A/N: More Smut, simply because it was fun to write! Enjoy!
Chapter 7- Birthday. Wednesday, June 5th, 2002
Draco hardly ever ate lunch alone anymore. His favorite booth now filled with different friends. He'd had lunch with Theo this week, just like nothing had changed. They used the hour to catch up, Theo filling him in on all of Blaise's stories. He couldn't remember the last time he laughed so hard. People still stared, but he was finding that he cared less and less.
Now he sat with Potter and Weasel.
"Do you have plans for tonight, Mate?" Ron asked as he shoveled in food. Draco noticed it was one of the meals he helped Hermione make. She did say something about freezing them, must be Lavender's cooking was especially terrible this week.
"Not that I know of, I mean it's just a day, I already had the party."
"Well she hasn't said anything to me, so she doesn't have anything planned. I do know you're getting a gift tonight though, so try to act surprised." Harry said without looking up.
"So just because she didn't tell you anything that means nothing's going to happen? How would you know that?" Draco asked.
"Perk of being The Chosen One I guess." Harry said with a smirk.
The table sat in silence for a few seconds before all three burst out laughing.
At the end of the day, Draco walked down to Hermione's office. If it was an especially good research day, she could get so lost in thought that she'll forget to check the time. One day they were supposed to meet in the atrium and she left him sitting there for a full half hour before rushing down. When he came to her door, the only door with three name plates in the entire Ministry he was sure; he knocked then just walked in. Her office was like none he'd ever seen in the Ministry before. Perk of being Hermione Granger he supposed. It was huge. The door was off center, to make room for a massive bulletin board that always had random notes on it. Hermione, Dean, and Luna each had their own desk and bookshelf, along with a laptop. Dean's desk on the left wall, Luna's on the right, and Hermione's in the back, facing the door. He could tell which desk belonged to who. Dean's was filled with stacks of paper on both sides, somehow having a system to find whatever he was looking for. He had pictures along the far side of all his friends. His bookshelf was only about two feet tall, but stretched the length of the wall.
Luna's was adorable chaos. That's the best he could describe it. She had stacks of paper everywhere that had to be charmed otherwise they would topple over in his opinion. Hanging off the front she had necklaces that were charmed. Something about Nargles? Her bookshelf stood in the corner on her side, about three feet wide, and went floor to ceiling. Hermione's desk was perfectly organized. With pen and pencil holders, a small wire rack in the corner that held post-its, tacks, scissors, and highlighters. She had a few pictures on her desk too; one of her, Ron, Lavender and Harry, one of her and Ginny, a small collage of random photos with Neville, Dean and Luna, and Hannah, and then one of her parents. She never talked about them; he'll have to remember to bring that up. Her bookshelf however, took the entire back wall and was filled floor to ceiling with books. The ceiling and other two walls were charmed to let in natural light, or whatever view they had decided they wanted that day. He was envious of her office. She had said more than once it really helped them work being in the same space. Their research came much more naturally when they could bounce ideas off each other right away.
"Hello Draco. Is it the end of the day already?"
"Hi Luna, yes it is."
"Here, I have something for you." Rounding her desk she came up to him and presented him with a necklace. A silver chain with some kind of small colorful pendant. It kept changing colors in his hand.
"Thank you. What is it exactly?"
Hermione had to turn her head to hide her smirk.
"Muggles call it a mood stone. It detects what mood you're in and then changes color. I've charmed it for you. When it senses you are unhappy, it will feel warm, sending you positive waves. Also it keeps away the Wrackspurts." Her eyes getting wide.
"Thank you, Luna. It's very thoughtful." Never a dull moment with Luna.
Hermione came over to stand at his side, eyeing the necklace. "It's very nice Luna."
They waved to Dean as they walked out, heading to the floo to go to Draco's flat.
XXX
After dinner, they walked down to the ice cream shop, where he ordered the biggest sundae she had ever seen, with extra cherries. Hermione got her usual vanilla soft serve. They sat at a table outside, sitting close enough to together that she draped one leg over his and swung it back and forth.
"Hermione?" Draco said nervously.
"Draco?"
"I- I have something I would like to tell you."
"Oh. Okay." She finished her last bite of ice cream, pushed away the dish and looked at him. Waiting for him to go on.
She was always so patient with him, which was one of the many reasons why he loved her. His hand started to shake as he pushed his ice cream aside, and she reached out to hold it; pulling their joined hands into her lap.
He turned to face her and took a deep breath "I would like to tell you about Astoria." He said in one quick rush.
"Alright." She continued to hold his hand, her thumb caressing the back of his hand.
