I Don't own anything of JK Rowlings Harry Potter Universe, I also don't make any money from this...damn!
Summary: Venice at Carnival time is bright, busy, fun and deadly. Draco Malfoy, playboy by day and black op's assassin by night, is on an assignment to save the wizarding world as they know it. But when Hermione Granger slams back into his life and current mission, is he ready for the challenge? And when the masks finally come off, could Hermione prove to be more than a match for him - in and out of the bedroom?
"Hey, watch where you're going. You bloody big ape."
Draco turned at the very familiar voice, and knew his night could not get any more complicated, or tormenting. He spun around and stared down into the very big brown eyes of one, Hermione Granger. Pain in the arse extraordinaire, and to his shock and dismay, extremely grown up and fetching to boot.
"Bloody hell, Malfoy. I should have known you'd be the lout who stepped on my foot. I thought you were brought up with grace and refinement."
And yes, she still possessed the uncanny knack of rubbing him completely the wrong way. He felt a sneer jump to his lips, unbidden. It was a look which many had cowed before. Yet, Granger the silly twat just continued to stare up at him with a slight quirk to her eyebrow.
"Ah, Granger, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company in my abode tonight?"
"Your abode?" Her forehead creased slightly with frown lines as she pondered what he'd told her. Surely, she had to know where she was, and in who's house she stood. She was no slouch in the knowledge department. Well not in the past anyway, though it had been a decade since Hogwarts.
He tried not to notice how well she had filled out over the last few years. Her athletic, youthful body had become all womanly curves. Chestnut curls hung down against her lower back, and the cocktail dress she wore left little to the imagination. Not, that he would ever deem to look at her in such a way. Well, looking wouldn't hurt him, he figured. He was a male after all, not a eunuch.
"Yes mine. Malfoy Manor is not the only property we have in our portfolio."
"I realize this, Malfoy. But, Venice? It just doesn't seem dark and foreboding enough."
Despite the obvious dig at his coloured past, he found himself laughing.
"Well you know what they say, 'there is always darkness in light'."
"I've always liked to think there is a little light in the darkness." She gave him a crooked smile which made his chest pulse. He swallowed, ridding himself of the horrid feeling. She of all people shouldn't make him feel anything, except annoyance.
"Yes, well, you always did think too highly of some people, didn't you? The Weasel too - if I remember correctly."
He watched as her face flamed red. Then she glared up at him, her chocolate eyes flashing in annoyance. But, to his incredulity, and slight disappointment, she didn't bite back.
"Try to be civilized, Malfoy, this is a party after all."
"Yes it is. But, as it's being held in my house, I can treat guests as I see fit. I could throw a few spells around right now and turn everybody green, if I so wished." He smiled as he said this, and was surprised to find it a genuine one. Usually, he couldn't wait to be rid of small talkers at these official parties. But, for some unfathomable reason, Granger had cast some kind of spell on him. This in turn made him wary. Had she? He was concerned he couldn't feel his inner prat frolicking about, waiting to sneer at her. He quickly did a small spell, and couldn't sense any of her magic. He was a little perplexed by his obviously genuine interest in conversing with her. Go figure. Okay, so maybe her figure factored into his unusual mood. He was so distracted, he almost missed her reply.
"Why doesn't that surprise me? Fine, before you start throwing hexes around, I'm curious. Why are you hosting a soiree at your house for Carnival? You always hated frivolity at Hogwarts. Don't tell me you've gone soft?"
He couldn't help thinking, that nothing would go soft around her. He squashed the thought straight away. Not the time; or place. Flippantly, Draco considered telling her the actual truth. He wondered what her reaction would be. Would she regale him with praise for his bravery? Or would she call him a liar and laugh in his face? Probably the latter, if their past was any indication. For the first time in history, he actually didn't want to chance her scorn. So he lied. Lying wasn't considered a felony was it?
"Well, why not? As always, the lure of fine wine and pretty women; is as good as any for a gathering. And this brings me to my, oh so important query. Why are you in my home? I'll understand if it's because you have a secret crush on me." He leant over, liking the way her Vanilla scent infiltrated his senses. She smelt like cake. He stage whispered at her. "I think most people here do."
