Hermione picked up the pullover swiftly.
"I thought that went in the rubbish?"
"So did I. I found it today."
"Why is it wet?"
"Can we forget about that? I believe you were telling me what you're doing here, and why Ron's clothes are two weeks late."
I came here to tell you I want to stay with you. I don't want to be without you; he longed to say, but instead, muttered something that sounded very much like "I missed you".
"What was that?" Hermione wasn't sure if she'd heard correctly.
"I said, I came because my sodding house elves are stupid, and before you defend them, I gave them the address every time."
"I didn't sound like that to me. It sounded like 'I miss you.'"
"No it… Okay, so I missed you."
"So why go in the first place?"
"Because I was…"
"You were what?"
"I was… scared, okay? I was scared."
"Of what?"
"Loosing you like I did Anna-Maria…"
Hermione stood up, and sat beside him. She took his hand in hers.
"That was during the war. That's over now. I'm not going anywhere."
"Are you sure?" His free hand touched her cheek. "I couldn't go through it again, I really couldn't."
"You won't have to; as long as you promise me you won't be going anywhere."
The lounge was a nicer place than it had been for months. The WWN was on, the fire in the fireplace was actually on, and Hermione wasn't working. Instead, she and Draco sat on the sofa, each reading a book quietly to themselves, both very cosy. Hermione's head rested on Draco's shoulder. Draco's head rested on that of Hermione's.
The WWN started playing a slow piece of music. It was so enchanting, entrancing, that Hermione's foot began to sway as she read. Draco, noting this, rose. He put his book down on the coffee table, and took Hermione's hand in his.
"May I have this dance?"
Hermione smiled, and set her book down.
"You may," she said as she rose. "I haven't danced for an age…"
Draco placed his hands on her hips, as she draped hers over his shoulders. They began swaying to the music.
"I've been a complete idiot, haven't I?"
"No, you haven't! It's perfectly rational to be scared, love."
"I still think I've been an idiot."
"shush now," she whispered, pressing her lips against his.
Hermione woke up to find her limbs tangled with those of Draco, his blonde hair flopping over his eyes. Untangling herself from him, she kissed his collarbone.
Getting out of bed, she began to make her way downstairs.
"'Mione?" came Draco's voice.
"What, love?"
"Come back to bed."
"What about your breakfast?"
"What are were having?"
"Sausages, eggs and bacon."
"Can't they wait?" he asked as she sat on the edge of the bed.
"You need to keep your strength up, love."
"True, you're too much to keep up with sometimes love." he smirked at her.
"I won't dignify that with a response," she said, but kissed him briefly.