Author's Note: Bliain Nua Sásta! Happy New Year to you all.
So back to school...although my first case of Writer's Block threatened this chapter earlier in the week. I blame the fourteen day flu that made Christmas a bit miserable.
Love, as always, to In Dreams (who's reading Chronos Historia?) and Noppoh (Lives Entangled - feels, people!) and coyg-81 (apparently, we used to be polite to each other lol!)
This chapter is dedicated to Noppoh, who dropped her sandwich whilst reading it.
Another day, another shower. This time it was Draco, his hands braced against the tiled wall as the steaming water cascaded down his scarred skin. Eyes closed and breathing heavily, every single moment of the previous night's dream ran through his mind. He was so hard from the images flashing before him, he fully appreciated the phrase 'pain is so close to pleasure' as he practically ached.
She was beautiful, alluring, tempting, and so fucking sexy as she stood before him; he gasped at the memory of holding her close and bringing her to orgasm with his fingers.
Draco couldn't stop himself; the images were so real, so absolute. What brought on such vivid thoughts - the time spent with Hermione buying mugs? Eating scones? Drinking tea? What the fuck? He couldn't think. All he could do was take a hand away from the wall and stroke himself as he re-lived moments from the night before until he had to muffle his cries with his free hand and brace himself as the strength of his orgasm almost brought him to his knees.
In the girl's bathroom, Hermione quickly scrubbed away the memories of the night before, wincing as she realised just how tender she was in certain places. She hadn't been drinking so what the hell happened? Was she drugged? If so, was she-
Oh, sweet Circe!
Sliding down the tiles, she huddled in the corner of her shower cubicle and wept. The jets of warm water washed away her tears but could not soothe her shaking body.
.
Draco took a deep breath as he dried himself before wrapping the towel around his waist. He knew he wouldn't be able to face her, not today anyway. Making his mind up, he headed back towards his room.
"Morning, Draco," Tracey smiled as she walked towards him. "How are...Merlin, are you alright? You look like crap!"
"Hmm," he frowned. "Not a good day."
"Will I call Madam-"
"No, no, Trace," Draco shook his head. "It's just a bad day. I'm heading back to bed for a while. Will you tell McGonagall?"
"Sure, of course. Want some breakfast?"
"I don't feel like anything, but thanks." Please go, I need to be on my own.
"Okay, but I'll check on you in a bit."
She reached up to kiss his cheek before heading towards the girls' bathroom.
Draco closed his door behind him and leaned against it, casting a Silencio before exhaling loudly. Images and memories kept flashing before his eyes, making him dizzy and aroused. His body was practically shaking from the mental onslaught and, at this rate, he'd never be able to look at Hermione Granger again.
I wonder what Canada is like? Or...or Belgium! Who goes there anyway? FUCK!
He threw the towel across the room in frustration before walking over to pick it up and drape it across the back of his chair.
That's it, Draco. In the middle of fucking turmoil and you're still tidying up. Twat!
Twat! Well, that only brought back images of Hermione's-
"AARRGGHH! BOLLOCKS! BOLLOCKS! BOLLOCKS!"
He kicked the chair as hard as he could with his bare foot. Clever move. Hopping around the room in agony, he swore until he was blue in the face and panting for breath. Eventually, after he had used every curse word he could think of, along with a few he made up on the spot, the pain subsided into a dull throb which he healed with a quick flick of his wand.
Throwing on a pair of pyjama bottoms, and mentally berating his reflection in the mirror for acting like a younger version of himself, Draco crawled into his bed and called for a house-elf.
"What is its?" Winky appeared instantly, her clipboard tucked under her arm.
Draco took in her appearance, his eyebrow dangerously close to being camouflaged in his hairline; today's ensemble consisted of a band T-shirt underneath a black cardigan, a short red tartan skirt, thick black tights, and large black shoes that appeared to have bottle tops stuck onto the top of the laces. The part of the T-shirt he could see showed three guys around his own age, one dark-haired and two that looked remarkably like him. Disturbing.
Winky clicked her little fingers in front of his face.
"What is its?" She repeated.
"Oh, sorry," Draco was slightly weirded out by the elf and her appearance. "I'm not feeling well and I would like some tea and toast, if that's alright. I, er, didn't expect an elf as important as yourself to appear, Winky. I'm terribly sorry if you've been dragged away from something urgent."
