All things Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling. The storyline is mine.
One Moment Of Anger
Hermione was livid. She and Draco had just had their hundredth argument over his need to act the daredevil. Draco had walked into their flat with all the usual injuries. Draco wasn't oozing or dripping blood. Thank Merlin. The reason he wasn't oozing or dripping was he had already tended to most of the wounds himself. The rest of the wounds he had left for Hermione to heal.
Hermione completed her job. She had healed the remaining wounds except for a deep gash on his left arm. The gash was over the spot where his much faded Dark Mark lay. Hermione tried everything to close the gash, but it remained open and oozing. This made her even angrier.
As Hermione worked on Draco, she continued to read him the riot act. "You don't need this Job Draco. It is far too dangerous. Open an investment business as you planned. Get out of this dangerous job."
Draco gave his standard refrain. "Curse Breaking is what I want to do Hermione. I like being a Curse Breaker. Stop trying to push your will on me. I like the challenges."
Hermione threw her hands up in the air and strode from the room.
Draco followed her into the bedroom. After wrapping his arms around her he had continued the conversation unwisely making a cheeky retort. "Beside, I have you to take care of me when I come home wounded."
Hermione jerked herself out of his arms and made a very fiery reply. "You won't have me much longer if you keep this up. I've grown weary of tending wounds you wouldn't have if you would just leave the bloody job."
Draco stiffened. His Malfoy resolve came immediately to the forefront. Draco felt Hermione had just crossed a line by throwing down some type of gauntlet. She had just implied he should leave his job or lose her. She was trying to back him into a corner.
Instead of laughing it off, Draco took offense. Turning to Hermione he questioned her in a bitter tone. "Let me get this straight. Either I leave my job or you will leave me?"
Hermione was caught off guard by Draco's tone. She had spit out some utter nonsense because Draco was making her so angry. She was only trying to get his goat.
But she responded in kind. "If that's the way you see it, then yes. I'm tired of seeing you stumble in here asking to be healed. The shite has gotten old Draco. So yes. It's me or the job."
Hermione headed for the bathroom, but her ultimatum had worked Draco into a low grade fury. As Hermione passed him, Draco reached to grab her arm.
Hermione jerked out of Draco's grasp and kept walking.
"Fine Hermione. Keep walking. I still plan to have my say whether you are in front of me or have rudely walked away. I'm a grown wizard. You have no right to throw ultimatums at me. If you want me gone, just say so. Don't lay blame on my job."
At this particular moment, had either Draco or Hermione stopped to take a breath things would have gone quietly back to normal. But the Malfoy-Granger dynamics had kicked in and they had both worked themselves into a fury. Neither would back down.
Without any kind of rational thought, Hermione screamed at Draco. "I've had enough of you. Keep your bloody job. Get yourself killed. What do I care?"
Then Draco screamed back. "You've had enough of me? Well darling, I've had enough of you as well. I'm not Weasley who you can push around by raising your voice. As far as my job is concerned, I'm keeping it. No shrill harpy is going to make me do otherwise. If I'm unlucky enough to be killed during an assignment, you'll be the last to know. Is that good enough for you? You may now go play the self righteous bint with someone else. I'll get out of your way."
With that, Draco grabbed his robes and his wand and apparated out.
Still in a fury Hermione yelled after Draco. "Good riddance."
/**/
That had been in the moment. By the time Hermione finished her shower she had calmed down enough to realize what she had said to Draco.
Hermione poured a glass of white wine, sat down to reflect on the argument and wait for Draco to come home. She still believed Draco should leave Gringotts, but it was his choice and she should respect it. She owed Draco an apology.
But he didn't come home. Not that night or any of the following nights. Draco had given her what she asked for. He hadn't come to her asking to be healed.
Hermione first thought Draco would cool off and realize she hadn't meant what was said in a fit of anger. After all, they were in a relationship. They loved each other. They had loved each other for the past two years. They had discussed marriage. He couldn't have given up over a few harsh words.
After a few days, it dawned on Hermione that Draco had taken her words, I've had enough of you. It's your job or me, to heart. He had given in to her demands.
The passing days turned into weeks without a word from Draco.
Hermione was hurt. She and Draco had argued many times. After they calmed down they had made up always promising never to let idiotic fits of temper break them up. When had that changed? She didn't know. Were they even broken up or was this some self imposed break of Draco's. She really didn't know.
