Hermione was going over her files. Writing up reports, but her mind was still on this morning. She had the best morning with Draco. When she had woken up early, he had pulled her snug against his chest and his fingers caressed every inch of her body. It had driven her crazy and at the same time, it had felt so good she had never wanted to move.
To top it all off, they had coffee in bed. The best part was, since they had magic they could summon the coffee and make it all from bed with just a flick of their wands. It had been so tempting, she hadn't wanted to go into work. But to be honest, lately, the idea of work seemed less appealing than ever before.
When she had gone into the Ministry it had been to do something important, something that mattered. But it was tedious work and she never seemed to make any real progress. She had spent the past six years working towards the rights of house elves and werewolves, but she had been rejected on the elves. As for the werewolves, Mr Diggory wouldn't even let her put it forth to the committee.
Maybe once she had secured rights for the house elves it was time to look into another career. But as quickly as that thought occurred to her, she pushed it aside. She couldn't leave her job, if she didn't fight for equality, who would?
At least, she was making progress with the Goblins.
There was a knock on her door.
"Come in," she said her head still halfway lost in the papers and her own thoughts.
The door opened and Narcissa Malfoy strolled inside. She was impeccably dressed as usual. Her blonde and black hair hung down her back and she wore a black robe of silk. She was a terrifying sight.
Hermione's hand instictively went to the wand in her pocket. She did not let go, not even when Narcissa smiled a tense smile. ***
"Good morning, Hermione."
"Mrs Malfoy," Hermione said coolly. "What can I do for you today?"
Narcissa's smile froze. "I came to apologize."
"Oh, well this should be good," Hermione laughed. "And it's long overdue."
"I thought perhaps, it would be wise to give you some space," Narcissa said with her smile back in place. "What happened the other day was appalling. All I can say is that I am working on it and I do hope you will still marry Draco."
"Fortunately for Draco, I don't hold him accountable for his parents actions."
"You don't?" Narcissa raised one perfectly styled manicure. "I'm impressed. You are an intelligent, capable young woman."
"Uh-huh," Hermione said eyeing her skeptically. "Is that all?"
"Not quite. I want to again apologize for the way I spoke of your bloodstatus."
"I am proud of being Muggleborn and I don't care what you think. But if you think you can insult me and that I will stay for family dinners -"
"Not at all, I understand. I hope you can understand, I did not mean it. Lucius simplybrings out the worst in me. And I hope you are willing to give me a second chance as I would like for us to be friends."
Hermione thought it over. She knew it would mean a lot to Draco if she and Narcissa got along.
"I suppose it can't hurt. But this is for Draco."
"I appreciate that," Narcissa smile warmed enough to reach her eyes. "And I did mean what I said about your talents as a witch." ***
Hermione had a dim memory of Narcissa saying something about her talents as a witch. Things that she had missed in the heat of the moment, having discounted it as a way of repairing the damage of her earlier words. And looking at Narcissa now, Hermione was inclined to think she was a snake. A different kind of snake than Lucius, but a snake all the same.
These were Draco's parents. He must be like them in some way. She knew he had changed, but once again that nagging fear that he would disappoint her reappeared. She shoved that aside as well. She didn't have time to examne it now and she probably need to see her psychologist again.
"Don't," Hermione said. "Just don't. This is for Draco."
"Perhaps I can buy you lunch today?"
"No," Hermione said firmly. "Absolutely not. I agreed to us trying to be friends again, but we are not going to be spending quality time together. I was thinking something more along the lines of dinner the next time Draco wants to spend time with his mother."
Narcissa pursed her lips into a thin smile. "Very well. I can see you are a hard sell."
"I am."
"I'll see you at dress shopping then?"
"In two months time," Hermione reminded her.
"Leaving it late, but very well," Narcissa sighed. "I look forward to it. Give my best to Draco would you?"
"Of course." ***
Once Narcissa left, Hermione went back to work. She thought for a second she might actually get some work done. Unfortunatey, Andrew came in with some Ministry employees. One was a witch in bright turqoise robes and equally bright pink hair. The other was a wizard with midnight blue robes and a serious expression. He looked like a hard liner.
Andrew on the other hand looked as excited as if christmas had come early.
"Hermione, this Thomas Gallagher and Lisa Humphries. They're here to ask me some questions about your relationship with Draco, which you know is one of my favorite topics."
"Good morning," Hermione said with a false smile. "I'm surprised my presence is required for the interview."
"It's not," Lisa said with a look of exasperation aimed at Andrew. "He simply insisted. Saying that he wouldn't discuss his friends relationship behind her back."
"Well of course not. I'm not going to gossip and put Hermione through that uncertainty after all of the nastiness in the Prophet."
