The Forest is Very Lonely for a Thing Like He

On the first of November, Hermione woke up late. Breakfast had already begun, and she realistically only had a few moments to eat. She rushed throwing on a dirty plaid skirt and a somewhat clean blouse. She shoved on her shoes and slipped on her robe, not bothering to tie it up, and dashed down to the Great Hall.

The seat in front of Ginny was, per usual, open. Hermione found, thankfully, Ginny had prepared her a plate and was finishing her morning tea while reading the paper.“There you are, Mione.” Ginny greeted.

“Good morning. I slept in late.”

“I figured you could use the sleep after you came back late from the patrol the night previous and then worked your arse off yesterday.” Ginny nodded.

Hermione took a bite of buttered toast, and though felt a little flustered and rushed, she was thankful Ginny had given Hermione a few more moments of precious sleep.

Hermione glanced at the paper. “Anything interesting?”

Ginny shook her head. “No. Makes me miss the days we were always on the brink of death.”

Hermione smiled. “I told you about the giant spiders that Draco and I fought on Saturday night, right?”

“Yes, well… that’s not going to make the newspaper.” She poured Hermione a cup of tea.

“Cheers.” Hermione smiled.

“Speaking of the ferret, he was looking for you.” Ginny mentioned.

“Who?”

“Malfoy.”

“Oh.”

“Yes. Say, I don’t remember you mentioning that you and Malfoy wanted to do a dinner study in your office.”

Hermione blinked confused. “I must have, if I didn’t it slipped my mind. Sorry, Gin.”

Ginny shook her head. “No, no. Malfoy just came up while I was reading the paper, everyone went quiet and dramatic as per usual when something like that happens, and he asked where you were.”

“What’d you tell him?”

“You were still in bed.”

Hermione nodded sipping the scalding tea.

“I asked why, and then he just kind of blurted out that you and him wanted to do a study dinner night.” Ginny shrugged.

“Do you want to?”

“He eats alone, doesn’t he?” Ginny frowned.

Hermione nodded.

Ginny sighed. “Well… Sure. Tonight?”

“I thought you had Quidditch practice?”

“We moved it to tomorrow night.”

“Ah. Why?”

“Bloody Slytherin’s went over my head and pulled the puppy dog eyes on McGonagall. I don’t know how she fell for it.” Ginny grumbled.

“Oh. When is your first game?” Hermione asked.

“The twentieth.”

“Ah.”

“We play Ravenclaw.”

Hermione went to their office and came face to face with Draco. “I was just about to go looking for you, again.”

“Ginny mentioned.” Hermione nodded breathless.

Neither of them moved.

“I…” Draco started.

“Can I…” Hermione pointed.

“Right.” He shifted aside and let her in.

He handed her a cup of tea. “I just wanted to… check in.” He coughed.

“About?” Hermione asked, moving to her desk and sitting down in her chair.

“The other night?” He asked, shoving his hands into his pockets.

“Ah.”

“You’re not… you won’t tell anyone.” He didn’t ask, he didn’t question. He stated it.

“Of course not.” Hermione shook her head.

“It’s the last thing I need, Granger to see splashed on the headlines Draco Malfoy, Gay Werewolf.”

“I understand. The Prophet has been quite cruel to all of us.” Hermione nodded.

He bit the inside of his cheek. “If… if you want I could send money your way…”

Hermione blinked at him. “What do you mean?”

“If The Prophet ever asks for an exclusive, I could potentially double it for---”

“For my silence? That’ll hardly be necessary, Draco.” Hermione rolled her eyes.

He stared at her, steel eyes cold.

“Draco, I’m not going to sell your story to the Prophet. I’m a little insulted you would think I would.”

“Granger, if it got out---”

“I know, Draco.” She tisked angrily.

“It would be devastating.”

“I, more than anyone else knows. Do you not remember fourth year? I got so many death threats and hate mail. I like women and men, and if the Prophet ever finds out about that, well… last year Skeeter did an article about my virginity status, that was mortifying enough.”

He set his jaw.

“What can I do to assure you I won’t talk?” Hermione sighed.

He ducked his head.

“Unbreakable vow? I could get Ginny---”

“No. I don’t…” He shook his head.

“Draco, you can trust me. I’m not going to backstab you.” Hermione said gently.

He was silent.

She sighed. “If it makes you feel better, I don’t really want my bisexuality being blasted out there either. So if I talk, you can talk.” she shrugged.

“Hardly as catastrophic as mine…”

“It would be for me.” Hermione reasoned.

“Granger.”

“Come off it, Draco. You know how horribly they treat the Girls of the War .” She scoffed then sat forward pulling out Rune work. “Like we’re chunks of meat.” she muttered.

He sighed. “You’re right. You’re right. Trusting isn’t something that I do.”

“I know.” She shrugged.

Draco walked to his desk and sat down.

“Oh! Ginny says you wanted to do a study dinner? Tonight okay?”

He blinked up. “I was just using that as an excuse to look for you.”

“Well…”

“We don’t have to.”

“Ginny’s in for it.” Hermione shrugged.

“Ah.”

“Do you want to help me find a coffee table?”

“What for?”

“So we can eat on it? We don’t really have a flat surface around here.”

“I can transfigure something.” He shrugged.

She gaped at him. “No way, show me.”

He grinned.

That night, Ginny sat with them at the newly transfigured coffee table. It was silent, uncomfortably so.

Hermione struggled to find a topic all three of them could speak on, but came up dry.

Thankfully, Draco started the conversation looking at Ginny who had her back against the fire. Hermione was propped up against the couch and Draco sat in between them on the short end of the table.  

“Any word from the Quidditch teams?” He asked.

She frowned at him. “No, I’m still in school.”

Draco mirrored her. “So was Krum.”

She blinked at him then turned to Hermione. “Should I be?”

“Receiving letters or word that a Quidditch team wants you? Yes.” Draco nodded.

“I… I haven’t.”

Draco’s nose wrinkled. “You’re a good player… who did you try out for?”

“Chudley Cannons, Pride of Portree… Appleby Arrows…”

“Merlin, Weasley I thought you wanted to play Quidditch.” Draco scoffed.

“What do you mean?”

“All three of those teams are either pure blood arseholes, or don’t believe women can play.”

“What?” Ginny and Hermione gasped.

“You didn’t know?”

“No!” Ginny gaped.

“Oh. Well… you may never hear back from them.” Draco shrugged.

“You’re joking. Tell me you’re joking.” Ginny begged.

He shook his head. “They’re either ticked off by your family or don’t like girls. The Cannons especially.”

Ginny stared at him open mouthed. “I’m not going to play Quidditch professionally, then?”

Draco paused. “Well… I … I could put out a good word for you.”

Hermione remembered the little witch he was with. “That’s right! We saw you talking to a manager for one of the teams.”

He nodded. “Tonya Jones. I met her at a debutante ball. She and my mother were close friends until mother married my father.”

“Wizards have debutante balls?” Hermione asked.

At the same time, Ginny asked. “Of the Hollyhead Harpies?”

Draco looked between the two of them. “Yes to both of your questions.” Then to Ginny, he said. “If you’d like, I can send her an Owl and have her come over on the twentieth. That’s your first match, correct?”

“But the Harpies have such a bad… rap.” Ginny groaned.

“In what way?” Hermione asked.

“It’s not a bad rap.” Draco rolled his eyes.

“Three words, Draco Malfoy… Lingerie Calendar 1994.”

He huffed a short laugh. “Well…”

“Then the spread they did for Wicked Witches!”

“What’s Wicked Witches?” Hermione asked.

“Oh, I know this one… Muggles have a magazine similar… it has… there are bunnies involved?” Ginny asked cocking her head to Hermione.

Hermione flushed. “Playboy?”

“That’s the name.” Ginny nodded.

“Say what you want, but… both the calendar and the magazine spreads were very tasteful. Not raunchy at all.” Malfoy colored.

“You little perv.” Ginny scoffed.

“Look, do you want to play Quidditch or not?” Draco rolled his eyes.

Ginny sighed, looking at Hermione. “Mum would murder me.”

Hermione nodded. “Yes, but it might just be the only chance you have at playing Quidditch.”

Ginny scrunched up her face.

“Besides, it’s not like you’ve even gotten a spot. You should try.” Hermione shrugged.

Ginny turned to Draco. “Is she creepy?”

Draco blinked confused.

“Tonya Jones? Creepy?”

“No, quite the opposite. She’s very nice, and she makes sure the girls are taken care of. The only reason why she asked the girls to do the calendar and magazine was to drum up press for them. The girls were all for it. Very enthusiastic.” He cleared his throat, still pink in the cheeks.

“Do you have a copy somewhere?” Hermione asked innocently.

Ginny snorted.

“If it’s tasteful…” Hermione reasoned.

“I have it somewhere, Granger. I may have to owl Tonya to send me my copy.” Draco chuckled.

Ginny whipped her head to Hermione. “He knows?”

“Yes.”

Ginny gasped.

Hermione rolled her eyes.

“What?”

“She is excited that you know that I’m bisexual.” Hermione explained.

“Oh.”

“Anyways… I look good in a bikini.” Ginny hummed happily.

Hermione stared at Ginny then looked at Draco. “Do me a favor, and if she does a spread, you tear out her pages in my copy.”

Draco shook with laughter.

“What do you think, Malfoy… do you think Hermione would look good in something cute and lacy?” Ginny asked innocently.

Draco choked then turned to Hermione. “Back to the debutante balls.”

“Right.”

“They’re bloody boring, but most of them have gone out of style since after our fourth year.” Draco explained.

“Why?”

“When Voldemort came back, it put a damper on things.” Ginny explained.

“It was mostly a way for the gross pervy older wizards to look at pretty young girls.”

Hermione deflated a little. “Oh.”

“Don’t tell me you wanted to go, Mione.” Ginny moaned.

“Well, not anymore… it sounds silly.”

“I’m sure.” Ginny drawled.

“I really liked the Yule Ball. It was the first time, and probably the last time I felt… I dunno… pretty. But then… it ended in me crying on the stairs.”

Ginny nodded.

“Why were you crying?” Draco asked.

“Ron.” Ginny and Hermione said at the same time.

“What did he do?”

Ginny looked to Hermione, and Hermione sipped from her goblet of water. This was the conversation she and Ron had kept secret. Ron was quite embarrassed, and Hermione mortified. Harry never asked.

She kept it secret shortly after their fight because she couldn’t get through retelling it without crying and acting like a witless woman. When they started dating, Ron never apologized or broached the subject about the unkind words he had said to her. However, it was almost as if a silent agreement between the two of them was said that Hermione wouldn’t ever talk about it, as long as they were together.

But now they weren’t together, and Ron really hurt her over the summer. It was the last straw, and so for the first time in five years, she recounted the story.

“He came up to Viktor and me, and said that he was just trying to sleep with me.”

Ginny’s eyes went wide. “In front of Krum?”

Hermione nodded looking hard at her, not wanting to see the look on Draco’s face. “He also said… it should’ve been obvious, because I’m typically a mess, and my dress was terrible---”

“I loved that dress!” Ginny yelped then whipped her head to Draco. “Didn’t you love her dress?”

“I… don’t remember it truthfully.” Draco swallowed.

“He said… if I was really being honest with myself, I knew that was the truth. Then he talked about my teeth and how I shaved them down. And the whole reason Viktor wanted to sleep with me was to get information about Harry winning the Triwizard Tournament.”

“In front of Krum?” Draco gaped.

Hermione nodded. “Viktor was frustrated, and he couldn’t translate fast enough what he wanted to say, so Ron used that as proof that Viktor was ‘caught in the act’ and demanded that I rejoin Harry and him. Viktor was so flustered that he left, and I tried to get him to stay, but then it looked… clingy. So I turned and yelled at Ron, who yelled at me…”

“Then you were crying on the stairs?” Draco asked.

Hermione nodded. “Then I was crying on the stairs.”

“Ron is an idiot, Hermione. Even Fred was saying how beautiful you were. Hermione. Look at me. If I played for your team, I wouldn’t ever let you leave the bedroom.” Ginny said.

Hermione snorted. “Thanks, Gin.” She rolled her eyes.

“And you haven’t danced since?” Draco asked.

