A/n: I have a beta for this story! As of 10/14/2012, this has been edited by my beta Tessa Cresswell
November 29th brought on rather cold weather and lots of rain. Draco woke in a dreary mood, worn out from the previous week and unsure whether or not he was ready to start this one. He sat for a long time in the bed - Hermione's warm body beside him - before he got up to shower.
By the time Hermione had woken up and showered, Draco had two coffee's ready for them. She tilted her head slightly as she headed towards her room from the bathroom, in nothing but a thick towel. He found himself wishing to drop the coffee and rip it off her.
"What's with the coffee?"
"Get dressed; we're headed over to the Ministry again. I'm certainly not leaving you alone in this apartment." He got off the wall he had been leaning against and placed the drink in her outstretched hand.
Hermione opened her mouth to argue, but a memory of Flint on top of her, spitting in her face caused her to close it tight again. She took the coffee and quickly headed to her room, Draco calling after here, "We leave in ten!"
Hermione was comfortably seated in Harry's office a short while later, slightly damp from the rain outside the Ministry, but comfortable in her friend's presence. He was scribbling away at some rather important looking document as they talked, Draco already down with Mr. Cunningham.
"Don't you have to watch," she inquired.
He shook his head. "Not since last Monday, when the Minister..." he stopped, glancing up at her and noticing the sad look on her face. "...Well, just Monday. He's observing now." Harry stood and made his way around the desk, sitting next to her in the other chair instead of out of reach. "Are you alright 'Mione."
"Fine," she snapped, and he was taken aback by her snappy tone. It reminded him of school, but not of how he had seen her recently...which was probably a bad thing. She sighed as he thought, before speaking again. "May we please talk about something else Harry?"
"Of course. Anything in mind?"
She thought for a moment, before blurting out her first idea. "Why did you hire Draco?"
"Why not? Without his father to bribe people to give Malfoy whatever he wanted, he actually had to work. I became an Auror when I was 19, but he only finished at 20. Not to say he is stupid or anything, but, I suppose with the loss of having neither of his parents around, he got sidetracked." Harry removed his eyes from Hermione and looked elsewhere. "He was certainly not stupid," he continued, absentmindedly. "Finished with one of the highest scores on the tests in years - higher in mine for sure - and first in that year. If I had been stupid that year my job would've been turned over to him."
Hermione nodded watching Harry face. He didn't sound jealous, and his appearance didn't give you that impression either, nor did it give you the idea he was proud of Draco Malfoy either. "You hired him because he scored the best?"
"Yes, as well as had the best field practice, if you want to put it that way. During tests, he was one of the highest scorers too. He was...qualified, if you will."
Hermione nodded, deciding to drop the topic. She knew what had made Harry willingly hire his former enemy now, and he seemed uncomfortable to admit that Draco was one of the best. "I was wrong," she thought, "there has to be some jealousy in there." She didn't ask anymore. "Another topic for another day sometime."
It was quiet for a bit. Harry returned to his desk and continued working, and Hermione pulled a book from her bag that she had probably read sixty times (one of her very favorites) and began reading. It stayed in that silence for quite a while before Harry spoke again.
"Leave Malfoy's."
She set the book down having known this would come up. "Must we always talk about this Harry?"
He shook his head at her. "Just leave. You were attacked there! Bloody hell Hermione, it's not safe. Come stay with me and Ginny-"
Her face tightened at the memory of Ginny outside her door, but gone the moment she opened the door, allowing Marcus his entry. "No," she said, cutting him off. "I'm comfortable where I am."
Harry's mind traveled back to Draco's comment when he had come to retrieve his wand a few weeks ago, "We took a shower together." "How comfortable is that exactly Hermione?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Are you implying something Harry?"
He gritted his teeth. "How comfortable have you and Malfoy become?"
"Draco Harry. If I'm living there a first name basis is far more comfortable. And, comfortable enough thank you. He makes good company."
"Good company where," he muttered beneath his breath.
"Excuse me?" She stood up quickly, clumsily shoving her book into her bag again. "Harry Potter don't imply anything you don't know! You don't know where I sleep-"
"And you're sure that's what I was talking about?"
"Obviously! You don't know where I sleep and I'm a grown woman I will do whatever I please!"
"Hermione please just come and stay with Ginny and me for a few days, really, you'll see how idiotic this is."
"Harry I'm happy where I am right now." She turned to go and paused at the door. "And another thing, Marcus got in because I saw Ginny outside my bloody apartment. Perhaps you're the one who's in danger. Good day." She was out the door a moment later, slamming it closed.
