Title: Sex and Love: Move Your Eyes 6 Inches Up
Time-line: last week of December 2002-end of February 2003
Type: Romance/Humor/Drama/Suspense
Chapter length: extremely varied, from 5,000 to 9,000
Main Characters (alphabetical order): Draco Malfoy, Hermione Granger
Supporting Characters/Secondary Characters (alphabetical order): Astoria Greengrass, Blaise Zabini, Daphne Greengrass, Minerva McGonagall, Minister of Magic, Mr. and Mrs. Granger, Neville Longbottom, Pansy Parkinson, Theo Nott
Minor Characters (alphabetical order): Bellatrix Lestrange, Harry Potter, Lucius Malfoy, Luna Lovegood, Narcissa Malfoy, Ronald Weasley, Severus Snape, Viktor Krum
Part 2 of the Sex and Love stories. Read Think With Your Head Not Your Dick before attempting to read this, or you may become highly confused.
Summery: The Ball has passed, and Hermione and Draco are adjusting to life after dealing with Flint. However, Malfoy has secrets of his own that Hermione had yet to uncover. What's with the necklace, room, his family? And what deadline is Draco hiding from her? Hermione shared her story with us, now its Draco's turn to bring his past and his secrets into the light.
Draco awoke in a grouchy mood. Sleeping was great-no nightmares or nothing. He just wasn't that interested in meeting Hermione's parents, considering their obvious dislike for her past relationships. He was completely ready to be put in the same place as the others, and have to fight for the parents respect.
That was something you had to do with all girls parents, but Granger's would just be far more difficult. He had more then a few odds against him, and Malfoy had never been good with people he was bred to hate.
It was going to be a long day.
Hermione was frantically running about the apartment, checking her hair like he had only seen her do once before (the night of the Ball) and rechecking the items in her purse multiple times. He sat on the couch and watched her panic, feeling obligated to comfort her but not particularly sure how. Parents...well, he had never been exactly good in that area, if history was any teacher.
At five 'til ten, Draco stopped her running and kissed her ear, gently reminding her that they needed to leave and apparate nearby, and that worrying herself anymore would cause wrinkles. She nearly laughed.
Hermione's home was a lovely two story house on a quiet road Draco noticed, and he was instantly stricken by how very muggle everything felt. He didn't feel any pull of magic or the smell of a potion, the commotion of some magical joke from the Weasley joke shop going horribly amiss and he didn't see people running around with butter beer or see chocolate frogs. Even in his flat it seemed to have more magic surrounding it, which may have been a delusion of his mind since he hated the town around his home unless he was out looking for a shag-which he didn't do anymore anyways.
They walked to the door. Hermione's heart was pounding in her chest. She could've apparated in, but it could come off as impolite since she had been gone for so long. It seemed terrible for her to just open the door too. She felt like a stranger standing outside her other home, like some forgotten piece in the puzzle.
Draco wrapped a gentle arm around her as she wrapped softly on the door, probably too soft to be heard. He rolled his eyes and reached up, knocking harshly on the door. Hermione glared at him, snapping her head around as the door opened.
A middle-aged woman stood before them, her hair a bit darker then Hermione's and pulled into a ponytail that hung limply behind her with age. She was rather thin for her estimated age (which Draco was afraid to even think of and have the woman hear, and watch her curse him forever) and Draco hoped Hermione still looked so good in the future.
"Hermione!" The woman's face warmed into a smile and the girl stepped away from him into the embrace of her mother. The elder woman's eyes were brimmed with tears, and he found himself looking away from the moment.
He and his mother had never embraced like that.
"Its so good to see you," she continued, releasing her daughter to study her face. "How I've missed you."
"I've missed you too mom, but please don't go all mushy book on me."
She raised an eyebrow and Draco frowned. "What?"
"Never mind, I just meant don't get all sappy." Hermione took a single step away from her mother and gripped Draco's hand, before turning back to her with a smile on her face. "Mom, this is my...boyfriend Draco."
Hermione's mother scanned over Draco's form, a smile plastered on her face that Draco decided had to be faked. "This is the Draco you've been explaining for years honey? He's not at all how you described last time. I don't see anything sinister about him."
Draco chuckled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders as Hermione gasped, "Mom!"
Her mother let a faint blush pass over her cheeks. "I'm sorry honey, but the description didn't fit. Malfoy, right? Draco Malfoy?"
