Chapter 7

Draco stood in the kitchen, leaning against the counter, facing Hermione. Her face was passive, calm collected. He stared at her, and looked down, realizing he without a shirt, only wearing some simple shorts. He looked back up to see her smiling at him, and step closer, her soft fingers reaching out and trailing down his chest, catching on the hem of his pants. He swallowed.

"What are you-" He was cut off with her hand, as she smiled up at him. Something was off. The touch wasn't very real, almost as if she were pressing her fingers against a thin layer in between her and him. He closed his mouth, as she trailed her fingers up and down again, and then tilted his chin to the side, as she kissed against his neck. That felt real. Realer than real. He sucked in a breath, twitching slightly. Her hand wrapped around his waistband and yanked at the strings, as her other hand started to unbutton her blouse. He didn't know what to do, his brain feeling like it was a teenager again, wanting to see but then it all felt weird. Draco's hands just rested against her hips, as she drew closer, her blouse suddenly was gone, although he didn't recall her taking it off. His eyes trailed down, but then shot back up, trying to be respectful, even when her hand traced his jawline.

"Just…. a little look…?" She asked quietly, and he swallowed thickly.

"I- I shouldn't- "His voice tight, shaking.

"Come on…Take…a…peak…" Her lips trailing just below his ear lobe, every syllable like a small pop near his ear.

He gasped when she yanked his string straight out of his sweatpants, making the hem go slack. Her hands wore on him, he felt like he was being electrocuted in a good way.

She yanked and his pants fell, leaving him in his thin boxers, and her wearing a bra, and as her hand clasped around hi-

Suddenly Draco woke with a start, panting, shaking, sweating, and feeling a throb between his legs. He turned over and squeezed the pillow in his arms tightly, groaning into the sheets as his body tried to shake away the sudden shock from waking up.

He turned back over, opening his eyes, and he almost cried out as he scrambled off the bed, and fell backwards, hitting the wall, trying to get his legs from the quilts, as a tired voice grumbled to him.

"Why the hell are you falling out the bed...?" Hermione asked grumpily, clearly not pleased with being woken up.

He got up, and staggered slightly, feeling even weirder, but then sudden dread hit him when he realized why he was so...Aware? He was shocked awake by adrenaline. He couldn't come up with words and ran to the bathroom, slamming the door, locking it. Draco leant against the door, shaking, his body feeling as if it were one big pulse, the heat rushing to his place, his body quaking with need he refused to fill-

He stood at the sink, his knuckles white as he squeezed it, eyes closed tight, as he let out, "Fuck-" His voice hoarse. What had just happened!? What had he just dreamed!?!?

He bent over, pressing his head to the cold stone, and gave in, trying to relieve himself of his aggravatingly harsh boner. He felt harsher pressure rise, and rise, and suddenly it felt like he was being blinded by lights, his body pulsing, as he hit the cold stone, gasping out profanities, as the pulsing continued, growing hard.

This would be one hell of a confession to Theo....

His knees had grown weak, and he had to lean on the counter. It didn't help at all when suddenly she knocked on the door. "Draco? Draco are you ok??"

He couldn't answer, knowing his voice would give it all away without even trying, and he frantically reached to turn the shower on, as cold as it could be, his body shaking. He had to get this under control. He wasn't a horny teen anymore, what had he been thinking!?

Draco got into the cold shower, trying to wash away the heat rushing through his body. Thank Merlin it was working.

He leaned against the shower tile, and panted as he finally was able to think straight...Except his brain kept wandering back to the fact that he had almost seen her breasts...

Draco had half the mind to slap himself.

He did.

It didn't work.

He got out the shower, feeling a lot saner, a lot less horny, and a bit shakier.

Draco walked to the mirror again, and rubbed his face, as he wrapped a towel around himself, taking a deep breath. He heard her again.

"Draco answer me or I'm fucking blowing this door off its hinges." Her threat rang clear into his brain.

"I'm good- I'm good-," His croaky response came, and his eyes widened, as he swallowed. His voice was deep, hoarse, something he barely recognized.

"Are you...What happened to your voice?" She called. His eyes dilated.

"I uh...." He scrambled for an excuse, coming up empty. "Uh....I uh..." The door flew open, and she spun her wand in her hand, before her eyes settled on him, on his face, his messy wet hair, and then she suddenly figured it out.

