Disclaimer: I own nothing. J.K. Rowling owns everything.

Author's Note: There is a smut warning out on this chapter. I always like to end my updates with a sex scene, if you didn't already notice.

Chapter Ten

(Moments later)

Avery is fumbling around for something when I turn to leave.

I think nothing of it…

"Crucio!"

…suddenly the worst pain I've ever felt in my life tears my body to shreds as I collapse in a heap on the ground, trying not to scream, but screaming anyway. The pain is blinding.

My vision blurs to the point where I can only make out shapes. How ironic, just when I think about him using unforgivable curses on colleagues, he uses one on me. I can't believe this is happening, right next to the Ministry, in front of these witnesses. The torture stops minutes after it begins, but the effects are still there. My muscles remain rigid on their own accord, preparing for more, as I try to scoot helplessly out the line of fire.

"Bloody hell, Avery, stop it!"

"Are you mad? That's Hermione Granger!"

I don't hear the curse, but I hear a body hit the floor. Then another. Someone screams, but it's cut off. Then another one goes down. Four, I count in my dazed head as I pull my body closer to the exit. In the midst of bodies falling, I feel around for my wand and find it and as the shapes begin to blur together, as everything begins to darken, I send up an urgent messenger Patronus and let my head rest against the cool floor, breathing raggedly.

Everything hurts too much. It even hurts to breathe. I hear the scurrying of feet make a run for it.

"Oh my God! Help!"

I try to pull myself away, again.

"Going somewhere, Miss. Granger? I think not. Crucio!"

Pain seizes me once again; my wand is knocked from my hand, leaving me defenseless once again. Instantly, I'm taken back to that night at Malfoy Manor when Bellatrix took pleasure in torturing me for information and the truth of Harry's identity. I thought I was going to go insane. For what seemed like hours, she giggled and cheered while I screamed and begged her to stop. The pain then is just like now. Clawing at the ground, I hear myself begging, pleading just like I did that night.

This feeling, this pain is one I wouldn't wish on anyone, not even my worst enemy. It feels like each and every one of my limbs is being torn off my body, piece by piece, painstakingly slow. My teeth grind against one another, my legs buckle, my head throbs…and he's laughing. I'm screaming and crying for help, without avail…and he's laughing. All I can do is flop on the floor, convulsing and slowly cracking from the sheer amount of pain coursing through my body.

Just when I think I can't take anymore…it's over.

Rolling onto my stomach, I want to get up, but instead I burst into tears, from the overwhelming memory more than the actual pain. I lay there, motionless, sobbing, and fearing that it'll start again. My body stings, but somehow I manage to reach for my wand when I hear feet approaching me.

A foot roughly rolls me on my back with his foot and I'm looking up into Avery's blazing eyes.

From the corner of my eye, I see Gamp and Alderon lying on the ground, motionless next to two interns.

My hand tightens around my wand, frightened and in too much agony to care about anything. I have to get out of here.

"That's right, cry you little bitch." He points his wand at me, but I'm faster.

"Cru—"

"Expelliarmus!"

"Incarcerous!"

What the hell?

Not only is Avery's wand flying into my free hand, he's being bound by gold magical ropes. Someone helps me up in the midst of all this; it's Melissa. I thank Merlin for her.

"Miss Granger, are you okay? I got your Patronus and sent it to the Minister for help."

I can't even answer her, can't even thank her properly, I'm far too weak. Concern flashes across her face as she tries to steady me, but can't, so she sits me on the floor.

Avery is on the ground in front of me, struggling to break free from unbreakable binds. He's yelling and cursing, calling me a variety of derogatory names I don't hear because I turn my head to see Draco standing there, next to Harry, wand aimed, face twisted with rage. He starts to shoot off another spell, but Harry stops him.

A flash later and the room is filled with magical law officers, Minister Shacklebolt, a couple of Aurors, and a few Medi-witches, who immediately carts the victims off on conjured stretchers.

