Last update of the year (no panic!). A big thank you to my Magzillasaurus for her beta work and also a big thank you to all my peeps, who make me smile and laugh with their amazing reviews. Don't stop, please!

I wish you all a prosper 2019.

Days Thirteen and Fifteen

Day Fourteen

"Draco, come on! Let's go outside to the deck!"

"Are we being followed by whales or something?" He was clueless about her eagerness.

"No, we're crossing a special place called the Panama Canal in full transit. I want to see it." His passiveness rubbed against her impatience, and she left him standing to choose a decent spot at the railing. Hermione stretched out her neck to take it all in. Behind her, she noticed him lazily dawdling towards her. It made her shake her head, ignorant git.

"Tell the ignorant git what's so special about this transit canal?"

"Did I say it aloud?" Hermione covered her face with a palm, before continuing, "This is a canal which is manmade, by the French ages ago. It was modeled after another canal, the Suez, I believe we'll be navigating through that one also."

"I heard you call me ignorant, thank you for the compliment, I love it. I still don't understand why it's so important. My brain cells are working overtime, you know?"

"I'm sorry, you don't deserve it." The quick rub on his arm, apologetically, "This canal is special because it was built by the French and later finished by the Americans, opening an easier passage between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific. It's quite impressive in its construction. Plus, according to what I've read in the ship's library, it came at a massive cost of human lives. Diseases spread through mosquitoes, unknown until then to be the most dangerous disease carriers; aside from the dangerous wildlife around the area. Snakes, spiders, alligators…"

"You really research everything, don't you?"

"I like to know things, it makes it all so much more special. Otherwise, it's just water between two large continents… I'm sorry, it's who I am." This kind of conversation felt familiar, and it bothered her.

"I know Mia, I just find it impressive how this brain of yours memorises all the random facts. I'm not belittling you, I'm stating a point." He broke her focus by turning her to him and holding her close against his frame, "This is who my girl is, the real version." His hand pushed her chin up, "You can be amazing and frightening to a bloke you know? Luckily I can keep up, and I know I'll never be bored."

Draco really missed a camera, he needed to buy one of those muggle devices when docking at a reliable place. Her face of delight watching the surroundings was an image he wanted to record for later. He noticed already her lack of interest for the jewellery shops, or at any designer gowns displayed. Yet, there was genuine happiness on her face, at watching something so mundane as a canal. A path wide enough to let one ship cross continents to avoid taking a really long detour through South America.

Fait divers interested her more than the average shopping area. If their little thing grew into something more interesting, he pictured them travelling to amazing places on their planet and discovering with her the hidden jewels. His father had many mistakes, but he remembered hearing his mother tell stories of how she and his father visited the Pyramids in Egypt, or the Saltwater springs in Turkey, among other places.

He and Hermione could do the same, his walking-encyclopedia on two amazing legs…

"Look, Draco!" I need to frame this, damn it, he thought with a smile. He didn't share her enthusiasm at all, so what, it was just a place to shortcut on a really long alternative. But her delight was contagious. He stayed where they were, even if it was boring as hell.

For her.

Day Fifteen

"Girl, what are you thinking?"

"Looking over the entertainment schedule, I'm not sure if I want to join another Spanish lesson, or prefer to shake my hips at a dancing lesson."

"You come to a cruise to sit your arse on a bench and learn?" He sighed, incredulous. "This is a vacation!"

"Am I saying you have to come with me? What did you do before you decided to follow me like a puppy?"

"I'm not a dog!" You can say many things about a Malfoy, except call him a puppy! "Let me sum it up, I tested the limits of my muscles during your special yoga lesson-"

"The Pilates, yes, I remember, and please remind me to avoid that room from now on."

"I searched for free birds…"

"I admire your passion for ornithology."

"My what?"

"Your new found interest for bird watching…" She explained, grabbing her pen to narrow down her choices.

"Ah, yes. Are you sure you don't want to expand your-"

"Don't offer me a ride with two other women, please. You're parroting." He shrugged, looking over to her timetable, "Spanish, clip-dancing or bridge?"