A memory shot through her. “No. I danced at Bill and Fleur’s wedding. Before it was interrupted by the fear of impending death. Then while we were on the run, and Ron had left Harry and myself, Harry danced with me trying to cheer me up.”

Ginny laughed. “How would that cheer you up?”

“He’s a horrible dancer.” Hermione laughed.

Ginny threw her head back and cackled.

“Did it cheer you up?” Draco asked, twirling his fork between his hands.

“Oh, immensely. But it was short lived. We were on the run, and that horcrux sucked the life out of everything.”

“You had a horcrux?”

Hermione nodded at Draco. “We were trying to destroy it. That’s what we were trying to do with the year-long camping trip.”

He nodded. “I didn’t know. I thought you three were on the run for the fun of it.”

Ginny laughed. “For the fun of it! Harry breaks up with me, bloody stupid move, just for the fun of it.”

Hermione rolled her eyes at Ginny. “He didn’t know, Gin. Be nice.”

“Well, Granger… if you ever need cheering up, I can dance with you.” Draco offered.

Hermione blushed. “Thank you… I’ll hold you to that.”

He grinned, then turned to Ginny. “You and Potter are together again?”

Ginny nodded. “Yes, and if he wishes to see his twenty-first year he’ll marry me.”

Draco laughed. “Will he?”

Ginny looked at Hermione.

“Oh, absolutely not. I will not tell you what Harry has or has not planned.”

“You can tell Malfoy. And I’ll just happen to hear it.”

Hermione giggled. “Nice try, Gin.”

Ginny sighed. “What if I promise that you’d be one of my maids of honor?”

“One of? Who else do you got?” Hermione asked in mock hurt.

“Luna… Fleur.”

“Fleur? As your maid of honor? Do you not remember what she stuffed you in at her wedding?” Hermione asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes. Now it’s my turn to stuff her into something equally as horrible. Trouble is, everything looks good on her. That’s the trouble with one quarter veelas.”

“Is that what she is? I thought she was just naturally beautiful.” Draco pondered aloud.

“You’re such a horrible sister in law. I’m so glad I’ll never marry Ron.” Hermione added.

“Come now. I still have---” Ginny counted on her fingers. “Good gods woman, all my brothers are either bloody stupid, you’ve kissed them, or they’re taken. The only two left is Percy and Charlie.”

“That is a no on both.” Hermione shook her head.

“You and Percy could go far. You both are… swotty.”

Draco snorted.

“Why not Charlie?”

“Nothing can come between the love Charlie has for his dragons, sorry Mione, it wouldn’t happen.”

“Ah, but there’s the thing that Percy is gay…”

“Right.” Ginny nodded.

“What?” Draco coughed.

“Percy’s gay… he and Oliver Wood.” Hermione shrugged.

“You’re joking.”

“No.”

“How did… everyone take it?”

“Very well, thank you. Only Ron was a prat.” Ginny smiled.

“What do you mean?”

“He was moaning ‘Oh, how can you destroy the Weasley line? You’ll never have kids, Perce.’” Ginny said in a fairly accurate imitation of Ron.

“He came around eventually. Realized he was being dramatic.” Hermione rolled her eyes.

“As if there weren’t six other Weasley’s to continue on the male line.” Ginny rolled her eyes.

Draco nodded and looked at Hermione. She smiled.

“Anyways, we spilled our guts about gossip, your turn, Malfoy.”

He laughed. “What do you want to know?”

Ginny hummed and smiled smugly.

At the Quidditch match, Hermione and Draco went together in show of house unity. Draco wore a scarf borrowed from Hufflepuff’s lost and found, and a Ravenclaw button. Hermione had found a Ravenclaw’s blue and gold headband and Ginny had woven it into a messy fishtail braid for her. She had located a pair of mittens in Hufflepuff’s colors.

Those same mittens were clinging onto Draco’s arm as they walked to the top of the pillar where they were meant to sit. She kept apologizing and trying to release her fingers from his arm, but every time she felt like she was about to lose her balance and clamped down on his arm once more. She was sure he’d have bruises on his many scars on his arms in the shape of her fingers.

Draco was patient with her, and occasionally chuckled at her for apologizing. They finally made it to the top, and Hermione struggled to keep her eyes on the horizon.

A short pixie-like woman waved at Draco.

Hermione gauged the look on his face. Confusion, then recognition. “Mrs. Jones!” He greeted.

“Tonya, please. How are you Draco?”

“I’m doing well. Yourself?”

“Fantastic! It’s a wonderful day for Quidditch. Is this the Quidditch prodigy? Ginny Weasley?” Tonya asked, sticking her hand out to Hermione.

“No, this is Hermione Granger. She’s the Golden Trio’s Golden Girl.” Draco introduced.

Tonya gasped. “I should’ve recognized you!”

She and Hermione shook hands.

“Have you ever played Quidditch?”

Hermione shook her head. “No, ma’am. I’m actually quite terrified of heights.”

“Pity! Pity! You would make a good seeker.” She gushed.

Hermione laughed nervously. Thinking about the first Quidditch game she had watched with Harry. He took the dive for the snitch headfirst. She remembered thinking: “I’m not ever going to do something so stupid and reckless.”

“Tonya, I hope you’ll still come on the twentieth, that’s the match with Ginny Weasley.” Draco commented.

Tonya nodded. “That is the plan, I was just so excited to get your letter that I thought I’d visit in person. Where is this Ginny Weasley? If Draco Malfoy is telling me I should look at her, I should look at her. Am I right?”

She asked this of Hermione who blinked and stared up at Draco.

Draco looked abashed. “She doesn’t really know, Tonya…”

“Oh! Well…”

“Know what?”

“I was… supposed to be…” Draco shoved his hands into his pockets.

“He was to start with the Irish. Keeper.”

“You didn’t tell me that!” Hermione gasped.

“It didn’t happen.” He muttered and grimaced.

“What happened?”

“The… trial. Some stuff about how… they didn’t want to put a potentially convicted boy on their team. So…”

“He was blacklisted!” Tonya hissed, shaking her head angrily.

Draco shrugged. “Rightfully so.” Rolled his eyes heavily.

“Miss Granger, have you seen him play?”

“Only as a Seeker.” Hermione shrugged.

“Well. You don’t know this man’s talent as a keeper. If he were a woman he would be on my team. I swear by it!” Tonya insisted then reached forward and grasped Draco by his forearms. She added in a low whisper. “Have you thought about what I have offered over the summer?”

Draco nodded. “Yes.”

“And your answer?”

Draco smiled mischievously. “I haven’t even graduated, Tonya.”

“Doesn’t matter!” She insisted.

“Well… see if you like Weasley. Then we’ll talk. You never know, maybe I’m just a blind fucker.”

Tonya threw her head back and laughed. “Oh, Draco, you kill me.” She patted him on the cheek and walked to her seat.

“We’re at the front, Granger. If you want to reapply your tourniquet that you call a hand on my arm once more.”

“Dear wizard gods.” Hermione moaned and seized his arm once more.

Draco chuckled under his breath.

“Who thought this was a good idea? McGonagall? I doubt it. Let’s put the muggleborn petrified of heights at the top of the tower. We should call Witch Weekly for the exclusive.” Hermione looked down and lost her balance a little. She yelped.

“I got you.” He promised and reached out for her mittened hand.

“Thank you.” Hermione sighed and he helped her into her seat.

He sat next to her and waited patiently for the game to start.

“That’s why you’re not playing Quidditch this year?”

He turned a raised eyebrow to her.

“Because you got blacklisted?”

“What? Oh, no… I’m not playing Quidditch because the Slytherin house has effectively turned their back on me. I testified against the last ‘good’ pureblood, and my blood is ‘dirty’ so… therefore…”

“That is horribly backwards.” Hermione scoffed.

His face broke out into a grin.

“We fought for literally the opposite of what they’re doing to you.”

“If you remember, dear witch, up until the last bit of April of that year I did nothing for the side you were on.”

The scrape of his sleeve against her cheek. His eyes bore into hers. “Hang in there, I’ll try and get you out.” Hermione shook her head partly to clear the memory. “Still. The war is over, the good won.”

“‘Soldiers, when committed to a task, can’t compromise. It’s the unrelenting devotion to the standards of duty and courage, absolute loyalty to others, not letting the task go until it’s been done.’” Draco quoted.

Hermione stared.

“Although if you ask me, the loyalty and courage bit is hogwash. But the quote rings the same.” He noticed her staring. “What?”

“That’s from a muggle.”

“I am aware.”

“Where did you---”

Draco shrugged. “Sometimes I need to read something other than history of magic.”

“So you read muggle history?”

“Yes.”

“You continuously surprise me, Draco.”

He laughed. “Please, Granger… it’s military history. It’s not that far of a leap from what I used to read.”

She settled.

“It’s why I don’t harbor too many bad feelings with them. For them, they lost the war, but they’re still hopeful that the war will be won in their favor. At the end of the day, we all were just child soldiers. No matter what side we stood on, we all drew the short end of the stick. It’s when they act like prats and arseholes that I lose my temper.”

Hermione smiled. “Politics.”

He laughed. “Politics.” He nodded.

“What’s the offer Tonya had for you?” Hermione asked.

Draco bit the inside of his cheek. “She wants me to coach. For the Harpies. The current coach is planning on retiring in the next few years. I would be hired on as assistant coach with the promise that eventually I’d be head coach.”

“That sounds great!”

Draco nodded, rolling his eyes. “I think it’d be a foolish move for Tonya. She’s already risking a lot in her circles talking to me.”

“Because you’re blacklisted?”

“Yes.”

“You should take it.”

He sighed. “I want to play Quidditch.”

“It may be the only way you can.”

“You’re right, but… I need to drag my feet for at least a few more months before I agree.”

“You’d be a great coach, too.”

“Thanks, Granger.”

“McGonagall wants to see us.” Hermione said reading through her mail after the Quidditch game.

“You’re shitting me. Do you think she knows about the fire whiskey?” Draco moaned.

Hermione laughed. “I hope not. We still have three quarters of a bottle. I intend to use all three quarters up.”

“Well. When?

“Tonight before checking the wards.”

They trudged up to McGonagall’s office, and rode the stairs mostly looking in seperate directions due to sheer exhaustion. Hermione heaved a large yawn as Draco knocked on the door.

“Enter.”

They did, and found themselves sitting across from McGonagall’s desk.

“It has come to my attention that several of your nights checking the wards have been met with some trouble?”

They blinked at her.

“Madam Pomfrey has informed me about your fall, Ms. Granger, and Filtch has complained loudly about your blood smeared through the corridors?”

“Right.” Hermione nodded.

“We had a run in with the giant spiders, Headmistress.” Draco supplied.

It didn’t help the situation. McGonagall’s lips were pursed tightly. “Well. Though you are both over age, you are still under the protection of Hogwarts. It is my job to ensure your safety. Therefore, tonight will be the last night you check the wards until we come up with a better system. Hagrid is offering a thestral for you to use.”

“Headmistress…” Hermione tried.

She raised her hand. “It is already done. The other teachers are aware. If anything changes, I will inform you both. This will not negatively affect any letters of recommendation for either of you. Thank you.” McGonagall nodded.

As soon as they left her office, Hermione huffed. “We can take care of ourselves.” She grumbled.

“Clearly.” Draco rolled his eyes.

“You’re not upset by this?”

“No. It means I get a few more hours of sleep now.” Draco shrugged.

“Not the point. We can do this.”

“I don’t think it’s a matter of if we can or cannot do this, Granger. I think it’s more of a matter that we seem to be magnets for trouble.”

“We’re not magnets .”

“I think we are; Spiders, you breaking your ankle…”

“Two incidents! Two! Out of…” she did the math. “Ten weeks. That’s only twenty percent of the time.”

“Let’s not argue, Granger.” Draco bemoaned.

“Why?”

“Because if I’m being honest, I hated going through the forest to check the wards. Now I get to get a few more hours of sleep, and not have to worry that I’ll be eaten by carnivorous spiders. Now let’s get you an extra coat, because it’s quite chilly out there, and get to Hagrids.”

“No!”

“No?”

“I don’t need an extra coat.”

Draco surveyed her.

She wore a light brown sweater with dark wash blue jeans. Her dragonhide boots were the only sensible thing to wear.

“You’re going to be cold, Granger.”

