HUNTED
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Chapter 12: Buttons.
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He was pretty sure he was going to kill her. She was still there, leaning against the wall and breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling. Aside from her panicked panting, she hadn't made a sound; hadn't even looked him, and it was infuriating him because all he could do was stare at her. His own breathing had calmed and all of his previous lusty notions were dissipating to make room for his impatience. Yes, if she didn't speak, or move or do something, he was going to kill her. Metaphorically, of course.
Her head finally came forward and their eyes locked. She looked somewhere between petrified and embarrassed and he knew he was disappointed by her reaction. He would have welcomed passion and perhaps even expected anger, but he would have never thought that she would be mortified. He had no idea what to do about the situation and it was frustrating him to a dangerous point.
"I'm sorry," he heard her mumble quickly, and he scowled at her when she made to move. "I should go-
"Don't you dare," Draco growled, stepping forward to block her escape. He'd be damned if he let her walk out like nothing had happened. "Don't be such a bloody coward-
"What do you want me to say, Malfoy?" Hermione's words were quiet and controlled. She was refusing to look at him again and he wondered if it would have just been easier to let her go.
"I don't know," he grumbled roughly, so agitated with her behaviour. "But I refuse to have you act all fucking skittish in work, so we are going no discus this now."
"We've both been drinking," she muttered quickly, ignoring his growl. "We're just-
"Don't be such an idiot," he stopped her, taking another step towards her. "We're not the slightest bit drunk-
"I got carried away," she sighed, so desperate to get away now that she would say anything. He was close to her again and she just needed to leave, needed to put some space between them so she could think about this. "It was an accident."
"An accident," he repeated, clenching his fists and taking a defiant step away from her. "You mean a mistake."
She looked at him then, realising she felt offended by his words. She knew what they had done had been foolish but she didn't like that word. Did he really see it as a mistake? She felt a small but definite twitch in her chest, hating the way his eyes were cold and aloof. Her frustration was rousing some inappropriate tears and she pushed past him, furious with him, and herself, for allowing this situation to happen.
"Where the fuck are you going?" Draco asked her as she marched past him, ignoring his question. "Granger!"
"Home," she spat over her shoulder.
"The hell you are," he snarled, following her down the hall. "We are not finished here-
"Yes we are," the witch's voice was bitter now, and her strides were long and fast to keep the distance. She was searching frantically for a fireplace or at least something she recognised so she could get her bearings.
"Dammit, Granger," he cursed, almost catching up with her. "Would you just listen to me?"
"I'm going home," Hermione's voice was quaking a bit now, and she sighed with relief when she recognised the room she had arrived in earlier.
Draco grabbed her arm just as she turned into the room and she spun around to give him a flustered look, hoping she looked angry enough for him to leave her alone. No such luck.
"Stop being so childish," he scolded her in a dark voice.
"I can't do this right now," she shook her head at him, tearing her arm away from his fist. "Can't we just forget about it-
"No-
"Please," she begged him, and his scowl softened for a brief second. "Just act like it never happened?"
She was close to tears now, and he could feel his resolve wavering. He wanted to talk about this, get it all out the way now while he had the chance, but from the looks of it, she was adamant to avoid this for tonight. A part of him knew it was best she leave now. He was so angry and he knew that he had a tendency to speak without thinking when he was like this.
"Fine," he hissed through his teeth. "Go home and hide like a pathetic child, but we are going to talk about this, whether you like it or not."
She stared at him for a few seconds, her eyes wide and defeated. For a moment, she thought she might lean forward and kiss him again, so she desperately reached for the Floo powder, and disappeared with the glare of emerald flames.
He watched the empty fireplace with raging eyes, stormy-grey as he tried to control his irritation. The way she had acted had been maddening, but he was also angry at the way he had handled things. He'd been irrational, completely overtaken by his rage. He had screamed and shouted at her with no control, like some teenage brat who hadn't got his way.
He had half a mind to got after her but knew that it would only lead to more shouting and the last thing he wanted to do was say something else he would regret. Yes, he was angry at her, but he knew that his reaction had only made things worse and he really didn't want to offend her.
He could still taste her in his mouth, and his lips throbbed faintly in the aftermath of her curious pecks and nibbles. He might have smirked if he wasn't so infuriated by her actions.
Gryffindor courage, my arse.
He stormed out the room with every intention of having a cold shower and drowning the remnants of the kiss. Questions and thoughts were swarming around his brain as he charged through the corridors, stirring a pulsating headache. He had intended to stay at the Manor tonight but really didn't fancy the idea of running into whoever else his mother had invited to stay. He just needed to grab his stuff and then he could leave without any interruptions.
