She shifted out of synch with the rhythm Theo set. He looked down at her and smirked. She sighed, "Just a dance," she reaffirmed.
"mmmhmmm," he mocked.
Her face was still hot from emotion and he could tell she was trying really hard not to look up to see if Blaise was still watching.
She dropped her head on his chest, "He's just so…"
She let the sentence trail off, but he wasn't letting her get away that easily, "so… what? …handsome? …debonair? …sexy?" he prompted.
"Intoxicating," she said.
He quirked an eyebrow, "intoxicating," he repeated, slowly and again looked up to see that his step brother was still watching them dance, but now he had a drink in his hand.
She nodded, but didn't say anything more.
He decided to change the subject, "Flint's interested too," he told her.
She looked up, "he's just posturing, Theo," she remarked.
He chuckled, "I've never seen either one of them express this much outward interest in any witch, like they are with you. Blaise doesn't even talk, much less actively engage. He usually just gives them a look and they drop their knickers for him."
"A look?" she asked.
He nodded.
"I don't remember him dating anyone in particular at Hogwarts, was there someone special?" she asked.
Theo wanted to be honest, but not scare her away, "He liked to keep his options open," he answered.
This time she chuckled, "so he was a man whore?"
He sighed humorously, "Honestly, I know witches practically swooned when he entered the room and he would award them with a half-smile, but he never kissed and told, so I don't rightly know if he was a …man whore. What I do know is that their posturing, as you so eloquently put it, has nothing to do with them and everything to do with you."
"And Marcus? What's he like?" she asked
"He doesn't say much, even to wizards. Most people think he isn't intelligent, but he's quite smart. He and Pucey are almost inseparable. I think because of what they went through during the war. He's another one that doesn't overtly express his interest in witches. They only need to be around him for three minutes and want to bed him."
He paused and then tilted his head curiously, "What?" she asked
"He's affectionate with them, witches I mean, but not clingy. I think they like that," he pondered, "makes them feel safe."
She giggled, "You talk about witches like we're another species."
He huffed, "You are! I don't understand you lot. The only thing I know is that I love the way you smell and feel and feminine legs turn me on," he said slowly.
She giggled some more, but didn't continue the conversation opting instead to mull over what Theo said.
Just before the song ended Hermione stiffened when she felt two large hands grip her hips and a warm, hard body press against her back, "I think you're all done here," Marcus told Theo.
Theo smirked, "It seems so," he said and looked down at a surprised Hermione, "See you in a bit, love," he said and kissed her knuckles.
She was too surprised to speak, though her logical brain was telling her to scold him or walk away or something; instead she let him turn her around to face him.
He was looking at her with an expectant expression. Did he want her to scold him? She wondered.
Being a people pleaser by nature she chided, "You could have asked me to dance," but her tone held no real heat, it was definitely a half-hearted attempt.
He smirked, presumably satisfied by the mild dressing down, "I'm a wizard of action," he briefly explained and pulled her close.
She decided to leave it at that and just enjoy the dance. Placing her small hands on his large shoulders she nestled into his chest. She didn't have to think about dancing as he fluidly lead her around the dance floor. Somewhere along the lines she had closed her eyes and when she opened them they were in a darkened corner.
He was still holding her closely, his arms tight around her body and his hands slowly moving downward to the swell of her bum.
After a moment she said, "We should go back."
He nodded slowly. He had a hold of her hand and didn't move. She took a step back and stopped, they now stood with her mid step and their clasped hands sloped in between them.
Before she knew it, his lips brushed against hers; chaste and soft and absolutely electrifying, her knees were a nano-second away from turning to jelly, "oh," she said softly.
His eyes opened and looked into hers, his lips were still only a hairs breath away from hers, "Shall we?" he asked his deep voice resonating with velvet tones and timber.
She nodded and let him lead her to the stairs where the VIP room lay ahead.
Blaise watched as Marcus Flint kissed Hermione Granger. He was angry, a little at Marcus, but more at himself for not taking that particular liberty with her, but the time hadn't seemed right so he refrained.
They entered the room and Blaise turned to face them his expression unreadable.
Marcus had his hand on the small of her back with his thumb making small circles. It was a subtle reminder of his presence in the face of another predator.
That's how Hermione read the situation at least. She definitely felt like prey.
The door opened diverting everyone's attention, "well hello boys," the witch said standing in the doorway. She let it click shut behind her and sashayed in.
