Here For You -- Draco

[HERMIONE GRANGER]

Hermione had spent the majority of the evening reading in the living room and it started getting late. She should have gone to bed two hours ago but she just couldn't shut her eyes that time because she tried to distract herself from the worries she's been building up ever since she erased the memory of her parents. It felt odd to her to be living back into the house of her childhood but with DRACO MALFOY's presence. If you would have told her in the past she'd be in the same house as his, literally, she would have heatedly argued against it. Yet, here they were under the same roof and cohabiting rather peacefully. It was a real change of pace compared to the past years that were tormented with the wizards' war. She rarely had a day of rest and even now, she had to admit she was struggling into letting peace in. It was welcomed, but she was so used to managing the troubles her friends were getting into that it was almost too calm. Then there was the case of her parents that was constantly on her mind and never letting her at ease. She knew very well that Draco would notice it; he always did notice the small changes within her even before she did.

She looked at the clock that was in the living room and noticed it was past midnight. Thankfully it was the weekend so she wouldn't deal with the counter effects from the lack of sleep she'd have for sure. She rubbed her neck a little and closed her book. Unfortunately, she was still wide awake, and reading the newest edition of Hogwarts' Mysteries didn't ease her tormented night this time. She sighed and stretched herself a bit. She wondered if she should get some sleep aid. Though, even if she did get that it wouldn't ease her stress completely.

As she stretched though, the remains of the scar that Bellatrix inflicted onher showed up and she froze reading mudblood on her forearm and was immediately remembered that instinct and it was probably in her head but she swore it hurt. She rubbed her arm a little as the visions of the past hit her memories and it resulted in her throwing out a small curse while she debated on whether she should go in the warmth of the bedroom or not.

[DRACO MALFOY]

here for you

Theodore Nott was a sneaky son of a bitch. Draco knew that, had known it for years, but his former housemate could still surprise him. Like Draco, he had been the only child of a pure blood family, and as such was also well-connected in the wizard of worlds. Both men had fallen from favor though, due to their fathers strong ties to Voldemort. Theo’s mother died when he was young, and so Narcissa had done her best to step in. While he had been more of a loner at Hogwarts, a great deal of his summer breaks were spent at Malfoy Manor. Draco had invited him to the manor for a mix of business and leisure. Since both boys came of age as their fathers were imprisoned, learning the wizarding laws of inheritance, investments, and estates had been quite an ordeal. He had neglected to previously mention that he’d bought Granger’s parents house, and Theo had cackled with delight picturing Lucius Malfoy coming unhinged at the thought. Before he knew it, Theo had the glasses and ice out, and Draco was pouring one of his father’s old Ogden’s Finest in celebration. Draco had been wise enough to stop after 2- knowing the dangers of apparition while inebriated, and dreading the thought of spending the night at the manor when he could be home, home with Hermione. So while it was late after he’d caught up with Theo, waiting for his former housemate to sober up enough, he couldn’t say he was tired. He walked with Theo off the manor grounds to the apparition point outside the gate, bid him a goodnight, and began his own trek home. He looked up at the house, surprised to still see a light on downstairs. He frowned. What was Granger still doing up? He opened the door and carefully shut it behind him, mindful to lock it behind them and check the wards. He surprisingly felt plenty safe in the muggle neighborhood, but muggles weren’t his only concern. “Granger?” He called out softly as he moved to take off his jacket. He poked his head in the living room, frowning down at her small form on the couch. She looked uncomfortable, more than from how late it was. His eyes continued to rove over her, and he quickly spotted it. Her arm. His jaw tensed. “What are you still doing up? Lose yourself in a book again?” His words were teasing, but there wasn’t the same snark in his tone. His eyes left her forearm and met her gaze. “Couldn’t sleep, up worrying about me?” He continued with a slight smirk. He threw his jacket over a chair and loosened his tie as he made his way toward her. He sat on the other side of the sofa, picking up her stretched out legs and draping them over his lap. “Reading anything interesting?” he asked, delicately running 2 fingers up her calf.

