Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter although I wish I really do. Harry Potter is owned by the lucky and very talented JK Rowling. :)

Chapter Ten: Necklace

The steam of the hot black coffee was particularly not appropriate for the weather. It was hot and sweat was slightly visible on Draco's forehead. He was not typically out in an outdoor public place like this coffee shop which could be found in the center of the city. Being quite the famous quidditch player that he was, different sorts of people were kind of noticing him. They were looking at him and then forwarded on whispering. Draco then noticed it and fixed his usual unreliable dark-tinted eyeglasses on the bridge of his nose. He took a swig from his dark coffee and decided to leave but the redhead girl ran to his seat and it kind of made Draco nervous given that she was pregnant. The bump on her stomach was very visible on her red pregnancy dress. She sat in front of him and smiled at him. It made Draco wonder more of her mysterious intentions. Why was she meeting him?

"Didn't actually think you'll show up." Ginny spoke, her hair was brilliant red under the steamy sun. Well, Draco didn't actually think that he, himself will show up too. He just showed up out of pure curiosity.

"I should be the one asking you that." Draco blankly asked but his eyes were occupied with anger, it was good that he was wearing his sunglasses. Ginny just smiled on his remark and nodded. Her eyes fixed on Draco then on the wedding ring circled around his finger that glimmered under the sun.

"I apologize for being late." She humbly apologized. "I actually bought something in the bookstore." She continued. Draco just crossed his arms against his chest out of impatience. What did she really need? He just wanted this conversation to end since he wanted to leave that place since he arrived there.

"What do you want?" He impatiently asked. Her flaming red hair was just too much to endure even when he was wearing his sunglasses.

Ginny, with her red flaming hair twitched an eyebrow at him. "Won't you offer me a coffee like a good-mannered gentleman will do?"

Draco sighed and called a waiter then ordered her one. She was too demanding like her Gryffindor best friend, right?

Ginny then took a sip then composed herself, looked at Draco and began… "So what do you plan for Hermione's birthday?"

Was that all she was to tell? He royally wasted his time on her. Why did he get involve with this? Oh, she was his beloved wife. Nothing less, nothing more.

"When?" Was all he managed to ask. Was Hermione's birthday his concern? Perhaps, yes. She was his wife after all.

"What?" She exclaimed, turning several people's head to their direction. "You don't know? She's your wife, right?" She added calmly, emphasizing the last word. Did she know about His and Hermione's contract? Draco endlessly wondered but cared not to take a risk and ask her.

"I just… forgot." He lied as he took a sip from his cup of coffee. "I'm actually busy these days."

Ginny laughed sarcastically and then shot Draco with her angry blue eyes. "Yeah? Busy enough to forget your wife's birthday? You're really a good responsible husband, aren't you, Malfoy?" She hit him again with sarcasm. Draco just smiled wickedly at her and nodded.

"Yes, I am." He replied ignoring her annoying sarcasm.

"Of course, you are." Ginny pretended to be convinced. "I don't really want to argue. Let's just get straight to the point." She said, nodding.

"Believe me, that's the best way to do." He agreed as he checked his watch.

"Well, I was just thinking since Hermione's birthday is three days from now, we should plan a surprise party for her. Not entirely a surprise party since it has been yearly but I hope she'll be surprise. So what do you plan for her birthday?"

"Plan? You mean a birthday party?" Draco curiously asked.

"Yes, you know balloons, visitors, lots of fun." She replied her blue eyes was now hinting anger.

"I know about it!" Draco exclaimed.

"It doesn't show." Ginny insulted but after that she regained her kind sweet smile. "So what is your plan? I mean, well, I actually planned it several times before but what will be your participation? "

"Participation?" Draco repeated totally confused.

"Well, you know, you're the husband so won't it be appropriate for you to participate?" She asked with a hint of insult in her eyes.

Draco released a deep breath. She made a good point on her last statement. Yes, he was the husband and it wouldn't really hurt if he participated on planning Hermione's birthday. The only problem was he really didn't feel like working with a bunch of Gryffindors. Hermione alone was too much to take. What about a bunch of Gryffindors?