"Okay." He pushed his free hand through his hair. "Okay. Well, after the war ended, and the trials were over, my f-family tried to live as if nothing had happened. We stayed in the Manor, I hated it. So much happened there that I couldn't even walk into... into that room. Or the dining room. I mostly stayed by myself in my room, or the library."
He was trying to stay calm, trying to breathe, trying to think about the good things he's done when he feels the dark creeping in on him. Hermione waited for him to continue.
"My father." He gulped. "My father wanted to return the Malfoy name to its former glory or whatever, annoyed with his lack of power and respect. I didn't understand what he was talking about. I mean sure, no one liked him and no one respected him, but he still had power. We were still a very rich family, still held a seat on the Wizengamont. We used to control the Black seat as well, because of my... my mother. But after Harry took control of that, and rightfully so, my father felt insulted. He had this idea that a marriage between two pureblood families would somehow make it better. That with the control of two seats again, he could demand respect."
He wasn't looking at her anymore, his eyes seemed to be looking at nothing as he tried to control the flood of emotions. He never told anyone this before. He forced himself to go on. "It was an arranged marriage, which by pureblood law he had the right to do until I turned 19. I didn't know anything about Astoria, and she didn't know anything about me. It was all thrown together so fast, we were married in July. A small, private affair held at the Manor of all places. I hated it. After everything was done, the papers all signed, officially making her my wife, and me the rightful Malfoy Head of House, we took a portkey to a vacation house the Malfoy's had in Paris, and spent two weeks there. Before meeting you, those were the happiest two weeks of my life."
Her stomach started to tie itself into knots. She tried her best to remain calm, for him. He wanted to tell her this, and she wanted to know. "Did you love her?" She found the courage to ask.
He looked up and smiled at her, seeming to go back to the Draco she knew him to be. "No. Only you." He kissed her cheek and stood then, "Walk with me." She got up and they linked hands, slowly walking back to his flat.
"We spent that time getting to know each other, talking, sightseeing, becoming friends. I wasn't anywhere near the bad memories, and I could pretend I wasn't who I was. We relaxed, and we read to each other, and I'll be honest I loved every minute. We could even forget we were married. We didn't have a traditional honeymoon." He glanced at her, noticing she let out a breath she'd been holding.
"It didn't feel right, so we didn't try. Once we got back to the Manor, my parents had moved out and into a country estate close by and we lived... there... all my anxiety coming back. I hated being there. We moved into the master suites, it felt wrong. We spent nearly every minute of that two weeks together, so she knew the signs when I would have an attack, a breakdown. She gave me space for a few days, then one day she brought me to the west wing of the Manor, which had really always belonged to me. She had completely redone everything. Changed the colors, the furniture, added a sunroom and a small kitchen. To this day I don't know how she did that. It felt like a new house, and it helped me a lot, from that point on we hardly ever had a reason to go downstairs, except for visits with guests; which never turned out well. After two months we decided maybe we should... maybe... try to be intimate."
He felt her hand squeeze his, but she said nothing. If he didn't get it all out he wasn't sure if he could ever find the strength again, so he went on. "We had been sleeping together in the same bed. I- I didn't want to be alone. She had never tried for more, she waited for me. So after two months I tried, and we didn't get far. I started to get nervous and panicked, and we stopped. A few days later I tried again, which ended the same way. We were becoming really close, and she didn't want to ruin that, so we stopped for a while. A long while. It was Christmas before she tried to come on to me. I tried to let her take control, thinking maybe I could suffer through it. I know how terrible that sounds, but I wanted to be a good husband! This poor girl was stuck with me, and I was always such a mess, and she was trying and I wanted to be happy!"
He could feel himself getting worked up, losing his focus. Hermione stopped walking, made him turn to her and put her free hand on his cheek, waiting for him to relax. When his breathing calmed she kissed him gently on the lips. He smiled at her, his heart aching with love. She was too good for him.
"I couldn't do it though." He said as they started walking again. "We got as far and lying naked with each other, but I couldn't go through with it. It felt wrong. She didn't get upset to my surprise, just got up and got dressed, handing me a t shirt. She asked me to let her in, and I did. I told her how I felt about myself, and how I never wanted this, but I wanted to make her happy, I truly did. And I- I told her about you. How I was hopelessly in love with you, and how shitty I felt for putting her through all this. Told her I just needed time, and I could be the husband she deserved.
