A/N-Sorry for the delay. I have no excuse.

Bittersweet Included

Chapter 6

As a small boy, Draco was never denied much. He was given everything he wanted by his mother and usually his father; if he was a good boy, relatively speaking of course.

But, at what price?

Never being told no as a child distorted Draco into a greedy, ungrateful, arrogant young man that felt entitled to the world and the people in it.

Being a Malfoy meant taking what was yours and transforming what wasn't into what was. It was very simple. Target. Take. Tease.

A lifetime of entitlement was being threatened by a few weeks of borrowed laissez faire.

The ultimate conquest was lying next to him in bed, fast asleep from an incredible night of love-making. She was here, he could touch her, kiss her, hold her, but not forever…

The fact of the matter was, it was absolutely, unarguably impossible to own a person. You can restrain them, imprison them, but never own them.

What does a Malfoy do when he is denied the only thing he has ever truly wanted; truly needed?

He frowned. They couldn't be more different. Not only that, but Hermione wasn't nearly as foolish as he.

This is why he hated himself. He was an ignorant, pathetic, simple-minded git who knew that he didn't deserve even the worst of her.

Draco hated that he was a Malfoy. He loathed his family name. That was real imprisonment; locked in a chamber for life with a peephole in the ceiling to see the bright sky. That was the real punishment.

The first taste of something you enjoy always makes you crave more; bittersweet included. And for him, that was Hermione.

XO

Waking up in someone's arms was a far more momentous thing than falling asleep in someone's arms. In those first few seconds of cognizance; that's when you deduce the decisions you've made and ponder how you got to this moment in time; whether it be good or bad.

Do you regret it? Do you savor it? Yell it from the rooftops or keep it to yourself?

First was first…don't move.

Like a child, Draco had a purity about him that emitted as he slept peacefully in Hermione's bed. A strand of short blond hair covered a smidgen of his face as he breathed in and out steadily. Hermione lay on her side just looking up at him in his sedation; appreciating the contentment.

She shut her eyes and sighed quietly; she was so far down the rabbit hole. Being a fool didn't suit her; it didn't match her eyes.

"But, what's wrong with being foolish?"

Some of the most amazing things that ever occurred came from being impulsive and lackadaisical. What was so wrong with it?

Hermione had never felt better. She had never felt more alive or good about herself. She was finally doing something for her and not just the benefit of anyone else. Call her voracious, she wasn't willing to give it up or share.

Draco stirred lightly and the first thing he saw when his eyes opened drowsily was Hermione's unrehearsed guise. Taken aback by his candid absorption, Hermione was staggered.

Oh, it was so much more…

The desire to be in his arms; warm and safe; forever, was a noteworthy dream of hers that had ascended to the top of the list.

Draco couldn't understand or explain the mounting gentleness in his chest. He had never felt anything like this and that worried him. He could have been dying for all he knew; he might as well have been. Things would have been so much easier that way.

She looked beautiful; she always did, but right now; here in this morning light, she captivated him. Her eyes sparkled a bit more, her cheeks looked rosier, her skin was softer and she fit even more perfectly in his arms. They were a puzzle that had no piece lines.

He had to say something. What was he supposed to say? Were they supposed to talk? Was this a quiet moment? What does one do after a night of making love? Draco didn't know and he had begun to panic. He just blurted it out.

"You need to come to the Manor."An invitation to the home of Draco Malfoy...

Hermione gave him a thunderstruck expression.

"I've never brought a girl home before." he declared.

She couldn't help but let a small smile play on her features.

"My parents." Draco continued. "They're going to Switzerland next weekend. The place will be ours."

Wow. The view from cloud nine was probably the same view as one from Malfoy Manor.

"Okay." She breathed out. Draco smiled, but tried to hide it.

XOXO

"Hermione?" Ginny snapped her fingers in-front of her friend's face. Being pulled out of her daze, Hermione smiled as she thought about her very good morning. "What's the matter with you?"

"Nothing." she replied. "I'm brilliant. I'm really brilliant." she dazed out again.

"You're in love." Ginny accused.

"Oh, love." Hermione replied. "It's so overused. It's insignificant when you apply it to everything. "Oh, I love this book. Oh, I love this weather.", La, di, da. The real meaning of love is deep and enduring devotion for another person. Profound passion and affection for someone who makes you the person you wish you were. Love shouldn't be taken lightly. It shouldn't be applied to everything. It's a sacred circle of amore. It's a prize to give it and a treasure to receive it. Love is more than love. It outdoes itself."

"Okay, where is Hermione Granger because this fairytale before me may look like her, but she doesn't sound like her."

"I need to go, Ginny. See you at supper."

Ginny's expression was priceless. The look of bewilderment plastered on her feminine face would make the meanest old man bite his tongue. Hermione practically skipped with grace out of the Great Hall; mind vanished in the vast mist of a fantasy come true.

