Save Me

Draco awoke the next morning and sat up quickly in a slight daze.

'Why am I still in my school clothes? What's that funny feeling in my chest? Oh yeah! Last night.......Hermione........beautiful......amazing.......' he thought to himself as he got out of bed. He grabbed a new set of clothes and headed for the showers. As he entered the bathroom, he saw Crabbe and Goyle standing at the sinks, brushing their teeth. Draco gave them a wave as he headed for the empty shower stall at the back of the room. Once Draco was done in the shower, he towelled off and put on his clean set of clothes. When he stepped out of the stall, he was shocked to find Crabbe and Goyle both standing outside of the stall. Draco gave them a curious look.

"Uh, Draco, are you, uh, feeling all right?" Goyle asked, hesitating.

"What? No, I feel fine! Why?" Draco responded.

"Well, you were, um, humming in the shower," Goyle told him. Draco had replaced the curious look on his face with a shocked one.

"I was what?!?" he demanded.

"Humming," Crabbe said. 'Oh SHIT! I must really be falling for her!' Draco sat down on a bench and put his head in his hands, trying hard to hide his feelings from Crabbe and Goyle.

'Well, it isn't really a bad thing at all to be falling for Hermione. She's a wonderful person. And Merlin, is she beautiful! Potter and Weasley have NO idea what they're missing!' Draco's thoughts of Hermione continued to push their way through all his other thoughts. He walked down to the Great Hall for breakfast in such a daze, he continually bumped into other students and the occasional professor on his way. He hadn't realized the people he was bumping into until he walked right into Professor McGonagall.

"MR. MALFOY!" Professor McGonagall shrieked as Draco walked straight into her. Draco stuttered, looking for an excuse.

"Five points from Slytherin, for not paying attention!" McGonagall said before stalking off. Several dozen pairs of eyes were now on Draco, though he still didn't notice. He continued his way to the Great Hall, attentive and with his eyes wide open. Draco took his usual seat at the far end of the table between Crabbe and Goyle. His eyes immediately glanced up across the Hall to the Gryffindor table. He caught sight of Hermione and felt as if his life energy had just been replenished. He grabbed his plate and began filling it high with food. He ate quickly, trying to make time go faster than it would. He wanted to be near Hermione again, look into her chocolate brown eyes filled with warm and tender love. As the Great Hall began to empty, he stayed rooted in his seat. He was waiting for Hermione to move. He kept his grey eyes on Hermione, waiting. Minutes passed and Draco found himself alone at the Slytherin table and only Hermione and her two nitwit friends were left in the Great Hall. He finally heard Potter and Weasley announce they should be leaving for their Divination class. Hermione got up and followed them. Draco gave them a minute before he too got up and followed them out of the Hall. Instead of following the Trio, he ran down to the Slytherin dungeon to retrieve his books then headed for the library. He took the table at the back that Hermione usually chose. He opened his books and anticipated Hermione's arrival.

Hermione walked her two friends to their Divination class and then directed herself towards the Gryffindor common room. She grabbed her books off the table in front of the fire, stopping to pet Crookshanks, and headed out of the portrait hole for the library.

'We're only getting together now to work, study, and compile our findings for the two projects we're paired for. Yes, I'll keep my mind focused on his gorgeously toned and muscular chest, I mean the projects and we'll discuss when to get together next. That's right. Sounds good to me. But I also need to talk to him about last night. Damn it! I can't do both at the same time! SHIT!' Hermione battled herself internally all the way from her common room to the library. When she opened the library door, she was surprised to see Draco already there with his books opened, and him working. She approached him quietly. She placed a hand on his shoulder and she felt him tense slightly before shivering.

"So that's the kind of effect I have on you then?" she teased him, sitting down across from him.

"No, you just startled me," he explained, not looking up from his book. She looked at him a moment, taking in his beauty and the rarity of this exact moment.

"Draco..." she began. He looked up from his book and she saw the understanding in his eyes.

