Chapter Ten

Draco's plan to sleep until three in the afternoon was not going well. His head was still hurting after that morning's fiasco and he could still smell that dumb bint on his clothes. He continued to shift around on the couch uncomfortably every few seconds just thinking about how awful she was. There was no way he could sleep peacefully in her scent as it would only cause him further torture. He wanted to forget all about her and knew that eventually he would after the right happenings. The door to his bedroom was closed and as he passed to get to the bathroom, he heard frantic whispering behind it. He grinned almost mischievously at the thought of Granger and the Weasley girl conversing about him. He'd noticed the girl in his apartment earlier but didn't have the energy to ask why she was there. Hell, I still don't have the energy.

The cabinets under the sink counters in the bathroom opened at his arrival and he took out a pair of black trousers. It would have been more work to pick out a shirt because of his undetectable extension charm had hidden them all in the back. He summoned a long-sleeved black shirt and a gray vest, then set all his clothing items on the counter before turning the water on to the highest pressure possible and a medium temperature. His bedroom door was opened and he heard the footsteps of two people walking towards the front door. Someone left, he guessed it was the Weasley girl, and then more footsteps walked into in the kitchen. The fact that Granger didn't leave had comforted him somehow. He knew it was a possibility for someone to give her another place to stay but she'd told him that her parents would be the only ones. It had been two days not two weeks. And he hadn't noticed he was worried that she might leave until just now when the threat was gone. The fight she'd gotten into a few days ago with the Weasel popped into his mind and then he smirked. She wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.

The warm water ran down along his body and he closed his eyes, thinking more about a naked Granger. He imagined her in a plain white laced brassiere and matching knickers. She would lie on his bed trying to cover herself with her hands but he would not allow it. Draco would take her into his arms and grind into her slowly. He would make it fun, he would make it easy for her. He decided she was more than inexperienced and that her virginity was his to have. It didn't matter to him if she hadn't slept with anybody else. In fact, he preferred it that way when it came to Granger. He fought the temptation he had to take his cock into his hand and wank off in the shower. If he was going to do this he had to start today or Merlin knows where he would lose control of himself and do it in his trousers by mistake. He washed up a little faster than usual and rinsed off. His shower had lasted long enough. Plus, he knew that if he waited too late then he would lose his chance. It would be more than fun to tease her and watch her squirm around while she was under him half naked, thriving at his touch. He nearly lost his cool as he wrapped the towel around his waist.

That was too close of a call. Ginny could have made a real mess of things with her famous temper and Hermione was grateful it didn't have to come to that. After escorting her guest out and giving her a comforting hug she proceeded to put the neglected groceries away. Ginny being with child had placed a higher position of importance on her list of things to sort out. She wondered briefly while putting the pasta boxes in the top cabinets how Harry was going to react to all of this. He could either be very angry or incredibly sad. Either way it would be a disaster. She'd told him this morning to give Ginny a chance to remember him and see if she came back, and if she didn't then he should forget about her. Now it was obvious that he had no choice but to try and forget. It was unfortunate that once again he didn't have a say in something but things didn't look too good for him on that front.

A sigh escaped her pink, moist lips while arranging the fruits in a medium sized bowl and told herself to stop worrying about it. Everything was going to be all right because Harry would find a new girl to secretly obsess over and then they would start dating and be happy and Ginny would only be a family friend. At least she hoped it worked out that way.

Hermione had more important things to worry about, like finding a job to replace the one she'd just lost. Her plan was to become a healer if she didn't get promoted but she'd made no plans on what to do if she got sacked. She supposed she could still follow through and go to St. Mungo's to start her schooling, but something was stopping her. There was simply nothing to motivate herself to do it. She could get something different at the Ministry. It wouldn't even matter if she ran into Ella; the Ministry was a big enough place for the two of them. She might never see that lunatic witch ever again, but she doubted if she was that lucky. Hermione had plenty of options. After all, she was the brightest witch in a century. Surely she could find something to do and excel in whatever she chose. This would be child's play, she hoped.

She took a deep, relaxing breath and picked up one of the green apples in the fruit bowl. It stared back at her as she held it at eye level. The light from the ceiling gave it an innocent shine and for a moment Hermione believed it was magic, almost like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. She took a bite out and imagined someone with evil intentions wanting her to submit to their will. Her little joke caused her lips to lift into a smile. Before she could stop it, there was laughter from the back of her throat. However it was very brief and all because of a hand, pale and slick had all but snatched the apple from her grasp.

