Chapter Ten
Hermione, Harry and Ron lounged on sofas in number 12 Grimmauld Place, trying to get comfortable on the antiquated furniture. Draco was in the room next door, being interviewed by the Order, and all of their attempts to listen in with Extendable Ears had been foiled by Tonks standing at the door and keeping watch. So they were resigned to wriggling around as their backsides went numb and the time ticked by.
''So…'' Harry tailed off into the comfortable silence.
''You really like him, don't you?'' Ron asked.
Hermione nodded shyly. ''I mean, he has yet to save me from a mountain troll, but he's still very, very special.''
''Would the word 'love' be used around him?''
''Definitely. In fact, it already has been. Several times.'' Hermione blushed.
''He loves you too.'' Ron was matter-of-fact, as though he was stating something as universally obvious as ''ice cream is tasty'' or ''Voldemort is an evil man.''
''Do you think?''
''Yeah. He's told us about fifty million times, and the way he looks at you…it's so sappy it's practically a tree.'' Ron laughed slightly and then looked up as the door opened.
Ginny walked in, her red hair streaming down her back. She smiled at all of them, her eyes lingering on Harry. ''Hey Mione, how's Draco doing? Good? Great! Ron, mum wants you.''
Ron sighed and left the room, and Ginny took a breath in. ''Good, that's got rid of him. Sorry Mione, but…Harry, could I speak to you for a minute?'' Without waiting for an answer, she grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the door. A few seconds later, Hermione heard feet traipsing up the creaky stairs and then a door shutting. Sitting on her own, she stared at one of the family portraits and wondered what was happening in the other room.
Draco was clinging desperately onto the arms of his chair. His knuckles were going white and every time he saw them, he made a conscious effort to make them relax, only to have them clenching again a minute later. In addition to the obvious tension, he was laughing way too much, and generally coming across as a complete idiot.
''So you were pushed into joining the Deatheaters?'' Kingsley asked, his eyes scanning the patch of skin where the Dark Mark had been.
''Yeah, yeah, I would never have chosen to join, or maybe I would have but only to try and save my life, but that's all changed now because I want to save people's lives instead of taking them, but I've really thought about it, it's not a spur of the moment decision, it happened when Hermione and I…''
''Yes Draco, you've explained that point several times now, I think we may just have got the general gist.'' Kingsley pressed his fingertips to his temples and massaged gently.
You're being a complete loser – STOP! Draco berated himself, willing himself to calm down and speak coherently. He raised his head to answer the next question, calm and confident and…broke the chair arm off.
Shit, shit, shit! What the hell do I do? The armrest was obviously broken, dangling limply from his white fingers. In their headquarters for five minutes and I'm already destroying their property. He brought the chair arm up in front of him, wondering if he should get his wand out and repair it, or whether they would think that he had finally gone over the edge and was about to kill them.
Before he could think about it anymore, a smile began to quirk his lips and within a minute he was grinning and laughing. Fortunately the people interviewing him had joined him so he wasn't laughing like a complete nutcase. ''I'm so sorry. I'm so nervous.'' He qualified his behaviour, and from that point, everything was ok. He answered their questions as best he could, telling them everything that he remembered from the meetings, the names of Deatheaters, upcoming plans: everything. He held his breath slightly as he explained that he would no longer be able to go back to the Deatheater meetings, having gotten rid of his Dark Mark, and sure that Voldemort would soon work out that Hermione, Harry, Ron and Draco had disappeared at the same time, but no one seemed to mind that.
Finally, Kingsley nodded towards the door and Draco walked out, looking round for Hermione. Tonks pointed him in the right direction, and he walked in to find Hermione with her nose buried in a book.
''And the world is at rights again.''
She jumped slightly and then smiled as she saw who it was. ''Because I'm reading?''
''Everything's back to normal now.''
''I hope not everything. Because normality would be us hating each other.'' She closed the book and put it to one side, and then patted the sofa next to her, with a resounding clunk.
''Merlin, how long have you been sitting on this?'' Draco asked, wriggling around as he tried to find a comfortable position.
''Too long. I want something comfortable now.'' Hermione slid onto his lap in one fluid motion, her arms slipping around his neck as she buried her face in his neck, where she could smell his cologne, and then the natural fragrance of his skin.
''So, let me get this straight. I sit here on the uncomfortable sofa while you sit on top of me, nice and comfortable?''
''I'll make it worth your while.'' A cunning wink was aimed at him, and without a second thought, Draco captured her lips in a kiss. He put his arms around her tiny frame and pulled her closer to him, deeper into his embrace. Time seemed to stand still as their lips pressed against each other, their kisses growing more and more intense as their tongues explored each other's mouths. Hermione lost herself in the sensations, feeling lust and love taking her over, as a fire built in her. Draco for his part had to catch his breath as he pressed her soft, smooth body into his muscular chest.
