I definitely changed how I felt like doing this at the last minute... But. I think it'll work out well. :) Plus, I gotta get kudo points for managing 6 uploads in 5 days! Gettin' junk dooonnneee. Woot! Not really. This is gonna be a long one.
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How Hermione had gotten herself into this situation was beyond her. She wanted to be with Draco, she knew that now, and instead... she was sitting in a bloody café with Blaise Zabini while he chattered on and on about everything in the world she couldn't care less about. It had started out with his job as an Auror... a conversation she should have cared about, but couldn't get involved in. Before she knew it, he'd moved onto their overlapping time at Hogwarts, the war, Quidditch, his favorite hobbies...
She sighed, trying to keep her nods well timed, an act that she was well rehearsed in, when a certain word triggered her attention: Draco.
"I was pretty surprised when he asked me to come along with you guys. I didn't even know you were working for him, let alone friends."
"They're both new developments." She returned, bringing herself back to the present.
"I guess that was obvious. He doesn't really spend too much time on making friends, beyond the ones he has. I can understand you though, you're quite the catch."
"He seems to have kept in contact with you over the years."
Blaise nodded in response. "I constantly wonder if that was for his own benefit or the sake of our friendship."
"Don't feel so bad, I got hired because I was good for business."
"That may be true, but you've come a good way with him. Look at Daphne. They've been in the same house all along, they were friends in school... You don't see him trying to take her anywhere with him."
Hermione's head began to spin, brows furrowing in thought. Of course. Daphne is Daphne Greengrass. Should have put those together. They had been friends in school, she could remember it. Half the time, she thought he preferred her to Pansy... So why was it that he was spending time befriending her, and had only a work relationship with a prior friend?
"I don't mean to be rude, Blaise... but I'm not feeling too well... I think I'm going to go home for a bit."
To her relief, he didn't try to stop her as she stood and exited the building. She could have wished for a chance to simply get in her door, drop everything, and pass out without thinking about anything... But fate didn't appear to work out in her favor.
Her eyes immediately ran into an owl sitting on her windowsill, envelope in hand. The script was unmistakably Harry's, and that alone received a groan from the female. Now that she stopped to think about it, she had somehow managed to avoid two straight weeks of Tuesday interventions, so there was no doubt in her mind what this had to be.
Just when I thought I was safe. She thought, ripping the letter open haphazardly. The only thing of importance was the time she was expected, which she found relatively quick. Hermione couldn't justify giving them the time of day when it came to reading through the filler they'd tried so hard to place.
Fortunately for her, she had a few hours in which to prepare for the horrific affair. Unfortunately, she underestimated just how horrific it would be.
She felt weak. That was the best way to describe her current feelings, indecisively standing in front of Malfoy Manor's large gates, holding in tears and clenching her arms close to her body.
Hermione had caught herself wanting to see him randomly in the past week... but she hadn't hit the point of feeling like she needed him. She needed to talk to him now.
The lost member of the Golden Trio needed the one person who could make her feel safe.
She took a deep breath, pushing the large gate forward and approaching the house, glancing at the windows warily. The door opened suddenly before she could even reach it, an incredibly wary Draco Malfoy now staring at her in blatant concern.
Scrutiny was an understatement for what Harry and Ginny Potter were handing to Hermione Granger. She'd sat awkwardly, stabbing at her alfredo noodles with her fork to try to ignore their eyes... but nothing did any good. They were still staring, silently. Angrily.
This was the last thing she had expected from them. After years of apathy when it came to her life, they had suddenly decided to take interest, and the reason why was as clear as the light of day.
"So. Why are you doing it?"
"Dare I ask what you're talking about, Harry?" She sighed. There was no reason. She knew.
"Why the hell are you working for Malfoy? I heard all about it. You climbed right on the bandwagon. Right where he wanted you."
Hermione raised her eyes to meet his, clenching her jaw softly. "You're going to criticize me for having an actual job now? Instead of scrambling around for knuts in the restaurant and temp agencies?"
"At least you weren't working under some sick conditions then. Do you even know what you've done? Taking a job under that bastard?"
"I took an opportunity that was offered to me. I don't have to worry about whether or not I can pay my bills now... And I can do something good with my time!" She couldn't tell why she was gaining the sudden urge to fight back, but for whatever reason, she felt it wasn't on her behalf. This song and dance had happened a thousand times before, and every time they had put her down in the past... her motivation to stick up for herself had been null and void.
