I own nothing but the plot.

Before Draco could open his mouth, Ginny said something that froze Draco's bones.

"You're a Veela and you haven't told Hermione yet."

10. Skills

Draco's face did not betray the surprise and icy shock in the middle of his torso. He quickly looked around to see if there was any sign of Hermione around. When no sign of his mate was apparent he smiled over at Ginny.

"Red, you better take it easy with that wine," he said with a slight smirk. Ginny narrowed her eyes and sighed. He was a good actor. Were she not sure she would not pursue this.

"Seriously Ma-Draco. All you need is reminder of a certain fact and you won't be able to deny what I say is true," Ginny said taking a sip of said wine.

"And what is that?" Draco said feeling his muscles tense at the future information and where this conversation might go.

"My sister-in-law is a Veela," Ginny said simply.

Draco searched through his memories in case he had heard anything about a Weasley wedding.

"I can't believe it!" Lucius said putting down a letter.

"What is it Lu?" Narcissa asked.

"Cecelia is allowing Fleur to marry a Weasley!" Lucius grunted.

That had been during the war. Yes, Aunt Cecelia had written a letter to Lucius inviting him to the wedding. During the middle of a bloody war. Aunt Cecelia wasn't the smartest woman on earth.

"Yes I do recall hearing some word on that. What of it to me?" he asked discretely still scanning around for Hermione. He did not want his intended to get any wind of this. He had a plan and was sticking to it. Hermione was an overly clever witch. Any word of what Red was saying and Hermione would quickly deduce the truth about him. I can't allow that. Not when I am so close.

Ginny leaned forward and grinned at him. "I saw the flash in her eyes Draco. You've already marked her."

Draco's composure did not break, but calmly he asked, "She has beautiful eyes. Of course they would catch anyone's attention," Draco said thinking about them. Ginny looked on as the blond before her relished in the thoughts of his mate. His own eyes began to soften and turn that beautiful molten amber color.

"Draco control yourself. You'll give yourself away if you get my drift," Ginny said blinking at him. Draco cursed under his breath as he got the full meaning of what the tiny Weasley was saying. He had hoped his eyes would stop turning their molten color after Hermione's marking, but he guessed wrong. Ginny merely chuckled.

"Finally!" Harry's voice barked out, "I got my bloody drink."

His body finally came into view and sat next to Ginny. Harry sighed satisfied and looked between Ginny and Draco. The blond healer seemed to be avoiding Harry's gaze and Ginny looked merely amused about something.

"Something wrong?" Harry asked with a suspicious tone.

"Yes there is something wrong," Ginny said earning Draco's attention to focus on her.

"He wants to ask me to dance babe, but he was waiting for you to return," Ginny said putting her hand gently on Harry's.

"Oh is that it? Well sure you can dance. I guess I'll just wait for Hermione and then we'll join you," Harry said looking oddly at Ginny. She began to stand up and cleared her throat to get Draco's attention. He suppressed the urge to glare at her and got up himself. He walked over to her and offered his arm. He led her to the dance floor where he took her frame oddly in his arms.

"My, my Draco. What big arms you have," Ginny said coyly. Draco quirked a brow and began swaying to the music.

"What was the purpose of setting this up Red? What else have you cooked up in your creative mind?" Draco asked looking around again for Hermione.

"I doubt she'll hear us over the music Draco. Calm down," Ginny offered, "I don't want to out you. I am mostly curious however."

Draco clenched his jaw, but did not bother to refute her idea of him being a Veela. He had already given her evidence and she would know the signs of a Veela because of his third cousin Fleur.

"About what?"

"About why you haven't told Hermione yet? If you had, you two would be happily shagging right now," Ginny said with some mirth, but sending more meaning through her jest.

"That's personal Red," Draco said.

"You're under the impression that I care," Ginny said spinning and coming back.

Draco sighed. "I am a male Veela Red. There's more than one difference between myself and Fleur."

"So explain then," Ginny said simply, but persistently. Draco took notice at Ginny's love of details. No wonder she was the best damn photographer in Europe. Draco weighed the pros and cons of telling the best mate of his intended what he had in mind. He hadn't even told Hermione yet, so would it really be fair to tell her friend? Perhaps she can help you. Having he approval of Hermione's best mate couldn't hurt, but then again what it she let something slip?

Draco ceded and chuckled. "You're fierce Red. I have a new respect of Potter."

" I know right? You'd think after offing Voldemort he would seem to have more canoles," Ginny commented, "But I think he's tired of being the strong one. And I don't mind being the strong one for him."

"Alright. Consider that for a moment. Why would you do that for him?" Draco asked spinning Ginny again.