She gestured to him. He wore a large coat over a baby blue sweater. Under that, he had a white collar poking out from a dress shirt. His pants looked thick, and his own dragon hide boots were shining with magic.

“And you’re not going to be borrowing mine.” he teased.

“Well… if we’re riding on the back of a thestral. I don’t foresee this taking long.”

He laughed meanly. “You’re joking.”

She straightened. “Fine.” she huffed and stalked out of the castle.

“Granger!”

“Nope!”

Draco sighed and followed behind her.

The moment she walked out of the doors to the castle, she regretted her decision. The cold felt like thousands of little needles poking her skin, goose flesh pebbled up under her skin. She considered turning around and letting Draco tease her for the rest of the day, but decided against it.

She warmed a little when they got to the wooden bridge.

“Cold?” Draco asked. He had pulled out a black beanie and had shoved it over his ears. The tip of his nose was red.

“No.”

“Yes you are. Take my gloves.” he started to tug them off.

“I don’t need them.” She lied.

“Granger.”

“Really. I’m fine.” She walked faster.

Draco said nothing else.

They hiked down to Hagrid’s hut, and a large gust of wind shot through Hermione. She shivered, but then gritted her teeth to keep it under control.

Draco noticed. “Are you okay?” he asked.

“Fine.”

She approached Hagrid’s hut first. Noting that he was in his garden in the back.

“Hermione! Aren’t yah cold?” Hagrid asked. Hagrid wore a fleece lined coat that looked soft as a pillow.

“I asked the same thing.” Draco muttered.

“No.” Hermione rolled her eyes.

Hagrid raised a furry eyebrow, but turned back to his squash and cabbages. Pulling them. “I’m harvesting before the freezing rain tonigh’.”

“Freezing rain, you say?” Draco asked.

“Yeh.” Hagrid nodded.

“Did you hear that, Granger, freezing rain? Not snow, not hail… freezing rain.”

“I heard him.”

“A bit o bad news for yeh.”

“What’s that?” Hermione asked.

“I only manage’ to get one thestral tonigh’. She’s up at the front. Will ye be okay with sharin?”

“We’ll manage.” Hermione nodded.

“Thank you, Hagrid.”

Hagrid looked suspiciously at Draco and nodded. “Take care of ‘er.” He warned.

“We will.” Draco nodded and steered Hermione with a hand on the small of her back to the front of the hut.

They located the thestral and Draco helped Hermione mount first before settling behind her.

“You should mention that you met Newt Scamander.” Hermione chattered.

“To who?”

“Hagrid. That’ll help probably getting on his good side.”

He nodded, then gracefully snapped the reigns of the thestral and they were in the sky.

Hermione shook, partly from the cold, partly from the anxiety that flying came with. Draco didn’t help the situation, by laughing so close to her ear that it sent different sorts of shivers in her body.

“What are you laughing at?” Hermione snapped.

“Just wondering where all this Gryffindor courage is being used up? Or are you too stubborn to admit you’re cold, and that’s using up all your courage, dear witch?”

Hermione stiffened. “I am not cold. I am not scared.”

He just laughed, again, and they flew to the back of the forest. The wind bit through her skin, she had lost all feeling in her fingers. She was sure the tip of her nose had snapped off and she hadn’t even noticed. They flew higher, and she clamped her thighs down on the body of the undead horse. Through her jeans, she felt her legs rub uncomfortably with gooseflesh.

“You okay?” Draco asked in her ear.

She refused to look at him, but to answer him, he would hear her chattering teeth. Instead, she grunted out “Fine.”

They landed about five heart pounding minutes at the border.

Draco leapt off and offered a hand for Hermione.

“I can get off on my own.” she remarked unkindly.

He blinked and frowned. “Alright, Granger.”

Hermione struggled her way down, her foot catching in the reigns.

Draco caught her easily.

Then it began to rain.

Freezing rain was a poor description. Glacial downpour would've been better. Within moments, both Hermione and Draco were drenched.

Draco cast an umbrella over both of them and they walked. After a long while, they hadn’t come across any holes. “Alright, let’s go back. Slughorn did the wards last night.” Draco commented.

“I know the schedule.”

“And Brindlemore is supposed to do them tomorrow.”

“I am well aware---”

“Let’s just… call it. Granger. Let’s go back to the office.”

“No!”

“McGonagall will understand. Let’s go back and catch up on some homework, maybe even read a book.”

“McGonagall would be furious and it would just serve the point---”

“Then we won’t tell her.”

“So lie.”

“No, we just wouldn't tell her.”

“A lie by omission is still a lie.” Hermione shoved her freezing fingers into her pockets hoping for a little bit of warmth. There was none.

“I seem to recall a lie by omission that you had under oath.” Draco muttered.

She turned to him in a fury. “What is that supposed to mean?” Hermione asked furiously.

He smirked, then it faltered. He cleared his throat looking away. “Nothing… but, listen… We’re wet, and cold. McGonagall will understand.”

“I’m not cold.”

“But I am.” he insisted.

She glared daggers at him.

For effect, he shivered. “I’m freezing Granger. Let’s go.”

Hermione opened her mouth.

“No, I’m not leaving you here.” He sighed, a cloud of steam billowing from his sharp lips.

She closed it.

“Let’s get back to our office. Catch up on school work. Read a book?” He shrugged.

Hermione sighed precious heat from her nose. “Fine. But if McGonagall---”

“I’ll take the fall, I promise.” Draco swore and offered a hand to help her on the undead horse.

She wiggled her numb hand out of her wet pocket, and reached out to his outstretched mitten one. He leapt in behind her, moving closer so that Hermione could feel the warmth pressed against her back. He wrapped his arms around her, and reached for the reins. The thestral shot off and into the air, Draco had to drop the umbrella charm, and they both faced the freezing rain together. He steered the thestral back to the front doors of Hogwarts, and helped Hermione down. They both were drenched. Hermione stopped hiding her chattering teeth. He removed the reins from the thestral and saw it fly off, before tugging her inside and bringing her to their office.

He performed a quick drying charm on her, but not him. He began patting down her pockets.

“What are you doing?” Hermione demanded.

“Just… wait.” Draco coughed.

“What are---”

His hands moved to the seat of her jeans, she jolted.

“Hey!”

“I’m looking for something.” He hissed.

“What?”

His hand stopped at her right front pocket. He reached two long fingers in and tugged. A palm sized selenite stone, wrapped with twigs and animal teeth. It was tied with blue and black cord and stamped with wax and---

“Is that blood?” Hermione asked.

“Yeah.” He nodded and tossed it into the fire. He turned to her. “Freezing curse. Happen to piss off anyone recently?” He asked, pushing back his wet locks.

Hermione felt warmth coming back to her toes first. “A handful of seventh year Slytherins.”

He snorted. “That’ll do it.”

“How did you know?”

“I didn’t until I looked at your mouth.” He blushed.

Hermione lifted her fingers to her mouth.

“You breathed out, and your breath didn’t fog up. But your lips were blue.” He performed a drying charm on himself, then walked her to the couch. He summoned blankets for the both of them, and pulled her into his arms. He was wonderfully warm.

Silence passed through the two of them. Hermione stared at the fire, and Draco stared at the fire. Both trying their hardest not to look at each other.

Hermione broke it by wiggling a little closer to him. “Sorry I was so snappy.”

He chuckled deep and low. “It’s okay, Granger.” He said into her hair.

She moved her legs so that they crossed over his lap. He covered them with a blanket warming her.

“It’s really nice what you’re doing for Ginny.”

He shrugged. “She’s a good Quidditch Player. Just because she’s a Weasley, and a girl shouldn’t bar her from that. Besides, I still feel like I owe Mr. Weasley.”

Hermione pressed her cheek on his collarbone. Oh wizard gods, when did she ever get so comfortable being so close with him? He didn’t complain, and he was still the only heating source besides the fire.

“Why do you think that?” She asked.

He shrugged with his other shoulder, as to not disturb her. “After everything he did for me at the trial. He… he could’ve said no.”

Hermione shook her head brushing the back of her hand against her nose. “He wouldn’t have seen it that way.”

“I do, and that’s what matters.”

Hermione paused for a long time. “Why did you ask him?”

Draco shrugged. “Few reasons. One, I knew it would piss my father off. Two, I hoped it would give Mr. Weasley a chance to prove that he was the better father between the two. Three, I needed an ally. I hoped he would be that for me. Four… if you repeat this to anyone, I’ll straight out deny it.”

She snorted and lifted her face to meet his. “Go on.”

He took a deep breath. “I… I always wanted siblings. Mind you not seven for the love of Merlin. But---”

“Me too.” She smiled.

“And their lives… so messy and chaotic. It’s never a dull moment, right?”

“ Never .” Hermione shook her head.

“At meal times with my father. He liked it quiet. Not even the scrape of utensils on plates. I was almost always punished for talking or being loud if I did talk. The only phrase he allowed was ‘pass the salt and pepper, please.’”

“I couldn’t imagine that even with my muggle parents.”

Draco nodded and located her hands. Bringing them to his mouth to warm them. He cupped them in his.

“Did your father testify?”

He nodded, staring at their hands.

“What did he say?”

He frowned deeper. “Somehow I don’t remember it exactly. He was yelling a lot. He brought up that he had every right to do what he pleased with his family, behind closed doors. We broke for lunch, and I remember thinking… ‘He’s right. As long as it’s in the house, his property, he has every right to do what he pleases.’”

“You know that’s wrong, right?”

He gave a sound between a laugh and a sob. “I suppose that’s another reason why I asked for an advocate. I knew my thoughts would get tangled up in the worst ways. Mr. Weasley showed me a different way.”

“How?”

He looked at her finally for the first time. A soft grin tugging at his lips. “Let me ask you a question, for a change, Granger.”

“Okay.”

His eyes met hers, and she watched them flick down to her lips.

Instinctively, she licked her lips.

“Why’d you kiss me?”

“I…”

“That night, after I helped you with your ankle. Why’d you kiss me?” He asked again.

“I… don’t know.”

He smirked. “You said something about how it was morning, technically the next day and then kissed me. Is there some ritual that I’m not aware of? Should I be kissing the first pretty witch I see and running off every morning?”

Her breathing hitched. “I… I wanted to thank you.”

“With your mouth?”

“Yes.”

He laughed softly. “Do you… want to thank me again?”

“What for?”

“I saved you from a nasty frostbite, I did.”

“Madam Pomfrey---”

“Sure.” He rolled his eyes teasing.

Hermione was at a loss for words. “I do.”

His eyebrows raised a hair. “Really?”

She bit her lip and nodded.

“You don’t have to.”

“I want to.” She looked at his lips this time.

He leaned in closer, their noses brushing. Their breaths mingled with each other. He smelled of clove. She pulled back a little, staring into his eyes.

“What?” He whispered. His breath smelled like apples. Tart apples.

She fought not to drop her jaw. “I… I just…” She inched back slowly. It was just a mere coincidence.

Suddenly, something from her pocket burned white hot. Hermione yelped and jumped back, shoving her fist into her pocket to locate the fake galleon.

“What’s that?”

It cooled. “It’s the way Ginny and I communicate. I charmed a fake galleon.”

“What?”

She turned it over to look at the side of the coin. Emergency. Ginny. Gryff CR

“It’s an emergency.” she said and stood suddenly.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t… I don’t know. She never does this… I have to go.”

“Okay.”

She stared down at him. “Sorry. I really… wanted to thank you.”

He stared back. “Right.” He moved blankets over himself.

She said a hurried: “Good night!” and dashed out of their office.

Hermione found herself running through the darkened corridors to get to the Gryffindor common room. By the time she had gotten there, all of her heat had finally returned, and a light sheen of sweat made her skin sticky and smell vaguely sour. Once after she huffed the password to the common room, she fell in, and scrambled looking for Ginny.

Ginny Weasley was sitting on the couch, staring at the dying fire. Hermione shook out her wrist. It was nearly three in the morning, and everyone else had gone to bed. Ginny had remained.

“Gin?” Hermione asked.

Ginny didn’t respond.

Hermione approached softly, wondering if Ginny had fallen asleep. But her posture was ramrod straight, and when Hermione approached closer, her eyes wide open, the dying embers dazzled in her glassy eyes.

