Disclaimer's Notice: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters featuring in the books or the films. They belong to J.K Rowling and her wonderful mind.
Prologue
The shrill piercing sound of an air horn blasted through the sounds of horses' hooves and men's shouts. The third chukka was over. The score stood firmly at seven all. The game had been fast paced and brutal so far and the crowd had not been disappointed.
The Argentinean sun was slowly sinking into the western sky as the afternoon wore on. This was the final of the 'Campeonato Argentino de Polo', also known as the Argentinean Open or the Palermo Open and excitement was thick in the air. You would not have thought that the 'Campo Argentino Del Polo' stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina was the place you would find witches and wizards but appearances can be misleading.
Amidst the shouts of patrons, grooms, players and spectators, a brown-haired girl wearing a cream suit and a matching sun hat watched one of the players departing the field with obvious interest. Rafael Bentio was one of the world's youngest high-goal polo players and aged 16 he was the object of every woman's desire. Despite the obvious allure of his god-like beauty, physical prowess, grace and skill on the polo field, there was definite mystery surrounding this player. For 8 months of the year, Rafael Bentio disappeared. No one in the world knew where he went or why, all anyone knew was that every time there was a major tournament or match, Bentio with his 9-goal handicap was there no matter where in the world it was. Whether it be St. Moritz in Switzerland for the snow polo, the Cartier Cup in England or the Palermo Open in Argentina; he was always there.
Not one member of the prestigious polo world that Hermione Granger had ever spoken to knew where he lived, where he went to school, where he bought his horses or equipment from, where he trained or who his patron was. The regulars on the polo circuit could not even tell her where he was from! His name sounded Spanish but he spoke with a crisp English accent. All anyone knew was that he was young, handsome and very, very good at polo.
Hermione watched the players keenly on the far side of the polo field at the pony lines. Some were smoking; some were taking swigs from water bottles while others were talking to grooms and coaches. Her eyes bored into their ranks until she found him standing with a man holding a bay mare. As he pulled off his navy blue helmet that matched his shirt, Hermione raised her binoculars to have a closer look. His cropped, dirty blonde hair was dripping with sweat and looked almost brown when wet. He handed the helmet to his groom and pulled off his similarly soaked team shirt. Hermione refocused her binoculars as she watched him stretch his knotted and tense muscles. As he towelled off the excess moisture from his chest and stomach Hermione admired his sculpted back muscles. She could see definition in every muscle and as he raised his arms to towel his hair she watched as waves of movement shifted every part of his visible skin.
All too soon, however it was over as Rafael put on a fresh team shirt emblazoned with a large white number '3' on the back and sleeves indicating his playing position on the field. Although it came as no surprise, what with his skill, Hermione was a little shocked that someone who was almost the same age as her would play position 3 in a polo team during the prestigious and internationally famed Palermo Open. Typically, in outdoor polo matches, the player with the most skill, experience and highest handicap played position 3. Player 3 was also, usually the captain of the team. As Bentio moved forward to replace his helmet he turned slightly to reveal a chiselled jaw and through the lenses of her binoculars, Hermione noticed that he sported a short, clipped blonde goatee. Although not a huge fan of facial hair Hermione decided that, it suited his jaw.
As he swung a powerful, long leg over the mare Hermione caught herself wishing it were she instead of the horse that he was mounting. Blushing at this highly inappropriate thought, Hermione shook herself and continued watching as he reached down to tighten the girth of his saddle. As he steered the horse back to the centre line along with the rest of his team, she saw something silver glistening at base of his throat. There was something about the pendant that dangled from Rafael's short, elegant silver chain that caught her eye but she could not work out what it was. The fourth and final chukka of the match had begun.
"7-12 to the Caballeros de Guerrero is not a bad score! Bentio was bloody brilliant! How he managed the last goal in the last 15 seconds. Wow! His aim has to be near perfect to make that shot from halfway across the field. The other side didn't even have a chance to stop it from going into goal! What a shot!" said Rupert Granger enthusiastically.