tag || HERMIONE GRANGER || notes || ahhhhh || ▲

[HERMIONE GRANGER]

Hermione was aware that Draco was out and seeing his friens Theo. She didn't mind the guy as he proved not to be as bad as most Slytherins were back in the day and it also gave her time to herself. She had been able to bath and get into a comfortable and fuzzy pyjamas to spend the evening in. Unfortunately, it did not help to ease her though and that was what she was the most upset with. Reading the book did occupy her mind but being alone in the house gave her heart a heavy feeling she did not like to have and then there was that scar...She didn't know however that Draco would come back right when she was starting not to feel well again. It was as if he had a sixth sense for these things and honestly, at times, it was scary. She did have long conversations with Ginny on occasions and her friend voiced her worries for her too and even threatened her to let her teo best friends know about it. They could be pests about it, in the attempt of cheering her up. She knew that Harry and Ron were also looking for a lead for her parents and they would warn her the moment they had one but the task was a hard one. She was the one with the solutions and right now, she didn't have any.

She smiled a bit at him when he greeted her home as she turned her head to look at him and noticed the brief change in his eyes when he spotted her arm. "Malfoy." She greeted him back with the same way he called her name. She used to find it annoying that he wouldn't just call her by her name but in the end, she came to find it a endearing. She rolled her eyes playfully at Draco as she tried to chase her worries away." You know that I can stay up all night if I get into a book. I can't leave one unfinished." Especially if it had a good storyline but Hogwarts Mysteries had only entertained her briefly as she thought it was fiction to what she knew about the school already. Besides she had been granted an eight year to dig through the books she hadn't seen yet. "And tv has been quite dull too." She added with a shrug as she let him join her.

It was comfortable, to be with hin even if he could annoy her on various occasions. "Am I not allowed to stay up late on weekends too?" She asked him back, tilting her head to the sight lightly. " I've read better but I can't leave a book unfinished." She said after he settled on the couch with her legs over his. His caresses were soothing had she to say.

[DRACO MALFOY]

here for you

"I seem to remember distracting you from finishing a book a few times." He smirked, though he didn't look over at her. He ran his thumb across his jaw, feeling the stubble already. Things between them were still raw, an edge of uncertainty about them, but he'd never pass up the chance to make her squirm. He didn't mind rehashing those memories in his head, either. He licked his lips and pulled himself from the reverie as she said something about the muggle television. He knew what it was, but he still didn't understand it. If the muggles were able to use a telly, why didn't they always use it? Muggle photos were so stationary, he wasn't sure why they didn't use their discoveries to make all their photographs function like their televisions did. He admired the convenience of it, but he had yet to find anything that could capture his attention like an actual theater could. "I knew you were worrying about me," he grinned, not answering her question. His long fingers continued to skim delicately over her bare leg. "So a just-okay book, some dull telly, and anxiously awaiting my return... Merlin's beard, did you also watch some paint dry? Do some knitting?" He was teasing her, but his voice lacked the bite it'd had when they were younger. He cautioned a look her way. He wasn't the best at starting the conversations around feeling. Seeing the mark his aunt had left in her skin was a constant reminder of his own failure to protect her. So, rather than ask about it, he'd try and distract her for now- though he tried to be careful and not push it too far. "I can think of an infinite number of ways to keep you better entertained." he surmised smugly.

tag || HERMIONE GRANGER || notes || ahhhhh || ▲

[HERMIONE GRANGER]

Hermione's cheeks flushed a light shade of pink at Draco's comment and she had to restrain herself from rolling her eyes. Of course he would say such things. While she couldn't deny what he said she could still ignore it, even if he was soothing her in his own way. It did make her wonder wether he had noticed what was going on her mind when he said that. "Are you implying you're going to do that again, Malfoy?" She let out as she eyed him cautiously. One would never know and boys were still boys no matter how old they were! She couldn't say she was in the mood either, however, she was certain he had the capacity of changing it and convincing her either way.

