"Mom." Malfoy muttered in small shock having completely forgotten about her coming up to meet his betrothal. "I,.." he stammered for a moment.
"Forgot. Yes I figured, but it's understandable when you have your betrothal living here with you." she smiled at Hermione "Oh, I can't believe I'm going to have a daughter." Hermiones brows shot up. She had forgotten about having to marry Malfoy.
"In-law." Phellan, Draco, and Hermione corrected together.
"Don't forget you have that dance." His mother reminded as she adored Hermione from afar. It wasn't something Hermione wanted to deal with yet. She hadn't even gotten used to living here, wtih Malfoy and his family, yet.
"It's a function." Malfoy whined.
"You dance? It's called a dance."
"Function. We have talks so we can decided who to pair our children up with." he argued hopelessly.
"Do you dance at them?" she asked pointedly.
"Yes." he pushed through gritted teeth.
"Then it's a dance." Malfoy raised his hands as a white flag. He grabbed Hermiones hand and pulled her into his room. When the door closed she pulled her hand from his.
"I have a small gift for you." he stated as he sat her down on his bed. It was quite soft, softer then hers. She watched him head over to his piano quietly unsure of what to do or say.
"Why?" she asked simply. It was the easiest question.
"Just cause." he grabbed a small pink box with a white ribbon and sat next to her on the bed before letting her have it. She could feel him staring at her.
Hermione took a deep breath before opening the box slowly. When she opened the small jewelry box she sighed. He looked at her alarmed before she shrugged it off.
"What?" he persisted.
"Nothing. Now let me open this thing." she returned her attention to the box to see what it was. It was a shiny necklace with a rose pendant. She pulled it from the box slowly. She liked the necklace chain. It made her think of snow and Christmas. She glanced at him momentarily before taking a closer look at the detailed rose.
He let himself fall back onto the bed proud of him self. He rubbed her back with the tips of his fingers for only the moment he felt he could get away with it.
"Like it?" she nodded her head.
"Thank you. I'll wear it to the function." She stated as she placed the necklace back into the box. "Now can I leave your room?"
"What is wrong with my room?" he asked as though offended.
"I know you jack off in here." she shot off the bed.
"You pervert." he yelled after her as he followed.
"Yup." she cheered to herself as they passed his mother and brother. She ran down hallways and stairs, rooms, and the back door. She found a trail. It looked like she was in the middle of a forest. Tall trees, vibrant greens and deep brown dirt. When she came up to a gate she stopped. Malfoy didn't stop so easily. He crashed into her causing them to topple over the gate.
Somehow Hermione landed straddling Malfoys hips. When he opened his eyes he smiled at her and thrust up against her. She closed her eyes momentarily before climbing off him.
"You didn't have to get off me." she smiled a curt smile at him. When Malfoy was on his feet she looked at her shirt feeling a bit of a draft. Her eyes grew wide quickly she crossed her arms and stood toe to toe with him. He stepped back in shock and surprise.
"You step back when I advance?" she asked shocked her self. He smiled and stepped forward wrapping his arm around her lower back. She glowered at him for knowing he could get away with it at the moment. "No. I'm cold." she lied.
Malfoy leaned forward placing his lips on her ear. "No, you're not. You've got a large hole in your shirt right over you right breast, showing off your pink little nipple through the sexy lilac lace brassiere." he whispered seductively. She cast her eyes to the side as he watched her. "Would you like my shirt?" she glared at the ground not wanting to look him in the eye. "Hmm, Sweety?" she nodded her head slowly. He tried to step away from her, but she stepped forward to keep herself hidden. "Sweety?" he grabbed her shoulders and stepped back. He couldn't help but laugh when he saw her holding her own breast. He suppressed his urge to kiss her and pulled his shirt off, kindly turning around so she could put it on. When she had it on she kicked the back of his knee. He let his leg bend placing all his weight on his other leg to pivot around. He smiled at her in his shirt. It was a little too large but he didn't mind. "Ready to go back?" he asked as he laid his arm around her waist.