She sat and gently rubbed Ginny’s arm up and down. “Gin? Are you okay?” She asked.

Ginny blinked and looked at Hermione. “Oh.”

“Hi. Are you okay? I got a message saying there was an emergency.”

Ginny shook her head softly. “I’m… I’m not okay.”

“What’s wrong, Ginny?” Hermione asked.

She opened her mouth then turned to the fire. “We were at practice today, and… I’ve been feeling off all week.”

Hermione nodded as if she knew, but truthfully she hadn’t noticed. Looking back, Ginny did seem more reserved, but Hermione at the time chalked it up to exhaustion and mild case of the nerves for the next week.

“Parks…” Ginny closed her eyes and shook her head. “Parks and Smiths, they're our beaters. Parks nearly fell off of his broom, and Smiths went to go catch him. When Parks righted himself I wanted to… I wanted to mention it at the end of the practice as we were going over the plays.”

Hermione stroked Ginny’s forearm gently with the back of her fingers.

“Hermione… I called him Fred.”

Hermione nodded.

“And there I was looking like a complete… idiot.”

“You didn’t look like an idiot.” Hermione chided.

“No? Well then listen to this!” Ginny grabbed a stray pillow and hugged it to her stomach. An angry tear rolled down her face as she continued. “George had been asking me what you’d like for Christmas, and so reading today in a catalogue I saw a book I knew you’d like. I penned a letter and got halfway through writing it when I noticed I had addressed it to Fred, and not George.”

“Ginny, it’s an honest mistake… George would understand.”

“He would! But that doesn’t make me feel any the less stupid.”

“It’s not stupid, you’re just… your brain is trying to figure out what happened.”

“I know what happened!” Ginny yelped, she refused to look at Hermione. “Fred died not too far from where I sit right now. I can walk to it in my head. I can see the damn paintings that line the walls. I see them because I walk past them every day. Past that spot where I always think: ‘That’s where he died.’ So the fact that every day I think about it, and then suddenly twice in one day I call my dead brother’s name? What the fuck is wrong with me?”

“Nothing is wrong with you, Gin.”

“It sure feels like it!” Ginny’s chin chattered as if she were cold.

The fire started to spark with Ginny’s energy, Hermione didn’t make mention.

“When I pass by where the room of requirement is, I think of all the times I had to run in there with some first year who had gotten the Carrow’s pissed. I remember all the times Amycus…” Ginny closed her eyes and clenched her jaw.

Hermione sat and listened.

“I remember all the times Amycus tried to pull something with me. I always got away. But Luna was never lucky. Luna’s the trusting type, and I remember thinking… better her than me. Luna’ll get over it faster than me, and I hate myself. I hate myself for thinking that. When Luna went missing halfway through the year, I was scared, but not for her… for me. She’s supposed to be my best friend and I just… let that happen to her.”

“Have you talked to Luna about it?”

Ginny nodded. “I was right, she got over it faster than I would’ve. Doesn’t make me hate myself less.”

Hermione tucked a messy curl behind Ginny’s ear. “Let’s stop with the ‘hate myself’ talk, please?”

Ginny rolled her eyes. “I’ll try.”

“What else did Luna say?”

Ginny let out a watery sigh. “She was glad to step in… so to speak. She was… more worried that I wouldn’t be concentrating enough on keeping everyone safe if I were in that position.”

Hermione nodded. “You know, Gin, we all had to do things during the war that we didn’t like.”

Ginny clenched her jaw.

“The war turned us into people that we barely recognize. People that our younger selves would hate.”

“Didn’t turn you into anything bad.” Ginny spat and then closed her eyes. “Sorry, no… I didn’t mean it like that.”

“That’s quite alright, Ginny. It did change me into something bad. I can’t trust people, I have nightmares on the near daily. Panic attacks when I hear a loud noise or my routine is deviated by the slightest. But, do you think when I’m having a bad week that I should hate myself?”

“No.”

“Then you shouldn’t either. You’re just having a bad week, love.”

Ginny gave a watery sigh. “You’re right.”

“And, on the positive… it is a Saturday.”

“Meaning?”

“The week is almost over, therefore, your bad week is almost over.”

Ginny sighed deeply. “I’m so thankful to have you as a sister.”

Hermione laughed. “I’m not, though.”

“Nope. Already decided. I’ll owl mum the adoption papers. You’re my sister.” Ginny stated and put the pillow in Hermione’s lap and laid on it. She still stared at the dying embers.

Hermione put a protective arm over Ginny’s lithe body. “I am an adult now. I’ve been one for three years, now. I don’t think you can adopt an adult .”

“Semantics.”

Hermione chuckled softly stroking Ginny’s hair.

“Did I pull you from anything important?” Ginny asked, the sleep heavy in her voice.

“Oh, no… Draco and I just did our last ward check until McGonagall can figure out something safer for us. You know with me breaking my ankle, and Draco nearly being eaten by the spiders.”

“Oh?” Ginny hummed and yawned deeply. “Anything interesting?”

Hermione stilled, and bit her lip. “Uhm… well. Draco and I almost kissed.”

Ginny flopped onto her back. “WHAT? When?”

“Uhm… shortly before you sent the emergency message.”

“And you… you left the rich bachelor hanging?”

Hermione poked Ginny’s cheek. “To take care of my sister.” She said in mock anger.

“Bollox to your sister! Let her have her panic attack by herself. Kiss the rich young handsome fella with very nice legs.”

“I regret telling you that fact so much.”

“Hermione!”

“What? You said it was an emergency.”

“Yeah well… it was, but if I knew you were about to bang the prince of England---”

“Ginny!”

“Hermione!”

Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes. “One other thing I haven’t told anyone else… actually I’ve only told Ron half of this, the other half I figured out tonight…”

“Spit it out.”

“Fine. I noticed that amortentia smelled differently.”

“Okay.” Ginny narrowed her eyes.

“It smells instead of Ron and the Burrow, apples, clove, cinnamon, and now I figured out… Draco.”

Ginny’s jaw dropped. “Oh my wizard gods.”

“It doesn’t mean anything.”

Ginny snapped her mouth shut and rolled her eyes. “Piss off, Mione. It means something.”

“Ginny.” Hermione sighed.

“Hermione.” Ginny said in a mocking tone.

“I don’t know what you want from me.” Hermione shrugged.

“Next time, bang him, then come help me.”

“That is if there is a next time.” Hermione pointed out.

“NO! I will make sure there is a next time, damn it.”

“We should get to bed.”

Ginny groaned. “Fine, fine. Let’s go.”

The next Saturday, after a very busy and bustling week, Hermione, Draco, and Ginny were all eager to get to Hogsmeade. This month, there was the plan to have two visits to the little village. Not unusual due to the closeness of the holiday, and in any case, in December, there would only be time for one trip to Hogsmeade before the start of break. Hermione needed new quills as most of hers got misplaced. Draco needed new ink.

“I’ll go ahead and grab us a table. You two go to the shop.” Ginny offered.

“You don’t need anything?” Hermione asked.

Ginny shook her head. “If I do, I’ll just bum off of you.” She smiled.

Hermione rolled her eyes. “I bet you that’s where my quills got misplaced to.”

Ginny pranced off.

“If you’re willing, I also need more monkshood. You could accompany me.” Draco suggested.

“Why not?” Hermione shrugged.

The snow crunched underfoot for a few moments and as if both of them came to the realization, this was the first time they were alone, and not busy this entire week.

“So.” Draco cleared his throat.

“So.” Hermione said, ducking her head.

“Weasley seems to be extra nice to me recently, do you know anything about that?”

Hermione laughed. “I told her about the… other night, and she’s also really thankful for you owling Tonya.”

Draco shrugged. “It’s not a big deal. If all goes right, I’d be her coach. That she may have a disagreement about.” He smirked.

“Why’s that? Are you a mean coach?”

“I’m not nice.”

“Good. Ginny doesn’t like nice coaches.”

He sighed, his breath fogging out. “Ginny doesn’t know, does she?”

Hermione shook her head. “She knows nothing other than the other night.”

He stuck his hands in his pockets. “Ah.”

They resumed listening to the crunching snow.

Supplies in Hermione’s tote, they made their tracks to The Three Broomsticks. Ginny burst out looking stricken. “Mione, I swear to you I had no idea he was going to be here.”

Hermione frowned at Ginny. “Who?”

“Her--Hermione?” A very inebriated Ron asked as he walked out of the doors.

“Merlin.” Draco scowled.

“I need to talk to you.” Ron pressed on.

“I don’t think now is the best time, Ron.” Hermione chided.

“NO! No. Isss the best time righ’ now. Because I can say it.”

“Weasley, it is barely noon.” Draco rolled his lips in disgust.

Ron turned bleary drunk eyes on him. “Who’s asking you?” Ron attempted to roar, but it came out more as a complaint.

“Draco… you want to take a walk? I’ll catch up with you later.” Hermione asked.

“Yeh, take a walk Malfoy.”

“Ron, seriously.” Ginny scoffed and shook her head. She turned to Hermione. “Let me know if you need me. I have the galleon on me. Oi! Malfoy! Wait up!” She called and ran after Draco, her hands in her pockets.

Hermione watched them go, feeling only the weight of a small elephant of guilt. She turned to Ron. “Inside, let’s go.”

“I need to tell you that I still---”

“I’m not talking to you until you take a sober up potion.” Hermione snapped and guided him to the furthest corner booth table. The window faced the street. If Hermione didn’t know better, it looked almost romantic. The snow falling outside made it look like a picturesque scene from a Christmas card.

She sat Ron down, then walked to Rosmerta. “Can I get a sober up potion, and some fish n’ chips?”

She nodded and from under the bar, she pulled out a vial of a coffee like liquid with heavy swirls of cream. Hermione said her thanks and paid for the food and potion.

Hermione walked back to the booth where Ron was staring at his hand. “Here.” she said and handed him the potion.

Ron took it then dutifully drank.

The effect, thankfully, was near instantaneous. Hermione sighed as she sat, she crossed her arms and leaned back, staring at the snow outside. Strangely, she found herself thinking that the only person she’d want to be with right now, was Draco. She blinked the thought away, focusing on her ex boyfriend and friend in front of her.

Ron also sat back in the booth, eyes still watery. “I… I messed up. I see that.”

Hermione stared at him, lips practically glued together.

“I… I shouldn’t have done it. I hurt you and Parvati, and… it was wrong. Could you forgive me?”

Rosemerta placed a basket of fish and chips between them. Hermione stared at the chips. She wondered if she had forgiven Ron. If she hadn’t she wondered if she had space to forgive him. “It… I think… I think I can.” She nodded.

Ron looked relieved, and he reached forward to grasp her hands.

“But… we can’t go back, Ron.”

Now he frowned. “But you said---”

Hermione sighed. “I know what I just said. I have the capacity to forgive you, but… I don’t think we’re it. I think we’re better off as friends. And I’ve missed Ron Weasley, my best friend.”

Ron nodded.

“You had doubts about us, I know you did.” Hermione said softening and reaching for a chip. She wasn’t hungry, she needed something to do.

Ron hefted a long and loud sigh. “Yeah.”

She bit the inside of her cheek. “Especially after I told you that the love potions smelled different.”

He gave her a sad look. “I hoped you didn’t notice.”

She laughed softly. “You made it really hard not to notice.”

“What does it smell like?” He asked.

She opened her mouth, but stopped when Ron held his hand up.

“No. Never mind. I don’t want to know.”

Hermione gave him a sympathetic smile. “It is just a silly superstition.”

“Yeah, but see… it isn’t. Especially when you put so much into it.” Ron shrugged.

“Alright then, what do you smell?” Hermione accused.

He shifted a little in his seat. “I used to smell you.”

“And what did I smell like?” She rolled her eyes fighting a smile tickling her lips.

He blushed. “Uhm… Books… old parchment, that muggle toothpaste, and salt.”

The smile dropped. “Salt?”

“Yeh, like… sea salt.”

She thought of Draco. He said he smelled salt. “And now?” She asked.

His face paled. “Chocolate, lavender, coffee, and incense.”

“Is that what Parvati smells like?” Hermione asked.

He shook his head mournfully.

“Who then?” She laughed gently.

He bit the inside of his cheek. “Lavender… Lavender Brown.” He ducked his head.