He nodded once, extending his hand in a polite gesture. "Mrs. Granger, its a pleasure to meet you. I see where Hermione gets her eyes, their rather gorgeous."
Her mother's smile expanded. "Thank you dear! Please, come on in!"
Hermione sulked through the door, horrified at how very bizarre her mother sounded today, like some airhead from the late 1900's. Draco was going to think she was mentally deranged by the end of this.
At least Draco was attempting to be a gentleman so far, and it was working.
Hermione's father sat in a chair in the kitchen, reading a paper and trying very hard to ignore the couple as they followed his wife into the kitchen. He gritted his teeth as he heard a male voice speaking to her, and wondered what this one looked like.
He folded up the newspaper and smiled softly as Hermione ran over to him for a hug. Over his daughter's shoulder he watched the new man in Hermione's life with extreme caution as he spoke to his wife, who was giggling.
He inwardly groaned. She got this way around all of Hermione's boyfriends, like she was the reason Hermione was exactly who she was, despite the fact that they had hardly been involved in Hermione's life since her fifth year at that magic school.
Blond hair. That was different from the other's at least. Nice build, could protect her. Tall, so his little girl could at least hide behind him. And from the appearance since he entered into the kitchen, well mannered. But of course, that could always be a show like with the others to impress the parents.
Hermione's father frowned as the young man came up to him, extending a hand. "Draco Malfoy," he stated simply.
He took the boys hand firmly in his, shaking hard. "Mr. Granger is how you'll address me until I feel otherwise about you."
Over protective father type hmm? "Of course," he said respectfully, glancing at Hermione.
They ate an early brunch, with Hermione and her mother doing most of the talking through a strained conversation. Conversing about her history the last few years was out of the question as far as she was concerned, and avoiding those questions again and again was drawing strange looks to her person from her parents. As the morning drew on she felt wary, and wished to be finished with the visit and her mother's obnoxious amount of questions.
The tension was thick between her father and Draco, both of which barely spoke the entire morning, especially to each other. Draco answered her mother's questions to the extent he could, often adding some cool remark at the end that made her smile. Yet she noticed that both hardly ever broke contact, like they were trying to stare the other down.
When the meal was finished and Mrs. Granger decided to go into the living room, her husband asked to have a word with Draco alone and all Hermione could do was mouth sorry as he followed the older man.
Draco followed Hermione's father up the stairs, studying the house with a critical eye. It was small, and absolutely muggle. Everything was done by hand, there were no elves, and no pictures that moved. He rolled his eyes as they headed down a hall.
Now he had to converse with the man who appeared to feel nothing towards him besides hate. "Wonderful."
Mr. Granger wandered into something that looked like a cramped study, and took a seat in the only chair. Draco followed mutely behind, leaning against the wall a few feet from him.
"Do you know she's been married twice Draco?"
"I've heard," he said dryly, choosing to avoid any details on the matter that he could.
He looked up at the young man, his silver eyes emotionless. "What do you plan to do with my daughter?"
Draco watched the elder man's expression. Behind the hard exterior he looked pained, like he expected Draco to run away with Hermione the moment they were out the front door. He couldn't help but both respect and resent the man. He loved his daughter so much, and although he looked close to hysterical by now he was at least holding a decent conversation with him. He decided it took an extreme amount of control to do that.
He also decided he hated the man, for having the compassion that his own father could never show towards anyone.
"I plan to treat her well, and see where the relationship goes. I haven't been with her long, I've hardly considered the future. Why rush things?" I'm lying through my teeth.
"Don't hurt my little girl," he said, holding Draco's gaze much like he had over brunch. "She's been through enough hurt with men."
"I can imagine," Draco responded, watching him open his mouth to respond before snapping it shut. "Sir," he said again, inwardly slapping himself. He might have been raised to be well behaved, but sometimes it simply killed him. "I promise you, I will not hurt your daughter in any way."
"I sincerely hope so," he sighed, standing. "Although your manner is more...respectful and proper then those men in her past, don't expect a single day will change my opinion on you."
"I never expected it."
"Very good. I'll be watching you Mr. Malfoy, to ensure my little girl doesn't get hurt again."
You're rather paranoid aren't you? Draco nodded his head once, before turning on his heel and departing the room.