It was a bit strange to talk of muggle lifestyle with Draco considering his upbringing but she was slowly getting used to it and he would have to too should they be able to find her parents and a way to restaure their memories back to where they were before she erased it. She felt a small pang in her heart when she thought about it and preferred to focus on Draco even if he tended to annoy her at times.

She stared at him when he kept taunting her. It wasn't like before, that was for sure since they both matured but they would still go at it on occasions and maybe it was what she needed to change her name. "I'm pretty sure you're old enough to be able to take care of yourself and I'm sure you'd hear it from your mother if it wasn't the case." she said back to him. She could play this game too if that was what he wanted. She then startled a bit at his last words. "You're sure you can beat the television and knitting?" she was determine not to give in that easily but her anxiety did ease down a little.

[DRACO MALFOY]

here for you

He watched her cheeks pinken and smirked in amusement. "That depends, do you want me to?" He rose an eyebrow, meeting her eyes as he started to roll up one of the sleeves of his dress shirt. He started with his unmarked arm. The dark mark remained like a scar, definitely faded, but he still moved around it with trepidation. While he was good at masking his emotions and hesitations, there was always a hesitance around the tainted spot, especially around Hermione. Draco rolled his eyes as she mentioned his mother. He had gone to Hogwarts because she wanted him closer. She'd sent him treats daily. She had heavily doted on her only child- though that had changed as the years went on and the war drew imminent. She had spent her year of probation confined to the manor- but once that had ended she had quickly filled her calendar with plans- long holidays at their estate in France, extended visits with other pureblood wives in similar situations- their husbands (and sometimes sons) all locked up or dead after the war. She'd fortunately been distracted, as Draco wasn't sure what she'd make of his current living situation. "Ah, she's off making the most of her freedom. I'm your problem now," he grinned darkly. He scoffed as she challenged him. Merlin, telly and knitting? She sounded 70 years older than she was. He chanced to look at her again, watching her body language and facial expressions before deciding to continue. "Are you sure you want to play this game Granger?" His hand was now above her knee, his touch feather-light except for light pressure in his fingertips. "I'm a Slytherin. I don't play fair."

tag || HERMIONE GRANGER || notes || ahhhhh || ▲

[HERMIONE GRANGER]

Hermione looked at Draco cautiously. Did she want him to go there? She wasn’t even sure, but he always found a way to make her squirm and she wasn’t sure she liked that. She was still getting adjusted to being with him, after all, they went through a war, both of their affiliations were opposed to each other, and yet, she couldn’t have enough of him. It did scare her sometimes, to give in to him completely but she just couldn’t push him away. She trusted him again, slowly and she liked not living alone. Maybe she should have stayed at Grimauld’s with Harry and Ron however, Draco had only managed to ease her worries the most and to calm her down when she was the most wrecked. She figured it was because they had gone through so much together, that he could relate but couldn’t Harry relate too? Ron was also there with them and played his parts in keeping her sane but what she needed the most was time for herself, time to wind down and not be so stressed. It was something that was easier to say than to be done.

She was aware of his past as a death eater and while she had forgiven part of it, she was still cautious. He proved himself several times though and while she was trying not to give in completely into him, at least, not without a bit of a challenge first, she had to face the fact that he was hard to resist, which annoyed her a little. Especially when she had trouble thinking with her brain when he was around! “Maybe.” She answered as her gaze lingered in his a little.

She didn’t intend to bring Narcissa in the conversation but when he pointed out he was her problem now she arched an eyebrow. “Oh really? You can’t be as bad as Ron or Harry were back then.” She noted then again, there was this silly rivalry between them still going on. She was aware of the fact that it might irk him a bit as she brought her two best friends in the picture

She was kidding when she mentioned knitting, after all, these were mostly old people's hobbies, though the television was entertaining on occasions when there were good shows on. She’d have to show him whenever they’d have free time. She wasn’t against an evening of cuddling on the sofa while watching a show for hours long. She didn’t object to his touch. “I do know that, this is why I’m cautious right now, Malfoy.” She said back to him however, she didn’t do much to be away from him.

