He could feel the happiness radiating inside of him even before he opened his eyes that morning, a feeling that he hadn't felt in a long time.

And, sure enough, Draco Malfoy's heart lifted as he found himself staring down at the beautiful witch sleeping peacefully in his arms, cute little snores issuing from semi parted lips.

Lips that he had gotten to kiss again, he thought with a secret thrill.

But would he ever be able to fuck her? He honestly didn't know. Not with the Dark Mark on his arm. Not with the stigma attached to the fact that she was a Muggle-born.

He felt the swirl of guilt in his stomach. But he wasn't sure if he was feeling guilty about betraying his parents beliefs or guilt about betraying her.

Perhaps it was both. He was never sure where he fitted in life anymore, but, as he lay there in bed with her, her soft body curled up against him, draped in his Quidditch top, he thought this is where he could belong.

If only it didn't have to be a temporary situation.

Careful not to disturb her, he craned his neck to glance at the little clock on the bedside table, his heart sinking slightly as he looked at the time.

Reluctantly, he gently began to shake her shoulder, trying to ignore the ache in his chest at the thought of having to do this.

"Hermione," he murmured in her ear as she stirred sleepily and her eyes fluttered opened.

A smile immediately tugged at her lips as she focused on him, and he could see the euphoria flicker in her brown eyes causing his heart to skip a beat.

Merlin, he liked this girl too much. He'd never liked a girl like this before, in fact. And having her here in his bed, in his arms only terrified him, because what came with it was a perpetual fear that he would somehow lose her.

And he had enough fears to worry about as it was.

He brushed her hair behind her ear as she nuzzled her face into the crook of his arm and yawned.

"What time is it?" She asked, her voice soft and husky with sleep.

"Not long after five," Draco answered, "I think we'd better get you back to the Gryffindor tower before the castle wakes up."

There was a flash in her eyes, and Draco felt his stomach stir guiltily again as he recognised the look of disappointment.

"Oh. Okay." She sat up at once, his arms feeling oddly empty the second she left his embrace. "Can I- can I just use your bathroom first?"

He nodded, hating himself.

He wanted to assure her that it wasn't because he was ashamed of her. He was trying to protect her if anything, god damn it.

But how could he explain that to her without telling her about his Mark? About the danger she would be in just by closely associating herself with a Death Eater?

And also, if he were to be truly honest, he was afraid for himself too. If his parents or even, heaven forbid, Voldemort were to ever discover that Draco was chasing around a Muggle-born, then the consequences would surely be dire.

He was a coward. A coward because he knew he had to tell her, but he was too afraid to say.

Draco busied himself setting out a fresh suit whilst she was in the bathroom. He would walk her back, of course. It was unlikely Cormac would be around, but she didn't have her wand on her and he didn't like the idea of her wandering around unprotected in these times.

Besides, he knew he needed to make up for lost time and get straight back to working on the cabinet. Perhaps it was even for the best that Hermione wouldn't be around for the next two weeks, because he knew that all he would want to do was seek her out and kiss her.

She was a distraction he couldn't afford to have.

"Wait for me," he instructed once she emerged from the bathroom, back in the golden dress which made his cock twitch in his pants. "I'll walk you once I've freshened up."

To his relief, she didn't argue. He showered as quickly as he could, almost fearful that she would be gone without him.

But she had waited, and he couldn't prevent the smile tugging at his lips at the sight of her sitting on his sofa, drumming her fingers impatiently upon the arm as she glanced around at her surroundings. And he marvelled that even without her make-up on and hair un-styled, she still took his breath away - maybe even more so.

Her brow furrowed as she looked at him, and Draco wondered with a flicker of apprehension, what was concerning her.

"You won't forget to do your Transfiguration assignment over Christmas?" She asked, already back in her teacher mode.

He found himself letting out a soft chuckle as he tucked his hands in his pockets. "Of course, Granger. I promise I won't let you down."

She raised an eyebrow and he knew what was coming next as soon as she opened her mouth to speak. "It's not me who you'll be letting down but -"

"-myself." Draco finished for her with a cocky wink. "I know, Granger. And it's cute that you care."

"Do you, though?" She asked, standing up from the sofa and getting to her feet, her hands on her hips in a very assertive manner.

This was a very different girl from the one who had looked confused about the prospect of him cumming in his pants, he mused.

He strode over to her, not being able to resist pulling her into his arms and kissing her lightly on her forehead which immediately smoothed over at the touch of his lips.

"I care," he murmured, kissing her nose and then her mouth. "I care a fucking a lot."

She parted her lips and he found himself kissing her quite urgently again, wishing he could just throw her back onto the bed and finish what they started.

The way she responded to him blew his mind. He could only imagine what she'd be like if he could get her clothes off. And it was this thought that was driving him wild and causing him to take leave of his senses.

Dragging his mouth away from hers, he rested his forehead down against her own, cupping his hands against the sides of her neck as he attempted to get his breath back.

"I'm going to miss you," he stated, suddenly wanting her to know.

"Me or the kissing?"

"You." He said, without missing a beat. "You are pretty much the only person I can tolerate in this god forsaken castle."

"Does that mean..." she paused to swallow, her neck moving beneath his fingers as she struggled to articulate her next words. "Does that mean that you want to continue with our - um- study sessions when I get back?"

He felt his lips curve into a smile, lifting his head to meet her gaze, which was looking hopefully up at him.

"Of course I do," he murmured softly, dipping his head to brush his lips against hers again. "Very much so."

A soft sigh left her and he had to try so hard not to attack her mouth once again with bruising kisses. Instead, inhaling a deep, steadying breath, he took her hand and led her from the room.

The castle was, thankfully, silent and still. He was very much glad because it meant he could continue to hold her hand as they stepped quietly through the hallways.

When they reached the entrance to the Gryffindor tower, stopping at a portrait of a disgruntled looking overweight woman, Draco found he didn't want to let her go.

"Won't you be at breakfast?" She asked, when he wished her a Happy Christmas.

"No. I've got things to be getting on with."

"More important than eating?"

"I'll grab extra at lunch," he lied.

"You shouldn't skip meals," she frowned, now sounding endearingly like his mother.

"I'll be fine, Hermione," he insisted, clasping a hand to the back of her neck and pulling her in for a kiss. "Now go in before the others get up. I'll see you when you get back. And don't forget to keep your wand on you from now on."

"Wait!" She gasped so suddenly it startled him. "Don't go, I've got something for you!"

And before waiting for an answer, she rushed out a mumbled word to the fat lady and climbed through the hole the portrait had swung open to reveal, leaving Draco feeling full of burning curiosity.

Her face was flushed when she climbed back out only moments later, clutching something tightly in her fist.

"Here," she panted, grabbing his hand and holding it upright as she dropped something small and shiny into his palm. "You don't have to wear it, but I just wanted you to have one. It's normally two sickles to join, but I'm giving it to you for free as a Christmas gift."

She spoke quickly and breathlessly, finishing off by reaching on tiptoes and planting a sweet kiss on his lips. "Happy Christmas, Draco. I'll see you when I get back." And she disappeared back through the portrait hole before he could issue her with a response.

When he finally looked down, he couldn't help but smile, his heart filling with an unexpected warmth that flooded him with joy.

For there in his hand sat a badge containing the letters S.P.E.W.

*****