Hermione felt her heart fracture. “Oh, Ron.” She reached for his hands and squeezed.

“Typical me, right? I always want the things I can’t have.” He grumbled.

She gave him a sympathetic look. “You’re not wrong.”

He squeezed her hands back.

“How did Parvati take it?”

“We’re not together anymore. At all.” He shrugged and looked up at her.

“Oh.”

“We’re still going to raise the kid though. We’re thinking about getting a three bedroom flat. Maybe even a house.” Ron shrugged.

“That’s great, Ron.”

He shrugged again. “I’ve also been seeing one of those muggle healers.”

Hermione blinked confused. “Muggle healers?”

“Yeah… Parvati insisted… it’s called… the muggle healers are called… a true-pist?”

“True-pist?”

“Yeah. I like go and talk to---”

“Therapist.”

“Yes.”

Hermione giggled.

“Anyways. She knows about the wizards and stuff, her sister was a witch. So it’s nice to talk to her. She… gives me little things to do that make my day better.”

“Is one of those things drinking a lot of alcohol before noon, and then harassing your ex girlfriend at school?”

Ron shrugged. “Technically, you’re in the village next to school, but I see your point.”

Hermione snorted.

Then, Ginny came by. “Merlin, don’t tell me you’re back together.” she groaned looking at their hands.

“No. We’re just commiserating in bad news.” Hermione insisted, smiling up at Ginny.

“Ah. Well. Are you alright going back alone? Malfoy got into a bit of a punchy mood, and---”

“Did he hit you?” Ron demanded.

“What?” No. A reporter was asking some crass questions. I slipped, he caught me, then more crass questions.”

“About the trial?” Hermione asked.

“At first yes, but then they weren’t. They were asking about you, me, and him.” Ginny explained.

“What?”

“Something about a threesome? If Harry would be heartbroken? I don’t know. It happened quite fast, Malfoy punched the guy in the nose, then the guy punched Malfoy then jinxed him. Then I jinxed the reporter, but now Malfoy won’t stop bleeding.”

Ron laughed meanly. “I’d love to see that ferret face caked with blood.”

“I mean… you can if you just look outside.” Ginny nodded out to the window.

Across the street, Malfoy held a bloody handkerchief to his nose. He was staring at the snow on the street, occasionally kicking at it. When he noticed that the three of them were staring at him, he locked eyes with Hermione, and nodded once. He looked away.

Ron snorted.

Ginny glared down at him. “I’ll have you know he’s helping me get a spot on a Quidditch team.”

Ron frowned up at her.

“He is different, Ron.” Hermione insisted.

“Piss off. You can’t go from one extreme to the good side in a year.”

Hermione bit her tongue.

“Well, he did.” Ginny insisted then turned to Hermione. “You will be alright?” She asked casting a weary side eye to Ron who was none-the-wiser.

“Yes.” Hermione nodded.

“See you in the dorms, then.” Ginny breathed and began to walk away.

“Good to see you, Gin.” Ron called after her.

Ginny froze, then walked back. “Yes. It was nice of you to sober up. Next time you want to embarass me, send a howler. Less traumatizing, equally embarrassing.” She spun on her heel and walked off.

Hermione watched as Ginny walked back to Draco and the two of them left for the train back to Hogwarts. Hermione watched until she couldn’t see them any more, though Draco had promised many times, she still felt like he could possibly hear them.

“He has changed, Ron.”

Ron rolled his eyes. “Gits like him don’t change, Hermione. They just get older and richer on their families money then become even worse.”

“You don’t seriously believe---”

“I do, because I have seven years---”

“Six.”

“Seven. I’m counting that day at the manor. He didn’t---”

“He did.” Hermione said before her words could catch up to her.

Ron blinked at her. “What?”

“He… comforted me.”

Ron closed his eyes. “For fucks sake, if this is anything like George comforted you, I don’t want to hear---”

“No!” Hermione yelped, turning red.

He sighed.

“When they were discussing what to do with me, about giving me to Greyback… he told me that he would try and get me out.”

“Bollox.”

“It’s true!”

“Maybe so, but if he did, he probably said it because he saw the war was going down, and---”

“His family had Harry, you, and me. They had all the pieces to win the war!”

“So?” Ron shrugged.

“So how could he have thought the war would’ve been lost if he could’ve won?”

Ron shook his head. “He was playing you. You see that, yeah?”

“I don’t think he was.”

“He was trying to get your hopes up so that---”

“No! Draco is nothing like that, even when he was a bully he never manipulated---”

“He did!”

“No.”

“Yes! All the time, Hermione.”

“Maybe so, but not the way he comforted me.”

“By promising---”

“That’s not all he did.”

“Then what?”

“He…” she stopped. It felt too personal. Too raw . She had told Harry and Ginny, but telling Ron would’ve been much different.

Ron waited. “He’s a git… a Deatheater, and he will always---”

“He’s not!” She yelped.

Ron closed his mouth.

“Believe me when I say that he has changed. Or don’t, Ron. I don’t really care.” She shoved the basket of cold chips towards him. She stood gathering her coat and bag. She didn’t know where she would go from here, but she couldn’t go back to the castle, not unless Draco was there. She turned to go, but his cold fingers grasped her wrist gently.

“Don’t leave like this.” Ron groaned.

Hermione paused and wrenched her wrist free from his grip. “You’re right. People like Draco don’t change overnight. But what you have neglected to realize is that people change when faced with trauma. Trauma that you may never understand.

“You also fail to see that Ginny and I have both spent the better part of three months with him. He’s different.”

He furrowed his eyebrows together. “Since when did you start calling him Draco?”

She sighed. “I’ll see you at Christmas, Ron.”

She walked into their office, and deduced quickly that Draco was in a sour mood.

“Hello, are you okay?” Hermione asked.

He nodded.

“Here’s your ingredients, and parchment. I should’ve handed it to Ginny when she came in, but I got so caught up.”

“It’s fine.” He muttered.

She set his things on his desk, and walked around to hers. She sighed as she sat. “Ron and I aren’t getting back together, if that’s what has you in a fussy mood.”

His face scrunched up. “Fussy mood? What am I a baby?”

Hermione shrugged. “Sometimes.”

He glared at her. “Don’t tease, Granger. I saw you two.”

“He was mourning over the death of someone. I squeezed his hands.” She rolled her eyes.

His jaw tightened. “Well, what do I care?”

She groaned inwardly, but decided to switch topics slightly. “What happened to that reporter?”

“I believe Weaslette told you.”

“Don’t start with the name---”

“She said she liked the nickname.” He defended quickly.

Hermione sighed. “Fine. She told me the gist of it. What did he say.”

Draco blinked and summoned her mug over and began to make tea. “It’s not worth repeating.” he muttered.

“But it was… worth punching him?” Hermione asked.

He scowled into his wolfsbane. “I don’t want to discuss it, Granger.”

“Because he asked about the trial?”

“No.”

“About Ginny?”

“No… yes…”

“About me?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t need protecting, Draco.”

He looked at her through his lashes. “It’s not that either. Just leave it alone.”

The next Monday is when Draco, Hermione, and Ginny reaped the horrors that were sewn on that Saturday trip.

The Tangled Web of Love, Drama, and Redemptions.

By Rita Skeeter.

“Honestly, how slow was the news?” Hermione groaned as she snatched her copy of The Prophet from the Owl and began to stalk back to the office while reading.

Miss Hermione Granger, you will remember when she was barely fourteen had a love triangle going on with Boy Who Lived Harry Potter, and famous and rugged Quidditch Seeker Viktor Krum. Catching up to her now it seems that Hermione Granger is no stranger to more danger. She and her on again off again Ron Weasley appears to be on again! Witnesses say they were talking about houses and babies. No ring in sight on Granger’s left finger. Meanwhile, Granger is also balancing this relationship with a dark and mysterious Draco Malfoy. Yes. Draco Malfoy who was just cleared of all charges for being a Deatheater.

However, Miss Granger shouldn’t feel too comfortable in this little triangle, as another player has come to roost. Ginny Weasley, youngest daughter of the Weasley family, and sister to Ron Weasley. Miss Weasley has been known to be dating Harry Potter, but caught just this weekend while Miss Granger was canoodling with her old flame, Mr. Weasley, Here is Miss Weasley being swept off her feet by Mr. Draco Malfoy!

Love is in the air and the web of lies is so large, many speculate how Hermione Granger can continue on without catching anything.

The picture mentioned in the Prophet was of Draco and Ginny walking, Ginny slipped. Draco caught her. She grabbed his arm for balance and he waited to make sure she was balanced before walking again. All in all, underwhelming.

“Oh my gods.” Hermione groaned.

Ginny passed by her, also reading the Prophet. “Yeah… well… I better owl mum, do you mind me going to your office?”

“Not at all.”

“I suspect the howlers will be arriving soon.”

Indeed they did. The first four came all addressed to Hermione who quickly sealed them in a silencing bubble charm and waited until all of them had ripped themselves to shreds before releasing them into the fire.

The next two came during Runes for Draco who was too late to cast a bubble charm on it but Hermione shot a quick incendio before both got through it’s message.

Ginny recieved another three during lunch, and she managed to keep the bubble charm around it until the last moment when she dropped it and the only two words that echoed through the Great Hall was “Fuck You!”

After those incidents, Draco and Ginny both decided to play hooky the rest of the day and hide out in the Head Office. Hermione stuck her chin out and completed the last of the school day.

Hermione brought the three of them dinner and watched while Ginny held a large ball the size of a Quidditch Hoop and it was filled with Howlers screaming at each other and ripping themselves apart. She watched with mild interest, while Draco was occluding.

“Makes you almost miss the war, huh?” Ginny asked cheekily.

“Any word from your mum?” Hermione asked.

“Who do you think sent him the howlers after lunch?” Ginny muttered scornfully.

“Damn, Draco. I’m sorry.” Hermione turned to him.

“She did send an apology, so I’m guessing she didn’t get the letter I wrote until after she sent the howlers.

The last of the howlers shredded themselves, but Ginny squinted at the bubble. Scrutinizing them. “Last time I thought they were finished they weren’t actually.”

“How long has he been occluding?” Hermione whispered, taking a seat next to Ginny who was sitting on the floor in front of the couch.

Ginny glanced at Draco. “Few hours. He told me he’s a legilimens. You didn’t tell me that.”

“It wasn’t my secret to share.”

“Fair.” Ginny shrugged, then guided the bubble to the fire and dropped the shredded paper on top of the flames. Most of them scattered like a horrific reminder of confetti, but most burned quickly away.

Hermione stood and walked towards Draco. He blinked and dropped his walls. “Bored house wives and husbands with nothing better to do. No need to apologize. No offence to your mother, Weaslette.”

“None taken. She was one of the thousand that sent us the howlers today.”

“She sent them to me.” Draco pointed out.

“Eh. Still, you deserve better.” Ginny said offhandedly and reached for her book.

Draco looked up at Hermione. “I lost my temper and I shouldn’t have. We’re all suffering, so I apologize.”

Ginny craned her neck to look at the two of them. “I never thought I’d see the day that Draco Malfoy apologized to me. Granted that reporter had that punch coming.”

“What did he say exactly?” Hermione pressed.

Ginny shook her head. “Not worth repeating, Hermione.”

Draco nodded.

The Saturday following was Ginny’s first Quidditch match, and after the three of them spending more time in the Head Offices the three of them were itching to get out and stretch their legs. Ginny woke Hermione early that morning. “I want to do your hair.” She said bouncing on Hermione’s bed.

“Huh?” Hermione asked, blinking the dreams out of her eyes.

“Your hair. I’m nervous, and I want to do your hair.” Ginny reiterated.

“Can I… get dressed?”

“Yes fine, hurry.”

“So bossy.” Hermione rolled her eyes and stumbled out of bed. She looked for her comfortable jeans.

“Those are in the wash, wear your black ones.”

“Those are so tight on me.” Hermione insisted.

“You look better in them.”

Hermione looked up at her.

“What?”

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing!” Ginny said in mock hurt.

“Ginny.”

“You look more curvy in those jeans, Hermione. I swear! Just wear them and get over here so I can do your hair.”

Hermione sighed and complied. She tugged on her black jeans and tossed on a baggy sweater. She then sat down at the base of her bed in between Ginny’s legs as Ginny began to comb out her hair.