"They are doing bingo tomorrow, I'm attending that one." She smashed her pen's head against the booklet.

"Bingo?"

"Yes, it's a beloved game, you have a card full of numbers, and you cross off the one you hear, if you fill a line, or the corners, or the whole card, you yell Bingo and win a price."

"Sounds like entertainment for elders…"

She swatted hard on his arm, "Hey, I love to play it, no bashing a game I enjoy," diverting her gaze, embarrassed, "Even if the average age attending is fifty plus…" Hermione didn't appreciate his laughter, "Go play some tennis while I'd do my thing. I don't need a shadow twenty-four seven."

"No, you need a wizard to warm your side of the bed." Draco walked away to return with a fresh mojito for her, "What's that Pretty Woman you circled."

"A romantic movie, they are showing this one tonight in the screening room."

"You mean those long stories on a big screen with moving pictures?"

"This one is about a very rich bloke who fell in love with a whore and saved her from doom." She got cheesy every time, "The real fairytale."

"You don't believe in love, but you go all softy on a fairytale?"

"I can dream, can I not? Dreaming doesn't hurt, it's the reality that stings like hell."

"Mia, who did that to you?"

"Did what exactly?"

"Who took your faith away?"

She hid behind her drink to think about her answer, "That would be me."

"Bullshite, tell me the truth."

She put the glass down, sat straighter on her lounger and staring into the distance, "Draco, I'm not lying. I tried to make Ron happy, in the end, he walked away because I stopped investing in our relationship. I dated god knows how many wizards, and time after time, they all became failures, some didn't even last a month."

"That's no reason to lose faith in finding the right bloke, Mia."

"I'm just waiting until you start thinking that I'm not good enough to stay with you. To see you lose the interest in me because I read to much, I don't know how to cook, I want more in bed than the boring you-top-me-bottom. It's like I have too many expectations and unless I'm prepared to lower them, the majority remain unfulfilled."

"I enjoy reading in peace, I don't give a fuck about shopping as a hobby, rather as a coincidence or part of a romantic getaway. For the cooking, I have elves for the job - who love their wage, the clothing they can buy with it, and they have decorated their own quarters at will - before you cut my throat."

"What are your favourite books?"

"Depending on my mood, adventure, mystery and when I'm in an academic spirit, about potions. A passion I shared with my godfather."

"I read about your plans to open an Apothecary, how far along are you with them?"

"It's only the matter of finding a place to start. I encounter some retaliation from landlords, leaving me the only option to buy the real estate. I'm hunting as it were."

"Wizarding London is bigger than Diagon Alley alone, I'm sure you'll find a suitable location easily."

"Do you think it's wise to branch outside the Alley?"

"Why not?" Mentally she took note to help him search for a good place. "Or outside London, in Wiltshire perhaps, isn't there where you live?"

"You're giving me room for thought. My focus is clearly too narrow."

Another argument in the positive column. Her honest input compared to waving off his reservations. He had held this same conversation with Astoria, and the witch dismissed him as unimportant. The centrepieces for the wedding had a bigger priority. Hermione Granger, with her valid reason to resent him - his past, how he treated her, and so on - put it all aside and helped him think about practical solutions.

The more time he spent with her, the more he understood why scarhead and weaselbee kept her as a company. In turn, it made him regret all his behaviour towards her, in their early years. He had been an imbecile…

"What are you planning to offer in the Apothecary?"

"Can you keep a secret?"

"Depends on its content…" She grinned, setting away her list to turn her body fully towards him, legs crossed in a Buddha position, "Tell me, Malfoy, all about your wicked plans."

He needed a moment, she took his breath away when she shoved her hair over her shoulder, not even noticing the effect it had on him. "I… hmm… I want to brew my own concoctions, offer the vials to those who can afford them at full price, but those in need, only at a bargain. I'm not doing it for the money."

"That's what I thought. You'll probably offer them at cost, to have a break even."

"Or even cheaper, to the really lower class of our society..."

She entwined their fingers, squeezing them gently, "It's a noble gesture, I'm sure your godfather will love that you're doing something good with your talent."