Hermione had been in the Ministry enough to know where to go, and Draco had told her how to get to his training room the first day they had gone there, as well as his own office a floor lower. She was headed to training, knowing he would still be there for another 45 minutes before the minimum time was complete.
She stormed into the viewing area, drawing the attention of the Auror in there. He looked up for a moment, narrowing his eyes at her for a second before returning to his apparent job. Hermione huffed, slouching in the chair.
"Harry's being such a little prick. So what if I'm roomed with Draco Malfoy? He hasn't hurt me, and the war is long over. Whom I choose to board with is my own choice. And for that matter, whom I sleep with is none of Harry's concern! The nerve, asking where exactly I got my good company! Yes, I sleep in Draco's bed, but no I haven't had...sex with him! It's not like anyone's seen, and its' not like Harry should even care! That's why he has Ginny, right?"
Ginny. The name was like a sour taste. She left unnerved by the redhead, a long time friend of hers. They had known each other for years, even done some of that ridiculous "girl talk", but seeing her disappear from the hallway like that last Monday...it just didn't sit well with her. She had this strange fear of Ginny.
"No, not of Ginny. Ginny's loyalties."
She shook her head, watching Draco without interest. Sure, he was great to look at, but what he was currently doing wasn't anything she found interesting. How long had she been focusing on Draco? She couldn't quite place it, or when the forbidden attraction began. And, even worse, when her forbidden thoughts on...his body...had started.
Hermione continued to watch them, her eyes following Draco closely, Harry all but forgotten. He was wonderful to look at, agile and quite tall. The way his pale skin looked with just that slight bit of sweat on his body made him all the more seductive. Her cheeks flushed as she thought of Draco as seductive. Sure, they'd kissed and done things she found herself appalled to think about, but using the word seductive seemed to make everything more real. If he was seductive, she was then falling for the Sex God that was Draco Malfoy, and she was slipping into his trap willingly. It was revolting, scary, unheard of for Hermione Granger to fall like that into him, into his commonly known seductive nature, and she shook her head.
Did she hate being attracted to him? Not Particularly. Did it revolt her really? Certainly not! Was she afraid to fall into his pull? Not in the slightest.
She sat quietly as the practice drew to an end. She'd been teasing him, she knew, but would never outright admit it to him. Even if he knew (and he certainly had to have noticed her teasing, almost seductive (damn that word!) nature on occasion, Draco being himself and all) she didn't have to admit to it. And she would certainly not stop being the way she was, seeing as she so enjoyed his sudden dominating kisses on her and roaming hands. For some reason the thought of his hands roaming on her, his body crushing hers into a bed, wall, chair...anything...didn't make her feel the least bit dirty.
"It's always made me feel dirty though, when people have tried to...have sex with me...or even touch me. What's so different about Draco? He's nice to me I suppose, and he certainly never had to take me as a roommate in the first place...considering past relations between us. Oh blimey Hermione why are you considering all of this now! It's been a month if you wanted to have second thoughts then you should've done it in the first week, not now! Draco equals protection, considering Flint's inconvenience on it all."
"But still, I shouldn't ever feel that way about Draco right? We mess around occasionally but it's nothing serious." Her mind took a sudden abrupt turn southward. "Then again, judging from what I keep getting to feel against my leg, I wonder-"
"Ready?" Draco's sudden voice dragged her from her thoughts. She looked up at his face as she removed herself from her chair. He was slightly sweaty, and Hermione's cheeks were flushed red as she looked at him, thinking about what she had been thinking about in her head only a moment ago. If Draco knew...oh god.
"Yes," she said quickly, following him out of the room into the hallway. She wrinkled her nose as they began walking, a random witch passing by and looking Draco up and down once before winking. Her cheeks grew redder, unfortunately for her. "You seem rather sweaty today."
He smirked. "Good god Hermione," she scolded herself. "Stop that! You must banish those thoughts all together, or you'll end up asking another stupid question, and someday he may catch on..."
"Yes, we were doing some useless skills in case your opponent decides to fight. I didn't really need it." He still had that damned smirk. "Why do you ask?"
"You're glistening." Oops.
"Ha!" He was laughing now as they walked, drawing attention as they passed people. "I never knew you to think that way Hermione."
"And who says I am?"
He shrugged, still chuckling. "Because you don't mask your glances well."
She considered his words, wondering if he knew exactly where she had been looking. "Where are we going? We have to go down to go out." Good, change the subject.