"Oh my- You- Draco- You-" She stammered, and he blushed harder and harder, as he tried to explain, but his voice betrayed him, remaining husky and seductive.

"I didn't mean to..." He swallowed again, as she stared with wide eyes, stunned.

"Me....?" Was her one question. He didn't have to answer.

Hermione swallowed heavily, "Oh." She said shortly, and then said awkwardly, "Well then...Uhm..."

She took a step forwards, then backwards, then she turned silently and walked back into their bedroom, leaving Draco alone, slightly shocked.

He sheepishly walked out about seven minutes later, fully clothed, and sat on the bed, his knees pulled to his chest, as he stared at the wall. Hermione was beside him, also silent, red in the face. Neither spoke. Neither looked at the other.

Then she spoke, "Was I at least-"

"Yes." He said before she even finished. He didn't look at her but could feel her stare.

"You don't even know what-"

"Yes, I do." he said shortly, keeping his head down. He felt the bed move, and then her hand was gently tilting his chin upwards.

"Look at me." Her gentle voice said sweetly. "Look, I am not mad at all. Just a bit shocked. I thought you had a nightmare, and to find you, ahh...Shirtless with a uh...Quite a large boner.... I was shocked."

He was burning up, his cheeks flaming as she continued. "Don't worry Draco....It's normal..."

He hated that she was right. He looked down again as she sat on his lap, moving a bit closer, and he slowly looked back up. Her eyes were soft, and instead of kissing him, as she knew he was in a state of nervousness, just hugged him. Her arms slid under his, around his ribs, clutching his back tightly, yet softly. Her head curled against his chest, under his chin, and he slowly let his chin rest against her puffy hair. He took a deep breath, before relaxing and then closing his eyes. His arms wrapped around her, and he pulled his knees up, as she sank into his lap, as her legs grew close to her chest, and the two just sank deeper into the hug, Hermione comforting Draco, and Draco making Hermione feel safe.

He didn't want to move, until she said gently, "Would you like some breakfast...?"

Draco sighed, and nodded, before slowly pulling away, feeling cold, as she got off the bed, walking out the room.

This entire morning was weird. Everything about it was way too intimate, way too much.

Draco sat in the bed for a while, not moving, not sure what to do or say. He then blinked, wondering if Potter was still here with the Weaslette. Wondering if she would tell him. Wondering how he would react when he told him what had happened...

Draco sighed and got off the bed, stretching out slightly, and walking down the stairs. He saw her standing at the sink and suddenly felt very warm, and he ducked his head to hide the embarrassment painted across his cheeks.

He walked to the living room, sitting down, and jumping when he heard Ginny speak beside him.

"Good God almighty-" He said, harshly, looking at her, "How do you just- never mind..." Rolling his eyes.

Ginny smirked at him, not saying anything. He blinked, "What...?"

She said nothing, leaning back on the couch. "What!!??" he asked, harsher.

"What Weasley!?" She didn't answer.

He folded his arms over his chest, narrowing his eyes.

She then said, "How often do you master-"

Draco got up and walked away before she finished. He walked into the kitchen, his eyes cold, and leaned against the counter beside Hermione.

"When do we become rid of that red head?" He asked her, clearly over Ginny in just two days of talking to her.

Hermione sighed, smiling slightly, tossing her hair over her shoulder so he could see her face, "Draco, she is my friend. And she's the Weasley twins' sister. She does everything she can to make someone red. And she seems to have done it very quickly to you." Giving him a side eye and studying his burning face. She smiled again, glancing down at his chest, then back up, and then looked back at wat she was making. He blushed harder and mumbled when he spoke.

"Don't look at me like that..." 

She smiled again, looking him up and down, "Like what?" She asked innocently.

His hair on the back of his neck bristled, "Like that!! Like-"

"A snack?" She offered and embarrassed him more. God his blush brought out his hair and striking eyes even more.

He hid his face, before turning, and wrapping his arms around her, hiding his face in her hair.

"You can't hide forever." She said gently but didn't make him move or let go. She then turned around in his loose hold, and looked at him, as his head pressed against her shoulder.

"Are you going to hide, or will you eat something?" Hermione asked him gently, her fingers playing with the shorter and finer hairs on his neck. He smiled a bit, and raised his head, looking at her.