Nonetheless he asked…" What can I fucking do?"

Hermione certainly looked attractive and elegant in her red silk tube dress. Her brunette hair was sleek and delicate in a soft elegant bun. She almost looked perfect. Her only problem was how she would walk decently on her three-inch red heels that were starting to be a royal pain in the ass. Oh, and she almost forgot, what could practically ruin her day other than her blond husband—Draco. An arrogant smirk was permanently present in his aristocratic face. But, Hermione should bravely admit that he looked stunning than ever in his all-black tuxedo. He always looked stunning so that was not a surprise after all.

They were now walking to a very large five-star hotel with a very nice architecture and with lots of glass and painted white. Hermione's steps were kind of precious in that time because each was made with a strenuous effort. She didn't know why Draco even brought her to that kind of place but what she hoped was that he had good intentions. If he ever had, at all.

Two hotel clerks bowed at them with a welcoming smile. Hermione returned the smile but Draco wasn't polite enough to return any. They proceeded in a white hall, clad with red carpet and a series of auction staff members that welcomed them. Draco was literally dragging Hermione as his rough hand held hers. They entered a dark room that was only lit by four spotlights that were placed on the elegant stage, standing in the center of the room. The small stage was surrounded by velvet chairs that were half-occupied by several people wearing formal attire like them. Draco's touch was very relaxing at that time. Given that, Hermione hated formal event like this.

"Mr. Damien Mathrude?" A woman asked Draco. She was blond and tall that Hermione wanted to advice her to take modeling instead. Draco nodded, Hermione almost forgot that Damien was his stinky name in the muggle world.

"Here's your number. Enjoy the auction." She beamingly said as she gave a circular card to Draco then led the way to their seats which was located in the front row.

"Why are we here?" Hermione asked to Draco when they took their seats. Draco just smiled at her then trace her right cheekbone which was now surely tainted with blush.

"You look beautiful, love." He whispered to her ear then planted a gentle kiss there. Hermione eyed him angrily then pushed his face away. She was not really in a mood for his taunting and for his invitation to their games- the who fall in love first game.

"Why did you bring me here?" She asked with an impatient tone. Draco just smiled again, now with a teasing curve that Hermione thought was really blood-boiling. He snatched her hand and then kissed its knuckles. She instantly pulled it away. She hated when he was doing that and loved it in some ways. But Hermione, on that day, decided to hate it and hate him and hate anything related to him.

"I just want you to choose from the items auctioned." He answered as he moved his face closer to her. "Then I will give it to—"

"You need help?" She earnestly asked her brown eyes lit with enthusiasm. Draco needed help especially from her was a precious thing to hear.

"I don't need help." Draco asked defensively. He never asked for one, never.

"It looks like you need one. You need help from me to choose…" Hermione began. "Something for Nadia. Right?" She then eyed him accusingly that made him twitch a blond eyebrow.

"Why does she get involved here?" He asked again, quite mad on her for saying Nadia's name in very inappropriate times.

Hermione lips then curled into a satisfied smile as she crossed her legs and her arms against her chest. "Well, In that case, I will gladly help you." She replied then she turned to him and pinched Draco's cheeks. He then eyed at her disbelievingly while slightly believing on his new found philosophy that Hermione Granger, the smartest witch of her age, was very childish. "Don't be shy when it comes to Nadia." She then added.

"I don't need your help and this is not for Nadia. This is for—"He was cut by auctioneer who was speaking on the microphone.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen! Good evening!" A tall red-haired gorgeous man in the microphone exclaimed. He slightly reminded her of Ron. "The auction shall now start with this wonderful creation in glistening silver leather embellished with over 185 carats of tanzanite and 28 carats of diamonds. Stunning ankle bracelets are set with museum quality tanzanite gemstone each crowned with a spectacular 16 carat, sparkling tanzanite drop which adorns the front of the foot. The shoes are balanced with a delicate diamond front strap."

Then two auction presenters were pushing a transparent glass rectangular table with wheels that on its top was the very beautiful dreamy shoe that Hermione pinched herself to see if she was, perhaps dreaming. But this was all too good to handle to be real. The spotlight made the pair of shoe even more sparkling with its elegant diamonds and its dazzling gems that were bright like the stars.