"I'm sure he was just being over protective."
"That doesn't change the fact that your father is practically accusing me of being a bad person already and he just met me today."
Hermione waved her hand, pulling on her new pajama top from Christmas. "i'll make sure to not leave you with the scary man next time ok?"
Draco groaned. "And when is 'next time'?"
"A few weeks, I'm not sure yet."
He yawned. "Thank god. You're charming to a degree Hermione, but I get the feeling your father will never fall for my own charm." And to this, she laughed.
Tuesday Draco was up by nine, and preparing to leave by eleven when he woke Hermione around ten-thirty.
"Well I don't want to stay here by myself all day."
Draco frowned. "And where should I take you? I'm not dropping you off with any of those Weasley's."
"I doubted you would. Actually, I was hoping Blaise would look for some company. I have gotten used to him after all. Maybe he doesn't completely hate me, and will be alright with going out to lunch?'
Draco laughed. "I have pulled you from your friends haven't I? If you desire Blaise's...company then you can ring him yourself."
"Then I will."
Draco handed his phone to her. Blaise is going to be horrified that he left such a mark on Hermione. I think the look on his face will be my early morning joy.
After watching Blaise stare at Draco in horror for several minutes before his departure, the confused Wizard was dragging Hermione through Hogsmeade for lunch. She was surprised, given that this was Blaise, and that she had slept through breakfast.
"Where would you prefer to eat," he asked, wandering down the frozen streets, people dashing every which way, now preparing for the new year which was Friday.
"The Three Broomsticks," Hermione said quickly, remembering several interesting meals there with the Weasley's and Harry, before things had changed.
"Are you sure," Blaise said with a wrinkle of his nose, having never been very fond of the restaurant himself.
"Yes," Hermione said pleasantly, not catching Blaise's obvious dislike. He made a face and followed her inside.
It was crowded and on the brink of exploding inside, but the two found a seat that had been recently vacated and stole it before anyone else could. Blaise picked up the menu and studied it, noticing Hermione did no such thing and instead peered around the establishment.
"Aren't you going to pick something?"
"I know what I want," she said simply. "I get the same thing every time I come."
He shrugged, and not a moment later a waitress appeared, looking rather happy and hot, with red cheeks and an apron. "What'll it be?"
Blaise gave his menu one final look as Hermione ordered. "Ham soup and Butterbeer."
She jolted the order down and looked over at Blaise. "And you?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Shepherd's Pie and Firewhiskey."
"Alright, that'll be out for you soon." The woman turned and left, leaving Blaise to study the establishment.
"Hermione, did I just order muggle food?"
She laughed. "Yes Blaise, you did."
"Then whatever is a Shepherd's Pie?"
"You've never had Shepherd's Pie!"
He shrugged. "I've only been in here once and it was so Nott could get a Butterbeer."
"Shepherd's pie isn't that uncommon."
He smirked. "Then ask Draco, he's probably never had it either! Remember Hermione, we're Purebloods and as children were expected to never come to an establishment like this. However common Shepherd's Pie maybe, it wasn't something that we ever ate."
She shook her head, looking away with a bemused smile. The things a rich Pureblood could miss out on! As she studied the place, and Blaise the rest of the suddenly interesting menu, both failed to notice the approaching figure until she nearly slapped Hermione.
"You leave him alone Mudblood!" Several pairs of eyes turned and stared at the table.
Hermione raised an eyebrow, fighting back the urge to retort to the Mudblood comment like she had done as a child and chose to ignore it, while trying to remember exactly who this girl was. "Blaise? Oh no, you have it all wrong, we're just-"
"Not Blaise," the girl snapped, her pretty face losing its attractiveness as she sneered. "Draco!"
"Astoria," Blaise interjected, grabbing one of the girls wrists gently and taking it off the table, "leave her alone. This is hardly worth a fight."
She turned and glared at him. "Stay out of this Zabini!"
Hermione tilted her head and glared at the girl. "Why do you care if I'm involved with him? I haven't seen you around."
The girls complexion never changed color, but her eyes grew dark. "Just stay away from him you filthy excuse for a human. There's no reason for nay of us to be tainting our blood."
Hermione stood from the table, but Blaise, who was keeping his temper rather controlled, stood as well and dropped some money onto the table. "Come along Hemrione. Although I'm sure you can take Astoria, it would be a shame to have to deal with her as well as her sister." He pushed past the raven haired girl and grabbed Hermione's arm. "Come on."