Hermione and Ginny shared a look. They knew her and wondered how the drunk the witch had to be to enter a room where she wasn't invited, especially when one looked like she did.
They heard various groans and saw some eye rolls; clearly the witch was a bother and did this often.
Millicent Bullstrode stood taller than most witches and she was built like a brick, broad shouldered and wide waisted – there was no dip between her waist and hips. Her form was less feminine and more like an American football linebacker. She was wearing a bright purple sheath dress that did absolutely nothing for her skin or figure. Her hair was course and stiff from too much hair product; it resembled a caught-in-the-rain look that was, to say the least, unfortunate.
Most called her troll behind her back and some, like Ginny, called her troll to her face. She had a large black mole above the right corner of her lip, most would call it a beauty mark on anyone else, but Millicent's' had hair growing out of it- hair she didn't deem appropriate to pluck.
They all just watched her make her way to the bar and order a drink. That's when she noticed Marcus and Draco, "Flintsey! Drake!" she cried.
Ginny and Hermione mouthed 'Flintsey and Drake' silently, making Blaise and Theo want to laugh.
Neither wizard returned her greeting only watching her cautiously. Hermione swore she saw Marcus count exits, but couldn't be sure.
Whatever slight movement Hermione made it caught the attention of the troll like witch, "Granger? Weasley? What're you doing here?" she sneered.
Hermione held up her glass, "Drinking. Dancing," she said her voice casual, her eyes alert and cautious.
Millicent mocked, "drinking, dancing…. You look like a trollop in your short skirt and high heels. It doesn't matter how much you don't wear, Granger, you won't find a husband here."
Hermione shared another look with Ginny that said 'trollop twice in three hours' then murmured, "I'm never wearing this dress again."
Marcus watched her as she looked down at herself, "Consider the sources, Granger," he said and those words put everything back into the perspective. She smiled at him and turned to Millicent; her eyes roamed slowly up and down the solidly square body poured into a bright purple dress.
It was effective, when she met Millicents gaze again, the other girl looked put out, "I don't think anything else needs be said. Ginny are you ready?"
Ginny perked up and turned to the group, "Gentlemen, it's been a pleasure. Millicent, burn that dress."
Marcus, Adrian and Theo snorted where Draco and Blaise turned around to hide their smiles.
After a moment, "Won't you stay for another drink?" Adrian asked watching the two witches with interest. He looked, to Hermione, like he was ready to pounce should they attempt to leave.
Draco approached the witches, "please don't leave us with her," he whispered urgently.
Hermione smiled evilly at him, but let Ginny answer, "It's time for us to take our leave, handsome," she said and Draco smiled at the compliment.
Hermione looked from one to the other and thought they would make a nice couple, but then her eyes drifted to Pucey hungrily taking in Ginny and wondered what the witch thought about him.
"Whatever you like, love. I'll walk you both out then," he said.
"I will as well," Blaise added.
Marcus remained stoic and Hermione turned to say good bye. She walked up to him, "Marcus, thank you for the dance and the drink," she said quietly standing in front of him.
He bent down slowly and each inch of travel his eyes never wavered from hers, finally his hands rested lightly on her hips and his lips feathered the shell of her ear, "May I owl you princess?" he asked.
She was breathless, "Yes," she sighed.
He didn't say anything only kissed her cheek softly on the way back up and let his hands slide down from her hips to the sides of her bum and down her thighs a little ways.
She blew a kiss to Theo when her brain started functioning again and met Ginny, Blaise and Draco at the door.
They walked out waving at Neville and breathing in the fresh air of the summer night.
They walked a little ways to the Apparition point in silence when Draco spoke, "Did you say that you're looking for a place of your own?"
Ginny nodded, "Yes, something for Hermione to buy, but is big enough for both of us for now."
Draco looked at Hermione, "My father deals in real estate, would you mind if I spoke to him about this? He may have some advice or a few places for you to look at."
Hermione's bright smile was all the answer Draco needed, but she answered anyway, "Yes, that would be great. Should I Owl him or wait for you?"
"I'll speak to him tomorrow, I'll ask him to Owl you," he offered.
She nodded enthusiastically and Ginny squeezed his hand in thanks.
They arrived at the Apparition point where Blaise drew Hermione up in a hug. She returned it and inhaled his scent once more, "Good night Blaise," she whispered softly.
