Disclaimer: Stephen King called the Harry Potter series as "a feat of which only a superior imagination is capable". And yes, people, JK Rowling owns that superior imagination. :)
Chapter 8
"The Summer House"
"Oh Merlin!" Ginny shouted breathlessly as she threw her bag into the floor, too excited to even do anything but just stare.
They just arrived at the Malfoy summer house.
It was a beautiful modern wooden frame house, which looked very contemporary but also very close to nature. Hermione couldn't believe that this was just one of the Malfoys' summer houses. She suddenly had the curiosity of how the others looked like.
The living room looked so homey and with a huge wooden fireplace at the center. The carpet was also filled with pillows as well as the large posh settees.
A ping-pong table and billiards table could also be found with a little bar just beside them. The bar was filled with different varieties of wines, beers, firewhiskies and even soju cocktails. There was also a huge jukebox and a disco ball. Hermione couldn't help but thought that this part of the house was based on Draco Malfoy's interest.
It was no question on how much Narcissa loved her son. Whenever she would talk about him, her eyes would always light up. She was very fond of her little boy, but then again, every mother would be even if her child was the biggest brat and greatest brute ever to touch this planet.
The post-and-beam saltbox house had at least seven bedrooms. All bedrooms had huge glass windows that stretched down on their flooring so that the beautiful horizon was perfectly in view. Each bedroom also had its own private bathroom and three of the main bedrooms had private balconies.
Its huge, fully equipped kitchen lead into a sunny dining room with screened porch and sloped window built into a roof structure used for daylighting and for serene star gazing at night.
Just outside the summer house was a beautiful pool and an outdoor Jacuzzi. There were also kayaks and paddleboats, a multi level deck and a cabin with fishing tools.
Hermione, honestly, didn't know where to start this holiday. Everything was just too perfect.
"Oh gosh! If Draco Malfoy isn't such a pompous jerk, I'll be so darn happy marrying him and stay in this summer house forever!" Ginny screamed as she ran over the beautiful serene lake.
"Really?" Hermione asked hesitantly as she followed her best friend. She knew she wasn't in any position whatsoever to even think about Draco Malfoy's relationships but it stung a bit to actually know that someday, he would eventually settle down with another woman.
"Mione! I was joking!" Ginny stared incredulously at Hermione. It seemed as if she was suddenly lost in a very deep thought.
"O-Of course. I know," Hermione laughed nervously while wringing her hands.
Ginny stared at her and studied her expression for a moment.
"Oh my…" She suddenly gasped as she covered her mouth with her hands, looking as if she just found out something.
"What?" Hermione frowned.
"You're still not—? I mean, you're still—erm—you know," Ginny uttered while gesturing something with her hands.
"What? No! Ginny, how could you even think about it?" Hermione replied as she crossed her arms and tried to get away from her friend.
"So you know what I was talking about," Ginny giggled as she followed and nudged her friend playfully.
"Stop it! That was years ago, Ginny! I was very foolish. It won't happen again. I've learned my lesson," Hermione answered. There was nothing playful on her tone anymore.
"Alright, alright. I'm sorry, okay? I was just trying to lighten up the mood," Ginny explained, knowing that her friend didn't want to talk about it anymore.
"Let's just stop talking about him," Hermione murmured as she stared at the waters of the lake. It was just so clear that it was as if the lake was never touched. It calmed her somehow.
For a long moment, both girls just stared at the beautiful water; until Ginny suddenly took her dress off, ran and hastily plunged herself straight into the lake.
"What the hell was that? Ginny! You could have hurt yourself!" Hermione ran worriedly and stared at her friend who was then laughing and playfully gliding in the water. Ginny had always been her little sister. She could be a tad more hyperactive at times making Hermione worry a lot, but she loved her like the sister that she never had.
"Oh stop being a killjoy, take that bloody dress off and prove to me that you're not a forty year old prude!" Ginny laughed as she splashed some water to her friend.
Hermione just laughed and shook her head while crossing her arms.
"Spoilsport!" Ginny hooted, now taking her undergarments off in the water. "As for me, I'm going to enjoy this holiday to the extreme and I won't let my forty year old mother ruin it!" She laughed as she threw her bra and knickers to Hermione leaving her naked in the water.
"You're insane!" Hermione laughed; trying to get away from all the water Ginny was splashing her.
"You're an old prude! No one is going to be here except us! This is our summer house for the whole week, Mione! Will you loosen up a bit and stop acting like an old maid on her menopause? You act as if you're not in your twenties, for pity's sake!"
"How dare you!" Hermione gasped while placing both her hands on her hips, though she was laughing as well.
"Sorry! I was just telling the truth!" Ginny chuckled. She then shrieked when Hermione had suddenly taken off her dress and violently threw it at her.
"Is that all you got?" Ginny teased, still chuckling incessantly and slithering along the water.