Ginny tossed her hair back and forth, and finally settled it in a messy ponytail.

Hermione touched the pony gently. “I could’ve done that for you.”

“Yeah… well… do me next.” Ginny said, sliding off the bed.

Hermione chuckled. “What do you want, Gin?”

“Simple French Braid, nothing special.”

Hermione made quick work and as soon as she tied off the braid, Ginny was tugging her along.

They caught up with Draco at the Great Hall after Ginny swallowed some breakfast, and then finally, they walked down to the Quidditch Pitch.

“Good luck, Weaslette.” Draco nodded.

“See you guys after the game.” Ginny smiled and ducked into the locker rooms.

“Good luck, Ginny!”

They sat next to Tonya, and this time she got to see the amazing Quidditch player Ginny was. It made the win all the more sweeter when Tonya begged the two of them to introduce her so Tonya could offer her a spot on the Harpies team.

The reporter for the Prophet took a much different photo of Draco and Ginny. This time it was the two of them shaking hands with Tonya. Ginny as starting seeker for the Harpies, Draco as assistant coach.

Back in their office chattering away and warming up by the fire, Ginny finally spotted the bottle of Fire Whiskey.

“Oi, you two holding out on me?” She gasped and stood padding over to the bottle and wrenching it from the Bookshelf on Hermione’s side of the office.

“Nothing of the sort. We’re trying to get rid of it, but then it just became a really nifty bookend.” Hermione said.

“Good old fashioned drinking game would do it.” Ginny shrugged.

“We tried.” Draco drawled.

“What do you mean you tried ?” Ginny demanded.

“We got a total of five whole shots in before---”

“We passed out.” Hermione interrupted Draco.

“After five shots?” Ginny wrinkled her nose padding back to the coffee table.

“Yes.” Hermione nodded hoping she’d not ask anymore questions.

Her hopes were dashed when Ginny scoffed. “Hermione, I know that’s a load of crap because your drinking tolerance has gotten better over the years. Two, what drinking game were you playing?”

“Truth or Drink.” Draco answered before Hermione could cut in.

Ginny frowned. “You mean… Truth, Dare, or Drink?”

Draco looked at Hermione. “Granger said it was a popular Gryffindor game.”

Ginny snorted. “Uhhh… no. Truth, Dare, or Drink is the game, because if it’s just Truth or Drink everyone either gets weepy with just the truth. Drinking games are about fun and bad choices!”

They both looked at Hermione who was doing a very good job at not blushing, but a very poor job at looking guilty.

“You tricky little witch.” Draco scoffed.

“Well…” Hermione started.

“No, no. I told you I knew you were playing a game within a game.”

“Party foul Hermione.” Ginny tisked grinning evilly.

“This dinner was lovely, but I think it’s time to---”

“Oh no you don’t. I bared my soul to you Granger.” Draco sneered.

“He bared his soul.” Ginny mock gasped.

“Oh wizard gods.” Hermione rolled her eyes.

“We’ll play the real game until the very last drop.” Draco concluded.

“It’s… a bad idea.”

“You should’ve thought of that before you tricked me. I need to get even.”

“And I need to get drunk. I just got myself on a team that has a swimsuit catalogue, Hermione.”

Ginny set the bottle down on the coffee table with a ‘thunk’ and Draco conjured three shot glasses.

“Okay.” Hermione sighed.

Ginny cheered and flopped down on the floor.

Hermione fished out a coin. “Whoever gets heads goes first.” She flipped and swore. “Tails.”

Ginny flipped. “Tails.”

“If we all get tails, who goes first then?” Draco asked and flipped. “Ah. Heads. Never mind. Now what?”

“Pick one of us and ask truth or dare.” Ginny said, pouring a shot into each glass.

Draco turned to Hermione. “Truth or Dare, Granger?”

“Truth.”

“When was the last time you had sex?”

Ginny snorted.

“Really, Draco? Right out of the gate?” Hermione whined.

“Or take a drink.” He shrugged.

“Well, Ginny already knows the answer.” Hermione sighed.

“What would be interesting though is whether or not you tell him the answer.” Ginny pointed out.

Hermione sighed. “Never had sex. So there.”

“But you’ve kissed like a hundred people.” Draco teased.

“Exactly. Kissed.”

Draco raised an eyebrow. “Not even George Weasley? I heard he---”

“He came early.” Hermione interrupted.

Ginny clapped her hands to her mouth then laughed. “No he didn’t! Merlin! I gotta find a way to use that against him.

“Did you?” Draco asked.

Hermione just rolled her eyes and didn’t answer. Instead turned to Ginny. Then the three of them went back and forth, Ginny and Draco laughing mostly. Hermione just quietly annoyed. By the time Hermione noticed anything, both Draco and Ginny had drunk about a good half more of the bottle, and Hermione began to feel on the edge of drunk.

It was Ginny’s turn as she finished her shot. “Mione.”

“Truth.” The three of them said in unison.

“Granger, you keep choosing truth.” Draco laughed.

“I don’t!”

“You really do.” Ginny nodded trying to look sober.

“Where’s that Gryffindor spirit?” Draco demanded.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Hermione huffed.

“You’re just scared that we’re going to give you an embarrassing dare.” Ginny rolled her eyes.

“I am not.” She said with indignation.

“Mione… I promise. I won’t give you an embarrassing dare.” Ginny said, hand on her chest.

Hermione scoffed.

“So. You wanna try again? Herm--- Hermione. Truth or Dare?”

Hermione glared at Ginny. “Dare, fine.”

Ginny blinked at her. “Shit, I didn’t think it’d really work. Fine… I… I dare you to kiss Draco.” Ginny laughed loudly.

Hermione stared at her.

“And not… not that peck that you told me about. No. That almost kiss you had when you nearly froze to death and he…” Ginny pointed a drunk finger to a Draco who was beginning to sober up fast. “When he saved you.”

“Granger, you don’t have to.” Draco said, shaking his head.

Hermione sat up straight. “Why?”

“Because… we’re drunk.” Draco shrugged.

“I’m not drunk.” Hermione said, annoyed.

“I saw you knock back at least six shots, Granger. If you’re not drunk, then you have… a… sober up potion somewhere on your person that I don’t know about.” Draco chided.

Hermione stared at him, her eyes watery. “Do you not want to kiss me?”

Draco sighed. “See and it’s questions like that that make me… that that…. that’s correct grammar?” He asked Ginny.

“Fuck if I know. I’m gone.” Ginny shrugged.

“It makes me think that you’re drunk, and not making a good decision.”

Hermione rolled onto her knees and clumsily crawled over to him. Stealing herself, and feeling brave, she threw one leg over his hips. He helped her balance by setting one hand on her hip.

His steel blue eyes were wide as he watched her. “Granger. We don’t have to…”

“I want to.” Hermione said nose wrinkling.

He reached up and touched her nose. “What did I say about that nose, Granger?” He muttered.

Gathering her courage, she surged forward and pressed her lips onto his.

He groaned into the kiss, or maybe it was a strangled yelp, but Hermione didn’t care either way. She put her hands on either side of his face, kissing him deeper. She poured  

He kissed back suddenly, and she gasped into his mouth. That led him to pull her closer and gently nip at her bottom lip.

“I’m going to… head out.” Ginny muttered with a grin on her face.

He hadn’t shaved today, so his five o’clock shadow felt like sandpaper against her mouth. His mouth tasted of fire whiskey. Kissing him felt like coming inside from a cold day and sitting next to the fire. His hands splayed warm and steady against her low back and hip. She suddenly remembered in fifth year when he held her to him, but with her back facing him.

Oh wizard gods, she had felt his breath against the top of her ear, the same breath that she was currently taking away now.

His legs slowly unfolded and he guided both of them so they were laying on the floor.

She rocked her hips accidentally, against his bulge. They both groaned.

He moved his hands to her hair, still in the ponytail, she thought distantly. He loosened it and knotted his hand in her curls.

“Granger, fuck.” He breathed.

Hermione hummed.

“I… we… we need to slow down.” He panted.

Hermione pulled away. “Why?”

He laid back and laughed. “We’re drunk, and I don’t want your first time to be so inebriated that we both can barely see straight. Also, I don’t want to pull a George Weasley and come in my pants before I can get you off at least twice.”

She blinked at him then grinned.

He sat them up. “And we’re on the floor.”

“You could get the be---”

“Don’t finish that sentence. Because I will.” He said in a deliciously low voice.

Hermione bit her lip and grinned.

“Good gods witch, do you know the effect you have on me?” He whispered reverently. He patted her thigh twice gently and Hermione stood and sat on the couch.

He followed.

This time he guided her to lay down. He kissed her twice on her swollen lips, then kissed her cheek, then nose, then other cheek. His stubble scratched her along the way.

He made his way to her neck, where she gasped at the spot about a finger above her pulse. He chuckled lowly and bit it gently. Hermione arched and gasped her hands flying to his hair. She tugged on his locks.

He came back to her lips. This time she bit his bottom lip, and it was his turn to gasp.  She bit him again, and soothed it with her tongue.

His hand found the side of her ribcage where she was most ticklish. She squirmed under him.

“Dear witch.” Draco breathed, pulling away his eyes dark. “Don’t do that. You’ll drive me insane.”

She lifted her head to brush her lips against hers. “Maybe that’s what I want.”

He moved his elbows to either side of her head. He pressed himself on them to give her space. “Is it?”

Hermione nodded.

Draco drank in her face. “You’re not going to… change your mind tomorrow when we’re sober?”

“I won’t.”

“You might.”

She shook her head and lifted her head again just enough to kiss him, as if sealing a promise.

In his eyes, something sparked. Something he remembered. “Next Saturday, Granger. It’s another Hogsmeade visit. We should go on a date.”

Hermione beamed. “I’d like that.”

The rest of the week went on as typical, if not for the added effect that Draco and Hermione found nearly every chance they could to snog in the empty corridors and classrooms. If people didn’t know they weren’t together even by their blushes, general giddiness, or they somehow missed the loud proclamation that Ginny Weasley made at breakfast, they surely would’ve been blind.

Under the desk they would tangle their fingers together as the lectures droned on. They would study sitting on the couch laying on top of each other. He would gently comb her hair, and Hermione learned very quickly that he liked her hair in a ponytail. Ginny was very pleased with herself when Hermione mentioned it.

Friday evening, the night before their date, Ginny walked in with plates of food and the three of them sat at the coffee table to eat. Hermione felt a part of her heart mend, it was the part, she was sure, that had once been cracked by her parents, then broken by Ron.

They found themselves that morning in front of Madam Puddifoot's doors open and charmed so that heat wouldn’t escape the shop. What did escape was the gentle flow and beat of a ballad.

Draco tugged her close and she thought he was coming in for a kiss, but instead was surprised when he began to dance. He gave her a clean smirk, waiting for her to realize. She laughed at him. His hand on her hip, his other holding her hand. She slid her hand up his chest.

For a while they danced in the snow, missing their reservations, but they couldn’t find the heart to care. Not when they were in each other’s arms, dancing.

Hermione felt her heart sink. She would have never get this moment again. One day, Draco would leave her by choice or by force and one day they would only be a memory. She would grow old and weathered just like Trelawney said.

Draco noted this, and he too had grown pale. “Are you okay?”

“Dementors!” Someone shouted.

Hermione spun around and looked up. Circling the sky were several dementors.

“How did they get here?”

“I don’t think that matters right now. We have to run.” Draco dropped her hip and grasped her hand. They began to run back to the train.

“Where’s Ginny?” Hermione panted.

As if on cue, the redhead Ginny bounced up. “They’re swarming the train.”

“Shit.” Draco spat.

A plan formed in her head. “Do you know the patronus charm?” She asked Draco.

He shook his head.

She looked at Ginny.

“Happy memory, Expecto Patronum.” Ginny mimicked the wand movement with her index finger.

“Good. Draco, you gather all the students up. There’s a secret passage back to Hogwarts in Honeydukes---”

“I know.” Draco nodded.

She wanted to ask how he knew, but there was no time. “Good. Evacuate the students and get them back to the castle. Once there find McGonagall or Slughorn, both of them are powerful---”

A window broke in the distance cutting Hermione off.