"It had been in possession of the late Elizabeth I then later was owned by the Princess of the Wales-Princess Diana." He continued. A lot of gasps and sounds of excitement roared in the room. Hermione must admit that she would spend her inexistent savings for that beautiful breathtaking pair of shoes. "The bid will start at seven-hundred thousand euro." Well, that was it, Hermione's dream of ever buying that pair of shoes burst like a bubble. She could help many people with that money then develop her S.P.E.W foundation then build homes for the homeless then…

"What do you think of those shoes?" Draco asked her with his legs crossed while fixing his silver tie that was the same color with his eyes.

"I think Nadia will hate it." She replied that made Draco muttered something she didn't hear.

"Do you like it?" He asked her.

"No." She partly lied. She loved those shoes but not exactly the hefty price. "They're too flashy." She added. Draco just smiled dearly to her then tucked a strand of stray brown hair to her ear. Was it possible that he found her amusing in some sort of way? Impossible.

Higher and higher bids rouse into the room and most of the bidders were men. Hermione greatly wondered if what they would do with that pair of heels. Perhaps, give them to their lucky lovers or wives or sell them or Hermione should really not dare to care. When the bidding was over, a svelte beautiful woman in a black midnight gown won the shoes with a nine-hundred thousand Euro. Then the crowd applauded.

"Next in line is this ultra-elite pair of 'Extraordinary Diamond Drop Earrings' festooned with two pear-shaped diamonds of 60.1 carats fixed in a platinum form" He continued as the two auction presenters wheeled another table with a small royal blue box. Then the taller presenter opened the box and then the spotlight was turned on. The earring was undoubtedly breathtaking and really beautiful that it shined the brightest in the dark room. As it glittered from the spotlight, the auction manager started to speak again…"This exquisite pearl-drop earrings have been in possession of the late Marilyn Monroe during 1950's wore on her hit show 'Gentlemen prefer blondes' The bidding begins at five-hundred thousand Euro" Then sounds of amusements, surprise and excitement echoed in the room. Draco turned to her with a questioning eye then began…

"What do you think?" Then he looked at the small box containing the wonderful extravagant earrings.

"If I'm Nadia, I will be happy that you give those to me but I bet she just can't simply wear it in casual occasions." She reasoned out. "Give her something she can wear anytime and anywhere."

Draco sighed then nodded as if to agree with Hermione for the first time. The current bidding was just too intense than the first one. Then they waited until the bidding was over and breathed deeply as it did.

"This may be a very magnificent night since the next item is a 20-carat Diamond Heart Necklace in pure gold. The diamond necklace exhibits dazzling diamond rounds arranged in a romantic heart motif." He informed. "This has been in possession of the late Audrey Hepburn during her Breakfast at Tiffany's show. The bidding starts at five-hundred thousand Euro."

Then the presenters displayed the magnificent necklace that glittered in the room, making it a lot brighter than before. Although, exhibiting the bidders with all its glamour, it was simplest item in that night. And for her, simplicity is beauty. Perhaps, Draco saw the amazement present in her eyes, he started the bid.

"Six-hundred fifty thousand." Draco said loudly as he raised his circular card with a 17 number on it.

"Six-hundred fifty thousand! Is there more?" The auction manager asked.

"Seven-hundred thousand." A beautiful woman in green silk dress stated, she looked vaguely familiar. Her hair was jet-black and if the light was turned on, perhaps, she could recognize her.

"Seven-hundred fifty thousand." An old man in a red suit reported.

"Eight-hundred fifty thousand." Draco declared.

"Eight-hundred fifty thousand, anyone? The item will be sold in 5…4…3.." The auction manager articulated.

"Eight-hundred and seventy-five thousand." The woman in green dress said.

"Nine-hundred thousand." Draco expressed then a long moment of silence was followed only to be cut by the auction manager.

"This necklace is sold to bidder number seventeen with nine-hundred thousand euro!" He declared as he clapped his hands then was followed by the crowd in the room. Draco then turned to her, with a smirk that never failed to complete his big ego. Then he surprisingly kissed her in the lips, ever so gently.

