A/N: Sorry for the late update. Things have been hectic. Thank you so much to everyone who's still following the story. Special thanks to saltyduchess and krishnalover96 for the votes and comments. Very much appreciated, guys!
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It's been five days since he blew up at Granger and he was getting more and more miserable by the day. He avoided her like the plague not because of anger but because of shame. He couldn't believe that he'd called her by that stupid word again! Even his father had stopped using the M-word years ago!
And why did he have to push away the only person who was genuinely empathizing with his pain?
His parents were more concerned with what people would say if they found out about his new 'condition'. That's why they covered up the whole incident at his flat, even to the point of obliviating the Muggles who rescued him and attended to him at the hospital. But they never once asked him what he was feeling. They never visited him here either. Sure, they would write once in a while, just to make sure that he was still alive, but they never came to look in on him. He also knew that the only reason his father did not remove him as head of Malfoy Industries was to avoid further controversy. Tongues would wag if the only heir was replaced without any explanation. And since his mind was not affected by the fire, his father was confident that he'd be able to do his job as expected.
Granger was actually his first human contact since his exile.
And he'd ruined whatever progress he'd made with her...
Fuck! Don't go there, Draco! Just DON'T!
He had destroyed his room for the third time that day and he grudgingly whispered 'Reparo' (again) on everything that had the misfortune of straying in his path. He didn't want Tinder running to 'Mistress Hermione' about what he had done so he tried to keep the ruckus to a minimum. She had actually tried to draw him out of his room. On the third day of his self-imposed banishment, she came banging on his door, demanding entrance. She had screamed at him from outside, saying that she was tired of his spoiled-brat tantrums. She said that he was acting stupid and selfish and...well, as it turned out, Granger had quite a colorful vocabulary. He almost succumbed, had it not been for his humongous pride. If he came out then, Granger would know how much sway she had on him and he couldn't have her believing that. So, he ignored her and put more powerful silencing and locking charms on his door.
She never came back after that.
But now, even he was getting tired of his 'spoiled-brat tantrums'. He couldn't avoid her forever! Besides, he needed fresh air, a change of scenery, a lovely face...
FOR SALAZAR'S SAKE, DRACO!
If someone had told him a year ago that there would come a time when he would pine for Granger, he would've hexed them to oblivion!
What can I do? The damned witch wriggled herself into my heart!
He laughed at that. If only Pansy could see him now. She used to tell everyone who cared enough to listen that Draco Malfoy, the Slytherin Prince had no heart, or if he did, that it was a shriveled up, dead thing.
He once thought that she was right. But then, if she was, then what was that thing inside his chest that seemed to swell at the sight of Granger or was slowly breaking now due to her absence? He'd had many girlfriends, of course. Getting a girl to say yes to him was as easy as breathing. Discarding them after he'd had his fun was even easier. Just a few expensive baubles here and there, not even enough to put a dent in his personal vault, and they would say goodbye without a fuss.
So, why was he feeling like this about Granger?
Maybe, because I hadn't had her yet?
He dismissed the idea in an instant. Yes, he lusted after her, but that wasn't all. He wanted more...needed more from her.
The loud whinny of a horse pulled him from his thoughts. He ran to the window and looked out, a feeling of dread slowly creeping up his spine. From the distance, he saw Granger struggling with Ginger, her favorite mare. Ginger was one of the gentlest, most reliable horses in his stables so why was she acting like that? He gasped when Granger was thrown off the agitated horse, but his heart froze when she did not rise to her feet. Without thinking twice, Draco was instantly apparating to where Hermione lay immobile.
"Hermione! Hermione!" he growled as he tapped her cheeks.
Her eyes fluttered open. "D-draco...something...bit me," she whispered.
"What? Where?" he asked, frantically looking her over.
She lifted her hand and Draco's heart skipped a beat. That's what spooked Ginger! He swore magnificently, immediately recognizing the two pin-sized punctures on Hermione's hand that were oozing blood - snake bite!
o-O-o
If Draco never appreciated his education at Hogwarts before, he was most appreciative of it now. And in turn, he silently thanked his old Potions teacher, Severus Snape, for drumming into their minds the importance of keeping a well-stocked Potions cupboard at all times.