"Hermione, please." Ginny had finally entered the conversation, but it was clear that she wouldn't be the voice of reason. Her pleading was laced with sarcasm and disbelief, and Hermione knew that whatever followed was only going to aggravate her farther. "You honestly feel like you're doing something good with your time? You work for Malfoy. There's nothing good about him. This is just some giant scheme. Look at him! He's a Death Eater through the entire war, and then suddenly starts putting them away when the war ends? You don't see the signs!?"
The brunette shook her head, feeling angry tears starting to brim her eyes. They don't know him...
"We all went through a lot during the war, how do you know that he doesn't have actual motives for what he's doing? That legal firm has put some of the most dangerous men in the Wizarding World into Azkaban–"
"Except for him!" Harry shouted. They were making a scene, and it didn't seem they cared. "He's doing it to keep the spotlight off of him, Hermione, and he only wants you around to get to me!"
That was it... She couldn't take it anymore. It had always been the same bloody thing, and Hermione was finally starting to realize it. The war had been the exact same. It was all about Harry. Everything was about Harry. The time after the war was no different. He had his perfect little life, where he and Ginny had done everything to stay on magazine covers and attention seek. They'd put her down at every corner, told her there was something wrong with her for not being the same... and now... now, when she had finally come across a good job, and made a friend who listened to her, despite who that friend might be, they wanted to make that all about them as well.
"NO. YOU DO NOT GET TO TAKE THIS FROM ME!" She shouted, standing and slamming her palms into the table. "You've been leading me around like a sick dog on a leash for years, Harry Potter, and I'm sick of it. It's not my bloody fault that you all are too fucking busy to remember that I saved your asses repeatedly during that damn war! You don't get to tell me how I have to act. I don't have to put on a smile and be happy with you. Maybe if you'd paid any attention, Draco wouldn't have needed to... but he's been there for me, and you don't get to take that from me! You mean nothing to him, and you mean nothing to me!" She was shaking, the adrenaline making her voice quiver as she yelled, and she could already see the backlash building.
Ginny was stunned, staring wide-eyed up in her direction, but Harry was already standing, scowling.
"Draco? Don't you worry... We see exactly how it is. He has you right where he wants you. First name basis, turning on your friends... You're even defending him now? How far does it go, Hermione? Hm? What else is he using you for?"
She wasn't aware of her hand coming up, or the thought behind it, but the thunderous clap and motion in front of her was enough to bring her to a paralyzed halt. Within moments, everyone had recovered, but Harry Potter simply turned, glowering.
"We're done."
The night had gone in fairly average fashion for Draco, returning home from work late, the typical conversation with his mother about his day, a short stop in the kitchen for food, which he preferred to grab himself when he was alone, and then retiring to his personal office to finish up some casework after a relaxing shower. All in all, it had been a pretty good night. If you discounted all the thoughts floating around in his head.
You've really done it this time, Draco. He'd thought as he stared in the fogged mirror after showering, shaking droplets from his hair. Just think. People assume you get every girl you want.
He knew that he was acting in the best interest of the girl he loved, or trying at least. Of course, she'd be better with me. Who am I to judge though? If she wants Blaise... and Blaise wants her... Naturally, he'd make her happy if nothing else. The entire situation really just made him queasy. Two weeks ago, he didn't even realize he was in love with Granger, now, he was sacrificing his potential happiness for her?
Who knows? Maybe they'll be miserable together. He could only hope. Blaise did talk an awful damn lot.
By the time he made it to his office, his concentration was completely shot for the case. He knew what he needed to finish, but his mind could only wander to thoughts of Hermione, and where she might be. Was she with Blaise as he thought about her? How pathetic would that be? A glance up at the clock only made that thought worse, as it was now 11:45 in the evening. He didn't want to think about any scenario that placed those two together this late.
He groaned, sweeping the papers in front of him away in frustration when he heard it. The familiar jingle of the Manor's wards being entered. Draco wasn't as paranoid as his father had been, but he was smart enough to know that unexpected visits were due for investigation when you lived in a house the size of theirs, and so he made his way to the window as discreetly as possible.
