Disclaimer: The great J.K. Rowling created these characters, I only toy with them. Also some of the domme info from Melissa Febos.
Ch. 4: Research Projects
"Collaboration, is the foundation of S & M." Hermione read from the last of the books she had bought from work. She was sitting in her living room reading. It was a quarter to eight and Draco would be there soon. She had gotten out of work at six giving her just enough time to finish a few assignments and eat some dinner. Now she was just passing the time as she usually did, with a good book.
"The rules of the S & M world are that the practice be safe, sane, and consensual. A knowledgeable domme adheres to all three. Pain is not the guiding principle, rather, it is the symbol of dominance and control."
Safe, sane, consensual. Safe, sane, consensual. Pain is a symbol of dominance and control. I can be in control. I'm good at control. Screw that I'm great at control! She thought to herself. She continued reading until the charms on her apartment warned her that she had a visitor.
She placed the book on one of the many bookshelves lining the walls of her living room. Crookshanks walked to the door, tail raised. "Don't be mean." Hermione said to her protective cat before walking to the door and opening it. Crookshanks took an attack stance.
Hermione looked through the peephole. "Hi Malfoy." She said, opening the door.
"Hi." He said. Hermione gestured for him to come in. He took three steps past Hermione into the living room before he was stopped by a large orange fur ball. Hermione locked the door and turned to see Draco and Crookshanks in a staring match.
"You won't win." She said to Draco. "Crookshanks, leave him alone." The cat swished his tail.
"Don't worry," she said to Draco, "Sometimes he does this to Harry and Ron too. He has a thing against letting males come in." Another moment of silence drew by as the blonde man and the orange cat stared at each other, neither blinked. Hermione walked past the two shaking her head.
"Fine," Draco said to the cat, "I concede."
Crookshanks blinked then walked away. "Your animal is strange." Draco said to Hermione.
"You're the one who had a staring contest with it."
"Well I wouldn't let an overly fuzzy, un-groomed cat best me in a staring contest." Was Draco's reply.
Hermione laughed. "Take a seat on the sofa I'll go get my computer."
Draco did as she said and took a seat while she walked in the direction of what he assumed must be her bedroom. Draco sat on the large navy colored sofa. In front of him was a brown, oval coffee table. There was a vase with flowers on it; underneath it was a basket of what Draco recognized as Muggle DVDs. Beyond the table was a small flat screen television, it was attached to the wall. There was a window on either side. To the right of him sat another table and a plushy arm chair. On this table were three pictures, one of a baby Hermione, one of what he assumed were Hermione's parents, and another where Hermione was smiling and waving with the whole Weasley family. Draco smiled slightly at the photo, Lucius was never big on family pictures, not that Draco would have wanted to take family pictures. However, there was a family portrait hanging somewhere in the Manor.
The walls of Hermione's living room were a warm beige color which didn't matter because the largest wall of the room was covered in bookshelves. He got up to look at her collection. There were many Muggle books he hadn't read. He thought about asking her to borrow some. 'Great Expectations', 'Candide', 'The Picture of Dorian Grey', 'A Game of Thrones', 'Venus in Furs'. He finally found a book that didn't look Muggle in nature. It was bound in black leather. The writing on the spine was in gold ink, 'Strike It; the Art of Domination'.
What the fuck?! Draco was horrified. I should have just stayed in place, sitting on the sofa. I did not need to know about Granger dominating her lovers. Draco suddenly imagined a leather clad Hermione with a whip ready to get it on with Ronald Weasley. He gagged.
What has been seen cannot be unseen! Damn you over active imagination! His mind screamed. Draco made a face that made him appear like he was choking on something.
Hermione came walking through the living room with her laptop. Her eyes widened to almost teacup sized proportions when she saw the book in Draco's hand.
Draco looked up at her. Play it cool, play it cool. He thought. Immediately he raised an eyebrow and smirked. He held up the book. "So this is what you're into huh? I wouldn't have taken you for the submissive type anyway."
Hermione scowled, "Of course I'm not the submissive type. I wouldn't let any man dominate me." She said in tone more sassy than she had intended. "And for your information Malfoy, I'm using that book for my research paper in our Sex Psychology class. I do not actually partake in any of that." She said very matter-of-factly.
Draco looked unimpressed by her cover. "Uh huh."
"What topic have you chosen?" she asked him trying to end the horror that was occurring.
"Orgasms and the mind." He replied, still wary of her and the book.
"Found anything interesting about that yet?" She said. She slowly bent to sit down on the sofa.
Draco hesitantly put the book back on the shelf and joined her on the couch. "Well according to some tests that have been done, when a female experiences orgasm the areas of her brain that are stimulated are some of the same ones that are stimulated when in pain."
Hermione wrinkled her nose. "How does that make sense?" She laughed. "What exactly does that mean?" She asked him.
"Good question, no idea." He smiled, "Obviously I need to do more research."
Hermione flipped open her laptop. Three hours later Draco had managed to get onto the internet. He found a few sites that would help him with his economics project. Hermione showed him how to save them as a 'favorite'. In his interest with the internet and his determination to figure out how to use it, he had forgotten about the awkward situation he and Hermione had found themselves in earlier.
"I think I'm in love with this Google thing." Draco said in awe.
Hermione nodded, "Yup it's saved me many times when I've been a bit lazy."
"You, lazy? Never!" Draco said in mock shock.
"Oh hush."
Hermione yawned. Draco realized how late it was getting, "I have class tomorrow do you?" he asked, she nodded, "Bright and early at 9."
"Dreadful," Draco said, "I should be getting home now then." He logged off and handed the device back to Hermione who put it off. They both stood and walked to the door.
"Can I come over Monday night to work some more? Eight again?" He asked.
"Yeah. That sounds fine." She opened the door. Draco stepped outside into the hall, "Thanks again." He said. He held out his hand to her. She thought he needed to relax with the formalness. They shook, and Draco headed for the stairs.