Hermione smiled fondly at her cousin. He had such a passion for the sport and it was very endearing. When Hermione's uncle Theodore had come to Argentina 30 years ago he had fallen in love with a local woman. Her father owned a polo ranch and after going out with her for almost two years, she took him home to meet her parents. After that trip, he fell in love with the game and the country and decided to settle there with Isobel. They were married soon after and moved onto the ranch with Isobel's family where Uncle Theo began to work with his father-in-law breeding horses. 26 years later, they had four sons and the oldest Rupert who was 24 had invited Hermione to the Palermo Open final while her family had been staying with them during Hermione's school summer (Argentina's winter) holidays. As far as the rest of the Grangers were concerned, Hermione went to a Private English Boarding School; the thought of explaining about magic and Hogwarts would have raised a few too many eyebrows.
Rupert continued to analyse the match play by play until they reached the player's tent. Rupert's long-time polo playing best friend, Diego was playing as reserve for Rafael Bentio's team this season and had invited them to the after party. The bouncer at the entrance to the tent stopped them and asked to see ID. Both Granger's obligingly held up their 'Access All Areas' passes and the man let them pass. Making their way to the bar, Rupert caught sight of Diego talking animatedly with a group of people.
"Hola Diego!" he called out in his flawless Spanish.
A waiter approached them bearing a tray of champagne flutes filled with bubbly amber coloured liquid. Hermione took two glasses from the tray, thanked the waiter and passed on to Rupert who accepted it with a smile. Diego was walking towards them now and through the space he left, Hermione caught sight of Rafael Bentio.
His face was turned towards the man next to him but from his profile, Hermione could tell that he was every bit as handsome as people had described. Standing at around 6 foot 4 inches, he had short blonde hair, a goatee and was of a slim but toned build. Hermione could not tell from this distance what colour his eyes were but she imagined them to be as beautiful as the rest of him.
"How are you? Sorry I didn't meet you before the match, it was all a bit hectic back here. I hope enjoyed it though!" Diego spoke in English for Hermione's benefit and although he spoke well, his words rolled with a heavy Spanish accent. "Come and meet the rest of the team."
He led them towards the circle of people he had just left. Four men stood there all holding flutes of champagne. As Diego introduced them one by one, Hermione purposefully avoided looking at Rafael who Diego had saved for last. Finally, after many compliments from both parties, Hermione turned to face Rafael Bentio.
Before Diego said another word Hermione gasped and took a step back as she immediately recognised his face. Standing before her was the man that everyone here knew as Rafael Bentio but she was the only one who knew him by his real name. She did not know how, or why but here, standing in front of her in the middle of Buenos Aires was Draco Malfoy.
"Oh!" was all she could manage.
Recognition dawned upon Malfoy's tanned, beautiful face and his previously warm silver eyes turned a steely cold grey. No one had noticed the change. For appearances' sake, Malfoy allowed his teammate to continue with his introduction. He held out his hand and as Diego introduced Hermione, who unknown to everyone else he already knew very well, he held out his hand. Hermione did not know what to do. She did the only thing she could have done; she shook his hand. It felt nothing like she had expected it to. Instead of pressure and tension, his hand was relaxed and albeit riddled with calluses on the inside, it was warm and soft on the outside. She did not know how long they stood there with their hands locked but after a while, Rupert coughed subtly and Malfoy immediately let go.
Hermione did not know if she was imagining it but she had seen something in his eyes. Although they had hardened when he first saw her, they had turned back to liquid silver soon after. Instead of anger and hate that was so commonly present within them while he was at Hogwarts, there was passion and gentleness. It confused her greatly.
Hermione and Malfoy spent the rest of the afternoon and most of the evening looking at each other as if one might suddenly erupt and expose their identities as citizens of the magical community. However, both being underage in retrospect this fear was futile as neither could do anything of the sort without certain expulsion from school and severe consequences. Hermione did however take full advantage of the opportunity to study Malfoy's face closely and the pendant that she had noticed earlier. Visible through the open collar of his shirt, she saw that it was a silver serpent coiled around an intricate 'M'. She presumed that no one had paid much attention to it in the past because it would have been odd if a man whose initials were supposed to be R.B was wearing the initial M.
When both the team and the Grangers left the player's tent for the after party at Diego's hacienda Rupert rounded on Hermione.
"Do you like him?" he asked bluntly and when Hermione looked confused, he continued. "Rafael, you've been staring at each other since you met. It's kind of cool that he seems to have taken a liking to my baby cousin but I just want you to be careful. You don't know what these polo players are like. They tend to sleep around a lot and I just don't want you to get hurt."