The two departed from the establishment without their lunch, drawing many peculiar looks as they left. Hermione could hear Astoria's voice as they left, and it took Blaise's arm clamping down on her own and dragging her forwards to stop her from turning around and punching the girl much like she had punched Draco third year.
"The nerve," she sniffed as he drug her down the street.
"Ignore Astoria, she's always been possessive of Draco."
Hermione gave him a rather shocked look. "Always? Blaise! Why didn't anyone ever tell me that?"
He shrugged. "Astoria has hardly ever been involved in Draco's life. Its one of those delusions people often have towards others. I wouldn't worry."
"She called me a Mudblood."
He glanced at her. "Didn't Draco spend years calling you that? I fail to see the difference."
"I suppose there is none," she muttered.
"At least tell Draco about today, alright? I'm sure he'll handle it."
"I don't want Draco handling every single one of my problems!"
Blaise shrugged again as they reached the Floo network. "I still think its best to tell him."
Draco did not immediately react to Hermione's explanation of the afternoon, but instead chose to wait until the witch was asleep in his bed before dialing a number he had had to ask Blaise for.
"Its nearly midnight Draco, what could you possibly want?"
"Nice to talk to you too, Greengrass."
"Well, don't get snappy. It is late Draco."
Daphne Greengrass was nothing if not annoying. Being Pansy's best friend had that affect. However, her obvious irritation did not bother Draco in the least.
"Keep better eye on that whore you refer to as a sister."
Daphne gasped, and Draco inwardly groaned at the over dramatic reaction. "Although Astoria isn't the most pleasant person to speak with lately-"
"-ever-"
"-that doesn't make her cheap!"
He rolled his eyes. "Honestly I could care less how much your sister wishes to sell herself for. Just make it very clear to her that I'm not interested and she can stop bothering my girlfriend now."
"She bothered Granger? Hmm, I had thought after her failure to come to the Christmas Eve Ball her hopes would diminish. You crushed her you know."
"Apparently not hard enough."
"Don't be so cruel Draco, she's fancied you for years."
"Well, its time for her crush to end. As I have clearly stated to all of you Greengrass' in the past, I'm completely uninterested in your youngest."
"Fine," Daphne said, sounding bored. "I will carry the message on, but don't expect some harsh words to deter her."
"I would never be that idiotic," he grumbled, hanging up the phone and returning to his room where Hermione still remained asleep. He sighed, getting in beside her again and holding her close.
Astoria Greengrass could be such a nuisance when she wanted to be.
Wednesday the 29 brought with it an easiness to the apartment that had been absent the past two days due to the unwanted drama. That morning there was nowhere to be, no one to go see, and the two relaxed in leisure through the better part of the morning into late afternoon.
At some point Draco looked up to notice Hermione wandering around the living room and kitchen in wonder. "I promise you Hermione," he said, setting aside a book, "the apartment hasn't changed since yesterday." It was true, even the Christmas decorations Draco had put up at the last minute still sat about.
"Of course not," Hermione said, coming to sit beside him "It just seems extremely small...for a Malfoy I mean."
He smirked, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Just because its not as grand as the Manor doesn't make it small."
"It's smaller then even my parents house."
"Fine then, its small."
She rested her head against his shoulder, kissing his neck lightly as she lowered her head to it. "Why don't you use the Manor? I mean, its historic, and quite a bit larger then this flat. Plus, you wouldn't have to be surrounded by...muggles." She drew out the last word, knowing how he hated non-magical beings and still unsure how she dealt with the very people surrounding his flat.
He crinkled his nose. "I have no use for that place anymore." There was an angry, suppressed tone to his voice that made Hermione pull back long enough to stare at him.
"I thought-"
"You thought wrong," he snapped, eyes glaring at her. "I have nothing left for me there, and I don't plan to waste away my life in that place like my parents did."
She opened her mouth to say something, but quickly snapped it shut. He looked rather upset about the current topic. "Fine, so you hate the Manor." Just like me. "But may I ask one question?"
"I suppose."
"What will happen to the Manor now that you no longer live there?"
"Oh its still in damn near perfect condition. There are elves there, whom are bound to the Manor and Malfoy family who will remain to keep the place in tact so long as I keep paying the rent on the place. When I stop, the place will be foreclosed and the elves will diminish, either out of existence or to another source of work."
