Fraternizing with the Enemy

DracoxHermione

Rated NC-17

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters from the franchise. That honor belongs to JK Rowling

Fraternizing with the Enemy

Chapter 3

A week had passed since Hermione had seen Draco Malfoy and she couldn't stop thinking about him. The man had really changed and she liked it. He had said that they should meet up some time, but her fear of Ron finding out and punishing her kept her from reaching out to the blond. She sighed as she placed the soiled sheets of their bed in the Muggle washer she had invested in. Ron had come home drunk last night and tried to persuade her for sex. She had refused because he was drunk and she wasn't in the mood, but her refusal sparked his anger. He had slapped her across the face and forced himself inside of her and proceeded to take her roughly as she screamed and begged him to stop.

Hermione shivered at the memory while running a hand over her slightly bruised cheek. Choosing not to think about it she started the washer and walked away to the bathroom to begin scrubbing out the tub. As soon as she was finished she heard a tapping coming from the living room. Curious as to what was making that sound she left the bathroom and walked into the living room. She was surprised to see a barred owl tapping the window carrying a letter in its beak.

Opening the window the owl flew in and landed on the mantle above the fireplace. Hermione took the letter from the owl and gave it a pat before opening it as the barred owl flew away. She was surprised at the elegant writing, but was even more surprised to see that it was from Draco. A smile formed on her face as she began to read the letter.

Dear Hermione,

I hope you have been doing well since I saw you last. This letter may come as a shock as I have never sent you a letter before, but I have not been able to stop thinking about you. I am writing this letter because today is one of my free days from training and studying, and I was hoping you would join me today for lunch and maybe to spend time together. I will be waiting for you in the Leaky Cauldron should you decide to join me. I hope to see you soon.

Sincerely,

Draco Malfoy

Hermione couldn't believe that Draco wanted to spend time with her. She also couldn't stop blushing from the second sentence of the man's letter. Pondering whether she should go or not, she went to take the sheets out of the washer and into the dryer. Once they were tumbling in the dryer, she walked back into her bedroom and sat in the chair at her vanity. Looking herself in the mirror, she wondered what it could be that would make the Malfoy heir want to willingly spend time with her. She didn't think that it was her looks, as she never thought herself to be attractive, especially now with the way her personal life was going. Maybe it was her intellect. Draco was exceptionally clever, though nowhere as near as intelligent as she was. That had to be it, she decided. Hermione knew the risk that she would be taking in going out to meet her husband's enemy, but she couldn't resist seeing the blond again.

Making up her mind, Hermione set to work putting makeup on her face to cover the bruise on her cheek and a little on her eyes, then she went to change her clothes out of her Gryffindor jumper and sweatpants. Rummaging through her dresser drawers she found a pair of jeans and a long sleeve cotton shirt. Changing into those, she put on a pair of socks and her ankle boots and then brushed her hair before placing a headband in it. Deeming herself presentable she put on her trench coat and grabbed her wand. She stepped outside her home, placed the wards around it, then Apparated to Diagon Alley.

Walking up to the pub, she was greeted by many people, many thanking her for helping to save the Wizarding World from Lord Voldemort. She smiled and replied to their thanks before stepping inside. The owner Tom greeted Hermione with a warm smile, causing her to smile back.

"Hermione, good to see you again," Tom said.

"Nice to see you too, sir," the young witch replied. She looked around the pub, trying to spot a shock of light blond hair. Tom must have known who she was looking for, for he whispered, "Young Master Malfoy is a little further toward the back. He is hidden so no one can see him. He said he wanted to be away from prying eyes and that if his guest showed up, she would want that as well."

Hermione blushed as Tom gave her a knowing look. Tom was probably the only person who knew about Ron's abuse, as she had ended up at the Leaky Cauldron one night after escaping her husband's beatings and he helped patch her up. He never said outright that he knew, but it was obvious he knew what was going on the night she showed up. Ever since then, Tom had been looking out for the young woman. Tom was happy to see her out and about and personally believed Draco was a better match for Hermione than the Weasley boy. Now he didn't condone infidelity, but considering the circumstances, he would overlook it. Besides, it looked like Draco and Hermione's relationship was only beginning.

The brunette thanked the owner and made her way toward the back of the pub, looking for Draco. When it became apparent that no one could see her anymore, she softly called, "Draco?"

"Over here, Hermione," Draco's deep sultry voice answered, and she turned to see him sitting in a two person booth. She walked over and sat down across from him and smiled, greeting the man.

Draco smiled back at her, happy that she decided to agree to his letter. He wasn't completely sure if she was going to show up or not, but he really wanted to see her again and decided to take the risk of asking the beautiful woman for lunch. The two of them got their orders taken by Tom and spoke while they waited for their food. Hermione asked Draco how his studies were going, to which he responded were going well.

"I'm hoping to take Severus' Wolfsbane Potion and improve it," Draco told her as their food appeared before them and they began eating. Hermione nodded and asked, "The Wolfsbane Potion?" The man nodded and swallowed his mouthful of food before answering, "Yes. You see, Uncle Severus created it so that werewolves would be able to still retain their human minds when they transformed during the full moon. He had wanted to improve it so that instead of them just being humanly conscious of everything and everyone around them during the full moon, they would be able to take the potion and be cured of their lycanthropy for good."

Hermione was amazed at the ambition behind the project. Snape was the best Potions Master of his time, and if Draco could pull off what his godfather had been trying to do, then Draco would be just as good. Taking a sip of her Butter Beer, she said, "It's a shame he wasn't able to do so before he died, but I believe that you are just as capable."

Draco grinned and gave his thanks, his grey eyes shining as he gazed at his companion. Hermione blushed and looked down into her plate of food before pushing her hair behind her ear, not noticing her sleeve slide up her arm to reveal finger shaped bruises around her wrist.

Draco's eyes hardened at the sight and he reached across the table and grabbed her hand, bringing it toward him to closer look at the bruises. Hermione realized what he was looking at and yanked her hand back, pulling the sleeves of her shirt over her hands.

"Hermione, who did that to you?" Draco asked his voice low and menacing. Hermione flinched a little and feebly told him 'no one'. This angered the Malfoy heir and he hissed, "Don't lie to me, Granger. I know a hand print on skin when I see one. Trust me; I've seen plenty on my mother over the years. Is Weasley doing this to you?"

"My last name is Weasley," Hermione said softly while still avoiding the question. A hand slamming down on the table made her jump and when she saw the look in Draco's eyes, it scared her. He looked murderous, but not towards her, but rather toward who had hurt her instead. And that person was her husband Ron.

Draco took a calming breath before saying, "Hermione, if Weasley is hurting you, you can tell me. I know the signs of domestic abuse, so you need to tell me so I can help you."

Hermione didn't understand. Why would Draco want to help her if she told him Ron was beating her? Voicing these thoughts, she waited for his answer.

"Because I want to be your friend, and no man should ever lay hands on a woman," the blond said honestly while staring into her brown eyes. Draco stared at her before taking her hand again, gently this time, and slid the sleeve up her arm before placing a soft kiss on her bruised wrist. As soon as his lips touched her skin, her heart began to beat faster and she began to tremble. Swallowing to calm her nerves, she looked him in the eye as he whispered, "Please tell me."

"If I tell you, will you promise not to do anything to get Ron in trouble? Please don't tell anyone else, Draco, please!" Hermione begged him. Draco didn't like that this beautiful woman before him would want to protect her abusive husband, but he promised and settled to listen to her tale. Hermione took a deep breath and revealed to Draco everything that had transpired starting two years prior.