"Fine....You like eggs?" As she led him to the living room. Ginny was lounged out on the armchair, as Draco sat on the couch. Hermione handed her friend a plate and then looked towards the backyard, calling Harry's name. He ducked inside, and smiled, sitting beside Ginny. Draco fidgeted slightly, as Hermione sat down, curling her knees, and leaning into his side, handing him a plate as well.

Draco felt all but exposed to Potter and the Weaslette. A close moment with Hermione, other little moments...But they were here.

He put on a fake smile, and hugged her closer, having eaten the food she gave him quickly. Draco pulled her into his lap, folding his legs into a seat, and held her against his chest, speaking into her ear.

"How long will they be here...?" His breath brushing against the back of her neck. She swallowed a squeak, which caused Ginny to raise an eyebrow at her.

She took a deep breath, and didn't answer, but leaned against him fully, looking up and into his eyes.

"Not...long..." She said through her teeth. He smiled, seeming content with that answer.

The awkwardness in the room continued to grow, until Potter stood and said, "Alright...Me and Gin are off."

Ginny stood up, and nodded to Hermione, before the two quickly left without another word, and Hermione turned around in her seat which was Draco's lap.

She sighed, seemingly happy that they were gone now, and buried her face into his chest, her breakfast forgotten. Draco was beyond confused.

He took a deep breath, and spoke into the new silence, "Hermione...? I uh.... Thought you wanted to..." But he didn't have a clue where he was going with this sentence and just gave up, holding her.

He closed his eyes, and suddenly flashes of memories whizzed through his mind, sudden thoughts and feelings surfacing.

He must have gasped, which made her jump, his grip suddenly growing vise on her waist, making her squirm.

"Draco- ow let go-" she said, her voice harsh and slightly frantic.

His eyes were wide open, glassy.

Memories kept flying at him, but then his body went numb, and his body crumpled, as his hands went limp, slipping from her waist, his head thudding against her shoulder and then he slumped back, unmoving on the couch, his eyes having slid shut.

She gaped at him dumbly for a moment, before scrambling off, and kneeling on the couch beside him, tapping his face, "Draco!? What the hell just happened!?"

She shook his shoulder, not getting a response. She then panicked and pressed her ear on his chest, going still to search for a heartbeat. If Hermione had taken a moment to breathe, she would have realized the same thing happened last time he had a flood of memories.

She took a few deep breaths when she detected his strong and smooth heartbeat accompanied by the steady rise and fall of his chest as he breathed.

She had to take another moment, before she calmed down. Hermione slid back onto his lap, placing her knees either side of his thighs, gently leaning back against him, making sure he wasn't slumped, comfortably laying on the couch. She wanted to make sure he was ok, but also knew that worrying over him would do no good.

She gently took his left arm and draped it over her back tucking it gently into the pocket of her hoodie, which happened to be his, and she relaxed, telling herself she was fine.

Although she couldn't shake the nagging feeling that when he woke up, his memories would have returned...Couldn't shake the fear that he might wake up and hate her again.

Hermione sighed, taking his other hand gently in hers, lacing her fingers between his, and closing her eyes, waiting for him to wake up.

"Don't hate me..." She whispered gently, her breath brushing his neck before she started the dreaded waiting.

-____________________________________________________________-

The first thing he was aware of was the wait on his chest. He didn't move, didn't change his breathing pattern, just focused on trying to figure out what was laying on his body. He slowly felt that he was laying on a soft couch, his arm resting around something, his other hand being clasped by someone else's.

Draco breathed in slower, and then out, slowly opening his eyes, to find brunette hair tickling his nose, stuck onto his eyelashes. He then looked down, to see a girl, sleeping, literally sleeping on his bare chest.

His mouth opened slightly, as he raised his hand to see it clasped in hers, surprisingly nice.... Then looked at the girl, and his eyes dilated slightly. Small. Brown hair. Fair skin....

Her head moved and sleepy, milky brown eyes looked up at him, "Oh...You're awake..."

His silver eyes showed panic, "What the f-"

She put her free hand to his lips, "Please don't start cussing, I know it's your go to."

Confusion split over his face, and she smiled, a sad smile. She seemed to know something.

"You have your memories back don't you Draco...?" She asked him gently.

He blinked, and suddenly everything from the past week and a half came flooding back as well. The confusion turned to shock, which then morphed into excitement.

