"Because I love you." His eyes lifted to hers. Warm grey.

The words echoed in her ears.

The pictures of her in his drawer.

The things he agreed to, just because she asked.

The way no one else could touch her.

An unpublished volume tucked on her breakfast tray.

Hermione kissed him, pouring her soul into him as he slanted his lips against hers. She sighed, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

His hands slipped over her ribs, curving along her spine. She pulled back, pressing her forehead against his.

"Draco, I do too. I lo—"

He kissed her, slipping his tongue inside her mouth, and she moaned before pulling back.

"I—"

"Shh. Don't…" He jerked his head, staring at her lips. Hermione frowned at him, watching his eye twitch. "You asked me why. I just had to say it once. Don't say it back."

She opened her mouth to argue, but he bent to kiss her again, weakening her resolve as his hand drifted up her spine. Rising on her toes, she pressed her body close to him as his fingers tangled in her curls.

She'd show him now, if he wouldn't let her say it. She could tell him before the dawn.

He pulled back, but she tugged him down.

"I don't want to rest."

"Good." He picked her up, her legs wrapping around his waist. Their tongues tangled as they stumbled to the bed.

He tossed her down on the mattress and started tugging off his robes and unlacing his boots. She kicked off her shoes and tossed her dress aside, flinging her collar across the room.

His eyes were hot on her as she peeled off her bra and knickers, and she came onto her knees to help him with his shirt. Threading her fingers through his hair, she tugged his head to her and kissed him as he worked off his trousers. She pressed her chest against his, and he groaned, forgetting his buttons as his hands snapped to her hips.

His palms filled with her backside, and she smiled as he cursed into her shoulder.

His lips pressed against her temple. "You can't even imagine the things I wanted to do to you, Granger."

Her insides liquefied. She gasped as he dragged his teeth across her ear. Her body began to warm, to throb for him as his hands kneaded her arse, slipping closer to her core.

And the second-hand ticked closer.

"Tell me," she whispered. "Show me. Please."

He stilled, and then a moan poured from his lips. "Granger…"

"Please, Draco."

She ran her fingernails down his bare chest, and it was like a switch flicked. He grabbed her around the middle and flipped her to her hands and knees. His hand pressed between her shoulder blades, pushing her into the mattress.

His hands were on her backside, squeezing and running his fingers over her core. She tilted her hips and arched her spine, and he groaned.

"Did you think of this in school?" she panted.