Wine, four-course meal, candle-lit dinner, formal attire and a pianist in the middle of the room, did this scene's silently screaming something? While an old kind-looking waiter poured wine on Hermione's glass, she was stealing accusing glances at Draco who suspiciously looked like he was enjoying himself very much. They ate quietly which was kind of pleasant for the both of them. But he broke the serene quietness first, like he always did.

"I bet the necklace will look good on you, my love." He hypothesized and Hermione stabbed him with piercing glares but those didn't seem to affect him for he there was the permanent smirk again sprawled all over his face.

"I bet Nadia will love it." She replied as she sliced her steak, didn't really care on what he just happened to say. Surprisingly, Draco smiled at her as if she just cracked a joke.

"But it will look more divine on you." He said as he withdrew the rectangular black box she believed to be containing the magnificent necklace.

"Was that a compliment or you're just pointing out that—" She was cut off when Draco stood up, walked gracefully to her back then surprisingly draped the exquisite necklace around her neck.

"Advance Happy birthday." He whispered to her ears then kissed her stained cheeks as he rested his hands on her shoulders.

She was really surprised to know that Draco actually knew her birthday. Was this just a part of their stage act? Was this just part of his plans to make her fall in love with him then win their deal? Or was it just that he took effort to care? But, the third seemed rather impossible.

"How did you—" She began.

Draco took his seat again then crossed his legs. "The response should be thank you, right?" He cut her words off.

The exquisite necklace circled around her neck seemed so cold and beautiful as the same time. She was feeling the diamond heart pendant with her fingers, completely engrossed by how magnificent it was against her skin. Was he really giving this expensive and wonderful necklace to her or was this all just a dream?

"You're giving this to me?" She couldn't help to ask for a confirmation.

Draco then put down his glass and nodded at her with a smirk on his face that Hermione was starting to find dangerously addictive.

"I thought this is for Nadia." She told him.

"No, it's completely for you." He reassured her as his lips stretched into a seductive smile. "A birthday gift for my beloved wife."

"I don't know. I should really not accept this. This is too expensive and I—" She said.

"Nothing's expensive for you." He cut her words once again.

That made Hermione slightly blush. "No. I'm sorry but I can't really ac—"

"Do me a favor, take care of that necklace and wear that often. It'll make me…" He said. "Contented." But the last word seemed like a question.

Hermione was still completely hesitant on accepting his expensive gift. Part of her wanted to return it to him but part of her wanted to keep it. It just really felt good to be able to receive a birthday gift from someone special like your…husband. Should she say thank you? Perhaps, she should.

"Thank you." Hermione blushingly said as she tried to avoid his eyes. "I never expected this."

As a response, Draco just smiled at her then moved his face closer to her. "You're welcome." That his breath was hot on her lips.

Then the old-man poured wine once again to Draco's glass then to hers. Consequently, Draco whispered something on his ears and before Hermione could realize what just happened the old man was tapping a spoon on the side of a glass making a loud sound. It made heads turn to their direction which made her uncomfortable. She just hated this kind of attention.

"Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen. I just want to announce that tomorrow's the birthday of my beloved wife, Mrs. Hermione Malfoy." Draco confidently announced to the dining crowd. At least, they looked friendly with their smiling faces. "We've been married for a month and I couldn't be any happier." Then the friendly enthusiastic crowd applauded to them and smiled kindly to the surprised Hermione.

"Cheers for his wife's health and for their marriage!" The old-man announced to the crowd. Then the enthusiastic crowd raised their glass to them and Hermione decided she should raise hers too.

"Cheers!" They all said followed by the clicking of the glass and happy music from the piano. Hermione tossed her glass with Draco's.

"Are you happy?" Draco asked her out of the blue.

Hermione started to clear her thoughts and really thought of his question. "Will you let me?"

"It's your birthday anyway so your happiness is temporarily on my list now." He emphasized the word 'temporarily'. So the war was still on? She should've known.