[DRACO MALFOY]

here for you

Draco knew he was getting under her skin- he could see it in her eyes. The internal battle. The stubbornness that confirmed she was a true Gryffindor. It may have been immature, but he enjoyed watching the struggle a bit too much. Still, he liked to think he knew when to stop, especially after their relationship had changed since 5th Year. He ran his thumb down his jawline, unable to help himself as the corner of his mouth turned up in a prideful smirk as she at least admitted a maybe. He held her gaze, partially in the hope she’d see he was being honest, but almost as if to challenge her on it. He shook his head as she brought up Potter and Weasley, though he was mildly amused. He knew she’d been the brains behind the Golden Trio, and probably the sole reason they all survived the war and all their shenanigans in the years leading up to it. Maybe she had to babysit them from time to time- he’d like to think she didn’t feel the same way about him- but he was definitely trouble for her. “Of course I can, Granger. They’re your friends… you don’t know what to call me.” He knew it was forward, but it was the truth. They didn’t have a label, and he didn’t fault her for that. He knew he made her nervous, that he held some sort of power over her. He was dangerous, and she was probably trying to decide if he was worth the risk. Still, the fact that he was living here made him like to think the odds were in his favor. He traced a few more circles on her skin with his fingertips, thinking a moment at her comment. “Just say the word and I’m off to bed,” he promised. He understood her caution, hell he was trying to do the same. He had seen her when he’d gotten home, sensed the unease and the need for a distraction. He’d push her boundaries a bit, he enjoyed making her squirm, but without ample consent he’d never push anything past the little games they were playing.

tag || HERMIONE GRANGER || notes || wow i have been the worst || ▲

[HERMIONE GRANGER]

Hermione was still fighting with her morals. Was it okay to be with Draco? Her heart was telling her that it was fine, and that she wanted to be with him but her head was telling her otherwise. She still doubted as their relationship was put to the test when they reached out to their Sixth years. She had issues with trust, he had too and she wanted to give them a chance. The idea of being back to her home and with him was an appealing one and she liked that but there were still moments where she would worry and second guess. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes when she saw his smirk. He definitely was as much trouble as her two best friends and what was the worst was that she didn’t mind it much either. She never liked it when it was too quiet and she had nothing to challenge her brain with.

He was right, when he said that she didn’t know what to call him. Could they say they were dating? She supposed she could, but was she willing to call him a boyfriend? If only she’d stop that over thinking for once and let life take her where it wanted but she just couldn’t without a bit of fighting. “True.” She conceded. He was also a whole lot of trouble.

They were in a strange situation, living together, and still trying to adjust to each other’s company. They had never truly lived together for a long period of time, and they were able to accept each other’s company, she even liked it when they were close. She didn’t want to push him away, not when she knew that he cared and he was gaining more of her trust when he did that. At that moment she looked at him and put her book aside, deciding that she wanted to be close to him. “You know to which bed you’re off to?” she asked him back, not making a move to let him go. Why would she do that anyways? She was fine here and still not sleepy.

[DRACO MALFOY]

here for you

Draco simply nodded, staring straight ahead, though his eyes were unfocused. It wasn't intentional, and she wasn't being too hot or too cold with him, but the indecision he knew she struggled with was sometimes frustrating. He was used to her fire- but it felt like her feelings were more lukewarm at times. The war had taken its toll on all of them, but could things ever feel normal again? If he could whisk her away to France, Italy, anywhere else in the world, could they at least temporarily ignore some of the tension? Even living here now, it felt like they were at a stalemate. He'd have to more seriously consider the idea when there was less firewhiskey in his system- no thanks to Theo. He quirked an eyebrow as she set down her book, his stormy eyes swirling with delight at what felt like a small victory. His fingers started making small circles on her skin again. "I have a pillowtop and sheets with a higher thread-count than Weasley can probably count to," he answered with a smirk, unable to help himself, "but that being said, you know my door is always unlocked. Never know when a fiery, know-it-all brunette might come to sweep me off my feet," he gave her a playful look, "or that orange bottle brush you call a cat," he added as an afterthought. What Hermione didn't need to know, was that Draco had bribed the old boy with a few too-many treats to get into his good graces.