"I'm not done yet, little girl!" Hermione griped back while reaching her back to unclasped her bra.
Draco smirked as he looked around the living room of the summer house and noticed the bags which were uncaringly tossed on the carpet near the hearth.
He was sure both of the girls had been too excited of the spots in this place to actually stay inside. All the Malfoy summer houses were located at the most beautiful locations and sites so he couldn't blame them.
He grinned as he got one of the bags and started on opening it.
He was already here anyway. He might as well reward himself with a little bit of fun.
He was grinning like a little excited boy while rummaging on one of the bags, trying to look for delectable things when he suddenly stopped and frowned at a man's boxer shorts.
His first thought was that maybe Hermione or her little friend liked to wear them for comfort but then the size was really that of a man's.
His eyes narrowed as he fumbled on the things inside. He couldn't believe how angry he was when he confirmed that this bag actually belonged to a man.
"How dare them!" He literally growled while gnashing his teeth in fury.
He couldn't believe that those girls were here with another man!
His mother had been particular of the fact that she had only invited them exclusively. How dare those girls to even bring another man in this house?
He didn't care even if that man was Seamus Finnigan, who was Ginny Weasley's little boyfriend.
The mere fact that another man was staying here together with his Hermione made his blood boil.
No!
This was his summer house.
This other man was going to be kicked out even if he had to drag his bloody head off!
"The bedrooms are superb, mate! You really have to credit your mother for spoiling you too much."
Draco's mouth opened at an impossible length when he suddenly saw his best friend, casually walking down the stairs.
"What the fuck are you doing here?"
Theo just smirked as his reply.
Draco wanted to curse him and split his stupid lips for smirking.
He was smirking as if he was hiding something.
It was as if he was here because Hermione invited him!
It was as if he was here because Hermione wanted him to come!
"Why the fuck are you here?" Draco looked livid now, looking murderous again.
"Whoa! Mate! Will you please calm down for a second? I don't fancy being murdered in this beautiful place," Theo held his hands up in a surrendering manner.
"Then speak up!"
"Alright! Damn. I swear you're not going to live for more than ten years if you'll continue to be cynical like this," Theo shook his head and uncaringly plumped down on the sofa.
Draco just groaned and did the same while intently waiting for his explanation.
"Well, to make you feel better, the answer is no. Hermione didn't ask me to come here or anything. She doesn't even know I'm here so we're pretty much at the same page," Theo explained.
"Go on," Draco nodded. It was weird on how that statement had instantly snatched away a huge barb that had unwillingly formed on his chest region.
Theo just smiled at his friend's expression, but just ignored it and continued on his explanation.
"I went into your house just this morning. Your mother happily said you left for Vienna to follow Hermione Granger. So, I decided to come and witness the fun," Theo leered, emphasizing the words he fancied to let him hear.
"She was just assuming on things. I didn't come here to follow Hermione Granger. I just came here because—well, I'm tired and a little burnout. It just so happens that they're here too," Draco muttered, looking pissed.
Was he blushing too?
"Whatever you say, mate," Theo shrugged but was still smiling as he stood up and started on walking outside.
"Shut the fuck up," Draco mumbled while pursing his lips, also standing up to follow his friend.
"Where did those lovely ladies go anyway?" Theo squinted as he looked around by the time both were outside.
They suddenly turned towards the lake when they heard a loud shriek. They looked at each other worriedly and sprinted towards the noise.
By the time they got there however, they died.
Temporarily, of course.
Who wouldn't die seeing Hermione Granger without a dress on and teasingly pulling the straps of her bra?
"I'm not done yet, little girl!" Hermione was giggling mischievously while playing with her straps.
Draco couldn't help but just gape. He couldn't even punch his friend for gaping as well. Hell, he didn't even know if he was still breathing or not! He couldn't do anything but just stare at Hermione's mouth watering form.
He could even swear his eyes would pop out any second; yet, he couldn't care less of his face and feature right now.
Normally, Draco Malfoy would always prioritize his look above all else.
He would even choose to bleed and die than have a little scar on his flawless, sacred face.
Who wouldn't if you have Draco Malfoy's face, anyway?
He was sure he was the best looking bloke on this planet.
Some people would never understand this kind of self-importance that he had.
But you have to be Draco Malfoy to understand.
Ugly people would never understand vanity, anyway.
Yet, right now, he truthfully didn't care if his face was shockingly screwed in the most unappealing way. He was even sure none of the accepted words in a dictionary, both muggle and wizard, could ever describe his expression right now.
He could feel his heart pumping thrice while trying to compensate on the thrill her body was eliciting in him. He was even sure all the blood in his vessels had suddenly fled and overloaded his groin by the time Hermione had unabashedly threw her bra into the lake.