"About last night. I.....it's just......what you told me......I wasn't prepared for it.......I'm shocked........but I do care for you. I've always cared for you. Every time you've called me Mudblood, it's felt like you were stabbing me in the heart! I just don't want anything to happen between us if you're going to continue being like that," she said, tears forming in her eyes. Draco reached up and wiped away a lone tear that had escaped her eye.

"Hermione, I care for you a great deal. Probably more than you'll ever know. I am trying to fix myself so that we can be together. But I may need your help," he explained. Hermione wiped her eyes with her robes and stood up, striding to an aisle of books out of view from everyone else. Draco, interested and concerned, followed her. He walked up behind her, preparing to give her a hug. Instead, she whipped around and began kissing him fiercely. Shocked by this sudden reaction from her, Draco at first attempted to push her away. But she only pulled him closer. He eventually gave in and kissed her back, only more tenderly. It only lasted a minute, but it was a minute of pure bliss for the both of them. Hermione broke off the kiss, desperate for air. She looked deep into Draco's eyes and smiled.

"I found it," she told him.

"Found what?" he asked her.

"Your heart," she said as her smile grew. He smiled too and hugged her. He then directed her back to the table.

"Draco, I hate to do this but I think I'd like to be alone for a bit. Do you mind if we switch notes for now and copy them separately? I'll return yours in Arithmancy," she asked. Draco's heart fell a little, but knew it was the right thing to do for her.

"Of course. I'll see you in Arithmancy," he said, pecking her on the cheek before she left. She grabbed his hand for a second, then, letting it fall, she left the library. Draco opened his hand to reveal a small piece of parchment.

Draco,

Thank you for last night. I'd love to meet you again tonight. After curfew, same place. Don't bring your homework this time though. We can do it tomorrow (maybe). See you later.

Love, H

Draco read the letter a second time, his face in a full grin. He grabbed his books and headed back to the Slytherin dungeon to copy Hermione's notes. He couldn't wait for Arithmancy.

Hermione closed the library door and leaned her head against the cool wood. She had told Draco the truth. She had given him her note. Now all that was left was fate and hope. She gathered her thoughts and walked the long walk to the Gryffindor common room. She dropped her books on the common room table and began to pull out Draco's notes and a clean piece of parchment to write on. She stared at the empty piece of parchment for what seemed like hours. She had only written the title. Her head swirled with thoughts of Draco. She was so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't heard the portrait swing open.

"Hermione?"

"Hmmm.....What? Oh, hello. How was class?" she asked, snapping out of her dream.

"Fine," Harry said, "but Trelawney's off her rocker again. She told me and Ron that a member of our group would fall for the enemy. She's such a nutter!" Hermione shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Well, Hermione, aren't you supposed to be leaving now? If you don't you'll be late for you Arithmancy class," Harry continued.

"Right, forgot I guess. See you both at lunch," she said, getting up quickly and walking out of the portrait hole. She walked as fast as her short legs could carry her. Thankfully, Arithmancy was only two floors below the Gryffindor common room so she didn't have far to walk. She entered the classroom just before the Professor began the lesson.

"You'll be sitting with your partners today. You will compare notes, exchange information and gather new information from the books I have borrowed from the library," the Professor told them, before returning to the papers she was grading. Draco got up from his seat and crossed the classroom, taking the seat next to Hermione. Draco leaned close to her.

"I got your note," he whispered, before returning to his notes. Arithmancy class passed quickly and eventless, except for that moment when Draco grabbed her hand under the desk, gave it a squeeze then let it go again. Hermione hurried to lunch. She was wishing the day was over, that it was curfew. She wanted desperately to be alone with Draco, away from prying eyes. She entered the Great Hall and found Harry and Ron.

"I'm not feeling well," she told them, grabbing a few sandwiches from the tray, "I'm going to lie down for a little. I will be in Transfiguration though. Don't worry about me, I can manage getting to class on my own." She hurried away quickly, not allowing them any time for questions. Once inside the safety of the common room she headed for her bed and she did indeed lie down, but her head filled with thoughts and dreams of Draco. Her sandwiches lay untouched on her bedside table.