"These damned Aurors wanted to speak with you remember? Some girl has set up a meeting with you, shouldn't take more than fifteen minutes. I don't remember her last name, but her first is Beth...Betty...something like that."
"Genius Draco," she muttered. "I'll just figure out the name myself."
"Oh good."
That night Hermione slept as far from Draco as possible, which he did notice, unfortunately for her. He felt the urge to reach over and wrap his arm around her like he had grown accustomed to, but resisted. He figured she wanted her space for some reason.
And of course, he hadn't missed her stares when he had glanced her way. The observation room was more of a roped off area, and she was too busy staring at him...as well as certain parts of him to notice anything. He smiled inwardly and closed his eyes.
Something clattered in the kitchen around four that morning, and Draco's eyes were instantly open. He looked to where Hermione should be asleep, and was terrified to find her gone.
"Fuck." He snapped up his wand and was instantly out of his room. His heart hammered, and he threw the door open, wand pointing into the common room. All he saw was Hermione in the kitchen leaning against the bar, drinking what looked like tea.
"Put it away, it's only me." Her smile was soft. He grumbled and lowered his wand, wandering to her. Considering he slept in only boxers (and that was just to make Hermione comfortable at night) he had no pockets. He leaned against the bar, raising an eyebrow.
"That's your idea of a late night drink?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Haven't we had this conversation before?"
He smirked. "Of course. Perhaps you will take me up on my offer this time to show you a real drink. Besides, you've obviously had alcohol before." He wandered towards the cabinets, leaving her to ponder.
"Not willingly," she muttered.
"What was that?"
"Nothing!" She rubbed her head. Everything was happening so fast, the weeks were stressful and dramatic, and her late night tea wasn't giving her the help she wanted. He returned to her side moments later and she glanced at him. "Do you have white wine? That's what I prefer."
He laughed. "Such a pathetic drink. No Hermione, if I'm finally getting you to have a real drink i'ts gonna be a strong drink." He opened the bottle and she crinkled her nose. "Welcome to Vodka."
"Really, can't I just have some wine?" He shook his head and she gave him a timid look as he produced two shot glasses. "Would you prefer a chaser?"
"A what?"
"It helps-"
"I'll take it," she said, jumping in. He smirked as he finished pouring two shots.
"Cheers."
After five shots Hermione was good as gone. Draco had five before putting the bottle and glasses away, content on watching the drunken girl in front of him. It was extremely early for anyone to be drinking, but, then again, Draco had never much believed in time mattering when one wants to get drunk. He relaxed back into the couch.
Hermione was bouncing on the chair like one would bounce on a bed. Draco had a small fear that she would break it, but didn't want to lose focus on his entertainment. Her hair whooshed around her head each time she went up in the air, fanning out, and he could just imagine that beautiful hair fanned out around her head with him on top. He smirked.
She jumped off the chair and bounded up to him, deciding that his lap looked like a more pleasant seat then the cushions beside him. She jumped on him rather hard, and he bit his lip inwardly to keep down a loud moan as she landed on a very important body part of his.
"You're pretty."
He smirked. "You're pretty too." He circled his arms around her body, and she changed her position from sitting on his lap to straddling him. "What's that all about?"
"So I can hug you better!" She threw her arms around his neck, and he smirked, feeling her unintentionally rubbing his concealed cock.
She held the hug a long time, and he vaguely wondered if she had perhaps fallen asleep. But no, her grip hadn't slackened like it would if she passed out. She was simply holding on. "Err, Hermione...although I'm quite enjoying the close contact, you may want to watch yourself and climb off of me."
She stroked his back and it did nothing to help him. "You're all muscly."
"What?"
"Muscly." She pronounced it slowly and leaned out of the hug. "Flint wasn't ever that muscle-ly."
He was about to point out that she, Hermione Granger, smartest Wizard of their time, was being illiterate, when she mentioned Flint's name. How wrong would it be for him to ask her about her husbands-excuse me, ex husbands-while she was in a drunken state? Probably very. And while his brain wanted answers to questions, his body wanted a physical closeness that would involve the bedroom. That was probably worse.
Damn temptation! Today, you lose.
"Tell me about Flint." He watched her smile sink and she slid off his lap into a heap on the couch beside him, facing up to look at the ceiling. Her legs remained on his lap.
"I don't wanna talk about 'im. Can't we-be happy?" Her words were slurred, and Draco inwardly wondered how someone could get so very drunk off so little alcohol. She's had it at least once or twice before. Her tolerance should be a bit better.
