorm and have the Kitchen Elves bring her food. No matter how much it felt like the walls were closing in on her. It was suffocating. Draco hadn’t said anything when she had finally emerged from the bathroom, but his quiet presence was comforting as they walked. Eleven year-old her would have laughed herself silly at that thought before but being around Draco felt as natural as breathing.

Hermione knew she needed to be careful. She was getting attached and that was the last thing either of them needed at the moment.

She was excited to see both Harry and Ginny outside the doors to the Great Hall as her and Draco neared. Hermione accepted the hug they both gave her with ease before her smile dropped when she saw another shadow appear next to them.

Ron. She froze and took a half step back. 

“Hermione.” He said with a crooked smile before he glared, not at her, but at Draco standing next to her. “What are you doing here, Death Eater?” He snarled. 

“Leave it, Ron.” Harry told him, sending the redhead a sharp look. Ron looked hurt before his face turned a blotchy shade of red.

“Why should I play nice when he’s walking around with my girl?”

Her mouth dropped open. Was he mental? “Your girl? Ron, we broke up!”

“No! You decided that you were done with us without even letting me say anything! Mione, we belong–”

“We don’t.” She interrupted. “I’ve told you time and time before and the answer is still no. We are not together and no means no.”

He took a step forward, hand out as if to touch her. She did her best to keep from flinching but wasn’t sure she succeeded. Instantly, she had a flashback.

" We're done, Ron," she said, her voice trembling, hands clenching the back of a kitchen chair. "We - I - we’re done"

The blue eyes she had once loved darkened while his cheeks and ears flushed a bright red.

"What?" he whispered, his voice like the calm before a storm.

She should have known she didn’t stand a chance.

Several minutes later and she was now gasping for breath, vision blurry, wishing and praying for this to stop. For any of the Gods to hear her. If they did, not one answered back.

“I would listen to the lady, Weasel.” Draco stepped between them before Ron could get any closer while she had been mentally retreating, physically frozen. “You really don’t want to be on the receiving end of one of her curses. I’ve heard of a new one she created that does unspeakable things to the family jewels.”

If anything, Ron looked even angrier. He looked over at Harry and Ginny. “Are you seeing this? She’s gone completely mental.”

Ginny rolled her eyes. “Nice, Ron. That’s definitely a way to apologize to your ex-girlfriend by calling her mental.” 

“That’s enough, Ron.” Harry snapped.

Ron’s mouth dropped open. It was clear that he had thought Harry and his sister would back him up. Hermione felt a wave of gratitude for her two friends. They were on her side, choosing her. It had always been a fear at the back of her mind that if it came down to it, Harry would choose Ron. And now here he was, standing up for her.

“He nearly left you for dead, Hermione! He’s the reason you have that bloody scar on your arm. Why are you with him? Do you get off on being with someone who hates you? Are you fucking him?”

She gasped again, unable to help herself. Even Harry and Ginny looked shocked at what he had said. Next to her, Draco had tensed, shoulders tight and fists clenched.

“You are unbelievable, Ronald Weasley.” Hermione hissed, her fear turning into anger. She crossed her arms, sticking her nose up. “Suddenly, I’m not very hungry at the moment. Harry. Ginny. I’ll see you in Potions.”

And with that, she stalked off.

Still feeling angry, Hermione slid into her seat once they had reached the Potions classroom. Draco took his seat near the back, next to Theo Nott and Blaise Zabini while Harry and Ginny sat next to her. That was one good thing about taking an 8th year. She would have some classes with Ginny now. Hermione knew the fiery redhead was happy to have the extra time with her boyfriend as well, even if it was just during school hours. 

“As a treat,” Professor Slughorn began, walking to the front of his desk. “I thought we would start the year by brewing something a little more fun for my 7th and 8th years. We will all be brewing Amortentia. Now, who can tell me what that is?”

“It’s the most powerful love potion in the world.” A bubbly blonde that must have been from Ginny’s year, answered, grinning. “It smells differently for everyone.”

“Precisely! Ten points to Gryffindor.” Professor Slughorn continued on, writing the instructions on the board and instructing them to get into groups of three.

She enjoyed Potions. The method of slicing and measuring the ingredients helped to calm her mind as she focused entirely on her task. There was no room for other thoughts. Just on what was in front of her.

Hermione was curious once their potion was done and the light pink potion was swirling innocently in the cauldron. She had smelled New parchment, freshly mowed grass and green apples the last time she had brewed it. At the time, she had been convinced in their 6th year, that she and Ron were going to be an item and had assumed those smells were due to certain things. Of course, she loved books and the freshly mowed grass reminded her of past summers with her parents when her dad had just finished cutting the grass. The green apples were a bit harder to decipher but then she remembered that the Weasley’s always had a basket of fresh apples on the kitchen table.  Now that they were obviously over, she wondered what it would smell like now. Breathing in, the smells flooded her senses immediately.

The exact same smells. Hermione frowned. Why was it the same? Shouldn’t it have been different now?

“You okay, Mione?” Ginny asked after noticing the odd look on her face.

Hermione slowly shook her head. “It smells the exact same as it did in 6th year. How…how is that possible? Ron and I…we’re done.”

“Maybe it was never Ron you smelled in the first place, Hermione.” Harry told her, a hint of a sass in his tone. It made her grin just a little. Sassy Harry was a normal Harry and they all needed a bit of normality in their lives. Her smile didn’t last long though as she turned back to the potion.

“Maybe it was Malfoy.” Ginny chimed in with a nudge to her shoulder and a playful grin on her lips.”You two are spending an awful lot of time together.”

Her cheeks burned. “Stop it, you two.” 

“He has become pretty fit, hasn’t he?” Ginny continued on as if Hermione hadn’t said anything. She sighed dramatically. “Even after a few years, he still has those broom thighs. Merlin, the things he could do. I swear I would ride him until I saw stars–”

Harry coughed. “Uh, boyfriend right here, remember?”

Ginny grinned. “I remember.” When Harry pouted, she placed a swift kiss on his cheek, placating him, before she turned back to Hermione.  “So…you fancy the ferret, huh?”

With a groan, Hermione dropped her head onto the desk. She was so doomed.

Chapter Text

“So tomorrow is the weekend, and I was thinking us girls could go down to Hogsmeade to get outfits for your birthday party on Sunday. We can even go into that bookshop you like so much and I won’t complain…well, okay, mostly I won’t complain. I’ll let you have a whole hour before I say anything.” Ginny was saying as they all sat around the Great Lake, enjoying the surprisingly warm weather. Harry was there since Ginny was, and Draco had brought along Theo and Blaise Zabini. It was an odd little group they made, but Hermione was finding that she liked the extra Slytherin’s that were brought into her life. Theo was…well, Theo. She wasn’t quite sure how to describe him but found that she liked being around him. He reminded her a lot of Harry actually. Though Theo was a lot more energetic and had no issues with crude humor. Him and Ginny bonded over making the group more uncomfortable with their sense of humour and loved telling dirty jokes, but Hermione couldn’t stop it. She liked her friends getting along with her newer friends. Even if they did make her blush. She wasn’t a prude, but Merlin the things they would say.

Blaise Zabini was another Slytherin that she had known only through passing and he always seemed very quiet. The handsome Italian had a bit of a reputation as a ladies man, but was always kind to anyone around him regardless of their House or blood status. If she remembered correctly, and she usually did, the Zabini’s were neutral in the First Wizarding War, choosing to stay in Italy where they couldn’t be reached as easily. From what she had heard from Draco, both Blaise and Theo hated a lot of the Pureblood ideals and did everything they could to escape it. Unfortunately, since they were in Slytherin and their parents (well, Theo’s Dad) had been in league with Voldemort, most of the school considered them just like they would with any other Pureblood Supremacist: Dark and untrustworthy. 

“You’ll let me?” Hermione raised a brow at Ginny at her comment about the bookstore.

“Your birthday is on Sunday?” Theo asked before she could get more riled up.

“September 19th.” Draco, sitting next to her, answered as if it was common knowledge. Hermione wasn’t sure how he knew but she would be lying if she said that it didn’t make her stomach flutter at the thought of him remembering something like that.

“We’ll get the elves to make you a cake.” Theo told her and Ginny rolled her eyes.

“Don’t even get her started on the elves, Nott. I’d like to make it time for Christmas this year.”

Hermione stuck her tongue out at her friend. “I don’t talk that much about the house elves.”

Harry snorted. “Yeah…now.” 

He deserved the shove she gave him but Harry just laughed as he fell into the grass. Hermione knew that she could be very opinionated and vocal about things she felt strongly about. House Elves were just one of those things she happened to feel very, very strong about. It wasn’t right how they were treated by most families! Nobody, human or otherwise, deserved to be treated like they were less than. It was cruel and Hermione was determined to keep fighting for equal rights for all of them. Even if she had to take on the Wizarding world while she did so.

“How am I supposed to go to Hogsmeade this weekend? I have too much homework to get done and study for.”

Draco playfully rolled his eyes and poked at her cheek. “We both know that you’re already a month ahead in every subject, Granger.”

She bit her lip to keep from grinning at him but found herself failing, the corners of her mouth tugging up anyway. “Well then, Malfoy…you need to catch up if you ever want to pass me.” Hermione hadn’t noticed that they had both leaned in closer as they spoke, noses almost touching before Theo coughed, causing them both to jerk apart. Hermione knew her face was red and she was a little pleased to see that even Draco had a slight color across his cheeks. The rest of the group were all wearing matching wide grins, even Harry, though he also looked a bit sick.

“Oi, Curls!” Theo laughed, using the horrible nickname he had given her. “Stop flirting with my best friend and let’s get to planning. I don’t like being ignored.”

“It’s impossible to ignore you, Theo.” Draco said with a smirk. “You’re too irritating.”

Theo waved the comment off. “Incidentals. I’m lovable. Now, Curls, what flavor of cake do you want?”

The rest of their Friday passed quickly. At dinner, Hermione was pleased to see that more and more students were forgoing the House tables and just sitting with their friends. Even a few of the Slytherins such as Pansy Parkinson and Daphne Greengrass were mingling with a few of the Ravenclaws and Gryffindors. Now that was something she never thought she would see. Daphne’s younger sister, Astoria, was sitting with a few of the Hufflepuffs and Luna Lovegood was across from Hermione at their own table, talking about the Wrackspurts she had heard were hanging around the Great Lake. Ginny was arguing with Blaise about Quidditch, not surprising as they both had strong opinions, and Hermione felt content to sit back and watch as they all sat together.

Draco was, of course, sitting next to her even though he had the option to sit somewhere else.

At first, Hermione had thought it was just because he was grateful she had gotten him out of Azkaban, but as time had gone on, she thought that maybe…maybe he actually wanted to be next to her. They weren’t always together, but he did always sit next to her at the tables and when they studied in the library. Most of it was in silence and Hermione found herself more and more enjoying her time with him. He didn’t have the need to fill every moment with conversation and she needed that in her life. There were a rare few people in her life that she could simply be around in silence and it made her more grateful. Draco was more a man of action than words. He was always opening doors for her, trying to carry her books (though Hermione rarely actually let him do that), and at dinner, he always made sure to save some of her favorite cauldron cakes anytime she was running late. 

She…liked him. As more than a friend. And that terrified the shit out of her.  Hermione didn’t want to ruin the friendship they were building and they both were dealing with their own traumas. She was barely human most days, dealing with losing her parents, her time on the run, being tortured by Bellatrix and essentially being a child soldier when it was the adults that should have been protecting them. Dumbledore had lost all her respect with how he practically raised Harry for the slaughter since birth and never gave them clear answers on what they were looking for. He knew about the Horcruxes and just gave them riddles instead. 

Draco still had PTSD from his time living with Voldemort and being tortured constantly there and in Azkaban. She had lost count of the amount of times she had found him dissociated with the world and just sat with him until he came back. It made her furious at how he was treated in the prison and in his own home. Since he was eleven! If she ever saw that guard or Lucius again, Hermione was tempted to use an Unforgivable. In truth, she thought that the Unforgivable curse should have its name changed. Some people did deserve it.