'Why Draco, of all people to fall for? And why did he fall for me? Why am I the one destined to save him? I am Muggle-born, he is Pureblood. His father could kill one of us for simply being FRIENDS! But I cannot give him up. He's intoxicating! Like a forbidden fruit.' Hermione's head clouded during lunchtime. She nearly entered Transfiguration class late. She took her seat next to Neville Longbottom just as Professor McGonagall began telling the class they would be turning books into broomsticks. Hermione cast a glance at the set of desks across the aisle from her and found Draco doing the same thing. She looked away, blushing. Transfiguration proved harder than normal for her. She couldn't concentrate and by the end of class she still hadn't turned her book into a broomstick, while Harry had. Ron had managed to turn his book into a water goblet, something they had learned in their second year. And Neville had managed to miss his book and hit his toad, Trevor, with the charm and now Trevor was a box of toothpicks for the time being. After Transfiguration, both the Gryffindors and the Slytherins had Defence Against the Dark Arts. Professor Lupin had returned for this year. He went back to his somewhat odd ways of teaching. He planned lessons normally and around every full moon they still covered werewolves with their replacement professors. In today's lesson, they were studying vampires and ways to identify them. The class buzzed with activity all afternoon. Hermione was thankful to be out of there for dinner. Her heart was racing in anticipation for her meeting with Draco. She stayed at the dinner table, although she picked at her meal. As people began to slowly file out of the Great Hall for their evening activities, Hermione grew nervous. Ron and Harry got up suddenly.

"Where are you two going?" she questioned, rather harshly.

"Quidditch practice 'Moine, remember?" Harry reminded her. She nodded as they exchanged their good-byes. Hermione grabbed her books and began for the Gryffindor common room. On her way she passed an open classroom door. She peeked in and saw nothing. She was about to leave when someone pushed her in all the way and closed the door behind her. She grabbed her wand.

"Lumos," she said. The room filled with a pale light. She turned around and came face to face with Draco.

"I couldn't wait until later. I had to have another kiss from you. Please?" he asked, giving her a sad look. She bit her bottom lip. Draco gave a bit of a moan and leaned in to kiss her. She had been waiting for his lips to touch hers, but they didn't.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing. I was just admiring you," he told her.

"Draco, I don't want to get caught. Can this wait another few hours?" she asked, disappointed. Draco sighed. He nodded his head and began for the door. Hermione reached out and grabbed his hand, pulling him back. She kissed him, but only on the cheek.

"A present and a reminder for later," she said, before passing him and opening the door. Draco stood there a minute, momentarily frozen. He couldn't wait for later!

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Curfew had just begun. Students began drowsily heading for their dorm rooms. Eventually only Harry, Ron and Hermione were left. Harry and Ron got up.

"Are you going to bed soon?" Harry asked Hermione.

"I want to finish these notes first. I have to give them back to Draco, I mean Malfoy first thing tomorrow morning," she explained. Her friends gave her a fretful look before heading off to bed. Once the coast was clear, Hermione ran into her dorm room and pulled out a cardboard box from under her bed. She took the box into the bathroom where she began pulling out products. She took a quick shower before leaving to meet Draco. She put on only lip gloss this time. She couldn't be fussed with all that make-up again. But, she did use the products that she had in the box. She quickly stowed the box back under her bed and left the common room. She approached the same portrait Draco had taken her to the night before. She whispered the password and slipped inside the portrait hole. She climbed the stairs. On the roof, she saw Draco. He was standing near the edge of tower, his hands in his pockets, the wind blowing his hair around lightly. Hermione let out a small gasp at this sight. Draco spun around. His face immediately produced a smile. He held out his arms and Hermione hurried into them.

"I've missed you," he whispered.