"It'd make me very happy to understand you better." He massaged one of her thighs absentmindedly as they spoke. "Maybe I'll make the pretty girl happy afterwards." That was a lie though, no matter what Draco really wanted to do to her in that state, the gentleman side of him prevented it. "I'm only ever a gentleman when I really like the girl. Fuck!"
"Really really happy?"
"Yes, really really happy."
She sighed and her arms flopped out around her. "About Flint hmm?"
"Krum too if you have the time darling."
"Hm, darling." She giggled in her little drunken way, and he found it sweet. Suddenly she bolted up, talking her legs away and sitting as straight as she could (which involved holding herself up using Draco) and smiled. "Krum was really nice. He never ever hurt me. Krum and me were the friends after me and Ron ended." She frowned. "Me and Ron were not a pretty picture. Krum and I joked lots Draco, we got super close. Just like you-nd me." She smiled at him, and he again wondered about her poor, funny grammar. "Yup, we all joke. We joked, and he joked that we'd make a good couple." She frowned. "We didn't. We didn't never ever talk and all he ever ever wanted was a trophy wife. No sir!" She jumped up and Draco noted she sounded like an ambitious six year old at this point. "Nope! I wanted me as me, and so we got broken up."
Draco smiled. "How long was that then?"
"Only like...six months? Yes! Cause then Marcus found me!"
Draco's expression quickly darkened. "Tell me about Flint."
She shifted from foot to foot like a child in need of the restroom. "Flint's an ass." The word ass drug out for several seconds, as she made that long 's' sound. Draco found it amusing to hear that word from Hermione, who was so far gone.
"Why?"
"He collected me." Draco wrinkled his nose and beckoned for her to continue.
Hermione's cheery drunken exterior slowly collapsed then. Her cheeky smile slid off her face into a worn frown, she sat down slowly on the couch beside Draco, who was relaxed with his hands behind his head. Draco himself instantly noticed the change, but thought better than to say anything. Her drunken state had suddenly taken a turn to the alcoholic depression, something he had eventually expected when he brought but the topic. She wasn't happy anymore.
"He collected me because he could. Do you know how that makes me feel?" He watched the witch carefully, shrugging. "Like something to purchase! He collected me because he could." Her hands were in tight fists, and Draco could see the sudden anger.
He tried his famous tactic of getting a girl to calm down, and leaned over, brushing her hair behind her shoulder before kissing her neck. He felt the instant shudder that went through her body, and the sudden relaxed muscles as she settled into his kissing. He only kept up his action for a moment or two, pulling back before he got lost in desire. "Explain my love. Tell me all about him." His hot breath tickled her ear.
"He forced me."
Draco choked down any anger that formed, and made himself speak calmly to his drunken partner. "Forced you to what?"
"Marry him! Stupid bloke! I couldn't find Harry, blasted Harry, and he decided I needed to come with him. Stupid bloke." She muttered some form of nothingness beneath her breath.
"Keep going." Now he was stroking her thigh. She's defiantely more willing to be touched in this state. We will have to do this again sometime.
"I didn't want to, not at all! But his stupid Imperio Curse-" Draco's eyebrows rose as she continued speaking-"didn't lemme choose! I hate that ass he's so...ugly." She said the word like it was poison. "Him and his stupid witnesses-"
"Who were they," he asked, still grazing his hands over her upper leg.
"Dunno. But, it was an awful marriage. He hit me bunches, and he always stole my wand when at home. And he threatened me-oh he was a bitch! I hated him!" She was getting heated again.
Draco, the irritably calm one leaned over again and pressed kisses to her bare shoulder. "Calm down. Tell me what he threatened." Exterior, he was collected. Interior, he was ready to murder.
"That'd he'd force me to have sex if I didn't keep quiet and keep up an appearance for him." She looked at him and smiled wickedly. "I'd have sex with you though I think."
Draco's mind traveled elsewhere, and he nearly lost track of everything before ripping his mind away from her sentence. "What appearance?"
"I dunno! Good image?"
He nodded. "And so you ran away from him?"
She nodded her head vigorously. "Yes! I brewed a potion-it took forever!-and got my way out of the house. I waited until he was super pissed and storming to his friends before I ran in and got my stuff. Then I found you, and look now!" She batted her eyes at him, and he found it very unappealing from her. It didn't fit her person. "I'm with you and I'm happy."
"I'm happy too." She smiled widely at his comment and scooted closer, causing his hand to slide quite a bit farther up then he intended and his slender fingers grazed the crotch of her pajamas. "Tease."
"I love it here," she said sleepily, and he realized she was falling asleep against him.