McGonagall was telling them that there would be a Halloween Ball being held next month and how it was important to keep taking things day by day. That even though they had all suffered during and after the War, they needed to keep going and healing. A Mind Healer was still there for all of them with weekly sessions and though Hermione was struggling to admit, the sessions were helping. She didn’t like asking or admitting she needed help. For so long, she only had herself, Harry, and Ron to look out for, so including anyone else was hard.

After dinner, they all headed to the library for some last minute studying before the girls had their shopping spree the next day. If they were making her give up her studying time for shopping, the least they could do was join her tonight. Draco took his spot on her left (since he was left-handed and she was right) with Harry on her other side, and Ginny next to him. He hated studying and had a hard time staying focused, but was getting better at it with their help. Blaise and Theo were across from them, books already opened. Theo had surprisingly taken over the role of leadership and already had an outlined plan for all of them to follow. Hermione had known he was smart. He was third in their class, right behind her and Draco. She was just glad that she didn’t have to take over and essentially do their work for them.

‘ Ron would have made me write his essays for him and go off to play Wizard Chess or something… ’

She shook her head. She didn’t want to be thinking of him right now.

A shadow fell over her and Hermione looked up to see Cormac McLaggen leaning over her, putting space between her and Harry. Her best friend was glaring at the other Quidditch player. Cormac gave her a grin that she thought was supposed to be charming, but it just made her feel squeamish. Hermione supposed that Cormac wasn’t all that bad, but after Slughorn’s Party in 6th year and the way he had leered at her before trying to kiss her, he had always given her a bad taste in her mouth. Hermione didn’t like being around him. 

She put on her best polite smile. “Hello Cormac. How are things?”

He grinned even more. “Quite well actually.” 

Hermione just nodded, not interested in continuing the conversation. Cormac leaned in closer to her space and she leaned away on instinct, pressing more into Draco.

“So you know the Halloween Ball is next month,” he began and she mentally groaned. Next to her, she felt Draco tense, his arm pressed against her shoulder. From the corner of her eye, she could see he was gripping his quill tightly, knuckles almost white. 

“And?” Harry interrupted, giving Cormac an annoyed look. He didn’t like the guy either. 

Cormac ignored him. “So, will you go with me? As my date, of course.”

“She already has a date.” Draco snapped next to her before Hermione could answer. Her heart began to pound and she felt her cheeks start to redden. 

Cormac glared at him. “Oh? And I suppose you think she would go with you, Death Eater ?”

Hermione stood up, slamming her hands against the table making him jump. Good. He should be scared of her. The rest of their table stood up as well. 

“I am going with him, actually.” Hermione replied as calmly as she could. She could feel her anger make her magic spark and took a breath to try to calm down. The last thing she needed was to blast someone across the room. “And don’t you ever let me hear you call him a Death Eater again.”

Well, maybe if it was Cormac…She doubted anyone would be too mad if she did blast him. Ginny could always throw one of her famous bat-bogey hexes.

Cormac narrowed his eyes. “I see…well then, Golden Girl…come find me when you discover your taste in a real man.” With one final sneer at Draco, Cormac left their group, exiting the library. With a sigh, Hermione plopped back down into her chair. 

“Well that was fun.” Ginny quipped, breaking the silence. The group let out a relieved chuckle, all sitting back down in their seats. 

“He’s a sleazeball.” Harry spoke, still looking angry. “I don’t like the way he looked at you, Hermione.” She felt a rush of gratitude towards one of her best friends. Harry had become like a brother to her and it made her feel happy that he was looking out for her. 

“Neither do I.” Draco said from the other side of her. 

“He’s gone now. Maybe he’ll leave us all alone.” Was all she could think of to say. 

“He will if I have anything to say about it.” Draco said low under his breath, arms crossed and eyes narrowed.

Slowly, Hermione placed her hand on his, hoping to help him relax, making Draco uncross his arms. “Thank you for standing up for me…Draco.” She whispered. 

He turned his hand so their palms were touching, giving her a hand a gentle squeeze. “Always…Hermione.”

A rush went through her as he said her name and Hermione couldn’t help the grin that escaped her. They sat there for a few moments before Draco seemed to realize that they were still holding hands and he let go, clearing his throat. She tried not to miss it.

“You don’t have to go with me to the Ball, you know.” He said, not meeting her eyes, but instead looking at his parchment on the table. 

“I’d love to actually.” She replied quickly, making his eyes shoot up, looking surprised and dare she say…hopeful? Hermione grinned. “Though technically , you didn’t ask me.”

He smirked. “Well then, I should fix that.” Draco stood up and gave a flourished bow, before extending one hand towards her. “Would you do me the highest honor and be my date to the Ball, Hermione Granger?”

Hermione giggled and knew she would feel embarrassed about that later, but right now, she didn’t care. He was asking her! Actually asking her and…maybe flirting with her?

She easily placed her hand to his. “Of course I will.”

Draco grinned again, his real smile, and her heart fluttered. He kissed her knuckles before looking back up at her with a wink. “It’s a date.” 

“Well this has been enlightening.” Ginny spoke up, breaking the trance that both her and Draco had been in. 

Chapter Text

There were millions of things that Hermione Granger had gone through and survived, with each school year bringing something or someone more challenging and dangerous. She thought nothing could get worse than Bellatrix carving the horrible slur that now lay on her arm while in Malfoy Manor, but as it turns out, Hermione was dead wrong. 

She had never faced off with a Pansy Parkinson that was now conspiring with Ginny over the dress they would make her wear for her own fucking birthday. She didn’t like being wrong. Each dress looked tighter or had less fabric than the one before and Hermione kept vetoing every option they brought out. 

This was supposed to be just a normal girls day with Ginny and Luna, but they had ran into Pansy at Madame Malkin’s and when Pansy saw the dress Hermione had picked out for herself, she had snatched it out of her hands with a fierce “Absolutely not, Granger. This isn’t even worth wiping shit off my dog.”

And just like that, Pansy had joined in on helping, also known as torturing, to find a dress for Hermione. 

It surprised her just a little at how close Pansy and Ginny were acting, as if the past feuds had never happened. Maybe they had already buried the hatchet? Merlin knows that they all needed to learn forgiveness. 

Well…if she could forgive Draco Malfoy, she could give Pansy a chance.

But still, there was no way in hell that she was wearing the dress Pansy was shoving into Hermione’s arms.

“No way.” Hermione proclaimed, shaking her head again.

Ginny let out a sigh. “What’s wrong with this one?”

Hermione waved her hand at the offending article of clothing. “Do you see that? It would barely cover anything!”

The dress itself didn’t look bad, per say. It was a gray virgin killer sweater dress and if it was longer, she might have worn it. In a few years and when she was absolutely blackout drunk.

“So showing too much skin is the problem?” Pansy asked. Hermione nodded. “I think I got a solution for that. She held up a pair of boots. Thigh high boots. “Put these on and show us. You’ll see how hot you look.”

She wanted to argue, but both girls were physically forcing her into the changing room. Luna had gone off who knows where, but Hermione was cursing that her friend wasn’t there to help her. She would have been on her side.

With much grumbling, Hermione took off her comfortable day clothes and pulled on the outfit. It was soft and she did look good in it. The boots were actually pretty comfortable, even without cushioning charms. A stability charm could make sure she didn’t fall flat on her face. Hermione turned to see how the outfit looked from the back and saw that much of her back was exposed. 

“Come on out, Hermione!” Ginny called out to her. Taking a breath, she stepped out. She saw that Luna had joined them again and all three girls were staring at her with wide eyes.

“You look hot, Granger.” Pansy commented. “Draco won’t be able to pick his mouth off the floor.”

“I’m not doing this for Draco!” Hermione hissed, feeling her cheeks burn. Pansy just raised a brow. She looked back down at the dress. “It’s too much isn't it? I’m gonna have to pick something else.”

“No! All three girls exclaimed.

“You look very light. Your aura is so warm.” Luna told her. 

“All I’m saying is that if I had a pair of tits like yours, I would want to show them off. Fear the woman that knows the power of her tits.” Ginny said right after. Why did she have friends that were so different?

Hermione internally sighed. Because she loved them, that’s why. She wouldn’t change a single thing about them.

After what had felt like an eternity, and after they had managed to persuade her into buying the dress, the four of them left the shop, heading out to grab food before they had to get back to Hogwarts. 

They would need their energy for the rest of the weekend.

The dress did look good on her, Hermione had to admit again as she got ready. And the thigh high black boots did make her feel a bit better about being covered. Even if most of her back and the sides of her chest were showing. Thank goodness for sticking charms. She didn’t want to accidentally flash someone.

Hermione was definitely nervous but tried to keep a rhythm of steady breaths so as to not show it. Ginny was picking her up and walking with her to where the party was being held. They had chosen the Room of Requirement, funnily enough,and all her friends were going to be there. Especially Draco. She was excited to see him. Pansy had come to take him out of their flat so they could get ready, saying he couldn’t see her until they arrived. Draco had rolled eyes, but finally left, but not before shooting Hermione a wink.

The best part was that Ron couldn’t get into the room. They had specifically asked for a room that he couldn’t enter.

Ginny linked their arms together as they headed out, talking excitedly about all the different drinks that would be there and all the foods. Someone had gotten actual caterers to provide a smorgasbord of different foods like sushi, pizza and even an ice cream sundae bar. 

Loud music hit her ears first as they entered the Room of Requirement. When the people inside saw her, they immediately shouted a loud “Happy Birthday, Hermione!” A few ran up to hug her and Hermione felt a red cup pushed into her hands with a cheerful “bottoms up!” That was most likely Ginny who already had a cup of her own in her hand.

“You made it!” A giggling Pansy and Theo came over, both obviously already a little drunk. Pansy threw her arms around Hermione’s neck, squeezing her tight. “You look hot in that dress!”

She couldn’t help but laugh. “I know. You already told me.”

“Told you Mr.Tall, Blonde and Angsty wouldn’t be able to stop staring at you.” Pansy stuck her tongue out as the person she was talking about, and who Hermione most wanted to see, came over to them.

“You look exquisite.” Draco told her, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles. Her cheeks flamed.

“You clean up nice as well.” Hermione said in a reply. And of course it was true. He was Draco Malfoy. Hermione wasn’t sure he had ever not looked handsome in everything he went to. He stood there in front of her, still holding her hand before Ginny cleared her throat. 

“Time to mingle, you two. Gotta share the love.” She grabbed Hermione’s arm, pulling her towards another group of friends. She saw Harry there and couldn’t help but give him a big hug. He returned the hug, lifting her off her feet.

“Put me down!” Hermione laughed as Harry did so. 

“Happy Birthday, Hermione.” He told her warmly. 

She beamed. “Thanks, Harry.”

Hermione relaxed as the night went on. She spent most of the time next to Draco, but several times Ginny had managed to pull her into another round of dancing. She couldn’t even count how many drinks she already had.

She had a nice buzz by the time Pansy had grabbed a group of them, Draco included of course, and they all were playing silly old school games. They were currently on Truth or Dare.

Hermione knew the game was going to get dirty. They were adults with perfectly healthy libidos and objectively, very attractive people. And they were playing with a group of Slytherins. So far, Blaise had had Harry make out with Ginny in front of them and Theo had been dared to go running through the room completely naked. Not many of them chose Truth, but Hermione blamed the alcohol on that. It was Pansy’s turn next and they all waited for her to choose her next victim. She was particularly good at daring them to do crude things.

Pansy just grinned and clapped her hands. “Truth or Dare, Draco.”

“Dare.” He answered. Okay, maybe the alcohol was getting to her a little more than she thought. Draco was brave for saying dare with Pansy asking. Who knew what horrible thing she would dare him to do.