Hermione was about to say that with the lack of humans there, the elves shouldn't have to stay in the first place, but decided against it. She wanted to question him further, but got the feeling that he was done sharing.
She kissed his jaw. "You look so tense."
He chuckled. "My, you've gotten good at telling my moods haven't you."
"I've always been able to, although these days you have far more emotions then I've ever seen before."
"Hmm, and what do you recommend I do about all this tenseness Miss Granger?" He breathed on her ear and she wiggled against him.
"I have an idea."
There was no more talk about Malfoy Manor.
Thursday Draco drug Hermione out to lunch at a muggle restaurant of all places. He looked rather perplexed staring at his menu, and ordered the least odd sounding thing he could before folding his arms and leaning back in his chair with ease. Hermione raised her eyebrows at him.
"Tell me what you really wanted to do with your life."
"What do you mean?"
He rolled his eyes. "Come on Granger, we both know you desire more then to be a librarian. Just because Flint held you back doesn't mean your stuck forever."
She nodded once, sipping her tea before speaking. "I always wanted to be a teacher at Hogwarts. I wanted to start with that, and work myself up to Headmistress."
"Ambitious. What do you want to teach?"
"Arithmancy or the Study of Ancient Ruins. Both will be open for next school year, and I've thought about applying for the jobs. McGonagall has said she'd always support me if I ever decided to move beyond the library. And now that I'm not chained to an uncaring husband, I'd very much like to apply."
"You should then. You'd make an excellent teacher." He gulped down half of his drink before continuing. "That's something I can never see myself doing."
"Oh? Why's that?"
"Patience Granger. Its something I've never much possessed, and working with an enormous amount of half brained children five days a week doesn't sound like fun to me."
"Then what do you see yourself doing in the future?"
He clicked his tongue. "Trying to dig my family's name out of the whole my father threw it into. I'll probably end up taking over his business, unless I find people to do most of the work at the office and only deal with the paperwork that's necessary for me to oversee, as I've been doing for the past two years. Being an Auror was good for a while, but saving people really isn't me."
"You saved me," she said with a small smile.
"Yes well...that was you."
"Well, if you have people working at the business your father once owned...whatever that was, then there is no need for you to take over and you can do something you enjoy. Defense Against the Dark Art's will be open next year, unless Lupin excepts his position back-"
"I highly doubt they will let a former Death Eater teach Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Hermione paused. She hadn't much focused on the fact Draco once worked beside Voldemort for a while now, and the reminder that the tattoo was forever etched onto his skin. Now that she thought about it though...Hermione didn't remember seeing the mark on either of Draco's lower arms whenever she saw the skin there...
"Potions will also be available," she continued, focusing on the conversation at hand and forcing the mark into the back of her head. "They're shuffling alot of the teachers around next year."
"Although Potions was indeed my best subject, the thought of teaching still turns my stomach."
"Think about it at least? Its a different career path."
"Fine, if you insist, I'll consider it."
When the two returned home a few hours later, an owl and letter waited patiently for them. Hermione gave the bird treats while Draco read the letter silently, before sending it on its way with a response.
She frowned. "What does it say?"
"We have court-next Friday to be accurate. Look like it could be a long and bloody boring ordeal."
Hermione nodded, looking away from him and out the window. He caught the gesture, and set the notice aside, walking up behind her and wrapping his arms around her torso.
"Don't look so scared, if anyone tries anything I'm right there."
"Its not anyone I'm concerned about, its-"
"Flint."
She flinched. "Yes."
"Don't be," he muttered into her hair. "I'll never let anything happen to you."
"I know," she replied, relaxing into him and closing her eyes, willing the world to disappear for just a moment.
Friday Hermione awoke early, finding that Draco was in the shower, and feeling in a rather daring mood she went to join him. She opened the door to a steamy room, and heard the mild chuckle from the shower as she approached.
He drew the curtain back before she could and smirked. "I knew sometime you'd come and greet me in here."
She smiled sweetly. "Yes, it was bound to happen."
Raising an eyebrow he glanced her over. "Although those pajamas are terribly adorable on you, I'd prefer to not have to strip the wet clothing from your body."
She gave him a dazzling smile, before reaching down and pulling the shirt over her head.