A few minutes later and Harry's sitting with me, his arm protectively around me while the Medi-witch checks me over, giving me a potion for the pain and healing the bruises on my head and my twisted ankle…I didn't even know my ankle was twisted. I look for Draco in the crowd and don't see his blonde hair anywhere.

Melissa stands next to me, currently cancelling my meetings and plans for the rest of the day.

She deserves a raise; I love her…today.

"What happened?" I ask Harry when she finishes healing my ankle. My head swims; it's been a long day.

"Malfoy and I were walking towards the coffee shop, talking about…well, in honesty," Harry sighs, "I was trying to get him to come back to the Auror department," my eyebrow rises, "Anyway, all of a sudden a bunch of things happened at once. Lucy, the only one who made it out without being stupefied or confounded, comes bursting out, crying and yelling for help. She said Avery went mad, hit you with a Cruciatus curse, and hexed everyone in the room who tried to stop him. Then he hit you with another Cruciatus curse. At the same time Melissa Apparated right to us and said you were in trouble and you sent off a Patronus. Malfoy was running to you before she finished telling the story, Melissa was hot on his heels, so I followed them. I came in after you disarmed him and Malfoy bound him. She must've sent a Patronus to everyone because they all got here fast."

"Nothing like a normal day in the Ministry of Magic," I chuckle ruefully, testing my healed ankle at the silent request of the Medi-witch, "It feels better." I inform, taking a few more steps. I turn to Melissa, "Can you grab my cloak from my office?" She nods and heads off. I look around for Draco, but still don't see him.

"You need to take it easy for the rest of the day," she eyes me, "No work."

"I'll see to that," Draco calmly speaks up behind me. I turn around only to find myself wrapped in his embrace, I rest my head against his chest, breathing him in.

My arms slowly encircle him as his lips graze my forehead.

"Where have you been?" I ask softly.

"Had to walk off my anger...I was trying not to commit murder," he replies gruffly in my hair.

Distantly, I hear a few audible gasps and whispers from bystanders, but I ignore them all.

I don't care about them or the fact that by Monday morning, the entire Ministry and readers of gossip magazines will know I'm dating Draco Malfoy, ending two months of peace and quiet. Camera are snapping and from the corner of my eye, I see the Medi-witch wander off, smiling.

He pulls back, tilts my chin up to meet his gaze before cupping my cheeks in his hands, looking concerned, "Are you alright?"

I stare in his eyes and nod because it's all I can do when he holds me like this.

I catch Harry's wink and small smile, "Take care of her," He says to Draco. He has to deal with Avery and hugs me quickly, "Dinner? Tomorrow? We won't take no for an answer…from either of you," he eyes Draco who smirks, only nodding when I'm back in his arms.

At this little exchange, I smile, "Sure."

He mumbles in my ear, "Are you ready to go?"

Right on cue, Melissa appears with my cloak. I thank her, and give her the rest of the day off as well. Turning around, I notice everyone, especially the nosy interns and females staring at us, whispering back and forth. "They're staring."

"So? Let them stare, it's been two months." He draws me in for a quick kiss that instantly warms all over, takes the cloak from Melissa's extended arms (she blushes and giggles), gently takes my hand, and kisses it, "I don't sodding care if they know about us. You'll still have me…all to yourself."

(Later that evening)

There's nothing like a massage from your boyfriend and a nap to make someone feel a lot better.

For our second month anniversary, Draco takes me to a bustling but pleasant Italian restaurant in Muggle London for the best pasta I've had in a long time. We're sitting at a small, semi-circular, candlelit booth table in the corner, near the back of the restaurant…mostly away from the rest of the restaurant. Its pretty private and secluded, the back of our booth is the only thing people can see when they first pass our table…

A long, thick pearl tablecloth that nearly touches the floor, hides our lower bodies from view…and it's a good thing too because I spent most of dinner with my hand on his thigh, lightly massaging him, just to arouse him a little bit. He shifts in his seat a little and glares…mission accomplished.

"Not fair, Granger."