The very important elf looked rather pleased at his comments.
"The other elfses are having a trades union meeting now. I'm managesment. Miss Hermione asked that you haves Yorkshires Tea from now on. I'll sends its straight up."
With that, Winky disappeared. Draco rolled over and groaned into his pillow. Hermione had remembered the conversation about the tea.
Well, of course, she did. She wasn't fucking drunk.
A slight popping sound announced the arrival of his breakfast tray with a note from the headmistress acknowledging his sick day, reminding him to visit the Hospital Wing at some stage, and wishing him a speedy recovery.
Draco left the tea to stew in the little teapot and reached for some toast. He needed something to occupy his mind for a few hours as the thoughts of going back to sleep were...disturbing, to say the least. He remembered the roll of parchment Luna gave him - the first fifteen chapters of The Usher Ultimatum.
That would have to do.
.
Tracey opened the door to the girls' bathroom, hearing the sounds of running water but no other movement. Frowning, she searched along the cubicles until she came across Hermione slumped in the corner and shivering violently.
Ignoring the now freezing water, Tracey threw herself forward and turned off the shower. She wrapped her arms around Hermione's body and held her close, shouting for help as her wand was still in her bedroom. Being early in the morning, however, not everyone was up and her cries were left unanswered.
"Come on, Hermione," Tracey hauled her shaking friend to her feet, reaching to grab a Gryffindor towel from the nearest hook. "Come on, now."
Tracey, ignoring her saturated pyjamas, wrapped the towel around Hermione's shaking frame and held her tight.
"What's happened, Hermione? You have to tell me," she pressed. "What's wrong?"
Hermione took a moment to focus her eyes on Tracey, her tremors causing her to stutter.
"Dr-drugged...think...I...was...dr-drugged."
"Oh, sweet Salazar," Tracey cried. "Come on."
She guided Hermione towards the door. Calling for Madam Pomfrey would be the equivalent of plastering "Heroine on Heroin" across the front page of the Daily Prophet. In typical Slytherin style, Tracey reckoned this should stay amongst themselves until they found out more so, with that in mind, she banged on the door of their unofficial leader.
"Draco," she hissed, holding Hermione up with both arms. She banged on his door with her slippered foot.
On the other side, Draco cursed as he was rudely interrupted half way through Chapter Three. Whomever this fanfiction writer was, they were bloody brilliant! He already had a few queries, namely why Lucas Priest was described as similar to the two guys on Winky's T-shirt - or himself for that matter - when the original author portrayed him as dark. Strange that.
Setting the parchment aside, he walked over to the door. The sight before him shocked him to the core - Hermione was leaning weakly against a soaking wet Tracey, her eyes unfocused, and her body trembling.
"What the fuck-"
Draco reached forward and grabbed Hermione. Lifting her into his arms, he turned back towards his bed.
"Trace, the blankets, quick."
Despite her own shivers, Tracey dodged around him and reefed his covers back.
Thank Salazar, the elves changed the fucking sheets first thing.
"Help me," he directed at his friend, placing Hermione gently onto the sheet. Tracey understood, pulling the blankets back over the shivering girl as Draco did his best to remove the soaking towel without looking at the now naked Hermione. She continued to shake, her eyes still unfocused.
"Shit," Draco swore, pulling down his pyjama bottoms and diving under the bedclothes to cover her with his own body heat. Tracey had stepped back, using the discarded towel to wipe her hair from her face.
"I need to get Pomfrey," she announced, turning to the door. "Draco, Hermione thinks she was drugged last night. That's all I could get out of her."
"No." A whisper.
"Hermione," Draco's forehead was pressed against the girl he was holding close, although not in the way he had been dreaming about only hours before. "Can you hear me? You need to-"
"No, n-no h-hospital." Her shivering was becoming less violent and her eyes were slowly coming back into focus. "Please, D-Draco."
He searched her eyes for a moment, a frown marring his features, until he was satisfied she was coming around. He nodded.
"Trace, I'll keep her warm. Get yourself dried up before you catch cold, yeah?" He turned his head slightly to catch his friend's eye.
"Are you sure, Draco? We-"
"It's okay, trust me. Any problems, I'll send a message."
"Alright," she understood. Also, the fact that her friend was in bed, naked, with the love of his life was invitation enough for her to make a quick exit. As she reached the door, he called out.