"Yeah...Yeah, I do.... And don't feel sad..." He said gently, pulling the arm that had been holding her from the pocket, and holding the side of her face. "I remember everything that happened over the past week and a half, too..."

Hermione stared up at him eyes wide, "Really...?"

He smiled, "Yes, really Granger...."

Her smile faltered, "Call me Hermione. Not Granger....It feels like a step backwards"

Draco chuckled slightly, "Fine."

She then growled, "If your fucking toying with me-"

He grabbed her lips, pushing them together with his fingers, "Uh-uh-uh no cussing, your words. Not mine." Smirking at the clear anger behind her eyes.

"You're too easy..." He said gently, as she smacked his arm, before hugging him tighter than he thought possible, making him laugh a bit.

Hermione slowly pulled back, and said, "You're a literal disaster magnet Draco. First the explosion. Then my house collapsing on top of you. I have half the mind to ground you, so you don't leave the house!"

He rolled his eyes, "OK mummy." Sticking his tongue out. She blushed slightly, before saying, "Don't say that."

He looked confused, "Wh-"

"No. We are not doing this." She said, the blush still on her face, as his eyes widened, a mischievous smile on his face.

"Mk Granger..." Looking suspiciously happy.

She blushed harder, looking away, but he just hugged her, standing up. Hermione squeaked slightly at the sudden absence of his legs under her, causing her to scramble for a tighter hold. He carried her through the house and dumped her onto her bed.

"Get dressed. We're going out." He instructed, pulling off his night shirt.

"What!? But you only just got healed-" She tried but his eyes turned dark.

"Yes. And I know exactly why my cauldron exploded." His voice had turned slightly sharp, a hint of highly controlled anger.

Draco tore off his pants quickly, pulling on dress pants, and a dress shirt, grooming his hair down neatly, as she watched, eyes a little wide.

"Are you sure…?"

He didn't answer, "I'll be in the car when you're ready. Don't tell anybody I have my memories back…"

Draco then walked out the room, leaving her in a momentary confusion, before she quickly ran into her closet, rummaging through to find a nice and clean outfit, before throwing on a pencil skirt and a blouse, rushing.

Hermione used her wand to quickly do her hair into a bun, grabbing heels and she rushed out the house moments after Draco had left. She rushed to the car, and slid into the passenger seat, as he slammed his foot down on the ignition, and they shot down the road, as he swerved a bit, making her squeak.

"When did you learn to drive!?!?" She cried, holding onto the handlebar over her head.

He growled, "I didn't-"

Swerving again onto the highway, and speeding, his foot pressed to the floor.

"Draco slow DOWN!!" she screeched, but it was to no avail.

He tore down the street and screeched to the stop outside the telephone box. He slammed his car door, storming over and opening it, staring her down, but she knew he wasn't intentionally trying to scare her, but he was.

Hermione shakily got out the car, her legs wobbly, and grasped his arm when she entered the box, "I can tell you're a bit-"

He glared down at her, "Very…" She corrected herself.

"Very angry…But can you please control your temper? Just…Long enough to hold a civilized conversation?"

He gave a humorless chuckle, "Too late."

Hermione grabbed the phone out of his hands and slammed it down on the receiver.

She jabbed her finger into his chest, "You better get your act together right now. Or we are waiting until you can act like an adult, not an angry schoolboy!!"

Draco stared her down, but she puffed her chest up, folding her arms, and glaring right back, eyes narrowed, 'I'm being serious, Draco. You'd better behave."

Draco gritted his teeth, talking sharply, "Fine…I'll behave mummy…" Glaring at her.

Hermione bristled, blushing again, "And do not call me that!!"

He rolled his eyes, grabbing the receiver again, before the phone box slowly sank into the ground. Hermione reached out, and hugged him, feeling how tense he was, and rubbed her fingers through his hair a few times.

"You need to calm down." Hermione instructed gently, and in the darkness, he spoke.

"Fine. I'm calm. But if I see him, I'm gonna kill him… For good." Draco hissed, but she slowly let go when she could see the light of the Ministry of Magic appearing.

His anger was such she had never seen. Blind anger, fury, but also a sense of protectiveness over her. He had yet to even tell her who it was… Although she suspected Ron thoroughly.