Then her hurt had turned to anger. How dare he just walk out on her. Who did he think he was?
Hermione plodded along with a simmering anger burning inside. Her friends didn't ask about Draco who was often gone for periods of time. Hermione didn't see any need to disclose to anyone what had gone on between her and Draco. Her life went on.
/**/
Angry or not, Hermione knew it was time she find out exactly what was going on. She had sought out Draco's best mate Blaise Zabini thinking he would probably have some information.
Blaise had been surprised to see Hermione Granger at his elbow. Granger was one of the last witches he thought would ever seek him out.
"Granger!" called out Blaise in surprise. "Would you like a drink?"
Hermione accepted the drink taking a seat at the bar beside Blaise. "I was wondering if you've seen Draco. Is he alright?"
Blaise glanced at Hermione thinking she was just chock full of surprises. "I find it quite strange you've come to me asking about Draco. He came through my flat a few weeks ago raging about you being tired of him. Haven't you two broken up? Didn't you tell him to leave? I don't know where he is. Sorry."
Hermione never thought Draco would discuss their relationship with Blaise. Now she knew differently. She left her half finished drink on the bar and thanked Blaise for speaking with her before heading out the door.
/**/
Blaise did know Draco's location. He just wasn't going to disclose it to Granger. Draco had threatened him with death if he disclosed anything to Hermione.
Those weeks ago when Draco had flooed into his flat had been eye opening. Hermione Granger had brought Draco Malfoy to his knees with words alone. Draco had raged on and on. It had taken Draco three days to pull himself together. At the end of those three days, Draco had taken a long term assignment in another country.
"Hermione doesn't want me in her life anymore," was what Draco had solemnly told him. "I don't want to take the chance of running into her. A long term assignment will keep me away from London. Away from her." Draco's had only said three other words. "Look after her."
Blaise had nodded to his best mate as he watched him apparate out.
He had agreed to look after Granger, but that was just bull shite he had told Draco. He had no intention of doing anything for Granger. She had driven his best mate out of England. She could look after herself.
/**/
Hermione had struck out with Blaise so she decided to go to the next best source. Bill Weasley.
Bill greeted Hermione warmly, but hesitated when she asked about Draco.
As they sat facing each other Bill explained his hesitation. "Gringotts has become a lot more stringent with the rules Hermione. Due to the increase of claim jumping, thefts and murders happening at different sites, the Goblins have stopped the flow of information pertaining to assignments. The Goblins want their gold and precious stones and are loathe to provide information which could result in a site being taken over by criminals. Because it is you asking, I'll bend the rules a bit. Draco asked for a long term assignment. He will be gone at least a year. Additionally, Draco has produced amazing results in a short span of time. The Goblins will probably ask him to remain there more than a year. I'm sorry I can't be of more help. If I told you anything else, I would be breaching the Gringotts Goblins Code."
Hermione listened to everything Bill had disclosed and was terrified for Draco. Claim jumping, thefts and murders. I've driven Draco to his death she thought. She had been depressed the entire day.
/**/
Weeks turned to months. As much as she cared for and missed Draco, Hermione began to move certain things to the back of her mind. The pain over losing Draco began to subside. Hermione had also stopped sleeping with Draco's pillow wrapped in her arms. Her heart still loved him, but her head told her they evidently hadn't been made for each other. What they had shared could not have been love. Contrary to what they had believed.
Although she had cried, meditated and pondered, Hermione knew she had to move forward. So she had thrown all her energy into her Tech-Now business.
Every now and then Hermione would hear a snippet of conversation about Draco. He and Bill had become Gringotts top Curse Breakers. Draco had a little bit of an edge over Bill because he had taken a long term assignment and feared nothing. Bill on the other hand only took short term assignments and was very careful not to get into anything too dangerous. Bill knew if he got himself hurt or cursed, Fleur would kill him. So the Goblins had turned to Draco. They kept him very busy. It was said the Goblins had Draco doing assignments within assignments. There had also been a whisper that Draco had found a witch.
Hermione had pushed her former relationship with Draco to the back of her mind, but she still felt pangs of loneliness and jealousy when she heard these stories. The truth was she had not dated or welcomed the attentions of any wizard. She still hoped she and Draco would get back together one day.
No matter what she hoped, once Hermione heard the whisper about Draco finding a witch she made some decisions. There had to be a wizard out there for her. She just had to find him. She did accept a few dates here and there, but no particular wizard held her attention long enough for a second date. Hermione kept comparing the wizards to Draco, but none measured up.
