A/N: Thank you for your wonderful response to the last chapter! I was absolutely thrilled! Hope you enjoy this update!
Merry Christmas everyone!
Chapter 14
Sunday, May 23rd 2004
Apartment of Draco Malfoy
Hermione woke up to soft puffs of air on the back of her neck.
She didn't need to think twice to realise whose arm was thrown around her waist. Draco's warm bare body was pressed against hers, his legs entwined with hers. There was something overwhelmingly comforting about waking up, encased within his sturdy arms.
As promised, he had taken her right then and there on the top of her desk.
And then twice more in his bed after dinner.
Apparently it had been a long time coming. And boy, had she enjoyed herself.
Sex with Draco had been raw and intense, like two stars colliding at high speed. Every inch of her skin had been set alight with each touch, their bodies moulding perfectly against each other. Draco had been rough and hard, and yet surprisingly attentive. He had made sure her needs were well and truly fulfilled before thinking about himself.
She couldn't remember it ever being so passionate with anyone. And she certainly had never felt so delightfully satisfied afterwards.
It had been absolutely toe-curling.
Moving ever so slowly, she lifted Draco's arm off of her and placed it against his hip. Carefully disentangling their legs, she inched out of the bed, only to be standing in all her glory. Where the hell were her damn clothes?
Letting out an annoyed huff, Hermione vaguely remembered discarding them somewhere or rather as they made their way to the bedroom. She grabbed his forgotten shirt from the floor and shrugged it over her shoulders, buttoning it up as she snuck out of his bedroom.
She was by no means embarrassed about what had happened last night but that didn't mean she had to be lying beside him, staring him in the face, when he woke up.
With a flick of her wand, Hermione poured herself a mug of coffee and grabbed yesterday's issue of the Daily Prophet. Her relationship with Draco had been thankfully absent from Parvati's gossip column over the past few days.
Ronald, however, hadn't been so lucky. According to Ginny, he had decided that the best way to deal with her blossoming relationship with 'that dirty ferret' was to get involved with some mindless floozy. Emily or something. Despite dozens of images of the pair, the tabloids hadn't quite caught her name.
Hermione couldn't quite understand what his endgame was. Seeing him attached at the lips to a bleach-blonde, cake-faced woman wasn't exactly drawing her to him. If anything, it made him even more unappealing than usual. But he had somehow convinced himself that that was all he needed to drive her back into his arms.
Idiot.
Tossing the paper aside, she sipped at her steaming mug – the last thing she needed, or even wanted, to think about was Ronald Weasley. As she revelled in each aromatic mouthful, she was startled out of her thoughts of the night before by the sound of the bedroom door opening.
"Hey." She glanced up at his voice.
That familiar fire burned in her stomach at the sight of Draco's firm body in nothing but a pair of pale blue boxers. His voice was wonderfully gravelly.
"Hi." She murmured, desperately trying to fight the blush that was edging across her cheeks.
He came to a stop behind her, his body only inches away. "Thought you ran off."
Hermione snorted ungracefully. "Five years ago, maybe. But I have nothing to be ashamed of."
He chuckled, his hands came to a rest on her hips. "You most certainly don't." He dropped his head, peppering the side of her neck with feathery kisses. "You're positively delectable."
She wanted to laugh - he was clearly an experienced charmer – but she was enjoying his attentions a little too much. "You don't regret it?" She asked, fighting a moan as he nibbled at her skin.
"Gods no." His fingers were kneading at her flesh, creeping closer to her inner thighs.
Slipping off the end of the stool, she pushed him away with one hand. She nearly giggled when he pouted with disappointment. He apparently wasn't used to having his advances refused.
"Let's talk."
Draco let out an audible groan at those words – perhaps the two most dreaded words for any male. The last thing he wanted to do right now was talk. With a flick of his wand, he filled a mug with coffee and sat down in her abandoned seat. "What can I do you for?"
Hermione rolled her eyes at him. "Funny." She muttered sarcastically. "Look, we're both consenting adults and I'm not going to lie and say I didn't enjoy myself last night." His lips split into a smug smirk. "We're going to have to keep up this 'relationship' for another eleven months, and in the meantime neither of us is at liberty to turn anywhere else."
He raised an eyebrow at her over the edge of the coffee mug. Was she suggested what he thought (and desperately hoped) she was?
"What I'm trying to say is…well, we might as well make the most of our situation." She shuffled on the spot, avoiding his eyes.