“Okay. Kiss Granger.”

Wait…what? What did she just say? Hermione was sure all the breath left her body. Kiss her? Was Draco really going to kiss her? Did he even want to? Did she want him to?

Yes. Yes she did.

Draco rolled his eyes. “Very subtle, Pans.” Pansy just smirked. He turned to Hermione.

“Hi.” He said, reaching up to tuck a loose curl behind her ear, but left his hand against her cheek. She tried to remember how to speak, how to even breathe.

“H-hi.” She managed to get out. 

Perfect. She did it. Look at her being all cool and collected. She deserved an Order of Merlin, first class for that!

Draco leaned forward, enough where she could smell the alcohol from his breath mixing with hers, molten silver eyes bearing into hers. Hermione closed her eyes as he neared closer before she felt his lips brush her cheek.

Her stomach dropped.

“Oi!” Pansy yelled out. “That wasn’t the deal!” She complained as Hermione opened her eyes again. Draco wasn’t even looking at her and she tried not to feel too disappointed about it.

Draco shrugged. “You said kiss, not what type.”

Pansy groaned. “Don’t you even want to kiss her? Look at her in that dress! I’m straight and even I would go in for a snog.”

Hermione felt her face burn even more. Draco shrugged again. “I’m not going to make Hermione uncomfortable by kissing her in front of everyone.”

“Let’s stop torturing the poor girl.” Blaise chimed in, saving her from having to listen more to the conversation. “It’s time for cake anyway.”

The group grumbled a bit but everyone stood up from the couches and headed towards the large buffet table where a large cake and several cups of firewhisky had been set out. 

Drunk. She needed to get very very drunk. 

Draco tried not to stare as Hermione talked and danced her way through the crowd of people who had come to celebrate her. That outfit of hers was doing stuff to his brain. It hadn’t helped with the dare Pansy had given him. He knew what she had really meant, but Draco also knew that he couldn’t kiss Granger like he really wanted. He didn’t want to scare her off. He had heard her catch her breath when Pansy had asked and noticed her slight trembling when he turned towards her. The last thing he wanted was for her to be scared or uncomfortable with him. She meant too much to him.

“Looks like Granger is getting a little light-headed.” Theo told him, nodding at Hermione who was swaying on her feet. “Probably time to call it a night.”

He nodded. “Are you heading out too?” Draco asked his friend.

Theo grinned. “I’ll be escorting the lovely Miss Luna Lovegood to her quarters.”

Draco couldn’t help but roll his eyes playfully at his friend. Theo was such a goner for the blonde. It was a good thing though. Luna was one of the few people that were just good . Theo needed some light in his life. Saying a goodnight, Draco headed over to pick up his stumbling witch. Hermione was all laughs and smiles as he came over and let her know that he was taking her back to their room. She had just smiled and let him pick her up. He had barely made it two steps out of the room before she was passed out cold.

He easily carried Hermione through the empty halls to their small apartment in the castle. Once he entered, he shut the door with his foot and made his way into their bedroom.

Their bedroom. 

He would be lying if he said that didn’t do things to his brain. Laying her on the bed, he gazed at her. She looked almost angelic with her hair falling around her shoulders like a halo of gold, her skin glowing. He couldn’t help but touch one of the strands of hair that had fallen across her cheek, feeling its silkiness slide through his fingers.

Merlin, she was beautiful. And she didn’t even seem to know it. 

He had no reason for why he stayed with her through most of the night, still running his hand through her hair as he often wanted to. He told himself it was so he could make sure she would be alright after how much she drank, but then he couldn’t explain why later on, before he went to bed himself, Draco leaned over and brushed his lips across her forehead. 

“Sweet dreams, angel.”

.

Hermione woke up the next morning to the smell of coffee wafting through her nose. Blinking her eyes, she slowly looked at where the source was coming from.

Ah. Draco was in front of her, a tray with a mug of coffee and a small plate with what looked like an omelet.

“Hangover food.” He said as he sat down next to her, placing the tray on her lap. “There’s a hangover and Pepper-Up potion for you as well, but having food in your stomach will make it better quicker.”

The first bite of egg was orgasmic. She couldn’t help but moan a little at the taste. “This is so good, Draco.”

He chuckled. “Glad you like it.”

They sat in a comfortable silence for a few moments, both enjoying the quiet morning. Or was it afternoon? She wasn’t sure. Her birthday party had been an experience she knew would be memorable. It had been fun, relaxing even as she just let go. She may have had a few too many drinks but Hermione knew she was safe as long as Draco was there.

Draco cleared his throat. “I, uh, wanted to give you something away from everyone else. A sorta late birthday present.” Her heart pounded. Away from the others? What could that be? “I meant to give it to you last night, but we kinda got a little distracted.” He grinned at her. She playfully smacked his shoulder.

“What is it?”

He reached into his pocket. “Don’t freak out, okay?”

“Why would I freak out?” She questioned as Draco took a small velvet box out from his pocket and held it out to her. It was obviously a piece of jewelry. “Draco…”

He pushed it into her hands. “Open it.” He said firmly.

Hermione couldn’t but gasp after she opened the small jewelry box. Nestled into the black velvet was a beautiful silver pendant on a thin chain. There was a tiny stone in the middle and she couldn’t help but reach out and touch it.

“It’s beautiful but, Draco, I can’t accept this. It’s too much.”

He shook his head. “Nothing could ever be too much for you, Hermione Granger. You deserve the world.” He nodded towards the necklace. “It’s more than a necklace though. It’s been in my family for generations and belonged to one of my first ancestors. It has protective properties and is also an emergency portkey.” He held up his hand, showing his ring. “I added my magic and blood to it so that if you’re ever in trouble, you can call for me. I’ll be able to apparate anywhere you are and take us both out. Please say you’ll wear it.”

“You added your blood…”

He nodded. “It was the only way I could make the charms work. It has to be attached to someone.” His gaze was steady on hers. She couldn’t make herself look away. He had done this for her? Willingly gave some of his own blood and magic, just to protect her in such a small way? It was hard to wrap her head around it. Hermione knew he didn’t have the same views that he was raised with as a child and early teen, but still. Blood magic wasn’t something that was done lightly. It was considered one of the lightest, yet strongest types of magic out there other than bonds. Most people only did this for someone they truly loved and wanted to take care of. 

So why was he giving this to her?

Chapter Text

Draco was dreaming he was back in Azkaban again. Really, when was the last he didn’t? Each night was an endless torment of nightmares of either Azkaban or his Father. Sometimes it was both. It reminded him of his failures, his mistakes. The words from the guards echoing his Father’s own words as well…

“Fucking Death Eater scum.” The guard in front of his cell snarled at him. It’s all you’ll ever be you know. Even if you got out of here, which you won’t, you’ll still be nothing.” The guard smirked at him. 

“No one cares that you’re in here. Hell, we’re all celebrating. In no time at all, you’ll be nothing but a forgotten memory.” He spat at him and Draco tried not to react, his face showing nothing.

The guard came back each day, repeating the same taunts as before, sometimes using the rune that shocked the inmates until he was almost unconscious on the floor. Anytime Draco saw the rune in the guard’s hand, he tried not to flinch. But he almost always did. 

The rune meant pain. And he was so tired of hurting.

The nightmare switched to him standing in front of his Father.

“How many times must I teach you this lesson!” Lucius snapped, branding the whip in his hands. “You let a mudblood beat you in classes again this year.” Another snap of the whip and Draco let out a sharp cry, fists clenching the chains that held him up, knuckles white. “It’s almost as if you want me to hurt you. This hurts me more than it hurts you.”

A different scene. More moments with his father.

So pathetic, Draco. You are supposed to be a Malfoy and yet, you continue to fail me…

You’re such a failure…Such a disappointment…

Worthless…

I made you! You are a disgrace to the Malfoy name.

It never ended. The words echoed in his mind, even during his waking hours where he had to fight harder to keep the demons away.

 Granger made it easier.

She was a breath of fresh air to him. She knew his crimes better than most, and yet she cared for him anyway. She had forgiven him when he knew he didn’t deserve it. She had saved him from that cell and even now, she was still there. Not letting him feel alone. 

When the nightmares had him waking up screaming, she was there. Wrapping him tighter in her arms, shushing him softly as she tucked him closer to her. When he dissociated, she sat with him, grounding him back to reality, reminding him to keep breathing. He wasn’t back in his cell, he was there with her. Sometimes he was afraid he would lash out at her, hurt her without meaning to. But she was steadfast and never wavered. 

Draco needed her more than he would like to admit.

He remembered the first time he had seen her after he had been sent to Azkaban, her fury at the guard who was mistreating him. 

“Malfoy.”

He wasn’t sure if he was imagining it or not. But he thought it was the sound of Granger’s voice..

“Draco?” she tried as she reached the bars. 

He blinked at his name and his eyes focused, seeing the brown curls and warm eyes that he would recognize anywhere. His head just barely tilted as his eyes narrowed. He looked at her. Was this a figment of his imagination? She couldn’t really be there, he knew. Granger was too good, too pure for the likes of Azkaban. 

“Granger.”  He said her name anyway. 

She kept staring, speechless and wide-eyed with horror. Draco knew what he must look like. All the scars running across his face and torso. And those were only the ones that were visible. 

“I’m going to get you out,” she said, the words escaping before she even processed them. No pausing to think about whether it was even possible. 

She just said it, like a promise.

“No, you won’t,” he said in that same deadened voice as before. There was no point in hoping. Azkaban was where you went to die, not escape. He would never be free of this place. And especially by Granger. There was nothing she could do. Even if this was real.

She opened her mouth to reply but before she could, there were heavy footsteps and a looming shadow swallowed the light of the doorway behind her. She turned to find an Azkaban guard, her wand drawn. 

“This area is for prison personnel only,” said the guard, looking visibly annoyed at finding her there.

She squared her shoulders, unmoving. “Why is he in here?”

The guard glanced towards the shadows Malfoy had now fully vanished into and gave a derisive snort. “Not too popular here, that one. Lots of prisoners blame him and his mum for losing the war. Daddy doesn’t respond too much since he was Kissed. Pretty boy there was more fun.” 

Hermione looked back aghast as the guard pushed her towards the door. 

“Gotta keep him in solitary for his safety.” 

Hermione’s throat tightened. “And the scars?”

The guard gave a cruel smile. “Well, you know, new rules say short-term prisoners stay together. Had to try to follow them. We didn’t know how much they wouldn’t like him.”

“Yes. It’s quite obvious how much you care about all the new rules,” she said as she stepped away from the guard and over to the nearest prisoner waiting. 

Draco said nothing as she vanished from his view.  He had been right. Just another dream then.

Granger was in front of him again, horror written across her face. She had to swallow several times before speaking. 

“I’ve signed everything. Can I take him?”

The Warden nodded and pulled out a ring that held dozens of rune disks, flipping through them, checking the runes carved onto the surfaces, and until he pulled one off the ring. 

“He’s all yours.” He dropped the disk in her hand. “Don’t worry, he can’t touch it. When he gives you trouble, just squeeze it, and he won’t bother you anymore.”

The Warden laughed and, for the first time since he’d been shuffled in and left standing across the room, Draco flinched. 

Granger’s mouth tightened as she slipped the disk carefully into her pocket. “I’m sure that won’t be necessary.”

She walked slowly towards Malfoy. His grey eyes were flat. He was, at least, more clothed than he’d been the last time she saw him. He had a shirt, although it was so stiff with grime, he doubted it was actually functional or even counted.

“Ma–” she seemed to catch herself. “Draco, I’m back. I told you I’d get you out. I’m going to be taking you to my home.”

And she did. Granger had literally saved him. He didn’t think he could ever repay that back.  It wouldn’t be possible. Even if he spent the rest of his life trying, Draco knew he couldn’t repay her for that.

That didn’t mean he wasn’t going to try.