"Yes." she removed his arm urgently and hurried off. He grabbed hold of his shirt and followed her. "You're a dick." she muttered as she waited for him to close the gate. He held the missing piece to her shirt in front of her face. She snatched it from him and continued walking though he wouldn't move.
"Slow down." he stated with a small chuckle when she let herself fall forward. "What are you gonna do when I let go?" she shrugged.
"You won't." he cocked a brow. She sounded sure of herself.
"Sure about that?" she nodded her head. He smiled to himself as he pulled her to stand up straight. When he let go of his shirt they headed for the house to talk with his mother.
His mother was sitting on the sofa with Phellan, who didn't look too pleased to see Hermione. Malfoy grabbed her hand and sat on the chair opposite Phellan pulling Hermione to sit on his lap.
"Hello." Hermione responded to Mrs. Malfoy courteously with no argument about sitting on Malfoy's lap.
"Hermione." Mrs. Malfoy began.
"Mom." Malfoy settled. "Phellan. We're all introduced. Did you need something?"
"Yes. As a matter of fact. I did." she turned her head to Hermione. "I'd like to go shopping and neither of my boys want to. We'll get to know each other."
"Well,... uh... Mrs. Malfoy..."
"Please, mom or Narcissus is fine." No one breathed a word. "What?" she asked towards Draco. He leaned close to Hermiones ear as his mother left.
"Go shopping with her. She's my mother and I love her." Hermione sighed as she slouched. She felt Malfoy shift under her. "Please?"
"You owe me." she muttered. He patted her hip.
"My brother hates that your wearing my shirt." he stated humorously. Hermione looked down having forgotten that she was wearing it.
"Yup. Anything you want?"
"A mail order bride." he looked shocked. "Joking. Just joking." he began to tickle her. "Malfoy. Please,... have mercy..." she slid to the floor. Phellan stood up and left.
"If I stop you have to give me something." she shook her head no. "Alright then." he began tickling her for another few minutes.
"Okay." she cried. He stopped and stared at her bright red face. "Okay."
"It has to be anything." she thought for a moment before nodding her head in agreement. "Let me kiss you." his voice was in a whisper. She liked it. She found her head nodding in a yes form. Malfoy leaned forward and kissed her softly on her lips. There was nothing wrong with it. She pulled away first. After a few moments of silence he kissed her again, with more passion. Hermione pulled away looking off to the side. "Kissing is fun." his statement was barely audible. He seemed content when he sat back pulling her back up to his lap.
"Sure." her quiet response made him freeze. "What?"
"What do you mean 'Sure.'" she looked at him.
"Sure." he shook his head.
"Do I need to refresh your memory already?" she shook her head no quickly. "I get to teach you everything." he stated quietly. She looked at him. "Kissing and touching, the pleasure." he looked off into the distance with glazed eyes. She felt nervous. He shifted again.
"When do I get to go hang with Ginny?" her voice was quiet.
"When ever Blaise and I get together and set it up." she nodded. "Lets make a deal?" she nodded her head in a sad way making him kiss her temple. "Let me kiss you when ever I want, how ever I want and I'll set it up with Blaise to try and set it up so that you and Ginny can hang out every day, or every other day." she didn't say anything for what seemed like forever.
"Okay. If you take it slow!" he smiled as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder drawing her closer.
"I will. I promise."
"Go set it up." his eyes grew large.
"Yes ma'am." he grabbed his phone and began calling Blaise. She sat there for only a minute before leaving. Malfoy looked up at her as though she'd hurt him. With an evil smile he crooked his finger in a come hither notion. Grudgingly Hermione stepped closer and bent down towards him. "Hold on a minute." he set his phone on the seat as he stood up to meet her. She knew he was going to kiss her. She felt a small pulse of excitement sore through her. He kissed her, then. It was not simple. She didn't kiss back. When he lifted his head from her unmoving lips she looked the other way avoiding his eyes. "Something wrong?" his inquiry showed interest.