"Simple. I love him," Ginny said serenely.

"Alright. Well suppose that later tonight when you and Hermione get a chance to be alone and start talking about tonight. What would her response be to the same question?" Draco asked thoughtfully.

Ginny studied his expression for a minute before answering. Was Draco Malfoy a romantic at heart? No, she couldn't believe that. Draco was logical and thought with his brain. For that reason he was suppressing his Veela and not claiming Hermione. There were many good reasons to do this but ultimately-

"You want Hermione to fall in love with you?" Ginny said more like a statement than a question.

"Correct you are Red."

"But why? She's your mate! She would have grown accustomed to being a Veela's mate. Bill did," Ginny pointed out.

"Red, like I said male Veelas are different. Hermione is growing accustomed to it now. She already has the first mark, she can feel our bond, and she feels like she has known me already, even when we first met. She doesn't know why this is happening to her, but I intend to tell her. When I do she'll know that she has a choice," Draco said slowing down at the end as if even saying that she wouldn't pick him was torture enough.

Ginny bit her lip as she took in Draco's confession. Merlin was Hermione lucky! This type of man did not come along every day. Though she loved Harry with every fibre of her being, Ginny had the sense enough to appreciate what type of a man Draco Malfoy way: a rare one.

"She would be a fool to pass you up," Ginny said as the song ended.

"Thanks Red," Draco said sincerely.

"It's the truth. If you need my help with her let me know ok?"

"Will do," Draco said leading her back to their table.

As Ginny and Draco approached the table, Draco noticed that harry was still quite alone.

"Where on earth is Hermione?" Ginny said voicing Draco's thoughts.

"I don't know, but even guys don't take this long in the loo," Harry commented.

"I'll go have a look," Draco said after pulling out Ginny's chair and having her sit. He made his way through the crowd and towards the locale of the loos. He finally found the restrooms with Hermione coming out of the door looking rather edgy. Draco quickly turned so that his back was to her, waiting for her to pass by him. Hermione walked on distracted when a hand shot out and grabbed hers. Hermione, startled, found the air whizzing by her until she was caught between the wall and something else. Hermione was about to make her knee meet this person's groin when she saw the arrogantly amused eyes of her intended. Hermione furrowed her brows in anger and lightly hit his chest.

"What's the matter with you? You scared me half to death," Hermione said irritated. She wiggled some to try to get out of Draco's arms he however, had other plans. Draco had Hermione pinned very snugly against his chest. Her bust and torso were pressed flush against him in such a way that Hermione's breasts were accentuated.

"I thought you had been mugged and raped by now," Draco said lightly with his eyes devouring her, "You took an awfully long time." He said with a suggestive eyebrow.

Hermione felt the heat begin to stir in her body. Draco was still waiting for a response from his mate, but it seemed she was at a loss for words. Perhaps he should continue while his mate was speechless. Just how far could he get with this tonight?

"Merlin Hermione," Draco said nearing the crook of her neck, "Do you have any idea how hard it is to keep my restraint around you?"

Again Hermione made no noise. She was truly too busy enjoying the proximity between her body and his. Hermione again felt that aura of completeness encompass her and Draco. It was building it's aura around them, taking on a life of its own. Why did this happen every time they were close to being intimate? She knew this was not normal for she had been close with the opposite sex before. Why was Draco any different? She was beginning to hate this aura of wholeness that spawned with him for every time he left or broke off their ardent rendezvous, she was left with a gaping hole. It was a feeling of missing a loved one or of pure loss. In addition, the passion and lust that also flared for him was left unfulfilled.

Speaking of which, she could also feel that heated emotion begin to blossom within her. The need of wanting to have him was always growing. Her appetite for him was ravenous, so much so that it scared her. Never before had she wanted a man like she did this blond devil before her. The growing fervor she was experiencing at this moment in the hallway for the loos was also taking on its own demeanor. Its tempestuous nature was enveloping her as well as the wholeness. She was beginning to feel suffocated with such strong emotions wrapping around them like a cocoon.

Without Hermione's response Draco continued his taunting. He let his left hand, which had been used to keep Hermione against the wall, come down to her shoulder. Draco gently fingered the lace there and let his finger wander down to her arm, past her elbow, and finally down to her hip. Hermione felt Draco grip her thigh tightly. Draco smiled arrogantly as he took in Hermione's appearance; she was breathing hard, her lids were heavy, and her mouth was parted just so that Draco was having ideas as to what she could do with it. Draco's hand motioned her leg to begin to rise, simultaneously letting his hand slide gently up to the bend of her knee. Draco made it so that Hermione's knee hooked around his hips. He then slid his hand slowly up her thigh again until it reached her bum.

