An Illuminating Swim
"Your owl has some strange behaviors, Granger," Malfoy pointed out as he entered Hermione's office for her requested meeting. His presence immediately dominated her spacious office. It seemed no matter where they were, his frame and voice were all she could focus on.
"I know he's a bit odd -" she began, gesturing for him to take a seat opposite her at the desk.
"A bit odd? He tried to eat my father's tie," Malfoy asserted as he sat back comfortably in the seat, looking right at home.
"Ah yes, he likes clothes..." Hermione said, unable to suppress a giggle at the thought of Lucius Malfoy being attacked by an owl.
"You really need to get another one. You can't possibly keep respect from business contacts if you send an owl like that to schedule meetings."
"Well that's why I only reserve him for friends and such. He starts to feel bad when he's not put to use."
"Friends? Have we become friends now, Granger?" he asked with a teasing smirk.
"I believe I said friends and such," Hermione said tersely.
"And I fall under the 'and such' category? What does that entail?" he queried, a playful glint to his eye. She couldn't stand the way he would veer conversations into this playful, almost flirtatious realm that demanded she voice her opinions of him.
"Nothing you need worry about. And if you continue to pry you'll receive nothing more than a series of equally vague phrases like and such."
"I'm merely asking because different relationships imply different boundaries. Being friends would make me far more comfortable than being 'and such'. Depending on what 'and such' means, of course," he said, in a mock attempt at innocence. But his eyes glinted with mischief, just waiting for the chance to trap her in saying more than she intended. Waiting to twist her words into something she didn't want him to think. Or know.
She folded her hands and set them on her desk, keeping a perfectly dignified and professional posture. "Well you can rest assured that whatever our relationship is, it entails as many boundaries as there can possibly be between two people, Malfoy," she rapidly expressed with an agitated huff.
"Well fortunately for both of us, you've a knack for crossing boundaries and breaking rules. And I disdain boundaries. So this will be a perfectly compatible relationship," he pronounced with a challenging smirk.
"If I didn't need you for business, I'd kick you right of this office for talking to me like that, Malfoy," she spit out with narrowed eyes.
"Ah, so we're all business then? What is it I can do for you, Minister?" he said, his eyes sobering immediately.
She took a moment to look at him skeptically before explaining, "I have a meeting overseas, in France. The Minister is hoping he may see you again."
"Are you requesting another favor, Granger? And what will I receive in return if I agree?"
"Your trip and all expenses related to it will be paid for. Consider it a free vacation."
"Hmm a nice suggestion, but do you really think that in my financial situation I need free vacations? Besides, should I agree I will not being staying in the Ministry provided lodging which I'm sure will be just barely comfortable enough since you can hardly be expected to shell out for the quality of hotel I'd expect to stay in."
"You're such an unbearable elitist. What is it that you want?"
He observed her pensively. "How about I do this for you now and if I need to call in a favor in the future, whatever it is, you will do it for me."
She watched him warily. Feigning the appearance of indifference, he examined and fiddled with his cufflinks. At least she assumed he was feigning. Because Malfoy never asked for something that he doesn't want or perceive to be in his best interest.
"I don't like that idea."
"Why not?" he asked, unperturbed.
"I'm certain that whatever you'd call in a favor for would put me in a compromising position."
The mischievous glint blazed for half a second before he answered, in his business tone. "While it will of course be something I need and to my advantage, I am also aware there are limits as you are the Minister. Something crossing obvious lines could put me in serious legal trouble I'd like to avoid. So whatever I ask of you will be essentially harmless."
"Are you telling me there are things you could be in legal trouble over?" she asked, warily.
"I will come to France with you, and pay for my own accommodation, if you accept my request."
"Fine. When you need a favor of reasonable and legal magnitude, I will assist."
"Excellent. When is the trip then?" he asked, still all business.
"In three days. I would've given you more notice except I only just hear from the Minister that he expressed an interest in seeing you only yesterday."
"It's no matter. My business plans are flexible and I can use the time for checking into my overseas investments."
"Well I'm glad this works out for the both of us then."
"Indeed." He stood then, abruptly. "A pleasure doing business with you, Minister."