"No." he pushed her chin up with his index finger and stared at her.
"Why won't you kiss me then?" she blushed. "Okay. Fine." he grabbed his phone and began talking to Blaise about days that Ginny and Hermione could hang out. When Hermione was out of the room Malfoy breathed a deep breath.
"You can bring her over tomorrow. Theresa's anxious for another lesson. Besides, it's supposed to be way too cold the day after." Malfoy nodded his head quietly thinking to himself.
"Fine. So,.. What,... about every other day then?" Blaise confirmed before Malfoy hung the phone up on him. When he got to his room Hermione was in the shower.
As soon as Hermione stepped out of the bathroom and into her room he headed to her door and rapped on it. The door opened almost instantly.
"Oh,.. Hi." he gave a curt smile and stepped into her room. She watched him carefully. "Do you need something?" he nodded his head and sat on her bed.
"I'd like to know what was up with you a minute ago?" his voice was gentle, concerned. She shrugged.
"What do you mean?" she asked confused.
"You wouldn't kiss me back. You've let me kiss you like that before." she shrugged her shoulders and went about drying her hair.
"Nothing." she shrugged again. He stood up, grabbed her shoulder forcing her to turn around. She looked at him.
"If it's nothing then kiss me." she stared at him.
"I don't want to." he sighed with a slouch. She felt bad. He looked so sad now. She didn't want to kiss him earlier,... now she found herself wanting to. "Fine!" he lifted his head up to look at her.
"A kiss?" she shook her head no.
"A hug." he nodded his head and stood there. "Gonna hug me?"
"No. You said you'd give me a hug. That means you hug me." he smiled at himself.
"Smart ass." he smiled as she stepped closer wrapping her arms around his waist. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders holding her closer.
"Now give me a kiss." she looked up.
"I gave you a hug in place of a kiss." he shook his head no."
"You just suggested it." he puckered his lips up humorously. She cursed herself as she stood on her tip toes to peck his lips lightly. He didn't try to deepen it or anything, just a simple peck, though he didn't let go of her. "We go over to Blaise's tomorrow. I have to give Theresa a lesson." There was a short pause. "What dress you gonna wear?" she shrugged. He walked her backwards to her closet to look for himself. For some reason she didn't care. She wanted another kiss. "You little vixen." he cooed teasingly. She looked at him in shock, giving him the advantage to kiss her. "You shouldn't think like that." Her cheeks burned red in embarrassment. But he didn't get to see it. He was looking at her dresses holding her against him with one arm. She tried to turn to leave but he refused to let her move.
"I can pick my cloths out my self, Dad." he chuckled.
"Yeah. So, what, I can't put my opinion in?" she shook her head no.
"I assume it'll be that blue thing where my chest hangs out." his eyes fell on her fast.
"Hell no." she was surprised, startled. Growing up around boys made her figure every guy wanted to see them. "Not unless it's for me, with only me around. Here,... This would look nice." he pulled down a subtle black, strapless dress. It covered her enough. "What do you think? I think you'll look nice in this one."
"Oh do I get to pick out what you wear then?" she asked sarcastically.
"Sure. But I'm not telling you that you have to wear this. It was merely a suggestion." she nodded. "Though there is that necklace that I bought you that I'd like to see you wear." she nodded her as he headed to his room where she left it laying on his bed. She let him turn her around to clasp it when he returned. She moved her hair out of the way. He kissed her neck lightly before stepping back. "I'm gonna get dressed." he headed to his room to dress.
She found that the black dress that he liked was comfy and fit just fine. It really covered a little less than she liked but she didn't care at the moment. Hermione dabbed on some make up to highlight the dress and pulled on a pair of shoes that went with it. When she opened her door at his knock she made sure she didn't look at anything but his face.