Harry Potter knew he wasn’t the most observant person around. In fact, he could be downright oblivious to most things. But even he could tell that there was something going on between his best friend and Malfoy. 

Harry still wasn’t quite sure what he thought about the guy that had been his enemy from when they first met.  

But Hermione was practically his sister in every way that mattered, so of course he would support her choices, even if he didn’t understand them. Harry knew Hermione was smart and if she saw something good in Malfoy, then Harry could give him a chance as well. He trusted her, so he could give Malfoy the benefit of the doubt. It helped that Malfoy was less of an arrogant prat than he had been before. Having Voldemort living in your home would do that to a person, he supposed. And being a good friend, both he and Ginny joined Hermione whenever she was with her new Slytherin friends. Harry could even admit that he liked hanging out with the others. They all seemed to mesh well together no matter who was in or out. Pansy would hang out with just Ginny somedays and Theo and Blaise would always be up for a game of Quidditch. Daphne was the most quiet in the group of Slytherin’s but Harry would usually see her hanging out with either some of the Slytherin’s or she spent a lot of time hanging out with Luna near the greenhouses. Apparently she had a green thumb and was helping both Luna and Neville with a project of theirs in there.

But back to the point. Did Hermione and Malfoy have to show their relationship off everywhere? It was disgustingly cute and Harry felt like gagging every time the two made lovesick eyes at each other. That was his family Malfoy was making eyes at!

Like right now for instance. Hermione had her legs across Malfoy’s lap as she read from a book. Malfoy was rubbing her feet and occasionally making comments to her about what she was reading. Harry groaned as he dropped his head onto Ginny’s shoulder. 

“Can they be anymore obvious?” He asked in a whisper.

He felt Ginny lift her head towards the couple and she snorted. “To us maybe, but not to them. Those two are oblivious, I swear. Someone needs to lock them into a closet until one of them confesses.”

“Wait…they’re not dating?” Harry questioned, lifting his head to look at his girlfriend. He had been positive that they were.

“Oh, they are. They just don’t realize it.” Ginny told him, grinning.

He raised a brow. “How can they not realize it?”

“Like I said. They’re oblivious, that’s why.”

“How can someone be that oblivious? It’s obvious!” Ginny gave him a pointed look and Harry sighed. “Fine, fine. I guess it’s easy to be oblivious when you’re on the outside.”

Ginny grinned before pecking his cheek. “Smart. Now we just have to find a way to get the two of them to realize it.”

“Get who to realize what?” 

At the sound of a new voice, Harry looked up to see Pansy and Theo plopping on the loveseat next to them.

“To get the lovebirds to realize that they’re both idiots and need to put the rest of us out of our misery already.” Ginny answered with a smirk. “Obviously.” 

“Ah.” Theo nodded his head towards Hermione and Malfoy. “Those two still not admitting it?”

“Nope. They’re both being oblivious.”

Pansy sighed. “Idiots. I swear.”

“What can we do?” Harry asked, though almost regretting it once he saw the look on Pansy’s face.

“How long do you think it will take for them to figure it out, Potter?” The dark haired girl asked, crossing her legs.

“Um…awhile?”

“Astute observation.” Pansy rolled her eyes. “They’re both too stubborn to be the one to admit their feelings first and they’re both too damaged to realize that they make the other happy.” 

“Hermione’s afraid to be happy.” Ginny whispered. Harry squeezed her hand. He knew how hard things had been for Hermione since the War. In a lot of ways, she had given up the most. He recognized the look on her face when they walked into the Great Hall or the awkward silences at the Weasley’s Sunday Brunch before she had left Ron and gotten her own place. They were all suffering still and Hermione seemed to wear her heart on her sleeve. Harry could see how much Hermione was still hurting and he hated that he couldn’t take it away. Ginny had helped him through the worst parts of it. All the nights that he still woke up from the nightmares, convinced they were still back facing Voldemort. He could sometimes even still feel his scar hurting. 

Ginny helped him through the worst of it and Harry hoped that Hermione was finally letting someone in to help her too. He tried to be there for her, but as close as they were, there was a part of her that even he couldn’t reach.

With Malfoy though…

Harry could see the difference. Hermione seemed to open up more around the blonde. She seemed more like herself, or at least the version of herself before they were all forced into a bloody war.

“Drake is too.” Theo commented softly, fiddling with the newspaper in his hands.

“We need to help them.” Ginny stated. “Those two idiots deserve to be happy, damn it.”

Chapter Text

Somewhere deep and far away, in a hidden cave, was a shimmering purple glow. Anyone near it would be able to feel the darkness that emitted from every surface, a sinister feeling surrounding the cave. The slow drip…drip…drip of water falling and hitting the dirt floor was the only sound.

It is done .

The young woman that laid on the ground quickly blinked her eyes, letting herself adjust to the darkness as one by one, her senses came back. Feeling a sting on her arm, she looked down to see a thin strip of blood running down her forearm.

The ritual worked…good . She allowed herself to smile as she admired the red liquid, watching in mute fascination as the blood twisted a scarlet path down her arm and dripped from her elbow. Bodies surrounded her, the stench of death filling her nostrils but she paid no attention to it. 

It had taken time for her to complete this one, to even find the right cave. Hidden away and sealed off, the secret that lay in the deepest recess of the cave had beckoned her forward, her heart thumping in excitement.

After all this time, everything would be complete. Her eyes closed as a memory surfaced to her mind. 

“You know what you must do…”

“Of course. I live to serve. How long do you expect this to take?”

Cool fingers stroked her cheek. “As long as we need it too, Pet .” 

“I will not fail you.”

The chuckle was low and sultry. “Of course not. I would expect nothing less. Now go. There’s no time to waste .” 

She opened her eyes. He would be so pleased. And Hermione Granger would regret the day that she took what wasn’t hers.

Draco tried to keep from fidgeting as he and Hermione neared the gates of his ancestral home. They were visiting the manor, not somewhere he ever wanted to bring Hermione back to. He tried to talk her out of it, but as soon as they had received the letter from his Mother, inviting them both for tea, Hermione had been determined to go, stating that she had had enough of fear ruling her life. Hence the fidgeting. Luckily he had years of experience and training to hide his nerves.

Now if it would just work, that would be grand.

The room where Hermione had last been in was no longer there, thank Merlin, but still, he didn’t want to make her go through this. Draco knew how easy it was to trigger an emotion from the past. 

“You really don’t have to do this.” He told her for the hundredth time. “There’s nothing to prove, you know.”

She nodded. “I know that. And I still want to go. I’m curious to see what Narcissa wants.” She gestured towards her outfit. “Is this okay to wear? I don’t want to make a bad impression.”

Draco glanced at her outfit. She looked stunning, as usual. Simple, yet understated in a pleated skirt and tights, Hermione looked beautiful. He took her hand and placed the lightest of kisses across her knuckles.

“You look beautiful, Granger.” He answered honestly, pleased to see the faintest trace of a blush across her cheeks.

“Let’s do this.” She lifted her chin, determination written all over her face.

Taking a deep mental breath, Draco offered her his arm, surprised and secretly pleased when she took his hand instead, and then stepped into the Floo.

Looked like he was headed home.

Hermione took a deep breath as she and Draco stepped through the Floo and into Malfoy Manor. Her heart was beating fast and she had to remind herself that she was safe, that everything was okay. There had been a point not too long ago that she had sworn that she would never step foot back into the Manor, but when they had received the letter from Narcissa, Hermione felt that she needed to. She needed to face her demons. Not to mention, if she wanted Draco in her life, and she really really did, she would need to get used to his ancestral home.

The open entrance hall was just as grand as she had imagined it. Dark wood floors and lighter toned walls, it was brighter than she had remembered. Though she imagined that she hadn’t been too focused on the decor the last time she had been dragged through these halls and into the drawing room. 

There was a popping sound as they brushed the soot off their clothes and Hermione looked up, or rather down, to see a house elf smiling at them. She assumed it was a female from the large pink bow in its hair to the bright pink tutu and leotard that it wore.

“Master Draco is home!” The elf said excitedly. “Mipsy is been waiting, yes she has. Mistress is waiting for Master Draco and his guest in the parlor. Mipsy will escort you.”

Hermione knelt down to be at eye level with the elf and held out her hand. “Hello, Mipsy. I’m Hermione Granger. Pleasure to meet your acquaintance.”

“Mipsy knows of the Miss Hermione Granger! She helped take down that nasty man.” Mipsy said, taking her hand.

“Mipsy is a paid elf, Granger.” Draco told her as she stood back up, Mipsy guiding them out of the room. “All of our elves are freed and have vacation days as well as sick days if they so choose.” He gave her a crooked grin. “I figured I would tell you before you lectured me about House Elf rights.”

Before she had a chance to reply, they had reached the parlor and the regal woman that had been waiting inside stood up, her smile warm. 

Narcissa was beautiful. Hermione could see where Draco had gotten his looks. Half dark brown and half blonde hair was styled neatly away from her face, aristocratic features plain to see. Her eyes were the same unusual shade of gray as Draco’s and they surprisingly held warmth as she looked upon them. Her wizarding robes were a deep shade of navy and of course, perfectly tailored. Hermione had to remind herself not to fidget.

Narcissa’s smile widened as she went towards her son, arms open and enveloped him into a hug.

“I’ve missed you, my Dragon.”

“I’ve missed you too, Mother.” Draco took a step back and Hermione felt warmth as he placed a hand on her lower back, a simple comfort, reminding her that he was there, grounding her. “Mother, may I introduce Hermione Granger.”

“Thank you for the invitation, Mrs. Malfoy.” Hermione said, feeling slightly awkward. Should she bow or curtsy? Being in Narcissa’s presence made Hermione feel like she was meeting royalty. 

Narcissa smiled warmly at her. “Call me Narcissa, please. 

She nodded. “Then call me Hermione.”

Narcissa nodded before turning to Mipsy. “Please bring us those scones that were made earlier and tea.”

Mipsy nodded and with a snap of her fingers, she was gone. Narcissa turned back to them. “I’m sure you both are wondering why I invited you here today.” Both she and Draco nodded. Narcissa took a seat on one of the chairs and they both followed suit, sharing the loveseat. Hermione tried not to focus on the warmth of Draco’s thigh pressed against hers. She was too old to be acting like a lovesick teenager. 

Narcissa took the newspaper that had been laying on a coffee table. “I’ll start with the…harder news. Draco, Lucius is trying to get out early. His solicitor believes he can get him a lighter sentence by claiming he was under duress to protect his family.”

Draco stiffened. “What? That’s…that’s crazy. He can’t get away with that, can he?”

Narcissa frowned. “I’m hoping not. I have our own lawyers looking into it. It’s a bit tricky considering we’re still magically married but I have hope that we can win.”

“He can’t get out, Mother.”

“I know, my dragon. And I have no intention of letting him.” Looking at her son, Hermione could see the tell tale sign of tears forming in Narcissa’s eyes. “When I found out what he had been doing…all the oblivates to hide the fact that he was hurting you…Draco, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay, Mother. You didn’t know.”

“It’s a mothers job to protect their child. I’ve failed so many times at that.”

Draco stood and gently hugged her. “I don’t blame you. He’s gone right now and we’re going to make sure it stays that way, okay?”

With a sniffle, Narcissa nodded. “Very well.” She held out the newspaper. “The other news I wanted to share with you isn’t much better. Muggles and half-bloods have been going missing. Some have been found but…there wasn’t much left of them. The Ministry is thinking it’s part of some type of ritual.”

“Former Death Eaters?”

Narcissa shook her head. “They’re not sure. There doesn’t seem to be a pattern of who it is as long as they’re not purebloods. They’re not even sure of the total number.” 

“No leads then?” Hermione asked and again, Narcissa shook her head.

“You need to be careful dear. You’re a prominent figure in our world and I can imagine that whoever is doing this would try to get to you.”

“We’ll protect her.” Draco said fiercely. He looked at her and Hermione could see the fire in his eyes. “Nothing is happening to you, Granger.”