He sighed as he looked down at Hermione's sleeping form. The anti-venom potion had worked perfectly well. It was only the Sleeping draught he'd given her that had kept her slumbering this late. Fifi had stayed with her the whole night, while Draco burned the midnight oil in the dungeons analyzing the venom he had extracted from the snake they had caught.
Actually, it was Tinder who caught the asp. After Luli's death, the old elf had apparently embarked on a personal crusade against all snakes and had gone on a hunting trip upon learning about what happened to his Mistress Hermione. Draco rewarded the elf's efforts by informing Tinder of his findings - the venom from the asp was of the same variety as the one that Hermione found in the stables the night that Luli died. Smug satisfaction crossed the old elf's face knowing that he had at least contributed to the partial solution to this mystery.
But that was just the first of many steps that they must take to catch the perpetrator of the crime. Luli may have been a simple elf but Draco took his death personally. It was an affront to him not only because whoever had killed him had dared to do it under his nose, but more because Luli was under his protection. And now, Hermione was also hurt. They may not have been friends during their Hogwarts years, but things had changed ever since she came here. They'd bonded, somehow, and she was also hurt during his watch. Granted, he could not have known that there was a deadly asp on his property, still had he not been skulking inside his room, she probably wouldn't have gone riding alone. She wouldn't have fallen off her horse. She wouldn't have been bitten.
"I can hear you grunting and sighing, you know," Hermione's voice was weak, but it rang with her usual cattiness.
Draco chuckled and sat on the edge of Hermione's bed. He reached out for her hand and squeezed it.
Hermione squeezed back.
"How are you feeling, Princess?"
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Are you teasing an invalid?"
Draco snorted. "Self-pity doesn't suit you."
"Neither does it you," she smirked.
He wanted to protest, but he knew that she was right. "Touchѐ, Ms. Granger."
"Did you catch the snake that bit me?"
Nodding, he added, "Its venom is the same as the one that we found in the decanter."
A small grin briefly crossed Hermione's face before she gave out a muffled yawn.
"I'm sorry," she said, blushing.
"It's okay. I gave you a sleeping-draught to help speed up your recovery. Go back to sleep and we'll talk tomorrow."
"Okay. But you have to bring me up to speed first thing in the morning."
"Yes, ma'am," Draco chuckled and gave Hermione a mock salute.
Hermione smiled before her eyes drifted close.
Damn it, Draco! Stop it! You can't kiss her! Not even on her forehead!Sighing once more, Draco started to get up from the bed when he realized that he was still holding Hermione's hand. He looked down at their clasped hands, her smaller one laying inside his like it belonged there. And before his damned inner voice could stop him, Draco lifted her hand to his lips and planted a swift, chaste kiss. He froze when upon returning his gaze on her he found her deep, brown eyes staring at him with an inscrutable expression. He tried to pull his hand away but Hermione held on, a gentle smile gracing her pale lips.
"Goodnight, Draco. Thank you for saving me," she said quietly, squeezing his hand.
"Goodnight, Hermione. You're welcome," he replied, squeezing back. It was only when he was sure that Hermione had drifted back to sleep that he let go of her hand.
He would've spent the whole night sitting at the edge of her bed, her hand securely held in his, counting the hours until the sun came peeking out of its dark blanket, but he couldn't. His conscience would not let him. Because now he was sure that someone had just waged war on him. And he couldn't let a single minute pass by without doing anything to uncover the mastermind behind this dastardly plot. He must find the bastard (or bastards) who had the audacity to attack him in his own turf. No one attempts to harm a Malfoy and gets away with it.
Especially not when someone under his care gets harmed in the process.
Not when the woman who's starting to mean something to him is placed in mortal danger.
He must formulate his own battle plans. If it's war they want, it's war they'll get. And he will use every weapon in his arsenal.
But first, he needed information. Fortunately, he has more than enough possible spies that he can send out to gather that for him. Casting one last glance at the sleeping Hermione, he walked towards the door and once outside apparated to the kitchens where he found Tinder preparing for dinner.
"Tinder, gather everyone. We have a lot to discuss."
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A/N: Thanks for reading! Please don't forget to vote and comment :) Til next time!