"The next day she came to me with a stack of books, and our marriage contract. We'd been wed for five months, in an unconsummated marriage. There was a divorce clause, but not one for annulment. If we remained celibate, for one year, we could end the marriage. She was a virgin, and could still prove we had never done anything after one year. From that point on we were planning the end of our marriage. We didn't stray, we didn't see other people, we kept up the act in front of family and friends, and for our one year anniversary, and we threw a party. Everyone thought we were celebrating our anniversary as the happy couple. Little did they know everything was all filed, all of her exams were complete, ruling she was still very much a virgin, and her bags were all packed upstairs. We made our little announcement at the end of the night, as a toast. Told everyone they could show themselves out, and walked upstairs hand in hand. With all her bags we apparated to Daphne's, where we said goodbye. I told her I loved her. It was the only time in our marriage that I had said those words. And truly part of me did, she had put everything on the line for me, risked her family and her life so I could try and be happy. In another life we probably could've made it work.
"I went back to the Manor, where my parents were waiting for me. My father telling what a disappointment I was, how I've brought shame to the Malfoy name. Something like this had never been done before, Malfoy's just stayed stuck in their loveless marriages I guess. There was nothing he could do. He spent the next few weeks meeting with lawyers, going over contracts and books and trying to cash in every favor he might still be owed. Astoria's father didn't fight it. Which made my father even more furious. I stayed in the west wing, while he took over the rest of the Manor. I didn't care, I knew there was nothing he could do. We spent months going over every loophole, and I knew the annulment was solid."
He drew a shaky breath, he wasn't ready to tell the next part. He had to though, she'd been patient and listened to his rambling and he had to get it out there. He had to do this, she taught him that talking about it would help, and he didn't have to carry this alone. "One day I came downstairs, and realized I was alone. I saw a note in the kitchen from my mother. She... she said they were leaving. Going to France. They left everything to me, and were not going to fight this anymore. I haven't heard from them since... since then." He was so lost in thought he didn't realize they had arrived at his flat, and were sitting on the steps. She had tears in her eyes, and she hugged him, telling him it was alright.
"I had no idea." Hermione said. It was the first thing she'd spoken since leaving the ice cream shop. "You are so strong, Draco. And I love you. I love all of you."
Once back inside his flat, they wasted no time making their way to the bedroom.
"How has your birthday been so far?" Hermione asked, trailing kisses down his neck.
"It keeps getting better."
"Ooo! I have some presents for you!" Hopping off the bed, she went to her drawer and pulled out two perfectly wrapped gifts and brought them back to the bed.
"Two gifts, huh? Remind me to tell *The Chosen One* tomorrow."
"What?"
"Never mind." He said smiling. "Can I open them now?"
"Of course, the larger one first!"
"Yes, dear." He put the smaller gift to the side, and began to untie the ribbon. Ripping open the paper he held a narrow square box. Taking the lid off and freeing the object from the tissue paper he saw it was a heavy wooden picture frame. Flipping it over his breath caught. Inside the glass was a photo of him and Hermione dancing the night of the Charity Ball. Her head was resting on his chest, his cheek sitting on the top of her head, with a smile on his face. They both had their eyes were closed. It was one of the most touching moments he'd ever had, and now he had a picture of it.
"How?"
"Ginny took it. On her cell phone. I didn't know until a few days after the ball. I meant to give you a copy right way, but I thought I'd get a nice frame and give it as a gift."
"I love it, I really do."
"I'm glad, I have a copy for myself too, and I've been waiting to put it on my desk! Now this one."
Draco looked at the smaller package. "You really didn't have to get me two gifts. You've already done more than anyone has ever done for my birthday."
"What can I say, I like to spoil you." She kissed his cheek.
He opened the next one the same way. Slowly letting the ribbon fall then ripping open the paper to find a small square box. Lifting the lid he found a thin, silver chain link bracelet with a narrow silver name plate in the middle. Taking it carefully out the box he held it up so he could read the inscription. *HG/DM* on the outside, and the inside was *Let me always love you, for I am always yours*
Tears pricked his eyes. "Hermione... it's... I don't know what to say."
"Say that you are mine."
"I am. I am always yours. What did I ever do to deserve you?"
"You always deserved me, we just didn't know it yet." This woman was his saving grace. The one who always showed him that love was strength.
"Want me to put it on you?"
"Yes." His voice hoarse. She took his right wrist and clasped the bracelet on. Watching him as he turned it this way and that, admiring it.
She pulled his face towards hers, kissing his lips softly. She could feel the tears running down them, and gently wiped them away as she pulled back. "I love you."
"And I love you. So much." He said, kissing her now. He unbuttoned her dark green shirt dress, and peeled off her stockings, leaving her in a matching black bra and panties. He smirked at that, he knew she did this for him. She admitted early on that when they don't stay the night with each other she grabs whatever she touches first and throws it on. He stood then, unbuttoning his dark grey dress shirt, throwing it across the back of a chair and removing his undershirt and dress slacks and socks.