In class, she managed to concentrate on the lesson being taught without a wandering mind. Was it possible to keep work and play separate from each other? She would prove that it was…

[Insert sexy/study montage here]

He crushed her hard beneath his solid body and the stone wall; kissing her violently; enraged with passion. Draco made her moan with satisfaction; a smirk hiding on his lips as he kissed her neck eagerly; the echoes playing a tune around them.

"Ms. Granger."

"Sir. Jonathan Michael Hennessey."

"Very good! Ten points to Gryffindor!"

"Way to go Hermione!"

She unbuttoned her blouse slowly; intrigued by the captivated longing want in his blue eyes…

"Why, Ms. Granger! You've done it! I've never seen a student accomplish that spell so quickly before. Well done! Fifteen points to Gryffindor!"

An oxymoron she was; a naughty, innocent schoolgirl, as the top dropped to the floor. Turning around slowly, Hermione began to unhook her bra; giving Draco a suggestive smolder over her shoulder…

"Fifteen points to Gryffindor! Ms. Granger has managed to transfigure Crookshanks into a love sofa faster than any other student in Hogwarts history. Very nicely done…and comfortable too."

He had nail marks down his back and the deeper they cut, the better they felt. Adrenaline flowed freely through his fevered body. He bit down on her lip and tugged lustfully on it; begging. They fed off the arousal of the other and…

"Ohhh. Mmm."

It tasted good.

"Philosopher Bernard Shaw."

"Very close, Ms. Granger."

"Philosopher Bernard Sheiling."

"That is correct! Five points to Hufflepuff!"

"Oh. No. I'm going to be late for class." she whined.

"Shut up." He demanded in-between kisses.

"Mmm-I can't. I'm going to be late."

"Please, shut up." he trailed kisses across her jawline.

"You've done better. Study harder, Ms. Granger."

"Shhh!" Draco yelled.

"I don't want to do this!" Hermione yelled back.

"It's just a broom!"

"I'm not the flying type."

"Well, I am the flying type and you'll be flying with me."

Draco climbed on the broom behind Hermione who was already situated on it.

"Just hold on."

Kicking off from the ground, they rose into the night sky; the chill in the air made Hermione retreat to the warmth of Draco's chest. He smiled to himself as she buried her head in his cloak. The scent of her shampoo created a safe zone; aroma therapy for him. The moon was large and bright; spotlighting them in the sky.

Hermione raised her head from his warm chest and looked up at him slowly. Their eyes locked and gentler than ever before, Draco lowered his head and pressed his soft lips to hers. Barely a touch, but a full transfusion, electricity ran from his heart into hers. As if it was a bottom line, it spiked jaggedly across the board. Draco bowed his head in defeat.

"What is it?" she asked.

"No, no. This can't be happening." he said quietly; his eyes still shut tight. "Oh, God. Why?"

Hermione touched his face gently, but forcing him to open his eyes and look at her; he sighed.

"Bloody hell." he solidly stated. "I think I've fallen in love with you."

Bloody hell.

XOXO

Jaw to the floor; feet and feet below them, Hermione possessed no words.

"This wasn't supposed to happen. Un-do it, Granger!"

She shook her head genuinely confused.

"This wasn't part of our understanding!"

"Some things aren't meant to be understood. That's what makes them so interesting." She countered.

"Easy for you to say! You chose now for our relationship to become interesting? I can't." he shook his head; lost in his own head. "I need some time. Away from you."

Hermione was surprised by how badly those words stung, but they made her just as angry.

"You're probably right. My school work is suffering because of us."

She wanted to cry right there, but his arms were unwelcoming.

The Head Girl was having an array of emotions. Draco was in love with her, but…didn't want to be. What exactly did that say?

Upset and confused, Hermione cried herself silently to sleep as rain beat on her window.

It was odd. Draco was terrified at ignoring her when he wanted to. He didn't glance her direction, speak to her in any form, or purposely be in the same location with her except for class. He was treating her like she didn't exist, but inside he was screaming.

He missed her; her touch, her scent, her laugh. He missed everything he should have hated about her. Draco knew she glanced at him every four minutes or so. It killed him not to look back, but he could not allow it. He needed to cleanse his mind from her, but it seemed all he was doing was filling himself with the void of her.

Friday night at last; the week had taken forever to end. Draco had a quidditch game against Ravenclaw in the morning, but he wasn't in the mood to play.

XO

Down in the dungeons, Draco poured himself a glass of Brandy as he sat by the fire in the Slytherin common room. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed deeply.