"I'm afraid you're going to have to be a little clearer than that."
Oh, what she would have given to slap that smirk off of his pretty face. "Just because we're not really in an emotional relationship doesn't mean we can't enjoy a physical one."
His smug little smirk widened, if that were even possible. "I'm sorry – I'm still not getting it."
It was her turn to raise an eyebrow at him. "I'm not going to repeat myself. If you don't want to, that's fine. I'll show myself out."
She turned on her heel, ready to walk out of the kitchen when he jumped off the stool and grabbed her arm. "Whoa Hermione, not so fast. I want to. I most definitely want to."
And with that, his lips and hands were all over her.
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Sunday, May 23rd 2004
Apartment of Draco Malfoy
He waited until the fireplace died down before letting his face split into a wide grin.
He, Draco Malfoy, was now in a mutually beneficial physical relationship with Hermione Granger. Friends with benefits, as the Muggles say. Could his day possibly get any better?
He thanked his lucky stars that he had finally swallowed his pride and approached her the night before. Last night – and this morning – had been bloody brilliant.
After Hermione had surprised him with her proposition, he had wasted no time. They had stumbled back towards his room, their limbs passionately entangled as they fell into his bed.
The woman was so damn sensual. Her moans and whimpers of pleasure. The way she wrapped her legs around him. The way she writhed underneath him. The way she had rolled him over and taken charge.
Draco clenched his jaw and breathed heavily, fighting back his growing arousal. Goddamn, she was going to be trouble.
But she was so bloody incredible.
He whistled contentedly as he strode into the kitchen to whip up something for dinner. Amidst the clanging of pots and running water, he didn't hear his fireplace roar to life.
"Well, somebody's in a much better mood today."
Theo sauntered through the kitchen doors, a wide grin spreading on his face.
He couldn't even bring himself to muster up a scowl. He was just in too good of a mood. "Shut up."
"Want to try that again with a bit more of that delightful Malfoy venom?"
Reaching over the countertop, he slapped Theo on the back of his head. But he just couldn't muster any ill-feeling whatsoever this morning. He had just hit the proverbial jackpot with Hermione's offer.
"Much better. Seriously though, you look much cheerier than last week."
Draco shrugged, a small smile coming to his face as he thought of last night…and this morning. "I had a good night."
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Sunday, May 23rd 2004
Apartment of Hermione Granger
"Where the hell were you?!"
Hermione nearly screamed as she Flooed into her apartment, clasping her hands over her racing heart. "Sweet Merlin, Gin! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"
Ginny dismissed her with a wave of her hand. "Yeah, yeah." Her eyes widened as she looked Hermione up and down, an eyebrow shooting into her hairline. "Excuse me, missy! Are those the clothes you were wearing yesterday?!" Her voice took on a playful tone as she stood up from her seat, hands set on her hips.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"You little slut!" Ginny squealed, slapping her on the arm.
"Ginny! I'd har-"
"So did you sleep well last night? Or were you a little busy?" She waggled her eyebrows suggestively.
Hermione fought the blush that was creeping along her cheeks, turning away from her pregnant friend to hide her growing smile.
"Don't think you're fooling me! Somebody got laid last night!" She turned to Ginny, trying hopelessly to plaster a glare on her face. But she was just too damn relaxed and thoroughly satiated from last night for that.
Ginny almost pushed her onto the couch, bouncing onto the cushion next to her. "You can't avoid talking about this anymore. I demand you tell me everything."
"I've told you before. I'm not going to t-"
"Oh come on!" Ginny whined, bouncing up and down on the couch like a pubescent schoolgirl. "Every girl at Hogwarts has dreamed about sex with Draco Malfoy."
"I certainly didn't!"
"Maybe you didn't but the rest of us definitely did. Was it amazingly fantastic?"
Hermione didn't even both hiding her blush. "Yes." She breathed, her blush deepening as her mind flashed back over the previous day.
She winced at Ginny's painfully high-pitched squeal. "I need more detail than that! I want to know literally everything."
"I'm going to need more coffee."
Ginny screeched, clapping her hands together as she jumped up from the couch. "I'll get it!"
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Monday, May 24th 2004
Office of Hermione Granger
Hermione had come into the office early this morning, painfully aware that she only had a few more days to finish the ridiculous load of paperwork that littered her workspace. She had passed Phineas' office, catching him and Davy chatting in the room as they shared their customary unpleasant stares. Little did the fool know that his meddling and spiteful plots had only served to push Draco and her together again.