Draco stalked through the doors, not waiting for her, heading right for the Minister's office. He slammed the door open, not knocking, startling Kingsley, who dropped his quill, gasping.

"Mr. Malfoy, that is no way to-"

"Bring in Ms. Pansy Parkinson and Mr. Ronald Weasley. Now." His voice deadly calm. Kingsley looked at Hermione hovering behind him, before speaking.

"Is this an emergency?" Although he suspected the answer.

"This is a matter of an attempted killing…." Draco reached behind him, taking Hermione gently by the wrists, seemingly calmer than before, holding her close to him. "Please take Parkinson's wand…Weasley's wand is already in custody."

Hermione hid her shock. Pansy Parkinson…?

Kingsley took a moment before saying, "If you're sure this is truly a necessary-"

Draco once again cut him off, "It is. Just bring them in!!"

Kingsley sighed, obliging, leaving a very angry Draco with a very nervous Hermione. As soon as the door closed, she turned to him.

"Doing this again. Ok. Draco, number one, breathe." Hermione instructed slowly, placing her hands against his chest, feeling his heart thudding against his rib cage through the dress shirt.

"Ok...Number two, no fighting. Give me your wand." She said gently, watching as he just stared her down.

"No." His voice tight.

"Yes. Give me it. I'll give it back to you as soon as we get in the car." Hermione reassured him, "It's ok..."

He reluctantly reached down and pulled it from the pocket, holding out the hawthorn wand towards her. She grasped its hilt, tugging slightly.

"You have to let go." She said, slightly annoyed, but he then released his hold, looking about as pissed off as a wet cat.

Hermione put it alongside hers in the wand pocket, and tucked her fingers under his shirt collar, folding it over from where it had unfurled in his rush.

"Calm, remember? Professional? Not a schoolboy anymore...."

"What if I want to ask like a schoolboy? It's much easier than being an adult..." He grumbled, but sighed when she held his cheek, leaning against the touch.

"School boys get detentions. Adults get jail. You're an adult Draco. Accept it. 23 is adulthood." Hermione spoke, her voice soft and caring, as the door opened.

She let go, taking a small step back. Kingsley walked in, followed by an auror who was watching Ronald Weasley.

After Ron walked in, Draco tensed. Pansy Parkinson walked in, arms folded, clearly annoyed.

Then she saw Draco, and paled, eyes widening.

Draco pulled Hermione back slightly, his hands tightly clasping her shoulders.

Kingsley walked back to his desk, and watched this all, before speaking, "Alright Mr. Malfoy. This is who you requested. What else do you need?"

Draco took a deep breath, his hands slightly squeezing her shoulders, as she whispered, "Adult...."

He let it out slowly, speaking, "I have an accusation... On my case of attack... And it wasn't done alone, but as a duo..."

Draco then launched into explanation, "The day it happened, I had been surprised with a visit from an old friend of mine.... Whom I wasn't aware knew I was even alive.... Pansy walked around my lab for a few hours, while I just worked, not giving her much attention, however I do know she had been in my potion's cabinet. Pansy claimed she was organizing it. I really didn't care.... Then she left, minutes before Hermione came and we went to lunch.... I was in a frenzy, and I think I forgot to lock up my lab. I came back, still perfectly fine, and started working on the hair growth potions I had been doing previously.... I went to my cabinet, and the potion that exploded required Dragon's Flames Fumes....Now I know it was indeed not that in the bottle, but an explosive chemical that when mixed with unicorn's tail hair will cause a massive explosion. I didn't know it was bubbling, and then as soon as I turned, I managed to duck down, but it still almost killed me...The plan had been to eliminate me, as I am one of the only Death eaters still walking since mother was killed in that unplanned raid. I know after seeing my lab after having no memories, that the explosion was not done by dragon's fumes...."

Hermione looked at Pansy who was almost burning up with anger. Draco looked deadly calm.

"And how does Mr. Weasley come into play?" Kingsley asked, confused.

Draco just simply smiled, "Oh yes, he comes into play after the failed murder. Clearly when Parkinson failed at her job, Weasley here gave multiple attempted attacks on me, although he got scared of harming Hermione…. And he even made a successful attack not even days ago where he collapsed her house on top of us. Potter managed to protect Hermione… But I was close to death…. I apparently was unconscious for four days."

Kingsley was unsure of what to say or how respond, as he had no proof otherwise, but he also only had Draco's word towards it.