By his own design, the courtyard in the front of the house was no longer a dark and sinister area, but a low lit path up to the house. He'd charmed the yards for low maintenance and to keep people on the paths, where identification was simple, even if they tried to cover it, which this visitor was not. What he saw instead had him tucking his wand in the back waistband of his loose pajama bottoms and all but sprinting down the massive front staircase, pulling the door open before the knock came.
She's been crying... He thought, taking in the state of the brunette, and from the looks of it, she would start again at any time. There she stood, arms wrapped around her body, biting her bottom lip, and seemingly damp as if she'd been recently soaked. He couldn't help but take a look at the sky as he took a step out towards her, looking for rain, and putting a hand gingerly on her shoulder.
"I know it's late... I wasn't–" she began to whimper, avoiding eye contact with him.
" 's fine, really. Come inside." What did he care? Five minutes ago he'd been grimacing over the thought of her being with Blaise now. Not that he wanted to see her in such an emotional wreck, but she had come to him... That was good enough for him for now. Even better, she nodded and let him lead her directly into the Manor without any argument.
He closed the door behind them, walking a quick circle around her and surveying to make sure she wasn't hurt. "You're soaked... What happened?"
"Oh... I was... or... It was raining... earlier..."
... That was helpful.
"Earlier? Have you been walking around like this?"
She shook her head. "Not for long... I went for a walk... and it rained... I guess I didn't think it through very well."
"I'd say not." He could only smile, sighing and pulling one of her hands away from her body to lace against his. "But there's no point in you suffering for poor planning. Come on."
He pulled her up the staircase, and back down the hall he'd just come from, stopping outside the door pensively before turning to her.
"What?"
"I'm going to help you out, but if I ever catch you trying to stab me in my sleep, or telling any unsavory characters where this room is... I'm booting you from the friend list."
Hermione cocked her head, managing to smile faintly despite her tear-stained face. "... You'd throw me out that easily?"
Something in her tone made his teasing smirk waver slightly, taking a deep breath and sighing. "No, probably not. You must be making me soft. I guess I planned poorly when I insisted on being friends with you." He had to turn away quickly, focusing more on the task at hand, and not having her in his bedroom as he pulled her in.
Luckily, she didn't make a joke about it, probably due to her current state, but that was better for him. Rather than commenting, he headed directly for his closet, reappearing a moment later with some sweat pants, a T-shirt, and a sweatshirt.
"I know it's not your choice attire, but... It's dry, and it'll make you feel better."
She was looking at him suspiciously.
"What?"
"Isn't there a spell that would work on my clothes?"
He crossed his arms, raising his eyebrow in mock offense. "Why? Too good to wear something I give you? Going to give me another speech about pity?"
"...No... I just... I thought... It'd be easier, and you wouldn't have to dirty up any of yours."
"Well, the Manor wards don't allow magic from any wands that don't belong to Mother or myself, so... good luck with that. You'll be in wet clothes all night."
"I kind of figured that... but ... I thought you'd do it?"
Yeah right. You might be dating my best mate, but that doesn't mean I can't innocently take advantage of this situation.
"I would, but I left my wand in my office. On the other side of the house." She didn't need to know the falsehood surrounding these statements. "It's not a problem... really. Go change. The loo is that way." He added, gesturing.
The moment she moved, he took a step back, pulling his wand from behind him and stuffing it under his mattress cleverly, dropping to sit on the bed and wait. What was he saying to himself? There wasn't going to be anything innocent about what he was doing. He might fill like shit about it later, but when it came down to it, she had come to him... and it was going to be physically impossible for him not to try to sabotage Blaise's stupid ass attempts while she was here. After all, Draco had tried to warn Blaise. He was just too dumb to listen.
Hermione stepping foot out of the bathroom door only sealed Draco's resolve, now wearing his clothes that were far too big for her.
"Admit it, you feel better."
"I do... I didn't plan on denying it." She told him, still trying to fight her sniffles.
He held a hand out for her, successfully beckoning her to come and sit next to him, though even once she'd made it this far, she still looked small and defeated, almost as if she was cowering.
"Why are you here, Hermione?" Immediately he could tell that he'd phrased the question wrong. "That's not what I meant. I know something happened... I'm wondering what it was...?"
This was obviously better for her, managing to turn her focus back over to him.
"I was with Harry and Ginny... they've been taking me out every Tuesday for as long as I can remember."
"What do you mean? I thought you didn't see them anymore?"
She sighed, and he prepared himself for an explanation.