/**/
Out of the blue Blaise had taken to stopping by Tech-Now. His greeting was always the same. He was there to check on her. It was a greeting that always made Hermione smile.
Hermione found it humorous that Blaise Zabini would come to check on her. He had loads of witches he could check on.
Blaise invited Hermione out for tea several times. She had gone for tea and enjoyed herself. Then came the day when Blaise wandered into Tech-Now with a purpose. This particular time Blaise had a look in his eye Hermione couldn't decipher.
"Hello Granger," he greeted very seriously. "I have a question."
"Well ask away Zabini," answered Hermione with a grin.
For several seconds Blaise seemed to find the wall behind Hermione's head very interesting. Moving his gaze to Hermione's face he asked if she would accompany him out for dinner and drinks?
"Blaise Zabini," Hermione chided as she reached out to touch his arm. "It sounds suspiciously like you are trying to chat me up. Is that the case then?"
A very serious Blaise simply answered yes.
Hermione stopped what she had been doing to give Blaise a very thoughtful look. "And what will you do with your stable of witches while you are chatting me up?"
Hermione's question brought a smirk to Blaise's handsome face as he gave a very succinct answer. "You haven't been paying attention Granger. There hasn't been a stable of witches in months."
Hermione didn't know how to respond to his statements. Blaise Zabini had given up his witch groupies. Why? Then she realized it didn't matter why. She enjoyed his company. She wasn't dating and had loads of free time.
Hermione told Blaise she would love to accompany him out.
As with the teas they had shared, Blaise was an excellent dinner companion. He took her to an upscale restaurant in mid-town London. The food was superb and his conversation was stimulating. Blaise had kept her smiling through the entire meal.
When they finished, Blaise invited Hermione to the Leaky Cauldron to finish off the night with a little dancing and fire whiskey.
To say everyone in the pub had been surprised when Hermione came in on Blaise Zabini's arm was an understatement. For several minutes there was nothing but raised eyebrows around the tables. Five minutes later the pub had gone back to normal.
The one thing Hermione did notice was the lack of witches. She and Blaise had been there for over thirty minutes and not one witch had approached him. Maybe he really had turned over a new leaf. Hermione glanced at Blaise suddenly seeing him in a different light. She and Blaise remained in the Leaky for another hour before calling it a night.
Blaise wanted to see Hermione home, but she declined explaining she hadn't quite gotten her new flat straightened away.
Blaise accepted Hermione's explanation. Then he had tried to kiss her goodnight.
Hermione turned him away.
Blaise understood, but had still been a bit put out. "Is this Draco standing between us then?"
Hermione told him that her reluctance had nothing to do with Draco. He was just moving too fast. She thanked him for a great evening and apparated home.
As she got undressed, Hermione verbally chided herself. "Just what is it you're doing? Are you seriously dating witch hound Blaise Zabini? He must be trying to make you one of the pack." She laughed out loud and continued chastising herself. "I'm in line to become one of the witches Ginny and I used to laugh about."
Hermione went to shower still laughing to herself.
/**/
Hermione had laughed about dating Blaise, but she still accepted his requests for dates. One date had followed another. Hermione and Blaise weren't exactly a couple, but they weren't exactly strangers either.
Hermione let Blaise kiss her on the fourth date. He worked magic on her. Feelings she hadn't had in months surfaced. She had clung to him and felt his need pressed tightly against her. It had been that need which backed Hermione up. She might have kissed him, but she couldn't even think about Blaise being inside her. The only wizard who had been inside her was Draco. She still thought her pussy belonged to Draco and would be hard pressed to give it to anyone else.
Blaise was disappointed when he felt her pull away. "Will you come around to my flat?" he asked in a hoarse voice. "I want to be with you."
Hermione hadn't known how to extricate herself gracefully. She didn't want to hurt Blaise's feelings, but neither did she want to put herself in an awkward position.
Hermione's hesitation had been enough for Blaise. He stepped back to look her in the face. "Will you ever accept me as a serious suitor or will Draco always be between us?"
"I like our time together Blaise. I'm just not ready for a serious suitor."
"Understood Granger. I've got time. Maybe I could come by for a cup of tea."
Hermione smiled her agreement. "Ever the optimist Mr. Zabini. You are welcome to come by for tea.