"Perk up, Malfoy. The night isn't over yet."

He smiles mischievously, "Oh, I know that…"

I don't even like how that sounds…

But no matter, now I'm ready to head back to my house, make out for a little bit on the couch, give him a wonderful massage to get him all relaxed and perfect, and with a wave of my wand I'm going to set up a nice bath for us in my Jacuzzi bath with rose petals, oils, candles, soap…the works. I have it all planned out, roses and candles placed, oil set out; the perfect scene for the perfect shag…umm, bath in the tub.

Of course, things don't always work the way I plan.

Case in point, we run into Patil twins when the waiter takes our dessert orders…well, they pass our table once and don't see us. A minute later, they're passing back by and upon seeing us Parvati decides to invite herself and her sister to sit for a quick chat, much to my chagrin.

I think their table is still getting cleared.

They heard about what happened at the Ministry and Parvati is in full questioning mode, as she should, she is a journalist for Witch Weekly. Padma could care less; she's a Medi-witch at St. Mungo's. She yawns.

Usually, I'm the nice one and he's cool, but tonight the roles have changed.

Draco is polite, answering her questions, while our entwined hands rest on the table. It's like a mini-interview, and he's turned on his charm. Meanwhile, I'm quietly listening, adding my opinions and comments when asked; unable to really think straight when his hand is entwined with mine and not to mention, terribly irritated that Parvati interrupted my plans.

Slipping my hand from his, I smooth my black dress and sip on my wine with a smile that hides my irritation.

I watch his hands while he talks, how they wrap around his glass of water before he takes a sip. I watch his eyes, how they're wide and friendly, but slightly guarded when he talks to them…but not to me, never to me.

Parvati chuckles at something he says, wriggling her eyebrow at me, "Hermione, I was so surprised when I heard about you two, so much that I was very sceptical, but you did really good snagging this one…yummy!"

My eyebrow threatens to touch the ceiling, Draco stifles a laugh, "Thanks, Parvati," I hide my stiffness, but he shifts his eyes to me, amused.

He knows I'm aggravated.

Fortunately, the maître d' approaches our table, letting them know their table is ready.

"You two have a great night," Padma smiles politely.

"Thanks for everything," Parvati holds up her interview pad, waving as we get up and leave, "Call me! It's been way too long since we last had lunch. Hannah has a new boyfriend…and we definitely need to talk some sense into her."

I grin, "Okay, I will…definitely!" Go away, go away now so I can take my boyfriend home and shag his brains out.

When they leave, I take a very large sip of my wine and look at Draco…only to find him staring at me, lips curved upward.

"Tense much?" His grin is engaging.

I start to open my mouth to voice my annoyance and my insistence that he forget dessert, get the check so we can leave, but his fingers running up my knee halt all mental functioning.

"Well, Hermione, I think you're a little jumpy tonight. You need to follow the Medi-witch's order and just…relax." His voice drops to a low whisper, hands travelling up my dress and my thigh.

Raucously, "How can I relax when your hand is up my dress?" I try to distract myself with everything in the world, including taking small sips of my wine while his fingers slip further and further up my dress…but it's no use.

Draco smiles evilly, "Well, you're the smartest witch of our year, I'm sure you'll figure out something," he inches closer, gathering my skirt so he can see what he's doing. The tip of his finger brushes against something he didn't expect. Bare lips. His eyebrow raises, hissing, "No knickers? My, my, you are my little minx."

"I aim to please," I hiss back when his fingers touch my lips again, smiling, "Though I didn't expect this…maybe in the car on the way home or on the couch…" I trail of, closing my eyes briefly. Damn it. This isn't part of the plan. Not at all. Biting my lip, I feel myself letting go and just going with it, letting him touch me however he wants. Who needs a plan? Fuck the plan. I don't need a plan. We'll get home eventually and I'll make him pay for teasing me like this.

He whispers in my ear in this deep husky voice that makes me tingle, "Does this feel good?"

Dreamily, "Heavenly."