She had made sure to flash him a victorious grin. It was the least she could do.
Thirty minutes later, she had barely made a dent into the ridiculous stacks of paper on, and surrounding, her desk. Hermione sighed before gulping down the remnants of coffee in her mug. Stupid, stupid Phineas.
Her stomach grumbled, reminding her that she hadn't taken the time to eat breakfast that morning. Hermione stood from her desk – the tea room always had food that was passably edible.
"Hey there."
She jumped a little, startled by the familiar drawl coming from her doorway. "Hi." She squeaked, bending over to pick up the mug she had dropped.
Hermione nearly started again when she righted herself. Draco was smack-bang in front of her, his face only inches away from hers. His fingers brushed against her cheek as he tucked a stray curl of hair behind her ear. His breath danced along her neck as he leant close to whisper in her ear.
"I haven't been able to stop thinking about you."
Her body shivered involuntarily. His voice was so seductively silky, warmth emanating from his firm body. It was reassuring to know that she hadn't bene the only one taken up by their activities over the weekend.
There was no time to respond before his lips descended on hers. It was as though that simple action lit a fire within the pits of her abdomen. The mug hung limply from her fingers, forgotten, as her other hand found the back of his neck. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her firmly against him, as his lips kneaded against hers.
Some small pragmatic part of her was hollering at her, reminding her that they had far too much work to engage in more enjoyable activities – oh, but his lips were divine…
Draco pulled his face back, arms unrelenting in their grasp on her. Softs puffs of breath called to her as he rested his forehead against hers. "I really did come here to talk, honestly." A smile grew on his face as she giggled against his lips – the sound was like exquisite music to his ears.
"Get a room, guys!" The catcall came from Mitchell as he walked past her office door.
Draco stepped back, struggling to regain control over his body as he threw a friendly scowl at their co-worker. "About all of this." He waved a hand, gesturing around her office. "We're both intelligent, hard-working adults – we'd get through all of it much faster if we worked together."
Her expression settled into one of thoughtfulness. "You're right." She murmured to herself, perplexed that she hadn't even though about that resolution earlier.
Well, she knew why. They weren't even speaking to each other forty-eight hours before, let alone on terms to work together.
With a wave of his wand and an infuriatingly smug smirk on his face, their separate mounds of paperwork combined as they fluttered into the department's spacious conference room.
She scowled playfully at him. "Shut up and get me something to eat."
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Thursday, May 27th 2004
Department of Public Relations, Ministry of Magic
Phineas scowled as he peered out of his office door.
The stacks of paper in the glass-encased conference room had steadily dwindled over the past couple of days, now at an easily manageable level. He had been watching them (in a completely non-stalker-like manner, thank you very much) since they started working together in that room and he was not pleased. They were getting along perfectly harmoniously.
More than harmoniously. They were – dare he say – closer than he though ever possible of the two.
This was not okay. At all.
His eyebrows knitted together in a frown as Draco leant closer to the brunette and said something. Her face lit up as she laughed – a real, joyful laugh. The corners of his lips twitched into a smile as he watched her head fell back, her eyes twinkling with mirth.
The blonde man stood up, offering her his arm as he said something. She accepted, letting him lead her out of the room, turning off the lights and locking the doors with a few flicks of her wand.
No.
Something was not right.
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Friday, May 28th 2004
The Leaky Cauldron, Diagon Alley
"I can't believe you just said that!" Hermione squealed, smacking him with an arm.
An impish grin was spread across Draco's face. "What?"
"You just made a…a comment about my arse!"
He giggled – yes, giggled – at her. Having almost thrown the ledger of the completed files on Phineas' desk, they had decided that drinks were most definitely in order. And here Hermione and Draco were, four and six tumblers of Firewhiskey later.
"I wasn't joking." Oh, she could just slap – or kiss – that smug smirk off of his face.
"You said it was bootylicious!" Her face was thoroughly flushed, though she wasn't certain it was solely because of the alcohol.
"Well I think it is!" He declared, leaning close to her.
Her flush deepened, if that were possible. His proximity was intoxicating – she was struggling to even think clearly. Again, that may have been the Firewhiskey talking. "H-how do you even know what this is?!"
