Changes
Draco had been pacing all day. He sent her dozens of owls and looked for her all over the place. Hermione was no where to be found. He was panicking.
After the ball he had sent her a letter apologizing for his behavior, again. Apologizing for whatever pushed her away. And of course, begging for her to come back to him. He just wanted her back. She kissed him. There’s no way she doesn’t like him a little.
He wasn’t expecting a response. She never responded anyway. He usually waited until they were alone to tell her to her face. This time she did say something.
Need time.
A flame of hope sparked in him. She didn’t say she didn’t want him. She didn’t say she didn’t want to see him. She just wanted time. He can do that. He will wait pathetically for her for as long as she wants. So as long as she comes back to him after.
He went about his routine of watching her. She consumed all his thoughts. Especially when she was so close yet so far away.
This time it was odd. She knew how to hide from him when she wanted. But he had a feeling she wasn’t hiding on purpose.
It was odd that she wasn’t there to support Potter. The entire day he was scared something happened to her again.
Then he saw her. In the lake, Hermione was rescued by Krum. Draco almost jumped in. His heart felt like it had come out his chest. His girl, his poor girl was kidnapped for the stupid tournament. What if that tosser didn’t save her? He felt like he was going to be sick.
He was going insane letting her be these days. He had to see her. He didn’t even care about her request right now. She was taken to a tent to be checked while the others came back out of the lake.
He snuck after her of course. She was sitting alone in her own tent, freshly dried but still shivering.
He ran up to her and closed his arms around her.
“Malfoy what the f-“
“You’re safe!”
She tried to shove him off but he did not relent. He was shaking, gripping her tightly in his arms.
Hermione took a deep breath. Her body relaxed for the briefest moment before she shoved him again.
“You idiot. Someone could’ve seen you.” She scolded.
“I’m sorry! I had to come. I was worried sick!” He kept his arms on her waist as he spoke.
There was a beautiful blush staining her cheeks. Draco couldn’t tell if it was anger that was causing it. All he wanted to do was hold her tightly so she couldn’t go out of his sight again.
She took another breath and rolled her eyes at him. Draco was about to open his mouth to apologize when she grabbed his collar and kissed him.
Immediately his arms closed around her again. It was similar to the kissed they shared the night of the Yule Ball. He kissed her deeply, savoring it because he knew any moment she would pull back and kick him out.
Why can’t she just accept her feelings?
“You idiot.” She repeated breathlessly.
“You always make me worry.” He pouted.
“I’m fine.” She hit him lightly. “Now get out. I said I wanted time.”
“Yes- yes of course.” He tried to kiss her again but she pulled back slightly. Frowning at her hesitation, he picked up her hand and planted a chaste kiss on her knuckles instead.
She watched him carefully before pulling her hand back. The flush on her cheeks was still present. Got you. He grinned to himself.
“Now go.” She shooed him away.
He felt successful. She kissed him first again. He knows he will get more of those.
_____________
June was approaching. The last task was not far behind. Hermione had done all she could for Harry.
Her year was much more insane than Harry’s in her opinion. Ever since Malfoy came into her life, telling her that he was actually madly in love with her, everything has been mad.
She truly tested the bounds of his obsession with her. At times he quite literally got on his knees.
She really tried to push him away but he was in deep. She wasn’t ready to admit that maybe she was too, in her own way.
They met a few times in the come and go room. Their old routine came back into play. She would study for hours and he would just watch. It was rather annoying at times. But if it meant he would shove off during classes and leave her and her friends be, then so be it.
She was still mean to him of course. He could be a prick sometimes. But she was starting to enjoy it. She would be cold and he would be extra sweet, trying to relax her and ease her into touching him again.
He was clingy. If he wasn’t watching he was touching her hair, kissing her shoulder, toying with her hands, or massaging her shoulders.
At first she wanted to slap him into another dimension and tell him to shove off. But she realized he would never give up. It was an odd feeling, knowing someone was so desperate for her touch and attention. He was like a little pet. Always wanting to please, always trying hard.
She knew things could become complicated. She knew they were both in danger but, he truly was an asset. As down bad as he is, he was also terribly witty.
He was second to Hermione in every class. His magic was advanced and dark. She gave up on getting rid of him because it was good to have his secret aid.
She rewarded him for it. She can admit she had fun doing so too. That was the only reason she didn’t feel guilty for using him. He could be her little secret.
___________
The last task was an utter disaster. Cedric Diggory was dead.
A cold and dreadful feeling passed over Draco as soon as he heard the details. Fear. Absolute terror and fear is all he had for Hermione. He didn’t know how to help.
He knew his father was involved. He knew he was on Voldemorts side. Now that he’s back, nothing was the same.
He was scared for her life. He wanted to take her away from all of it. She was too close with Potter. She would be a target.
When summer came he knew he had to do something. He told her as much during one of the last times they met up.
She didn’t cry in front of him. He could tell she wanted to. She told him everything was going to be different. Unsafe. Dangerous. He wanted to Avada his father or the dark lord himself.
He told her he would do anything to keep her safe. He would do anything to help her- help Harry- get rid of the dark lord. He knew being at the manor meant he would be exposed to information.
He was willing to put himself in danger to help her. Oddly enough, Pansy, Blaise, and Theo all agreed to help as well. Everyone was fearful of the future.
She said it was too dangerous but he was firm. The sooner they fixed this, the sooner he could have her.
She finally agreed. Her mean and uncaring facade broke for the briefest moment that night when he cried in her arms and she caressed him tightly.
The summer went by as dreadfully as Draco expected. His mother was worried sick. His father, ever the piece of shit he was, was constantly plotting and leaving for secret meetings. He could tell he was scared too. Voldemort did not like him very much right now. This put his family on the line.
All of the snakes went on constant trips to Blaise’s family villas. The “vacations” were more excuses to be far away from the manor and the horrors that were approaching.
It also allowed him the space to safely owl Hermione. She didn’t respond as per his request. They couldn’t risk it. Even though he really wanted to see her, touch her, speak to her, he had to keep the connection distant.
“Do you think our parents are with him right now?” Asked Theo.
“Probably sucking the dark lord’s cock constantly to save their own arses.” Pansy laughed.
“That’s for sure.” Theo snickered.
“Fucking monsters the lot of them.” Draco sighed.
Pansy frowned. “She’s going to be okay Dray. We all will.” She squeezed his hand.
The four of them huddled up in a large bed. They were the only ones left for each other. Especially at this time. Their parents were death eaters, their schoolmates sided wrong, and the people they loved were in danger. All they could do was hold each other tightly and comfort each other.
Everything was changing. His priority was helping Hermione in any way he could.