He couldn't see her front since she was facing the lake but he could make form of her flawless body. He wanted so damn much to run his hands into the hollow form between her calf and buttocks. She just looked so tempting and soft. Her giggles didn't even help him much that he almost lost it. He even needed to summon all his will power and goodness (even if he only had a fair few) to stop himself from abducting and taking her right then and there.
Draco Malfoy had never secretly sneaked on a naked girl before. He honestly thought it was low and perverted. He never really needed it, anyway. A lot of girls would always fawn over him and he always had the liberty to do anything with them.
But , damn!
If peeping on Hermione Granger was this good then he'd happily do it a million times.
She was now placing her hands along the band of her knickers, preparing to pull them down.
Everything seemed to stop between Theo and Draco.
The world could crumble right before them but their eyes would still be glued on this beautiful creature.
The anticipation was killing them.
Slowly… Slowly…
And then…
Ginny Weasley screamed.
Hermione whipped around to the direction Ginny was pointing and saw Theo and Draco staring at her.
Hermione screamed outrageously while covering herself. She then dived as fast as she could into the waters to be with Ginny.
"HOW DARE YOU!" Hermione shrieked, covering herself with the dress that she had just thrown into the lake a while ago. Ginny was hysterical too as she continued to scream and yelp.
"I'm sorry! I—w-we didn't mean to!" Draco pleaded, not really knowing what to do as he stepped nearer to apologize.
"Don't you dare take a step! Don't you dare come nearer!" Hermione was furiously pointing her trembling finger at him while trying her very best to cover herself.
"What are you doing? Why are you taking our wands?" Ginny shouted nervously when she saw Theo snatching the girls' wands which were then just lying on the ground beside the lake.
"What are you doing, Theo?" Draco bawled at his friend, noticing Hermione's helpless and scared expression. He didn't know why but he felt that he needed to protect her. It was a strange compulsion he'd been having these days.
"Shut it, Draco!" Theo spat at him as he pointed his own wand to the girls.
Both fearfully screamed when Theo uttered a spell, but suddenly stopped when they realized that he didn't do anything but just magically dress them.
"Ladies, please! What were you honestly thinking I was going to do with you?" Theo shook his head while pocketing all the wands.
"Well, for one thing, you stole our wands!" Hermione shouted at him angrily as she and Ginny went out of the water.
Theo just shrugged and quickly muttered a drying spell at them.
"Give us back our wands, Theo!" Hermione demanded angrily.
"How can we be so sure you won't hex our balls off if I did?" Theo asked skeptically at them.
"You deserve to be hexed!" Ginny screamed at him, looking incensed.
"Exactly. That's the point why I stole your wands at the first place," Theo nodded calmly.
"Give them back now and we won't hex you! In fact, you will never see us again. This whole place is all yours," Hermione yelled, looking way beyond pissed.
"All the more why we won't give it to you," Draco suddenly spoke.
"What?" Hermione frowned, almost laughing on how absurd this was.
"My mother gave you this privilege. We can't just let you guys go," Draco explained.
"So why are you both here?" Hermione furiously crossed her arms.
"Well, I—"
"Because Narcissa asked us to," Theo suddenly said, cutting Draco.
"Why?" Hermione frowned, looking terribly confused.
"You know, this is really funny Hermione, but Narcissa really likes you. She wants you to be with her son," Theo lied. He almost laughed at the comical surprise faces of both Draco and Hermione.
Oh, this was just epic.
He had to mentally praise and pat himself.
"What?" Hermione honestly didn't know what to say.
"I told you it was quite funny, right? But come on, Hermione. If Narcissa hears that you left, then her poor heart will be crushed. She was really happy and excited about this vacation, you know," Theo looked at her seriously and had even dramatically paused to place his hands on his heart.
Draco had to give the man a credit.
Damn.
He was even a better actor than he was.
"I-I can't believe it. Why would she even think about that?" Hermione looked flustered and uncomfortable.
Theo smirked.
She fell right down into the trap.
"Tell you what. Why don't we have a little truce? You obviously don't like this poor bloke here," Theo beamed while earning a glare from Draco; "and I know Narcissa will get over it someday but it'll seriously hurt her if she'll find out that you didn't even give her son a chance, you know. The best thing that you can do is to stay here with us and enjoy everything. After all, Narcissa gave this week to you at the first place," Theo explained.
"Well… He is kind of right, Mione," Ginny told her friend, making Hermione tilt her head for a bit, trying to make a sound decision.
"We're completely harmless. I promise you. We won't even touch any of you without your permissions," Theo added.
"What makes you think that we'll even give you guys the permission to touch us?" Hermione narrowed her eyes.
"Geez, lady. It was just a possibility. I didn't say it's going to happen or something."
"Fine!" Hermione snapped, still crossing her arms and now tapping her right foot in irritation.
"What do you mean, fine?" Theo asked; smirking since he already knew the answer.
