{7} Secret Confessions

Feelings are revealed between Hermione and Draco

Draco Malfoy was watching the unconscious witch lying on his bed. He had a cold towel pressed to her forehead, while he gently stroked her hair. He was definitely not used to this side of her, not even while they were at Hogwarts. At that present moment, he hadn't realized that he was being nice to someone who hated him for seven years. Yet, he was taking care of her. Malfoy frowned. If his parents knew that he had a mudblood in his apartment, they'd disown him. Oh well, he thought, I really don't care what they think at the moment. He resumed in keeping the cold towel pressed to her forehead, seeing if she'd become conscious soon.

Hermione Granger stirred, and blearily opened her eyes, and screamed. The face of Draco Malfoy in front of her, was not a sight she was expecting to see. She became frantic and wondered how and where she ended up, and why Malfoy was sitting next to her, holding her hand. Her head was throbbing and she couldn't remember a thing. Malfoy squeezed her hand and gently looked at her, concern written in his eyes, before he hesitantly asked, "What do you remember, Granger?"

Hermione glanced absently at Draco, until it all came rushing back to her. The Leaky Cauldron, Draco's news, Ron's cheating. She gulped heavily and sunk back into the bed. Draco watched curiously, as she laid there with her eyes closed, trying not to hyperventilate. With her eyes still closed she whispered, 

"Thank you, Draco."

Draco smiled faintly, and proceeded to continue where he left off at the Leaky Cauldron.

"I am dreadfully sorry, Granger. Your husband seems to be seeing someone behind your back. Though, I am not quite sure who she-" He stopped. Hermione placed a gentle finger to his lips and smiled gently. She knew what she needed to do now.

"Draco, you'd make my next decision even more solid, if you could find out who she is." Hermione was smiling widely now. Her brain whirring as her intelligence formed a semi-solid decision about her next step.

Draco was a bit alarmed at Hermione's sudden smile. The one time he saw that smile from afar was during second year when she suddenly left the Great Hall to be in the library before being petrified by the basilisk. He was getting warm at just the mere thought of it, and brought himself down to reality.

Hermione motioned for Draco to sit next to her on the bed. Draco sat on the bed, but a bit farther from her. He was starting to get nervous. Hermione gazed kindly at Draco and proceeded to say,

"For some time, I've been having thoughts. Thoughts that I shouldn't be having for .. someone. I can help them at the moment, because I am married." Hermione looked thoughtfully in the distance as she gathered her thoughts before proceeding.

"If what you say is correct, then I have no choice but to start to file for divorce." Hermione had tears rolling down her cheeks at the mere thought of divorcing Ron. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and I need to follow my heart now, she thought a bit selfishly.

Draco blinked a few times in rapid succession, just to make sure he heard right. Hermione Granger was considering divorce from her husband. His heart soared to greater heights, but felt terrible inside for cheering a divorce on. No one certainly did for his.

He nodded slowly at her, understanding where she was headed. He scooted a bit closer, shyness taking over his emotions. He gently took her hand, not knowing where this niceness in him came from, and caressed it gently.

Hermione shuddered involuntarily at the sudden touch from Draco. Those feelings that she pushed away were creeping back in, and she didn't know how to stop it this time. Ever since the war ended, she felt like Draco needed a friend. Now, this friendship, awkward to say the least, was turning into something more for her.

Draco leaned in close to her ear, and murmured to her, "Granger. If you need someone to talk to or you need help. I'll be there for you in anyway." He leaned in and kissed her softly on her cheek, before getting up off the bed.

Hermione sat stock-still. The sound of her name on his lips, chilled her, her heart beating rapidly. She smiled ever so softly at Draco and stood up.

Draco was in complete shock at what he just did. He didn't understand his own feelings, let alone hers, And yet, here he was being some kind of compassionate person. He realized that his somewhat odd friendship with Hermione was growing into something more for him. He wanted to explore that but was afraid of being rejected. He shrugged it off and beckoned Hermione to him.

"Let's go. I'll take you home. You deserve the rest of the night off." He smiled gently at her and they floo'd back to her house.

---

Meanwhile, while Hermione was recovering in Draco's house, Ron Weasley was lying in bed next to the woman he was spending his time away from Hermione with. She was kind and gave everything that Ron wanted.

Ron gazed lovingly at her, and said "Thanks for letting me stay here. Hermione is being a b***h to me again."

She scowled at the mention of her name and said, "Don't think about her, Ronny, darling. You said your self that you didn't want her anymore."

"No, I do not. It was great for the first few years, but I don't feel it anymore. Its dead with her. I want you, Lavender Brown."

Lavender leaned in and gave him a deep kiss, lighting up all of Ron's senses. Ron returned the kiss, thinking that the night just got a whole lot better.