''We need to stop.'' Hermione murmured, but her words seemed to have no meaning as she carried on kissing Draco, unable to pull herself away from him. ''We cannot have sex on this sofa.''
''We could lock the door.'' Draco whispered into her mouth, nibbling gently on her plump lower lip.
''No…I mean…this sofa is way too uncomfortable…'' Hermione's sentences were punctuated with lengthy gaps as she tasted his mouth and skin, felt his body, their hands flying all over each other.
''Tonight then?'' Draco made a supreme effort and wrenched himself away from her luscious mouth. ''And don't say no, because I honestly can't not be with you after this.''
''I share a room with Ginny.''
''We'll go out.''
''We could get caught. By Deatheaters.''
''So, we can't be in the house, and we can't go outside the house.'' Draco dropped a small kiss on her mouth. ''We're screwed. Or not as the case may be.''
''I have an idea. Meet me down here at midnight.'' And before Draco could ask why, Ron had burst into the room, talking about one of Fleur's cousins who had just turned up and ''honestly Mione, she's prettier than Fleur.''
After dinner that evening where the Weasleys and Draco skirted each other cautiously, trying to forget the enmity between the families, and where Laetitia (Fleur's cousin) threw coy, flirtatious looks at Ron from under lowered eyelashes, and Ron smiled winningly back at her and paid her as many compliments as he possibly could. Harry and Ginny whispered to each other all evening, paying no attention to anyone else as she leaned into the shelter of his body and his arm slid around her shoulder as frequently as it could.
As for Draco and Hermione, well, she sat there in an agony of ecstasy, working out the final details of her plan in her head, while he sat there, rubbing his foot up and down Hermione's smooth leg and making polite conversation. Finally, it was time for everyone to go to bed, although only an hour later, Draco was waiting impatiently in the sitting room for Hermione.
The door opened quietly and she poked her head around the doorframe. A hand slid in, and a finger beckoned him. He padded after the small figure gliding ahead of him, that opened the back door, pointing a wand to make sure that the rusty hinges didn't creak.
Hermione took Draco's hand and led him down to the end of the garden. Pushing him towards a small tent, she led him in by the hand and then flopped down and smiled at him. ''This is why I was late – I was setting up Disillusionment Charms and stuff. And making a fire.''
''Now that's my job.'' Draco looked at the golden flames and then up at Hermione. The firelight was flickering softly over her delicate features, and her glossy brown hair was gleaming. There was a sparkle in her eyes that Draco never wanted to see disappear, and a soft smile curved her lips. She stood up and shrugged her cloak off, so she was standing there in a floor length, wine-coloured nightdress. The straps holding it onto her slim shoulders were delicate, and the silky material fluttered down to the ground, showing how sylph-like she was as it skimmed every curve of her body. Draco slid a hand around the back of her neck and pulled her close to him. She kissed him back desperately, losing herself in the furnace that was his mouth. Gradually, their clothes slid to the floor, and they clutched each other in the throes of passion.
Later, Hermione snuggled into his bare chest. ''I suppose we should go back to the house.'' She stifled a yawn.
''In a bit maybe.''
''Imagine if they caught us coming back in.'' She giggled a little. ''Us, sitting with our tent.''
''I wouldn't actually care.'' Draco stretched his arms above his head and dropped a kiss on Hermione's nose. ''I love you, they know that I love you, I haven't got anything to hide. Not anymore.''
''And I love you.''
''If someone had told me when we met…''
''That we would end up like this? I know, I would have turned them into a slug and then…''
''Poured salt on the slug and watched it die.'' They laughed at the ease with which they finished each other's sentences. ''But I'm so lucky to have you Mione.''
''And I you.'' Hermione propped herself up on one elbow and showered kisses on Draco's face. ''Why, Mr Malfoy, you're gorgeous!''
Draco knocked her elbow out from underneath her, and caught her as she slid down, rolling on top of her to kiss her neck and chest as she twisted her fingers in his thick, silky hair and sighed in rapture.
Hermione slid into the kitchen a little later. She and Draco had managed to make their way into the house without being caught but it was still slightly awkward to sit opposite him and act as though she hadn't been passionately writhing underneath him only a little earlier.