"Why are you doing this?" Hermione asked breathlessly, "Why do you like to put me in such a state if you never finish what you start?" she said, ending with a slight whimper.

Draco let his eyes wander to her neck where he then bent towards it and gave it a light kiss around the area of her pulse.

"Because I haven't told you the whole truth yet," Draco said simply.

"Then don't tell me," Hermione said licking her lips seductively. Draco felt his restraint break a little at the intended plea within her words. She had a point. The emotion of wanting and never getting was taking a toll on both of him. He knew what she wanted and Merlin how badly did he want to oblige, but he had a plan and he was sticking to it. He was so close! He had to do this correctly.

Their trance was broken however by a groan.

"Fuck my luck. Why do I always walk into your make out sessions? It's like your filming the start of a nudie film," Harry commented haughtily. God this was getting annoying.

Their intimacy may have been interrupted, but the two emotions surrounding the two mates were not breaking, not tonight. Hermione very slowly lowered her leg earning a hiss from Draco. Without looking at Harry Hermione asked, "Harry what are you doing here?"

"Looking for the two of you," Harry said avoiding the erotic scene before him, "But you both obviously seem to be occupied."

Draco also without looking at Harry said, "Potter give my thanks to Red for the invitation to dinner tonight, but tell her we had to leave early."

Without being able to protest, Draco and Hermione Apparated away from the club. Harry hoped to Merlin that they would just shag and get it out of their system already. He couldn't take anymore of this bullshit.

-

Draco had Apparated them back to an apartment he rented, but hardly used. Odd thing was that they had Apparated in the exact same position they left the club. Hermione was still very flustered and caught in the world of eager passion they had both created. That last sentence, which contained a silent consent, had let Draco know that she needed release from that world. She would get that tonight.

"Where are we?"Hermione asked not really surveying her environment.

"My place. I hope you don't mind," Draco said grazing her lips lightly with his. Hermione's mouth quivered with anticipation, but the pressure she so desperately wanted and waited for never came.

"I don't-oh fuck it," Hermione said grabbing Draco by the collar. She met his lips with urgent demand. Draco had clearly not been expecting this, but happily obliged to her affections. Her hands were going everywhere. It seemed as thought she would never be able to touch him again; she was getting all she could while she could. Draco was allowing her to go anywhere she wanted. He let her set the pace so as to not scare her off.

Hermione could tell what his plan was. Letting her take control was not easy for him she knew; she had felt his frustration grow along with hers. However Hermione wanted to unleash the beast so to speak. She felt her feet move in a forward direction until she felt Draco stop. She surmised that he had led them to a more comfortable surface than his wall. Hermione switched them around so that it would be her lying on the couch. She thoroughly planned to seduce him. Draco raised a brow as Hermione broke their kiss to pull him down on top of her.

Gods had Draco been dreaming about this. He always knew that Hermione was a passionate person as it shown through the devotion she had for her job and the war. However, he had no idea that her passions could reach every aspect of her person. Hermione took his hand in hers and set it on her thigh. Giving him a wicked look, she guided his hand up and arched her back.

Draco didn't need a fucking sign. He fully got the hint. With a growl he assaulted Hermione's mouth. Dear sweet God. Her mouth was heated velvet. The moist heat of it made the Veela inside him purr with glee. Hermione's hands got lost in the flaxen strands of his hair. Draco pushed aside the memories of their previous make out sessions. Never before had Hermione let herself go quite like this. It was as though she was not fighting their heat anymore, but giving into them. The auras of wholeness and lust around them molded to their bodies like a second skin, making every touch, kiss, and feeling of skin on skin completely forbidden. It made it that much more appetizing.

Draco's tongue was causing ungodly thoughts and emotions to course through her. Unbeknownst to Draco, Hermione had somehow gotten hold of her end of the bond. Through her craze she had taken hold of the one thing Draco had not counted on. Draco felt the gates to Hermione open. Suddenly her emotions and thoughts were beginning to take hold of him. Her lust was his; her heat was his; her need was his. He felt the crescendo of his own necessity grow, with Hermione's feeding it. The auras around them seem to tighten more until it had their skin burning.

Draco could see Hermione lust-filled thoughts enter his mind. Images of rapture and pure sex were in her mind. Merlin did his core ache. Draco's hand, suddenly, began to obey Hermione's needs of their own accord. It was as though those sinful images were not in fact purely from imagination; they were commands. His lips never stopped their attack on hers; his hand finally it to the hem of her underwear. Draco followed it along, trying to figure out what kind she wore. Draco mentally furrowed his brows. Was there a piece missing? Oh. Naughty Granger.