“You can’t promise that, Draco.”

“I can damn well try.”

“Draco, language!” Narcissa scolded. “Now, enough of this unpleasantness. This is a visit.” She looked at Hermione. “Draco has told me you love to read. I would love to show you our library. It’s one of our best rooms, if I do say so myself.” 

Next to her, Draco sighed heavily, the heavy atmosphere a moment ago already gone. “Well, it was nice knowing you, Granger. Be sure to write when you get the time.”

Hermione shoved him playfully. “Oh shush you. I’m not that bad.” Draco just grinned again as he offered her his arm to escort her. She felt a warm feeling pass through her. Draco was excited to show her the library. He seemed to welcome her emotions instead of becoming annoyed or frustrated. With Ron…

She shook her head mentally. No, she wouldn’t let Ron ruin this moment for her.

The trio walked for several minutes arm in arm and she tried to keep her excitement from showing too much. Eventually, Draco opened a door and Hermione couldn’t help the gasp that escaped her lips. She heard a low chuckle next to her, unsure if it was Narcissa or Draco, but no comment was made.

She knew the library would be grand, but it was almost overwhelming what her eyes took in.  There were spiral staircases that led to the upper floors and ceiling to floor bookcases, absolutely filled. Her fingers itched to touch them. Several plush armchairs littered the floors, beckoning one to sit and read in them. Chandeliers were hung as well, giving the room a warm glow. The ceiling itself was similar to the enchanted ceiling in the Great Hall at Hogwarts except this mimicked the night sky where millions of stars twinkled overhead where constellations could be seen. Fitting for members of the Black family. A ceiling to floor window covered one wall and Hermione could see the grounds from it, a lovely garden that covered the greenery in color. Draco had mentioned before that his mother loved to garden and she assumed the garden had been Narcissa’s doing.

White marble floors gleamed from the candles that covered the area, lightening the area with the perfect light to read by. In the back of her mind, Hermione wondered how they had the spell work to keep the candles lit the whole time without worry of a fire. 

“You only have to ask the room for whatever you want to read. Whether that’s a specific book or all of them that pertain to a subject or person.” Draco’s voice finally interrupted the silence. 

"It's beautiful." she whispered as she slowly turned, trying to take it all in.

“I’m so glad you like it.” Narcissa said softly. 

Hermione shook her head. “I love it. Thank you for showing me this.”

“You are welcome here anytime. Just say Malfoy library and our floo will bring you here directly. Draco has already added you to our wards and floo.”

She looked at Draco, sure that the look on her face was clear. “You added me?”

Was he blushing? Hermione thought she might have seen the slightest color of red creep up his neck. “Of course.” He finally answered. 

She took his hand, squeezing it. “Thank you.” Her voice was soft.

Draco’s only response was a returning squeeze to her hand.

Chapter Text

“Say mercy, Granger!”

Hermione shook her head and laughed as she tried to dodge Draco’s fingers. The two had started an impromptu tickle fight while waiting for the rest of their friends to arrive in their common room and Hermione was currently losing. She tried to escape as Draco pinned her down on their bed ( they never did get around to asking for another), catching her wrists in one of his hands and pinning them over her head while doing his “maniacal evil laugh” while he continued to tickle her.

“Make me.” She challenged, sticking her tongue out. Still squirming, she bucked her hips to try to get out of his grasp but his grip around her wrists only held tighter. 

“It’s hard to take you seriously when you’re laughing, Granger.” Draco teased.

“Hardy har har. You’re crushing me, you know.”

He snorted. “I doubt that. I know how much I weigh.” His knee slipped between her legs though, taking more of his weight off her. 

Hermione gasped as another part of him brushed her thigh and she stilled.The desire to buck her hips against his again was strong and she bit her cheek to force herself from doing anything. But she craved it. She craved him . His face was so close to hers, their noses almost touching.

“Draco?”

He paused, finally seeming to recognize the position they were in and his very physical reaction to her. Grey colored eyes locked with hers, eyes swimming with questions.

His eyes flicked to her lips. “Hermione.” He whispered, leaning in with his elbows on both sides of her head.  His pinky finger caressed her, the cool metal of his signet ring brushing against her cheek. Her mind instantly went to other places she could feel the cold metal.

Was he going to…

They had been getting closer since that fateful day in Azkaban…

Draco seemed to relish in every touch, obviously touch starved, and sought her out for every opportunity. His knee was always touching hers, slim fingers constantly playing with her hair. Was she reading too much into it, or was he doing those things on purpose…because he wanted to?

Draco sighed and flopped next to her. “You win, Granger. I surrender.”

Disappointed but not wanting to make things uncomfortable, Hermione just smiled and snuggled against his side. She felt…relaxed. Maybe not completely, but more relaxed than she had in years. Her brain whispered that it wasn’t real, that it couldn’t last, but she tried to force those thoughts away. Today was supposed to just be a relaxing day with friends. In the moment though, she was enjoying the small peace. She wasn’t sure what exactly peace was supposed to feel like, but she imagined it felt a lot like Draco Malfoy. She mentally grinned at the image of her eleven year old self seeing her now.

“Hermione!” She could hear Pansy’s voice coming through her trap door. “You and Dray stop flirting and get your arse’s in here! We’ve got the wine!”

She sighed. “Guess we should go.” She whispered, not wanting to break the moment of calm and peace in their little bubble, wishing she could just stay in his arms forever. 

His hold on her loosened and Hermione tried not to miss it.

She failed.

“Okay, what should we do next?” 

“What about ‘Never Have I Ever?”

“Works for me!” Ginny agreed.

Blaise shrugged while Harry, Theo and Pansy both nodded. The small group of friends had started playing muggle board games with her and Harry teaching them and trying not to laugh. Theo had dominated at Monopoly and Pansy had surprised no one with how good she was at ‘Clue’ . Afterward, they then moved on to “Truth or Dare”. And it looked like Never Have I Ever was next. 

Blaise went first and they all held their cups of wine in one hand. He took a breath. “Okay…Never Have I Ever been someone else’s alibi.” 

Everyone drank, even Hermione, which raised a few eyebrows.

“What?” She asked innocently. 

They tried to get that story out of her, but Hermione kept mum about it. It was Harry’s turn next so he grinned, looking at Hermione. “Never Have I Ever used a polyjuice potion and failed .”

“You’re on my list, Harry.” She responded, taking a sip. 

“There has to be a story there.” Blaise grinned. “You didn’t tell us about the alibi so you have to tell us this one. Spill.”

Hermione narrowed her eyes, daring Harry to tell them but her arse of a best friend just grinned even more.

“Second year, Hermione made polyjuice potion and her, Ron and I all took it. It worked for me and Ron, but Hermione…”

“Harry…” She warned.

The prat went on as if he didn’t hear her. “What Hermione didn’t realize was that the hair she had grabbed had been cat hair instead. She had a tail !”

“You made that in your second year?” Pansy spoke up. “Impressive.”

“We thought Draco was the Heir of Slytherin and wanted to question him.” Harry supplied the answer. “Obviously Hermione had to skip out on that little adventure.”

“I will murder you in your sleep.” She said sweetly.

“I bet you looked cute with a tail, Granger.” Draco chuckled, bumping her shoulder with his. 

With a smirk of her own that would make Draco proud, Hermione gave a pointed look at Harry. “Never Have I Ever used an invisibility cloak to have semi-public sex.”

Harry just grinned, smug and not the least bit ashamed to admit it. Ginny of course drank but to her surprise, so did Pansy. 

She lifted a perfectly plucked brow. “What? You thought Potter was the only one with an invisibility cloak?” She shrugged before looking at Draco. “Never have I ever been attacked by a hippogriff and milked it for days just to get a girl to notice him.”

Draco glared. “You suck Parkinson.”

“Ooh last name treatment.” Pansy giggled, definitely a little tipsy from the wine.

The game continued, with more embarrassing and sexual questions being asked. Some weren’t surprising such as Hermione being awake for more than 24 hours or Theo having to admit that the Sorting Hat had wanted to put him in Ravenclaw. Pansy let him know that they all had known that since first year and he was still one of them anyway. It did surprise them when they had discovered that Blaise, out of all of them, had been in an orgy. The Italian had just shrugged and kept his mouth shut on the subject, refusing to say why. Harry had her reveal the fact that she had kept Rita Skeeter in a jar for a month, something that the others looked at her with awe and a little bit of fear.

“Always thought you would have made a good snake, Curls.” Blaise said, raising his glass.

Ginny was next and she smirked at Hermione before lifting her cup. “Never Have I Ever had a sexual fantasy about a person in this room.” She took a sip of her own cup, ignoring the fact that she was supposed to avoid that outcome. Hermione was so going to kill her friend, but figured it was payback for outing her and Harry’s little sex-act. She had caught Draco’s eyes as they both drank, her face burning. She couldn’t stop being curious at who he had been fantasizing about. Was it arrogant of her to wish it was her? His own cheeks looked slightly flushed but that could have been because of the wine.

The game continued, all of them more than a little tipsy now. Needing food to avoid the inevitable hangover that would most likely come, Pansy offered to go pick up food for them from the kitchens. Both Blaise and Theo looked at each other before glancing at Hermione and  winked.

“We’ll come with you, Pans!” Theo chirped, and guided them all out of the room, Blaise pulling Ginny and Harry along as well. Leaving Hermione and Draco alone. 

Hermione glanced at the blonde who still looked as calm as ever. Feeling daring, most likely thanks to the wine, she let her eyes travel up and down his body. He was still wearing his usual outfit of perfectly tailored black slacks and a crisp white Oxford shirt but she admired the way everything seemed to accentuate his physique. Lean but trim, well muscled but not overly so like a buff meathead. His shoulders were still broad and the sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to the point that she had to bite her lip to keep from whining. What was it about that simple thing that made her mouth water? It wasn’t fair.

Hermione finally met his grey eyes as his very kissable lips gave her a smug grin.

“See something you like?” He teased, giving her a wink. 

Her entire face warmed and she knew the coloring could rival Ginny’s hair. But there was something in his eyes…a hope, a sense of longing, an unspoken wish…

Draco had become precious to her. Being next to him felt right. Hermione wasn’t sure what came over her…maybe it was the wine…but her eyes flicked to his lips and her tongue quickly darted out to wet her own. His gaze went to her own mouth and she wasn’t sure who leaned in first. 

Should she stop? Did she want to? Maybe it was just the wine talking that had him leaning towards her as she closed her eyes, tilting her head ever so slightly. Her head was buzzing but his breath was warm as their noses brushed…

“We’re back!” The sound of her trap door opening and Ginny’s excited squeal had them jolting apart. Her heart was pounding, she was sure he had to hear it. Both their faces were red as the rest of their friends unloaded the food they had bought, oblivious to the two of them. Well, except for maybe Theo. The taller boy smirked at them before winking at Hermione.

Doomed. She was so doomed.

Chapter Text

The young woman surveyed the interior of the bedroom with an approving smile. It hadn’t been so difficult to acquire. Playing the part was only too easy for someone like her. She was able to easily manipulate the situation and dispose of the Ministry Worker who had secured her papers and gave her access as a student. And Hogwarts wouldn’t know what hit them. Most importantly, neither would Hermione Granger. 

She had to grit her teeth to keep from audibly growling. The frizzy haired know-it-all had been a thorn in her side for as long as she could remember. But she needed to remain patient. She couldn’t afford to disappoint him . Dealing with both men was irksome, but the reward would be great. If she did mess up, she wouldn’t get what she wanted. And she always got what she wanted.

Removing her dressing gown, she laid down on the thick mattress covered in the softest of pillows and blankets. She hated having to play this role, the role of a simple and kind young witch. 

I must be patient. I will get my reward …

Thinking of the silver gray eyes that had always captured her attention, she let her hands trail up her body. Brushing her palms over her stomach, up the rising swell of her breasts, the ache in her nipples painful as she squeezed them, flicking her thumbs over the nubs of flesh again and again. 'Draco, ' she thought as her hands became his, as her touch melted into the one she longed for. A low moan escaped her as her head fell back, biting her lip. 

