Her back bowed. Her throat cried out. He pressed his mouth against hers and swallowed her sounds as his fingers pressed against her clit.

"Love you, Hermione."

She saw stars behind her eyes, so close, so close. Her toes curled and her body was almost there.

"Don't stop. Don't stop, Draco. I lo—"

He pressed his lips over hers again, drinking the words down. His fingers pushed frantically against her clit, and his cock brushed so deliciously over the perfect spot, over and over and over—

Her body burst open. Like a sun exploding. She flew, tethered to him as he ground his hips as deep as they would go, making love to her. There was starlight in her universe. She slid back down to earth in time to listen to him moan, to feel him pulse and empty into her. His hips snapped twice more, every muscle tense with pleasure.

His fingers were in her hair, clutching her curls and massaging her scalp. His weight was heavy on her chest.

Only a few more hours.

Pricking behind her eyelids. Tears filled her vision again, and as Draco tried to kiss every inch of her neck and chest, she prayed they wouldn't fall.

"What's wrong?"

He pulled back, and she reached up to cover her face.

"Hermione—"

She sobbed, turning into the pillows to hide her face. She only had a few more hours to hear him call her Hermione. To hear him tell her that he loved her.

"I'm sorry. We shouldn't have had sex after everything that happened—"

Her hands pulled him close. "No! No. I wanted you. I want you. Please don't leave me. Please—"

And then she was weeping. Hiccuping. He buried his face in her neck as she clutched at him.

She wasn't sure how many minutes had passed until her shoulders stopped shaking. He rolled off her once her breathing steadied, tucked to her side. His knuckles skated across her cheekbones.

"What's wrong."

Her mouth opened to tell him — to explain Narcissa's plan — but all that came out was a ragged breath. She looked at the clock on the mantle.

Just past one.

She had time.

She could wait a few more hours.

"Just hold me."

He pulled her into him, his arms wrapped around her, her head resting on his chest. Hermione listened to his steady heartbeat, resolving herself to count each one while he slept. She would watch over him, and wake him an hour before he had to leave. She could tell him then.

His fingers stroked her hair.

She kept her eyes on the mantle clock.

His heart hummed beneath her fingertips.

She could sleep all day tomorrow. She would stay awake.

She would.

~*~

Hermione jolted awake. Her eyes flitted over the dark room as her heart raced, searching for Draco. No one in bed next to her.

Had she missed it? Were they already gone?

The door to the bathroom opened, and her eyes were flooded with light before the lamp dimmed. Draco closed the door behind him. His chest still bare. He'd put on boxers.