tag || HERMIONE GRANGER || notes || i imagine draco and crookshanks seemingly aloof toward each other, but secretly/selfishly enjoying the treats/affection ehehe || ▲

[HERMIONE GRANGER]

While Hermione was willing to admit she did not know what to call Draco to her peers, he always provided her with a good source of distraction and she felt more and more comfortable around him. She didn’t run away and she was looking around, at the house she grew up in. It was weird to think that it was hers, thanks to him. She started wondering what her parents would think of it, knowing their daughter went back to living there with her…boyfriend? Malfoy her boyfriend, it was weird to say, but she didn’t hate the idea either.

His words though made her smile as he spoke of his bed and a small laugh escaped her lips when he referred to her cat. It definitely made her feel better than the mood she had been in the past few hours. She looked at Draco with an amused smile and came closer to him. “Are you sure you didn’t put a spell on him?” She asked, wondering about her cat and remembering how Ron couldn’t stand it when it was chasing his rat. Now that she thought of it, Crookshanks should have eaten Scabbers, it wouldn’t have been much of a loss knowing who it really was. “I don’t want to sleep alone tonight, Draco.” She finally told him. She needed him more than she thought she did and was willing to openly admit. She could only hear her friends object in the back of her mind and gladly shut their voices. Besides, Harry seemed to be a bit more understanding than Ron was.

[DRACO MALFOY]

here for you

Draco noticed how she casually moved closer as she laughed. He made a mental note to give the fluffy orange thing an extra treat or two for earning him such a reaction from the witch beside him. He scoffed, though there was no malice behind it, "If I'd put a spell on him, it would be to turn his coarse hair into something more manageable or teach him something between the howling and the pspsps sounds he makes," he flung his hand about, aiming for an air of aristocratic indifference, but couldn't deny that it felt absolutely ridiculous to mimic Crookshanks as he had. He was tempted to look around and make sure the little beast hadn't heard him. He was stirred from his ridiculous thoughts as a shiver ran down his spine and her words called him back to attention. His fingers reached for hers, loosely intertwining them. "Are you sure?" he questioned her, a bit quieter than he would have liked. He cleared his throat, his voice coming out a bit louder as he tried to joke rather crudely, "I mean.... a Slytherin, a Malfoy, Death Eater..."

tag || HERMIONE GRANGER || notes ||poor snarky sad boy || ▲

[HERMIONE GRANGER]

Hermione was amused when she watched him mimicking her cat in a ridiculous way. She’d never thought she would see him be this way around her, especially if you would look at what they had been through. “Beware, cats can be unforgivable.” She warned him. She was lucky with hers, probably because she was the master there but Ron didn’t get as lucky as she was and it was definitely because he kept complaining how her cat was chasing his rat. In the end, her cat proved to be right but she was careful not to remind that too much to her friend. Mustn’t it have felt awkward knowing you had this pet for years and finding out it was in fact a human? She definitely would have been crept out by this.

She had so much mixed feelings towards Draco that most of the time it turned out to be more confusing than ever. She couldn’t say if she fully trusted him yet but she did more than she had in the past. She wouldn’t be living here with him if she didn’t. That helped her sorting part of her feelings. She looked at the change in his facial features when she told him she didn’t want to be alone and squeezed his hands. “I wouldn’t have told you this if I wasn’t.” She admitted to him. “You’re an ex-Slytherin and you weren’t a Death Eater by choice, unfortunately, we can’t change the Malfoy part.” She said, smiling a bit to show she was only teasing him back. Sometimes, he had ways to make her second guess herself and tonight she didn’t want to do that. She was willing to try and let the past behind her but she had to admit, sometimes it was hard to do so.

