The Agreement
Annaleise Marie

Chapter Nine: Addiction

AN: Thanks so much to everyone who read the last chapter and added this story to their alerts and faves! And special thanks to SheLovesMalfoy, Sheebs, ultimanoapte, Jade2099, SauerKirsche, Pixie-Fate, Alliy, Hans153, starlight-x-A-x, KenLuverDH, Hans153, 4SnowWolf, and HPfan29 for reviewing!

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the new chapter!

/

"We're being watched," Draco whispered. "Closely."

Hermione held back a gasp at this news, refraining from searching around them. If Draco was right, she didn't want to tip the spy off to the fact that she was aware of them.

"Understand?" Draco asked, his voice firm once more.

"Yes, Draco," she said meekly, going along with the act.

"Good," he said, stepping back. "Now let's return to the table."

He extended his arm and Hermione laced hers through his, allowing him to lead her back to the atrium. Her entire body was on edge, intensely aware of everyone around her, trying to figure out who Draco was talking about. No one seemed particularly interested in them as they returned, absorbed in their own conversations and meals.

"Is everything okay?" Melaina asked, seeming concerned as the pair sat back down.

"Oh, fine," Hermione said, forcing herself to smile at the witch. "I'm just a bit under the weather, is all. I apologize for my attitude."

"Perhaps you should retire early, if you're not feeling well," Melaina suggested. Hermione shook her head.

"No, as Draco said, this is a cause that I feel very strongly about," she parroted. "I plan to stay and support it."

"But of course you realize the shortfalls of the legislation they are supporting," Dekeyrel said.

"I'm not sure what you mean," Hermione said, her tone polite as dislike for the man radiated through every fiber of her being.

"The proposed laws to increase the rights of creatures is not intended to void the laws that protect the same creatures from interference from the wizarding community," Cipoletti answered. "So we would be giving them the same rights as wizards, with no responsibilities. In the event that house elves were, for example, released from their bonds to wizards and allowed free use of their magic, and they slaughtered the family they served, there are no provisions to prosecute the elf."

"Perhaps if elves were not enslaved and mistreated, they would not feel the need to murder their 'families'," Hermione said. She continued, at a warning look from Draco. "I don't mean to insinuate that all elves are mistreated, but I myself have seen what loyal and caring creatures they are by nature, and they would not do something such as you are suggesting without just reason."

"You are suggesting, then, that a creature naturally inferior to wizards should be given the same rights by law because they might not cause harm?" Dekeyrel asked.

"I suppose that depends on your definiton of inferiority, Mr. Dekeyrel," Hermione answered evenly. "I myself tend to think of them as entirely different beings, and therefore not exactly comparable to humans. That would be like considering a tomato inferior to a pumpkin."

Harry chuckled and Ginny nudged him pointedly.

"The fact is that granting these creatures greater rights could impede upon our rights as wizards," Dekeyrel said as though there had been no interruption.

"What rights, precisely? Our right to rule over a race entirely different than our own as though they were inferior?"

"You're reading too far into my words," Dekeyrel said lightly. "Clearly elves were a poor example. What about the trolls or giants?"

"The trolls and giants are not considered creatures possessing near-human intelligence," Draco pointed out. "Therefore, they are subject to entirely different laws and regulations."

"But the centaurs," Cipoletti started, "have already proven that they are a danger to humans, and giving them more rights and freedoms would only put us in greater danger. I mean, look at what they did to Delores."

"Delores was given fair warning, and chose to bait and insult a group of centaurs regardless," Harry said. "It's not quite the same thing. If anything, it illustrates the need for greater respect from the wizarding community and the folly of believing that we are superior as wizards to any other being with magical abilities."

"The fact is that wizards are superior to other beings," Dekeyrel said loftily. "It is therefore our responsibility to keep the natural hierarchy in order."

