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Of Foes and Friends	By : Juliesnaps Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 14023 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: Only J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter. Not me. This is written for entertainment purposes only, no financial gain is made from this.

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Every morning Draco woke up to the buzzing of Hermione's alarm, Saturday was no different. However, he didn't have to get up at all if he didn't want to. Just like every morning, she extracted herself from the bed, his grip and got ready. Leaving him behind to fend for himself. As he heard the door close he rolled over and closed his eyes again, drifting off to a peaceful world.

At two o'clock he was woken up when he felt a dip in the mattress and heard sniffling. "Granger?" He asked, sitting up in the bed. The brunette turned around and made herself comfortable against his chest. Once again, his instinct made him reach around her and hold on tight. All he could do was sit there and say "shhhh, it'll be okay," until she recovered and pulled away.

"I'm sorry," Hermione said once she'd recuperated, "I saw Harry today and he..." her voice broke again. “Granger, breathe and calm down," Malfoy said in the most comforting voice he could muster. She nodded her head and took a few steady breaths. "Ron and Ginny've been filling his head with codswallop and I told him the truth. My truth. And he doesn't know if he believes me." Draco could see the sadness in her eyes and heard the croak in her throat as she said the words. Slowly, he got closer to her again and gathered her back into his arms. He felt the need to be close to her as much as she seemed to need comfort. When they were both snuggled up and she'd calmed back down, he gently kissed her forehead and murmured "I believe you."

Hermione nodded her head against him and relaxed in his embrace. This, this was what she'd been looking for. Not the drama and the heartache but the need to be close and comforted. It had never felt right with Ron; but, somehow, she felt perfect in Draco's arms.

Suddenly, she remembered the mirror. It had been in the room every day but she'd never looked in it again. "Draco?" She felt a chuckle as she said his name and had to ask, "what?"

"You've never used my first name before, Granger. We've been sleeping next to each other for a week and that's the first time you've ever called me anything besides Malfoy or ferret. Actually, this might be the most we've spoken since we met in first year," was his reply.

"Oh, well, Draco...have you ever looked into that mirror?" She said, pointing at the mirror of Erised that stood in the corner. Draco looked at it pensively, he hadn't really looked at the mirror before. The writing was peculiar, it didn't seem to mean anything. The whole object projected a funny aura, at least in his opinion. He'd seen it in the room but never approached it. He shook his head, but knowing she couldn't see him answered "I must admit, I've been avoiding it."

Her head shot up from its position on his chest and looked at his face, "why?" It was an innocent question, out of curiosity. Who would have pegged Draco Malfoy to avoid a mirror? His face became grim as he formulated a response, "I've become...apprehensive, I guess is the best word, of what I'll see." Hermione cocked her head and got a pensive look on her face. "Come on," she whispered as she went to move towards the mirror. With a small tug on his hand she had him out of bed and standing a bit away from their goal.

With more confidence than she felt, Hermione walked over to the mirror. Once again she saw herself, happy and healthy. This time Draco wasn't just standing there with a comforting hand on her back, he had her in a tight embrace with a broad grin on his face. Hermione stepped away from it and looked at Draco, "this is a special mirror. It shows you your heart's truest desire. When I first came in here it showed me happy and healthy, with you by my side. I wrote it off as nothing. Said you'd just given me comfort so that's what I wanted. I just saw you holding me close and we were both happy and healthy. I'm not sure what exactly it means, but you keep on popping up. Draco, could you please step in front of that mirror and see what your truest desire is?"

Draco was shocked at what she'd just said, he was her greatest desire? He shook his head and stepped in front of the mirror. Hermione's confession had surprised him, but the sight in the mirror left him flabbergasted. He slowly looked over to make sure Hermione was nowhere near the mirror and looked back at the mirror in disbelief. "I see us, happy and healthy as you said. I just...I'm wearing a short sleeve shirt. There's no mark. Her-Granger? Do you think I could get rid of my mark?" He said, looking at her with hope in his eyes.

She shrugged her shoulders and stepped closer to him, "I don't know. We might be able to find a way...could we, maybe, start by calling each other by our first names?" Draco looked at her and back at the mirror, now that she was within it's field it worked as a regular mirror. He could see the weight difference between his vision and reality, he could see the stress in his shoulders and the insecurity in her posture. He took her hand while placing the other under her chin, tilting her face up to look him in the eye, "yes, Hermione, I think we can." She felt sure that he would lean in further and kiss her. Just as their lips were about to meet, he turned his head and kissed her cheek. "One step at a time," he whispered as he pulled back. He let go of her and gathered his things, walking out of the room like nothing had happened.

