I own no characters in this story I am simply borrowing this world for my own plot.
I'd like to give a quick thanks to artlover8992, HallowRain8587, ThatShotgunGirl, missWATERS all for rating the story twice. And to everyone else who is following and adding this to their favourite lists.
Chapter 9 – George and his big fat mouth.
Hermione and Draco woke up startled by the pounding noise at the front door. It was more than a loud knocking. Someone was desperately trying to kick it in.
''I know you're in there with him Hermione. Open the god damn door.'' Revulsion penetrated the once familiar voice. Thuds from violent fists attacked the door.
''Accio dressing gown.'' The furry material was wrapped around her, hiding faultless naked flesh. Hermione hurried from the room. Not stopping to explain. Pausing at the front door Hermione noticed Draco had stepped into the living room.
'' You know who is at the door.'' He made it a statement.
'' It's Harry.'' Nerves made her voice falter. With a few flicks and turns the door swung open. Harry thundered into the small home, wand in hand. Looking for a fight.
'' Well well if it isn't Mr and Mrs Malfoy. Sorry to wake you but I just couldn't wait to give you my congratulations.'' The words a mix of sarcasm and anger.
'' If you have just come here for an argument then you can leave Harry. If you are willing to lower your voice and talk about this like adults then you're welcome to stay. Just calm down.'' Hermione's voice was tough, stern. After last night with George she wasn't in the mood for other people's opinions.
'' Calm down? How? My best friend is marrying a fucking death eater! So much for been the brightest witch of our age.'' Harry couldn't keep still, he paced around the kitchen table.
'' Watch how you talk to her Potter.'' For the first time since Harry entered they glared at each other. Squaring up.
'' You're telling me how to talk to her Malfoy? That has is the funniest thing about this twisted affair. The man who verbally abused Hermione for years is telling me how to talk to her. '' His forced laughter only added to the tension.
'' That is all in the past Potter, which has nothing to do with you. The way I treated her will haunt me for the rest of our lives together. But that is something we will have to deal with, not you.'' Draco kept his cool. Not wanting to give Harry a reason to bite.
''The past has nothing to do with me does it? The past has everything to do with me! Tell me Hermione does it turn you on him calling you mudblood? Does his dark mark get you wet?''
The words had scarcely left his mouth before Hermione slapped him for them. The look in his eyes said he knew he had crossed a line. '' I thought we were closer than digs like that Harry.''
'' I'm sorry. Oh Merlin I am so sorry Hermione. I should never have said that. It's just you and him together, it's wrong.'' Without realising it he had just crossed another line.
''Get out of our flat! How dare you tell me what's wrong and right in my life. You've barely even been in my life for the last 5 years. Now you think you can walk back into it, yelling and screaming to me about right and wrong? Well I don't think so. Get out. Now.'' Her words shook with absolute rage.
'' Please Hermione, I'm sorry. I know I'm making a balls up of this but please just talk to me. You have to understand it was a shock.'' Harry pleaded not wanting their friendship to end like this.
'' Give him a second chance darling.''
'' But Draco…''
''No buts. Sometimes people need a second chance. I did warn you this is how people would react to the news. I'll make it easier and leave for a while. That should defuse things a little.'' Gently a kiss was placed on the tip of her nose.
'' Where will you go so early?'' Concern coated her words.
'' Oh know where important. Thought I'd go see a man about a house.'' He teased keeping his words vague and nonchalant.
'' Really? What house? A house for us? Draco had hit his target, Hermione's curious nature.
'' Now that would be telling, darling. Which would ruin the surprise. ''
Harry couldn't believe what he was watching. They seemed to at ease with each other. Never had he seen Hermione look so happy, she was glowing. Draco didn't seem like the boy he remembered either. Both had gotten so absorbed in planning their life they had forgotten him. Or so he thought. Draco's eyes lowered to him.
'' Don't take my absence Potter as an excuse to be rude to her.'' All seriousness meant in those words. After a light kiss and a pop he was gone.
The room was deadly silent. Neither of them wanted to take the first step. In all the years they had known each other it had never been awkward between them.
'' Draco seems very protective of you.'' It wasn't a question or a compliment, just a fact.
'' Yes. He feels needs to, because of who he is. '' A sad note attached to her voice.
Harry couldn't avoid the elephant in the room any longer. He couldn't stop himself from asking the question that had been on his mind since George wrote to him. '' Why are you marrying him?
'' Does it really matter? Shouldn't all that matters be the fact I'm happy and want to marry him.'' Hermione watched him cringe at her words.
'' I'd like to know the fully story. Pretend that I didn't come here in anger and we are just talking as friends do.'' Motioning towards the sofa, he gazed around her flat. This was the first time he had ever been here. Guilt probed at him with that thought.
'' I'll tell you everything, but only because we were once so close. Not so you can judge or so you can try to talk me out of it. I'm very happy with the way it's all turned out is that understood?'' Authority ruled her tone.