"I see you wore the dress." she shrugged uncaringly and allowed him to take her arm for a few moments until they reached the car after passing his mother for her approval. "You look nice," he stated as he patted her knuckles before opening the door for her. She gave him a curt smile as she sat down against the far wall. He sighed and sat halfway between the middle seat and the door. The driver climbed in and headed for the function.
Malfoy made himself comfortable before opening a conversation. It was a small talk conversation, due to the fact that she wasn't really talking, but being curt and simple.
"Sweety?" his voice was very stern, with a tone of importance. She looked up at him. "You do like that I keep kissing you, right?" she took a deep breath.
"Do I have to answer?" she asked quietly.
"Well, if you don't like me kissing you I was gonna stop, or try to stop." she laughed at him. He smiled.
"I,..." she paused for a few moments. "I don't mind you kissing me, just seems like you keep trying to kiss me all the time. I really don't mind too much." he nodded. "But, you could cut back a little. No silly, passionate things all the time. I'll be fine with one every now and then, but...." she shrugged.
"Do you not like them?" she laughed.
"I do,.. I just don't want them,...all the time" he nodded as he laid his hand on hers. She pulled her hand away and patted his like he had done to hers earlier. He stared at her. "No groping me, no trying to get away with things you wouldn't normally be able to get away with." he looked up, hurt. "I'll slow dance a few times." his hurt went away.
When they had reached the function Malfoy introduced Hermione to many people, some of which she was sure to forget. At first she stood around next to Malfoy as he talked to his colleagues sipping at her champagne glass that she filled with water. He seemed almost impervious to her when she stood still, but every time she tried to step away he ended his conversation and talked to her asking her if she was okay, bored, having fun. Just the same questions over and over.
She just confirmed in the answers that would keep him here having fun. She wasn't tired, or bored, just relaxing. She enjoyed the big crowd. When Hermione turned around in her spot just to look around she spotted Ginny. Kindly, she tapped Malfoy on the elbow, he looked at his elbow, then her. He gave a simple smile and pecked her cheek spotting Ginny himself.
"I'll find you later." she nodded. As she left she felt eyes on her. She glanced back at him, he wasn't looking at her, but a few boys off to the side were. They looked overly nice. With a mental shrug she turned to Ginny who was heading towards her. They met in the middle and headed to the refreshment table to chit chat about any and everything. Somehow in the time it took Hermione and Ginny to get together Blaise and Malfoy caught each other in a conversation.
"So how you two doing?" Ginny asked curiously.
"It's okay." she shrugged indifferently. Ginny urged her to tell. "He kissed me,... that's all." Ginny smiled a devilish smile at her. Hermione rolled her eyes at her. "What?" Ginny laughed.
"Was it good?" Hermione gave her a hard glare. "Girl,... come on." Hermione cracked when Malfoy smiled at her with a wink. She watched as he directed Blaise over to them. "Here they come." she pronounced around her glass. "Yes,.. It was nice." Ginny gave a small jump as they arrived. Blaise laid his hand on her lower back. She turned and pecked him on the cheek before giving Malfoy a coy look of I know you're guilty. Malfoy smiled at Hermione. She nodded her head softly before sipping her drink.
"So how you ladies doing tonight?" Blaise asked in an I'm getting drunk voice. He was drinking liquor, unlike them, whom were all drinking pop, or water.
"Fine." Ginny stated as she patted his shoulder. "We were just talking about you two." they looked as though they were in trouble. "Good talk." Ginny turned to Malfoy. "So,.. I hear you been kissing up on my friend here?" Malfoy laughed when Hermione slapped Ginnys shoulder, hard, causing a few people to turn and look. Hermione turned and walked to the other refreshment table on the other side of the floor.
"Yeah." Malfoy confessed casually. "And she liked it." Ginny slapped his shoulder with the back of her hand. "Hey, when's your brother coming?"
"He and Harry are coming up Saturday." Blaise stated. Ginny nodded her head as she refilled her glass. Malfoy turned to find Hermione but he couldn't see her.