“It doesn’t matter. You do that, Ginny, you're with me. We’ll hold them off---”

“I won't leave without you.” Draco said.

Hermione sighed. “You’re not going to. Just go! I’ll catch up.”

“Not without you.”

“Draco, seriously, it’s our responsibility to keep the students safe when they’re here at Hogsmeade.”

He glowered at her, then two quick strides forward and he kissed her soundly on the lips. “You make it back to me alive , Granger.”

“I will. You get everyone out.”

He nodded, and closed his eyes. He stepped back and turned on his heel gathering students and yelling to get to Honeydukes.

Hermione tore her attention back to the impending doom. She thought of just moments ago when Draco and she were dancing. She drew her wand “Expecto Patronum!” She yelled.

Her otter spilled out of her wand and provided a shield, pushing the dementors out of the way.

Ginny’s horse sprang from her wand and rammed several dementors away.

Aberforth came out of his pub, the goat easily springing from his wand. “Go! Get back to the castle!” He shouted at them.

Hermione distantly noted that this was the most they had spoken since the war.

One of the goats head butted the closest dementor.

“You go.” Hermione told Ginny.

“What?”

“Zonko’s is right there. I’ll check for stragglers.” Hermione wheezed.

“You sure?”

“Yes!”

Ginny put her wand down and ran without another word.

Her otter cut through a dementor as Hermione ran towards Zonko’s. She opened the door shouting. “HOGWARTS STUDENTS COME WITH ME!” When she noted it was empty, she backed out of the shop and began to run back.

Her otter ran out of steam, but she didn’t have the time to cast another.

A dementor stopped her.

The memory of when Ron told the whole family that he had cheated on her bubbled up. Her fingers went cold.

She shook as she waved her wand. “Expecto Patronum.”

Only sparks fell from her wand.

The dementor sucked it up greedily, then turned to her. Its pale clammy bone hands clamped down on her shoulders. She heard screaming and wondered distantly if that was what Harry was talking about when they first encountered the dementors.

The next thing she knew was black.

She woke up on the couch in the office.

“She’s awake.” Ginny said.

A pillow under Hermione’s head.

“Thank goodness.” McGonagall breathed.

“What happened?” Hermione groaned.

“Easy now.” Firenze said softly. He was kneeling down next to Draco. Draco was sitting on the coffee table

“The dementors tried to kiss you.” Ginny said she was sitting at Hermione’s feet.

“Why?” Hermione moaned.

“Why are you here?” Ginny asked for her.

Hermione nodded.

“Madam Pomfrey is a little backed up. We took you here.” Ginny answered.

“Miss Granger, you should eat some chocolate.” Firenze insisted.

Her head lolled to him, he handed her a little brick of chocolate. “Thank you.” She said and sat up slowly letting go of Draco’s hand to take the chocolate.

She bit into it and felt warmth and life rush back through her veins.

“Miss Granger, are you okay?” McGonagall asked.

Hermione nodded. “I have a bit of a headache, but Draco and I have some pain relief potions somewhere.”

McGonagall sighed deeply. “Good. I’m happy you’re still with us, Miss Granger. It would be a shame. But now I must attend to the angry letters that have no doubt arrived on my desk.” she gave a small smile.

Firenze followed her and bowed deeply to the three. “I hope to see you once more when the stars line up for a brighter evening.” He walked out with McGonagall.

Once the door closed, Ginny sprang to her feet. “Where were those pain relief potions?” She asked.

“Last I saw, my desk, left bottom drawer.” Hermione answered.

Ginny walked over and came back with a vial.

“Thanks.” Hermione mumbled and uncorked the potion and drank it down in one swallow.

“Draco found Slughorn first. Slughorn somehow ran all the way and he said he caught you just as the dementor was lowering its hood.” Ginny explained giving Draco a weary glance.

“What happened after?”

“I realized you didn’t go with Weasley.” Draco muttered darkly.

Hermione shook her head. “Aberforth was holding them off long enough for me to check Zonko’s.”

He growled.

“He realized you didn’t go with me, and he attempted to run back, but by the time… it had been too late. Slughorn had chased them all away and the students that were affected were lining up to the infirmary. Madam Pomfrey has been having a horrible day.” Ginny tisked.

It was silent.

“Firenze was in the area, and he ran back with you on his back. Pomfrey checked you out, and you… you were fine enough to not need the infirmary. But she did demand that you eat at least a pound of Chocolate.” Ginny added.

“Thank you, Ginny.” Hermione said and took another bite of chocolate. She stood and walked to her desk.

“Are you okay?”

Hermione nodded. “Yes. I think I’ll do some studying then go to bed. I’m a little wired.”

“You should rest.” Draco grumbled.

“I feel better when I study.” Hermione swore.

Ginny bit her lips together, then spoke. “Okay. Then I’ll head out. Some of the team got hit, and… I want to check on them.” Ginny stepped forward and hugged Hermione tightly.

“Oh!”

Ginny, not one for teary feelings, sniffled a little into Hermione’s shoulder.

“I’m okay, Gin.”

“Yes.” She pulled away and swiped angrily at her eyes. Ginny cleared her throat. “I’ll check on you tomorrow… or tonight… whenever you come back.” she smiled then left.

Hermione turned to the bookshelf.

The door clicked shut, signaling to both of them that Ginny had left their office. Draco stood and stalked to his desk, ripped open the drawer where he kept the small matchbox that would eventually be transfigured to his bed, and slammed it shut.

Hermione remained quiet, not facing him. Just staring at her bookshelf. She wiped her nose cautiously and let out the softest of sobs.

“You could’ve died.” Draco hissed.

Hermione dropped her head. Not pretending to look for a book anymore. “I know. You could’ve died, too.”

“That doesn’t matter. You…” He was right behind her.

She refused to turn around.

“Granger.” He growled.

She didn’t acknowledge him.

He grabbed her shoulders, and turned her roughly to him. She gasped and he took a step closer.

“You almost died.”

“I didn’t.”

“You almost died for me.” He snarled.

“I seem to remember a time where you said you were willing to die for me, what makes it so different?” Hermione snapped.

“Don’t.” He sneered.

“You’re a hypocrite.” She spat.

“Oh, don’t get all Hermione fucking Granger on me now.”

“What does that mean?”

“You act like you are so holier than thou. You broke the rules much more than I ever have.”

“We’re not talking about the rules!” Hermione yelled.

Draco grabbed her forearms. “If you had died, what happens to me?”

“You’d go on!”

“No.”

“Yes! You’d be fine with your mansion and your family’s money…”

“I DON’T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT ANY OF THAT.”

“WHY?” Hermione yelled back in his face.

He stared at her, incredulous. “Because!”

Hermione panted. “Why, Draco?”

“If you died… I…” His eyes watered.

“You’d be fine… I’m nothing.”

“The hell you are!” Draco scoffed.

They were both panting.

“Hermione… I…” Draco whimpered.

“Draco, you’d been okay if I died.” She reasoned.

He shook his head. “No. I wouldn’t be okay, Granger. I wouldn’t ever… If you died… I couldn’t… I would never be able to breathe ever again.”

She stared up at him.

He breathed heavily, his fingers still not softening their grip on her arms. “Dear witch…” his voice was impossibly thin and breathy. He blinked rapidly to clear the tears from his eyes.

Hermione was crying. She had hardly noticed.

Draco let go of her right arm, he shook out his sleeve, just like that day and wiped her cheeks. “I love you.” He whispered.

She gasped.

“I have loved you… since sixth year. When you visited me. After Potter that day in the bathroom.” His face broke.

She stood on her toes, and kissed him. His arms wrapped around her waist. He pulled her tighter to him. Her hands went to either side of his face, her nails scraping his scalp. His teeth gently tugged at her bottom lip, and a sob bubbled up from her chest.

He pressed her up against the bookcase, and held her tighter still. “I love you.” He whispered against her lips before pressing his mouth back on hers. His tongue pressed against her lips, tasting her. He guided her legs to wrap around his hips as he hiked her up and ran his fingers through her hair.

She pressed her lips against his and her fingers trailed down to his collar tugging him even closer. His stubble was like sandpaper against her mouth, but fuck she wanted more she needed more. She bit down on his lip, hard.

He kissed her slowly and then pulled away. His eyes dark. “Granger…”

“Draco… please.” she whined

“It shouldn’t be like this.” He shook his head.

She rocked her hips against his growing heat.

“Granger, we need to stop… slow it down.”

“No.” She pressed her lips against his and with nimble fingers unbuttoned the first three buttons.

“I… Granger. Your first shouldn’t be like this. Messy and…”

“It should. Messy and filled with feelings because… Draco Malfoy… I think I’m in love with you, too. Please. I need this… don’t you?”

He stared at her and then down at her lips. “You’ll hate me in the morning.”

She shook her head. “I won’t.”

“What if you do?” He asked.

She moved her hands to his face and made him look at her. “I don’t think I will ever have the capacity to ever hate you.” She tugged his face to hers and kissed him sloppily.

“Do you have… a contraceptive potion or something?” He asked in a low voice.

Hermione nodded. “Modern Spells for the Modern Witch, chapter eight…” She squealed as he yanked the two of them off of the bookshelf.

He deposited her on the bed. “Do you need to do it before or after?” he asked, kneeling over her body and hiking up her skirt to run his hands over her thighs.

Her mind went blank. “Do… do what?” she breathed.

He smirked. “Do you perform the spell after or before?” He leaned down and scraped his beard against her cheek gently.

She blinked. “Uhm… before. Before… where’s my wand?”

He tugged it from the waistband of her skirt, and handed it to her.

She quickly performed the spell.

“How long does it last?” he muttered

“A day. Twenty four hours.”

He groaned.

“Do you think you can last for twenty four hours?”

He snorted. “No, dear witch, I’m thinking about keeping you here for twenty four hours and having my way with you. You’ll tell me when you need to slow…”

“Shut the fuck up and kiss me, Draco.”

“Yes, Witch.” He grinned and bent down to kiss her soundly.

She went back to work on his shirt. It had so many damn buttons, but once she got to the last one she roughly tugged it off of his shoulders and pulled away from the kiss to look at him.

She had only caught glimpses the handful of times when he was hurt or when he showed her the werewolf bite scar. She had seen the scars from that horrible day in the bathroom. Her heart shattered looking at all the times he had been hurt badly enough that it left a mark on his body. She ran her finger over a scar, her eyes welling up.

“I… I can put my shirt back on--- ah!” He yelped as with shocking strength, she flipped them over on the bed so he was on the bottom.

She straddled his hips, and gasped when she felt his erection pressing against her underwear. She gave a gentle buck of her hips watching him. He gasped and reached for her hands, he missed and instead found her hips.

She bent down and pressed kisses to his collarbone, his chest, his stomach, then back up to his neck. She finished by pressing searing open mouthed kisses to his jaw. “You’re very pretty, Draco.” She whispered in his ear.

He laughed. “You’re prettier than me, Granger.”

She shook her head and bit gently on his earlobe then sat up. “Do you wanna help me?” she asked, fingering the hem of her black sweater.

He nodded and sat up just enough to help her tug it off revealing her bra. It was the color of blueberries and cream, and lacy. He reached up and palmed one of her breasts through the fabric. She bucked her hips again and he growled.

He moved back to her hips and flipped them over. He pressed a deep kiss to her biting her lip hard and eliciting a moan from her lips. Then he pressed a line of white hot kisses down to the valley of her breasts. He nuzzled the lace with his nose and bit down through the fabric.

Hermione gasped and moaned.

With another hand he lifted her leg and stroked it up and down leaving goose flesh in its wake.

He looked up at her with hungry eyes. “You okay?” he asked, eyebrow cocked, a grin on his lips.

She nodded.

He fingered the strap of her bra. “Can I… please?” he begged.

“Mhmm.” Hermione nodded enthusiastically.

He slipped the straps off of her arms studying them as they went down, he flipped the cups down. Then he stared.

Hermione’s chest heaved and she found herself sucking in her little stomach again, she breathed out letting it loose then, sucked it back in.

“Fuck me, Granger.” he whispered.

“I know they’re not… big.”

Confused dark sooty eyes looked up at her.

“What?” she asked, squirming.

“Your tits are amazing, love.” he whispered and palmed one while watching her face. He pinched her nipple with his thumb and index finger.