More husky whispering, "Good…I like to make you feel good…I was waiting until they left to do this."

He planned this, that sneaky little ferret.

To onlookers, if we had onlookers, which we don't (I checked), we look like a couple talking while waiting for dessert. Our heads are close together. Well, he has his lips close to my ear, whispering words that make me shiver. I have to put down this drink, but I can't move my hands and I've lost my coordination. Draco takes it from me, placing it on the table, not moving his fingers from between my legs.

Damn those fingers rest between my lips, damn them to hell…

His knuckle nudges my clit, making it sensitive and swollen. My vision blurs. I shiver hard, biting my lip harder.

"Don't do that, love," damn it, I wish he would stop whispering like that. I can't—

When he kisses me, I want it to be harsh and sloppy, but instead I get something chaste and tender. It takes me a moment to remember we're still in the busy restaurant. Still, this kiss seems to go on and on, never breaking, never stopping, just the endless feeling on his lips on mine, the endless feelings on his knuckle nudging my clit. I get so caught up in it, in the overwhelming feel of everything that I forget I need to breathe and pull away slowly, panting softly and trying to regain my bearing.

Of course, he doesn't let me.

"Love, you're so wet," still whispering, but this time he slides two fingers inside me, "so tight." He breathes on my neck.

I gasp softly. Each slow thrust of his fingers, each time his knuckle brushes against my clit, everything he does serves a purpose and is very meticulous. He always has a rhythm to these things. Takes his time in the beginning, works up to a good speed, and just when the world is about to crash, he rushes, only slowing down when I'm right there, as if he wants to draw the orgasm out of me. He's delicate, careful, thorough, and this makes each orgasm is different and new.

Closing my eyes for a moment, I relish in all the emotions and sensations running through me, including Draco's free hand rubbing my thigh. While his fingers move in and out of me lazily, I open my eyes again, he's got that shit-eating smirk on his face, the haughty smirk that says, "I'm so damn good," and Merlin, he is.

I can't take that one away from him.

When his knuckle scrapes over my clit again, I tense. I'm going to Avada his arse if I embarrass myself here tonight.

"You are so dead," I whisper breathlessly, shuttering when his fingers begin to draw circles inside me.

I feel his chuckle on my cheek, "You know you love this," his fingers resume their rhythmic thrusting, faster, and a little harder, "You're always so sensitive, I love it. I love that it doesn't take me long to get you ready for me. You're always ready," he kisses my cheek, I shiver harder, his fingers move faster, he's freely rubbing my clit with his thumb and I'm not going to last…

Damn. Shit. Fuck.

This feels amazing.

Draco keeps whispering, his voice hoarse, "You like this, don't you? I know you do. I can feel it. You're so wet, love. You must really enjoy my fingers inside of you with all these people around, hmm?" His fingers are moving rapidly, his wrist flexing.

Somehow, I manage a nod, unable to look at him. If I do, it's over…so a nod is the best I can do. It's too intense, what he's doing to me is too much. I can't take the intensity of this. My body is on fire, literally on fire. I have every intention on stopping him. I really do. Honest, but I can't. His long fingers stroke into me hard and deep…and then they stop, everything stops all together.

"Sir?" our waiter says out of nowhere. My head jerks up. When did he get here? With everything happening, I didn't even notice, apparently Draco did, he's observant like that...and he's not being fingered under the table. "There seems to be an influx of people and there is a small back up in the kitchen. We'll have your dessert out as soon as possible. I apologise for the inconvenience."

"There's none at all," he speaks with his normal aristocratic voice, though it sounds to me a bit hoarse. The waiter notices nothing, but I do. I exhale, thinking I'm getting a short break, but I'll be damned if his fingers start moving again, nudging my clit gently, "Take your time. We're in no rush." His fingers go back to drawing circles inside me. Damn. I shiver a bit.

Prat.

Our waiter looks at me and I paste a casual smile on my face, despite the action going on under the table, despite the fact that I want to hump his hand right now.

