Chapter Ten

Hermione hurried into her bedroom, shut the door and leaned against it, massaging her aching temples. Merlin, Cormac was so irritating! He had been hanging around her all day, even waiting for her outside bathrooms. It had taken a concerted effort to shake him off long enough for her to escape to her room.

She dropped her bag on the floor and moved into the centre of the room, pulling off her tie and jumper. She supposed that it was a mark of the hold that Draco had on her that she found his lurking threatening, but still ultimately very sexy, whereas Cormac just annoyed her. Just as she was about to unbutton her shirt, Draco began knocking on her door.

''What do you want?''

''To talk to you.''

''Heard that one before. Honestly Draco, I know I'm irresistible but you're going to have to stop pestering me.'' She smiled as she spoke, and Draco could hear it in her voice.

''I know you're smiling, so I know you're joking, so you have to come out.''

''Or what?''

''Or I'll come in. And you know I will.''

''Fine.'' Hermione opened her door and stood in the doorway, her arms crossed. ''Go on then, talk.''

''McLaggen? I'm flattered that you would go to such lengths to make me jealous Mione.''

''Maybe I like the fact that he's arrogant and self-absorbed. Merlin knows, I put up with it in you.''

''But McLaggen doesn't have my undeniable appeal.''

''Goodnight Draco.'' Hermione made to shut the door.

''Oh no you don't!'' He lunged forward and gripped her shoulders. ''Come on.''

Hermione let him pull her out of the room. ''What are you playing at? I'm tired.''

''I'll wake you up.'' He ran his hands down her arms and gave her a devilish smile. Hermione couldn't deny the bolt of electricity that ran through her nerves, but faked a yawn instead.

''This had better be good.''

''It always is around me.''

''Not always. Remember, I gave you my virginity and then it turned out you were using me. Not one of my favourite memories.'' She stared at him coldly, seeing if he could deal with the sudden change of mood.

''Let me make it up to you.''

''No, I don't think I can make a bet and then take your virginity. You see Draco, once it's gone, it's gone forever. That's the way it works.''

''Watch your tone.'' Draco was gradually pulling her over to the door.

''Where are you trying to take me?''

''Not trying, taking.''

''Not if I've got anything to do with it.''

''You don't.'' With that, Draco grabbed her and pulled her over his shoulder in a fireman's lift.

''Draco! Put me down! This is NOT funny! Put me down!''

''You've forgotten your wand again, haven't you? Honestly, Hermione.''

''I wasn't expecting to be kidnapped you obstreperous prat!''

''Kidnappers don't generally give you notice about their plans. Now shush. Or you'll make a fool of yourself!''

''You've done that already – put me down!'' Hermione was thumping at his back with her small fists and Draco picked up his pace, until they arrived at the Room of Requirements. He lowered her to her feet and looked warningly at her. ''Stay there.''

''This had better be bloody good.'' Hermione glared at him, her flirty behaviour completely gone. Draco was acting exactly like he had before Blaise had told her what was going on. She hoped that he hadn't thought everything was back to normal because of that morning. She wanted the upper hand!

Draco ignored her, pacing up and down the hall. Hermione leaned against the wall and slid down until she was on the floor, listening to the rain beating on the roof. She heard the wall shifting to let the door appear, and before she could stand up, Draco had scooped her up and was carrying her through.

Candles flickered in the room, soft light playing off the enormous bed that Draco dropped Hermione on. She looked around and laughed softly to herself. ''This is your masterplan?''

''Well, I don't think I did it properly the first time.''

''What, with the 'Get up to my room now, Damnit!'? What on earth gave you that impression?''

''You're very sarcastic Mione. And tense.'' Draco slid behind her and began rubbing her back, massaging the kinks out of her muscles.

Hermione laughed again but wriggled her back under his strong fingers. ''This is such a cliché.''

Draco's hands slid round her waist and his lips buried themselves in her neck. She moaned, and closed her eyes in ecstasy.

''Clichés seem to work then. I must bear that in mind for future reference.'' Draco murmured in her ear and then began kissing her neck again. And with that simple statement, Hermione remembered what she had promised herself she would do. Draco was not going to walk over her any more, she was not going to submit to him, and they did not have a future. But now she was here…how was she meant to get out of this without looking like a scared little girl?