"Tell no one. Not until we know more about what's happened."
"I figured. Okay."
She listened for any noise outside before slipping out the door and closing it gently behind her. Draco wandlessly locked it and cast a Silencio again.
Hermione had stopped shaking, her body warming as a result of Draco's skin heating her up. Her slightly confused state never offered the opportunity to realise why she was coming around. She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths.
Draco didn't move; his arms holding her in a lover's embrace. He was trying so hard to concentrate on her recovery but feeling her breath against his cheek and her body caressing his-
It was too much.
He moved away, biting his lip hard to ensure his blood stayed north of his threatening erection. Her eyes were still closed so he took the opportunity to slip out of the bed and pull up his pyjama bottoms and grab a T-shirt. When she woke up, he didn't want her to see his scars. The breakfast tray was now empty so he whispered for another house-elf, hoping not to disturb Winky.
Well, it appears the trade union meeting is over. The elf that appeared was obviously coming straight from the picket lines; a placard stating "clipboards for all" still in its hands.
"What cans Penfold do for-"
The elf trailed off as he spotted Hermione in Draco's bed, his large eyes bulging dramatically as he stuttered.
"Wha-what's wrongs with-"
"It's alright, Penfold," Draco placed his hand gently on the elf's tiny shoulder. "Hermione isn't feeling too well so I'm looking after her. I'll bring her to Madam Pomfrey when she wakes, I promise. Would you bring some of her favourite tea and some toast for her, please?"
The elf nodded furiously and disappeared with a tiny pop.
Draco sighed, sitting on the side of the bed and looking down at the beautiful girl who was the centre of his erotic dream. Closing his eyes, he recalled his favourite moments - telling her he loved her, watching her come undone in front of him and underneath. His heart clenched as she cried with him at the end, before he woke up.
The second breakfast tray of the morning appeared and he prepared Hermione's builders' tea, just the way she liked it. Setting the mug down on the bedside table, he leaned over her.
"Hermione," he whispered. "Granger, wake up."
She stirred and moaned, opening her eyes slowly. His silver gaze caused her to panic instantly, the memories of the night before attacking her senses.
"Wh-where...wh-what are y-you doing?"
Draco moved away slightly, cautious of not freaking her out but not really wanting to leave her side.
"You seem to have collapsed in the showers. Tracey found you," he began. "You were out of it when she brought you here."
He bit his lip before taking a breath.
"I have to be honest with you, Granger, you were soaking and shaking violently. We got you into the bed and...I...em...got in beside you to warm you up."
She nodded slowly.
"O-0kay. Thank you."
It took a moment. Draco just looked at her, waiting for her to continue.
"Merlin! I'm-I'm-"
"I'm sorry! Really sorry," he stood up, walking away from her. "You were in a bad way, I just acted without thinking."
He turned back around to face her, his cheeks slightly pink.
"I didn't look. But-"
She wasn't called The Brightest Witch Of Her Age for nothing.
"Body heat works when both parties are naked. Were you?"
Whether she realised what she was doing, or not, Hermione pulled the bedclothes up a little higher.
"I stripped in front of Tracey and got in on top of you. I stayed in the one position until you stopped shaking and started to warm up. Tracey left the room as she was soaking wet. I moved off you and got out of the bed. I swear to you, on Salazar's Grave, that that is all that happened."
He spoke with medical precision.
She smiled slightly, her heart skipping at his embarrassment and his honesty. Hermione never doubted him for a moment.
"Could I...em...could I borrow a T-shirt? I'd like to sit up."
He was still facing her, his eyes searching her face. For what, she couldn't tell.
"Draco?"
"Hmm? Shit! Yes, yes, of course."
He opened his wardrobe and picked out the first T-shirt he saw. The silhouette of a witch on a broom emblazoned the front, with the quote "I can drive stick!" underneath. Draco winced as she raised an eyebrow at the quote.
"Gift from Blaise."
She nodded. "That makes sense."
Without waiting for her to ask, Draco turned his back to her.
"Can you manage?" He called over his shoulder as he heard the bedclothes rustle.
"I can, thanks," she groaned as she maneuvered the material over her head. "I'm sore all over."
He squeezed his eyes shut. At least you didn't wake up like me.
