Title: Hidden Rendezvous  

Author: sue

Rating: PG13

Genre: Romance

Type: Two Parter

Pairing: Draco/Hermione

Summary: This is a challenge issued by Scarlet which I had found enticing enough and I decided to do something about it. And here it the end result.  This is actually the second version, I had to rewrite some of the scenes.

***

thanks to Scarlet who had given some helpful insight on how to write like a Brit :) hahaha

***

A murmur spread amongst the guests as she entered the room.

She owned respect born of fear as the most powerful witch alive. If not in her own right, then certainly by association.

The best friend of Harry Potter.

The foremost protégé of Severus Snape.

But the ultimate scandal attached to the name of Hermione, brought with it, also her greatest power.

She was Draco Malfoy's mistress.

But the whispers didn't deter her as she glided gracefully into the somewhat packed room, head held high. Her slim hand plucked a glass off bubbling champagne from a hovering tray and she surveyed the whole place with her beautiful eyes. The soft silky material clung to her lush body as she took a few more steps and the soft tendrils that framed her face moved slightly as she turned her head a little and took the entire scene in. A hint of a smile flitted over her lips after her gaze fall onto one specific individual. Eyes glinting, she purposely turned her back on him, looking like she had no idea of his presence while she took a small sip, smiling at the men who had gathered around, clamoring unabashedly for her attention.

At the end of the room, Draco didn't even blink after she swept into the ballroom, bringing along in her wake an increase of furious whispers and a burst of fresh and much needed air. From afar, he watched as she mingled, smiling and laughing pleasantly but his eyes sharpened instantly after he realized that the crowd gathering and jostling around her were made mostly of.. besotted males.

His jaw stiffened as one of the men was clearly drooling over Hermione's delectable figure. He blanked out what the others were telling him while he looked her way; the muscles around his jaw were ticking with each passing seconds, staring at the openly flirting man. If only I can publicly curse him, that would be bloody great. Oh wait, how about poison? He was mulling over his choices when he was brought down to earth sharply.

'Dracoo,' someone whined petulantly and his eyes flicked towards the girl who had looked as if she was hanging from his hand. And as a matter of fact, she did, in some twisted sense. 'You're not paying attention to me!' Pansy pouted her red slicked lips and batted her eyelids in obvious seduction, 'and you didn't tell me how beautiful I am tonight,' she simpered, clearly looking for some sort of approval from him.

Draco just lifted a brow and remarked bluntly, 'I would be lying if I say that.. and tonight I don't feel much about lying. And one more thing my dear,' he added, flicking his gaze for a second at her hopeful face, 'I hate women who used my hand as something to hung onto while they simpered.'

He ignored her half hearted sound of disagreement and moved his head sideways, his eyes over his half filled glass at the moment were permanently stuck towards Hermione. Draco brought the glass closer to his lips as he continued to stare. A smile lightened up his eyes as she laughed at something one of the men had said. Quickly he pulled his hand from Pansy's tight grip after he saw that Hermione was heading towards one of the doors, straight towards a dimly lit balcony. He took a few steps before turning back to the little crowd in front of him as if he just remembered something.

'There are so much of you I can take in a day,' he said pointedly, looking at Pansy's horrorstruck face before adding, 'I need some air to wash this.. filth off.' Without looking back, he strode off towards the door.

***

Hermione pushed a stray strand of hair back into her messy chignon. She sighed as she looked up into the moon filled sky, sighing as the moon continued to bath everything in its calming rays. How beautiful, and how incredible that one single moon managed to do just that, she thought and smiled as the soft and light wind kissed her face with its gentle touch.

'Tsk.. Tsk.. who would prefer the cold moon when they could have warm, exciting me instead?' a deep voice drawled from behind her back.

Without turning back, she smiled and lifted her tall glass to her lips. She took one long savoring sip and before she spoke, 'And why would I want you?'

A firm hand gripped her shoulder while the other one clasped her around her waist. Then she was spun unceremoniously around before slamming into a very hard wall of muscular chest.  

'Would you like to repeat that?' he whispered, lowering his lips closer to hers.

Her glass shattered into a million tiny pieces as it slipped from her hand and she slipped her arms around his neck. She smiled seductively as she caressed the soft hair around his nape, 'What would you do if I say yes?'

'This,' he growled and kissed her full lips hungrily, one hand on her waist pulled her tighter against him and the other one skimmed her graceful neck.

Hermione moaned as his skillful lips ravaged hers and she arched into his embrace, her hands around his neck tightened imperceptibly.