"Snape died, remember?" Draco saw her features change, "He was my godfather. Not the most lovable one, nor a man that would spoil me or do fun stuff like attending a Quidditch game together. But he was a fair person."

"I'm so sorry for your loss, Draco." She hugged him tightly in a moment's spur. "Harry showed me his last memory, we never had the chance to appreciate the man he was. I regret some of my behaviours, now that I understand the sacrifices he had to make."

"What are you talking about?" Hermione clearly knew more about Severus, than he.

"He was in love with Lily, Harry's mother. He died telling Harry he had her eyes, one of the reasons why he disliked Harry so much. He was the living remembrance of the woman Snape lost. If that wasn't enough, Harry is also the son of the man who bullied him like you bullied Harry and me. James Potter was the Draco Malfoy of his time." That last came with snickering.

Pieces of a puzzle fell in place, "Hmm, I understand Severus a bit better then."

"Spanish or dancing?"

"Woman, my brain wants a vacation."

"Clip dancing it is."

-oOo-

Draco Malfoy and Britney Spears.

Not a match made in heaven.

He had a sense of rhythm, was a quick learner and a good dancer. But when he got the hang of the dance moves and had to do to the beat of 'Me against the music' he called it quits, moved to a corner and enjoyed seeing Hermione follow the steps correctly. Hair waving all over, hips in perfect synch with the shown steps. She sweated profusely, forgetting his presence entirely for the full four minutes, but he didn't mind. She beamed, even if there was a focused crease on her forehead, repeating for the third time the new sequence and cursing the same point as previously.

The know-it-all wasn't perfection at every task. It was even nice to see her struggle with something, it made her more human and less a Mary Sue. At the end, when the entire group did the whole dance one last round, he wished he could record it. One of the many memories he wanted to freeze in time, deep in his core a tingling worry about how things were evolving.

He checked the timetable on the wall, looking for a more suitable type of dance. This modern shite wasn't of his taste, but he wanted to share her evident passion for dancing. A tango or something more romantic…

-oOo-

Hermione pulled him forward until she was happy with the booth of her choice to watch whatever it was on the screen Draco had forgotten all about. A few boxes ahead, he saw a couple snuggle into each other, memories invading his mind like a flashback to the times Pansy would claim her place next to him in the Slytherin common room.

He wanted this kind of intimacy with the witch next to him, slamming his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close to him, her legs resting on his lap, just like the pair further down the row. Hermione sat the bucket of sugared popcorn on her lap, for easier access and snuggled into his shoulders, perfectly as he hoped.

The movie didn't really catch his attention, the witch in his arms did all the more. Aside from the part with the sports car, which appealed to a flyer like him, that is. The part where the bint taught the man how to drive, made him picture another brunette in her place, berating him for using the wrong moves at the wheel…

"Can you drive one of these?"

"Shhhttt." Her finger at her lips, warning him to shut up. He felt her nod, however.

"She's quite a wom-" Her hand covered his mouth, but he licked her palm, and she redrew it with a hiss.

"Will you stop?" She seethed in his ear, "This is one of my favourite movies, Draco. Please…"

"You've got to give me something in return, I'm bored."

"A blow job afterwards. Or sleeping alone if you keep ruining this for me. Your choice."

That was a hell of a way to shut him up, the prospect very interesting surely.

The movie bored him to pieces. Except when there was the illusion of sex, in particular of a demonstration of his prize for being supportive. This was quite memorable, considering the few magazines he stole from his father for a few wank sessions when he was horny. Muggles made movies where the illusion was much more intense than the few loops on the wizard version of porn pictures. Would he ask her if there was spicier than this?

Her sigh of contempt at a stupid moment when the bloke climbed the stairs to reach his woman, made him bite a snide remark about the idiotic move of the man. If you have a fear of heights, that was a foolish thing to do…

The distracted rub on his chest broke his thoughts. Hermione had a cheesy smile on her face until the very end, and he wondered if a simple thing such as a bouquet of flowers would do the trick. Have her look at him with the same adoration. She had a romantic streak after all…

A long list of words appeared on the screen and the lights became brighter. Immediately he felt the cold on the place where her body had snuggled into him, Hermione had risen to her feet and was stretching her back. The cheesy smile still glued to her face. "I love to watch this movie over and over again, it never bores me."