Draco's fingers followed their way back to the front of her thong underwear. The silk fabric would play a wonderful role in the teasing he was about to commence. He tentatively lowered his fingers past the front of the sheer and slightly damp material. Hermione broke their kiss as her breath hitched. He was going where she needed him, but-

"Don't toy with me Malfoy," Hermione warned hoarsely.

Draco chuckled. "Oh I fully plan to toy with you Granger."

Draco grabbed his end of the bond. He wanted to feel everything she felt tonight. He resumed his actions; he caressed Hermione's swollen lips while he pushed her underwear aside. Hermione sucked in a breath. Draco smiled at the anticipation she felt for what was about to happen. Draco's roughed fingers gently touched the outer folds of Hermione's labia. Nicely trimmed, he thought as he delved deeper past the folds. Hermione was arching her back as Draco assaulted her neck and his fingers worked her like an instrument.

His fingers began to get coated in her lustful juices. Hermione was in heaven. Somehow she knew that Draco was amplifying her already erratic emotions. He wanted to make this good for her. Merlin was he ever. She felt the roughened skin of his fingers go deep into her slick, wet entrance. Though they did not fill her fully, the feeling of pleasure could not compare to anything she's felt before. Draco began to gradually move his fingers in and out of her. Hermione arched some more as the first waves of intense pleasure began to spread through her already sensitive body. Draco groaned as he felt the feelings of satisfaction ripple through her body and into his. God what would it be like when they were finally one? Would they both be able to handle the intensity of him filling her the way she so badly wanted now? Draco's thoughts were finally interrupted as she felt Hermione's walls clench around his fingers. The waves of pleasure were coming back at Hermione and reaching her core, spreading through her torso until finally…

"Mmf," Hermione whimpered as her hands clenched Draco's arm and she felt the sweet release she needed take her over.

"Are you alright, love?" Draco asked huskily, but sincere.

"For now," she said getting that devilish glint in her eye.

"What are you doing?" Draco asked as Hermione began to sit up. She also brought Draco into a sitting up position while she straddled him.

"Hermione," Draco started with a groan. He caught her hands as they began to unbutton his shirt. "I can't…we can't…not tonight."

"I am just trying to give you what you so brilliantly gave me," she said as she pulled her hands out of Draco's not so tight grip. Draco did not protest, but knew that he would have to keep some restraint before she did something that would cause him to stop her. That restraint was going to have to be conjured from somewhere. God knew he had none left.

Hermione had gotten what she wanted to keep her sated. However, she wanted to return the favor to Draco. As she undid his buttons she looked at his face. His eyes were starting to change into that amber color that was the beginning of their change. After opening his shirt she let her hands roam freely over his sculpted torso. His muscles were noticeable, but not exaggerated. It was obvious that he cared for his body, but it was also obvious that he did not pride himself on it. Hermione Let her hands wander as her face returned slowly to his. She did not kiss him, but was close enough to. She licked her lips hungrily and then slipped her tongue out.

Draco groaned as her soft tongue made contact with his lip. She was slowly tracing it as her hand slipped further south. Without stopping her teasing of his mouth, Hermione dexterously undid his belt, unbutton his pants, and slipped down the zipper all with one hand. Draco vaguely took note of this. He quickly stopped her actions and claimed her fist tightly.

"Where did you learn to do that?" he asked strongly while his eyes never left her mouth.

Hermione smiled devilishly. "It may have been awhile since I've been with a man, but I like to think that it's like riding a bike."

"How long is 'awhile'?"

Hermione saw Draco's eyes intensify to a brilliant gold color enough to make the sun jealous. He was getting possessive, and call her a typical woman at heart, but she loved it when he got like this. She was no one's possession, but some part of her womanly mind loved the feeling of being completely overcome by a man and his passion.

"Calm yourself Draco," Hermione purred, "You still haven't seen all I've learned."

Draco merely growled as Hermione's hand let his member go. She took hold of the very hard and erect member and stroked it up and down a few times, simultaneously making her way down in between Draco's legs. Hermione's hair, although sticking up at odd ends, was still up making her task easier to perform. She kept eye contact with Draco as she exaggeratedly took his hard cock into her mouth. Draco closed his eyes and grunted. If he thought her mouth felt wonderful before, this was paradise. Hermione rested her hands on either side of her until she fully wet Draco's member with her saliva. She flicked her tongue on the underside of his head earning a grunt from him.