Hermione rubbed her temples. She sincerely hoped Andrew realized what was at stake here. If the Ministry decided her relationship with Draco was fake or had started after the news of the matching then it would be considered void. If that happened they would either face time in Azkaban or given a warning and forcibly paired with their "perfect match". If the Ministry tried to force her to marry Ron again, she was going to spill the beans about Lucius involvement, but she would rather not have to. She and Draco had agreed to avoid that because Lucius was his father. Still, if push came to shove, it was Lucius' funeral.
"Just answer their questions, Andrew," Hermione said with a tense smile.
"Certainly," Andrew grinned. "Oh, where are my manners? Or my sense of duty for that manner? After all, I am the magnificient Hermione's assistant. Tea or coffee anyone?"
"Andrew please just answer their questions so that they can leave?" Hermione said taking advantage of what little patience she had left.
"Certainly, whatever my lovely and fair boss," Andrew said grinning at her. "So what are you questions? You must have questions if this is a formal inquiry, but really is this the best use of Ministry resources?"
Hermione groaned. She conjured a cup of tea, she had at the ready for when headaches kicked in. She had a long sip and tried to focus on her paperwork as Andrew answered their questions.
"Are all of the facts reported in the Prophet true?" Lisa asked.
"Well no, when does the Prophet get everything right? Malfoy doesn't have her under some kind of spell, which the Aurors office can confirm."
"Are they in love?" Thomas interjected.
"Do you know any engaged couples, who are in love? Not since the new law at any rate," Andrew scoffed. "But have they been dating? Yes, they have."
"Since when?"
"I'm not sure. I think it started sometime right after New Years," Andrew sounded thoughtful. "Yes, that sounds about right."
"So before the matchmaking spell?" Lisa inquired.
"Yes. Obviously," Andrew rolled his eyes. "Honestly."
"What do you know of their more intimate relationship?"
"You mean sex?" Andrew gaped.
Hermione sunk into her seat, turning red. "That's none of the Ministry's business," she snapped.
"I'm her employee! Nothing!"
Hermione, who had enough left the house. She thought maybe it was time to go see Harry and have an early lunch. ***
Unfortunately, when she arrived in the Auror department she saw there were two Ministry employees there interrogating Harry as well. Hermione didn't even stay long enough to hear the questions, she just left.
Instead, she went to the Ministry cafeteria. She got herself a cup of tea, a tray of lunch and sat down at an empty table. She took out her files from her purse and kept working as she ate. The cafeteria was bustling and filled with people, but even with all that noise, it felt like the first peaceful moment she had all day. She welcomed the cheery noise and worked with renewed productivity as a thrill of excitement went through her.
XXX
Draco was leaving the locker room after practice when he was accost by a livid Pansy. She was just barging through the door to locker room and ran straight into him. He was knocked back and she almost fell, he barely caught her before she hit the floor.
"Pansy? What are you doing here?"
"Me?" she breathed through her nose. "These goons -" she pointed to the two wizards behind her. "Claim to be from the Ministry. They appeared at my shop and demanded I close for an hour all so they could ask me ridiculous questions about your relationship with Hermione!"
Draco raised brows.
"Is it necessary to do this during business hours?" he asked the Ministry wizards.
"Surely, you can understand our urgency."
"No, I can't," Draco said. "Hermione and I are getting married. I fail to see why the Ministry is so interested in our affairs that you have to disrupt our friends' business dealings. Unless you plan to compensate Pansy for her time?"
"It is her duty as a witch to serve the Ministry!" squeaked the smallest wizard.
"Just answer their questions Pans. At least they aren't tailing you the way they are us."
"They are tailing you?" Pansy stared at him in horrified shock. "Honestly that is despicable! Is it even legal?"
"That's what I was on my way to ask Blaise," he smirked.
Pansy returned his smile with a sly smirk of her own. She turned back to the wizards and snapped her fingers at them. ***
"Questions. Come on now, hop to. I don't have all day you know."
Draco grinned.
"Do you know how long Mr Malfoy and Ms Granger have been involved?"
"Since after New Years sometime," Pansy drawled. "Why don't you ask them?"
"Because they are under investigation."
"Fascinating," Pansy studied her nails carelessly.
"Are you aware of any dark magic in their relationship?"
Pansy scoffed derisively. "Of course, not. Everyone knows Skeeter is a dirty little liar."
"Do you know how far their physical relationship has progressed?"
Draco felt his blood boil. He put his hand on his wand before he knew what he was doing. He had to take a deep breath to calm himself down. He also had to remind himself several times that if he hexed a Ministry employee he would be looking at time in Azkaban, which would make it difficult to marry Hermione. He did not want to lose her now that he was so close to having her.