"We didn't come out of the war the same way... they all moved on. I didn't. I guess I hadn't come to terms with how everything happened. Even if I had, I couldn't live the way they were..."
He couldn't say he blamed her. He knew exactly what she meant. His criticism of Harry Potter was the exact same since Voldemort's defeat, so he could only nod. "The spotlight..."
"Right... They seem to think that the wizarding world owes us for what we did. That they belong on some bloody pedestal, and when I wasn't happy afterwards... didn't want to do all of that... They all started to get angry with me." A tear fell from her eye as she thought about it, focus shifting around the room involuntarily. "Most of them just left me to my own devices. Apparently even being around me brought them down... but Harry and Ginny... They decided to try to rehabilitate me. I think that was it... I'm convinced it was just another big attention ploy... It never did any good. I always just went along with it but ignored them... tonight though... tonight..."
He leaned around her, trying to make eye contact with her when she stumbled. "What happened tonight?" He asked, snaking an arm around her waist lightly.
".. They just made me... so... angry..." She cried, fighting her breathing patterns as she attempted to explain. "... They couldn't... couldn't be happy for me... and then they started saying things about you... and... and I know they're wrong... and ..."
Steel eyes were searching frantically, thoughts rushing through his head at a hundred miles per hour as she spoke, as she cried. Harry Potter had been on his shit list as it was, but this just made him sink farther. On top of that, it was starting to sound like Hermione was upset about her 'friends' insulting him, which should have been expected from the beginning... His grip on her was starting to tighten slowly, pulling her towards him as she continued her slow relentless attack on his mind.
"... Harry said..." she paused, turning to stare dead into his eyes, freezing him. "... he said you... you're only using me... to get to him...?"
There was question in her eyes, but she was shaking her head as if to doubt herself.
"I...screamed at them... and... and I..." She swallowed. "... I hit Harry..."
If his head hadn't been doing backflips yet, it was now. Hermione Granger had struck Harry Potter, in defense of him?
"Because of me?" He asked softly, prodding.
"He said you were using me..."
"Do you think I'm using you?"
Hermione gave him a pensive stare. "You listen to me... I almost feel... normal... when I'm with you... You can't be using me... I won't be able to take it... you're supposed to be here for me now... We're friends now...I need that to be real..."
His heart was stuck in his throat, and he was beginning to feel as if he couldn't breathe. He'd never imagined he'd ever see Hermione as vulnerable as she was now, let alone sitting on his bed being this bloody vulnerable. And honest. Telling him that he made her feel something... Just tell her... What's the worst thing that could possibly happen?
"It's not." He said quietly, looking down at her from only inches away. "... That's not real."
Her expression was undeniable, he could see her heart starting to crack as tears began to pool in her eyes.
"...I wasn't... entirely ... honest ... with you."
"What are you talking about?"
His arm tightened gently to grip her body against his, bringing his free hand to slide up behind her neck, pulling her ever-so-softly against his lips. He had to believe coming to him had been a sign. She had to know there was chemistry...
Much to his chagrin, she pulled away with wide eyes the moment his lips touched hers, staring at him with an expression he couldn't place. He broke eye contact, standing and taking a few steps before reaching up to rub the back of his head. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have done that... It was inappropriate on a hundred different levels."
He paused, feeling her hand on his loose arm and turning, slowly, embarrassment still riddling his countenance.
"I don't want you to be with her..." she said, so softly he could barely hear it, pain etched into her voice.
That was the end, instantly he was on her, wrapping his arms around her lower back and sliding them down to pull her up against his body, mouths meeting in an explorative battle. Her legs snaked around his waist, mirroring arms that were searching his back desperately as he stepped thoughtlessly towards the bed.
"Blaise isn't worth your time.." He muttered breathlessly, pulling away from her mouth to trail his own down her neck.
"You know... I didn't need you to tell me that..."
"...No?..."
He spun them like graceful clockwork, bringing her to her back on the sheets without ever taking his hands off of her body. The brunette only reached down, grabbing a handful of his T-shirt in both hands, pulling him against her. "Unfortunately, there aren't any successful substitutes once a girl gets you in her head." She whispered back, leaning forward and pressing her lips to his once again.
Draco chuckled, running his tongue along her lips softly as his hands slipped under the loose sweatshirt he had given her to wear, flickering up her abdomen and gently teasing when the two of them paused to a most unwelcome jingle.
"... Were those your wards?"