"Me too," he replied, smirking. But it faltered when she began giggling. "What's so funny?"
Still chuckling she replied, "I'm gonna puke on you later." She continued with her laughter.
Deciding he'd seen enough of his drunken roommate, he pushed her off of him back against the couch and patted her shoulder, conjuring a wastebasket. "You'll want this then."
"My head," she groaned. It was nearly seven that night when she awoke with the splitting headache well underway.
"Yes dear, that's what happens when you drink." Despite your pathetic amount.
"Ugh, this is all your fault." She rubbed her head. "I'm never doing that again."
"Too bad, you're quite enjoyable while drunk."
Her eyes narrowed as he said this. "What happened then?"
Shrugging, he wandered towards the bedroom to retrieve a blanket, in refusal of sleeping in his room with the nauseous Granger. "We just talked."
"About?"
"Nothing of real importance."
Hermione was asleep not ten minutes after their conversation ended, but Draco found himself awake for hours afterwards, long into the early morning hours. His mind did flips, trying to stay collected over his new information concerning Hermione's ex's.
The one thing he found settling was that she had never mentioned engaging in 'the physical act of love' (as his mind would only listen to that, the words fuck and sex being to animalistic for his mind to take picturing) with either husband. Although he was damned sure, damned sure, she must've engaged in it at least once.
"No one has two husbands and doesn't fuck. It's unnatural."
Draco dragged himself up, some irritating banging on the front door having ripped him from his sleep. It was barely nine in the morning, but after a night of unsettling sleep he felt like he hadn't got any rest at all. Hermione turned over on the couch, mumbling as she continued in her peaceful looking sleep. He's entirely jealous of her.
Opening the door, he found himself wishing he had checked first.
"Drakie!" Pansy threw her arms around his neck, her once shrill voice having softened, although it made her no less annoying then before.
"Pansy," Draco hissed, wishing to pull the girl off of him. "What're you doing here?"
She pulled back, batting her eyelashes in the same ridiculous manner that Hermione had just yesterday during her drunk incident. She leaned into him again, using that tone she thought made her sound seductive. "I was hoping for a quick shag before work," she hissed.
Ah yes. Draco remembered sometime around the time that he'd turned 19 that he and Pansy had begun their "Fuck Buddies" game. Whenever the other needed a good shag, they met up and had a quickie before work. This had gone on for almost two years now. Pansy had stopped chasing after Draco shortly after the war, having found someone different then. But when her relationship fell through, the pact was made to pleasure one another when needed. There was of course the helpful exception that the agreement didn't work when one of the two was in a relationship. Draco had never found himself quite so happy to deny Pansy any pleasure.
"Although it would be interesting, I'm afraid I'm bound to another party." As her eyebrows rose up in curiosity, Draco nodded his head in the direction of Hermione, still out of it. "I'm not jeopardizing anything for some quick little thing."
She pouted. Draco had never had long lasting relationships and all the pauses in their game had been because of her, not him. She found herself rather put out by the situation she was faced with. "But Dr-"
"No buts," he said shortly, not wishing to engage in a long term conversation with the irritating girl. "That's our deal; its been in place for two years. Deal with it."
She moved away from him. "Fine," she snapped, glancing past him into the room, her eyes widening. "Do I know her?"
Draco glanced back and noticed that Hermione had sat up, and was presently staring at the two with a questioning look. He turned back. "Not closely."
"Then who is it?"
At this point, Hermione pushed herself off the couch, clothed in her skimpy pajamas and headed to the door. Pansy was so easy to recognize; a slightly taller version of her teenage self with shorter hair. Having been listening to the conversation since the door opened, she chose now to make her entrance.
"Hello Pansy," she said, going to stand beside her roommate but not touching him. "How are you?"
She crinkled her nose. "Mudblood Granger?"
The word in itself was surprising. Draco had for many years been the sole speaker of that word, and it stung her ears. However, Hermione's slightly hurt reaction was by no means comparable to Draco suddenly furious tone.
"Don't ever talk to her that way."
Pansy looked between the two curiously, noticing the lack of body language. "What? Why not, you always used to-"
"Past tense, used to. If you're done insulting my girlfriend, you best be on your way." Pansy glared at him, opened her mouth as though to say something, and then closed it again, turning swiftly around and leaving. As soon as she was gone, Hermione spun on him.
"Since when am I your bloody girlfriend?"
He smirked. "Since you became mine."
Just like Pansy, Hermione opened her mouth to say something but stopped short. Huffing, she turned away from him and headed towards her own room.
"Strange. I haven't seen Pansy in nearly four months."