'I miss you,' he whispered before taking her swollen lips in another long consuming kiss.

'I hate this sneaking around,' she whispered back as he turned his head and nuzzled her bared shoulder and nape.

'But you can't deny how.. exciting it is,' he grinned before adding, 'All those adrenaline rush, and you know why. My father will kill you if he finds out about our little tryst and I didn't have enough power to stop him.. yet,' he mumbled before their lips met again.

The sound from the ballroom rose a few notches and Hermione gasped as she pulled herself away from Draco.

'I have to go. It's been too long,' she panted, worriedly patting her hair back into a semblance of order. She tried to straighten her dress before muttering, 'Reparo.'

The shattered glass flew back together into her hand, perfect as before. She smiled, ran a light finger over his chiseled jaw before leaning in and gently nibbling on his lower lips, 'I'll see you later, Draco.' Eyes laughing, she turned and slipped back into the bright and noisy room, as poised and graceful as ever.

Draco waited for a few moments, as he let the lingering warmth of her parting kiss surrounded him before he moved and followed her.

Behind a tall statue, Pansy narrowed her eyes and she looked at Hermione with mounting suspicion and anger before she turned to stare at the just emerging Draco. She smirked as one thing crossed her mind and she started planning, a thoughtful expression on her usually blank face.

***

On a wooden bench in her sunny garden, Hermione sat with a book in her hand and a glass of cold drink next to her. She was engrossed with her book and totally unaware of the soft cooling breeze that were blowing softly around her. She turned a page and straightened her legs in front of her as she leaned her back against the bench, enjoying the melodious hum of silence.

Suddenly a small ping broke the continuous silence and Hermione smiled as uninterestedly she flipped another page, 'You're late,' she said blandly, picking up her glass and she took a small sip from it.

'Oh really?' Draco replied, glancing at his watch, 'I didn't know you're waiting.' He took the cold glass from her hand and took a long gulp, 'Too sweet for my taste,' he remarked, holding the glass back to her as she frowned at his action. He grinned engagingly and added, 'But it suits you though.'

'Hmph,' Hermione glared suspiciously at him, 'isn't that just like you to do something like this and then expects to get away with your charms?'

'And I have those in abundance,' he said with a satisfied sigh, curving his hand around her shoulders.

Hermione's burst of laughter spread all over the place, 'Yeah right Draco,' she said between fits of laughter, 'keep on dreaming darling.'

'That's what got you interested in the first place, sweetheart, my charms,' he reminded her with a knowing smile, his eyes were gleaming as he grinned down at her.

'Nope,' she shook her head and her curls bounced merrily, 'But if I remember correctly, you made a deal with me; if I didn't have a good time on our first date, you'll leave me alone for the rest of our lives. At that moment, the thought of not seeing you again is very.. enticing. And I just can't resist a dare,' she finished with a grin.

'And now?' he asked, one blond brow rose as he stared with unabashed interest, 'what does that thought do to you?'

'Let's just say I'd rather die than find that one out,' she answered simply as she lifted her glinting eyes to his.

Draco just smiled as he bent his head to capture her lips with his, pushing them both to their colourful past.

***

Hogwarts, a few years ago..

'Get out of my way,' he hissed, pushing a terrified first year away.

The young boy trembled after he saw the chilling eyes. 'I'm sorry,' he managed to squeal before running off into the opposite side.

'Damn you Malfoy,' a decidedly feminine voice speak up, 'Can't you pick someone your own size for once? Or you just love in being a bully? A thorn in your side? A pebble in your shoes? Do I have to go on?'

'Ahh.. if it isn't Granger,' Draco smirked and turned to face his preferred sparring partner. 'Where have you been my little mudblood? You haven't preached my ears off for a couple of days now.'

'Good to see I've been missed,' she answered blandly, moving her stacks of books to another arm, 'and maybe you didn't know, it seems I have something you sorely lacked.'

'Do tell,' he encouraged with a mocking smile, 'it can't be a steady stream of admirers, now could it? Oh wait, that's what I do have that you,' he nodded towards her, 'sorely lacked.'

'Whatever Malfoy,' Hermione just rolled her eyes but she can't seemed to hide her blushing face, 'What I mean is life. I have one and you, my annoying pureblood, don't.'

'Says who?' he perched an elbow on the nearby banister and continued to smirk, 'Do you have any idea how tiring it is to be surrounded by smitten girls? All fighting over each other to get the honour of a couple of minutes of my time? Wait a second, you don't,' he shrugged.