Blaise smiled back as they both turned into Apparition.
Hermione still called it her new flat even though she had been living there for months. It wasn't the flat she and Draco shared so it remained new in her eyes.
Instead of tea, she and Blaise opted for drinks. They chatted for a bit and Blaise acted like a proper gentleman. About 3:30 Hermione declared herself very tired telling Blaise they would speak later.
Blaise gave Hermione a quick kiss on the nose and left after giving her a small bow.
/**/
Hermione wanted to do something to show her appreciation. Nothing overly ostentatious. Something small. She decided to send him a cute owl message thanking him for the nice time.
Blaise owled back. His message simply read, my pleasure.
Blaise asked Hermione to tea for the following Saturday afternoon. After they were seated, Blaise made an admission. "I invited you out to talk about where we are going with this….this. What is this Hermione?" he asked. "What are we doing? Should I call you my friend? I can't call you my witch. We've had some terrific dates, but I can't seem to get you to move forward. It has all come down to the fact you are standing in a holding pattern waiting for Draco. Am I wrong?"
Hermione felt her stomach drop. She knew they would have to talk about this at some point. She couldn't keep going out with Blaise and not expect this topic to come up.
Hermione spoke softly as she answered Blaise. "I like you Blaise. I honestly do. I apologize for holding you off. The truth is, I'm not ready and I don't know when I will be ready to accept intimate attentions from any wizard. It's not about Draco (she lied). It's about me. I understand you have needs. Right now, I'm just not the witch you are looking for."
Blaise bristled at Hermione. "Please don't tell me what I need or do not need. I have needs. Yes. But I'm not an animal who can't keep himself together if he doesn't shag someone. The way I used to act was the way I felt like acting. I don't have these strange urges to always be on top of a witch. I was doing what I wanted to do. I don't want that anymore. I want to be around you. I understand you aren't ready to make certain choices. That's fine. I plan to stay around anyway. Maybe one day your knickers will fall off and you'll fall underneath me. Maybe. Until that time, I'm willing to be your date if you're willing to let me."
"Just so you know. There's absolutely zero chance of my knickers falling off by themselves," she said laughing out loud.
Blaise laughed just as loudly as he taunted Hermione. "With all I've just said, all you got out of it was I'm waiting for your knickers to fall off by themselves. I'm overwhelmed."
They had laughed again.
Then Hermione had rephrased. "We can enjoy each other's company. I'd like that."
"Finally," exclaimed an exuberant Blaise. "An answer I like."
/**/
So they 'dated' while remaining platonic. The most that had come out of their dates was a few kisses. But over the last several dates Blaise had held begun to hold her a little too long for a peck on the cheek and a little too tightly around the waist. Hermione wasn't foolish. She knew it was only a matter of time before they would have to have the intimacy conversation again.
Hermione didn't want to think about it. She had become accustomed to the way things were. She had become comfortable being in Blaise's company. She could stay at his flat all day being lazy. Blaise didn't mind. Although she didn't do it often, she could sleep in the same bed with Blaise without worry. Blaise had not crossed any lines. They were having fun.
Fun hadn't stopped Hermione from falling into melancholy moods. She often wished she could take back that moment in time which had changed everything. She hadn't been tired of Draco. She hadn't wanted him gone.
Each time she fell into these moods she was able to pull herself together before more than five or six tears had fallen. In one instance, Blaise had come into the room and caught sight of her red eyes.. He had stared at her for a few seconds then turned and strode from the room.
That night Blaise had some words for Hermione. "I'm trying to make you happy Granger. You just won't let me."
Hermione had been quick to reply to Blaise. "It's not up to you to make me happy Blaise. I'm the one who has to make me happy."
That had been the first night since they had begun dating Blaise went out without her.
After Blaise left, Hermione went around the flat gathering up her things that had migrated to his flat. Then she had flooed home.
Sitting in one of her comfortable chairs Hermione finally admitted she was not going to shag Blaise. Not then and not down the road. It was past time for her to make the break from him. The thought depressed her. Blaise was the easy way out. If she could accept Blaise into her bed, maybe…. There was no maybe. She just needed to break from Blaise. The decision was made, but it still depressed her.
Hermione made herself tea. Then she had sat and cried. She wasn't crying about Blaise. She was crying because she didn't have Draco.
A slightly drunk Blaise had come through her floo at 1:00 am. He had taken Hermione in his arms and with his hands in her hair he had kissed her.