"No idea, not my business or yours," Pansy added with a pointed look.
"No, it's really not," Draco agreed in a snarl. "And one more such question and I will report you to the legislative department."
"Be our guest," one of the wizards said as he scribbled something onto a clipboard. "Are you under the impression the relationship is genuine?"
"Yes."
Pansy spoke with such conviction and without hesitation that Draco was touched. His friends rarely showed affection, but in situations such as these, he knew he could always count on them.
"And they are in love?"
"No, but I'm not in love with my fiancé either."
"So it's fake?"
"No," Pansy stated with an eye roll. "The Ministry passes a new law forcing us all into marriage before the year ends, a lot of people are marrying people they just started seeing it. It's a natural consequence of such an action. Are you going to investigate my relationship next?" ***
"No."
"Good," Pansy beamed. "I consider this just as moronic, but carry on with your useless questions."
"Yes, please do. I'm eager to add more questions to the complaint I lodge against you and your bosses," Draco told them with a sinister smile.
The first wizard simply gazed at him arrogantly, but the other, he paled. At least one of them wasn't one hundred percent confident they were legally in the right.
"Just a few more questions and we will be out of your hair Miss Parkinson," he said with a dirty look at Draco. "Have you and Mr Malfoy ever been romantically involved?"
"Around sixth year, it didn't last."
"Oh, interesting," he nodded as he wrote it down.
The second wizard piped up. "And if this relationship were fake, why do you think they would go to these lengths?"
Draco's hand twitched to hext them, but once again he restrained himself.
"It is not fake," Pansy said exhaling through her nose. "Do you want to know how I know? Because even though Draco and I went out in sixth year, I've known since fifth year that he fancies Hermione Granger."
Draco felt like the world's biggest prat. He had never meant to treat Pansy as crappy as he did in sixth year and he especially did not want her to know she was second string to Hermione.
"You knew, Pans? Merlin's beard, I'm sorry."
"It's okay," she shrugged. "I think I knew the night of the Yule ball in fourth year, but I didn't want to admit, not even to myself. Besides, I wasn't really all that into you either. I just wanted the status, you know?"
Draco nodded. He understood and he wasn't going to say anything more with the others around. Pansy had been preparing herself for when Voldemort took over. She wanted to be with Draco because the Malfoys were in his inner circle and she wanted to make sure her family would be alright.
The Parkinsons were Purebloods, which was all well and good, but if she really wanted to secure their position in Voldemort's world order, nothing would do that as easily as marrying a Death Eater.
But that did not mean using her as a distraction for Hermione was alright. It was just one of the many wrong things he had done in his life. Just like with Hermione he had things to make up to Pansy and he was going to do it even if it took years.
"As touching as this is, can we get back to the questions now?" the wizard asked. "And it would be best if you aren't present Mr Malfoy so as not to influence the results."
"Piss off," Draco said.
He took out his wand and Disapparated with a crack. When he appeared in Hermione's living room, he had to admit, he felt a little winded and sat dwon for a minute. Apparating for such long distances was draining and he ordinarily flooed to avoid that, but Hermione had disconnected her fireplace from the Floo Network after Everett had used it to appear unnannounced in her home.
After he got his bearings, he went to the kitchen and decided to start on dinner. He wasn't much of a cook, but he did have a few dishes he cooked when he was in Northern Ireland. Most of the time, he went home after training. Other times, he preferred to stay in Ireland. It gave him the option of avoiding real life.
Since, he knew Hermione was likely to be as stressed with these Ministry interviews as he was, he wanted to make something special. Unfortunately, the fanciest thing he could cook was pasta primavera. He just hoped she liked it.
He bustled around the kitchen, putting as much attention and detail into each part of the meal as he put into Quidditch. Soon, the kitchen was filled with delicious aromas and the sound of boiling water. He decided to put some music on and filled himself a glass of Firewhisky.
His first instinct had been to summon Mapsy however, he hadn't because he knew Hermione. She would appreciate the gesture more if he had done the cooking himself and not depended on his house elf. ***
He was looking forward to Hermione returning to the house. He was sure this was one of those things that might help her trust him. Because that was what he needed time and the patience to prove to her, he was nothing like Ron.
XXX
Hermione appeared in her living room. She felt like a wrung out sponge. She had spent most of the day hiding from everyone, including Andrew, who had questions about the Ministry interrogation.
Eventually however, Harry had tracked her down. Fortunately, he had been as miserable about the Ministry inquiry as she was and he promised to ensure the Prophet ran their retraction in the next week. Otherwise, she was given a free pass from the Aurors department to do whatever she wanted to make them run it. Unless of course, she wouldn't rather just go to Kingsley.