"Hey." Hermione turned to see who was addressing her. It was one of the boys who seemed a little too nice. Hermione muttered a quick hello. "So can I know your name, or shall I call you cutie?" She didn't smile, giggle, or acknowledge him in any way. "Cutie it is." Sighing Hermione looked around him, but his friends were behind him blocking her view. "Your boyfriend has a lot of guts bringing you around here. Someone might hit on you. Then you might be enticed and taken advantage of, Cutie." she shrugged her brows not wanting to draw his attention downward.
"I'm not so ignorant." he nodded his head.
"I bet. Smart and pretty." he whistled faintly. "What a keeper."
"Hey, buster!" Hermione lifted her head to see who it was. It was Blaise. "Mind your own business. Your girl's over there. She's taken." Blaise grabbed Hermiones elbow and pulled her through their small crowd. "You okay?" she nodded. "They say anything?"
"Just stupid retard shit. I didn't want to encourage it so I kept my mouth shut." he nodded.
"Draco wasn't looking. He didn't see thankfully. Other wise one of them would be in a world of pain. And I didn't feel like getting kicked out yet." she nodded as Blaise let go of her arm. "And I didn't feel like backing him up." she laughed.
"Okay." Blaise pretended that they were just talking when Malfoy looked at them. Hermione played along casting Malfoy a quick subtle 'Hey I know you' smile.
"If they do it again tonight you better tell him." she nodded still holding a face of interest. As they reached Ginny and Malfoy he offered his arm. After Blaise passed by Hermione took Malfoy's extended arm.
Malfoy led her out to where the people were dancing before speaking. "You are having fun right?" she nodded her head as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "So where is your phone?" he asked checking her arms for a purse or wallet. "Did you give it to Ginny?" she shook her head no with a faint smile. "Where is it?"
"Hidden." she teased with another devilish smile. He gave her a hard glare.
"Your shoes?"
"How can heels hold a flip phone?" he shrugged. "No. It's safe. Where's your's?" he nodded towards the limo. "So what if your mom has a heart attack she can't get a hold of you." he smiled.
"I gave her your number." she froze, though he pushed her to keep moving. "What?" he asked casually as he pulled her closer to rest his arms on the curve of her hip.
"Nothing."
"Where's your phone?"
"I'm not saying it." she appeared utterly shocked. "It's not something to voice." he chuckled. "Look down." she pressed her arms to her chest. He looked down her dress. He saw her razor. When he hid his face on her shoulder she stood still, shocked. He was laughing.
When they headed home Hermione laid down on the seat opposite Malfoy and tried to avoid moving her back. It was hurting her again, for some reason, along with her shoulders and feet. Malfoy didn't object to leaving when he figured it out. Her hands kept rubbing at her shoulders, neck, and back. When he felt the limousine start he reminded the driver of Blaise and Ginny. After Ginny and Blaise climbed in he scooted up behind Hermione and began rubbing at her exposed upper back and shoulders. He reminded her that it was him.
Hermione allowed herself to enjoy the rub. It was helping, and they did hurt. After a few minutes she figured he would stop, fingers getting tired. No. He was still rubbing, though his fingers were under her dress. She desperately wanted to tell him to stop, but it felt good, in more then one way. His finger tips were warm, leaving a burning trail where they touched.
When the car came to a stop Hermione began sitting up thinking they were at the A. Black Manor. Malfoy shook his head muttering it was Ginny and Blaise who were leaving. She yelled a bye out the door before it closed. There was a knock on the window in response. When Hermione laid back down she laid on her stomach instead. He took it as a cue to rub both her shoulders. Malfoy climbed up into the seat in the space next to her waist and began working on her shoulders.
"You don't have to." she stated into the seat faintly. He smiled with a shrug.
"It's fine."
"Really. It feels fine there." he smiled as he unzipped her dress. "Hey!" she tried to sit up.