I know I'm flushed, but the waiter speaks anyway, "Is the lady all right? She looks a bit…pinkish."

"Yes, she's quite fine, aren't you love?" he sends a relaxed smile my way. His thumb brushes my clit, ready to resume where it left off.

I just nod my head tensely, cursing Draco internally as I speak in what I hope is a normal voice, "It's just a bit warm in here." There. That was good. A whole sentence…I should be proud. He nudges my clit again and I dig my nails into his leg. He doesn't flinch.

"I'll see to it that the thermostat gets turned down."

More confidently, "Thanks you very much. The meal was delicious. Please send our compliments to the chef."

He nods and walks off. When he's gone, I glare at Draco, who chuckles and asks, "What?"

"You could've stopped when he got here. You play dirty."

Raised eyebrow, his thumb rubs my clit again and he leans into me seductively whispering, "Who said this was a game?"

Everything goes hazy again and I'm overwhelmed with this need…this urge…I want him.

Instead of insisting he stop before I reach the point of no return, he's coaxing my legs further apart…and I'm letting him.

As he fingers me a bit roughly, I buck my hips against his finger, slowly losing control over myself. A few strokes later, I morph into a shivering mess that grips his leg with my hand tightly, desperately clinging to my last bit of resolve.

My eyes close again. I feel myself fading, as if I'm lost in some hazy dream where it's just us. Lips part slightly, the lower one trembles as I whisper his name in a voice only he can hear. Draco is gentle when he touches my face; he's fingering me now with shaky hands that make everything he's doing so much better.

When I decide to open my eyes to look into his, I find him already there. He's so striking and intense; everything I've ever wanted, everything I could ever imagine…here he is, wrapped up in a little bow…and all mine. I feel my hips rock against his fingers harder…

He stops, "No, no…don't…let me do all the work. I like it when you let me do all the work."

I can't take it. The whispering has to stop. Right now, "Shh, stop bloody…w-w-whispering," I beg, whimpering, moaning very quietly. His voice is driving me bonkers. Methodically, my hips start to rock, rubbing my clit against his knuckle on my own accord and this time he lets me. Thank Merlin, because I can't sit still any longer.

His voice teases me, "You're close, aren't you?"

I nod, closing my eyes. One look and it will be over. His finger speeds up. I let out a small gasp.

Feeling his smirk against my neck, "Good. Come…and I'll take you home and make you come until you can't come anymore. I want you…I want you so bad, Hermione." His lips graze my forehead, my hips rock against his hand fluidly, it's getting harder and harder to contain myself, "Hermione, look at me," he whispers softly.

Opening my eyes, I focus on the table, vision hazy, and breath escaping in small gasps, "I-I-I can't." My thighs tense…I want to crush them together, but I can't. I want to grab him, but I can't. I want to throw him on the table and shag him right here and now, but I can't do that either.

The best I can do is stutter, shutter, and grip at the fingers of his free hand. He pulls his finger out slowly and uses it to rub my clit exclusively. I'm blind. I can't see—

"Come on, love."

My head rests back against the booth, legs spreading more, I'm panting softly, trying to keep my face normal.

The orgasm is right…there. His finger is back inside me, rotating, rubbing my walls while his thumb rolls on my clit.

I'm practically humping his hand, trying not to cry from the sheer intensity of this. He's dropping kisses on my face, fingers rocking inside me, murmuring unintelligible words in my ear. My body shakes and shivers like mad, I feel myself getting frantic, "Draco…" he caresses my cheek.

Now I have to look at him. His eyes are intense, staring right into me, and shining.

"Yes?" he whispers, rubbing my cheek lovingly, fingers manipulating me like mad. I say nothing, "Do you know that this is driving me crazy too? I love touching you like this in public. You feel so bloody good."

I just whimper softly, unable to talk, nod, breathe, and think; I can't do anything. I feel like I'm suffocating. My body has gone rigid, shaking, I am desperate. I want this. I don't even care. I stare in eyes that literally throw me at the ledge. He whispers my name in a voice that sounds like a cross between a moan and a whisper. It's so erotic I nearly lose it right then and there.