The first thing she noticed was the music playing. When was the last time she had come home to something other than an empty house? She couldn't remember because normally, she was home before Draco came by. He must have finished practice early.
The second thing she noticed was the smell of pasta and sauce. She closed her eyes and inhaled, taking a minute to enjoy the fact that someone else was cooking for her. Ron had never cooked for her. He hadn't even helped during the war or after. He did however, complain if something wasn't done exactly like how his mother cooked it. A habit that never failed to piss her off.
Not Draco though. He always liked her cooking or claimed to at least. Not that Hermione minded because she knew she wasn't the best cook and growing up spoilt and rich, he was probably used to gourmet cooking.
"That smells incredible," she said entering the kitchen and sighing. "What are you cooking?" ***
"Pasta primavera," he replied with an easy smile. One that made her heart skip a beat. She hadn't known Draco could smile like that before. Had never once seen it when they were at Hogwarts together. "I'm not much of a cook I'm afraid."
"Neither am I."
Hermione took a seat at the kitchen table and watched him use a mixture of magic and Muggle actions to make the dinner. She grinned when a glass of wine levitated toward her. She took it and had a sip. It was a full-bodied red wine. There was a hint of something in it, something she couldn't quite place, but that conjured images of potions brewing.
"What sort of wine is this?" she asked leaning forward on her elbows.
"Something from Northern Italy. I purchased it at a Magical Settlement a few years back," he replied stirring the sauce. "The witch, who sold it to me spoke with a heavy Northern accent. I couldn't understand her Italian."
Hermione giggled. She liked picturing him in a shop trying to buy a decent wine yet being adorably confused by the witch's Italian.
"How many languages do you speak?"
"Italian and French mostly. Additionally, I can read ancient runes, which you already know."
"Yes, I do," she replied thinking of the one class they had shared where they were never at odds. "Why didn't you ever bully me in ancient runes?"
Draco froze and she could see the tension in his back. He didn't turn around to face her, just kept cooking.
"I suppose because none of our other friends were in the class." ***
"No fun without an audience?" Hermione had a sip of wine and refused to look away from him. She stared at the back of his neck and willed herself to hear the answer without flinching no matter how horrible it was.
She was Muggleborn and proud of it. There was nothing Draco could say that would make her ashamed of that.
"No point in pretending I hated you when there was no one there to call my bluff."
Hermione turned that statement over in her mind a few times.
"Makes sense," she said finally.
"You know I'm sorry about -"
"Don't," Hermione interrupted him. "You've apologized enough. If you can make sure I don't have to marry Ron again or serve time in Azkaban, you'll have more than redeemed yourself in my opinion."
Now, Draco turned around. There was a ghost of a smile on his face and it looked like his good mood was on its way to being restored. In a way, she felt bad about disrupting the peace of their evening, but once it occurred to her, she had to know.
"Dinner is ready."
Draco used magic to levitate the food onto the table. He was a skilled wizard and everything danced lightly toward the table. The food and flatware landed easily without as much as a scrape.
She took her own wand out and with a flick of it there was a generous helping of food on each their plates. Draco gave her a ruefully fond smile and she realized they actually worked together well.
Draco sat down across from her.
She had a bite and moaned. She closed her eyes and savoured the taste.
"Oh Merlin's beard," she sighed. "That's amazing."
Draco cracked a smile. "Thank you."
She blushed by the insinuating way, he looked at her and the seductive note in his voice.
They chatted through the rest of the meal and it was first then Hermione realized how hungry she was after work. She ate like a wolf and enjoyed every bite, it was absolutely amazing.
After dinner, she used Scourgify to clean up. Draco helped and she covertly watched him cast spells the way she always did. She didn't think she would ever tire of watching magic in the hands of those, who truly knew what they were doing.
She hopped up on the counter. Draco looked her way and flashed a smile.
"When do you think that prat Evan is going to show up again?"
"It's Everett," Hermione said with poorly concealed irritation. "And hopefully, not any time soon."
"Oh, it's Everett is it?" Draco crooned. "I didn't realize you cared."
"I don't," she huffed then something occurred to her and she narrowed her eyes as she glowered at him. "And you're doing it on purpose, you do know his name."
He rolled his eyes. "Obviously. However, I found I don't particularly care. He's just another Ministry toady trying to make our life difficult."
"I had noticed," she told him with an eye roll. "But why? That's what I want to know."