Hermione started to puff up at him; just as a large robust man winked, and patted Draco's back as he walked past. Draco gave a greeting and turned back to Hermione.
"See, I told you so."
Draco was captivated as her face lit up, and she laughed. He had never been on the receiving end of her smile before. And in some deep dark corner of his mind, he almost wished he hadn't. Because now he knew how absolutely gorgeous one Hermione Granger could be.
"Not everyone in the world thinks you're the Slytherin Sex God, Malfoy."
"How about you, Granger? What do you think?"
She continued to stare up at him. He watched as her cheeks reddened slowly. She was obviously thinking about it, and judging by her growing colour; it was vivid. He coughed, and tried to think about the Weasel and Potty naked to dissipate his growing arousal. He couldn't believe how much enjoyment making Granger uncomfortable, gave him. Yet, it seemed to make him just as uncomfortable, in a more physical way.
Before she could answer him, a man Draco had never seen before approached her. Surprisingly, he held his tongue as the boorish oaf placed a hand on her exposed back, and whispered in her ear. Was this her partner? No, it couldn't be, he was too blocky, not refined enough for someone of her calibre. Draco ground his thoughts to a halt once again, what was wrong with him? In what universe did it matter whom she dated? What Granger and he were doing, was nothing more than civilized conversation between two people who had known each other for most of their lives. He failed to see what disliking each other for most of that time had to do with it.
Looking her over while she was distracted; he raised an eyebrow appreciatively. Her deep burgundy sheath clung to her waist and flowed to the floor. The bodice was tight and low, in a subtle way. On some women it would have been garish. But on Hermione it was spectacular. He forced his eyes away; he shouldn't spend all night ogling a woman who was very much out of his reach. And not just because of whom she was. It had been more years than he cared to remember since Hogwarts, and he no longer held the childish prejudices that were once so important. Granger was now a woman, an extremely desirable woman. He watched as the man left her side, and he knew he should follow suit. He had more important things to be doing. Yet, he couldn't step away. And it perplexed him.
"Sorry about that, Ministry business. As usual, you never get a free moment when abroad with a cabinet. It's a nightmare being here at Carnival."
Malfoy snorted faintly. "Of course, you would work at the Ministry. It's the perfect place for the brainiest third of The Golden Trio."
"Brainiest? Did you just compliment me, Malfoy?"
"Actually, I believe it was an insult. I wouldn't be caught dead working at the Ministry. It's full of puffed up imbeciles."
"Working? Go on, admit it, Malfoy. You haven't worked a day in your life, have you?"
Her teasing voice lilted over the din of the other guests. He had never before wanted to tell somebody the truth, never. But, right now, at this moment with her staring up at him eyes wide in mirth; he wanted to tell her. He also wanted to kiss her until she forgot her name and his was the only one she could remember. Why? Maybe it was their shared past, maybe it was unresolved tension from years of fighting. He had never really seen Granger as a woman before, but tonight something was different. For some reason he craved her, and meant to have her. He was a Malfoy, and Malfoys always got what they wanted, always. He would admit that much.
What he couldn't admit was that he led a double life. The public saw a philandering playboy, gracing high end parties and night clubs all over the world. They didn't see what went on behind the scenes. Running Malfoy Industries took up a lot of his time, but not all of it. He also worked for the Covert Magic Operations Authority. An agency so top level, even the Ministry had no clue it existed. He wasn't at the high end of the hierarchy, but what he did was indispensable. Draco was a Black Ops Assassin. And, he was in Venice on a mission of grave importance. The entire Wizarding world was on the brink of a war. And no one knew it. He had to find his target, and formulate the perfect execution.
"Granger, I'm always on the clock. Who else would keep the gambling societies alive? The Firewhiskey Distilleries profitable? Plus, I have many tailors in my employ. We all know image isn't cheap."
"Ah, of course, you keep our economy afloat. I, on the other hand am just a lowly Ministry employee. Taking orders from someone much more exalted than me."
"Really? I can't see you taking orders very well." Draco suddenly had a vision of Hermione tied up naked on his bed, taking commands from him. Groaning quietly, he imagined what those sweet lips of hers could do to him. Quickly he dispelled all visions, less he embarrass himself in public, with a raging hard-on no less. He coughed lightly. "So, Granger, working for anyone I know? Blaise? Marcus?"