She turned around and kissed him back, falling with him onto the cushions that littered the bed. She felt his hands skimming along her bare skin and then realised that she was doing the same to him. Just as her lust fogged brain was wondering whether she could pretend that this was part of her plan, it came to her. This was a room set up for seduction, meaning that it should have…she looked at the bedside table and grinned into Draco's mouth. Perfect.

She pushed him back and slid on top of him. ''Stay there.'' Reaching over to the table, pushing aside the contraceptive potions, she grabbed the pair of handcuffs. ''Draco, you kinky beast.'' She twirled them round her finger.

''I didn't ask for them!'' Draco grinned up at her. ''You're the one who noticed them, you're the kinky one!''

''Do you trust me?''

''Yeah.'' He looked at her and Hermione reached down to kiss him, cuffing his wrists to the bed posts.

''Fool.'' She stood up and laughed at him, lying there in his boxers.

''Mione…not funny.''

''It wasn't meant to be.'' She looked at him. ''Don't worry, I don't trust you, I don't expect you to do the same for me.''

''I'm sorry I hurt you.'' Draco looked at her and Hermione could have sworn that he was serious.

''And yet you're still doing what you were doing before.''

''No! I thought that you were telling me I had to make it up to you this morning. That's what I was trying to do.'' He tugged at the chains and they gave slightly. Hermione noticed and smiled.

''Time for me to go I think.'' She was just pulling on her shirt, when Draco gave one huge tug and the chain broke. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened to shout as Draco grabbed her and pulled her back on the bed, clapping his hand over her mouth.

''I'm not going to hurt you. What do you hope to achieve by this?''

''I'm not telling you that. You're so perverse you'll purposefully avoid the result I'm aiming for.''

''I am sorry I hurt you.'' Draco said it and knew that he was. He scolded himself, and told himself that he didn't like hurting pets. That was all there was to it. Honestly. Maybe.

''I don't believe you. I believed you once and it didn't turn out too well for me.'' Hermione stared at him, her arms crossed across her bare stomach.

''Let me make it up to you.'' Draco leaned forward and kissed her mouth so softly that Hermione melted into him. Without another word, she let him lay her down, caressing her gently, gradually guiding her to the point where she forgot who she was.

When it was finished, he kissed her mouth. ''I know you aren't going to drop what you're intent on doing.''

She opened her mouth to protest, but he kissed her again to muffle her words. ''Don't argue because I know you will. And I'm not going to try and stop you. And I don't have any right to ask you this, but don't hurt me too badly.''

Hermione looked at him, her eyebrows furrowed. ''You don't have any right to ask me that. Not after what you did.''

''OK, but don't argue with me this evening. Stay here, stay calm.''

''I can't.'' Hermione got up and began looking for her clothes.

''Please.'' Draco sat up and stared at her.

''What's in it for me?''

''Me. And I'll help you get even with Blaise.''

''What?'' Hermione stopped what she was doing, her shirt hanging half open.

''Blaise. He tried to attack you. He humiliated me. I'll help you get even with him and then we can go back to you trying to revenge yourself on me. Business before pleasure Mione.''

''You got both with me.'' But there was no venom in Hermione's voice and she was already seriously thinking over his offer. He had completely thrown her off course this evening – been too tender, been too pleasant. She couldn't hurt him when she was like this. So she would get Blaise, and then get Draco. Unless she managed to get both of them at once. In one simple movement…

She smiled. Draco looked at her and grinned. ''I know you're planning something horrible, probably aimed at me, and I don't care. If you try and get revenge on me again, I'm going to revenge myself on you. So bring it on Hermione.''

''Now you're just over reacting.'' Hermione winked, leaving him in no doubt that he wasn't over reacting, and finished getting dressed. ''I'm going now. But I must say, it's charming to know the lengths to which you're prepared to go for me. We'll talk about Blaise.'' And with that, she left.

Draco banged his head back against the soft pillows. She ought to have been in Slytherin, he thought, or I should have been in Gryffindor, because Merlin knows, I'm playing with fire, and that's gotta count as bravery.

AN: just a quick note because I'm meant to be going out and I'm already late, so I'll do mentions for chapters in the next update. Much love to all fabulous readers, and more love to reviewers! You're all amazing. Kisses, Petitesorciere! PS : PLEASE LEAVE ME A REVIEW!!! PLEASE!