Then Pansy spoke, "You little dick!! You should have die the house collapse!! Weasley told me you had been killed when a metal bar fell on you!!" She then turned and pointed at Ron, "you said he was a goner!! You said you'd dealt with him!!"

Ron snarled back, "I did!! He was as good as dead!!!"

Kingsley then stood, arms folded, "And you both have just admitted to the claimed crime."

Pansy saw red and lunged at Draco, slamming into him, both falling to the floor as a scrabble immediately ensued, Parkinson's hands wrapped around Draco's throat, to take his life, as Hermione was grabbed by the aurous, pulled away from the danger. Ron was restrained as two guards manhandled Pansy, trying to pry her off Draco, who was struggling.

Draco didn't know what to feel or think, as he suddenly realized he was in real danger, his eyesight dimming, and then his body finally gave out, his thoughts murky and then nothing.

Hermione had been pulled from the room despite her futile attempts to break free, and then the door opened as they brought out a handcuffed Pansy, who was kicking and trying to hurt the guards, yet failing.

She was released from her hold, and then rushed to the room where Kingsley was kneeling beside his desk, and she slid when she landed from her weight when she dropped down. She reached out shakily, but didn't touch him, and then looked down at Draco on the floor.

His dress shirt wrinkled and out of shape, his legs bent a bit, in an uncomfortable position, his head turned to the side slightly. Hermione swallowed slightly, and reached out, her fingers brushing over the reddened and soon to be bruised skin of his neck. She had no idea if this was severe or not, but then he moved, taking a slow and steady breath in, his head tilting slowly, as he continued to take in the oxygen he needed, his eyes slowly opening, silvery blue orbs staring up at her through half-lidded eyes. He had scratches on his neck from Parkinson's nails, a few having drawn blood.

He blinked a little, before recognition passed over his face, but he didn't talk. She didn't need him to and knew it would hurt him to try and use his vocal cords right now.

"Don't worry.... Parkinson and Ron are both in custody...No-" Gently touching his lips when he opened them, "You just got suffocated, don't try to talk. Just focus on breathing right now, ok?"

Draco had no choice but to accept her words, closing his mouth again and nodding, as she stroked his head.

Hermione looked up at Kingsley, "Can you call St. Mungo's?"

The minister looked confused, "Why would-"

"Although he is awake, he could have unseen injuries along with harm in his lungs from lack of oxygen," she said quietly, continuing to try and not worry her boyfriend on the floor. The Minister instantly nodded, standing, and sending a Patronus. Hermione decided not to try and move Draco but continued to speak to him.

"I've got a nurse coming to help.... I'm sure you feel weird..." She spoke, her voice soft and gentle. Draco just nodded but winced at the movement. "Does your brain feel fuzzy...?"

Draco nodded again, and she had already figured out that he was loopy, quiet, due to his excessive lack of oxygen.

"It's alright...I'm not going anywhere. The nurse can help you go to sleep for a little while, then maybe you'll wake up at home, feeling much better." Hermione mused and saw a faint content smile on his lips.

Hermione heard the door open again, and looked up to see someone in a white jacket and she felt relief flood her system, "Luna, thank Merlin..."

The blonde came over and knelt beside Draco, setting a bag down. His eyes stuck onto her as she did her thing, and Luna looked at Hermione.

"I haven't seen you in a while, Hermione...." As she reached out, taking Draco's chin in her hand and tilting his head towards her, "Hi there...Can you recall your name?"

He nodded slowly, blinking in his daze. Luna smiled once again, "Oh wonderful...Ok Malfoy, make both of your eyes focus onto me, ok? Not one.... Nope, look at me..."

His eyes didn't focus, which caused Luna to frown, "Ok, looks like he has dissociation. Nothing bad. A simple charm will get his brain boosted and up and running..." Her soft and airy voice calmed Hermione down and seemed to entrance Draco in his state of mind.

"Ok Draco, eyes closed and relax...." She instructed, pressing the tip of her beautiful brown wand against his forehead. She mumbled a simple charm, a golden glow pouring from her wand and seeping into his skin. Moments later his eyelids fluttered open, his eyes instantly focusing on both girls, as he took a deep breath.

"Thank you..." He croaked, his voice deep and rough, as he was helped up, scooting back to lean against the desk. His head slowly tipped back and rested against the cool metal, Luna, and Hermione both kneeling in front of him.