"Draco," he heard his mother's voice and growled. "You're leaving?"
"Yes," he told her bluntly as she neared him in the corridor.
"Are you okay?" Narcissa's voice was wary now, recognising her son's temper. "I thought you were staying the night?"
"Change of plan," he muttered, folding his arms over his chest as his mother regarded him. He could tell she was curious by his behaviour, and unless he came up with a convincing lie, she wouldn't leave him alone.
"What's happened?" Narcissa questioned, cocking an eyebrow when her son tensed his jaw. "Why are you so angry-
"I'm not angry," Draco lied, despising the way his mother could read her so well. "I'm just-
"And where is Hermione?" The older Malfoy frowned, missing the dark look that flashed in her son's eyes. "I thought I saw you two leaving the ballroom together?"
"She went home," he tried his best to make his shrug look carefree.
"Oh, I see," the witch rolled her knowing eyes, and for a second he panicked that she had figured him out. "You had an argument with her, didn't you?"
"Yes," he nodded after a pause. Her theory was certainly easier to deal with than the truth.
"She gets under your skin," his mother commented, and he resisted the urge to groan. "I can tell."
You have no idea.
"I'm going home," Draco said finally, and she didn't try to stop him this time.
When he got home, he jumped straight into a shower so cold it felt hot. He was grateful that his body relaxed, the water calming his reactions to Granger. His mind, however, remained a tempest of persistent questions and haunting images. He went to bed with the start of a stubborn migraine.
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When she didn't owl him on the Sunday he had been annoyed, but not necessarily surprised. She had clearly been rather surprised with the way the evening had ended and he guessed that she was analysing it to death. He realised he was too. He had done everything to distract himself but his thoughts always went back to her bruised lips and her heaving chest.
But when she hadn't shown up at work in the morning, he'd become incensed. He waited an hour, and it was a bloody long one, before he stomped heavily out of his office in search of her. He was so royally pissed off with her cowardice and he was going to confront her about it, whether she welcomed it or not.
That's who he was.
He headed straight to the Auror Office, and after checking a few rooms without success, he found himself at a door with a note scribbled in familiar writing on it.
Busy. Do not enter.
Bollocks.
He pushed the door open with a tenacious shove and glanced around the room with confused eyes. He had expected it to be her office but instead he found himself in a large and simple room with no furniture and stone walls. His eyes settled on the four figures in the centre of the space, instantly recognising Hermione's familiar shape in some sort of duelling gear.
One of the other people fired a curse at her and she spun around to avoid it, in the process realising Draco was in the room. Her eyes widened as she absorbed his presence with obvious panic, turning around to swiftly counter another curse.
"Stop!" Hermione screamed, and the other three halted their actions immediately, finally acknowledging Malfoy's presence when she started to approach him.
He noticed briefly that Longbottom was one of the wizards in the room but he didn't have time to mull over it as Hermione stormed towards him, rage shining brightly in her eyes. Sweat glimmered in a thin layer on her skin and he ground his teeth. She looked positively enraged as she neared him and it made her look bloody radiant, even if she was wearing frumpy training gear.
"What the hell are you doing here, Malfoy?" Hermione's voice echoed off the bare walls and he almost flinched. "Can't you sodding read?"
"You were late," he spat at her, his nostrils flaring. "I came-
"You could have been bloody injured," she continued, realising she had probably never sworn so much in such a short space of time. "Do you realise that? Or were you too busy thinking about yourself to give a shit?"
"You're avoiding me," he stated, his voice quiet and accusing. "I will not be ignored, Granger."
"I told you I would be training this morning-
"What?" Draco snorted at her, crossing his arms as he stared down at her. "When?"
"Last week," she told him with a determined glare. "When we had lunch in Diagon Alley-
"That's bollocks," he growled at her "You said you were training on Friday, not today-
"Shit," she muttered when it suddenly dawned on her. She'd forgotten that the day had changed, and now she felt like an idiot. "I meant to tell you, the times changed-
"But you didn't," he frowned, relishing the small victory. "Hence why I'm here-
"You shouldn't have come in," she said weakly, looking away from him when he took a step towards her.
"We have work to do," he breathed against her face and she almost sighed, noting his hard look with anxiety. "And things to discus."
She knew what he was referring to and it made her feel embarrassed again. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, hoping he didn't notice the slight shake to her fingers. He was standing over her, waiting for a reply of some kind, but all she could do was stare at his chest, hating how small he made her feel.