Wednesday night passed easily. Hermione and Draco all but ignored the appearance of Pansy earlier and continued on in their routine life, sleeping once again in Draco's bedroom.
Thursday morning Hermione strolled to her shower. The hot water hit her skin and she was happy to feel it raining down on her. The silk pajamas didn't exactly help with warmth, and her showers each day were welcoming.
Hermione always got lost in the shower, mainly because she enjoyed water. She hated flying, and what's the opposite of flying? Swimming. She adored swimming, and water in general. Having it rain down on her was pure bliss.
It wasn't until she heard the dim sound of her door sliding quietly open that she stopped her daydreaming of swimming. She paused everything, and strained her ears, hearing the slight movement of clothing. She instantly knew who this was, considering the new protection he'd been putting up.
"Malfoy!" The curtain had been ripped brutally back, and she shut her eyes tightly at the first movement, relived she had when the sound of water splashing hit her ears. He was in the shower with her now!
"What're you doing? Get out!"
"Ah but "Mione," he said, using that ridiculous nickname of hers, "you intruded on my shower once. It's only fair." He had his fingers lightly touching her naked shoulders.
"I didn't join you!"
"Ah, but if situations had been different you certainly would have."
"That's doubtful."
He laughed and she squeezed her eyes tighter. His fingers had trailed down her back, onto her flat tummy. She could feel his presence getting closer to her person, and it wasn't as uncomfortable as she had imagined. He was breathing lightly on her damned ears when he next spoke. "It's okay to look at me too."
She kept her eyes shut and bit back a comment. All her teasing actions and dirty thoughts wouldn't have prepared her for his gentle assault on her naked form. Yes, she badly wanted him but no, she wasn't quite ready. Not with herself still as she was. This was fun, even seductive, to have his hands wandering her (not trailing anywhere near certain places on her body, which displeased her aroused side) and not know where he would touch next. She loved it, but at the same time she knew she had to get out before he started getting too horny to stop. That would only spell disaster.
Using whatever will power she could find, she pushed his hands away and blindly scrambled from her place in the shower, opening her eyes as soon as she felt the cool tile beneath her feet, nearly slipping as she reached for the door, and ran out of the bathroom.
Draco remained utterly confused (and completely aroused) still in the shower. He didn't move for a minute, pondering what exactly had just happened, his dick still perfectly hard from finally getting to rub her body (restricting himself to what he knew he wouldn't get slapped for) with his hands. And then she bolted? If she really didn't like it she would've run long before this.
Draco turned off the water and slowly dried himself, wasting a lot of time looking into the mirror at nothing before he magically dried his hair and headed towards Hermione's room, having heard the door shut earlier, all the time thinking about nothing but her amazing body.
God maybe I should postpone this talk.
Hermione's door opened easily. Draco's heart fell a little as he gazed upon the slim, naked girl covered by an irritating blanket, crumpled into a mess on the soft mattress. He walked to her cautiously, worried that his sudden actions (and always cocky side) would push her away. Something had upset her.
Did I push her too far?
He didn't sit on the bed like he wanted to. Instead he cleared his throat and watched her head whip around quickly. Angry tears of frustration rushed down her cheeks, his only suggestion that they were tears on her wet skin being the fact that he could see them spilling from her eyes. He opened his mouth to comfort her but she cut him off.
"Don't bother, it's not worth discussing."
His eyebrows knitted together. "Why's that?"
Shaking her head she rested it again against a pillow. "Just isn't."
Am I really going to waste my time comforting her if she doesn't want it? "Something's wrong, so you best tell me."
"I best?" she snapped, her eyes growing angry. "Since when do I have to tell you anything?"
He sighed and rubbed his head. Without a word, he headed towards her door to leave the witch to her wallowing. Her voice stopped him at the door.
"It's not important."
"What's not important?" He didn't turn around, assuming she would simply drop the topic and not wish to speak further.
"You would never understand."
"And why would I never understand?"
She huffs. "Because you're perfectly...sure of yourself in that...situation."
He raises his eyebrows, completely lost. "What the hell are we talking about Hermione?"
She pauses for a moment. "I'm a virgin Draco."
He continued to raise his eyebrows. There's a surprise. "Is that all?"
She stared at the back of his head. "Err...yes?" Stop that! I have no reason to be unsure of what I'm saying...get a grip.
"That's not a big deal, I mean; you are 'Granger' after all." He said her name in an unusual tone, one she couldn't quite place, but she found his sentence rather insulting. Draco turned back to look at her, smirking. "After all, everyone has that innocent nerd in their lives."