She gasped and turned right into him. It was Malfoy. Of course, it was Malfoy. Their closeness had excited her and scared her half to death simultaneously. Ginny had spent the last few moments of her visit convincing Hermione that she would fall in love with him and they'd share a bed many times, purely as a joke of course. Hermione blushed at her friends words but scolded her for them. It would just be too convenient for something like that to happen. And nothing ever happened like that in real life. She refused to get worked up over him like this when she wasn't even sure that she liked him as a person, but it was hard not to think naughty things with his close proximity. He was wearing a shirt and a towel around his waist. The idea that he was bare under that towel made her blush furiously and she tried to get her brain back to normal, but it was too late. She was intrigued.

He took a bite out the apple as well, and in the same spot she did in order to emphasize an indirect kiss. He saw her look down for a second and notice his lack of clothing. This seduction thing was going much easier than he had expected. Had he known she wasn't going to slap him anymore he would have tried this a long time ago if it shut her up. "What's the matter, Granger?" he whispered. "Don't like my choice in clothing?"

Hermione was silent. If she said anything now he would twist it around to mean something perverse. She wasn't entirely sure she didn't want him to do that either. A part of her wanted him to drag her back to the bedroom, come on Hermione, that's only your virginity talking, but she knew this was only more of his endless teasing. The other part wanted to smack him in the face but she couldn't bring her arm to lift. She prayed that if she didn't say anything he would linger into her for that much longer. His skin was warm and wet from the shower he'd just taken. His scent was alluring and inviting, it almost pleaded Hermione to make the first move but she knew better than that. If she walked out of this alive she would consider that a success.

"Aren't you going to reprimand me for teasing the poor and innocent Gryffindor Princess?" Draco stepped a little closer to her, and when she didn't step back he snaked his arm around her waist and nearly buried his face into her neck. "You smell almost better than I do, Granger."

Damn him. Damn him four ways to next Sunday. I want him to stop and I want him to do more all at the same time. "Malfoy…" her only word came out as a wavering request. Her voice was betraying the side of her brain that made sense right now. He's Malfoy, that's right. Think about who he is. Think about what he does to girls that let him touch them. He'll only use me if I let him and I'll end up as the next Ella for sure, only with no place to stay until Mum and Dad get back. Don't give in, don't give in, don't give in… Hang in there, Hermione. "Malfoy…"

"Isn't it about time we got to calling each other by more familiar terms? You are sleeping in my bed after all. I say it's time we put the past far, far behind us." He let his towel fall to the floor and slid his other arm up to her neck so he could cradle it with his hand and tangle her light brown tresses. "What do you say, Granger?"

"Draco, please." She wasn't sure what she was asking for, but at this point, something about him was making her feel submissive. She wanted him to make all of her decisions for her. Sure, she might regret it later, and possibly right after, and maybe it was the way he smelled or the way he was holding her, but right now all she wanted was to give in. Don't give in, don't give in… wait, why shouldn't I? He's Malfoy, that's why. Plain and simple, he doesn't deserve my virginity. "Stop it," she nearly whimpered.

He stepped back and smirked at his little experiment. She would want him now and he was certain of it. If he could wait a little longer she'd be begging for him. They all did. He had different plans for her than the other witches he'd tossed aside. He didn't know what they were but he knew it was something else, and something special. His towel fell and revealed that he was indeed wearing boxer shorts. Yet somehow, Hermione felt a little disappointed.

After he had picked his towel up and retreated back into the bathroom, Hermione was clueless as to what she should say or do next. Her train of thought was complete garbage. If he had waited a few seconds longer she would have let him... well, she didn't know what she would've let him do but he would do it if she let him, right? She wasn't sure if she should be upset with herself or with him. He had to be planning this whole thing from the beginning. Did she really care what he did anymore? Was she really going to compromise herself so he could have another plaything? Confusion had taken over quickly in the part of Hermione's brain where she thought things through. What am I supposed to do? Pretend that never happened? He was so close and so seemingly naked!

What was happening to her she didn't know. She'd been attracted to him, sure enough, but never had any plans on acting on her new found attraction. It was all so unwarranted, her feelings for him now. And were they even real feelings? Was she not only projecting on him her fears and desires? Was she simply lonely? Did any of that matter? She had no idea what he was looking for with her. He was a prick. For all she knew he only wanted a quick shag. That seemed to be his style... but he knew she needed a place to stay.

Surely he wasn't as heartless as he used to be? He wouldn't throw her out if she refused right? And at the same measure, he wouldn't throw her out if he decided he didn't like it, would he? He had been awfully cruel to Ella this morning in dumping her but to be fair, the girl was delusional to get in a tryst with him in the first place. Did that make Hermione delusional as well? He was so hard to resist. No, I'm not going to do this to myself. Her head was full of questions and she wanted them gone. Desperate times called for desperate measures, she told herself as she left for the last place she ever thought she'd go.

Draco heard her leave and sucked his teeth with regret. But she'll be back. He knew what he was doing after all.