~*~*~*~

"Draco, calm down!" He heard his Godfather chide him. He'd been in his chambers pacing for at least five minutes. With a huff he sat down in the chair opposite Snape. "Now what in the bloody hell happened?" Severus said as Draco calmed himself. He didn't know how to explain it to Severus, a magical mirror that said he and Hermione wanted each other, what a load of rubbish. In a rush he said "I've been sleeping with Hermione Granger."

Snape arched his eyebrow and simply looked at his Godson. Another notch in his belt couldn't have him this upset. Patiently he waited for Draco to explain. Slowly, Draco found the right words and explained what he meant. From walking into the carriage to walking out of the RoR. When he was done he heard a sigh from the other side of the desk and looked up. Once again Severus poured them both a measure of Fire Whiskey and handed Draco his tumbler.

"So the problem here isn't that you've been sharing the same bed as Granger but that you actually would like to keep on doing so?" Severus asked. Honestly, he still didn't know what the problem was. Draco had changed his ways. Granger seemed to have put the war behind her. They were both very bright students, best of their year, really. He could see the appeal Granger might have, it made him think of his own Gryffindor love.

Draco thought over Severus' words. Really, what was the problem? Suddenly the words came tumbling out of his mouth, "what will mother think? What about father?" He finished off his question with a gulp of Fire Whiskey, liquid courage. Snape smiled indulgently at the boy, "Your mother wants your happiness, and you should know that. And your father, well, he'll be in Azkaban for quite some time. By the time he gets out you'll have children to present him." The drink in Draco's mouth sprayed all over the desk at the mention of children. He wouldn't, no he couldn't, think that far ahead. Not with Hermione, not with anybody. He wasn't worthy of children. The Malfoy line deserved to end with him.

With a flick of his wand, Severus cleaned up the mess. "You really should be more careful, Draco," he admonished the young man. "Can we not talk about children?" Was all he said in reply, Snape nodded his consent, "all I meant to say is that your parents should be the last thing on your mind. What is the real reason you are here in a panic? A mirror told you that you would like to be happy with a certain young lady. It did not tell that you it is your destiny. Maybe in a year you will stand in front of that mirror and see yourself with a bag full of gold."

Once again Draco weighed Severus' words, he was right. The reflection in the mirror was what he wanted now. "Uncle? Is there any way to get rid of the mark?" He finally said, setting his tumbler down on the desk. Malfoy was not expecting the answer he received, "I'm researching it. But all the signs point to true love being the only solution."

~*~*~*~

It was still a crisp day out, so Hermione decided to take a stroll by the lake. First Harry had rejected her and now Draco, or was it Malfoy, had run away from her. She found herself a secluded area around the lake and made herself comfortable. She watched the giant squid play with the branches and leaves floating on the surface of the lake. The colors in the trees were mesmerizing her. As she sat there she noticed an owl heading her way.

Her heart thumped as she waited for it to land. Once again she carefully removed the scroll and petted the owl, in the absence of a treat. The same crimson seal was staring back at Hermione. She slowly undid it, unsure of what lay inside.

Hermione,

I have to apologize. My reaction at lunch was not what it should have been. I completely understand what you were saying and why you walked away. I was wrong. I'm sorry.

I have asked Ron to leave Grimmauld Place. I can't look at him right now. When I confronted him with our conversation he lost it. Completely lost it. I'm so glad you're safely at Hogwarts, I'm not sure what he is capable of right now. Please don't go back to Hogsmeade by yourself. I'm still confused about why you didn't go to the authorities, but that is your decision and yours alone.

I also sent a letter to Ginny. I have not told her all that was said between us, but that from now on I am on your side. She now knows the situation is not what Ron portrayed it as. Hopefully that will alleviate some of the tension.

Please forgive me and write soon,

Harry

Hermione reread the words multiple times, still petting the owl. They sat there together as the sun set over the hills. Hermione ran one delicate hand over the bird's feathers and clutched Harry's letter in the other. As she stood up to return to the castle, she decided to stop by Gryffindor tower and see if maybe she could sleep in her own bed that night.
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Of Foes and Friends