"I'm ready," Hermione announced. "Thank you for...all you did this morning. I-I really appreciate it."
Her face flushed as she spoke. Draco didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable so he pointed at the breakfast tray to change the subject.
"There's tea and toast there for you," he nodded. "Your tea should be ready for drinking now."
She reached over for the mug, taking a long sip, and sighing loudly.
"I needed that, thank you so much," she smiled.
"It's no problem," he pressed his lips together before sitting down again on the side of the bed and facing her. "Hermione, Tracey said you think you were drugged. She found you in a bad way in the bathroom. Do you know what happened?"
There was no way Hermione could explain to Draco what had upset her so much. What upset me, Draco, was the dream I had last night. The one in which I wore crotchless knickers and you fucked the brains out of me until I screamed. No, that wasn't going to work.
"I didn't eat very much yesterday-"
Draco just looked at her, his face passive. "I don't believe that but I can understand why you might not want to talk to me. Maybe-"
"No, Draco-"
"-Ginny or Tracey could help...you."
He trailed off, suddenly finding the teapot extremely interesting. Hermione inwardly sighed with relief, using the misunderstanding to her advantage and lying accordingly. Well, not necessarily lying, just using the truth from other days to suit this particular one.
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to embarrass you. Sometimes, I get very emotional around that...time. I took some muggle painkillers on an empty stomach, which was a bit stupid." She sipped her tea before reaching for a slice of toast. "I'm really sorry for worrying you. I should apologise to Tracey."
"I'll tell her," Draco replied. "You rest."
He stood up and walked over to the door.
"Keep eating. I'll be back in a bit," he turned back to her. "Can I get you anything?"
"Some underwear would be nice," she mumbled into her mug. "It's okay, I'll get up."
Hermione went to move but her body was still weak.
"Don't, Granger," Draco ordered. "I can ask one of the girls to get what you need."
She nodded her agreement.
"Thank you," she pulled her hair back away from her shoulders as she laid back on the pillows. "My password is...em...Argentum Oculus."
But it didn't register with Draco that her password meant Silver Eye as he was shocked into silence by the sight of the large love bite on Hermione's neck.
.
How he managed to close the door behind him, he'll never know. Draco just stood in the middle of the corridor and rubbed his face with his hands.
"Draco?" Ginny walked up and placed a hand on his raised arm. "Are you alright?"
"I don't think I can answer that at the moment, Ginny," he sighed loudly, lowering his hands to look at the little redhead. "Actually...can you do me a favour?"
"Of course."
"Em...right...this will sound weird. Just...please...don't ask," he took a deep breath. "Hermione is in my room, with no clothes. Can you come with me to get some stuff from her wardrobe?"
If there was a competition for highest raised eyebrows.
Inwardly, Ginny was sliding on her knees with her Quidditch top pulled over her head. RESULT!
"Did you guys…?" She trailed off, her eyes wide with excitement as she nodded her head in a 'did you do the bold thing?' sort of way.
"Ginny," Draco patiently began, taking her arm to guide her towards Hermione's room. "She's not well. Tracey found her collapsed in the showers this morning and brought her to my room as she knew I was awake. That's all."
Ginny didn't believe him for a second, her devious match-making nature now sitting in a high-backed chair as it stroked a white cat.
They reached the bedroom door and he turned to the smaller girl beside him. "Em-"
"Oh, for Merlin's sake," she sighed, stepping back and putting her fingers in her ears. "Go ahead, lalalalalala."
Draco laughed a little at her antics before turning back to the door and whispering the password. Argentum Oculus.
He stepped into Hermione's room, looking back at the Gryffindor to take control.
"What does she need, Draco?"
"She's wearing one of my T-shirts but that's all, so...em...underwear?"
Draco's cheeks were now competing with Ginny's hair.
Rolling her eyes, Ginny opened Hermione's wardrobe and retrieved some pants, a bra (grinning to herself at the thought of her best friend dressing in front of Draco), pyjama bottoms, and socks.
"I don't see her toiletry bag," she frowned, looking around the room.
"Hermione had it with her this morning, on the way to the bathroom."
"Okay, well, you deliver these and I'll go get her bag."
Ginny handed him the pile of clothes, Hermione's bra on top. Draco kept his eyes averted from the garment, his cheeks still flushed - much to the scheming Weasley's delight.