He nodded quickly in agreement, to not jeopardise his chances.

"The day after tomorrow they are showing Titanic. Susan's beloved movie."

"Oh, interesting. Are we catching that one too?" Is his face looking eager enough? "What's the story?"

"The sinking of a ship like this one." His panicked face made her laugh. "It's a true story about how male arrogance killed thousands. Don't worry Draco, they learned their lesson afterwards. The odds of you drowning are lower than you falling off your broom during Quidditch."

"I'm supposed to feel safe all a sudden?"

"What a marshmallow of a hero, you are…" She hooked her arm with his, following the masses into the exit, "There's romance as well…"

"Another smart bloke climbing stairs while glueing to the wall?"

"No bashing on Richard Gere, buddy! That's a very romantic moment, one of my favourites."

"You want your wizard to ride a unicorn, and climb the wall to your window? Or is it okay for him to approach it by broomstick?"

"Shut up, you are the romantic equivalent of a goblin."

"Hey, don't offend me. I can be a romantic wizard, let me tell you. Just don't expect me to paint the Firebolt white to abide your wishes."

They arrived at their C deck, stopping between the two doors.

"Good night, Draco." A quick peck on his cheek, before she opened her door.

"You promised me…"

"I didn't say tonight, did I?" His face of deception made her grin, serves him right. All the comments on Pretty Woman… She knew he was bored by the movie, the shaking of his legs and the many sighs at a few ridiculous moments impossible to ignore. But she loved to play him, he gave his feelings away, often unaware.

"Sleep tight, witch. Have wet dreams of me." Draco walked slouched to his door, all the efforts for nought.

"Psst…" He looked up surprised. She jerked her head, licking her lips invitingly. Asking him once more was unnecessary…

Draco wanted to take control, but she wasn't having it. Pushing him, until his knees met the edge of her bed, he fell back with a bounce. His efforts to sit, in vain, as she gave him a new nudge and he surrendered.

Hermione kneeled, took off shoes and socks. Standing straighter for a better reach of his fly, she pulled his slacks and underwear in one move. Draco took care of his upper clothes, lying naked on the bed in no time. His cock straining to receive attention, visibly hardening under her gaze.

He growled loudly when she took one of his balls and then the other into her mouth, licking the full length as a lollipop. Hermione smiled, kissing his belly as a break, before returning to his erection.

"Holy Salazar..." He cursed and breathed deep. Hermione sucked the hell out of his dick, deep throating him a few times, unexpectedly. He felt his balls tighten warning, stars blinding his sight. "Woman, if you don't stop, I'm cumming in your mouth."

"Hmm…" Her voice sending arrows of arousal straight to his groin, and he felt the edge approach.

"Mia…" She shoved his hands away, intent on making him come from her ministrations; his self-control reduced to nothing. He lost count of how many more times she sucked him. It didn't matter in the end. The explosion robbed him of his senses, hand clutching her hair nearly too hard - a hiss made him release some of the pressure. Hermione kept bobbing up and down, swallowing his load and cleaning every escaping drop.

He rose his head and let it fall in abandonment. Switching between watching her and caving into the sensations, hands relentlessly caressing her face. Satisfied glare met a grateful blurry stare.

One last lick before she crawled back up, and curled against him.

"You're wearing too many clothes."

"Hmm," She ditched her garments down to her underwear.

"Those too…"

"Not today."

"Give me a second to recover, and I'm returning the favour." He caressed her with languid moves. His energy escaped with his spunk by the feel.

"Not today, my components are out-of-order." He frowned in confusion, "No circus tonight, the monkey has a nosebleed… the redcoats are coming. Damn it ferret, I have my monthly!"

"Why don't you say so?" Fuck, four days of no sex… "We can cuddle, do you have cramps?"

"Not yet, probably tomorrow…"

"Hug time it is then…" He kissed her deeply, snuggled under her covers, curling around her for a change. "You can count on me."