"Draco...?" Hermione asked gently, placing a hand on his knee. It was slight, barely noticeable, but the twitch when she touched him was instantly recognizable as a flinch. Flinching at her touch...?

She scooted closer and placed her hand on his arm, a stronger flinch, "Hey... Breathe. Focus on me, ok? Luna helped you.... Now I just need you to look strong and tough while I help you up, we can walk to the floo, and then you can be babied and pampered when we get home...." She said, trying to coax him out of his shell of nerves. "Come on... You like hot chocolate... I know you do..."

He spoke again in the same croaky rough voice, "Mmmm.... Yeah, I do...." Opening his eyes and looking at her. Luna smiled, both girls reaching under his arms and hauling him up. Hermione just needed him to leave the ministry and then he could lay down and rest as much as he needed.

She watched him as he stood there, a bit unsteady, but he rolled his shoulders back, breathing in through his nose, his appearance changing noticeably as he wafted fake confidence. He looked over at Luna, who was surprisingly almost his height.

"Thank you, Lovegood." He said politely but she blushed.

"Oh... It's Longbottom now." Luna said shyly, holding out her hand with a ring. Hermione grinned.

"Oh, how lovely!! You and Neville must visit some time, but right now I need to get him home... Thank you so much, Luna, truly, goodbye!"

She took Draco's hand in hers, feeling how tense he was, but then she sighed and led him out of the room. As soon as they walked out, he burst into a strong stride, strutting down the hall, holding her firmly at his side, eyes locked ahead not looking at a single person. Power. This was about power.

She matched his strides with her own, both keeping a good pace, and as she glanced at him, she swallowed, realizing how unconventionally attractive he looked after being almost strangled...His shirt was messy and half undone, his hair a mess, the red marks having turned to strong bruises, and his striking eyes...

She instantly looked away when he looked down, having sensed eyes on his own.

They approached the floo, and he let her through first, following close behind, and as they travelled, she couldn't help but notice the strong arms that circled her body, pulling her close, as if they would never let go.

Draco felt his feet hit solid ground, tightening his already clamped hold on Hermione as he stepped out of the heat of the fire. For a moment they just stood there, not moving, not really thinking, and then his arms dropped slowly from around her, and he took a step to the side.

Draco took a deep breath, looking at her. His eyes trailed up and down once... twice... Taking in her appearance. Hermione's hair had lost it's neat and curled shape, now resembling its usual frizz and slightly electrocuted look, her neat clothes now slightly mangled from her struggles, her heels had been discarded at some point, now lost in the Ministry's halls. She had her arms tucked to her chest, folded, her eyes firmly ahead.

"Are you...Alright?" He asked gently, his voice still rough and deep. He got no answer. "Hermione...."

"How do you feel." She said, as if it weren't a question, her voice shaking. "How do you feel about us." Once again, not asking in a questioning tone. He looked a bit confused.

"What do you-"

"Do you feel anything for me?" She finally turned towards him, tears brimming in her eyes. "Anything at all...?"

His lips quivered slightly, going from emotion to emotion, before saying, "Of course I do...."

"I don't believe you." She said firmly again, her voice shaking harder, "I don't believe you!!!" She suddenly yelled.

"Hermione, calm down please, I do! I do feel for you!! A lot!!" He insisted.

She snapped, "Prove it! Prove it to me then!!"

He looked lost for a moment, but then he grabbed her shirt and yanked her forwards, their lips connecting, but he didn't pull away. He held her tight, loving, as the tears on her cheeks seeped into his mouth, the wet saltiness souring his kiss, but he didn't care. He backed her against the wall.

"I care-" He whispered between kisses, "So much- So much-" He felt her suddenly give in, hugging his neck, her tongue brushing his bottom lip, as he finally let her in, the two pressed to the wall, as she finally accepted that she liked him. 

She pulled back for a moment, holding his tie, controlling his movement. "I like you...."

Hermione studied his face, his eyes lust-filled, infatuation swimming, his lips puffy and red, a bit of glitter from her lip shine. Then he smiled.

"I like you too...."

She grabbed his tie tighter, and pulled slightly, his head snapping down, and then she yanked him close, kissing him deeply.

Hermione finally found the person she had been looking for.