To a depressed Hermione the kiss had felt so good, so warm and so sexy. She responded by pushing up on Blaise. He tightened his arms around her whispering in her ear.
"I want to make love to you Granger."
Hermione had been lost in the moment. The feel of Blaise's erection inflamed her and she leaned in closer.
Hermione's closeness to his rock like erection caused Blaise to groan into her ear. "I need you Granger. May I?"
And Hermione had whispered softly. "I love you Draco."
Blaise stiffened and stepped away.
Hermione still hadn't realized what had slipped out of her mouth.
But Blaise had and he was angry. "You are kissing me and rubbing against me yet you are calling for Draco. I'm such a fool. I thought you were just being careful. I hoped you would come to want me as much as I want you. I see now. It has always been and will always be Draco. I can hope as long as I want, but it will always be Draco."
Blaise turned to leave, but Hermione grabbed his arm and let the truth come out. "I apologize Blaise. I didn't mean to lead you on. You're right. It always has been and always will be about Draco. I'm sorry."
Blaise gave a curt nod before stepping into the floo.
Sunrise found Hermione curled into a ball on the couch where she had cried herself to sleep.
/**/
The Egyptian witch who had attached herself to Draco's side saw herself as his witch. She wanted commitment and encouragement from Draco. Draco gave her none which had made her push even harder. But no matter how hard she pushed, Draco wouldn't commit to anything. He had backed her off more than once. He still loved Hermione. It didn't matter how long they'd been apart or what witch crossed his path. Hermione was still in his heart. He wouldn't commit to anything if there was a chance he and Hermione would get back together.
One weekend, Draco had surreptitiously returned to England. He wanted to see Hermione. He had gathered up his nerve and gone to their flat. Draco tried to apparate in but the wards had refused him. He tried to floo in but the floo had been locked. As a last resort he went to the front door to ring the bell. A dark haired, dark eyed wizard answered the door. Draco's immediate thought had been he was looking at the bloody bastard who had taken his place.
"Is Hermione in?" asked Draco not really wanting to speak to her in front of her next wizard. But he had stood firm waiting for an answer.
The wizard introduced himself as Alan while Draco stood there not giving a fuck about his name. He just wanted to see Hermione.
The git was still talking. "My wife and I purchased this flat from Hermione about six months ago. If you want to find Hermione, you might try Blaise Zabini. He and Hermione are always together."
Draco thanked Alan and left. His heart was pounding as he thought about what Alan had said. She's always with Blaise. Why would Hermione Granger always be in Blaise's company? Draco tried not to think the unthinkable. He had asked Blaise to look out for Hermione. He hadn't asked they always be together. It was bloody well time he found out just what was going on between Hermione and Blaise. Hopefully he wouldn't have to curse his best mate.
Draco tried apparating into Blaise's flat. However, for the second time in the last thirty minutes a set of wards refused him entry. "What the fuck now?" he had spit. "Why would Blaise change his wards?" Draco hoped it wasn't to keep him out and Hermione in.
Draco went to the front door and knocked as hard as the Muggle police. No answer. Draco knocked even harder. No answer. On the third set of knocks Blaise opened the door. Draco looked at Blaise and Blaise looked back at Draco. When it appeared Blaise was not going to invite him in, Draco pushed past his mate and walked right in.
"Don't let me stand in your way," snapped Blaise as he closed the door behind Draco. "Come right in."
Blaise went into the bedroom to put on some proper clothes. When he returned to the living room, Draco was holding up a letter. It was the first letter Granger had sent. He had kept it thinking when he and Granger finally got together they would have a laugh over his sentimentality. Things hadn't worked out that way, but he had kept the letter anyway.
Draco stared at Blaise still holding out the letter. "What's this about? Why would Hermione be thanking you for anything?"
Blaise was tired of the Hermione-Draco bull shite. A perfectly good witch was sitting there going to waste because Draco had his head up his arse. He was going to waste because the perfectly good witch was pining for the wizard who had his head up his arse. How prophetic.
Blaise stared back at Draco. He wasn't in the mood to take any shite and had growled at Draco. "I took Granger out to dinner and dancing. She had a good time so she wrote me a thank you note. What's it to you anyway Draco? You live thousands of miles away. You are engaged to an Egyptian witch. Why are you concerned about what Granger does?"
Draco had known Blaise for years. His mate didn't act like this. He was acting coy. Something was going on.