"I've missed you, too," she whispered back. Draco broke the embrace and sat cross-legged on the cold stone ground near the wall. Hermione stood in front of him, attempting to sit on his lap facing him. This caused Draco to catch a glimpse of her red underwear with gold trim.

'How very Gryffindor' he thought with a smirk. Hermione finally sat down, wrapping her legs around his waist.

"What?" she asked, blushing.

"Nothing!" he said, his smirk turning into a devilish grin. Hermione turned a second, third and fourth shade of red. Draco inhaled deeply, breathing in Hermione's scent.

"Mmmmmmm, you smell like strawberries! Do you taste like them, too?" he teased, kissing her passionately. She threw her head back and he trailed kisses along her neck. His kisses always sent goosebumps up her spine. She shuddered. A sly smile spread across Draco's face as he continued to torture Hermione with kisses. She sat forward again and looked Draco in the eye. Tonight his eyes were full of passion and care. Hermione got up off of his lap and sat on the edge of the tower, her legs swinging over the side. Draco shuffled to the empty spot next to her. He instinctively wrapped his arms around her.

"Draco..."

"Hmmmm?"

"About last night..." she hesitated. She didn't want to spoil the moment but she needed to say something. Draco turned his head and looked at her. She had tears in her eyes. He pulled her closer.

"Go on," he told her.

"Well, I've thought about what you told me all day and I've finally come up with an answer. I've been troubled with emotions over you for six years. I never knew how to handle them, but I'd just like to say I will help you. I'd like us to be together, and if you need help to get there, than I'm willing to help you." Draco smiled slightly and placed a kiss on top of her head.

"Thank you," he whispered. He got up and sat on the opposite side of the tower, his back against the cold stonewall. Hermione watched him, tears falling free from her eyes.

"Draco, what's wrong?" she asked.

"I just don't know what to do. I care for you Hermione! But my father....he'd kill us if he found out about us. It's so hard to figure out which is better for us." Hermione crawled over to where Draco was sitting and held him protectively.

"No one can stop us if we love each other enough," she told him.

"But you don't understand! My father...." he trailed off. Draco had lost all sense of what he was saying. Hermione had grabbed his hand and gave it an encouraging squeeze. She then got up.

"Draco, if you can't open up to me more, if you can't think past your father, how can I help you?" She kissed him lightly on the forehead and headed for the door.

"I'm going to go now. Just remember, I care for you dearly. I'll be back tomorrow night. Please come, too," she said and left the tower.

"I love you," Draco whispered into the wind before curling up into a ball on the tower floor.

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'What have I done? Why did I leave? I should have stayed, helped him. Damn it Hermione! You've gone and messed up the greatest thing that's ever happened to you!' Hermione scolded herself the entire way to Gryffindor tower. She entered the common room and took a seat in a chair by the fire. She stared into the fire for many hours, processing her thoughts. She eventually curled up in her chair and cried herself to sleep.

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Draco stayed on the tower roof all night. He drifted in and out of various states of sleep. He saw the sun rise, comparing it to Hermione's beauty. He knew he should have been more open with her. He wished he didn't talk about his father all the time, but everything fell back to him.

"I HATE YOU FATHER!" he yelled, before leaving the tower for the day. He entered the Slytherin common room, his face filled with sadness. He retrieved a clean set of clothes and took his shower, attempting to go about his usual routine without incident. Once he left the bathroom, a huge veil of sadness covered him and he felt he could not make it through the day. He told Crabbe and Goyle he wasn't feeling well and opted to spend the day in bed, just in case. Draco spent much of his day in front of the window, looking out at the world. Being with Hermione had made him see the world differently. He saw the first years learning how to fly, and felt a great deal of pride for a moment. He saw random students, sitting on the lawn throughout the grounds, studying or just talking with friends. Draco was envious of these students. As popular as he was, he'd never experienced what it was like to have a true friend, or a true love. Every time his thoughts fell back to Hermione, he felt a stab of pain in his chest. 'Was love supposed to feel like this? Was it always this painful?' Draco stayed in his room that day until he left to meet Hermione that evening.