Saturday Draco convinced Hermione to allow Blaise to come over, bringing along the unwanted form of Daphne Greengrass.
Hermione sat in the chair with Draco, on his lap actually while the couple laid out on the couch, the four watching a muggle horror movie that scared Daphne Greengrass to the point of tears, but hardly affected anyone else past a slight jump.
Needless to say, the afternoon was passed in an uncomfortable silence through the movie, Hermione and Daphne never once speaking to each other.
Well, no, that wasn't true. From Hermione's standpoint she did everything in her power to ignore Daphne, who tried several times to strike up mindless girl-conversation that would never interest the girl. At some point, Blaise told her to give up the cause.
As the two were saying goodbye to their guests, Hermione frowning at the other girl, Daphne turned to Draco as Blaise opened the door.
"I passed along your message. Needless to say she wasn't happy."
"What message," Hermione said, glancing at Draco.
"I figured as much, as we've already discussed. Just make sure she understands I don't take kindly to her bothering my girlfriend like she did." Hermione was now glaring at him.
"As I have already done, but fine, I'll try again if you insist." She gave Hermione a faint smile that wasn't returned and walked out the door to apparate home.
"Draco!"
"Yes?" He was walking back to the couch, sitting down and beckoning her to follow. She stood next to him, arms folded across her chest.
"Was all that about Astoria? I told you to not worry about her."
"Well, then don't worry about that. I'm just making sure its completely clear to her that I have no desire to ever be with her again."
"Again? This is an ex of yours!" Hermione's eyes were large now, and Draco got the feeling if she didn't calm down soon he'd have a ranting idiot to deal with.
"Are you jealous?"
She let out a harsh laugh, and he smirked, knowing his assumption was right. "Hardly!"
"Of course not...well, to set matters straight, it was a fluke thing in our sixth year to get Daphne off my back. She kept complaining about Astoria babbling about me and there was an exchange of money for me to go out with her for a few days. It was a mistake really. The moment I dumped her she was determined that I was going to come back to her. Deranged really."
"You played with a teenage girls feelings like that? No wonder she's still waiting for you! You were her teenage crush."
He rolled his eyes. "Which is exactly why she needs to get over it."
"Everyone has a crush that they can't get over...except maybe you, by the look your giving me."
It was true. He had one eyebrow raised, and an expression that said he hadn't the faintest idea what she was talking about. Obviously, Draco had not been an average teenager by any means.
"Nevermind. But Draco, you should have let her down easier, but with more...carefully chosen words."
"This from the person who just said 'more carefully chosen words'."
She stuck her tongue out at him. "You know what I mean. If you had just made it clear the first time none of this would be a problem."
"So I should call her and explain it-"
"No!" The jealousy in her voice was obvious, and as Draco smirked she took a moment to try and remove it before she spoke again. Let's just see if your prior...attempt to fix this works first."
He nodded. "That sounds like a lovely idea." He snapped his arm out as he finished speaking to grab her wrist. "Now, I think I'd like to see those lips doing something else..."
Sunday morning passed by slowly, and Draco found himself asleep on the couch before ten hit.
By two, Hermione was shaking his arm. "Draco?"
"Hmm?"
"I've decided something."
"Hmm?"
She frowned. "Shouldn't you be awake at least?"
He huffed and sat up, having gotten very little sleep the previous night as he was preoccupied with Hermione which resulted in his tiredness today. He yawned and finally looked up at her. "Yes?"
"I've decided to return to Hogwarts as the librarian for the remainder of the year."
He raised an eyebrow. "I thought you wanted to be a teacher."
"I do, but they don't have a librarian to finish off the school year. With Madame Pince having retired, and my substitute having done her share, I agreed to return on Thursday when McGonagall called here."
He yawned again, unable to help himself. "That's what that was?" He vaguely recalled the phone call Hermione got that day when they returned home, but she had just said it was work and he hadn't thought about it until now. He frowned before she could speak. "That means you'll be gone five days a week..."
"Yes, although I do have a Floo network, and if this apartment had one I could return here each night-"
"Of course," he interrupted, standing and extending his arm. "If you'll lend me your wand for a bit, I can set one up. Trust me, I know how complicated it is, but I can also do it after the practice I've had."
She handed him the wand, needing to move on. "I'll also be applying for those two teacher jobs."