"So you've mentioned," he smirked. "And knowing you, you'll get to the bottom of it." ***
Draco moved closer. He put his hands on her upper thighs. He pulled her closer to him and leaned into her. He pushed her robes up with her and she wrapped her arms around his neck. She gave him a peck on the lips.
He flashed a smile that made her stomach do a flip. She nipped on his lower lip and enjoyed his surprised expression. He pulled her closer abruptly. He touched his forehead to hers.
"Ouch," he chuckled and it was husky.
His breath fanned along her face and she shivered, pressing herself closer.
"Sorry," she murmured.
She ran her tongue along the bottom seam of his lip, soothing the bite. Draco caught her by surprise and pinched her side. She gasped and let out a squeak. He laughed and ran his hand teasingly along her side in a gentle caress that stole her breath away.
Draco's hand cupped the back of her neck. He pressed his lips against hers and she froze, caught off guard. She was still thinking about how he pinched her. She tangled her hands into his hair, loving that she got to mess it up. At Hogwarts his hair had always been perfect and she loved nothing more than to ruffle that perfection. His hand massaged the back of her neck and she sighed.
She sunk into the kiss and pressed herself closer. It started out gentle and soon became scorching. She clung to his hair, tugging on it. Draco held her with vicelike strength against him. He pressed his hard length against her damp core as he gave her hot open-mouth kisses that burned her.
Hermione ran her hand down his back, clawing in retalation for the harsh kisses. He groaned and his hand tangled more tightly into her hair. The hand at her hip, clutched her so tightly she thought it might bruise. ***
Draco kissed his way down her neck. He started to slowly unbutton her robe. It was a purple dress with buttons down to the waist. It was an old fashioned bodice, it was something Pansy had sent her. With a note saying to tell Witch Weekly where she bought it if they tried to interview her again. Hermione had sent her a thank you note and promised to tell the reporter if anyone else came around for an interview. Something that happened regularly since she took up with Draco.
And it was a gift she was grateful for now as Draco's fingers skillfully unbuttoned her dress. He kissed her jaw, nibbling her lightly. He ran his hand tentatively inside of her robe. His touch was gentle as caressed the soft skin of her chest.
Slowly, his hand moved lower, cupping her breast. He squeezed and kneaded her right breast. A ragged moan escaped her. She arched her back and threw her head back, giving him access. The rough skin of his calloused hand made her moan and a feeling of electricity run through her.
If anyone had asked her before, she never would have believed Draco's hands were rough with callouses. She also never would have guessed how his touch unravelled her. It was a surprise that made her smile as noises she didn't recognize as coming from her escaped her lips.
To her surprise, his hand slipped underneath her bra. Draco's fingers played with her nipple, the rough pad of his thumb circled the sensitive area. She moaned and closed her eyes. Her breath came in ragged pants that she knew should embarass her and probably would have if she wasn't in such a state of fevered arousal. He was too, she could tell because his hard cock pressed against her and she rocked into him.
He stopped his ministrations, grunting, his concentration disrupted. Then he dove back in. This time, his lips ran across the top of her breasts. She mewled and continued to rock her hips against him. She felt like she was going to explode as his tongue explored her skin and his hand kneaded her breasts. ***
Without giving herself the chance to think, Hermione reached for his trousers. She started to undo the top bottom of his pants when there was a loud crack. Still feeling as if she was lost in an overheated day dream, she blinked and stared up at him. Draco looked up and there was a scowl on his face. His scowl deepened and his lips turned into an angry line.
"What are you doing here?" he drawled in a cold voice she recognized from her days at school.
She followed his gaze and saw it was Everett. Unlike Draco, she flushed a deep shade of scarlet. Frantically, she started to button her dress again. Draco still appeared completely unembarrassed. Instead, he looked coldly furious in a way that might have intimidated her if he had been looking at her in that way. There was something cold and harsh about his expression now that she had never seen before. He had changed in more than one way since the war it would seem.
Draco seemed to notice, she was turning toward Everett and it exposed some of her chest to him. She was still struggling to button her dress, which she could not do as quickly he was able to undo it. He turned her back around to face him and withdrew his wand. He waved it, casting a nonverbal spell and their clothes were back on.
That made her blush an even deeper shade of scarlet, but this time for other reasons. She had completely panicked because she had never before been caught in such an exposed position.
"I am here," Everett said slowly and with complete composure. "To inspect your relationship as both I and the Minister have informed you."
Draco made a noise at the back of his throat that sounded suspiciously like a growl.
"We're a little busy, get out."
"Carry on," Everett said in a careless tone of voice that caused Hermione to turn around again to stare at him completely scandalized.
She Apparates out to Northern-Ireland since her and Draco have a standing sleep schedule now. Dinner + fluff.
Girl trip -