"Heavens no, I do have taste, Malfoy. He's not a Slytherin, but maybe you know him, it's Jonathan Rothman. He's the Minister of Magic's first aide. I'm part of his security detail, though obviously I'm not the muscle." She gave him another small smile, which made him feel funny. Yet, the words issuing from her mouth made him clammy at the same time. "I'm here for protection wards, and research duty."
Malfoy stood wide eyed. Oh Merlin. What was she doing here with Jonathan Rothman? He ran a hand through his hair, not caring if he mussed it. He tried reigning in his crazed emotions, finally managing to control himself. He never lost control.
Fine, this was just swell. Actually, it was fucking brilliant in fact. Hermione Granger had just waltzed into Venice, protecting the very man he was contracted to kill. Perfect.
Hermione looked up into the proud, arrogant, but gorgeous face of Draco Malfoy. It was still a little hard to wrap her mind around, that this was the same angular faced boy from school. Draco had certainly grown into his Pureblood ancestry. He owned a room with his presence. Women wanted him, and men wanted to be him. Quite surprisingly, she felt and saw the magnetic attraction he exuded; though she really wasn't sure what to think about it. His Muggle tuxedo fit like a glove and the tailoring would not have been cheap, just as he eluded. He probably had his own personal suit maker. Hermione was sure they earned more Galleons than her a year.
She watched as he fiddled slightly with the cuff on his right wrist. He adjusted it and looked around covertly, yet she saw. Who was he looking for? Most probably the latest conquest in a long line; blonde, leggy and amazing in the sack. Now why did that thought leave her with a bad taste in her mouth? She didn't want to bed the enigmatic prat Malfoy. No matter how storm grey his eyes were, or how taut his body looked under the suit. Oh, damn it. She had no resolve when it came to handsome wizards.
He gave her an absent smile, and she wondered what had changed since she told him she worked for Jonathan Rothman. She had watched his face transform from flirting playboy to barely keeping his anger in check within the space of seconds. Did he know something about her supposed boss? She would have to find out. It was her job to.
"Do you know him, Malfoy? I could introduce you if you'd like." She watched in interest as his expression grew hard. Then he smiled at her and her heart hammered, gosh he was, for the lack of a better word, breathtaking. It was making her forget why she was here.
"Not now. I'm much more interested in his right hand lady at the moment. Walk with me, Granger; I want to show you something." He held his arm out, and to her astonishment she placed hers on top of it.
She would have been blind if she didn't notice the looks of envy she was receiving from the other women in the room. Walking through the guests to the staircase made her feel like a princess in a story - albeit not a comfortable princess. She followed Malfoy's white blonde head out of the room, wondering where she left her brain.
She hadn't seen him in such a long time, and was taken aback to find herself enjoying his company. Hermione tried not to let the past interfere with the present, so she extended a certain amount of trust to Draco. Though, no good could ever come out of it. Especially, since all she could think about was wrapping herself around his tall frame. There had to be a spell in his house, one which made her lose all sense of reason. She let the lie to herself slide.
Malfoy directed her to a room one floor above the main ballroom. As she stepped inside, her hand flew up to her mouth in astonishment.
In a glass case in the middle of the largest personal library she had ever seen, sat a Venetian Carnival Mask. But, this was no ordinary mask; this was magnificent in its simplistic lines and bold colours. It was an array of greens and blues. Feathered plumes reached high and thick, and it stole Hermione's breath.
"Malfoy, where on earth did you find this? If I'm not mistaken, it belonged to Salazar Slytherin's sister, Amelia. I've seen sketches in books, but I thought it was destroyed years ago?"
Draco walked around the case unhurriedly, a look of pride on his face. It wasn't an arrogant sneer like usual, but a look of true pleasure. This spoke to Hermione more than all the pretty words in the world.
"It's been in the Malfoy family for almost as long as our line has existed. I won't tell you the circumstances by which we secured it. A long story of unrequited love, and star crossed lovers. Nonsense really. I just think its one of the most extraordinary things I've ever set eyes on."