Hermione said nothing as their cab pulled up in front of the gates. Rupert paid the driver and they got out. When they walked into the courtyard Hermione saw Malfoy already standing there by one of the fountains talking to a elegantly dressed woman. Rupert told Hermione that he had spotted some old friends and went over to join them leaving her alone by the entrance. Malfoy spotted this, quickly excused himself from his conversation and began to walk towards her. He stopped dead in front of her and looked into her eyes.
"Granger." It wasn't a question or an accusation it was merely a statement.
"Malfoy", she breathed in response.
"Walk with me", again it was a statement and to her surprise Hermione found herself obeying.
He led her towards the stairs that snaked around the outside of the house. Stopping on one of the landings he picked up two Mojitos from the bar and continued up to the roof. Hermione followed him still amazed that she had actually come with him after all their history of hatred. When they reached the flat stone roof Malfoy walked towards the edge and placed the glasses on the edge of the wall. Hermione stopped next to him and stared at his face utterly lost for words.
"Thank you", he said.
"F-f-for what?" she stammered.
"For your subtlety", he stated simply.
Hermione didn't reply. She had so many questions but couldn't find the words to ask them. Malfoy slid one of the glasses across the smooth tan stone towards her. He raised his own and took a sip while observing the city that sprawled below them. Hermione raised her own and smelt the contents, it was an exotic aroma that reminded her of the heat and the breeze mixed with the freshness of rain. She tentatively took a sip all the while watching Malfoy.
"Why?" was all she managed to say after a few long moments of contented silence.
"My family is too well known, I wanted anonymity. Is that too much to ask?"
"No, but…but…I don't understand." She shook her head in confusion.
Malfoy turned to face her replacing his glass on the edge of the wall. He raised his hand and moved a stray strand of hair out of her eyes. He leaned closer.
"If you'll permit me", he muttered as he lowered his face towards her.
Before she could register the movement, the question or her response his lips touched hers. Warmth flooded her stomach and as her fumbling hands clumsily replaced the glass on the wall, she placed both hands on his chest. The goatee that adorned his upper lip and chin, although short felt like silk on her face. The sensation was playing havoc on her senses as the smoothness of his lips and beard caressed her mouth. A few moments later, he released her.
He moved away too soon for Hermione's liking. The feeling had been wondrous and felt so right. She almost forgot who had kissed her, almost. Opening her eyes, she saw that Malfoy's were still closed.
"I've always wondered what that would feel like", he said in a low voice.
"What?!" she asked bewildered.
"I've always wondered what it would be like to kiss you. I've never had the opportunity to try it seeing as you are always with Potter and Weasley at school. May I try it again?"
She did not have the words so instead moved closer to him. He lowered his head once more and placed a large hand on the small of her back. Gently pulling her closer, he kissed her but this time, she felt a little more pressure in the kiss. Responding accordingly, Hermione raised a hand and placed it on the back of his neck. Her mouth parted slightly and she felt his tongue flick over her teeth. He tasted of rum and mint, which she figured was from the Mojitos. As they explored each other's mouths locked in a passionate embrace Hermione felt Malfoy's other hand cup the side of her face. His beard was caressing her chin, mouth and lips and Hermione discovered to her amusement that she was enjoying more than she thought possible. As he moved from her lips, to her jaw, a small moan escaped her and she buried her face in his neck. Planting small tender kisses along her face, he reached her ear and stopped. She could feel his beard along the side of her cheek and an involuntary shudder of pleasure rippled through her entire body.
"Don't stop", she moaned.
"Soon", was all he said before kissing her earlobe and moving away.
He turned to face the wall once more and leaned his elbows on the warm stone. Picking up his glass, he took another sip and saw that Hermione was still standing where he had left her. He smiled.
"I'm not that good Granger, you act like you've never been kissed before!"
"I haven't" she replied in a small awed voice.
"Ah. Well I'm honoured that I was the first. I shall always remember it."
Hermione was still so confused! "But why? You hate me! You torment me at school every opportunity you get. Why kiss me if you despise me so?"
"You do not know me, Granger. You think that I am myself in that prison you call a school surrounded by blood-status obsession and Death Eaters. I am Draco Malfoy, proud son of the Dark bred to hate Muggles and blood-traitors while upholding the true creed of pureblood and power. Ha! Do not make me laugh!" he cried bitterly.
"Then tell me" she said still rooted to the spot by the mere memory of what had just passed between them.