"I was gonna rub the rest of your back." she allowed him to push her back down and finish unzipping her dress. It surprised her when she didn't feel uncomfortable. Malfoy never let his hands slide too far around her waist. He didn't want to scare her.
"Does your back feel better?" he asked as they pulled up to the manor. Hermione didn't reply, nor budge, not an inch. He smiled to himself when he realized she was asleep. As carefully as he could he zipped her dress up and rolled her into his arms. With a little help from the driver he managed to not wake her. He saw his mother peer out the window. By the time he reached the front door his mother had it open.
"What's wrong?" she asked as she observed Hermione who had wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled closer.
"Fell asleep on the way back." his mother smiled and closed the door. She followed them all the was to their rooms opening and closing doors behind them. He thanked his mother and muttered a good-night. He laid her down on her bed after pulling a long shirt on over her dress. After unzipping it he set the dress on the corner of her bed and left giving her a soft kiss on her cheek.
In the morning when Hermione woke up she was surprised to find herself the way she found herself. She climbed out of bed and headed to the shower guessing she had thrown a tee on when they got back and just didn't remember. After her quick shower she dressed with a little make up and headed to Malfoys door. When she knocked on his door there was no answer. Cautiously she peered in the cracked door. He wasn't in there.
"He left." she turned around. His portrait was talking again. "Told me not to talk to you. Said I was a nuisance." she nodded her head before heading off down the hall towards the rest of the house. When she made it to the kitchen Malfoy was in there at the stove,... Cooking! She stared at him for a moment before sitting at the table with a glass of orange juice. There were two places set. She presumed it was for his grandparents or parents. She stood up and headed for the door.
"Where you off to? We haven't eaten yet?" she blushed slightly.
"Oh, I thought it was for someone else." she mumbled feebly as she stepped closer to him when he crooked his finger. He gave her a chaste kiss.
"Oh,.. Sweety, I kept you covered when I put you in the shirt." her blush grew deeper. "I swear I didn't." When she didn't respond he returned to his cooking. He patted her behind kindly when she turned around to head for the table. Her hand swatted at his momentarily. "I hope you like bacon and eggs with biscuits and gravy." she nodded her head. "Anything in preference?" she smiled.
"Biscuits and gravy are my favorite." his smile seemed to lighten her mood. She allowed him to place food on her plate and his before tasting. He watched her for a moment. "That's revolting!" she exclaimed. He was shocked, and his face showed it. "Joking!" she pronounced around her laughter. He glared before returning to his food. There was silence for a moment. "Thank you for,.." she pointed to her back. He nodded. "And breakfast,.. Even if it is poisonous."
"I'm about ready to throw food at you!" he threatened humorously. She rolled her eyes shaking her head. "We're gonna go for a picnic around three so eat up. Blaise and Ginny are joining us. She asked to join." Hermione nodded her head as she took a bite of her biscuit. "Hey!" his voice showed cheer. "Do I get a back rub, too?" she laughed.
"Next time." he gave a soft smile and continued eating. His mother and grandfather walked in with smiles. They sat down next to them.
"Draco dear, um,.. We need to talk." he looked up at his mother as though in trouble. "And you Hermione." Hermione echoed Malfoy. "About the honeymoon." they both nodded.
"We'll figure it out later." Malfoy took another bite of his bacon. "And the Veela half of the marriage too." Hermione stared at him having completely forgotten about the other half to the marriage. She didn't know what it was, or how it went. "I'll explain it later is what I mean." she breathed deeply with a faint smile.
"Oh, smiles are so pretty on you." his mother cooed at her. "Smile more. Draco loves it." Hermione caught a hint of red in his cheeks. "Anyway. I'd like to sit down with you and discuss the wedding plans."
"Isn't it still a little too soon for that mom?" Malfoy had sensed her tension. His mother looked at him.
"It's never too early for wedding plans. They constantly change. And the dress." she turned to Artimeus fantasizing about everything out loud.