Chapter 21: Lonely

They stood until the Patronus dimmed away, until it was merely a wisp.

And then when it was truly dark with just the stars' and the castle's light, they both leaned in.

His lips were soft against her own and she melted against him. Her skin seemed to be on fire; she could feel nothing but his presence. His hand moved to grip her waist pulling her closer to him while his other hand moved to cup her cheek.

She moved her hand to the back of his head, running her fingers through his hair like she had wanted to for so long. His tongue darted across her bottom lip and she granted him access. A little moan escaped from her throat and something ignited in him. The kiss turned even more desperate as they clutched one another.

They broke apart to catch their breaths but his lips never left her. They trailed her jaw leaving burning kisses behind.

"Draco." She breathed as his lips pressed against her shoulder. Her fingers gripped his hair and dragged his lips back to hers.

As her lips crushed against hers, his only thought was how he never wanted to let her go.

However, he had to after a while, albeit hesitantly.

By the time they pulled apart, it was quite dark and to their surprise the moon hung high in the air. Dinner time would almost be done. Her head rested on Draco's chest and his arms were still around her waist. She pulled away slowly and smiled softly at him.

"Do you want to go for dinner?" She asked softly. Draco was rather hungry having spent most evening practising Quidditch, but somehow he didn't want to go in the Great Hall and sit at the Slytherin table while she sat at the Gryffindor table. Somehow this realisation made him want to go to the Great Hall even more.

However he gruffly spoke, "Come on."

They walked in silence, at least until Hermione broke it with a soft, "Where are we going?"

"The kitchens." Draco answered quietly. He didn't know why, but even with a part of him insisting on heading towards the Great Hall, he just couldn't head towards the crowds of students. Blaise would surely tease him later. He groaned at the thought.

Hermione looked at him curiously, at the sound he made. "Are you sure you want to?" She asked. He turned to look at her at her words and realised she had heard the groan and misinterpreted it.

"Oh yes. It's just that..." He hesitated, but then decided to tell the truth anyways, "Blaise is going to have a field day with us not attending the dinner."

Hermione giggled at the thought of Draco blushing at Blaise's teasing, "He does rather enjoy the teasing."

"Yes and his absolute glee, at my expense, makes it even more irritating." Draco huffed indignantly.

"Well I do get the feeling that he approves of me though." Hermione laughed remembering his staunch support to get her to live.

"Oh he likes the idea of Veela and their mates." Draco spoke.

"Why?" Hermione asked curiously as Draco tickled the pear on the painting.

They were ushered in with enthusiastic greetings by the tiny elves who led them to a table and served them food.

"I guess he likes the idea of a soul mate. I mean, according to him it's a guaranteed shot at a perfect family right? Like you can't go wrong with a Veela mate for a partner right?" Draco spoke remembering how optimistic Blaise had been at the prospect.

"I never really thought about it like that." Hermione said softly. Would she really have a perfect shot at a family with Draco Malfoy of all people? She looked at him gracefully cutting his chicken and a smile broke onto her face.

Draco suddenly looked up and caught her smiling at him. He felt the same conscious feeling he had during the practice when he had felt her looking at him. "What is it?" He asked carefully, "Why are you smiling like that?"

Hermione spoke, "Well I feel like life is really funny at times. I mean, Draco Malfoy, Slytherin Extraordinaire, King of Ferrets, is my shot at a perfect family." She started giggling.

Draco looked mildly affronted at the King of Ferrets remark, but couldn't help smile at the mirth of Hermione who was still chuckling as she squeezed some mustard onto her plate.

"Really, Granger? Mustard?" Draco spoke his nose crinkling in disgust.

"What's wrong with mustard now?" Hermione asked grinning.

"It's literally the grossest thing ever invented since the dawn of time, Granger." Draco spoke shuddering at the thought of mustard.

"You're such a drama queen, Draco." Hermione spoke rolling her eyes as she dipped her chicken in mustard. "I was so glad when I found out wizards have mustard sauce. I really miss ketchup though." She said wistfully.

"What's ketchup?" Draco asked.

"Oh it's like a tomato sauce that Muggles use as a condiment. It's super good." Hermione chatted.

"Like Marinara sauce that Italians use?" Draco asked.

"Kind of, but ketchup is a condiment and a little sweeter than Marinara sauce." Hermione spoke.

"What's your favourite food, Granger?" Draco asked. He didn't know why, but he wanted to know more about the bushy girl and her life at home.

"My favourite food? Well, my mother used to make this roast on Sundays every week. It was something I looked forward to every week." Hermione spoke wistfully, realising how long it had been since she had had a good Sunday roast. "What about you, Draco?"

"Well… When I was small, Dobby used to make me this chocolate pudding." He spoke. He remembered it rather clearly. Whenever he was sick or upset, the elf would always appear with a bowl full of chocolate pudding. It was something he still missed after the Boy Who Ended Up Killing Draco's Elf But Not Himself stole his bloody elf. "Never had it again since your friend stole him, except one time in 6th year in Hogwarts…" Draco spoke frowning. He remembered it clearly. He had been having continuous failures at Hogwarts and had been breaking down in the girl's bathroom more and more. And on a particularly bad day, Hogwarts had served chocolate pudding. It had instantly made him feel better.

"Did you know Dobby worked here? After Harry let him free, Dumbledore hired him to work in the kitchens." Hermione spoke quietly, wiping the mustard from the corner of her mouth. "He was right here even in your 6th semester. Maybe he made the chocolate pudding?"

Suddenly Draco felt really sad. If the elf had made that just to cheer him up like he used to do when Draco was young… Draco spoke, "But he didn't like working for my family. Why would he do that?"

"Maybe he just saw something in you?" Hermione said quietly. "He was an amazing person." Hermione smiled sadly.

Draco suddenly didn't feel so hungry, "Let's go." He spoke standing abruptly. "Are you done with that?" Draco pointed to Hermione's plate.

She took one last bite, wiped her mouth with a napkin and walked out of the kitchen while chewing. Draco looked at her walking with food stuffed in one of her cheeks like a hamster. A smile crept to his face as he watched Hermione walking casually not noticing Draco's slight mirth at her expense. She was honestly so cute at times Draco thought.

Draco stopped in mid tracks. It was suddenly too much. She was becoming cute to him? He had even kissed her! It was getting way too much for him suddenly.

His heart began to throb and Hermione could hear it loudly; it seemed to be echoing in the empty hallway. She turned around and looked at him, "You okay?" She spoke with concern.

He heard her concern loud and clear, and that made him even more nauseous. It had barely been a few days and she was already concerned for him? This was getting way too much for him.

"Draco, go to your room and go to sleep." Hermione suddenly said. She darted forward. For a wisp of a second he smelled her delicious scent and felt her lips brush his cheek, but then she turned and left him behind.

In a matter of seconds, he was suddenly very aware that he was alone.

Ciao for now.