"You asked me why. Why I live this life of duplicity. I live it so I may be free. Free from the obsessions of my bloodline and free from the judgements that form when people hear the name Malfoy." He moved closer to her once again. He leant down towards her face and when their lips were mere centimetres apart he said, "Free to be with you in everyway I know how".
She felt his lips upon hers for a third time but this time responded in a manner more attuned to her normal self. She broke the kiss and stepped away.
"You say all these things about freedom and your true nature and expect me to be okay with it? I'm meant to kiss you listen to these lies and what, love you in return, after all the things you have said to me. I cannot forgive all that, Malfoy; it was too real to be an act. Do not play with me like this." She spat these words at him and could see that each sentence was like a physical blow to him.
He said nothing.
Hermione turned away from him and began to walk back to the stairs they had come up.
"Hermione"
When she thought about this moment later, she did not know if it was the shock of hearing him use her first name or the fact that he had actually spoken at all that made her stop, but stop she did. Turning around slowly she looked at him. His eyes glistened with emotion as he spoke.
"I do not expect you to forgive me. But know this, you have no idea what it is to love someone whom you cannot speak to, or touch, or spend time with or even look at. I have watched you in secret Hermione Granger, I have loved you and I have made sure you never knew it. You are compassionate, even towards creatures that have no need for it. You are intelligent, kind, gentle and good. Despite all that I have done and said, have I not protected you as well? Have I not restrained those that would inflict harm on you? Had I not called you the vile names I am expected to use for those of non-Magical heritage where do you think I would be? Dead? Punished? I ask your forgiveness but I also ask that you think. If I hated you as you claim, why would I be here on this rooftop, alone with you? Why would I have kissed you? Why would I love you?"
He stopped speaking and looked into her face. She was staring at him. What he said made sense, why did he always seem to show up when she was with Harry & Ron. She had always thought that it was because he enjoyed provoking the boys and she had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, this explanation made sense. Despite her confusion at the whole situation a small voice in her head told her that apart from a few nasty comments he never really had done anything to harm her. Sure, the words had hurt but she had gotten over it soon enough. As these thoughts were going round and round in her mind, realisation dawned on her.
Malfoy loved her, he cared about her, and she cared about him too. Overwhelmed by this mass of new information she did not know what to do; all she knew was that right now, at this very moment, she had to get away from him to clear her head and think it all through.
"I'm sorry", she said and with that, she turned and walked away down the stairs leaving him standing alone on the roof.
Walking down the stairs, she commended Malfoy for not trying to stop her or for coming after her. She knew that he realised she needed to think about it all.
The rest of the night passed without incident and apart from the occasional furtive look she caught him giving her, nothing else happened. She had plenty of time to think about it and soon enough she discovered (with a mental jolt of mingled surprise and horror) that she too had dormant feelings for Draco Malfoy and now that it was all in the open, she was going to do something about them.
Rupert motioned to Hermione across the room and as she walked over to him, she felt Malfoy watching her from the bar.
"Let's head off, it's 5am & I'm exhausted", he said with a smile.
Hermione nodded and said, "Hang on, I just want to say good bye to someone. I'll meet you at the front door in 15 minutes."
As she walked away from Rupert, her eyes found Malfoy's grey ones looking directly at her. She tilted her head toward a passage that led off the courtyard towards the gardens. He nodded and discreetly followed her after checking that no one was watching. Once Hermione had cleared the passage, she turned left and rested her back up against the wall of the house by the entrance to the passage. Malfoy emerged seconds later and she tugged his sleeve to indicate where she was. He turned and before he could say or do anything else, she spoke.
"I love you too."
You…love me too?"
"Yes, I realised that I've always cared about you but I never wanted to admit it to myself. After all the things you said on the roof it just became clear to me. I love you too!" she looked apprehensively into his liquid silver eyes.
He grinned broadly at her and then pulled her into a passionate kiss. After several minutes of intensity, Malfoy pulled away and rested his hands on her hips.
"Will you be with me no matter what?" he asked.
"Draco, no one can know! No one! We must keep it secret, keep it safe. You will be punished, killed even, if anyone found out about our love and I could not bear that. If anything like that happened I do not think I could survive it. That is why I am going to say no, we cannot be together, not now. We will be together soon, but not now. Trust me…it will be soon", and with that she kissed him fiercely once more and then walked away, leaving Draco with his head bowed and the tears sliding down his face.