"That sort of thinking could be dangerous, though," Harry said carefully, and Hermione could tell that he was about to breach the real subject. "Isn't it the same sort of ideals that led to the last war - wizards being superior to others and being responsible for keeping others in their place?"

"It is only dangerous when taken to an extreme, Mr. Potter," Cipoletti said quietly. "I don't believe that creatures rights are not quite the same thing as a massive holocaust."

"Not in practice, but in principle," Harry conceded. "The problem is, those principles often lead to such practices."

"Well said, Mr. Potter," Dekeyrel said, his lips curling. "I hope you are not suggesting that any such thing would happen?"

"I would like to think there is no reason for any such thing to happen," Harry said, his flat tone mirroring Dekeyrel's.

"Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but all of this political talk is giving me somewhat of a headache," Melaina said after a moment, smiling brightly at the others. Hermione had almost forgotten that she and Ron were there, they had spoken so little since the conversation started. "Have you all read about the new production being put on at the-"

The conversation turned to arts and coming events. Hermione tuned them out, noticing with an air of annoyance that she was getting a slight headache.

When their plates finally cleared, she breathed a sigh of relief. It was finally over. She stood as she heard a low scraping of chairs, announcing the other attendees rising as well. She nearly cursed when she heard the music start and the tables magically cleared themselves out of the way.

As a slow waltz started, Draco took Hermione's hand. Hermione opened her mouth to protest, but stopped at the warning look he gave her. She placed her free hand on his shoulder as his rested on her waste. Hermione didn't have any dancing experience, apart from the few lessons before the Yule Ball and a few ill-fated ballet lessons as a young girl, so she had to rely on Draco to lead her.

Draco was a surprisingly good dancer, sweeping her across the dance floor, smirking a little when she stumbled.

"You did well," he said quietly, never pausing his movements. "A little too opinionated for a Malfoy's girlfriend, perhaps, but that can be attributed to a newer relationship."

"Well, excuse me," Hermione muttered.

"No need," Draco said dismissively, smirking.

"I'm still mad at you, you know," Hermione informed him. He chuckled.

"Oh, I'm very aware of that. But you're playing it off well," he said, holding her closer. "So what did you think of our dining companion's views?"

"Not much. It seems very typical of their sort," Hermione said.

"Their sort?"

"Arrogant, purist, superiority complex inflicted wizards," Hermione clarified.

"My sort, you mean," Draco said easily.

"Well, yes," she confirmed. Draco smiled, releasing her him for a moment to spin her before bringing her close to him once more.

"You never did ask my opinion on this cause," he said.

"Yours is not the one that matters," Hermione said. Draco nodded.

"You're right, I suppose," he said before dipping her low and bringing her back up as the music faded. He lowered his mouth to her ear and she couldn't suppress the shudder that ran through her as his breath ghosted over her skin. "But for the record, I happen to support it," he muttered.

"Really?" Hermione asked, surprised. The music began again, a slow ballad, and Draco brought her arms up to wrap loosely around his neck as his moved to her waist. She raised an eyebrow at him at the high school-like stance. Draco shrugged.

"I really don't dance much," he admitted. "But they always start with a waltz, so I've become quite adapt at that."

"Do you want to stop?" she asked, glad for an excuse to leave the dance floor.

"Not just yet," Draco said softly, smiling at her. Hermione was suddenly very aware of his body against hers, and her pulse picked up, bringing a blush to her cheeks.

"I'm still mad at you," she repeated for good measure, embarrassed by her body's reaction to his proximity.

"I'm glad," he said, still smiling.

"Of course," she said, her voice growing softer. "You love infuriating me."

"More than anything," he agreed easily. Hermione saw over his shoulder that Dekeyrel was watching them closely, his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. She rested her head on Draco's shoulder for good measure, letting her eyes close. Her headache had eased slightly, she was surprised to realize.

