Veritaserum
Waking up next to Draco Malfoy was not a familiar feeling, but one Hermione thought she could get used to. It was strange, how much things had changed in just a singular day.
Hermione couldn't deny that she always felt something for the boy, especially after sixth year. Barely any words were exchanged between them, yet it felt like they understood what each other were going through, and every glance held a silent message of I understand you. I feel it, too.
During that time, however, there was still a part of Hermione that felt Draco wanted to be bad, that he wasn't really willing to change, that he wanted to be like his father. Because why did he keep going if it was so painful?
But as she woke up and felt his head rested on her chest, she understood a lot clearer than ever before. Of course he wanted to escape. He just wasn't strong enough, and he couldn't let go of the image Lucius had created for him.
Draco was still asleep. Hermione drew her finger over his exposed skin, as softly as possible like he was a delicate glass structure, bound to break if she pressed too hard.
His eyes soon fluttered open, and they met with Hermione's as he slipped fully into consciousness.
"Morning," Hermione whispered, her finger still tracing his skin.
Draco buried his head further into her chest, relaxing into the touch. "You're quite comfortable."
"Stay as long as you'd like," Hermione giggled. She let a comfortable moment of silence pass, before asking "How are you feeling?"
"Dunno." Draco shrugged his shoulders. His voice was still raspy and low after just waking up, and Hermione would be lying if she said it didn't send chills down her spine.
"Are you coming to classes today? You've been down here for a while, you know." Hermione said in a stern manner. She didn't mean for it to be so harsh; really, she was just worried for Draco's education. He could easily be one of the brightest in their year if he had the motivation to be.
"No," he concluded in a definitive manner. Hermione sighed, but she understood that he needed rest.
He looked to be on the verge of falling asleep again, his eyes closing lazily until he shot them open again and said "I really killed her. That wasn't just a dream, she's dead. She's gone."
"She can't hurt you anymore, Draco. It's quite weird, usually I'd be absolutely against murder, but that woman was dangerous. Everybody knows that she'd find a way to escape Azkaban no matter what they did to keep her in. She's mental; too far gone to ever be good again."
Draco winced at the last few words, and Hermione realised her mistake.
"Too far gone," Draco repeated. He sat up, turning to face the other side. She could no longer see his face, however what she could see was his sleeve pushed up and his fingers running over his Dark Mark.
"Oh, Draco. I wasn't referring to you, not at all. You aren't too far gone. You saved me, I don't think someone evil would do that." Hermione said, shuffling forward slightly to sit next to him. He turned his head, avoiding eye contact.
"Your friends would think otherwise," he murmured.
"Then come with me, and we'll talk to them. I won't talk about anything you don't want me to, I just want them to know that you've changed." Hermione put a reassuring arm around Draco's shoulders.
This time, he did face her. "You've gone mad," he smiled ever so slightly. "Hermione Granger defending me against her friends?"
"Well? Are you in or not?" Hermione smiled back, reaching her hand out for Draco to take. He seemed to contemplate for a while, then gave in and took her hand. Their fingers laced together perfectly. His hand was cold and hers was warm; they were each other's perfect opposites, everything they needed to feel complete.
--
It was breakfast again. Draco and Hermione were just outside the great hall, their hands still intertwined. Draco actually looked nervous but his chin was held high as always, and he did not let go. He was not one to make his nervousness obvious.
"Everyone's going to think we're dating or something," Draco whispered as they paused outside of the large doors.
"That wouldn't be such a bad thing, would it?" Hermione smiled, feeling herself blush as she did so. She had no idea what possessed her to say those words, but they seemed to be the right thing to say because now they pushed open the door and entered the hall.
Everyone's eyes were immediately fixed on them as they walked in, which was expected. But Hermione tried not to be wavered by it. She simply carried on, leading Draco towards the Gryffindor table where Ron and Hermione stared in astonishment.
"Merlin. She really has gone mental. First Pansy, and now Malfoy?" Ron gasped in bewilderment, his eyes wide.
Harry just blinked several times, almost like they were just a figment of his imagination and would disappear if he blinked hard enough.
Draco pulled on her hand reluctantly, as if telepathically communicating that this was a horrible idea and they should just turn away, but Hermione persisted and sat them both between the two Gryffindor boys.
She made sure Draco was next to Harry; she decided that Harry was less likely to plot their murder in their sleep once he understood the situation. But with the severe looks he was giving Hermione, she wasn't so sure anymore.
"I told you, war changes people," Hermione started, grabbing the attention of almost everyone on the Gryffindor table now. "He's not the same person that he was a few years ago. Just give him a chance to prove it, trust me."
"Okay. I do trust you, Hermione." Harry agreed. "But how do we know he doesn't have you under the Imperius curse or something?"
Draco scoffed, looking defensive. But really, how could they prove it?
Ron seemed to read her mind and answered the question himself. "What about Veritaserum? That's really the only way for us to trust him."
"You are not putting me under Veritaserum, Weasley! No way!" Draco protested, finally involving himself properly in the conversation.
"Well, if you think you have any better ideas, then go ahead and tell us!" Ron yelled back, attracting the attention of other houses now, too, but not seeming to care. "I'm sure a smart, noble Malfoy like you will have such amazing ideas!"