Don't think about it. Just act normally. With that thought in mind, Hermione managed to knock over a jug of milk. ''Oh shit!'' she cursed, waving her wand to clean the milk away. Draco was smiling at her indulgently, a mischievous glint in his eye. Hermione blushed and smiled back at him. Don't think about the way that his body feels when he lies on top of you. Don't think about the way that his arms circle you and pull you closer. Don't think about the way his lips can kiss gently or hard, how his tongue explores, how his eyes fill with lust. Hermione took a deep breath in and looked at her cereal, not trusting herself to look at Draco.
''Are you alright Mione? You're awfully fidgety.'' Ginny asked, watching as Hermione's mind gave her a blow-by-blow account of the events of last night.
''Fine. Absolutely fine!'' Hermione squeaked and shot a look at Draco. From the look on his face, he was having exactly the same thoughts as her, and he casually nodded his head towards the door.
''Thanks for breakfast Mrs Weasley.'' He flicked his wand at his bowl and watched as it washed itself up. Mrs Weasley smiled politely and stood back to let him walk out of the room. Hermione quickly followed suite. She walked out of the kitchen but Draco had already disappeared. She climbed the stairs and was looking for him when the door to a storage cupboard opened and she was dragged in by her wrist. She gasped, ready to scream, but Draco's mouth was already pressed against hers as he backed her up against the wall.
''I saw the way that you were looking at me.'' His whispered words were intimately hot in her ear.
Hermione placed her hands on his shoulders and pushed him back. Draco's brow furrowed – she'd never done that before. Hermione got out her wand and pointed it at the door. A simple spell locked it, and muffled any sounds coming from inside the cupboard. Stowing the wand back in her pocket, she leaned forward and grabbed the collar of Draco's button-down shirt. Pulling until it was taut and Draco was forced to lean forward and into her.
''Kidnap me, would you?''
''Do you think I could possibly have resisted? You sit there biting that gorgeous lip and blushing – what's a guy meant to do?''
Hermione laughed softly. Even though no one could hear them, they were still whispering, hot breaths caressing each other. ''I love you.''
''I love you more.''
''Not possible, I'm afraid.'' Hermione pulled him down and kissed him hard, trying to satisfy her lust with his lips.
''Oh really?'' Draco slid his hands around her slim waist and pulled her closer, feeling one of her hands resting on his chest, the other playing with his soft hair. ''You know that I'm not planning on letting you go anytime soon, don't you?''
''You're a sick and twisted guy, Draco Malfoy.'' Hermione muffled her laugh in his neck, kissing her way along the strong tendons.
''Don't act like you don't love it.'' He sat her up on a shelf, letting her wrap her legs around his waist, kissing along her collarbones and the hollow of her neck, feeling her pulse beating strongly and vibrantly. Hermione's answer was an incoherent moan. ''Mione?''
''Mmm…yes?''
''I think I may have worked out what the hidden side to your personality is.'' With that, she tipped her head back in bliss and laughed softly. The sound of that laugh, pure but with an unmistakeably saucy note in it made Draco's nerves thrill almost as much the hand lifting up his shirt and running smooth fingers along his spine.
''We're making a habit of this.'' Hermione giggled as they walked swiftly away from the cupboard with ruffled hair and clothes.
''Good.'' Draco kissed the top of her head.
''Come on.'' Hermione pulled at his hand and moved towards her bedroom, ''you can watch while I brush my hair and tease you mercilessly.''
''Goody.'' Draco followed her in, curious to see what she had made this room look like. Her bed sat under the eaves of the roof, while Ginny's sat underneath the window. Her bedside table had framed photos on it, and Draco examined them. She noticed his interest and smiled at him in the mirror. ''I want a photo of us.''
''We could go into Diagon Alley. I'm sure we could get one done there.'' Draco watched the comb raking through her curls, restoring order and smiled.
Just as he opened his mouth to tell her how gorgeous she was, the door banged open and Harry and Ginny staggered in, joined at the mouth. Hermione let out a slightly shocked laugh, and they broke apart quickly. ''Don't worry, Draco and I are leaving.''
They fled the room, and then paused to look at each other. ''Clearly we aren't the only teenagers in thrall to their hormones.''
Walking downstairs, they found Ron and Laetitia sitting close together, Ron's arm casually slung around her shoulders as she chattered away, Ron smiling at her with an expression of wonder that suggested that she was single-handedly improving the aerodynamic structure of the Firebolt, rather than discussing school life at Beauxbatons.
''And ze 'alls, ils sont plus beaux, more beautiful, zan any uzzer in France.''
''I can well believe it, if they have to house girls as gorgeous as you.'' Ron told her sincerely, smiling sweetly at her as she blushed.
Hermione let out a tiny giggle and grabbed Draco's hand, dashing from the room again. ''That's so sweet!''
They sat down in the kitchen, Draco flicking his wand at the kettle to start it boiling. Just as he was about to pour the water onto tea bags, Kingsley walked into the kitchen. Draco promptly dropped the kettle.