She groaned.

“Who said they weren’t?”

“Uhm… the… guys. Gryffindor boys mostly.” Hermione shook her head. Wetting her lips she added. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Clearly, they’d never seen you naked.” He said and then bent down replacing his fingers with his mouth.

She gasped, and her hand found the back of his head. He bit down hard and she yelped, nearly tearing out his hair in the process. He moaned and rocked his hips into hers.

She felt the cool air hit her undies and bit her lip. “Draco… Please I need…”

He sat up smirking. “What do you need, love?” He asked huskily.

“More, please.” She begged.

He bent down bringing her leg with him. His lips hovered over her. “Yes, love.” he whispered and kissed her deeply.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back with fervor.

“I’ve dreamed about this, you know?” He muttered against her lips.

“You have?”

He nodded and sat up both hands palming both of her breasts. Then slowly they moved downwards his cool fingers leaving a hot trail and resting at the waistband of her skirt. “Yes. Having you under me, begging and panting.”

Her heart clenched and she bit her lip.

“Granger, I want to make you come, can I?”

She nodded furiously. “Please. Please.”

He unzipped her skirt and helped guide her hips up to tug them down, he tossed it away. He bit his lip. “Matching undies?” he smirked.

She looked down, thanking her stars she actually had the thought to coordinate her underwear and bra. This too was the color of blueberries and cream, but she was certain she didn’t get the set at the same time.

“No stockings?” He asked pressing scratchy kisses to her stomach then her hip then her panties.

She gasped.

“We don’t want you getting cold, again, do we?” He nuzzled her stomach. She sucked in her stomach self consciously.

“I… forgot them.” she stuttered.

“Granger, it was snowing outside for Merlin’s sake. I can’t be there saving your perfect arse every time.”

“I was hoping it wasn’t as cold as it looked.”

“Did you skip the part where I reminded you it was snowing?”

“Fine. I was hoping you’d warm me up.”

“Ah. There’s the truth.”  He laughed and then sunk his teeth into her hip.

She yelped.

He soothed it over with his tongue. “Okay?”

“Mhmmm.” she breathed.

His hand fanned over her stomach. “You’re beautiful.” He whispered and moved back down and tugged down her panties.

“I don’t think I’m that---”

“You are.” He interrupted. Something caught his eye.

She trailed his eyes to her arm. Mudblood.

He looked back at her, sorrowful eyes. “You’re so beautiful, Hermione Granger. Do you know that?”

She blinked up at him. She wasn’t sure she trusted the automatic answer from her mouth.

He pulled her up so she straddled his lap. His nose and forehead pressing against hers. “I will tell you that everyday until you believe me. Then I’ll keep telling you. I promise.”

She wrapped her arms around him. “I’m a bit of a swot, I’ll get annoying after a while.”

He shook his head, grinning, forming to a smile. “Not going to get rid of me that easy, witch.” He laid her back down and slid down to her core. He looked up at her with the eyes of a man starving. “Can I, please?” He asked, his breath wonderfully warm against her lips.

She felt self conscious again. “Only if you want to…”

He growled. “I want to, please let me. I’ll make you feel so good, Granger.”

She nodded. “Please.” She begged.

She yelped when his tongue passed over her clit. She then wove her hands into his hair when he continued to bite and suck at it. His tongue danced over her clit, then moved in circles. At one point, she suspected he was spelling his name, and she bucked her hips against his face at the thought.

Then he pressed a finger at her entrance.

She moaned.

He pushed his finger in and pulled it out, slowly as if testing the waters.

She grabbed another handful of his hair.

He laughed into her clit and she moaned. He continued to lick and bite at her, until her legs were shaking.

Then he added a second finger. With his middle finger, he found a little bundle of nerves in her that made her jump and scream. She glanced down at him about to ask when he pressed against it again. She threw her head back and moaned.

He pressed the spot again and sucked her clit. She screamed, then bit her lip. She rocked her hips against his face.

He pulled away. “I’m going to make you come like this, Granger.” He moaned.

“Please do.” She said breathlessly.

He returned and now added a third finger stretching her wide. She groaned, and his tongue pressed flat against her clit. Pulling back a little, she released his hair, and he sat up on his elbows breathing heavily. With his free hand, he pressed his thumb into her folds and watched her as she squirmed.

Then replaced with his mouth.

She felt herself tipping. She screamed, then he returned to hitting that spot in her core hard and fast. Her breathing hitched and she grabbed handfuls of the soft sheets that lay below her.

“Come for me, Granger.” He said and dove back in, sucking hard on her clit.

She bucked her hips, but he removed his hand from her and slammed her hips down. He laved at her, and groaned. The vibrations enough to make her insane.

He wrapped her legs around his neck and nipped gently at her clit.

Then she came with a shout. She felt warmth flood her center, and his fingers pressed in and gently milked her orgasm.

He released her with a pop, and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

Hermione panted. “Sorry.” She wheezed.

“What for? That was probably the hottest thing I have ever witnessed.” Draco said and crawled over her and kissed her.

She tasted herself on his tongue. She was bitter, and salty. She moaned and kissed him deeper.

“Did you like it?” He asked.

She nodded.

“We can stop there, or keep going.” He suggested.

Against her thigh, she felt his erection pressing hard against it. “You’re kidding, right? Draco, so help me Merlin, if you don’t…”

He laughed and dropped his head to her shoulder. “I was just checking in.”

Seeing an opportunity, she pushed his shoulders rolling him off of her, and then she crawled over. She sat on her knees and unhooked the rest of her bra, trying not to feel embarrassed about being completely naked.

“Your turn.” she whispered and he gasped when her fingers touched his waistband.

She made quick work with his button and zipper and he lifted his hips as she slid his pants down, leaving him with his olive green boxer briefs. His cock stood straight, and was pressing against the band.

Hermione gaped and slid the boxers down, too. She looked to Draco for approval before wrapping her hand around it. Her fingers couldn’t close around his whole cock. She pumped him once experimentally, and a bead of precum formed.

She brought her face closer and experimentally, gave the head a kitten lick.

He groaned and wound his fingers into her hair. “Granger, you don’t have to--Ah!” he choked when her mouth opened and she slid his cock in.

She was breathless in a few strokes she pulled off of him. “You’re so big, Draco.”

He tossed his head back and squeezed his eyes. “Fuck. Don’t say that I’ll come right now.”

She laughed wickedly, then began swallowing him again. She took his cue with moans, and found that his abs tightened the most when she put extra pressure on the tip of his cock. She was about to swallow him even deeper when he sat up quickly and moved her off of him.

Hermione stared up into his eyes. Steel met honey brown. He roughly grabbed her face and pulled her close, kissing her deeply. “I was about to come and I…” he laughed embarrassed. He gasped heavily.

“What?” Hermione asked, her mouth feeling bruised and puffy from not just the kisses.

“I really, really want to come in you.” he muttered, coming in for another bruising kiss.

She blushed.

“On your back, but we can stop if you---”

“I don’t want to stop.” Hermione said fiercely.

He smiled and kissed her again. “Gods, I love you.” He said against her lips.

Draco pressed her into the mattress and Hermione felt her heartbeat stutter. She bit her lip, and braced herself for pain. Draco reached out and ran a hand over her stomach. “You okay?”

She nodded, holding her breath.

“You don’t look okay.”

“I am.” She said in a breathy voice.

“Granger…”

“I’m fine.”

“We can stop.”

“No!”

“Tell me.” He demanded fisting his cock pumping it a few times.

“I’m just… it’s going to hurt, right?” Hermione asked.

He looked baffled. “It doesn’t hurt, who told you it hurts, Granger?”

“I… I just assumed…”

He nodded then pressed his body onto hers, his elbows on either side of her head boxing her in, keeping her safe. “If it hurts you tell me straight away.” He muttered and pressed his lips against hers. He bore into her eyes waiting for her to answer.

She nodded.

He adjusted gently and lined his cock up against her entrance, and pushed.

She gasped and arched into him.

“Hurt?”

“No…” Hermione moaned.

“Granger?”

“Fuck… feels… nice.” she grunted.

He stopped, letting her adjust. With his thumb, he found her clit and rubbed it in a gentle circle.

“You’re so tight.” he moaned.

Hermione moaned back and finally focused on him. His jaw dropped, eyes overflowing with lust.

He pressed in a little further and gasped. Hermione moved her leg to wrap around his hips and he suddenly slipped in further. Both earning them a loud groan from each other.

“Feels so good.” Hermione moaned.

Draco began rubbing her clit again. “So beautiful, love.” He whispered reverently.

“Draco.” She moaned.

“Do you masterbate, dear witch?” He growled in her ear gently pulling back and pushing in.

She nodded, her cheeks flushing.

“Fuck. Tell me more.”

“I… I rub my clit until I come, sometimes I push a finger in…” Hermione gasped as he rapidly pushed in and out.

“Show me.” He demanded.

She moved her hand down and played with her clit. He watched open-mouthed. She played it up a little by moaning gently and gathering some moisture from where his cock met her core and rubbing it on her clit.

He groaned and grabbed her wrist and brought it to his mouth sucking on her fingers. He slammed into her.

Hermione screamed and he held her down with one of his hands as he pounded into her. He released her hand and rubbed her clit the same way she rubbed it mere moments ago.

Hermione arched. “Fuck.” She breathed.

He rubbed her hard and she screamed. She had never come twice in one night, no matter how hard she tried, and no matter how horny she had been, she’d always fallen asleep on her hand or her muggle vibrator that she had tucked away at the bottom of her Hogwarts trunk.

He frantically pressed and rubbed, watching her face as he thrust into her over and over.

Her legs shook, so she wrapped them around his hips. He slowed down just a fraction, and then gently thrust into her, as she was chasing her second orgasm.

“Oh gods.” She moaned.

He grunted. “I can feel how close you are, dear witch.” he moaned.

She gasped, and began rocking her hips searching for more of his cock.

“Are you close, love?” He asked, slamming into her.

She found his thighs and held onto them for dear life. “Draco! Yes! Please.” she moaned.

“Come for me, Granger.” He growled.

She gasped and threw her head back moaning loudly. She felt her body clench and open around Draco. When she finished her body felt weak and she let go panting.

“Fuck, you’re so pretty when you come.” He groaned.

“Draco.” She breathed.

“Yes?”

“Fuck… you’re so… that was so good. I want you… I want you to come.”

“Yeah?” He asked, smirking.

Hermione nodded.

He bent down and pressed a hot kiss to her lips. “Yes, witch.”

He scooped her up so that she straddled his thighs, still in her. Then he bounced her on his cock.

At the change of positions, Hermione gasped and groaned, feeling him hit deeper. He wrapped his hands around her back and one hand squeezed her ass. He knitted the other in her hair and pulled her close. “I love you.” He whispered and thrust into her.

Hermione kissed back deeply, her hands flying to the back of his head. “I love you.” she whispered against his lips.

He paused and stared at her, as if he couldn’t believe she was there, as if she would’ve disappeared in a moment. He messily kissed her, his teeth biting into her lip.

“Granger.” he moaned.

“Draco.” She moaned back.

“Granger!” He tipped them both forward so that Hermione landed on her back again, her legs still wrapped around her hips. He thrust into her hard. His jaw dropped, she located his hand and twined their fingers together. He groaned and kissed her.

She felt his cock gently pulse in her and she mewled.

They panted for a moment, Draco’s sweat on his body cooling. He shifted off of her, but kept an arm wrapped around her. “Had fun?” he asked into her ear.

She smirked nose wrinkling. “Yes. Did you?”

“I think that’s pretty obvious.” He mumbled into her ear.

She laughed and turned on her side to face him. She skated her index finger across his sharp features. When she got to his mouth he kissed her hand and captured it with his.

“You did enjoy it?” He asked softly.

She nodded enthusiastically. “I’ve never… I never came twice in one night.”

He seemed proud of this fact.

“Or this hard either.”

He grinned, and pressed another kiss into her wrist. “Stay here. I’ll keep you warm tonight. Chase all the bad dreams away.”

She stared into his eyes and smiled. “Only if you stay here with me. I’ll keep you warm tonight. Chase all your bad dreams away.”

He moved forward and nuzzled her. “Deal, Granger.”