"Will you stop bickering?" Hermione said, suddenly grateful that she was between Ron and Draco.
Harry looked quite entertained by it all, and from the table at the opposite end of the hall, Pansy looked over and gave an amused smile too, as if to say Good luck. And really, she needed it with those two boys.
--
A few arguments and house point deductions later, Draco finally agreed to the Veritaserum. He claimed it was 'only because Hermione thought it was a good idea.' If they weren't in such a tense mood, he would've been mocked relentlessly for that.
Draco, being the Potions expert, also offered to make it. But Ron and Harry didn't trust him at all, and so it was settled that Harry would make it.
He seemed to have improved in Potions since the previous year, possibly even taking a liking to it, and made the potion quite efficiently. Apparently, Severus had written him a letter before his death which allowed him to take ingredients from his chambers.
Draco, of course, did not like this and accused him of robbing his dead godfather. So another argument occurred, but Harry did it anyway.
They stayed in the chambers, deciding it was probably the safest place when Draco was stuck in a state where he could say absolutely any thought that formed in his mind. He sat on his emerald green bedsheets, looking rather gloomy from what was about to happen.
"Make sure they don't ask me anything about Bella. Or anything personal, for that matter." Draco pleaded, whispering into Hermione's ear whilst the others were gathering the potion into a cup.
"I won't." Hermione reassured him, putting her hand on his shoulder before realising they were in dangerously close proximity and turning away.
She was the one to feed Draco the Veritaserum, and she couldn't help but notice the way his Adam's apple bobbed in his throat as he swallowed it. It was an innocent gesture, but he seemed to make everything look good.
Hermione sat next to Draco on his bed, crossing her legs neatly as she did so, whilst Ron and Harry took to sitting on the floor where a circular rug the same colour as the bedsheets was situated, presumably also conjured for Draco's sake.
"So, Malfoy. Did you put Hermione under the Imperius curse?" Ron asked, trying to look assertive.
"No," Draco replied.
"Wait. We can't be sure yet," Harry stated, eyeing Hermione's joyous expression. "Did you force Hermione, in any way, to defend you?"
"No," Draco replied again.
He didn't seem bothered by the interrogation. At least until Ron grew a smirk on his face, and said "How do you feel about Hermione, then?"
"Ron!!" Hermione scolded. She wasn't sure if this counted as a personal matter, but it seemed like pretty private information. There was nothing she could do now, the question was out.
Draco shuffled on his bed, turning to face Hermione. He sat cross-legged too, mimicking her position for himself, and looked her firmly in the eyes. His pupils were wider than usual, his face softer. He grabbed both of her hands; hesitantly, like he wanted to fight against the potion, but he still managed to intertwine their fingers.
Hermione was about to protest and pull away, but Draco spoke before she got the chance. He never broke eye contact as he did so.
"Well, I guess a part of me has always admired her," he began. "She's one of the smartest people I've ever known. I've always been simultaneously jealous of her and wanting to befriend her. Now that we're friends though, I wouldn't change that, not ever. I feel like I don't even deserve her. I think I might even love her."
Hermione blushed furiously, looking away and pulling her hands back to her own lap. Ron let out a huge gasp in either terror or shock, it was hard to know which, and Harry looked amazed.
"Bloody hell! No way!" Ron shrieked, his jaw practically on the floor.
Before Harry could speak, Hermione got up and started herding the two boys out of the door. "Okay, that's enough! You got what you wanted, you can go now."
Ron was like a stone statue as he exited the chambers. Harry was just smiling like an idiot, letting out a laugh as Hermione closed the door.
"I'm sorry, Draco. I didn't know he would say that," she said ruefully, taking a seat beside him again.
"It wasn't very fun to admit." Draco agreed. He grabbed her hands again. She wasn't going to pull away this time. "I meant it though, every word. I mean, obviously, because I'm under that stupid potion. But you mean a lot to me. I love you."
Hermione froze. He didn't think he loved her, he knew it for certain this time. And she didn't hesitate to say the next few words. "I love you too, Draco. You're an idiot, you know that?"
"Sometimes. But I can be your idiot, if you'd like," Draco said, his face far too serious.
He leaned in closer to her, his hands slowly tracing upwards onto her shoulders. Then, filling the gap in between them, he kissed her with everything he had.
She had kissed before, but this felt different. This felt so right, like something she had missed all along without ever realising. Her hands trailed to his waist, pulling him even closer until their bodies aligned like the stars in a perfect constellation.
Draco pulled away first, his cheeks flushed with red and lips swollen by the time they were finished. "I want to be with you, Hermione. The Veritaserum was just a low dosage, it's worn off. This is just me speaking to you more truthfully than I've ever spoken to anyone before."
"Draco... I-" Hermione paused for a second, not knowing exactly what she wanted to say. She felt tears welling up in her eyes as their gaze on each other grew more intense, more real. "I want to be with you, too."
This time, Draco kissed more softly, just a quick peck as if he was proving that he was allowed to kiss her, as if she was his. He seemed to be gathering up all of his courage. "Hermione Granger. I can't believe I'm asking this, but will you be my girlfriend?"
"Yes, Draco. I will. I'm yours."