"Okay," she sighed, taking a small step away from him. "I need to finish up here and I'll go home and get changed. I'll come in after lunch."
"Make sure you do," he glared at her, his voice slightly colder than he'd intended. "See you in a couple of hours, Granger."
She watched him go, holding her breath until the door slammed behind him. She bit her lip, grimacing when she realised it was still a little swollen and delicate from their kiss. With a heavy sigh, she turned back to her male companions.
"Are you Okay?" Neville spoke up, appearing genuinely concerned.
"I'm fine," she offered him a confident smile, tuning to look at Castor and Jason. "Let's continue."
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Draco didn't think he could remember a day when time had gone by so slowly. He didn't bother with lunch and simply obsessed over his work. Without even realising, he had started listing the people who he thought were most likely to be the killer.
Graham Montague – An obvious choice really. The guy's sudden appearance back into society was enough to rouse his suspicion, and Montague had always envied the fear and notoriety that came with associating with Death Eaters. Had he not been near driven insane, Draco had a feeling he would have handled the pressure rather well and would have taken Voldemort's requests in his stride.
Unlike me.
He scowled as he recalled his breakdown in the toilets. Back then he had been so ashamed by his weakness, but at least now he could bask in the knowledge that he hadn't been cut out for the lifestyle. He was many things; cold, cynical, and would probably always be a little conniving, but it was good to know he wasn't evil. It was comforting. Anyway, back to his list.
Marcus Flint – The man had always been sinister and rarely thought twice before he acted. If Draco remembered rightly, and a quick check of Flint's record confirmed it, he had narrowly escaped Azkaban for spreading anti-Muggle-born propaganda around some wizarding community. The hatred was there and even the intelligence was there, but Draco didn't think the man was really capable of murder.
Lucian Bole and Peregrine Derrick – Yes, these two would have to come as a pair. They had been incapable of thinking individually, much like Crabbe and Goyle, and would do stupid things together to impress. Their Traces told Draco that they even lived in the same block of flats. The intelligence was lacking but they were ignorant to boundaries, and they had always been very aggressive at Hogwarts.
Adrian Pucey – Possibly the hardest name for Draco to write, but necessary nonetheless. He had been different to the other Slytherins, less brazen and violent, but still prejudiced. Draco had been more than a little surprised when he was linked to a Muggle attack in Ipswich. Even though Adrian himself had remained inactive during the war, his father had died during the battle, and Draco wondered if his old schoolmate was one for revenge.
Hestia and Flora Carrow – Just like Bole and Derrick, the sisters would rarely do anything on their own. They certainly had a motive considering their aunt and uncle, Alecto and Amycus, had not long died in Azkaban. They had always been an eerie pair, even for Slytherins, bordering on insane. That being said, he couldn't recall them ever hurting anyone and the records were pretty clean. They were just...strange, and he found it hard to put anything past them, including murder.
Graham Pritchard – It was unlikely, but the kid had only been fifteen when the war had started and he'd been so desperate to join to the Death Eaters. Impressionable little idiot. He'd been an evil little bastard too and had only avoided arrest because of his age. Draco had heard a rumour that he'd tried to set up meetings for Muggle-haters about two years ago, but they hadn't found anything, and he didn't have a blemish on his Trace. Perhaps Draco just wasn't too fond of Grahams at the moment.
It was just after he'd finished his notes on Pritchard that Granger walked into his office, trying very hard to look composed. Had it not been for the slight tremble in her step and her refusal to meet his eyes, he would have believed her to be confident.
It was only when she settled in her chair that she looked up at him and he felt his eyebrow twitch. The look in her eyes was a combination of nerves and defiance, and it suited her face remarkably well. He made a mental note to add her stubborn nature to the list of things he found attractive about her. Great. She was wearing that bloody dress too, the grey one that buttoned at the front. Just one flick of his wand and all those buttons would just pop-
"McGonagall contacted me yesterday," she started, clearing her throat when it sounded husky. "There have been-
"Are you really going to do that?" Draco stopped her, his tone hard with cynicism. Her eyes closed as he spoke, a small moan in the back of her breath, but she recovered and shot him a wary glance.
"Do what, Malfoy?"
"Ignore what happened," his response was quick and sharp. She visibly flinched at his words but he didn't care, he was too irritated with her right now. "Just pretend that we didn't kiss-
"We agreed that we would forget it," she said quickly, her voice stronger than he'd have thought.