She found his stoicism disarming, but she stood and mirrored his position. "Thank you. I'll send you an itinerary tomorrow detailing the trip."
With a nod, he turned from her desk and left the office.
She sat with a sigh, wondering if she would regret this decision.
From a business and political perspective, she didn't regret it. She'd never seen the Minister, typically dour and unaccommodating, show so much light-hearted exuberance as when Malfoy was around. He was the belle of the ball, as she frequently reminded him in tones that initially made him scowl before resuming his usual arrogance.
"Of course I am, Granger. Everyone loves me, how can you be surprised?" he replied, falling into the typical banter as they walked through the lobby of the hotel after another long day of meetings and press conferences. Malfoy had determined the hotel she chose was in fact worthy of his presence, although he shelled out for the most lavish room on the top floor.
"Ha! Everyone loves you. Don't make me laugh," she retorted.
"You should be nicer, or maybe I'll rescind on my end of the deal," he warned.
"You wouldn't dare. Not now when you're already here."
"Don't tempt me."
"Not possible. You enjoy the attention too much."
"They have a pool here," Malfoy observed, suddenly changing the topic. Her head snapped suddenly in his direction as she looked at him like he was insane. It was the first time he deviated from the previous pattern of conversation. In fact, it was one of the first time over the course of the trip that he allowed his voice to drop the serious aloofness or usual arrogance. He'd been colder to her than usual on this trip and she knew it must have been related to her comments about their non-friendship in her office.
"And?"
"Could be nice to have an evening swim," he observed while keeping his eyes straight ahead as they entered the lift.
She already felt too warm and constrained when sharing the small lift with him, and his sudden turn from their standard conversation disturbed her further. She had to control herself not to frantically and repeatedly press the button for her floor in a futile attempt to make the thing move faster. She didn't need to be this close to Malfoy while thinking of the last time she saw him shirtless at her pool.
"So go ahead and do that."
"Would you join me?" he queried.
"No, I wouldn't," she said after a pause.
He shrugged as the doors to the lift opened at her floor. "See you tomorrow then."
"Alright. Goodnight, Malfoy," she said, shaking her head as she left the lift feeling mildly uneasy with the turn in conversation.
Hermione loved swimming. While she feigned indifference with Draco the previous night, she was thrilled to hear about the pool on site.
So on the last night of the trip, she slipped down to the pool late enough that she knew she'd be the only one there. Moments like these were a treasure to her. A chance to be alone and at peace in the quiet stillness of the night.
But someone else was there. Or at least their towel and a small bag was there, but whomever they belonged to was absent.
Disappointed but not deterred, she set her own bag and towel down on one of the lounge chairs midway down the pool. From behind her, she heard the shuffle of feet across the pool. The other late night guest must have been returning and she froze. She knew that gait anywhere.
It was him. She always knew when he entered her vicinity. It was like a calling.
But now decisions had to be made, as she wanted to both flee and carry out her plan for a relaxing swim. Yet how could it be relaxing now that he was involved? They'd been on thin ice together all week and she knew it was only a matter of time before something sent them plummeting into a confrontation.
But Hermione wasn't one to run away. And something needed to snap. She couldn't go on in the cold indifference towards him he'd established over the course of this business trip.
So she unzipped her cover up and let it pool at her feet.
She could feel Draco's eyes following her every movement, but she refused to acknowledge him. Not yet.
She withdrew her feet from her sandals, turned and slowly padded her way to the deep end of the pool. The beauty of the night sky and the glistening of the pool lights reflected in the water barely registered in her mind. All she remained aware of was a keen sensitivity to the fact that Draco was still silently following her every step around the pool with his eyes. She knew it. She'd become too sensitive to every aspect of his presence to miss it.
Stepping up to the diving board, she still didn't look up at him. Instead, looked at her dive trajectory, lined up her feet, angled her hips, bent her knees and went sliding into the water in a perfect dive that propelled her halfway up the pool.
She came up smiling, loving the feel of the water, and her eyes fell on him where he sat stoically in his chair by the shallow end pool. Shirtless and broad, his body filled the chair as he leaned back, his arms draped over the rests. She didn't miss the tension in his hands that gripped the edge of the arm rests. It was the only sign that gave him away. After taking him in, she met his eyes then. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes never wavered from her own.