He nips at my ear, kisses my cheek, rubs my clit six more times…and that's it. It's over. The tension peaks, I'm shaking like a leaf, hips driving down hard onto his finger, shoving it in as deep as it can go. My fingers claw at the material of the booth we're sitting in as some strange noise starts to rise from the back of my throat. Draco pulls me into a kiss before I cry out and I kiss him back, feverishly, shaking, not caring about anything.

Pulling back minutes later, he extracts his wet fingers, sucks them into his mouth, "Mmm, you taste good," he fixes my dress soon after because I can't and I don't care. Our waiter returns with our dessert and somewhere in the back of my mind, I hear him ask if we can get it to go.

Five minutes later, he's paying. A minute after that and a quick wave to the Patil sisters, I'm dragging him out the door. He starts to head for the car, but I'm pulling him into the empty alley next to the restaurant, extracting his wand from his jacket pocket, holding it out to him, "You better do it, I'm in no condition to Apparate."

"We could just drive—"

"To hell with that. We can pick the car up tomorrow. Let's go. I have plans for you, Mr. Malfoy."

(Moments later)

As soon as we land in my living room, my lips crash against his and my original plan for us has officially flown out the window…until later. Draco pulls back, takes a breath I hear, and presses his mouth back to mine again, nibbling at my upper lip, then lower until we're kissing properly, deeply.

My mind drifts when he takes control of the kiss. I don't remember ever kissing someone so much, thinking about it so much, or liking it so much. His hands break me from my thoughts; they're on my back, pulling me close.

He's ready, I can feel him. He's ready and he's not going to take his time, not now. The next few seconds are hazy and rushed. We're bumping into everything as we make our way to the couch. I don't think we could make it to the bed if we tried.

He's pulling his pants down.

My dress is gone.

He's pushing me down on the couch.

I spread my legs.

He takes just a moment to position himself.

I pull him close.

He plunges into me in one hard thrust that makes me weak and a curse word spill from his lips.

"Oh, fuck!"

The heat, the intensity, and the emotions running between us are just as wonderful as they are agonizing. I wrap my legs high around his back as I lift my hips and help him fill me completely. Draco gasps weakly when I begin moving with him, meeting each of his hard thrusts with one of my own, possessing him as much as he possesses me at the moment.

Draco lips crash down on mine hard and he shags me harder, impetuously.

The build-up in the restaurant means this isn't going to last long. I already know this. I'm already close.

"Hermione, come on," he urges, moving faster, harder. My fingers grip his so hard it almost hurts, but he makes no effort to let go of my hand, "I want to feel you—" his head drops beside mine, breathing discordantly against my ear, "Hermione."

"Draco," I whimper weakly, letting the feeling in him in me overpower every single one of my senses.

His strokes are hard and deep. One after another, he pushes in and out, clinging to me almost as tightly as I cling to him, moaning just as loud as I am.

One thrust after the next, I lift myself to him, meeting him, giving in to him, letting him drag me closer and closer to my upcoming orgasm. Each thrust drives me deeper into the nest the couch makes around us. He hovers over me and I love the uncontrolled sounds he makes, the way he holds me, the way he sucks on my neck as he propels and moves in and out of me.

I close my eyes, moaning. I'll never be used to this, I'll never get used to the feelings and the sensations, and I'll never get used to him. Every time feels like the first time.

"You're close," he tells me, his voice thick. He's on edge too. I feel it. "Just let go," Draco urges and that's my breaking point.

His name rolls of my tongue in a delicate sigh, but my body rocks under him so aggressively it takes us both by surprise. Before I can say or do anything else, wave after wave of pleasure crash into me as I do just what he says and let go. I let go.

I let myself really feel him as he comes with me…

I let myself rub the back of his neck as he goes completely rigid against me…

I let myself really hear him as he cries out my name over and over with each wave of his own pleasure…and it's fantastic.