"Very good. Its time you do something for yourself."
"I'll also be writing up the paperwork for you to apply for the Potions position."
He paused, having been about to begin when she brought this up. "There's no need for that."
"Of course there is! If you change your mind before the meeting, then McGonagall can continue searching for a teacher. It gives you time to think on it, and if you decide to go for it you're already signed up to apply."
He rolled his eyes. "You think too much."
"At least let me submit the papers. I'd assume you defiantly still have a couple weeks to consider it."
"As I said, go ahead and do that, but it doesn't mean I'll be taking the job. I'm quite comfortable here filling out papers for the company when needed."
"I haven't seen you work on any papers since I came here."
He shrugged. "You're not constantly around me. I take care of them during whatever spare moments I have found during the past few moments. It wasn't terribly hard."
She raised an eyebrow. "Alright, but I'll still turn it in."
"Whatever."
"And one other thing."
"Hmm?"
"I return tomorrow."
Draco laid down beside her in bed, his eyes heavy as he looked at her. She lay beside him, facing him, eyes closed as she tried to fall asleep.
"Hermione?"
"Yes?"
He reached out and gently touched the necklace, making her eyes fly open. She stared into his liquid silver ones, which held nothing but seriousness.
"If anything happens to you, anyone messes with you, anything, touch it. I'll come instantly, I swear."
"Draco-"
"No Hermione, I'm serious. I'm not taking any chances. You have someone fucking with you, or you feel uneasy...anything of the sort, grab the charm and I'll come to you."
"I know Draco, but its Hogwarts. I'll be okay."
"Hogwarts has proven to be unsafe in the past...I would know."
She gave him a sad smile. "Then don't focus on that so much. Its the past."
"The past makes you who you are."
They fell silent. Draco removed his hand from the necklace and relaxed, squeezing her hand and closing his eyes. They were silent for a moment.
She reached up and his eyes flashed open when her fingers curled around the pendant. "That's not a toy you know."
"I know. Draco?"
"Yes?"
She pursed her lips in the dark and moved closer to him. "Will you tell me about the necklace now?"
He chuckled. "Not now my sweet." Kissing her forehead he laid his head back. "Another time, another day."
Monday morning Hermione stood in front of the newly constructed Floo network, checking her bag to be sure she had everything that she would need for the day. Draco sat behind her on the couch, smirking as her skirt rode up a bit in her movements.
"I'm glad you stand behind a desk all day."
She glanced up and pushed her hair back. "Why's that?"
"With all those older students watching you wander around in that skirt...I'd have to spend the entire day at Hogwarts if you were a teacher."
She shook her head. "I'll make sure to not go up to McGonagall's until everyone is busy."
He nodded in approval and then walked up to her. "You're going to be late."
She almost snorted. "I'm never late."
He shrugged, pulling her in close and kissing her deeply, his tongue probing inside her mouth. She sank into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck for a moment.
He pulled back chuckling. "I'll see you tonight."
"Of course." She stepped back and grabbed her bag, stepping into the fireplace and picking up some powder, announcing her destination and throwing it down, disappearing into the flames.
Draco awoke some time later to the sound of insistent knocking on the door. Groaning, he stood and walked to the door, inwardly slapping himself as he saw who it was.
"Draco! I know your in there!"
He rubbed the top of his nose. "Go away Pansy."
"Open the door Draco! We need to talk!"
A/N: I searched for the names of Hermione's parents, but couldn't exactly find any, much less find any that people agreed on. If you know them, or the most common names used, please let me know or I'll just continue referring to them as Mr. and Mrs. Granger :) Review guys! I love you!
Had Been: I'm glad to hear it! I love keeping my readers on their toes :)
mysexylover: That's good! Another one? Hmm...I don't know if I can fir it in, but we'll see. And thank you!
Jelisha Baby 22: An annoying review? Oh dear!
The Butterfly Effect: Thanks!
Amber: There will be a lighter heart in this, and I'll certainly try to keep it.
Alex: Disregarding whatever you said, I'd like to point out your immature review does not stand out against 200, and comes across more as a childish antic because you dislike my ending. Keep your opinion however much you want, but let me point out that if you had ACTUALLY hated the first part of this story, you would have told me in chapter one and not have wasted the time to read all the way through and THEN bash me. And I'm the one who needs to grow up?