Title: Crash and Burn
Rating: M
Summary: Sequel to 'Self Destruct'! Hermione has spent years getting help, both from her fiancé, Draco Malfoy, and physiatrists, and she's be clean for a while now. But every once in a while she gets an urge; and its getting harder to fight them.
Author's note: so, I wrote out a sequel about a year ago that I just needed to type, and I was going to, but I realized it sucked. So, I'm going to start fresh.
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Hermione really did hate hiding things; but it was just so easy to keep things from others. Or maybe she was just getting better at it. Better at lying. Better at finding hiding spots for her cigarettes. Better at plastering a fake smile on her face.
It wasn't as if she wasn't happy. She was euphoric. Draco and her had been engaged for about three years, and living together for the past year. He was loving and doting and caring, and perfect. Almost to the point of smothering. Her job was amazing. She was a Healer at St. Mungos, working in the trauma department. And although the hours (twenty four hour shifts four times a week) sucked, she knew they weren't permanent. She was getting used them, honestly. She was just really really tired. And really really carving some liquor.
It was a Saturday morning that she thankfully didn't have to work, and around 9:00 she untangled herself from Draco's arm, rolled off the bed and walked out to the balcony after sneaking into the closet to grab her cigarettes from their hiding spot. She honestly didn't see the problem with smoking, but Draco hated the smell, and wanted her to stop every habit she had back from their 7th year, however little small it was.
She'd been clean for over four years now. No alcohol, no drugs, no late nights partying. It was just a calm normal life. Which she was grateful for. She enjoyed her healthy relationship with Harry and Ron, with her parents, and was beyond happy with her and Draco's relationship. She was ready to spend the rest of her life with him, but they decided to wait a bit to marry, until both their careers become a bit more stable.
Hermione leaned over the railing and peered out onto the grounds of the Manor. At first she'd been a bit hesitant to move into the Malfoy property, but after much debate, she realized it was a beautiful home, and it would be a waste to stay in her small London flat.
Her eyes wandered over to the large garden that was in the back, flowers in full bloom. She'd requested that they plant more lilies throughout the area, and she smiled as she saw the bright white blooms reaching towards the sky.
She quickly smoked her cigarette before extinguishing it, and vanishing it, along with any lingering smoke, and the smell from her clothes. She strolled back into the room to see Draco rolling over; his eyes squinted tight, as if fighting the inevitable waking up. She climbed back into bed with him and kissed his cheeks softly before he rolled over, burying his face in her shoulder, peppering her with kisses. She giggles as his breathe tickled her and he moved away from her neck before kissing her lips deeply.
"Good morning, Mione."
"Morning babe. Are you hungry?"
"A little, but I'd much rather lay in bed here with you and feast on your glorious body."
Hermione giggled again as he kissed her, his calloused hands running up and down her arms before wandering to her legs. She moaned as his fingers danced across her hips and up her toned abdomen but sadly she pushed him away.
"We don't have time Draco. I have a meeting with Healer Patterson at eleven."
Draco groaned and rolled over, slightly disappointed. She kissed his cheek again before climbing out of bed and heading towards the bathroom.
"Buuuuuuut. If you want, you can shower with me." she teased, slowly lifting the hem of her camisole as she walked through the door.
Within an instant, Draco was across the room and naked, and a second later the shower was on and they were both in it. He pushed his fiancé against the tile shower wall, causing her to moan loudly against his neck.
Half an hour later, the pair was clean and getting dressed in their bedroom. Hermione slipped on a simple summer dress as Draco slid into some jeans and a t-shirt. The walked together downstairs to the kitchen for a quick meal. Hermione walked to the fridge and pulled out some fruit, eggs and juice for them as Draco found some pots and pans.
One of Hermione's stipulations for moving into the Manor was either to pay the House Elves or to free them, but she had given them the choice. Several of them happily took the option of freedom and were sent of with several sets of new clothes, although a few wanted to stay, having taken care of Draco since he was a baby, and although they fought the idea of wages, eventually gave in. Since Hermione enjoyed cooking, she requested that the House Elves leave the kitchen be, so they mainly did laundry and tidied up.
Hermione cooked the pair a simple, yet delicious meal of scrambled eggs and fresh fruit that they ate together at the counter. She truly enjoyed these moments the most, when she and Draco were just together, and happy. They made her feel normal, loved, happy. Even the scars on her forearms could depress her at times like these.
"Do you want me to go with you to the Healer's?"
"Oh no that's fine. It's your day of Draco. Relax some."
"If you need me to come, don't lie to me Hermione. Last time you came back from an appointment, you were a wreck of tears, and I hate the idea of you Apparating home in that state. You could end up splinching or on the totally wrong spot."
"I appreciate the concern, dear. But I'm a grown woman. I can handle the physiatrist by myself."
She playful stuck her tongue out at him as she carried their dishes to the sink, soaking them in water. She dried her hands before moving to sit in Draco's lap. He kissed her forehead and still damp hair, twirling a few strands with his fingers. She leaned against his chest, happy to just sit there.
"So, given anymore thought to the wedding date?" he asked.
"I thought we decided to wait until I was on a more stable schedule, and you weren't the grunt at the office."
"I know, I know. But that could take ages. And I'm getting impatient. I just want to call you my wife and flaunt you in front of the entire world." Draco said in a childish voice.
"Oh grow up Draco. I'm not a toy." Hermione chided with a smile.
"If I want you to be a toy, you will be. You'll be my toy."
Draco kissed her deeply before she slid off his lap and smiled. She looked at the clock and saw it was nearing 10:30, so she headed back to the bedroom to grab her shoes and purse, and a light jacket in case it was cold in the city. She found Draco in the library, reading.
"How many times must I tell you, dear fiancé, to not put your feet on the table?"
"Too many my dear. You seem to forget it's my place, and I can place my feet on my table if I choose."
"Oh and here I thought it was our place." Hermione teased before kissing him goodbye and Apparating to Healer Patterson's London office.