Slowly, she rose to her full height, and the water line rested just below the swell of her breasts which were only covered by the thin triangles making up her bikini. It was a challenge and acknowledgement. Her display was for him and him alone, he suspected it and she wanted him to know it. His chest rose and fell in a deep, solid breath but still he didn't budge.
It was wrong. But there was something driving her to act as a temptress towards him. The challenge and lust in his eyes. Her own desire to feel power over a man who made her feel at times powerless in the face of her uncontrolled biological responses to his blatant sex appeal.
He raised one hand and curled a finger in gesture for her to come closer.
With a cheeky grin she shook her head and plunged back under the water. She swam to the shallow end of the pool, but then turned around and swam back to the deep end. She didn't come here to flirt with Malfoy. She wanted to swim, and so swim she would. After taking a couple of laps, she floated on her back in the water, enjoying the serenity under the night sky. For a few minutes she even forgot about Malfoy, and by the time she returned her attention to her surroundings, she realized he could've left and she wouldn't have even noticed.
But he was still sitting there. No longer watching her, but looking up at the stars. Deciding to catch him unawares, she swam to the shallow end and strode up the steps of the pool.
As she stepped out fully, just in front of him, he looked back down at her and took in the sight of her entire body. He swallowed once as his eyes traveled downward, lingered on her hips, then continued down the length of her legs before traversing back up. Just as before, the following eye contact was full and unflinching.
He smirked. "Really all business then, Granger?"
No. She smiled, she couldn't help herself.
"You're beautiful," he said.
Her smile faltered. "So what?" she challenged.
He looked angry and desirous all at once.
"If you weren't married -"
"But I am," she cut him off.
He raised himself from the chair in a powerful, fluid motion and towered above her.
"I am married and now that we've acknowledged what's here, it's time to drop it."
"Why?" he demanded. He didn't touch her, he knew better. But he took a step forward and she had to lift her head to keep her eyes on his.
"Because it's wrong and unfair."
"What exactly do you think is here, Granger?"
She felt herself falter then. "An attraction of some kind."
"How poetic," he scoffed. "You're attracted to me and I'm attracted to you. Purely physical. Is that it?"
"Yes."
"Anything beyond that?" he took a fraction of step back from her and his eyes softened. She felt that her next words mattered. They would determine the course of their friendship or whatever this relationship was turning out to be.
She furrowed her brow and looked to her feet. Was there more than the physical with him?
With that question, a shattering, blinding surge of heat that seemed to rise from her center and up through her chest traveled deep into the recesses of her mind and a resounding YES rang through loud and clear.
And in the next second fear flooded her. Her eyes flew to his.
"What else could there be?" she demanded.
But he didn't respond with anger as she anticipated. With the anger she needed. It was as though he hadn't heard her words, but only saw what must've been in her eyes. Her fear. Her truth. He smiled knowingly, eyes twinkling, before resuming his stoic disinterest. She wondered how he could do that - turn his emotions off and on like the flick of a switch.
"Here, Granger," he said, handing her his towel from the table beside them. "You'll catch cold standing around wet and under-clothed like that. So irresponsible of you."
Warily she took the towel from him, eyeing him suspiciously. But he didn't change his manner and picked up his bag. "It's late and I need my beauty sleep."
"You certainly do," she quipped as she wrapped the towel around her body.
"Ah, now I know you don't really mean that," he teased. "Now that we've had this illuminating conversation that I'm sure will pay off for me in so many ways."
Alarm bells went off in her head. Surely he'd never tell anyone else about their conversation. "Malfoy, you won't tell-"
He stopped her with a harsh stare. "You know everything you say is safe with me. Whether this or anything else. I keep everything between us and I'd hope for the same from you."
"Of course," she said with a nod.
"Goodnight, Granger," he said, turning away.
"Goodnight, Malfoy."
She felt better, it was all out in the open now. And yet, as she tried unsuccessfully to sleep that night, she couldn't help returning to the surge of feeling that had swept through her body. It was more real and powerful than anything she'd ever felt before. She feared what would ultimately become of her around a man who inspired such untempered feeling.