Draco shrugged, his grin growing. "You know how I spent a few months after the war travelling in Muggle areas?" She nodded. She had been pleasantly surprised when he had told her about his travels over one of their late night chats at the start of this whole shenanigan. "I may have enjoyed watching girls at bars shaking their behinds to that gem."
Her eyes widened a little. "You're sick!" He received another slap on the arm.
"Nooo." He corrected, slinging an arm around her shoulders. "I'm a guy."
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Friday, May 28th 2004
The Leaky Cauldron, Diagon Alley
Harry groaned out loud as his eyes fell on a conspicuous couple seated in a corner booth. The old pub was crowded – the only reason he noticed them was because of that blasted tell-tale blonde hair.
He glanced sideways at Ron, praying to anyone and everyone that he hadn't noticed them. He hadn't…for the time being.
"Blimey, there's a crap load of people here!"
"Yeah." He cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Let's go somewhere else."
Ron clapped him on the back, grinning widely. "Hell no! This is exactly what I need. Come on."
He surged forward and pushed his way through the crowd to the bar. He downed one tumbler of Firewhiskey, quickly following it with another.
"Jeez, Ron. Slow down." Harry warned. Merlin knew the redhead became an intolerable handful when inebriated.
He just shook his head. "Don't worry, Harry. I just don't want to think abo-" Ron's eyes widened as he stared somewhere behind Harry.
Crap.
"What the bloody hell are they doing?!"
Harry turned around to eye the couple. Clearly tipsy, they were looking awfully close. "Ron."
"What, Harry?" He spat. "Want to go over there and hang out with your new buddy?"
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Come off it, Ron. Just…just don't do anything stupid." He winced as the short-tempered wizard threw back another sizeable tumbler.
"Stupid? What's that supposed to mean?!" His hands were flailing wildly as he spoke.
Harry narrowed his eyes. "Ronald Weasley, I'm telling you now – calm down. The last thing you – or your parents…or Gin and I, for that matter – need is for you to act rashly again. You do one thing to either Hermione or Malfoy and he might not let you off so easy again."
"Fine." Ron grumbled angrily, fiddling with the empty glass in his hands.
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Friday, May 28th 2004
The Leaky Cauldron, Diagon Alley
Hermione giggled as his lips ghosted along the curve of her neck. He had shuffled along the booth, sandwiching her between his taut body and the wall behind her. He turned and faced her, his hand snaking out to grasp her hip. His tongue flicked out, tracing along the line of her ear, before nibbling on her earlobe.
She couldn't help the squeak that escaped her lips as Draco dragged her onto his lap. His hands immediately tugged at her blouse, untucking it from her sensible suit pants.
The rapidly diminishing rational part of her was screaming that there were in a public place, for Merlin's sake, and this was by no means appropriate. After all, she was Hermione Granger. But a much larger, increasingly dominant part of her relished the soft determination of his every touch.
"Do you know how badly I want to throw you on this table right now?" His voice was enticingly husky as he murmured against her neck.
Hermione quirked an eyebrow at him. "I purposely wore pants and this blouse so that you wouldn't be eyeing me all day."
Her outfit had been more demure – slightly reminiscent of her days before Pierre had worked his magic. The black pants had been a touch more snugly-fitted, and her blouse had been a smidge low-cut with a hint of ruffles. But damn, she looked good, especially seeing as he knew what was underneath.
"So you went for the naughty librarian look instead? Bad move, princess."
Her face flushed deeply. "Huh?" She asked oh-so eloquently (thanks to the two additional glasses of Firewhiskey she had had).
Her body quivered as Draco placed feather-light kisses along her collarbone, murmuring between each caress. "You know, musty books, dimly lit corners, the thrill of getting caught, up against the bookcases."
Draco smirked as she almost inaudibly whimpered. He captured her mouth with his, sucking on her lower lip. Hermione ran her tongue along his lips, deepening their kiss at the first chance. He growled against her lips, instantaneously shuffling out of the booth.
She teetered giddily as he swooped in for another kiss, hands entwining in her hair. She stumbled back from the impact, her hips colliding with the wood of the table. Her hands grabbed at his shirt, desperately trying to lessen the microscopic distance between them.
Hermione's heart pounded at the ferocity of his caresses, her rational mind wavering under the intense passion he lavished on her.
She wanted everything he had to offer. Every perfect inch of him. Sweet Merlin, she needed to tell him just that.
"MALFOY!"
Draco pulled away, spinning to find the source of the voice, as a fist flew towards his face.
SLAM.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing this! Please review!