She sat up, hugging the sheets to her. "Since when am I innocent? You call those little 'teasing' times we have innocent?"
"Not at all," he replied, coming very close to her face. "But my dear, you have yet to be deflowered." He kissed her little nose and stood up. "Get dressed. If you're set on remaining a virgin then you should refrain from being a fucking tease."
She huffed.
Draco's dreams that night were plagued by Hermione's naked body, and his hands running in respectable (enough for public) places. However, the pleasantness was interrupted by the memory that Hermione Granger-divorced twice-had yet to fuck. As impossible as it seemed, it was true and spoken from her own lips.
Sometime in the night he woke in a sweat, not terrified just too awake to resume sleep. Hermione kept her distance on her side of the bed, respectfully. He wanted to reach out and hold her close, but his sudden knowledge that she was untouched goods made him restrain himself. Did he really want to corrupt the girl?
Before, it had been lust, and then lust and love. Now it was lust, love, and that ever present feeling that he would be taking away something precious from her. At the same time he badly just wanted to impale her completely the next time they got into a sexual situation.
Oh, the choices.
Friday passed in a blur. Hermione shuffled around the apartment, talking to Draco as though nothing had happened, although on the inside she was afraid she had doomed any chance of them doing anything, much less the possibility of anything happening beyond this point. Do I want that?
Or, he's now thrilled. Question dear Hermione, which is better exactly?
Draco's own thoughts were much the same.
Saturday around 2 o'clock there sounded a knock on the door, and Draco opened it to find one Harry Potter. The moment Draco began to say his name, Hermione was pushing past him, hugging harry furiously.
"What're you doing here?"
"Found myself around here, thought perhaps I would stop by." Draco didn't exactly believe that, but kept his comments back as he saw the look of absolute happiness on her face.
"Well, it's good to see you outside of work! Would you like anything?"
"No thank you, I just decided to pop in for a minute."
"Let's take a seat." She and Harry wandered to the couch, Draco already sitting down ready to claim her in full view of Potter. "How are you?"
Her kindness was faked. She still remembered their conversation Monday quite lividly, and she found herself mildly worried about what he stopped by to talk about. At the same time, she hoped Draco would "excuse" himself soon so they could have the conversation in private.
For the next few minutes they all chatted about nothing, Draco's arms held possessively around her. She wanted Draco to leave, so she could confront Harry about Ginny again.
"So Potter, why didn't you ever help Hermione with those ex's of hers?" His voice cut through the air, and Hermione wanted to slap him for the question.
Harry's eyes narrowed. "She never asked."
"Surely you must've noticed something was wrong. People don't get scared of their husbands often unless something's not right."
"Whoever said I was scared," she snapped, turning to face him. She was so close to his face.
"And," he continued, ignoring her, "didn't you ever wonder why she had been married twice? She's not old Potter, and she isn't a gold digger, so didn't you ever wonder?"
"Often," he said through gritted teeth. "But I respected her enough to mind my own business."
"Sure," he sighed, leaning back into the arm of the chair. "Sure you did."
"Did Potter really never try to ask you anything," Draco inquired later that night as he climbed into bed with her.
"He did, but I never told him anything. Why do you ask anyways? You don't know anything about my ex's."
Oh how lost you are my dear. "Actually, I do. You told me, dear Granger." He was smirking devilishly at her, and she felt her stomach flip.
"Whenever did I do that?"
"Hmm, you must truly lose yourself when you drink."
She glared at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Ah, my dear," he said, running his fingers down her cheek, "you told me all about your damned marriages that night I convinced you to drink."
"What?" She bolted back up into a sitting position. "Malfoy!"
"Back to last names already?"
"You called me Granger."
"I was having some fun."
"Of course," she muttered. "Let's never speak on my ex husbands again."
"And why's that?"
"Because they're in the past," she snapped, turning away from him and laying down. "So please can we drop this?"
"For now." She sighed at his words.
The early morning knocking drug Hermione from bed. Draco had somehow slept through the irritating sound, and she supposed he had had a difficult night. In fact, she was sure. It wasn't often that he spun into her accidently, and didn't even wake up. Nightmares perhaps?
She sleepily rubbed her eyes and peered out peephole in the door. She wrinkled her nose at the person. It could of course be Marcus playing tricks again (or recruiting helpers) but considering who it was she doubted it.
Besides, Draco was in the bedroom and at some point would certainly here something. She opened the door.
"Mr. Gilmer," she said, letting him into the house and heavily wishing she had grabbed something to hide the skin her pajamas didn't. "What brings you here?"