"Good." She replied as she finished her wine in a swallow. Then, she tapped the spoon loudly and ear-breakingly on her glass. Very different from the old man's way and rather annoying. Draco just froze out of surprise. Then heads turned to their direction once again. "I just wanted to announce that I'm pregnant." She began making the crowd produce happy plaudits for her and congratulating her with a smile. However, Draco was half-amused and half-surprised. "But he's not the father!" She added which made the crowd became eerily silent. It was a huge effort not to laugh or even not to smile, perhaps she liked this kind of attention. Draco just eyed him seriously as if sending her a telepathic message…'please not do this.'

"I'm just kidding!" She added then the eerie silence uplifted and joyous laughter roared again. "But the pregnant part was true." She lied as Draco pretended to smile and to nod at the crowd. Then the cooperative crowd applauded loudly. This was fun.

"One elite room." Draco told the lady hotel clerk then she smiled at him then checked her computer.

"Room 174, sir." She informed. "Enjoy your stay."

Having a card key in his hand, Draco glided back to her with his arms crossed against his chest in a very arrogant manner.

"Let's go." He told her then grabbed her by the wrist to the elevator.

Hermione spun in front of him then protested..." .I wanna go home!" If where she was living in that time could possibly be called home.

"You can't." He muttered as impatience was obvious in his tone.

"I can." She replied defiantly as she began to walk away, Draco grabbed her wrist that pulled her into a stop. "Let me go." She commanded as she tried to pull her wrist free.

"It's already 1 am in the morning, for Merlin's sake, Hermione." Draco then yanked her wrist free. "Why don't we just rest? I'm tired." His eyebrows ceased with impatience and unspoken annoyance.

"Well, you can rest by yourself." Hermione told him then spun around her heels and marched away. In that moment, she thought she would be able to stay away from Draco's shadow for some time but before she could pull a smile, he appeared in front of her then carried her effortlessly like a sack. Her torso was bended forcedly on his broad shoulder while he was supporting her weight by her legs. Too bad, she wasn't wearing pants but rather an expensive, elegant red silky dress.

"What are you doing?" She exclaimed breathlessly. "Put me down!" She yelled at him as she punched his back ragingly.

"I don't think that's a good idea." He calmly replied as he began to walk with the angry Hermione on his shoulders.

"I hate you Draco! I hate you!" She shouted as she continued to helplessly punch his unaffected back. "PUT ME DOWN OR—"

"Or what, my beloved wife? Insult me to death?" He replied followed by a demeaning laugh then they entered the half-full elevator with people casting surprised and insulting looks at them which Draco just ignored. However, Hermione's pride was the price. "Ninth floor." He said.

"This woman, she's my wife and all but she won't listen to me when I told her to stay here since she's drunk." Draco told them as Hermione released unbelieving gasps.

"That's not true! I'm not drunk!" She defended her poor self.

"Yes you are. That's why I need to carry you." He began then turned to the silent people in the elevator then continued…"She can't walk straight." Then he nodded in agreement to his own dirty lies.

Ding! 'Finally', Hermione thought. At least, she would be free from those people's speculations

Draco walked, still carrying the quiet Hermione who seemed to quit from freeing herself. Why was he doing this again? Oh, to spend her birthday with him first. What was wrong? He was her husband after all. Perhaps, He was just feeding his big ego.

Room 174. The golden plate encrusted on the wooden door shined as he swiped the card key and swung the door open. Then he carefully put down Hermione and removed his coat. She spun around him, with her arms crossed on his chest and her eyebrows crinkled in anger.

"You're really a gentleman, aren't you, Draco?" She sarcastically told him as she removed the straps of her red high-heels then tossed them aside to the carpeted floor as she walked to the king-size bed.

"It's a good thing you finally realize." He replied with a smirk on his face as he lay beside Hermione on the bed.

"Look, what's that?" She pointed to the blank white wall then before he could realize, she had already snatched his phone from his pocket. "Contacts…Oh, you only have one. Nadia." She whispered to herself as she searched for the contents of his phone. Draco reached for his phone but Hermione was quick to steal it away.

"Give me that." He told her but she just smiled playfully to him that sort of, he must admit, made him smile too. Weird, huh?