"I didn't agree to anything," he reminded her, leaning over the desk. "That was your shit idea-
"Then what do you suggest?" Hermione's voice was heated now. He preferred her like this; feisty and with a bit of bite.
"That we talk about it like adults," he growled, knowing she hated his sarcasm. "Or would that be too much to ask, Granger?"
"Fine," she snarled at him, and he realised then that he had probably pushed her too far.
He hadn't really intended to get her angry, just a little riled and certainly past the stupid embarrassed stage. Now she just looked angry as hell, and all those dormant thoughts he'd suppressed about fucking her on the desk left the realm of possibility. Shame.
"I think I can safely say," she continued, breaking him from his thoughts. "That our work relationship is complicated at best-
"Massive understatement-
"But I am finally starting to think we have something that works," she told him, her anger fading but only slightly. "And it has taken a lot of bloody effort for you and I to get where we are and forget what happened between us in Hogwarts-
"Agreed," Malfoy sighed in a bored tone, eyeing her still-briused lips with hooded eyes. "Is there a point to your dull narration of our lives?"
"Yes," she breathed, firing him another stern look and try oh so hard to ignore how good he looked today. "The point is that I have no intention of making this any more complicated because of that incident-
"It's called a kiss-
"So I think it would be best," Hermione's controlled tone faltered, and she wondered why. Her chest constricted but she dismissed it. "That we just forget about it."
He knew he didn't like what she'd said, but he hated her logic more. It was infuriating. He hadn't forgotten that their past was rocky but he was certainly over it. Clearly she wasn't, but then he realised that he had been the one that had bullied her, made her cry.
And even if she was over all that, she was right. Their work was difficult as it was without them deciding whether or not to tear each others' clothes off or scream bloody murder. They needed to catch a killer, and he needed to stop picturing her naked. So he did what any self-respecting man would do; he plastered a forced smirk on his lips and acted nonchalant.
"People kiss all the time, Granger," he told her with a shrug. "Without it meaning anything."
Hermione fought very hard to keep her disappointment off her face and ignore the way her chest decided to twinge. She had no idea why she suddenly felt very alone and vulnerable but she shoved those feelings aside. He was right. She'd had a few kisses that had been meaningless, but none had been near as passionate as the one he had shown her. But all that proved was that he was a good kisser. Nothing more. There could be nothing more.
"So," she started hesitantly after a pause. "We forget about it?"
"If that's the game you want to play," Draco's voice was suddenly very professional and calm. "Then that suites me just fine."
She suddenly wanted to fight him, and just what the hell did he mean by game? She wanted to shout at him for instantly making her feel so pointless with a few well-thought words. She almost wanted to kiss him again to prove to herself that it hadn't been a fluke, and maybe just to relive it for a second. She wanted to hex him for being so blasé when she was secretly seething.
"Okay," she said instead, toying with one of the buttons on her dress, missing the way he was eyeing that particular action. "Thank you."
"Don't mention it," he said quickly, tearing his eyes away from her bloody buttons.
At some point, although neither of them could figure out when, they had silently agreed that nobody would know about the kiss. They had also apparently decided that the topic had been dealt with, and buried at the very bottom of their priority lists, even if neither of them were happy about it.
"So, finish your story," Draco prompted, rolling his eyes at her confused look. "About McGonagall?"
"Oh yes," she nodded, still a little flustered about the previous topic. "You can't repeat this to anyone, but Penelope's still getting threatening letters, and she's requested to leave Hogwarts, I guess hoping that it will be safer if she leaves."
"Sounds reasonable," Draco agreed.
"She asked for protection," she told him. "And I thought that was a good idea."
"Fair enough."
"So I told her she could stay with me for a while," Hermione finished, taking some parchment out of her bag. "Until the killer is caught."
"Well, that's a fucking stupid idea," Draco snapped bluntly, her eyes widened at his tone. She felt disappointed with his objection, and she wondered when his approval had started to matter. "Are you mad, Granger?"
"What?" Hermione scowled at him, cringing when he stood from his seat and leaned over her. "What's wrong with that? It's all confidential, there's no way the killer could know where she is-
"You want to put two very obvious targets under one roof," he told her, sounding every inch the unimpressed teacher. Merlin, he liked fighting with her. "Very smart, Granger. Why don't you just pin a sodding sign on your door? 'Easy psycho-bait, kill one get one free on idiotic Muggle-borns-
"She needs to be protected by an Auror," she hissed at him, up at him defensively. "I have the most room-
"You're here most days anyway, Granger," he reminded her, sitting back down. "What the hell were you planning to do about that?"