'A couple of minutes huh?' she looked very thoughtful now, 'I feel so sorry for them, all those fights and what do they get? A quickie. No wonder they never asked for a second helping. Oh, there goes the bell. If you'll excuse me, I have a class to go to, not unlike someone I can mention.'

She swept past him, her head held proudly and Malfoy decided to have the last word after all, 'Who says a quickie is a bad thing? If you have it with the right man, of course. All those rush of adrenaline, hmm.. a delight I'd say.'

Hermione didn't even bother to answer as she just snorted in disdain.  

***

'Dracoo,' Pansy smiled as she saw the one she had been looking for was in the Slytherin dungeon, 'Do you have some time for me?'

'Honestly.. no,' he answered simply, not moving from his position. Why should he? She's not worth it. Five seconds and he had let go of the idea of shagging her. Hey, a guy need to set his own standard and he had found out quite late that she simply didn't have anything that will keep a rake such as himself interested for long. Literally speaking of course. And he had serious doubt that she will even reach it even aided with a ten foot wand.

'Aww, don't be a meanie. I saw your little confrontation with that mudblood. How dare she say that about you? So I thought you might need some.. comforting,' she smiled knowingly.

'You have your two minutes worth of shagging Pansy, and I'm not in the mood for a repeat performance,' he answered briskly, quickly getting up to his feet. God, did he ever noticed how annoying and dull Pansy is? At least Granger had the guts to challenge him. Well, speaking about that mudblood, I wonder what she's doing right now? Doing another round of preaching to her good mates, Potty and Weasel?

He laughed at the image while he pushed the heavy door opened. That should be very interesting to see, he mused walking slowly through the maze of hallways. Very interesting indeed. His good mood turned sour in an instant after he caught sight of something.

Granger was laughing and smiling as she talked to a seventh year Gryffindor.

A male seventh year Gryffindor.

And he had never seen her that happy, so this was very disconcerting indeed. He leaned against the wall, hidden from view by the tall pillar and he continued to spy.  And he was loath to admit that he was feeling a little twinges of jealousy after he saw the way she was looking up into the older boy's eyes.

A look that was filled with admiration and respect.

With a little hint and mostly veiled interest.

His eyes flared with fury at the last observation.  

Bloody hell! What has that mudblood done to him? Turning him into simpering, blundering idiot.

He glowered as his eyes turned to thin slits and the scene continued to enfold. And he knew he had to do something about this particular problem. An itch needed to be scratched right? So, what did that tells him?

Go and get himself an overdose of Granger and he'll get over this weird obsession as fast as you can say.. obsess. Okay, how does he get the mudblood to participate in this? His brows creased as he mulled it over and he smiled after his keen mind presented him with something.    

I know exactly what to do and that would be something she can't resist, he smirked.

***

The atmosphere inside the library was silent and somber. The perfect place to spend the day studying, or soaking in knowledge as pertained to students.

As usual, Hermione was seated at the back of the library, surrounded by mountains of thick dusty books as she flipped through each and every one of them. She pushed a stray hair away from her face and continued to skim an old spellbook.

'Why am I not surprise to find you here, Granger?' someone drawled in front of her.

Hermione's dark brow rose unknowingly as she lifted her head to face the speaker, 'I must be very irresistible for you to follow me even here. The last place you'd rather be caught at.'

'Me? Interested? In you?' he asked with mocking horror, 'Where on earth did you get that idea in the first place?'

She just shrugged her slim shoulders nonchalantly. 'You,' she picked up her quill and pointed it towards his chest, 'library,' she waved the same quill around, 'does not mix. Tell me, Malfoy,' she perched her chin on one hand, looking interestedly up into his eyes, 'When was the last time you set foot in this place?'

Draco smirked and pulled a chair in front of her, plopping gracefully before he pushed the tall stack of books aside, 'I'm not gonna answer that, much to your disappointment I'm sure.'

Rolling her eyes at his flippant answer, she leaned back in her chair before looking at him carefully, 'What do you want Draco? I'm sure it's not because you're bored or something. This castle is filled with potential victims,' she made a quoting gesture, 'for you to keep yourself happy for a lifetime.'

'I know,' it was his turn to shrug now, 'but I'm bored anyway. So, I've come up with this brilliant plan. Bloody brilliant if I do say so myself.'

Hermione's eyes narrowed with suspicion at his openly glee expression, 'Why do I have a bad feeling about this?'