The Malfoy heir had once been the pinnacle of perfection, when he had been the Dark Lord’s right hand man, so dark…so twisted. He was cold and heartless, carrying out the orders of their Lord without question. True, he had been occluding the whole time, but she knew she could bring that side out of him again. His hate couldn't be just an act. No one would have used the cruciatus curse that much if it was just an act. 

Rolling her nipple between her fingers as her body coiled around the central burn, the need for the satisfaction of the release grew. Fingers still damp from her own saliva, she lowered her hand to the thick curls. Plunging her fingers into herself, she imagined the body of the one she wanted. Draco’s touch, his caress, his brutal ravaging of her mind, body, and soul. There was an absolute pleasure as she pumped her fingers in and out. Licking her other fingers, she reached down to nudge herself completely open, finding the place that ached, stroking it, rubbing it, touching it, moaning as tremors rocked through her, thrashing her body as the first spasms of bliss surged in her . . .

Throwing her head back as her pleasure came in a silent scream, she trembled and shook.  She pulled her fingers out of herself and slowly, deliberately sucked them.

Finally satisfied, even for just this moment, she relaxed against the bed sheets, taking in the Hogwarts dorm room, her eyes landing on the simple yet elegant ballgown that she had picked for the Halloween Ball…

‘ Fools. All of them. They won’t recognize a thing. And he will be mine …’

Hermione was nervous as she smoothed out the non-existent wrinkles in her dress. Periwinkle, Madam Toussaint had told her the color was. The dress molded and yet flowed perfectly down her body. The long sleeves covered her scar, but the deep neckline that plunged almost to her navel made her feel almost sexy. It wasn’t a feeling that she was used to. It was a little overwhelming, if she was honest with herself. She never had been one that cared much about her looks, but tonight…maybe just tonight, she wanted to feel beautiful.

“He’s going to love you in this dress.” Ginny commented while she styled her hair, twisting the usual frizzy curls into something smooth that cascaded down her back.

Hermione pretended to not know who the he was that Ginny was talking about, ignoring the flips in her stomach. “Who?” She asked innocently. 

The redhead rolled her eyes. “Don’t play dumb, Hermione. It doesn’t suit you. I’m talking about Draco. Obviously.” She pointed the curling iron at Hermione’s reflection in the mirror. “If his jaw doesn’t drop, he’s gay.”

Despite herself, she let out a giggle. The two girls continued getting ready, adding the finishing touches to their outfits. Ginny was looking stunning in her simple gown of silver, a delicate silver chain around her neck. Harry had given it to her, she had told Hermione. A promise of what was to come. Both girls had squealed and Hermione couldn’t help but feel happy for her friends. Harry and Ginny both deserved to get their happily ever after.

Finally finished, both girls walked out to the common room where the others were waiting. Pansy and Daphne were talking to both Daphne’s sister Astoria and Luna. Though Luna kept looking over at Theo who admittedly looked very handsome in his wizard robes. It looked like he had even tried to smooth his hair. Harry met her eyes and smiled but once he saw Ginny, her best friend was a goner. He immediately went to her side. But where was…

And then she saw him.

Draco.

He was standing there with Blaise looking more breathtaking than ever. He had styled his hair to look effortlessly tousled, though she knew it had probably taken him a while to do so. The dark wizard robes were perfectly tailored and Hermione tried to remember how to breathe as she neared him. Her nerves were going haywire, her skin tingling. 

“Last chance to run, Granger.” He teased as he took her hand and brushed his lips across her knuckles before offering his arm. Hermione felt her nerves instantly disappear. This was Draco. She knew him. She was safe, there was no reason to be nervous.

Taking his arm, she gave a soft smile, just the slightest upwards tilt of her lips. “I don’t want to run.” The whispered answer made his eyes light up and he grinned. 

“Good. Otherwise, I would have to chase you.” She watched as his eyes darkened. “And you know I would catch you.”

She could only hope so.

Draco had to remember not to fidget as he waited for Hermione to finish getting ready with the other girls. Well, just her and Ginny actually. Daphne and Pansy had already finished and were talking animatedly to Astoria and Luna.  He was waiting with Blaise and Theo with even Potter standing in their little circle. He had never imagined that he would one day be waiting for their dates with the Chosen Git, but Draco had to reluctantly admit that Hermione’s best friend was growing on him. Only to himself though. He would rather go streaking across the Quidditch field before letting Harry Potter know that.

Before he could continue his musings, he heard the door to the girls room open.

The world must have stopped because everything was frozen as Granger neared him, a vision in real life. There was no way that she could be real. But she was. And she was coming towards him .

“Damn.” Blaise whistled. “Granger looks hot.”

“No.” Draco couldn’t help but growl out his warning. 

Blaise only laughed. “Chill. I’m already taken. I have no plans to steal your witch.”

His witch. That shouldn't have pleased him as much as it did but it did.

“She’s not my witch.” 

Blaise only grinned harder. “Not yet. So get a move on with that, yeah? I have a bet going with this.” With a wink, he left to go to Daphne, offering her a bow before wrapping one arm around her waist. Draco was happy that his friends had found the other. Once upon a time, his parents had entertained the idea of him being betrothed to either Daphne or Astoria, but the war had stopped that. No parent wanted their child to be offered to a failed Death Eater. The Greengrasses may not have been as vocal about their support of Voldemort but Tiberus Greengrass had been a member of the inner circle almost as long as the Malfoy patriarch. 

But there was no time to be thinking of that now. Granger was in front of him, her shy smile sending a warmth through his whole self.

Swallowing his gulp, he offered her his arm. “Last chance to run, Granger.”

To his pleasure, she only smiled while taking his arm and Draco relished feeling the heat of her palm through his robes. Merlin he was really gone, wasn’t he? 

“I don’t want to run.”

“Good. Otherwise, I would have to chase you. And you know I would catch you.” He told her, feeling smug as a blush covered her cheeks. He wanted to kiss the pink away and see if she would let him kiss her in other places as well.

“You look beautiful.” He broke the heated stare they were both engaged in, letting them both breathe just a little.

“Y-you too. Handsome, I mean. You look handsome.” The blush that had started to fade returned in full force.

“Yo!” Theo’s booming laugh interrupted them. “Let’s go! You two can flirt once we’re there. Now get a move on.”

Draco gave Hermione a grin. “Shall we, Granger?”

Her own smile was beaming, his own personal sun. “We shall.”

This must be what Heaven would be like, Hermione thought as Draco offered his hand and asked her to dance.

Without hesitation, she placed her hand in his and Draco pulled her closer, their chests touching. She could feel when he breathed in as she breathed out. Draco lifted her arms, placing them around his neck and then moved even closer, wrapping his own arms around her, fingers splayed on her lower back, the warmth sending shivers through her.

“I wish I had danced with you at the Yule ball in our fourth year.” Draco whispered. “You were so beautiful that night, too. I think all of us guys were jealous that Krum was the lucky guy that got to escort you.”

Her heart hammered against her chest, threatening to get out. “You noticed me?”

His eyes bore into her. “I’ve always noticed you, Hermione.” The use of her first name and not her last made her stomach erupt in butterflies again, warmth pooling in her lower belly.

They continued swaying to music, neither feeling the need to interrupt the silence that enveloped them. Feeling brave, Hermione rested her head against his chest, pleased to feel a sharp inhale as she did so. She didn’t want this moment to end. 

Though she knew it had to. Soon they both were getting tired, her feet were begging for her to stop. Of course Draco noticed. 

“Should we go sit for a while? Rest our feet and get a drink?” With a nod, Draco took her hand and led her over to one of the cushioned loveseats that were against the wall, drinks already waiting for them.

As they sat, Draco stretched his arms over his head. As he lowered his arms, he let one rest on the back of her seat. It almost made her want to laugh at the cliche move. But she didn’t. She loved it, actually. Draco leaned closer to her and she inhaled a whiff of his cologne. 

His other hand reached up and touched her cheek, and Hermione could hear the sharp inhale of air as she tried to breathe. His thumb stroked her cheek and time stood still. There was no denying it. She was in love with Draco Malfoy. She couldn’t be sure that he felt the same way but with the way he was looking at her, it made her hopeful.

Hermione didn’t doubt that a lot of people wouldn’t understand. He was a former Death Eater and she a War Hero. She knew firsthand what the war, and Azkaban most of all, had done to him. The anger was still there, haunted eyes that would go unfocused at random moments in time. She could see the waves of darkness that surrounded him as he raged and threw things before she could help, casting a reparo that fixed everything broken in the room. Everything broken except for them.

But she didn’t see any of that right now. As steel grey eyes stared into hers, all she could see was Draco…hers…

“Eyelash.” He said, breaking the moment, his voice low, pulling his hand away.

Hermione blinked. “Oh.”

Draco cleared his throat. “Theo was telling me that muggles have a belief that if you catch an eyelash, you can wish on it and your wish will come true.”

“How does Theo know that?”

“I’m pretty sure Luna told him. He’s pretty gone on her, if you couldn’t tell.”

She grinned. “Oh I could tell. I’m pretty sure Luna likes him back so tell him to go for it, will you?”

Draco chuckled. “I’ll get on that.” They both settled back, enjoying their drinks.

Before too long though, Hermione set her drink down, needing to relieve herself. Too much to drink would do that to a person she imagined. “I’ll be right back. Bathroom.”

Draco stood up. “Want me to come with you?”

She laughed. “I think I can handle going to the bathroom alone.” Feeling brave, she leaned in and kissed his cheek, pleased to see the faintest tint of pink appear. “I’ll be right back.”

Still grinning, she left the ballroom, feeling hopeful. She wasn’t imagining it, right? Draco liked her back? He might even lov–

“There you are, Hermione.”

The familiar voice caused her to freeze, a deer in the headlights as she met the eyes of the newcomer.

Ron was standing there, cheeks flushed and smirking. He had removed his robes and was left only in his trousers and plain white collared shirt. The tie was hanging loosely around his neck.

“Ron.” 

Chapter Text

“Ron.” Hermione gasped out, startled. “I didn’t see you there. What are you doing?”

“You were supposed to be my date, Mione.” He slurred. “That wasn’t very nice of you.” He glanced behind her. “I don’t see that Death Eater scum anywhere. Did he finally leave you? I told you he would. You’re beneath him, you know.” 

That was normal for Ron to say. Anytime he brought up any purebloods, especially Draco, Ron would be quick to remind her that Hermione was nothing but a muggleborn. It was almost as if he needed to tear her down to raise himself up. Which was probably true. Either way, Ron was drunk and Hermione knew from experience that she didn’t want to be around a drunk Ronald Weasley. Well, she didn’t want to be around a sober one either.

“I’m leaving, Ronald.” The tone of her voice didn’t reveal how nervous she was. “Good night.”

He pushed away from the wall now. “Now hold on there. I wanted to talk.”

“Well I don’t. Again, good night.” She tried to keep her voice firm and steady.

Anger flashed in his eyes, and his hands darted out quick as a whip, latching onto her shoulders. Her stomach dropped as he loomed over her. Ron had always been tall and now he used that to his advantage, caging her in. Hermione desperately started to look around, trying to find a way out of this.

Wait…the necklace! Wasn’t the necklace Draco gave her for her birthday supposed to protect her from people wanting to do her harm? Hermione glanced down and internally groaned. Damn it, she had removed it to shower before getting ready and had forgotten to put it back on. And now, Ron was towering above her, making her feel small. His grip on her was too tight for her to be able to reach her wand which was strapped to her thigh. She was completely defenseless. 

“No.” Ron said, unaware of her internal monologue. “We’re going to talk. You should feel fortunate that I’m even interested in you, Hermione. It’s not like you really belong in this world. You’re barely a witch, just a muggleborn.” His grin turned mocking. “A mudblood.”