[DRACO MALFOY]

here for you

Draco rose a brow as she warned about cats being unforgivable. "Granger, I come from a long line of grudge holders and horrible people," he said, maybe a little too causally. His own mother and Bellatrix had stopped speaking to their own sister when she married a muggle. Now that the war was over, he hated to think about it. He'd had a cousin he never really got to know. Seeing her son now, it felt too painful at times. He knew Hermione knew all of that, but there were plenty of Malfoy secrets to dwell on instead. The alcohol might have loosened his tongue a bit too. "My grandfather Abraxas was betrothed to a woman who ran off with a winemaker. He ended up buying the local vineyards and stopped selling to the man, hoping to leave him penniless so that she'd come back to him... Didn't work of course, but that's how we have so much land in France," he ended with a laugh and a shrug. "Anyway, if the little orange hairball gets his whiskers in a twist, I'm quite the smooth talker." He was also pretty good at seeking forgiveness, given his recent track record, but he didn't want to push his luck. And just like that, he'd potentially soured the mood. It wasn't as though he meant to, but again, he was perhaps being a little too honest thanks to Theo and that damned Ogden's Best. When she took his hands, it anchored him back to the present, to where their relationship stood now- better, though still without a name. His eyes met hers, wanting to watch as she again admitted she didn't want to be alone tonight. That confirmation was all he needed. He'd told her earlier, the ball was in her court, to say the word and he'd be off to bed, but hearing her again left his head hazy with hope. He kissed her before he could second guess himself, grabbing her as gently as he could, given his enthusiasm, and pulling her to him. "I am still a Slytherin," he smirked against her lips, unable to help himself when he knew how much she hated to be corrected, "and let it be known that I much prefer the choices I do get to make." His lips claimed hers again, "Like right now," he mumbled.

tag || HERMIONE GRANGER || notes ||more snark and more rambling. please enjoy him both loosened up and trying not to fall apart in the process lmao || ▲

[HERMIONE GRANGER]

Hermione couldn’t argue when Draco spoke of his family. It was true that they were quite the characters and she could openly say that there were some members of his family she wouldn’t fully trust either. She had yet to see how Draco would fit into her family but knowing they didn’t know of his background aside from the fact he was someone from her school would help too. They didn’t know about the wizarding war that just happened before their eyes without their acknowledgment. She mentally thanked the stars for protecting them that way even if now she regretted it more than ever. She wanted to be with them and while she was more at ease having gotten the house back, it only made her memories worse and guilt kept attacking her without any warnings. He got her curious when he mentioned they had a few lands in France. “Does your family still own those?” She asked. She remembered the time she visited Europe with her parents and felt slightly nostalgic about it. It was interesting how history would work sometimes, and just like that, Draco’s family owned some lands in France, she’d never thought they did!

“That is true, but I’d like to see you try.” She said, as a small smile formed on her lips at the idea of seeing Draco trying to smooth-talk her cat, it could be entertaining to watch that was for sure! She blushed a bit when she felt his kiss which she returned softly only to frown as he reminded her he was a Slytherin. “Was. The school is behind us at last.” She scolded him between their kiss. Was he trying to win an argument with her? Not that it really mattered though, because their argument wasn’t a real fight.

It was moments like those that she liked being with Draco. Despite his uncertainties, he was affectionate, she was aware that he was that way mostly around her, and she cherished those moments. It might be weird to know they were together, but she was happy with him right now, sharing kisses with him. Though, she had to throw a friendly jab at him and pulled back from their kisses for a few seconds. “There is a time for talking Draco, and now it is not.” She said teasingly, which only meant less talking and more kissing.