'Wanna hear what this genius had thought of?'

'Since you're going to tell me anyway, go ahead. The faster you start speaking, the sooner I can get back to work. So speak already,' she wrapped her arms loosely over her chest as apprehension started spreading like bushfire.

'You're afraid of life. That's why you buried yourself with this dusty,' he sent a distasteful gaze at the tall stacks, 'pile of smelly books. You're just too cowardly to take the plunge, and start living.. for once.'

'What the hell are you talking about Malfoy? Have you gone completely insane?' she asked, not bothering to hide the burst of laughter, 'All those tormenting and cruel-inflicting you do on a daily basis have gotten to your head? Get out of here Malfoy, I have to study,' still laughing, she pulled a book closer to her and prepared to immerse herself back to work, still shaking her head in wonder.

'I'm serious,' he said grimly and snatched the book away from her hand. Ignoring her angry glare, he closed the book with a sharp snap and added, 'When was the last time you're out on a date?'

'I'm not answering that.'

Draco saw the stubborn set of her chin and he knew she meant every single word. 'Okay, that's perfectly fine with me. I know the answer anyway,' he just chuckled as she continued to glare heatedly, 'But what I'm trying to tell you is a very interesting proposal. I'm sure you're gonna love it.'

'Let me just hear what you had in mind, and I'll be the judge of that,' she answered dryly.

Draco ignored the flat tone and continued, 'But I don't think you're going to do it though. I just don't see you doing it.'

He just grinned after he saw the fire that had started to flame in her dark eyes, 'But you know, you can prove that I'm wrong after all. I'm sure you would love that.'

'You're damn right about that. What do I have to do?' her jaw was tight with anger as she waited for his answer.

'Nothing much,' he smiled with obvious enjoyment, 'Just go out ob a date.. with me.'

'What?!' she shrieked with surprise and winced after the eagle eyed Madam Pince turned towards their table. 'You're kidding,' she whispered angrily.

'Why would I want to do that?' he asked with an innocent look, 'And what did I tell you, you're too scared to enjoy life.'

'I wouldn't put going out on a date with you as enjoying life,' she hissed, fury still throbbing from her voice.

'Seems like the same thing to me,' he grinned, 'You're just too frightened to try new stuff.'

'I am not. I just find it.. resistible, that's all,' she looked at him under lowered lids, looking unimpressed.

'What if I toss a little something to make this more exciting?' he asked, looking as if he was enjoying himself tremendously, 'If you didn't enjoy yourself on our little 'date', I'll leave you alone for the rest of your life, how does that sound?'

Without thinking, she put out her hand towards him and snapped, 'You're on.'

Draco slipped his hand slowly over hers, enjoying the feel of her soft, smooth hand on his and smiled widely, 'I know you won't disappoint me.' He raised her hand slowly to his lips and kissed her knuckles lightly, 'I'll see you tomorrow then. And isn't it lucky that tomorrow is the Hogsmeade's weekend?'

'You better be on time Malfoy,' Hermione warned, snatching her tingling hand away before turning around and grabbing her books. She swept past him, her robes trailing behind as she strode to the doorway, head held high.

Draco's answer was a wry chuckle while he continued to watch her swiftly disappearing back.

***

Present: A few hours or so ago..

'It's true Mr. Malfoy,' Pansy Parkinson sobbed, 'That mudblood must've cast some kind of spell on Draco. He was completely taken with her and I know Draco would never fall on someone like her. Not in a million years!'

She wiped her teary eyes daintily with her silk handkerchief as she blinked at Lucius Malfoy who at that moment had stood up and towered menacingly over her.

'What did you say Pansy? He's involved with that mudblood?' he hissed furiously, 'I will not let my son do this to me! He's a pureblood, he know there's no way I would accept that filthy, degrading mudblood,' he spit the word in anger, 'in my presence!'

'For someone who was an ex Gryffindor, she's more sly and cunning than a Slytherin,' Pansy sniffed, wiping the drop of tear that was glistening in the corner of her eyes, 'You have to do something Mr. Malfoy. Get Draco away from her evil clutches,' she begged him desperately as fresh batch of tears started to appear and began to slide slowly down her cheeks, 'Only you could put a stop to this!'

Lucius nodded and patted Pansy's shaking shoulder, 'Don't worry dear. After I'm through with this.. messy problem, there won't be any Hermione Granger to worry about.'

Behind her silk handkerchief, Pansy's lips turned into one big and happy smile.

To be continued..