Paired

5

┌─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───┐

Dracos pov

Her screams were loud as I ran down the stairs, she was still asleep but she was thrashing on the sofa while tears ran down her face "Hermione!" I called but she didn't wake up, I jumped to the ground and placed both hands on her shoulders "granger !" I shouted, her eyes opened wide as she gasped for air "you're okay" I said as she began to look around the room, panic in her eyes "you're okay, I've got you" I said.

Her breathing began to go back to normal as she looked at me, her cheeks stained with tears. She crumbled into a ball and began to cry "I'm sorry" she whispered, I got up and sat beside her "it's okay, what happened?" I asked. She looked up "I-I was in the war...it was after we escaped the fire in the room of requirements...I lost track of harry and Ron..." "it's okay, you don't have to talk about it" I said, she nodded. We sat in silence, the only noise coming from her every so often as she let out a small cry.

I hesitated, lifting my arm to put around her. I gently placed it around her shoulders and she broke down, she fell into my lap as I rubbed her back "it's all I can ever think about" she cried, "I lost everything that night...I lost everything that year...my parents, my home, friends...I feel like no one is talking about the war anymore. They only talk about how amazing the world is now but it's not" she cried "if it was so good why are we in this situation, why did we attend so many funerals for our peers...I feel almost guilty" I looked at her "guilty?" I questioned "I'm alive...I'm alive but so many died..how is that fair? What made me so special" I sighed, lifting her up and turning her towards me

"you survived because you were meant to, survivors guilt is real. I feel it everyday when I look around this place. I question what made me special to survive but at the end of the day I did...I've been given a second chance to live again and so have you!" I said, her eyes met mine "I made really bad choices hermione..choices you know, choices that's were out of my control but I'm here. You fought in a war, saved so many...if I belong here then you sure as hell do!" I felt a tear slip down my cheek as I finished. She stared at me for a second before jumping at me, her small frame fitting like a puzzle against mine as her arms wrapped tightly around me. Holding me close to her, I wrapped my arms round her waist and we sat hugging. Both letting out a small cry, this was the most vunerable we'd ever let eachother be with one another...I'd never felt safer

⭑･ﾟﾟ･*:༅｡.｡༅:*ﾟ:*:✼✿

Hermiones pov

After the events of last night I woke up with a sore head, the memory of mine and Dracos conversation, our hug. He was so comforting, I felt safe...I felt loved. When I walked down stairs he was sitting at the table "hey..", he looked up from his book "oh, morning" he said, closing his book "about last night...thank you. It was nice to be able to talk to someone I feel...I feel safe with, about it all" I said, standing awkwardly "safe?" He questioned, his voice broke slightly as I saw his eyes widen at the idea, I nodded and he smiled

"I feel safe with you too hermione", I grinned "I'd prefer you didn't tell anyone about it all, don't need harry or Ginny worrying" I said, he nodded. "Do you want a coffee?" He asked "yes please!" I said with a smile just as the door knocked "I'll get it" I said and opened the door to see the tall ginger I had been so desperately ignoring "Oh, Ron...hello" I said, I heard the clink of a spoon and turned around to see Draco staring daggers at him "c-can I help?" I asked him "em, well I was actually hoping to have a private conversation" he said. I ushered him in and closed the door "go on" I said, Ron stared up at Draco "I meant with just you" he responded, my eyes widened at the thought of being alone with him, I looked back at Draco "that's not how it works anymore Weasley" Draco said, walking forward and handing me my coffee

"I just want a conversation with my friend ferret" Ron spat "Ron please" I said with a sigh "anything you need to say can be said in front of Draco" I said, Ron's eyes widened "calling eachother by first names now are we?" He asked, Draco scoffed "well she's going to have my last name eventually might as well call eachother by our first names" I could see the anger bubble in Ron's face "boys please....you know what, okay. A private chat is fine. Draco, would you mind going upstairs for a few minutes" I asked, he looked at me and raised an eyebrow "are you sure?" I nodded and he walked towards the stairs

"So what's this all about then?" I asked him "I've been speaking to mcgonogal" Ron began, I nodded "she said that if you agreed we can change our pairing and be together" I choked on my coffee "sorry what?" I spat "well I told her I didn't think you were happy with ferret boy and at the end of the day we are meant to be together' he said, I was disgusted "Ron!" I shouted, I heard a shuffle from upstairs "what you're telling me you are happy?" He questioned "I actually am thank you very much!" I shouted, not being able to control my anger

"what's with the shouting?" Draco asked running downstairs "What do yo-" Ron began "No!" I said to him, my hand raised "do not even speak, Ronald over here told mcgonogal I wasn't happy in my pairing and is trying to make me switch" I spat. Draco only laughed, he slowly walked towards me and wrapped an arm tight around my waist "I can assure you weasel...we're very happy here" he said, his hand squeezing my waist. Ron's face went red "Hermione this is your last chance" he spat, I followed dracos lead and put my hand on his chest "Ron I'm happy" I said "can't you let me be happy?" I asked. "You we're happy with me" Ron said

"Ron, we had one kiss...I've been trying to tell you all summer that there is nothing between us. We are friends and I don't want to loose you as my friend but at the end of the day, Draco is to be my husband and if you can't respect him then I don't think I want you in my life" Ron only scoffed before running out and slamming the door. Draco and I looked at one "are you sure?" He asked, "sure about what?" I questioned "are you happy?" He asked, I thought for a minute "yeah...yeah I am"

"Merlin his face was a picture" I said to pansy and Ginny as we sat in the astronomy tower "fuck sake I wish we could have seen it" pansy said in a fit of giggles "I bet you weren't complaining having Draco all over you!" Ginny said, I gasped and hit her "Ginny!" I shouted, giggling "oh please, you have to at-least admit he's good looking. Like it or not Draco malfoy is a piece of art work" pansy said, I only blushed. "Hes maybe a little hot" I said, the girls squealed and I only laughed. "You two seem to be getting a lot closer, it's nice to see you smile a proper smile again"

Ginny said, a genuine look of happiness on her face "I'm content, we're getting on really well, no fights or anything" I said, Just then 3 little paper doves flew towards us, we each caught one and opened them up

Hermione,
I would like to ask if you would be interested in going on a date tonight

D.M.

"Draco just asked me on a date!" I said, the girls all gasped "Harry just asked me" pansy said "Blaise too" Ginny giggled "well we may go get ready!" I said, jumping up. We ran down the tower stairs and parted ways, wishing the other luck. When I got back to the dorm and opened the door Draco was standing there, the room was covered in candles and he had two plates of food sitting at the table "hello..." I said as I closed the door "hey" he said, I looked around in amazement

"I was going to take you out, like blaise and harry are doing but I thought...well I thought if we stayed here it would be more personal. A better chance to get to know one another.." he said, I smiled at him "I love it" his pale face went red slightly and he smiled "I got you these" he said, handing me a bunch of flowers. "Purple tulips?" I asked, "harry said they're your favourite" he said nervously "they are" I said, leaning in to smell them. "Let me take your stuff" he said, taking the flowers, my jacket and bag off me and placing them down "thank you" I said, slightly overwhelmed with everything. He ushered me over to the table, pulling my chair out for me "wow, what a gentleman" I said with a laugh and he smiled "I've always been a gentleman, you just never got the honour to see it in action" he said, taking his seat, I laughed "The honour, well merlin I'm feeling special now" I looked down at the plate "carbonara.." I said, my mouth watering slightly "again...potter said it's your favourite" he said, I smiled "bless that boy" I said before we dug in, sitting in peaceful silence as we ate. I could get used to this...

└─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───┘