''Oh shit! I mean…Merlin, sorry, let me…'' He watched in horror as boiling water spread towards the hem of Kingsley's robes. Grabbing a tea towel, he moved towards Kingsley, and then dropped it as he remembered his wand. Well done, Draco, honestly, it's like you haven't been studying magic for the past seven years. Hermione laughed slightly to see the normally suave Draco as flustered as he generally made her.
Finally, everyone was seated, in a highly uncomfortable silence with steaming drinks in front of them. Hermione drummed her fingernails on the table. ''So…''
''Draco, does it not bother you that if you join the Order you aren't going to be able to see your family again?'' Kingsley asked casually, taking a sip from his cup.
Draco paused, tea burning his mouth as he swallowed. ''Not that much. I've had nannies since I was born and as soon as I was old enough, I've been a pawn in their plans. I don't really plan on missing people who've manipulated me all my life.''
''And yet you manipulated Miss Granger.''
Draco's cup hit the table with slightly more force than was necessary. ''We went through that several times yesterday.'' His voice was icy and every syllable was clearly enunciated. ''I feel shitty for what I did to Mione, and if she lets me, I'm going to spend as long as I possibly can making that up to her! She knows that, I know that, and the only people who seem to be having a problem accepting it are the Order of the Phoenix. I mean, for fuck's sake, even her best friends have accepted it!''
Hermione's hand crept into Draco's underneath the table, and she squeezed gently. ''Can he join the Order?''
Kingsley's face went completely still and he took a leisurely sip from his cup before answering them. Hermione could feel Draco's blood pounding through his veins. He really wants this, she thought, expecting to feel surprised but then realising that she knew it was what Draco wanted, it was what he wanted to do with his life. There was no doubt about it in her mind, or those of Ron and Harry.
''You really want to join the Order, Mr Malfoy?''
''If I haven't already made myself clear, Mr Shacklebolt, I do apologise. Of course, I would love to join the Order.'' Draco's voice had taken on a slightly biting tone as he squeezed Hermione's hand that little bit tighter.
''Then we would be delighted to welcome you on board.'' Kingsley held out his hand and Draco took it gratefully, feeling the warmth in the handshake as he smiled. ''We wait with bated breath to see how you will prove your worth.''
''Me too.''
Kingsley gave them a knowing smile, drained his cup and left the room. Hermione restrained herself until the door was shut firmly and then squealed. ''Oh, thank Merlin! I was so worried that they would say no, I mean I didn't think that they would, but you can never be too sure, can you? And it was just wonderful, and now, we're truly on the same side!''
Draco laughed slightly and pulled her onto his lap. ''I'm so happy.''
''Me too.'' She rested her head on his, watching as strands of her hair mingled with the white blonde of his. ''Such a contrast.''
He saw where she was looking and smiled. ''Silver and gold. Slytherin and Gryffindor colours.''
''And they said that our year group never worked for house harmony.''
''Just proving them wrong again, aren't you Mione Granger?''
''As per usual.''
Draco looked up into her eyes and smiled. ''If we had a baby, I hope it would have your eyes.'' As soon as he said it, he almost slapped himself. What the hell did you say that for? Why? Brain, please just engage with the mouth, try and think about things before they're said! Just this once!
Hermione's eyes had widened slightly but she was smiling. ''Well, that's not going to be happening any time soon, I've been taking contraceptive potions.''
''That wasn't me trying to hint that I wanted to knock you up.'' Draco had a small flush in his cheeks.
''I do believe that you're blushing Draco. Do Malfoys blush? Anyway, I wasn't taking it as you saying that you wanted me to start having funny cravings and morning sickness.''
''You didn't?''
''No. Just as a compliment.'' Hermione smiled at him and kissed him. ''Although I would hope that the baby would have your eyes.''
''Nah. I would want a carbon copy of you. Although maybe as a boy.''
''So not really a carbon copy? What would this fictional baby be called?''
''Scorpius.'' Draco said proudly, nodding slightly as he unveiled the name.
Hermione burst out laughing. ''Are you serious? Scorpius?''
''What's wrong with that? I've gone through life with Draco – and Scorpius was my grandfather's name, and he was alright.''
''Right. Still not sure about that. And if the fictional baby was a girl?''
''You can pick.'' Draco said magnanimously.
''You're too kind.'' Hermione laughed and swooped down to kiss his lips. ''Honestly, you think Scorpius is a good name?''
''What's wrong with it?''
''Nothing. Nothing at all.'' Hermione laughed slightly and presented herself for a kiss. ''But it's only ok because I love you.''