Hermione had spent the better part of the week researching the pure blood families of Europe. Draco had gone to the manor and obtained some ancient genealogy books of the Sacred Twenty Eight. She went to Hogwarts in search of similar books from other wizarding countries, and the library had not let her down. She was now buried with about 20 giant books containing the family lines of known purebloods, just a bit of light reading before bed.
While at Hogwarts she had lunch with Neville, and made a mends for absence over the last few years. They discussed his being the next Headmaster and he laughed explaining that was a few years off for sure. She had tea with Professor McGonagall, now Headmistress, who offered her a job anytime she wanted one. She declined politely for the moment, and told her she would consider it for the future.
By Friday afternoon she was ready for training with the Aurors, too much reading, she was getting a bit twitchy. Harry and Blaise of course were doing the best. She and Harry decided she would work with the most senior Aurors; they didn't want to overwhelm the rookies yet. Wandless magic had really become her favorite subject in the last few years. It was the perfect combination of history and defense against the dark arts. She always knew about wandless magic, what magical child didn't; they had all performed magic without wands before age eleven. She had started experimenting quietly with wandless magic at Hogwarts. She still smiled thinking about McLaggen that arrogant ass. Dumbledore had been extremely gifted at wandless magic, and it was from him that Hermione had gotten the idea of using it. When he stopped Harry from falling off his broom during that Quidditch match she was so in awe, she needed to learn more.
When she got to America she was able to really work on her skills as it was a part of her training. She studied the history of the Salem Witches, Native American medicine people of the Cherokee Nation, as well as Louisiana voodoo. Similar to using happy memories to produce a patronis, wandless magic was harnessing your energy and magic to move through your body versus your wand. There is more control with a wand, so practicing was key. One could really hurt themselves if they lost control of their magic while practicing wandless.
She and Harry were discussing the progress of Blaise, Proudfoot, and Savage when Draco walked into the room. He looked like he was done for the day jacket in hand with briefcase; his tie was loosened as well. She glanced at him giving him a wink of acknowledgement. Blaise wandered over to him and they started chatting.
"What was that?" grinned Harry
"What?" Hermione tried to look innocent
"Hermione, if things between you and Malfoy have changed far be it for me to judge, 10 years ago I would have had you committed to St. Mungo's but now…." he continued to smile at her like the damn Cheshire cat
She shoved him "Go home to your wife" she laughed
"Fine…I'll just ask Ginny" he laughed and pulled her into a hug
"Go ahead" she laughed "Ginny is my soul sister and would never tell you a thing"
He held her at arm's length "I'm really happy your home Hermione, see you at lunch on Sunday?"
"Yes I will be there" she replied with a smile, Molly had sent her a letter right away after Hermione had sent her apology. Molly was full of nothing but words of love and sweetness, plus an invite to Sunday lunch with the family. How could she say no?
As Harry was leaving he caught eyes with Malfoy who had just watched their exchange, Harry recognized the look of jealousy and turned to Hermione "Bring him with you if you want" he winked at her. He gave Malfoy a nod as he left.
Hermione and Draco were alone as Blaise headed out with Potter. He watched her as she stalked towards him; she was in muggle attire made for yoga. She was barefoot and had on only a small tank top that showed her abs. She glowed with sweat and her cheeks were rosy, she looked fabulous.
"So I was wondering if you could teach me wandless magic as well…maybe personal lessons?" he smiled at the innuendo
She reached him and wrapped her arms around his neck, she started slithering her body against his, making him take his hands out of pockets to take her hips and pull her in closer.
"If you will teach Occlumency"
"Deal" he kissed her deeply, and he could feel her smile
She turned her back to him and continued to rub her body into his
"You're killing me Granger" he growled in her ear
She grabbed his hand and pulled him to the middle of the room
Suddenly getting serious she turned and looked at him, he knew this look, he was about to get a lecture. She discussed the history of wandless magic, channeling your energy and magic. He had to admit to her then that he had experimented a bit in his childhood, but nothing serious ever came of it, except cookies out of the pantry. He was not going to tell her about the time he used it on the train right before he stomped on Potters nose.
"Now, I want us to duel" she said backing away from him
"What…wait no. I'm not ready, I need to practice" Draco spluttered he was actually worried about hurting her
Hermione raised an eyebrow "Scared Malfoy?"
He snorted at her "Bring it on little girl" he smirked back at her
She doused in cool water, laughing as she did.
He levitated her off the ground a few feet.
They blocked each other's next spells. They went back and forth with harmless things for a while like tongue tying, changing the color of clothing, and other silly spells they learned as kids.
"You're doing really well Draco" Hermione complimented him when she had stopped; she loved how smart he was. They tended to think on a similar level.
"Thanks." he beamed "Now shall we try some Occlumency?"
"Yes!" she bounced over to him obviously excited
"So do you want to learn how to penetrate or block?"
Hermione thought quickly "let's work on blocking first"
"Ok, I won't invade your privacy just yet but I will send you images…thoughts really" he explained
"Thank you Draco…nothing scary or gross"
He gave her a withering look. Taking her hands he instructed "Look directly into my eyes, it won't hurt, but it is a weird sensation. Focus your magic on blocking me"
Draco silently and without his wand started sending Hermione images, flowers from his mother's garden, Kingsley laughing, herself walking down the steps at the Yule Ball.
"Hermione" he stopped
She smiled sheepishly "Sorry, but it's so fascinating….so did you think I was pretty?"
He rolled his eyes "Of course I did, everyone did. That is not the point love; you're supposed to be blocking me!"
She giggled "Ok do it again."
This time he sent her images of when she walked out of Potters office looking all fierce and sexy, himself kissing her naked body, and images of his fantasies with her. She was letting him right in.
"Do I need to make these scary or gross…because I have plenty of stored images of cleaning Theo up after a night of partying I could share?"
"Well stop sending me sexy images of you….and eww gross. Please no Theo images" she scrunched her nose
"The sexy ones are harder to resist, which will make you work harder but you're not" he was getting frustrated
"All right, one more time" she took a deep breath and focused
He sent her them in a bubble bath, drinking champagne, his hands….
She blocked him. Not only did she block him she sent an image back to him of himself tied to her bed and she standing at the end in heels, stockings, garters and a corset. Very dominatrix!
"And we're done for the day" Draco broke eye contact
"No way, I was just starting to get the hang of it!" Hermione rebelled
He came at her and lowered his shoulder throwing her over his right side. "Sorry Granger we are going home so you can tie me to your bed"
She started to protest and swatted his backside that she was currently staring at upside down.
"No no, don't complain you brought this on yourself" he said matter of factly, grinning and walking out of the training room to the nearest Ministry fireplace.