She skipped out the door and headed towards the bathrooms. Draco took one last look around Hermione's room, picking up the Edgar Allen Poe book she was currently reading, before walking out and closing the door behind him.
Hermione looked up as he entered and smiled sleepily.
"Hi."
"Hi," he walked towards the bed. "Ginny got these for you."
He handed the pile of clothes over, immediately turning his back to hide his flaming skin.
Hermione observed the baby blue underwear Ginny had selected; delicate white lace adorning the cups of the balconette bra and the waistband of the skimpy panties. Bloody hell! The scarlet pyjama bottoms were figure-hugging and low-waisted. Gods, I hate you right now, Gin! The only decent items were the bloody socks!
A knock at the door revealed a still-grinning Ginger Bitch From Hell holding out Hermione's toiletry bag and mumbling something about classes. She was gone in seconds.
Draco stood still, his hand remaining on the closed door.
"Can I turn around?"
"What? Oh, oh, yes! Sorry!" Hermione shifted slightly in the bed. "I'm too tired to change, is it alright if I just leave the clothes here and sleep for a bit? Just give me half an hour?"
Draco walked back over to her, settling himself on the other side of the bed and leaning back against the wall.
"Sleep for as long as you want, Granger. We'll have to visit Pomfrey at some stage but it can wait."
"I'm really sorry-"
"For what? Don't apologise," he smiled, causing her fluttering nerves to shift up a gear. "I told you before I'd be there for you in a heartbeat. I won't forget that."
It was Hermione's turn to blush, those words were etched on her heart. If only he knew.
"Thank you, Draco."
He looked at her intently for what seemed like a lifetime, before averting his gaze and reaching for the roll of parchment he had put down earlier.
"Snuggle down and sleep, Hermione. I'll call you in thirty minutes."
.
That half hour came and went. Draco was so engrossed in The Usher Ultimatum, he had no idea how much time had passed as he devoured word after word of the gripping tale. He was now stretched out on top of the covers beside the still sleeping Hermione. Occasionally, he would find himself glancing over at her, particularly at the times Lucas and Andre shared a moment in the story.
He loved the plot lines and the action scenes; the writing was superb! Detail after detail - the writer must have researched so much - and so much emotion pouring into the sentences. He was definitely getting the guys to read this straight away.
Before long, he was dismayed to find he was about to start the final chapter Luna had printed out for him. Rolling over onto his side, facing Hermione, he continued on.
"My love," he panted, reaching down to pull her leg over his hip. "I need to-"
"Come," she whispered. "Come in me."
Draco was in pieces! He had Accio'd a spare blanket to cover himself when he felt his erection harden as he read the love scene between Lucas and Andre. With the author's descriptions of both characters, he or she could have been describing himself and Hermione. And, after the previous night's events, he was finding it difficult to concentrate.
A few more thrusts and he claimed her body as his own, marking her whilst swearing she was his for eternity. She blinked back tears as she heard his promise of love and his commitment to her, body and soul. Still united, she reached up to caress the side of his face.
"Don't let me go."
"Never, Granger. I'll find you, in a heartbeat."
Draco lowered the parchment slowly, Hermione's face coming into view. She sighed and moaned gently in her peaceful sleep, causing his heart to race frantically as his mind started to steamroll and take on a pace of its own.
In a heartbeat.
What he said to her: I'll suffer it all again in a heartbeat, if it meant you could escape.
In a heartbeat.
Always.
The author's introduction to Chapter fifteen: I know my Lucas and Andre are not as described in the Time Wars novels; Lucas is dark and Andre is, well, not exactly feminine with straight hair but, I can't explain it, this is how I've always seen them in my mind.
Platinum blond hair and silver grey eyes.
Silver grey eyes.
Silver eyes.
SilverEye56.
"Honestly, Draco, don't you recognise your own birthday?"
5th of June.
"But BiblioBabe199's pen name might mean his or her birthday is the 19th of September."
19th of September.
"Hey, Mione. That's your birthday."
"Luna, you forgot Mione."
"Did I? I was sure she already had a pen name."
Silver eyes.
Argentum Oculus.
"Don't let me go."
"Never, Granger. I'll find you, in a heartbeat."
The rollercoaster that was Draco's mind slowly ground to a halt.
"Fuck."
.
Mwahaha! Was it worth the wait?