"Oh Drakie." Pansy purred from across the room. "What's the matter?"Draco rolled his eyes. "Do you want to talk about it?" she came and crawled on the sofa his back was leaning on. "I can help." Slowly, Pansy began giving him a neck massage. It actually felt pretty good and Draco began to relax.

Leaning down to whisper in his ear, her hot breath made him slightly annoyed.

"I can make you forget all your problems if you let me. Let me help you." All of his problems? Hermione included? Maybe that wasn't such a bad offer…

Pansy touched him adoringly. "Hmm…what do you say Draco?" The fire lit in his eye as a strong urge came over him.

XO

The strong smell of rain was powerful in the air. The sky was dark with purpose and consumed with an exciting magnitude of adventure. Hermione tugged herself tightly as a gold gust of wind blew upon her. The low growl of thunder introduced itself in the refreshing air.

The emotionally drained brunette was lying on the green grass facing the Forbidden Forest; feeling solemn. Of all the things she knew and read about the forest, gazing at it brought her peace.

She knew the secrets it hid within the evergreen, but she desired to someday walk through it freely. The dim sky lit up excitingly, followed by thunder a few moments later. It was getting closer…it was warning.

Hermione stared steadfast at the forest. If there was ever a time to go in…might as well be now.

Rain washes everything clean.

Getting up, she hurriedly headed for the consuming woods. Her heart rate had increased and the thrilling flutter in the pit of her stomach told her that she was excited.

"Granger!"

Hermione stopped and rolled her eyes. Of course…

It could have been a Professor prepared to expel her, a student prepared to snitch on her or conscience with a megaphone; all those options would have been a bit more inviting, rather than the inevitable realization that it was Draco who sought after her.

She turned around slowly; glaring at the boy who had hurt her.

"I have been wandering around this castle for a bloody century looking for you!" he whined with extreme irritation.

"Oh? So, you can see me now? How interesting." Hermione retorted as he came down the hill to her level. Face to face, she was too goaded to care about his own frustration.

"Nice to see your knickers are in a twist. I get to be angry, not you. You royally fucked me up. I could have been shagged by Pansy, but I couldn't get you out of my fucking mind." He jabbed. "You are everywhere and even when you're nowhere, I can't make you go away!" he yelled.

"Real mature! Blame me for all of your problems! Try being honest with yourself and accept the fact that all of your drama is self-inflicted."

Hermione was pissed. How dare him. She turned on her heel and continued onward; into the forest, a wonderful place to get away from him. She knew he was too frightened of the forest to come in after her and she was thankful for his cowardly personality.

"You can't go in there! You could be killed!" he yelled.

"Maybe I'll be eaten and you won't have to think about me ever again."

Draco would have loved to let her go in there all by her lonesome, he would have really loved it, but at the same time, he couldn't allow her to do it. What if something seriously happened to her? He wouldn't stand idly by.

"Are you following me?" she asked surprised when she heard him coming up behind her.

"I would enjoy you being eaten more than you could imagine, but it might be a conflict of interest."

"Why? What happens to me if not something I would want to concern you with. I just make your life difficult right? I ruined you and turned you into something you don't want to be."

Draco rolled his eyes this time.

"Draco, just turn around and go back to the castle. There's a storm coming."

"I think the storm's already here."

A large crack of thunder ripped through the sky above their heads, but he wasn't talking about the weather.

"Now, knock it off. This is ridiculous!" he demanded.

"No!" she turned around and was literally right in front of him. "This is ridiculous! The two of us together! You can't be enemies and lovers at the same time. It doesn't work. We were fools to think it ever could. I was a fool. At the end of the day, we're just two people…who were…convenient."

Draco could see the light glaze of tears slowly accumulating in her eyes.

"You don't want to love me and…I don't want you to love me." Hermione finished, turning around; trying to hide the tears gently rolling down her cheeks.

In that instant, a downfall of hard rain crashed down over them. It was cold and loud, but over the sound, Draco's voice was crystal clear.

"Do you love me?" There was so much naivety in his tone, it made her ache.

Hermione shut her eyes tight and bit her lip; trying as hard as she could to stop more tears from coming. She tried to hide her head even though the rain was washing away her tears.

He came up and grabbed her body roughly; like a ragdoll. He turned her to look him dead in the eye. Both of them were soaked from head to toe, but his grip on her made warmth erupt through her stone cold body.

"Do you love me?" the desperation in his voice, the determination to find the truth made her want to confess every sin she had ever committed. He searched for the truth in her eyes. He would find it; hell over high water.

"Of course I do!" she yelled. "How can I not after everything we've been through?" He felt relief beyond words. "The first time you kissed me, I knew I was in trouble. My heart pounds when you look at me, my body catches on fire when you touch me!" the truth couldn't be stopped. "I've never been in love before, but I know that's what it is with you. I don't have to guess, I don't have to ask…I just know."

A/N-Review?