"Why, don't I have the authority to search your phone as your wife?" She said followed by a laugh. "Wait, why do I have a picture here while I'm sleeping? You foolish scoundrel!" She said out of surprise then punched Draco on the arm and as Hermione was about to push the delete button, Draco snatched it away. Thereafter, he quickly and innocently put it deep inside his pocket.

Then he faked a yawn and stretched his arms then lay on the bed and pretended to sleep. The very vexed Hermione yanked the pillow under his head and slapped him with it, repeatedly. Draco caught the pillow and threw it on the floor.

"What's that for?" He asked her, his eyes raging with anger and impatience.

"For taking a picture of me, secretly." She explained. "And worst…while I was sleeping!"

Draco released a laugh. "That's the best part of all."

She rolled her eyes then lay on the bed with her hands rested on her stomach. "Won't you order us some wine? Red wine, perhaps?"

He just eyed her disbelievingly with his forefinger and thumb lay on his chin.

"What? You forced me to stay in this room with you and you won't grab me a bottle of wine?" She complained as she sat up and met Draco by the eyes. After some moment she cringed. "It's my birthday after all."

"Fine!" He exclaimed as he reached the phone for room service.

A smirk was stretched on Hermione's face, the birthday girl was thinking and constructively planning on getting Draco drunk then she could go, leave him and the best part was that she could squeeze out all his secrets.

After several minutes, the wine was delivered on their room. Draco twisted it open and poured some on Hermione's glass then to him. Hermione gladly savored hers slowly, seeing Draco drank his, all at once.

"So, Draco will you tell me why all of a sudden you chose to hug the muggle world?" Hermione asked as she smoothed the bed's sheets.

"I didn't choose to hug it." Draco answered, his lips curling in disgust. "It's just that it's pretty convenient for me. That's all."

Hermione smiled teasingly at him as she shot another question to him. "Seriously, what made you change your philosophies?"

Draco rotated his glass as his eyebrows ceased in confusion. "What philosophies?"

Hermione moved closer to him. "You know, your philosophies about muggles on how WE'RE inferior to you."

Draco studied her face for a moment then drank his wine. After that, he poured himself more. "It's my father's philosophies, actually."

"What do you mean? It's never been your philosophy?" She accused him trying to control her voice to be somehow calm and straight.

"It had been but that sort of change." He answered taking a swig once again.

Hermione's curious mind sprang once again. "What made it change?" She asked giving him a quizzical look.

"Years of existence, perhaps." He answered as he wove his hand through his blond hair. "I've surrounded myself with them. They proved me that they're really not inferior. Honestly, I think they're superior to me in some ways."

Hermione couldn't help but doubt if whom she was talking to was really Draco Malfoy. He just sounded like a changed man and not the spoiled-brat that worshipped blood purity.

"What ways?" Hermione questioned as she took a swig on her glass.

"They depend mostly on themselves." He paused. "Not like us who depend mostly on magic."

Hermione drank again from her glass due to rarity of Draco Malfoy talking about muggles in a good way. "You think that's superiority?" She asked.

Draco nodded and studied her somehow unbelieving expression. After that, he smiled.

'People change, Granger' She remembered what he told her the day they signed the contract. Perhaps, he really did change.

He changed his views on muggles but he never changed his attitude, arrogance, ego and he probably didn't really change at all. She still hated him because that was unchangeable and that she needed to.

She still hate him. And for her, that was a very comforting thought at that moment.

"How about you, Hermione? What happened between Weasel and you?' He asked out of the blue as he poured Hermione's glass some wine.

Somehow that question suddenly made Hermione's heart relived a gaping hole. The hole that she managed to cover through the years but it stayed like it was, covered but not healed. Perhaps, there was still a part of her heart the belonged to Ron.

"We broke up centuries ago." She attempted to humor but Draco just studied her face intently.

"Why did you and weasel break up?" Draco attempted to ask not quite sure why he was concerned about their relationship.

"I had my dream. He had his." She reasoned out as she hid threatening tears by drinking wine from her glass of wine. Then she poured again some wine to her glass and took a swig again. Draco didn't dare to ask or open his mouth again. Thinking that he should really not care about them.