"I've already sorted that out," she explained with a smug look that he almost admired. "She'll be working in the Ministry too. I managed to get her a clerical position in the Department for Magical Education. If I am busy with you or otherwise she will stay at Leandra's-
"This is ridiculous," he ranted, burying that protective feeling that seemed to stalk him now. "I thought you were smart, Granger. Why can't she stay with that other Auror, full stop? Your lack of commonsense astounds me-
"I wasn't asking for your approval, Malfoy," she cocked an eyebrow at him, knowing it was a lie. "Leandra has a family she needs to consider. The decision has been made-
"You should have consulted me first," he was on his feet again. "You judgement on this is completely off-
"You are not here to question my job as an Auror," Hermione was on her feet too, meeting his intimidating stance. "This has nothing to do with you-
"The killer is my business," he hissed through his teeth. "And his targets are certainly my business-
"This is my job," she reminded him in a quiet voice. "Protecting people is what I do, Draco."
He inhaled sharply when she said his name, and suddenly realised how close they were. Their noses were only an inch apart, and those tempting thoughts about putting the desk to good use stole his mind again. Her breaths were slightly elevated and he could feel the little huffs against his lips. She noticed it too then, and her determined features faded away. Her eyes darted over his face for a few moments before she quickly pulled back, and he wrinkled his nose in agitation.
He knew then that working together was going to be hell. And not that kind of hell they'd experienced when they'd first started sharing his office. No, this was a whole other realm of torture.
"You should have more faith in my ability," she whispered suddenly, needing his approval for whatever reason.
He considered her carefully, grinding his teeth together when she started playing with one of her buttons again. He wasn't sure when those little plastic circles had become the bane of his existence, but he could feel his resolve on the matter failing. She was a trained Auror, and one of the leading witches who had fought in the war. There was no denying it, the woman could look after herself. He didn't like the idea at all, but what could he do?
"Let's make a deal, Granger," he more demanded than asked. "Will you accept a compromise?"
"I don't see why I should-
"Because I'm asking you to," he explained slowly, regarding her with a serious expression that made her want to groan.
"What are your terms?"
"If she gets any more letters at your house," Draco spoke in a low and thoughtful voice. "Or if anything, for that matter, happens that makes you think she's being watched or something like that, then you will ask another Auror to look after her-
"Malfoy, there's no way he could know she'll be with me-
"Hear me out," he breathed, searching for patience. "If the killer finds out she's living with you, she'll be at more risk, and you'll be in his sights too. You know I'm right."
Hermione sighed, really disliking how rational his offer was. She had expected some selfish and awful attempt at a compromise, but this seemed perfectly reasonable. She also realised with some definite confusion that she was nearly flattered by his concern for her safety. She knew she was probably reading too much into it and that it didn't mean anything, but she was pleased about his concerns nevertheless.
"Alright," she found herself muttering, instantly regretting it when a very handsome grin stole his lips. The lips she had kissed. "I'll agree to that."
"Good," he drawled in his silky tone, basking in the success. "That's settled then."
So he felt a bit protective over her, he was sure it would pass, just as sure as his lusty thoughts about her would disappear. They would have to. Maybe he would have to buy a new desk and destroy all items with buttons. Maybe he just needed to taste her once so his hungry curiosity could be sated, but he doubted that would happen any time soon.
She tried to ignore the way her heartbeat suddenly pulsated in her damaged lips, and desperately avoided watching him as much as possible for the rest of the day. She sneaked a few brave glances at him throughout the day and instantly regretted them when she would become all flushed and would feel an ominous tingle in her stomach.
Either her body was reacting to him and trying to condemn her to nervous reactions whenever she dared a look, or she was allergic to Draco Malfoy. She hoped it was the latter.
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a/n: Sorry about the shortness of this chapter...wanted to get another chapter out before I become suffocated by revision for the next week. Just wanted to say a HUGE THANK YOU for the response to the last chapter. The reviews were so wonderful and every single one made me smile like some awful child being rewarded with ice cream!
The award for best review has to go to Beebee for her charming chocolate metaphors! I genuinely blushed at your compliments so I really appreciate your feedback.
Hoping the introduction of the new names isn't too confusing and everyone remembers them from the books!
I know it can be frustrating as hell when you're given a little romance and then it gets taken away again but I refuse to rush their relationship-it's just not realistic, especially when you consider how stubborn they both are. Anyway I hope this chapter goes down well! Leave me your thoughts!
Thanks again!
Bex-chan