She felt strangely at ease, and wondered why. She was dimly aware that she was in a very dangerous situation - after all, if Dekeyrel wasn't convinced of their relationship, she could be brought up under review once again. Somehow, at that moment in time, it didn't seem as bad. She felt peaceful.

It wasn't to last, however, as a startled cry rang out through the atrium. Hermione started, whipping her head around to find the source of the noise, her hand going on instinct to the folds of her dress where her wand was concealed.

Ginny was standing several feet away from them, her right hand gripping Harry's shoulder, the other arm curved around her stomach, her mouth forming a surprised 'O'.

"Hermione Granger, I told you you'd jinx it!" she sputtered.

/

"AND THAT FERRET! AT THE BIRTH OF MY SON!" Ginny's cry rang around the waiting room as the door to the delivery room opened to allow a Healer to leave, temporarily breaking the silencing spell that had been containing her screams.

"I see she's a bit upset that I'm here," Draco said easily, leaning back in his chair. He and Hermione were seated in the hall, Hermione having been informed when they arrived that only Harry was to be permitted into the delivery room.

"I told you that you should probably go back to the manor," Hermione muttered. The Healer that had left only moments before passed by them again, opening the door to the room and disappearing inside once more.

"I SWEAR TO GOD, HARRY JAMES POTTER, IF YOU EVER TOUCH ME AGAIN, I'LL-"

The door swung shut, silencing Ginny's words once more.

"She seems to have moved on," Draco said. "Besides, I wanted to hear more about what you thought of the discussion on creature rights."

"Draco, I really don't think now is the time to discuss that," she said.

"Oh, so now you have a public conversation filter?" Draco asked, smirking. She rolled her eyes. "Come on, you really didn't notice anything odd at all?"

"I noticed plenty of things that were odd about that conversation, but I want to discuss them with Harry and-" the door swung open again.

"GET. IT. OUT!"

"- he seems a little busy, at present," Hermione finished once the shouting was silenced again.

"Really, what is the point of the silencing charms if they keep opening the door?"

"Well, without them, that would be nearly constant," Hermione pointed out.

"What a horrible thought," Draco muttered. "They should've done this the old-fashioned way."

"The old fashioned way?" Hermione repeated.

"Sure. The woman has the baby at home, and the man leaves, goes to the office, and does some work until he's called back," Draco said, grinning at her.

"No wonder you craved your father's approval so badly," Hermione said.

"I did not crave my father's approval. I feared my father," Draco said. "Completely different."

Hermione didn't argue with him, although she didn't see how one was better than the other. The door to the delivery room opened again, accompanied by complete silence.

"Well, that was eerie," Draco commented.

"Maybe she's done?" Hermione suggested. "But then shouldn't the baby be crying?"

"Not if it's any sort of respectable pureblood," Draco said calmly.

"It's not a pureblood, not that that makes any difference," Hermione snapped.

"Actually, being that Ginny is pureblooded, and both of Potter's parents were wizards, their children are considered purebloods. And it does make a difference, because pureblooded babies do not cry at birth," Draco drawled.

"You're lying," she said. "All babies cry at birth, unless there's something wrong."

"No, they don't, Hermione," Draco said, laughing at her.

The door opened again and this time Harry stepped out, looking on edge but happy.

"Albus Severus Potter. He's perfect," he breathed when he spotted Hermione.

"Told you," Draco muttered. Hermione stared at him, shocked. There was no way that he could be right about that, was there?

"Harry, did he cry?" Hermione asked, convinced that they must have just missed it.

"No?" Harry said, as though unsure of what she was expecting. "Why would he?"

Draco chuckled and Hermione glared at him.

/

It wasn't much later that Draco and Hermione stepped back through the manor's fireplace. Ginny had allowed Hermione in to see Albus Severus, but had kicked her out again in short order when she heard that Draco was still there.