"First," snarled Draco. "I'm not fucking engaged to anyone. Second. It doesn't matter where I live or who I see. This better not be what it appears to be. If you've laid hands on Hermione, I….."
Blaise jumped up snarling cutting across Draco. "You'll do what Draco, curse me? By what order have you come in here questioning me? Yes. I have tried to put hands on Granger, but she rebuffed my advances. We have been accompanying each other out. That's it. The one chance I had to get close to her ended when she whispered I love you Draco into my ear. Is that what you want to know? You are in some fucking far away country lying with a witch every night yet you have the heart of one of the most beautiful witches in London. How much do you want Draco? How much is enough? I haven't laid any part of my body on her, but I want to. Does that answer your question?"
Blaise sat back down on the couch exhausted from his tirade.
Draco who was panicking over the possibility of Hermione falling for Blaise had almost choked on his next words. "You said you had a try at getting close to Hermione. What happened?"
Blaise hung his head. "I kissed Hermione and for one fleeting moment she kissed me back. Then it all went to hell when she whispered I love you Draco. When Granger whispered those words, I knew there wasn't any chance for us to have a relationship. Even if she had accepted my attentions every night of the week, she would not have been accepting me. She would have been pretending it was you. She has since told me it has always been you and will always be you. You're my best mate. But in the past months, I have wished you gone for good."
Draco walked over to the liquor cabinet to pour a glass of whiskey for himself and Blaise. Blaise downed his in one while Draco sipped slowly pondering what he should do next.
The silence was broken by Blaise. "There are rumors about your engagement to an Egyptian witch. Are they true? Are you actually planning to marry?"
"Nothing but rumors mate," replied Draco. "I'm neither engaged nor getting married. I'm in London to see if Hermione will take me back."
Blaise sighed.
Draco grinned as he slapped his mate across the back. "I'm sorry the first witch who has truly caught your attention is in love with me. The witch for you isn't my witch. Where did Hermione move to?"
Blaise gave Draco Hermione's home address and floo address as well.
Draco headed to the door telling Blaise he was going to see Hermione on the chance she would talk to him.
Blaise sighed even more deeply. He could see everything he hoped for circling the drain. He knew no matter what bad feelings existed between Draco and Granger. Once they saw each other, love would take over.
Blaise gave it one last try. "If Hermione doesn't want to see you, could you possibly wish her well and tell her you won't ever come back?"
"Sorry Blaise. I know this is hard on you, but that's never going to happen. Goodnight."
/**/
Draco decided to be bold. Instead of apparating to Hermione's flat and knocking on her door, he used Blaise's floo to floo directly into Hermione's hall.
Hermione heard the floo and had come out of the kitchen wiping her hands on a towel. Thinking it was Blaise, Hermione was in the process of asking a question.
"Have you come for another…?" Then she looked up to find Draco standing there. "Draco," she whispered.
Draco returned her greeting. "Hello Granger. I come in peace. No healing necessary. How's things?"
The sound of Draco's voice caused Hermione to go weak in the knees. The wizard she loved. The wizard she had driven away was standing in the middle of her living room.
"Nice flat. Did you get tired of ours?"
Hermione stammered for a few seconds before answering. "The old flat belonged to us. There was no more us, so I got a flat which was for me alone."
"May I sit down in this flat which belongs to you alone?"
Blushing, Hermione had cheekily replied he was welcome to sit down if his bottom was clean.
Draco laughed as he took a seat on the couch. "My bottom is as clean as clean can be." Draco chose not to mention Blaise as he asked Hermione what was going on in her life.
"Not much going on with me Draco. I heard you've gotten yourself engaged. Congratulations. All it took was the right witch. How fortuitous it was for you to be assigned to a country where your true love was waiting."
A frown crossed Draco's face at Hermione's sarcastic tone. "I'm not engaged Hermione and I don't know where that story originated. Perhaps you shouldn't hang around Blaise so much. I was supposed to marry you."
Hermione blushed from her chest to her forehead and suddenly found her fingernails very interesting.
"Say something Hermione. I'm here. You're here. We aren't fighting. Say something."
Hermione looked up at Draco. "I'm sorry for the things I said to you. Every single day since you've been gone I've wanted to go back to that moment and set things right. That one moment of anger cost me the wizard I love. I've missed you Draco."