Hermione then took her index and thumb and positioned them so they formed a ring around Draco's throbbing penis. With her mouth still in place, she slowly moved her fingers up and down. What she had learned indeed. Draco brought his hand down and placed it lightly on Hermione's head. He watched as her head bobbed up and down while her skillful hand and mouth caused his pent up frustration to build at the center of his lower abdomen. He let his head roll back and his eyes close at the erotic sensation his mate was causing.

Hermione let feminine pride take over her as she felt Draco begin to twitch at her actions. She felt his member give that final lurch that told he her was about to finish. She kept her mouth in place and greedily ate up his seed. Draco looked down at his mate in surprise of her actions. He had not expected for her to finish him off quite so nicely. Hermione cleaned her mouth off and sent him a sultry grin.

Draco brought her mouth to his and kissed her angrily. "Now I am going to have to wonder where you learned to be such a fiend or are you going to tell me?"

"You're going to have to wonder," Hermione said as she pulled away and began to tuck Draco's member away. After they had straightened themselves out, Draco walked Hermione over to the fireplace. His eyes were still that warm gold color. Unbeknownst to Hermione, hers were as well. Both were still feeling rather incomplete, though they could hold their control now.

Draco pulled her close so that Hermione could feel his breath on her face. "I don't care where you learned your tricks. What's important is that you perform them only on me," Draco said with a light threat in his eyes.

Hermione chuckled. "Where did you get to be such a macho man hmm? I never would have taken you for the possessive type," Hermione commented.

"I don't like to share," Draco said sternly.

"Who said you had to?"

"I don't like to think about you with another Hermione. You have no idea what that does to me," Draco said controlling the images in his head.

"You don't have to worry about that," Hermione said reassuringly, "Even then, I've shown you all that I have learned."

Draco looked at her pretty blushed and grinned wolfishly. "You mean you're…"

"Yes. Not that I didn't have the opportunities. I guess they just never worked out…" Hermione said bashfully.

"There was a reason for that," Draco said putting a finger under chin and making her look up at him.

"Oh and what was it?"

"You are meant for me," Draco stated softly as he lightly kissed her lips. Hermione felt that feeling of loss begin to grow within her. She clutched to Draco tightly as he lessened his pressure and pulled away.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow?" Hermione said with a content sigh.

"Of course."

"Good night," Hermione said vanishing in the green flames.

Draco sighed as he looked at the place where Hermione had been. He would need to tell her the truth. Very soon.

-

He had given her more than enough time to think things over. It had been a week since their lunch, and she had not contacted him. If anything he figured he had given her too much time. Draco was getting closer to her by the day and he was nowhere near where he wanted to be. His dreams of her were getting more and more unbearable. He needed to show her that she belonged to him. She needed to know. He wanted her to come to him of her own will, but if she did not he would have to encourage her…His now brown eyes looked down the hall scanning for the door that would read 'Hermione J. Granger: Chief Auror,' but did not find it until-

"Shit!" Viktor heard a feminine voice say. There was a door that was already opened and he decided it was worth a peek. Viktor walked up to the door and leaned against the frame as he took in the sight before him. Hermione was standing with her hands on her hips looking at the various papers that were strewn about her floor. She had obviously had problems with her coordination that caused her to use such profanity.

"Not off to a good day I suspect," came a deep and heavily accented voice. Hermione squeaked and turned around. Her already frazzled demeanor became more anxious as she saw Viktor standing at her doorway. That same old adrenaline from before was beginning to pump through her body.

"Viktor! What brings you here?" Hermione ask leaning over to pick up her papers. Viktor hesitated to answer as he appreciated the view he was given. Hermione had chosen to wear a tight purple button up shirt with an unlawfully tight knee length skirt. She was wearing the same silver heels she had the day of their luncheon. A black belt was settled neatly around her waist emphasizing her tiny frame.

Viktor cleared his throat and stood straight. "I came to see if you were free for lunch again today."

Alright so how steamy was that? Please let me know. I don't write love scenes often! Sorry for the long wait. I was on vacation for my brain so to speak. Thanks to Ann M. Oliver for the inspiration through her stories. People, if you want a good read I suggest her.

As always, a preview of the next chapter:

"Leave. Now."

Viktor's eyes unsheathed the menace that grew within them since his transformation. "Or you vill vot?" he said low, but his tone was full of challenge, "Overwhelm me vit your…beautifulness?"

"Pray," Draco's voice came out hoarse from restraint, "Pray like a pagan that you keep finding me in public places with witnesses around so that I keep control over myself, because I swear to you that alone…I will remind you of what pain is," Draco said with another brilliant flash emitting from his eyes.

Wow. So why are Draco and Viktor confront each other?

Please review!

~Flame