"What a night," Draco groaned, crossing the sitting room to collapse onto the couch. Hermione crossed her arms as she glared at him. "What? I'm sorry the Weaselette kicked you out, okay? But really, if she's that concerned about me being in the same building-"

"You know that's not what I'm mad about," Hermione snapped. Now that they were back at the manor and out of the public eye, her temper was returning to her.

"You know what I think?" Draco said. "I think you are unusually moody tonight."

"Moody?" Hermione repeated. "I'm not moody, you're being a downright git!"

"Irritable, impulsive," Draco continued. "Unable to completely formulate a plan taking consequences into account… I bet your mouth is dry as hell and your chest feels tight, too. Maybe a bit of a headache."

Hermione licked her lips, damning him to hell for being right.

"So what?" she demanded.

"So, you're in withdrawals," Draco said. "I'm actually surprised they're not worse, considering how powerful the potion was. Maybe the passion flower was a good idea."

"Are you serious right now? You want to talk about that stupid potion?" Hermione demanded as Draco stood and strode past her. She followed him as he made his way down to the dungeons. "You may think this is all a huge joke, but I'm serious! I want to know exactly what you could have been thinking by not using the charm!"

"You know," Draco said casually as they reached the bottom of the steps, "I always wonder why witches are so quick to blame the wizard in circumstances like these. You know you are as capable as me to cast that charm, and yet it's my fault."

"You knew I was under the influence of that drug, and you weren't! You should have done it!" Hermione argued. Draco, rooting through the cupboards, didn't answer her immediately. After a moment he pulled out a small glass vial of a powdered substance, unscrewing the top and, after wetting his finger in the water basin beside the cabinet, pressed his finger to the powder.

"The way I see it, Hermione, you have a choice," he said calmly. "You may choose to wait out the withdrawals, or you can open your mouth. But rest assured that I am not explaining anything to you when you're in this state. It could be dangerous."

Hermione opened her mouth to tell him exactly what she thought of his suggestion, but before she could, he placed his finger in her mouth, pressing lightly against her tongue.

"Excellent choice," he said. "Now, have a seat," he continued, conjuring a chair out of thin air beside Hermione. She sat, still glaring at him, but she felt her anger wane as her body started to warm a bit - nothing compared to the burning of the previous night, however.

"Now, you wanted to know why I didn't use the contraception charm," Draco started. Hermione nodded, her eyelids growing heavy. Was this the finished potion? "I did not use it because I do not, at present, need it."

Hermione tried to make her foggy brain process what Draco was saying, but it was becoming increasingly difficult.

"So you're impotent?" she asked. Draco smirked at her.

"No, I'm not impotent, if you'll recall," he said. "My great-great-great grandfather was especially particular about protecting the blood status of the family, and so to eliminate the possiblity of illegitimate or 'dirty' children, he placed a curse on the men in the family, making us infertile until such time as we are bonded."

"What if you're bonded to a muggle-born?" Hermione asked after a moment, finally understanding his explanation.

"He relied on good old family morals to avoid that," Draco said. "It's held up pretty well."

Hermione nodded, feeling the last of her concentration slip away from her. She knew dimly that this was definitely the effects of the finished potion. She surveyed Draco, mildly unsure of how to approach him, but knowing that she would have to, or incinerate.

Or maybe she would have to to incinerate.

She wasn't sure what she wanted more.

Hermione stood, crossing the short space between herself and Draco, barely hesitating before raising her arms to let her hands tangle gently in his hair, pulling him down to touch her lips to his.

It was agony, and relief, all at once, when his lips brushed hers. It wasn't enough, and she was familiar with that feeling. Draco had mentioned withdrawals. Was she addicted? Would she be addicted forever?

Was she addicted to the drug?

Was she addicted to Draco?

She hated Draco.

As their kiss deepened, his fingers deftly gliding over the sensitive skin of her back, exposed by her dress, Hermione decided she didn't care.

/

AN: Well... Thoughts? Comments? Questions? I can't wait to hear from you guys! I hope you enjoyed the chapter! :D