Neither spoke until Draco broke the silence. "I have often wished that moment back as well. We both said some harsh shite. I apologize for what I said as well. It was uncalled for. You just said the wizard you love not loved.
Hermione didn't answer. Instead she got them both a drink and took several sips before answering. "You know me Draco. I always say what I mean. Often to my own detriment. Even if it hurts someone. I said love and I mean love. Time hasn't changed my feelings."
Silence once again enveloped the room.
Draco finished his fire whiskey and excused himself to the bathroom.
Both Hermione and Draco were thinking along the same lines. What do I do next? Shall I kiss her? Shall I let him kiss me?
Draco returned from the bathroom and sat back down before asking Hermione if she'd like to go out to dinner or order some takeaway.
I'll settle for takeaway had been her answer.
"Sounds good," Draco answered feeling chuffed Hermione had agreed to his suggestion. "I'll go out to get it. It will be faster. I'll be back shortly. Please don't move to another flat while I'm gone."
Draco was hardly into the floo before Hermione who was giggling at his last remark ran to her bedroom to change into something more flattering. Hermione was in and out of the shower in ten minutes. She put on a bit of makeup, brushed her hair and dabbed on some of the scent Draco liked.
Glancing at herself in the mirror, Hermione liked what she saw. She was ready to have dinner with her wizard. Nah. Not her wizard. She was ready to have dinner with the wizard she loved.
/**/
Draco arrived back at the flat five minutes later bringing food from their favorite restaurant the Golden Dragon.
Hermione smiled at Draco's thoughtfulness as they sat down to eat.
They talked as they ate.
D- "I have three more months to finish up this assignment. Yup. We've been apart for nine months. I feel great sitting here talking to you. Yes. There is a witch who is interested in me. However she and I aren't on the same page regarding a relationship."
H- "I've gone out on dates with Blaise."
A frown crossed Draco's brow.
H- "Blaise was looking for something I couldn't give him."
Draco frowned even more deeply.
D- "I don't have any right to comment, but I will. I'm very glad you couldn't give Blaise that something. If it's the something I'm thinking of, it belongs to me. On a lighter note, I haven't been injured in months."
Hermione wisely remained silent as Draco explained about his lack of injuries. It had been her comments about his injuries which had precipitated their breakup. Hermione wanted to stay away from that topic.
/**/
After finishing their meal they had gone back to the living room where Draco plucked up the courage to ask Hermione if she would ever consider taking him back.
Hermione looked into those gray eyes and felt her heart try to beat its way out of her chest. "I've never considered not getting back with you. Love doesn't disappear because people part in anger. I may have given up all hope of us ever being a couple again, but I've never stopped loving you. I want you back. I want us to be together."
Draco took several seconds to digest Hermione's words before moving to sit beside her. "I've dreamed of the day I would be in a position to hear those words from you. You haven't left my mind these last nine months. The witch with whom I've had a dating relationship for the past several months is just that. A date. I have kissed and held her. That's all. When I left Egypt she was under the impression we were still together. I want to straighten that out before coming back into your life. It's the honest thing to do.
Hermione took Draco's hand and looked him in the eyes. "I've dated. You've dated. I hate it all came down to this, but I understand. Fix it and come home to me."
"I will straighten it all out Hermione," he said catching several strands of her hair in his hand. "I promise. Then I will take you in my arms and we will make nine months worth of love. You smell so good," he whispered putting his nose close to her neck.
Hermione snuggled up to Draco's side. She hadn't been this content (or wet) since the last time they had been together. They were both so comfortable they fell asleep on the couch.
/**/
Hermione awoke the next morning to Draco singing in the shower. She smiled and went to the kitchen to make them breakfast. She was putting the finishing touches on the breakfast when the floo lit up and Blaise stepped out.
"Good morning Mr. Zabini. Would you like some breakfast?"
Blaise smiled opening his mouth to accept when….
Draco called out. "I didn't hear what you said babe. Say it again."
At the sound of Draco's voice the smile left Blaise's face. He turned back to the floo telling Hermione he would speak to her later and to tell Draco good morning.
Hermione liked Blaise. She appreciated the way he had looked out for her, but she had told him the truth. The only wizard for her was Draco.
She continued with the breakfast.
Draco came out of the shower with wet hair looking at her with those sultry gray eyes. Hermione smiled to herself. My wizard. To Draco she said. "Blaise was here. He wished you a good morning."
Draco put his fork down and turned to Hermione. "Blaise is upset that I've come back and a bit jealous as well. He has feelings for you."