He, once again, deviated from his usual Modus Operandi and whispered to her, "I want you, Cara, and I won't stop until you're mine."
Her breath caught, "Blaise … I," he pressed a finger to her lips and shook his head, "shhhhh." Leaning down he pressed his lips to hers gently at first then with burgeoning intensity. His lips coaxed and prodded and his tongue swept across her lower lip requesting entrance, which she allowed.
Their tongues caressed one another; he took hers and gently sucked on it making a warm gush settle over her nether regions. He ground his erection into her abdomen and moaned.
She tightened her grasp on his shoulders and circled her hips as well.
A throat cleared bringing the two heated magical beings back to reality. Blaise pulled back and looked around. He nodded his head when he saw Draco's smirk.
He bowed and kissed her hand then stepped back.
The girls Apparated with a pop.
Blaise and Draco sighed and silently returned to the club.
*** The girls
They landed by the old oak tree and decided to take a few minutes to talk. Ginny spoke first. Biting her lips she looked uncertainly at her best friend. Hermione waited wondering what the witch so unsure.
"I like both of them, 'Mione. That's so wrong! I know, I feel like a …" she giggled and then said, "Trollop."
Hermione snorted laughing. She shook her head, "I don't know what to tell you Gin. I don't know if it's wrong, it's certainly unconventional, but if it makes your situation any easier, I find myself reacting to both Blaise and Marcus. What are we going to do?" she asked.
Ginny shrugged.
They saw Molly sitting on the swing staring at the stars. The girls made their way to sit on either side of her. Hermione felt like she was one of Molly's, she'd been accepted by the Weasley's at the tender age of 12 and hadn't ever left. Molly and she had had their ups and downs, but that was what made their relationship strong, "Hi Mrs. Weasley."
"Hello dears. How was your night out?"
Ginny nodded, "Good. Interesting, but good."
Molly was interested, "Interesting?"
"We met up with some Slytherin; we had fun, but now we are slightly confused," Hermione ventured hoping Molly didn't blow a gasket over the fact that 'her' girls were out with Slytherin.
Molly must have sensed this and smiled patting each of their knees, "war's over girls. So tell me, with which Slytherin men did you spend your time?"
"Draco Malfoy, Adrian Pucey, Marcus Flint, Blaise Zabini and Theo," Ginny said.
Molly, who was still patting their knees, made a guess, "Let me see now, I bet Marcus hedged towards you 'Mione?"
Hermione nodded a little surprised at the right guess, "…and Adrian towards you Ginny?"
Ginny nodded her eyes widening, "you met up with Theo in Greece, so he's a friend. I'm unsure about Draco and Blaise, but I'm guessing Draco's sweet on you Ginny and Blaise is panting after Hermione?" she smiled at the normally talkative witches.
"How in the world did you know?" Hermione asked dumbfounded.
"Marcus and Adrian were easy just knowing their personalities, but I remember Draco always watching Ginny. I suspect you were drawn to Blaise's quiet demeanor not to mention the fact that he's ridiculously good looking," she said.
The girls snickered.
Hermione sighed, "So what do we do?"
"Follow your hearts."
Ginny mumbled, "It's not my heart that's reacting right now."
Hermione gasped and leaned over to smack her, Molly just laughed at her daughter, "It will be soon enough.
"Isn't it wrong, one witch two wizards? What will people think?" Ginny asked her voice shrill.
Molly frowned, "As long as you two are happy and you make your Slytherin happy and no one is getting hurt… who cares what people think? We'll always love you both, so your children will have family. I doubt their families will abandon them… so who else matters?"
Hermione decided that she loved this woman with all of her heart and squeezed the pudgy hand patting her knee.
"I can't believe we've spent one evening with them and already we're talking about children!" Ginny snorted.
Just after that comment, the wards shifted and Harry and Ron came trotting into view, "We looked for you!" Harry yelled.
"We've been here for the last half hour," Hermione answered, conversationally.
Ron sputtered, "Why are you still wearing that dress! Take it off!" he commanded.
Hermione not being in the mood to fight responded, "why Ron… Is that an order?" she asked quirking an eyebrow and shrugging one shoulder seductively. Everyone laughed, including Harry.
Ron turned bright red and stuttered something incoherent.
The girls giggled and made their way to bed, smiling as their heads hit the pillow.