Pushing him back onto the bed she trailed kisses everywhere. His lips, his neck, chest. She smiled as she moved aside his necklace, he'd never take it off. She just knew he wouldn't. Her kisses made her way to his stomach. Pulling his boxers off she freed his already growing erection. She took him in her hand, stroking up and down, gently squeezing as she did so. A deep moan escaped his lips, his hands fisting the sheets beside him. With his eyes closed, she took her opportunity, and took his length into her mouth.
"Hermione! Mmmph." She'd never done this with him before. She started slow, running her mouth up and down his cock, her hand cupping his balls, and gently fondling them. She could feel him getting harder and she started picking up speed. She couldn't take all of him, but she did what she could and used her hand to stroke the rest of him from her mouth to the base of his erection. Her teeth grazed his skin, making him shiver in pleasure. Her sucking became more intense, more urgent. He didn't want her to stop, but he knew he had to. "Hermione," he said grabbing her shoulders, stilling her, "If you keep that up I'm going to come in your mouth any moment, and I'd really like to fuck you first."
"Well then you're just going to have to wait, I'm making the rules tonight." And she continued to suck his dick with such urgency he knew it wouldn't take much more to send him over the edge.
"Hermione, Hermione, please..." his hands reaching for a pillow to cover his face as he screamed into it. Oh God she was good at this.
She slid her mouth up off of him, but kept her hand on him, giving his cock a few more pumps. She took off her bra and panties, throwing them to the floor, and straddled him, sliding his cock into her folds, already wet and waiting for him.
"Oh God... Oh Hermione. You're so amazing." Throwing the pillow to the floor.
She shifted slowly, letting her body adjust to his cock filling her. She slid all the way down, her skin touching his, and begin to move back and forth, testing the feel.
Draco sucked in a breath of air. OH MY GOD He was screaming in his head. She felt so good. Her walls caressing his cock, he opened his eyes, looking at her, wanting to see her riding his cock. It was the most erotic thing he'd ever seen. He reached up to touch her breasts, and she smacked his hand away.
"Not tonight, my rules, remember?"
Oh so we're playing this way are we? He could resist. He thought.
She saw his face that smartass smirk on it. He thinks he can resist, we'll see about that!
Hermione leaned forward, changing the angle, and wrapped her hands around his neck. "Put your hands behind your head."
"Yes, dear." He could do this.
"Now don't move until I tell you to." She began kissing his neck, trailing kisses down to his collar bone, enjoying his moans as she moved back and forth, riding his cock. His hips began to rise with her, and she stopped kissing him at once.
"I told you not to move until I said so." She whispered into his neck.
"I can't even move my hips?!"
"Not until I tell you to, those are the rules of the game, Malfoy." She pushed up off him, now sitting up straight, and stopped moving her hips.
"Look at me, Draco." He did, his hands still behind his head. He watched her as she brought her hands up to her breasts, fondling them. Letting her nipples slide between her middle and ring fingers, giving them a squeeze. She made herself moan.
Oh my God! "Hermione," he pleaded. "Please..." she didn't say anything, but started moving her hips in slow, excruciating circles.
He wished he hadn't thrown that damn pillow to the floor, he was never going to make it if she kept this up. "Would you like to touch me, Draco?"
"Oh God yes." He hissed.
"Hmm, I think not yet, but I'll allow you to move your hips."
He'd take what he could get, and began to roll his hips into her, moaning her name as she did the same. The friction of their skin to skin contact was turning her on almost more than his cock, her clit rubbing against his waist, begging for more.
"You may touch my breasts only." She said a little breathless, she was close, but wanted to make this last as long as she could. His hands shot up to her breasts, squeezing them until she cried out. Putting her hands on either side of his head, she began bouncing up and down faster and faster.
He was so close, he couldn't hold on much longer, this erotic game they were playing was getting dangerously close to an end.
"My hips Draco, grab my hips!" He did as he was told, grabbing her hips and bouncing her up and down while he pounded into her.
"Oh God, Hermione, I'm so close! I can't hold on... much-"
"Make me come Draco! I'm almost there!" He poured everything he had into driving into her, harsh, fierce, forcing himself to think of only her until he felt her walls convulse.
"Draco!" She fisted her hands in his hair, her nails digging at his scalp. He slammed into her a final time, spilling himself into her, still moving her hips back and forth, forcing her to continue to ride him through their shared orgasm.
She collapsed onto his chest, breathing heavy. He wrapped his hand around her back, squeezing her tight to him.
"What was that Hermione?!" He said panting.
"I'm not sure, I just wanted to have control, I love watching you want me." She climbed off him, reaching into her nightstand drawer, pulling out a dark purple phial and drinking it. She laid back down next to him, resting her head in the crook of his shoulder, throwing one leg over his.
"Hermione Granger."
"Draco Malfoy."
"I love you."
"I love you, too."