All Harry could do was nod and wait for the explanation. Trying not to let it show that describing their friendship as in the past had hurt him.
'' It was a bit of an accident in truth. We got into an argument on the second day of Draco working with me, and it changed everything. We inadvertently activated an expeditious espousal. Which hasn't give us much time to get married in. Since then we have been getting to know each other. There is something between us. We make sense together. I know it's a shock because it's Draco, but you don't know the fully story with him.''
'' Not to sound like an idiot but what's an espousal thingy?'' The puzzled look on his face reminded Hermione so much of the boy she used to know and love.
'' Don't worry it had to be explained to me to. Basically it's an arranged marriage but stronger. It's unbreakable once the names have been spoken to it. Oh and you only have 10 days to complete the ceremony.'' Calm had settled into her words. A smile spread across her lips as she thought about how close Sunday was.
'' Wait, what? Ten days to get married in? So how long has this been going on for, I'm lost.'' He really was and it was clear on his face.
'' Well we activated the espousal on Tuesday and today is Friday. So four days in all.'' It felt a lot longer to Hermione though.
'' Are you serious. Only four days? How the hell are you so ok with all this? Four days isn't enough time to wash away the past. '' Harry was starting to lose control of the volume of his voice again.
'' Who said we had washed away the past? We just decided to move on from it instead. Dwelling on the past only causes pain, you know that better than anyone Harry. Neither I nor Draco want to spend our lives living in the past. We want a future, so we are doing our best to make this work. Luckily for us we don't have to try very hard. It just works naturally.''
'' It's just so hard to accept, he worked with Voldemort. He was a death eater.'' Urgency pressed his words.
'' No Harry, he was a terrified child who didn't want to die. Just like the rest of us. The only difference is we had a choice in sides. Draco could never make a choice, he was dammed any way he turned. When I think back to that night at the manor now, you remember the one. When he didn't name us to Bellatrix that must have taken all the courage he had left. That was him picking a side in the smallest way he could.'' In that moment Hermione felt proud, proud that he was her wizard.
'' Never have I thought about it from his point of view.''
'' No neither had I until this week. Which shames me a little, I'd just wrote him off as been a bad guy.''
'' It's still going to take a lot of time to get used to it. I always thought when you got married Hermione it would be to Ron. That we would be forever family. Ginny is more upset about it not been Ron than it been Malfoy. '' He half chuckled to himself.
''Really? After all this time.'' She knew Ginny was sentimental but thinking there was still a chance for her and Ron was border line delusional.
'' Ginny and the whole family really figured Ron would eventually realise what he threw away. That he would win you back.'' Harry sounded less than convinced.
'' After a year of him cheating on me privately and publicly?''
''That's what I told them, it didn't go down so well though. Molly put it all down to the stress of the war. Apparently you both just needed time apart to find yourself. '' They both just looked at each other before bursting out into fits of laughter.
'' Why isn't it always like this between us Harry?'' Laughter had left her.
'' It's just hard to move away from the past with you Hermione. When I look at you I can't help but remember what we went through together. I try to and I'm getting better at dealing with the past. I just need to find better ways of coping. ''
'' I do understand. It just seems unfair to me. You fought so hard for a normal life and now the past won't leave you alone to live it.''
'' Speaking of living. Look at the time. I best get going before Ginny kills me for been late for lunch. Only told her I was going for a walk but you know Ginny. She's smart enough to know where I really went. I'll write soon, I promise. Harry whisked her into a warm hug before apparating from the room. Leaving Hermione mentally exhausted from their heart to heart.
After pondering the events of this morning for some time Hermione's thoughts turned to Draco. A wicked notion popped into her mind, to show him what he had been missing all morning. She sprang into action. The shower was turned on and already the perfect outfit had been picked out.
A quick glance in the mirror was all she needed to finish of her look. The simple red skater dress worked perfect with a pair of chunky wedges.
Hands skimmed around her waist, spinning her. The cold mirror snug against her back.
'' You look edible little witch. I'm guessing you missed me?'' Oh Draco was smug and figured he had every right to be. His Hermione had dressed to impress him, and he liked it.
'' And I'm guessing you like the way I look?'' Her arms snaked around his neck.
'' I would have thought that was obvious.'' Deliberately he moved his hips, letting her feel how hard he already was.
'' Mmm now that's what I like Mr Malfoy.''
Their lips crushed together. Draco sank his fingers into her bum, lifting her like a feather. Her thighs wrapped around his waist. The soft lace scrap of underwear brushed over his cock, forcing a groan from him.
'' This really isn't the right place for this little witch. How about we carry this on in our new house?'' The words broke free from his mouth in between kisses.
Authors note: Really loved this chapter, it was fun getting to play with Harry. Please review so I know what you lovely people think. Kisses xox