She gasped. Never had she thought he would call her that. Ron had even defended her once in their second year when Draco had first said that to her, before she even knew what it meant. And now, here he was, calling her the same thing. There was no semblance of the boy she had once known.

“I’m more of a witch than you’re a wizard.” Hermione retorted, despite the alarm bells in her head.

The anger in his eyes flared again as he pointed his wand at her unbelievably fast, the thin wood stabbing into her neck. “ Petrificus totalus !”

Fear flooded her as Ron leered down, backing her up until she hit the stone wall behind her, the back of her skull cracking, the pain almost blinding. Black spots immediately appeared and Hermione couldn't clear her vision. Roughly, Ron grabbed her and pulled her arms above her head, using his tie to keep her wrists together. He pointed his wand at her again, using a sticking charm to keep her arms pinned.

“I’m so tired of you ignoring me, Hermione.” Ron growled. “You’re mine . And you just had to go and piss me off by shagging that fucking Death Eater.” He nipped at her neck. “I bet you really get off when Malfoy calls you a mudblood, huh? In fact, I bet he shoves you down onto that drawing room floor and fucks you right there. And you probably beg him for it.”

She could hear the fabric of her gown ripping as Ron lowered his hand, feeling his thick fingers touching her bare skin as he pulled the fabric apart. Cold air touched her thighs as he lifted the hem higher, cutting the dress to expose her. 

She couldn’t move. Ron was going to…

No. No . She had to stop this. She had to.

“I’m going to enjoy this, Hermione. I’m not letting you go again.” Ron whispered before crashing his lips roughly against hers. She let out a muffled cry, and tried again to move but she stayed still, the spell Ron had cast still holding strong. One of his hands wraps around her throat, squeezing in a warning. His other hand groped at her breasts, pinching the sensitive skin. 

What was she going to do? What could she even do ? She needed to get out, to stop this.

“Ron.” She pleaded, only able to speak. The stunning spell may have kept her from moving but it didn’t take away her voice. “Stop. Please . You don’t want to do this.”

He leaned back, staring her down, eyes harsh and cold. “Yes I do. I very much want to. And you’re going to take it.” He forced his mouth against hers again, forcing his tongue in. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t do anything. Hermione went limp, feeling powerless as Ron grabbed her underwear and tore it off. His hands were grabbing at her roughly, squeezing and most definitely leaving bruises. Merlin it hurt …

“ Please .” Her voice was barely above a whisper, feeling watery tears streaming down her face. “Please, please–”

Someone had to be down here. She couldn’t have been the only one to have left the party early. There had to be others who needed a bathroom break.

Draco . He would be wondering where she went, right? He had to notice that she was gone longer than she should have been. He would come looking for her, right?

Right?

She had to try. “Draco!” His name was ripped from her throat, a desperate plea as she tried to fight the spell that kept her there, fight off what Ron was doing to her. She had to keep trying, keep fighting. “ Draco !”

“Shut up!” Ron snarled, squeezing her throat again. “You stupid bitch! How dare you call for that fucking death eater when I’m right here!” He slammed her head against the stone wall again and she couldn’t help but cry out. “Now you’re going to shut up and take it.”

Then his hand was gripping her upper thigh, pushing between her clenched legs, easily making her open. 

“You know you like it.” He shoved his fingers into her sex, not caring that she wasn’t even wet, or consenting. Hermione squeezed her eyes shut, trying to keep from screaming again. His thrusts were hard, unforgiving.

Where was Draco? Wasn’t he coming? He would save her, right?

“Please.” She whimpered. “I don’t want this. Please.”

“Shut up or I will make you.” Ron hissed. “You’ve been such a fucking tease, Mione. You need to stop that.” He swept his tongue up her cheek and she did her best not to vomit at his alcohol laced breath. “Let me show you what a real man is like.” He took a deep breath, inhaling her as he skimmed his nose from the valley of her breasts, up to her throat. 

“Look, I won’t tell anyone. Just let me go, Ron. Please.” She begged.

He laughed though it was anything but light. “I know you won’t. When I’m done with you, you’ll be ruined for anyone else. You’ll be begging for my cock. That pretty mouth of yours only has one good use, you know. And that cunt of yours is just begging to be filled.” She heard the sound of a zipper and more tears streamed down her face. “Look how wet you already are.”

"N-no-"

This was happening. No one would come to save her. Even her body was betraying her.

Hermione felt herself being lifted as Ron positioned himself at her entrance…and plunged. She braced herself as much as she could but there was a rush of air and Hermione felt his weight coming off her as she fell to the floor, the stunning spell finally off. Opening her eyes, she could see Ron pushed against the opposite wall, pinned against it. Her heart thumped harder as she saw the wizard who had his hand wrapped tightly around the redhead’s throat. 

Draco .

Relief flowed through her. He was there. He had come. “Draco…” She whispered. “Draco.”

Grey eyes turned to her and she didn’t think she had ever seen them that dark before, almost feral. “I’m here, Granger.” His eyes cataloged her body, taking in the exposed and beaten skin and his expression hardened. This was the Draco from the war, the one who would kill to protect his family. His intense gaze turned back to Ron, a wall of ice and hatred unyielding.

“You’re dead, Weasley.” His voice was deadly calm even as he squeezed Ron’s throat tighter.

Hermione blinked and this time Draco threw a punch, his fist slamming into Ron’s face again, again and again. She could see blood starting to come out.

“Wait!” She tried to yell. “Don’t kill him!”

Draco turned his head back to her. “What the fuck? Why should I let this miserable bastard live?”

“They’ll send you to Azkaban. I can’t let that happen!” She pleaded. And she really couldn’t. If Ron was found, they would be able to find out that Draco had done it. And the Ministry wouldn’t care why, they would only care about sending him back to Azkaban.

“He hurt you. I won’t let that slide.” Draco growled. “He deserves to die.”

“And we’ll make him pay. But please, Draco. I can’t lose you.” It was the please that seemed to do it as he finally stepped away from Ron, letting him fall to the ground in a thump. Draco lifted his wand.

“Fine. But I’m not letting him go without a little payback. Crucio .” He spoke and Ron’s body immediately arched as the spasms of pain went through him. He struggled and kicked, thrashing as Draco held the spell. You had to mean it, Hermione remembered. And watching the scene in front of her, she could tell that Draco certainly did.

He held the curse for another few minutes before flicking his wand and letting Ron crumple to the floor. He kneeled down in front of him, roughly grabbing Ron’s chin and forced him to look at him.

“It’s because of her that you’re alive, Weasley. I will have no problem with killing you. You know what I’m capable of, right? You certainly love to call me a Death Eater.” He grinned in a mocking way. “Well right now, I would love to be one if only so I can have the pleasure of ending you.”

Hermione couldn’t look away. She should be terrified, right? Draco was unhinged, horrifying, the worst parts alive and active. The actions of a Death Eater, a killer.

And he was doing it all for her. 

Draco stared down at the convulsing form of Ron Weasley with a sneer on his face. “And you call me a monster. You sick, pathetic piece of shit . If you come near Hermione again, I will kill you. If you mention any of this, I will kill you.” He raised his foot and sent a swift kick to Ron’s face. More blood spluttered from Ron’s mouth and he fell to his side, knocked out. Draco spat at him before turning back to her. His eyes immediately softened, going from hard to concerned.

Draco neared her, falling to his knees as he wrapped his cloak around her, offering her some semblance of modesty. “Hermione.” His voice broke. “I’m here. I got you. You’re safe now.”

“I’m sorry.” She whispered, falling into his arms. Draco easily caught her, holding her close. His body was warm and she could almost forget that her almost bare chest was pressed against him, the thin fabric of his cloak the only thing separating them. “I'm so sorry, Draco. I couldn’t stop him.I took my necklace off in the shower and forgot to put it back on. It’s all my fault.” She had trouble meeting his eyes. How did Draco see her now? He probably thought she was weak. She couldn’t even fight back…

“I can see that brain of yours overthinking.” His voice broke through her thoughts. “You did nothing wrong, Granger. The only thing wrong at all is that you didn’t let me kill him.” He sneered. “As far as I’m concerned, Weasley just signed his death warrant.” The look in his eyes made her believe him. Maybe a part of her thought she should care that Draco wanted to kill for her, but if she was honest with herself, she didn’t mind too much. 

“It hurts.” She whimpered. Draco pulled her closer, one hand rubbing her back, the other nestled in her curls.

“I know, love. We should get you to Madam Pomfrey and let her check everything over. You might have a concussion.” 

“No.” She pleaded, her heart pounding. “Don’t take me there. Just take me to our room. Please, Draco.”

“Hermione.”

“No. Please. I’ll have to tell her what happened and I…I can’t do that.” Her breath was coming faster. The shock was lifting, leaving her with only the emotions in the aftermath. Ron had been…Merlin…he–

He had raped her. He had almost finished penetrating her. If Draco hadn’t gotten there when he did, Ron would have succeeded. And if she went to Madam Pomfrey, Hermione would have to tell the Healer what happened. And who would believe her? Ron was a war hero, same as her and it would be her word against his. They might think that she had actually been hurt but no one would believe that Ron Weasley was the one who did it.

There wasn’t enough oxygen in the room, Hermione was unable to take any air in. Why couldn’t she breathe?

“Breathe, Granger!” She could hear Draco’s voice, pleading with her.

“I can’t…not…enough…”

“I need you to keep breathing. Please.”

She tried to keep her chest rising and falling, but it was a struggle. She could feel every inch of her shaking in fear, pain vibrating through her. Why was she so weak? She felt warm fingers taking her hand and placing them on a firm chest. 

“Follow my breathing, Granger.” Draco instructed, taking a deep breath and letting her hand feel the inhales and exhales. “That’s right. Good girl. Keep doing that.”

Slowly, her surroundings came back into focus as the ringing in her ears faded. Carefully, Draco helped her stand, keeping her steady. Her eyes stung again as she let out a cry, her knees giving out. Draco caught her easily, one arm around her waist, the other under her legs, lifting her up. Her own arms wrapped around his neck, breathing in his scent as he carried her bridal style. Safe. She was safe now. Draco would take care of the situation…take care of her . 

“Please, Draco. Get me out of here.”

She tried to keep from trembling as Draco carried her through the castle, heading towards their room. They didn’t pass anyone, much to her relief as they finally reached their dorm.

“Let me take care of you.” Draco whispered as he carried her over to the bathroom. He sat her down gently in the bathroom before going to the shower to turn it on. As the tub filled with water, he went back to her, gently taking her face in his hands. “Is it okay if I take your robe now?”

Wordlessly she nodded. Slowly, he removed the cloak that covered her modesty before removing the tattered fabrics of what had once been her dress. She could feel her body shaking as he led her towards the tub, but there was nothing sensual in his movements. He kept everything he did in slow motion, not letting anything startle her. Once she was sitting in the tub, the warm water coming up past her knees, Draco climbed in behind her, not caring that he was still dressed, sans shoes.

“Your clothes are getting wet.” She whispered.

“Let me worry about that.” He whispered back. She heard the sound of water filling a cup and then the feeling of her hair becoming damp. Methodically his fingers worked through her curls as he shampooed and conditioned the strands. Once he finished, Hermione felt his hand push her curls over her shoulder and then the feeling of her loofah against her back. Her vanilla and honey body wash filled the air and it helped settle her in the smallest amount. 

“You really don’t have to do this.” She told him over her shoulder.

He grunted. “Yes I do.”

Slowly Draco washed her skin, similar to how she had done the same when she had first brought him home from Azkaban. When Draco finished, he helped her stand and wrapped a towel around her.

“Let’s get you to bed.” He led her out of their bathroom and into their room. Going to her wardrobe, he took out her rattiest pair of pajamas and a long baggy shirt that had belonged to her dad and helped her into them. It said a lot of what Draco knew about her that he had picked out her most comfy clothing instead of the new silk sets that Pansy and Daphne had gotten her to buy. 