Mr. Gilmer was overjoyed to see that her "roommate" was absent from her side. He was even more excited to notice the lack of clothing on her body. "Good morning Miss Granger," he said, smiling despite his reason for being there. "I'm afraid there's been an issue."
"About what? Is it the paperwork?" She was completely focused now.
He looked at her, as though the pressing issue wasn't important. "Is your roommate in," he asked, sitting comfortably down on the couch, winking at her.
"That's a little too much for me." "Yes, one moment." She saw his happy attitude falter as she jogged into Draco's room and shook him lightly.
"Draco?"
"Mh?"
"Mr. Gilmer is here, please wake up."
"Did he do something," Malfoy asks without opening his eyes.
"No, but I'd feel more comfortable if you came out in the living room with us."
He muttered and opened his eyes slowly, glaring at her. "Why does your fucking lawyer have to come so early?"
She shrugged at him and pulled on his arm. "Just come on. I want him out of here as badly as you do."
Draco nodded, sitting up and reaching for a pair of shorts before his eyes stopped cold on her scantily clothed figure. "Well fuck Hermione, no wonder the old man's making you uncomfortable. Put some fucking clothes on."
She blushed. Yes she obviously knew she needed to cover up in the older man's presence, but no she didn't need to be reminded. She picked up his bathrobe (having yet to see him put it on) and pulled it over her. It was huge, but it covered everything. She glanced at him and noticed the approval on his face.
"There we go," he said, kissing her cheek. "My girl should always be covered like that in the presence of other men."
"Not likely, but I'll probably wear more than my pajamas," she snapped, heading back into the living room with Draco right behind her.
Mr. Gilmer remained in the same place as before, but now he wore an irritated expression on his face as she reappeared in a heavy, large robe, with the roommate in tow.
"Now what's wrong," Hermione asked, sitting closer to him in the middle seat of the couch. Draco sat behind her, and much like he had yesterday, pulled her back against him. Watching the man's gaze move completely off her was one of the few reasons Hermione didn't complain.
"Seeing as your 'beloved' is unable to be located, precautions have been taken to locate him as quickly as possible, but the paperwork cannot be processed fully until his signature is obtained."
"He's not going to willingly sign it anyway," Draco snapped, his grip tightening on her. "What's the difference? Why do you even need his signature?"
"It's required."
"In this sit-"
"I understand completely," Hermione interjected, elbowing Draco. "Thank you Mr. Gilmer. Is that all?"
He hesitated a moment before answering. "Yes."
"Now how are you not locating this man," Draco said, cutting in again. "He was here and att-"
"Thank you for stopping by," Hermione said with a smile, jumping up and leading the man to the door. She opened it swiftly and didn't wait for anymore replies. "Good day to you!" She slammed the door shut before spinning around.
"Don't mention those things."
"What things," he asked innocently.
"About my ex-"
"He's still technically your husband until the divorce is finalized," Draco spat.
"Whatever. Don't mention anything unusual about our marriage. If I want to pass it off as just being a wrong match, I have a right."
Draco looked at her closely before smirking. "People are going to wonder Granger."
"Granger again?"
He shrugged. "I have to throw it in every now and then."
"Fine Malfoy what are people going to wonder?"
"Divorces are not common in the wizarding world, and you, dear Granger, have had two." His smirk was still in place. "People will certainly wonder."
"Let them then; it's none of their business anyways."
"If you say so."
Right before dinner, as Hermione finished the spaghetti, Draco started up another conversation with her from across the room, sitting happily in the chair.
"Have you found a dress yet," he asked.
She shrugged, knowing exactly what he was speaking about. She flicked her wand and large portions of spaghetti and meat sauce soared onto two plates. She levitated them into the living room, passing one to Draco. "I plan to just wear one of the ones I already own. I don't want to waste money on a new one; I have several new books I plan to buy."
"That's silly, you must have a new one if I'm going to be accompanying you," he said.
"Ah, there's that arrogant attitude of yours," she said. "Why do you want to anyway?"
"What?"
"Why do you want to come to the dance?"
He smirked, watching the TV closely. "Well, I'd love to meet Krum again. Perhaps we can have a nice conversation about you."
"That would be uncomfortable."
"For you." He paused. "And besides, my woman won;t be seen at the Ball alone."
"You do realize I'm still technically a married woman right?"
He shrugged. "Not for much longer." He stood, moving to sit beside her on the couch, pushing her hair back and breathing on her ear. "Then you're mine."