Hermione realized he was no longer looking at the mask as he spoke. His eyes were dark, and bored into hers with the subtlety of a train. Her breath hitched, and she felt her face heat. Merlin, she was in trouble. He took a step towards her, and she rounded herself against the case so he stayed in her line of vision. Somehow she thought letting Malfoy out of her sight, would be a very foolish move.
"What do you want, Malfoy? I'm not complaining about seeing the mask per se, but why show me?" Her voice pitched high, and wobbled. She desperately needed to get this situation back on solid ground. Yet, the dark thrill which encased her nerve endings made her hesitate.
"I brought you here to prove something, Granger."
She noticed his voice was low; husky infact. It sent small tingles throughout her. His gaze resembled molten mercury, and she found it hard to break the smouldering eye-contact. Her throat constricted and she was scared to utter her next words.
"Prove what?"
"That, quite plain and simple, you want me." He smirked arrogantly at her, and she felt her insides clench. Merlin, he was just too much, too alpha male. It was definitely not a turn off. Her senses were in overload, and he was still a metre away from her.
"You must be mad, Malfoy. Why would I want you? I haven't seen you in years."
"Because, Granger, it goes against everything you were brought up with. Proprietary, constantly choosing the right path. And most importantly, always ignoring the bad boy. This has been years in the making, you can't deny the chemistry."
He walked towards her, punctuating each reason with a step. She stilled. He was absolutely correct, and it scared the bejesus out of her. He shouldn't have been able to win her over so easily. So, to give herself time to assimilate, she snorted her derision and tried to hide behind a mask of indifference. It reminded her of the man standing in front of her.
"Whatever, Malfoy. You have no idea what I want, or for that matter, what I don't."
"Is that so? I'll prove it to you, Granger. That you want me. And you won't even care about consequences." He closed the gap between them.
Swiftly he pressed her into the glass casing, nudging his thigh between her legs. She gasped at the contact, feeling herself respond immediately. His fringe hung in his steel grey eyes as he stared directly into hers. It was strangely intimate and made her squirm pleasurably. Draco was the most gorgeous wizard she'd ever had pushed up against her, not that her repertoire was very extensive. Merlin, it just about hurt to look at him.
Involuntary she licked her lips, and he followed the movement like a hawk watching its prey. She knew she should push him away. Tell him he was being ridiculous and making her uncomfortable. But she couldn't. Her stomach thrilled at the closeness of such an unsuitable man. Draco, the bane of her school existence was suddenly the only one who could make her gasp. She was in over her head, and it felt delicious.
He started to lean forward, hesitating slightly to see if she would push away. Hermione, for once in her life; took control. She fisted his tie and pulled him onto her lips. She felt his smirk die as soon as her tongue traced his lips. He groaned deep in his throat and responded in kind. Shock waves of lust trilled down her spine straight to her groin, as he tongued her mouth. She wantonly squirmed against his thigh, pushing her warmth into it, moaning at the friction.
Draco's hands trailed down her sides, until he cupped her buttocks. She almost came undone as he squeezed and raised her slightly. She continued to ignore the small voice which told her she was insane. He was dazzling, single, and the last person in the world she should be snogging. It was perfect. Well, it was until the door burst in.
"Miss Granger, Jonathans leaving, and expressly asked for you." Herbert, another man in her party wouldn't look at them. He stared straight at the floor. She could sense his embarrassment, and he coughed nervously.
Hermione's face was so red, she felt like a tomato which had been sun-burnt thirty times over. Draco let her go reluctantly, and she slipped from his grasp. As she hastened across the room, she stole a glance back and almost stopped. He was watching her, eyes almost black in arousal. The need burning in them made her weak in the knees. Then he blinked, and it disappeared.
"You can run back to your boss, Hermione. But, you can never hide from a Malfoy. I will have you. And I know for certain you can't wait to be pleasured by me."
With Draco's warning ringing in her ears, she ran down the hall back to the party and Jonathan. She wondered whether it was so wrong to be
turned on by his conceited vow.
A/N: A huge thanks goes out to Elizabeth Mitchell who helped me beta the first two chapters…after that the mistakes are mine