"Fine, I agree," Hermione sighed. What else could she possibly do? She happened to really like Narcissa and they owed her too much already.
"So everything's good then," Theo smiled.
Draco suddenly felt so lucky Theo had come.
Yes, Slytherins always had their ways.
A/N: The Harry Potter Deathly Hallows is coming VERY soon! I can't wait! My friends and I made some rules in watching it. We should never talk with each other while the movie is going on, no comparing with the books, we should be as quiet as possible, eyes should be glued on screen and no screaming every time Draco Malfoy comes out. How am I supposed to do that? I'm screwed! Haha!
Sorry for babbling again, I just needed to share that thought. I just can't wait! Haha.
Thank you for your reviews, guys! I always try my best to update as fast as I can because of them so don't stop sending! Thank you!
sammy sosa the 13th- Haha! Damn right, she did! Thanks.
Its2dark2read- Thank you dear! :)
myriammar- Haha! He's such a brat. Let's leave it to our dear Hermione to tame him. Haha! Thank you.
Aletto- Thank you! Sorry that Hermione didn't hex him in this chapter. But oh well, she has plenty of time to do it. Haha.
CheshireCat23- Aw, me too. Oliver was a perfect guy, but then again, one can't really dictate his/her own heart… :( Thank you for reviewing again!
HarryPGinnyW4eva- Haha! Yes. But don't you just love Draco when he's acting like a little brat? It makes me want to squish him. Haha. Thank you for the review. :)
Andrea B- I'm not entirely sure on how many chapters actually, but I have already patched some of my ideas with the plot though I won't be able to really predict how many chapters for now. Thank you for the review anyway! :)
Bella Swan 138- Thank you very much for that! It made me smile. :)
waterflower20- Thank you so much for always reviewing! I really appreciate it. Draco is my dream jerk. Hahahah
X Slytherin's Ice Queen X- Aw, thank you so much! You always feed my ego. Haha! I can't please everybody, but I'm sure as hell happy I have pleased you! :)
18polo- I will! Thank you so much! :)
xXBeautiful TragedyXx- Thank you so much! And I see where you're coming from. It would be nice to have a beta too. I'm actually very new here and I've only started passing my stories because a friend persuaded me so I'm not really familiar with all those beta stuffs so could you please teach me where I can get one? Plus, I really wanted to update as fast as I can and I hope to get a pretty fast beta too. Lol. Am I asking too much? Haha. Thank you! :)
le temps d'un automne- I love it when people sound evil towards Draco! For some strange reason, it makes Draco cuter. Hahaha! Thank you for your review. :)
Loufoca-Granger- I love Oliver too! And you nailed it, haha! "Draco + Hermione + Summer house = troubles" EPIC!
iamahippie- Thank you so much! :)
dreadfuldelights- Aw, yes. Poor Oliver! And Draco will have so much more to prove.
ebm56- Thank you very much for the reviews and the insights. I'm so happy to know I related that part of Hermione well. She isn't perfect contrary to the part that she shows whenever Draco is around. This goes to all the girls who had once been a dreamer but was devastated by love. Hermione is a sweet girl, and yes, I've always pictured her to start a good relationship like that with Oliver. Draco is both a lovable and hateful character. I just can't get enough of him! Haha! Thank you so much! :)
xoxBiteSizexox- Thank you! Haha! Draco is a Slytherin through and through!
sanatan89- I actually intended Theo to have this little love triangle with Draco, but I became fond of him as I progressed in writing this story and I can't make him betray his best friend! Aah! I'm guilty of that. I love Theo so much! And aw, yes, I pity Oliver myself. Sometimes, things just can't go on the way you expected them to. Thank you so much! :)
IGOTEAMEDWARD- Well, I try! And thank you so much for appreciating! :)
anonymousarfan- Thank you! I'll post as often as I can. :)
PinkSlytherin- Thank you for the review! A LOT will happen on this vacation, I can tell you that. :)
azndrumergrl- Your reviews always make me so so so so so HAPPY! Thank you so much for painstakingly reviewing each and every detail! WOW! And I'm so sorry that you have to re-write everything because of some technical problems! I really appreciate it! REALLY! I love the fact that you understand each and every point I'm trying to convey. "What ifs" are really some of the most painful things that we could linger into which was why some people say that it's better to not experience something rather than experiencing it but ending up hurting. I think, however, that it's better to have experienced something even if hurts you. It's part of the learning process. I also agree when you said "Who doesn't want to be loved?" It's true, really. We were created to love and to receive love. It's just sometimes, it's quite unfortunate that one needed to receive all the love without being able to give it back and that it's really better to end everything before it's too late. Whew! I think you've infected me to open up a lot. Haha! But seriously, I want to thank you for all the reviews. I really appreciate them. :)
Thank you guys!
Please make me happy and review?
God bless!
Kisses, Sue