"I know," answered Hermione in a very soft voice.
Draco did not say anything more. Instead he came around the table, put his arms around Hermione from behind, smelled her hair and let out a soft groan. "I'm just about ready to forego being an honorable wizard. I need to feel you. I want to be inside you."
As much as Draco's words made her tremble with want and need, Hermione slid out of his arms. "Everything we've done together has been on the up and up. We won't change now. I wouldn't be happy making love with you knowing you left a witch in Egypt who thinks you and she have a relationship. Just get it straightened out and get back home."
Hermione and Draco sat around most of the day enjoying each other's company and watching Muggle TV.
At 10:00 pm Draco got ready to catch his portkey leaving Hermione with explicit orders. "Don't change your mind while I'm gone. If I can get away, I will. If not, I'll see you in three months. I love you Hermione. Don't forget that. I'm going to make a quick stop to see Blaise. I plan to explain in plain language that we are back together and my only reason for leaving is to finish out my assignment. No more dates Hermione." Then he stepped into the floo.
/**/
After Draco left, Hermione sat around for hours with her arms wrapped around her knees going over every aspect of his visit. He still loved her and wanted to be with her. If he didn't change his mind in the next three months, she would have her wizard back.
The thought of Draco coming home for good made Hermione's body tingle. For the first time in a very long time Hermione became so sexually aroused she found it necessary to satisfy herself. Which she did, calling out for Draco as her orgasm hit.
/**/
Then the wait had begun.
It seemed as though Blaise could smell Hermione's weakness and need and had grown bold because of it. A few days after Draco left, he had actually tried to put his hand under her skirt and between her legs.
Hermione jumped away from his hand harshly reprimanding him about what would happen if he didn't keep his place. "You know full well that Draco and I are back together. Do that again and I will use my wand. If we can't remain friends without you trying to attack me, perhaps our friendship is over. It will be much better if you don't visit until after Draco returns."
Blaise had taken his last shot at getting Hermione and embarrassed them both. He apologized to Hermione stating she was right. It was probably best if he didn't come around. He made his statement and left quickly after he finished speaking.
/**/
Time passed so slowly. Draco sent her an owl via Gringotts and she had slept with it under her pillow for a week. Everything with the Egyptian witch had been straightened out.
Then Hermione heard rumors that the Goblins wanted Draco to stay another year. She knew Draco loved being a Curse Breaker and was petrified he would choose the job over her. This thought caused her many sleepless nights. Her sleepless nights vanished when she received another owl from Draco which only contained the message 20 more days.
Three months and one day from the time Hermione had last seen him, Draco stepped out of her floo.
"Hello beautiful," he said grabbing Hermione up and kissing her on the lips. "Make room for me. I'm through with Curse Breaking. I'm through with being away from you. I want to make love."
Draco carried Hermione into the bedroom, throwing up locking and silencing charms as he quipped. "We're going to need those. Before I begin I want to get a few things straight. We are back to where we belong. While I was away certain things happened that will never happen again. From now, there won't be any reason for any other wizard to take care of you. I'm here. I'll take care of you."
Hermione nodded in agreement. "There wasn't any other wizard she wanted. There wasn't any other wizard she needed.
Then Draco had given all his attention to Hermione. He kissed every part of her body lingering between her legs long enough to get his tongue wet. Hermione nearly melted into the sheets at his touch.
After nine long months apart, Draco finally entered his witch. With a loud groan, he had started off slowly whispering to Hermione how glad he was to be home. Then his strokes had picked up and he and Hermione became united in their sex once more.
That night, Draco brought Hermione to climax five times and four more times the next morning. They were well on their way to making up for the nine months they hadn't shagged.
Sometime during the early morning hours Draco made a promise to Hermione. "There will not be another time when I walk out of our flat in anger. No matter how much you try to provoke me. If I do, you have my permission to hex me."
Hermione let out a loud snort. "Provoke you my arse. I'll hex you on general principle alone."
They both laughed then wrapped their arms around each other.
Being wrapped in Hermione's arms caused Draco to produce another magnificent erection which he put immediate use.
"You are still an insatiable beast," moaned Hermione lifting her legs as high as they would go.
With his magnificent erection perched at the door of Hermione's slit, Draco leaned down to nip her ear quipping quite proudly. "You wouldn't have me any other way Granger. This is our life."
The End.