"You, what happened between you and Nadia?" Hermione asked, taking this chance because it might come once in a hundred lifetimes.

Draco smiled insolently, his right hand rotating his glass of wine. He looked to her, his gray eyes grayest as ever under the crystal chandelier. "She didn't want to fight for us."

Love is like a war. You either win or lose or worst, die.

But the fight is worth the risk.

'That was pure crap. Why did that woman insist to fight for their love when her lover doesn't want to?'

'Because of love.'

'Love is a fantasy that humans made to feed their emptiness within themselves. '

Hermione suddenly remembered their discussion about love in relation with the movie they've just watched. So that was why he never believed with love. Or perhaps, believed in it then discarded the idea.

"Against what?" Hermione asked, wanting the details whole and intact.

"Against the odds." Draco swiftly answered.

Hermione was drunk. Draco could tell that from the way she moved and talked. She probably was person who had the lowest alcohol tolerance that he met. He just wished that she wouldn't puke or do anything disgusting at all.

"I think your tie suits you." She blurted out, lying on the bed as she reached for his tie, violently pulling him closer to her. "It compliments your beautiful, beautiful eyes." Then she caressed the tie then pulled him closer to her again. Their faces and bodies were just an inch away from inch other. What only stopping for their bodies to be one was Draco's arms supporting his weight away from her.

"You're drunk, Hermione." He informed her as he tried to inch away from her but he grabbed his tie closer to her again.

"I'm not! How dare you say that to the birthday girl!" She exclaimed, laughing. "I'm just tipsy that's all. Tipsy!"

Draco sighed then tried to move away again but she was rather persistent.

"Kiss me, my handsome husband." She told him as her breath became suddenly hot on Draco's lips. Her lips were quite inviting. "Just to inform you, this kind of invitation is just once in a lifetime. Kiss me. Kiss the birthday girl." She continued as her hand ran through the curve of his shoulder then to his jaw line then to his lips.

It was just a kiss. Draco told himself. They probably had a handful of kisses before. So, what was the harm of kissing her this time? Most of all, of all their kisses, this was perhaps the only one that had her permission.

So, he started to kiss her forehead, then the tip of her nose and after that, her soft lips. Lightly at first then passionately then (Draco didn't know how it turned) hungrily. She surprisingly kissed back, having the same intensity with his hungry kisses. Her soft warm lips being delightfully brushing next to his as her hands gently and lightly trail down on his spine then to his neck. His hand began to gently ran on her collarbone then found its way to her shoulders. Shoulders that he always admired. Then began to desperately search for the zipper of her dress. But unfortunately, before he barely could, Hermione began to stop. Ruining the perfect moment.

"Draco." Hermione whispered as their lips part. "I think this is wrong."

"Wrong?" Draco couldn't believe what he just heard. How could she think of their kiss or making out wrong? She could describe it with other words rather than wrong. Draco then sat up away from her, couldn't quite absorb her words. After some time, he angrily walked out of the room with his pride greatly harmed.

He was used with women voluntarily submitting themselves to him without him making any effort. He was used with women who always wanted him than anyone else. He was used with women chasing after him. And this unexceptional Granger, who happened to turn out to be his wife, perceived their kiss wrong? What kind of wrong, exactly? Because, sometimes wrong things felt good.

This was his first rejection from a woman and it sucked.

Then after few hours when his anger resided, he returned to their room only to find her sleeping. She was drunk after all. Draco wished she would forget all of these tomorrow so that he could gladly bury all the shame and rejection in the past.

'So this was how rejection felt' He thought to himself as he washed down the frustration with wine.

A/N: I hope you like it! thanks for the reviews! They keep me inspired! :)

The next chapter is still about Hermione's birthday. I planned to write it in this chapter but I realized that this chap is way too long.

So, I hope you keep in touch with my fanfic. :)

Thanks for the support and everything. :)

Wait, did you like this chapter? Do you have any suggestions, violent reactions, constructive criticisms or anything?

Tell me. Reviews are highly appreciated whether they're good or bad. I don't bite, really. ;)

thanks for reading this chap.

God bless and I wish you all happiness. ;)

xoxo,

ScribblingDame