He carried her to the bed and sat her down, pulling the covers up. He started to pull away but she reached out, grabbing hold of his shirt sleeve, holding on tight.

“Please.” She whispered into the darkness. “Don’t leave me.”

She felt him slip in between the covers next to her. “Never, Granger.” 

“Is this real?” Hermione echoed the words he had asked that first night with her.

Silver eyes sparked. “It’s real.”

“This was all my fault. I’m so sorry.” She buried her head against his chest as Draco pulled her closer, enveloping her in his arms. “I made him angry. It’s my fault he did this. I–” Hermione clung to him for all she was worth, face smashed into his chest.

“For someone so smart, you can be awfully dumb, Hermione.” One of his hands was stroking her arm, calming her. “None of this is your fault. Weasley is a piece of shit. You definitely did not deserve what happened.”

“I couldn’t stop him.” She whispered. “What kind of witch am I if I couldn’t stop him from hurting me?”

Draco grabbed her chin, tilting her face up so that she had to meet his eyes. “I want you to listen to me, Hermione Granger. You are the brightest witch of any age. You are strong, capable and the rest of us mere mortals should be worshipping you at your feet.” His thumb was now stroking her cheek. “And you are still human. Weasel had you trapped and stunned. There was nothing more that you could have done.”

“What if he comes back?” They had just left him knocked out in the corridor. A quick cleansing spell and anyone that saw him would just think that he had gotten drunk and passed out.

“He won’t come near you if he knows what’s good for him.” His eyes darkened. “If he tries, I will kill him.”

“If they find out, they’ll send you back. I don’t want that to happen.”

Draco lowered his head, their foreheads touching. “Neither do I. The last thing I want to do is leave you. But I will protect you. If that means killing someone, I’ll do it. I’ll kill for you if it means keeping you safe.”

“I’d kill for you too, you know.” She admitted. “You…mean a lot to me, Draco Malfoy. I want to protect you too.”

She could feel his grin even though she couldn’t quite see it. 

“You mean everything to me as well, Hermione. I think you’re stuck with me now.”

Despite the horror of the evening, Hermione felt herself smile, a real sense of joy filling her.

“Good.” She whispered. “Because I’m not letting you go.”

Chapter Text

Though Hermione hadn’t told the others what had gone on that night, the other Slytherins could definitely tell that something had happened. She was almost never alone, being walked to and from all classes, escorting her to the Great Hall for food. 

Draco was her constant. He didn’t push her about going to someone about what had happened but he did make sure she was protected. Waking up the morning after had sent her heart racing and her entire body felt frozen. Draco hadn’t judged though. He had simply walked her through a grounding exercise–which was still surprising to find that he even knew about those. The Wizarding world wasn’t known for their therapists and mind healing. 

He was there when she started to spiral at night, blaming herself over what happened. When Draco asked if he was to blame when his Father hit him, that always stopped her.

The others rallied around her. Daphne and Pansy often tried to keep her mind occupied with clothing or new hairstyles while Ginny and Harry would take her to the bookstore and let her browse for hours without complaint. It was Harry more often than not, that would just sit with her. Hermione felt guilty that she hadn’t told him about Ron but she didn’t want to force him to choose. Ron had been both of their best friends, with Ron being closer to Harry. It was just the way it was. And if Harry stayed with Ginny, which was more than likely, Ron would officially be Harry’s brother-in-law. 

She didn’t want to feel so weak. She was a strong, capable witch and should be strong enough to walk to the Great Hall by herself.

Yet… a part of her could only remember being stuck against the cold stone walls as Ron pinned her against him. Usually in a fight or flight scenario, Hermione had chosen fight. But this time she had only been able to freeze. Even being tortured by Bellatrix hadn’t cause that. 

Was she stuck like this now? Was this to be her fate? Always freezing, not fighting…unable to handle the briefest of touches from those close to her. She couldn’t have anyone touch her wrists or throat now, even Draco, and it was a battle with herself to try to overcome it. His hugs were still fine and she enjoyed those immensely but with her wrists and throat…

Hermione took a deep breath. One moment at a time. She would get over this. She would . 

Maybe…maybe if she thought the words enough to herself, she would start to believe them.

Draco had suggested that they start with self-defense training, with and without wands. She was eager to at least start with that. She never wanted to feel that helpless again.

Draco knew he was an idiot. Waking up with Granger still in his arms, and he still not having confessed completely, made him so. He was telling her the truth when he said that she meant everything to him but those words did not a confession make. 

And he was completely gone for the bushy haired Gryffindor. 

Neither of them talked about that night, of them both saying they would protect the other. Her promise of not letting him go did funny things to his chest. Draco didn’t want to push her too far, seeing the haunted look still in her eyes. He may have promised to not kill the Weasel, but he still was going to extract excruciating pain. Because Hermione Granger was his to protect now. And there was nothing that he wouldn’t do to keep her safe. He had followed Snake Eyes for years just to keep his Mother safe, so of course he would do the same and more to protect Hermione. Even if it meant losing his soul, he would still do so.

He would do anything to keep her there with him. 

But she had just gone through something horrible and he couldn’t dump his feelings about her onto her just then. He wasn’t even sure of her feelings towards him. Obviously they were close and Draco believed her when she had told him that she cared. But he didn’t know if she saw him in a romantic light. She had forgiven him enough to be his friend, but did she forgive him enough to give him her heart? And even if she did, would his past taint her? He couldn’t imagine that it wouldn’t. The Wizarding world would demonize him even more than normal and crucify her for choosing to be with him. He needed to let her go…

There were many things to love about Hermione Granger and he found himself falling more and more for her. But he didn’t deserve her. No one could or even should love a fuck up like him, and especially not her. She was his own personal sun, chasing away the darkness and shadows of hidden monsters. He didn’t know how to let her go and he sure as hell didn’t want to. He was a selfish bastard and letting her go would be like taking away his own breathing. He wouldn’t survive it. 

They were in an empty classroom at the moment, taking a moment's break from self- defense training. 

"I guess you deserve to know," Hermione said with an odd tone of voice, breaking the silence. He glanced over at her. "About... about him."

“You don’t have to tell me, Granger.”

She shook her head. "I want to though. You’re…you’re the only one I want to tell.”

Slowly, Draco pulled her closer to him, wrapping both arms around her, keeping her safe. “I’m here.”

He felt her nod against his chest. “He... it wasn't..." Her breathing was already becoming erratic, not realizing how difficult it would actually be to describe the hell the last few years had been.

"Take your time," he murmured, his hands on her back slowly unclenching and beginning to move in a comforting circular pattern.

She closed her eyes tightly, fighting back tears. "He didn't start out as a monster," she whispered, and the hands on her back stilled only for a moment before resuming. "He - We were each other's rock after the war... and through the pain and suffering, we were happy." She let out a chuckle though it was anything but humorous. “He, Harry and I…we were already so close. I trusted them both with my life. At that last battle, I kissed Ron. It was an emotional response and I didn’t think either of us would actually survive. I just wanted to feel something good, you know?”

“No one would blame you for that, Granger.”

She nodded against his chest. “I know. Or at least, I think I know. It’s harder to actually believe it. We tried for a relationship after that. I’m not proud to admit that I knew right away it wouldn’t work out and I still stayed with him. I think maybe I was afraid of being alone. I loved him but I wasn’t in love with him. Still I stayed and foolishly believed that I could fall in love with him given time. Ron thought we would get married right away and start having kids. When I mentioned that I wanted to settle more into my career first, he had just laughed and said that his wife wouldn’t work at all. We started arguing even more, if that was even possible. I tried to break things off once and he didn’t accept that so I moved out of the Burrow and into my flat. But Ron was still seeing me and I gave in pretty quickly.” 

Hermione swallowed hard, her own hands now fists against his back. "But he... that’s when he changed."

“Then…then he hit me. He came into the clinic and I could tell he was drunk. He had grabbed me around my throat and when I tried to push away, he hit me.”

He was going to kill Weasley, screw his promise. He didn’t know when, but he knew he would. She was shaking in his arms as she poured her heart out, telling him more of the horrors Weasley had put her through, and Draco felt helpless. He didn’t know how to make it better. He wouldn’t give her empty platitudes that were designed to make the speaker feel better and not really the one who they were speaking to. Hermione deserved better than that. 

She deserved better than him.

“Again. And remember your stance. Your feet are still too far apart.”

Hermione took a deep breath as she tried to correct her posture. They had been at this for an hour already and she still hadn’t managed to get a hit on him. Narrowing her eyes, she feigned left but Draco easily caught on, grabbing her waist and twisting her to the side. Using that as momentum, Hermione swung her leg, causing him to trip and fall forwards. He twisted his own body to keep her from falling back and instead they both fell, her on top of him.

His body was solid and firm beneath hers. She could feel the warmth of his skin even through the thin material of his shirt, causing her cheeks to burn. Hopefully, Draco wouldn’t recognize the cause for her flushed skin and would just think that it was due to the exertion of their training. 

“You’re…really close right now.” Hermione didn’t mean for her breath to come out so…well, breathy but she couldn’t stop it. Her heart was hammering against her chest, threatening to burst out, unrestrained as a million sparks ignited. 

Draco seemed to be in a similar predicament. His eyes were wide, pupils blown as his own breath came out in heavy pants. Slowly, he lifted his hand and caressed her cheek.

“Hermione…” His eyes flicked towards her mouth and she licked her own, almost unaware of it. Was he…going to kiss her? He met her eyes again, molten pools of silver burning into her, searing her skin. “Tell me to stop...” There was an almost desperate tone to his voice but she couldn’t tell if it was for or against their kiss. They were only inches apart now, she would barely need to tilt her head to meet his lips…

“Please love.” He whispered again. “If you don’t…”

She met his eyes. “Draco...please.”

That seemed to be his undoing. With what felt like a bolt of lightning, Draco pulled her closer, molding her body to his as his lips crashed into hers. It was electric and warm, Hermione was sure she was having an out of body experience as he pulled her even closer if it was even possible, their bodies coming together as if an invisible force connected them…

It should have scared her, how right it felt to be kissing Draco Malfoy but it didn’t. She only felt warmth and something pure that could only be called love.

“Hermione…” Her name was a whispered prayer on his lips as he kissed her, almost possessively and yet with reverence. But Hermione found that she didn’t mind it. Her own desire was burning, growing brighter with each claiming. Her tongue swiped at his mouth and he opened, eagerly accepting hers, letting her lead. 

Too soon for her liking, Draco pulled away, not before pressing one…two…three lighter kisses against her mouth. She was still wrapped in his arms and her own hand was above his heart, feeling it pound while the other curled against the nape of his neck. He looked elated and smug at the same time, pure happiness radiating off of him as he helped them both stand up, their arms still around the other.

Within seconds, his smile fell. “I don’t deserve you. You deserve better than me, Granger. Better than a former Death Eater. I’m still so messed up from Azkaban and having that psychopath in my home.” 

“Let me decide what I deserve. I know there will be dark days, for both of us, but I’m all in.” Hermione couldn’t help but smile. “You make me happy, so happy, Draco.”

“The rest of the world will crucify you, Hermione. You know my past. There’s too much darkness.”

Hermione sighed. “Your darkness doesn’t scare me, Draco.” She leaned up, her face inches from his, breath mingling. “We all have a little darkness in us. And the rest of the world can go screw themselves as far as I’m concerned. I want this…want us…if…if you do?”

Draco looked conflicted for only a moment before his eyes met hers again, burning with determination. “My hands are not clean and maybe they never will be. But they can still carry you home when you’re ready to sleep. I want you, Hermione Granger. Icy toes and all. If you’ll have me.”

She leaned forward to kiss him again. “I’ll have you, Draco Malfoy. I love you.”

“You love me, huh?” He whispered teasingly.

She rolled her eyes. “As if I ever stood a chance.”