-1
Dead Men Don't Talk
Draco had first met Leo (known only by that name) seven years ago. Leo was a Muggle thug, but he was not just any thug: he was the top dog of thugs. He had come to Draco's office, wanting to hire him for a job, and had left Draco's office without retaining Draco, but with a respect that he felt for very few people. Draco did not particularly care if Leo liked him or not. Until Leo had come into his life, he had not known how well the criminal world was connected, and that was the only reason Draco allowed Leo to think they were friends.
Of course, Draco did have a grudging respect for Leo, too. Leo might have been a criminal, but he was an honest one, if there was such a thing. Leo had risen from the bottom to the top rather quickly and it was because of his eccentric code of ethics that he had remained at the top for the last thirty years. Leo was one of the meanest, toughest, and shrewdest criminals Draco knew and over the last seven years, Draco had come to know almost all of them.
After meeting Leo, Draco had taken the time to look into the man's past. Leo's life had never been easy and it was not hard to see why he had fallen into the criminal world. His mother, a woman by the name of Donna, had been poor and hooked on every drug a person could imagine. She had not fallen into the drug world until Leo was six, but even before that, Leo had learned that Donna had no love for her only son.
After she fell into drugs, though, Leo's life only got worse. Donna would bring men home; some of them ignored Leo, and others beat him. It did not take long for Leo to learn that when his mother was home, he was not. As he grew older and a little wiser, he had also started keeping track of what every man's name was who laid a hand on him. It would take years, but eventually Leo had extracted revenge on each and every one of those men.
When Leo was fourteen, he came home to find his mother's butchered body lying across the blood-soaked bedroom floor. He had not notified the proper people. He had not wanted to become a ward of the government, so he had quickly packed a few bags and vanished into the underground world where cruelty and loyalty went hand in hand. For a year, he had lived hand to mouth, doing odd jobs to earn just enough to make it through another day. That is, until he met Pickles.
Pickles took the young fifteen-year-old under his wing, so to speak, and had taught him everything he knew about the wheeling and dealing of the criminal life. Pickles also introduced Leo to Mort, the man at the top back in that time. Mort hired Leo on as an errand boy and from there, Leo only moved up. By the time he was eighteen, he had become one of Mort's personal body guards. When he was twenty, he became Mort's right hand man, and by the time he had turned twenty-two, he had replaced Mort as the top man in the criminal world.
Leo had, by then, made such a name for himself that no one had dared question the where-a-bouts of Leo's old boss. Even now, over thirty years later, Leo commanded such respect among his fellow criminals that not a single person dared to over throw his rule. But it was not the power Draco respected; it was the fact that although Leo was a criminal, he was not unfair in his dealings, even with the lowest members of the underground world. He was not a man who abused his power and that was the reason Draco respected the man to a certain degree.
Draco's reputation in the Muggle's criminal world was embellished and that was all thanks to Leo. When Leo had come to his office seeking Draco's services, Draco had turned him down. Leo had not taken too kindly to that and had tried to intimidate Draco into complying by telling his two over muscled body guards to make Draco see reason. Since the object of Leo's desire was a rare necklace known as the 'Heart Diamond' and it was on display in a national museum, Draco was not about to change his mind on the matter.
When Leo's guards had come at him, Draco had staged the scene to make it look as if he bested Leo's man with a few well placed punches, all the while muttering curses in their direction. It was that reason that Leo had left Draco's office respecting Draco rather than trying to kill him. It was also that particular incident that had led to Draco's over embellished reputation among the criminals of the Muggle world. Leo had spread the word that Draco was not a man to be trifled with and if Draco did not get his man, then Leo sure would. With a man like Leo backing him, Draco was assured of answers when he wanted them.
This was the reason he was now making his way to Leo's place of business. It was an old building, only four stories high with the lettering, 'Lions Shipping and Co.' stenciled in above the fourth story windows. As far as Draco knew, Leo had no real company and owned nothing more than a yacht which he housed down in the bay. Leo's business or lack there of, was not Draco's concern though, he was there to find out if Leo had managed to dig up anything about Justice and Pearson.
Leo, who was thankfully ignorant of the magical community, still knew a lot of people who were not so ignorant. The fact that he remained unaware of the magical world that secretly lived under his nose was simple, Leo refused to see it. He was the type of man who did not want to believe that magic existed. Some witches and wizards would have considered Leo the perfect Muggle because he knew, on some deep level, that magic was all around him, but even though he knew, he ignored it and pretended it was not there.
Draco nodded to the guards on the first floor as he entered the building. The fact that no one tried to stop him was to his benefit; it meant that his over inflated reputation was still intact. Draco took the stairs since he believed the rat trap elevator was not going to work much longer. He reached the fourth floor and went directly to Leo's office. The woman in the outer office shrank back when Draco entered, which he found amusing, but did not comment on. He did not let her announce his arrival either; he simply waltzed on by her and went into Leo's office.
Leo was on the phone, but when he saw Draco standing there, he told the person on the other end he would have to get back to them. After he hung up, he said, "Draco, nice to see you. I presume you're here about the matter we discussed before."
"It's been over two weeks since we last talked, Leo," Draco reminded him. "You were supposed to get back to me within a day or two."
"I know, I know," Leo sighed, not the least bit ruffled by Draco's temper. "But it's taking me longer then I thought to locate Pearson's where-a-bouts. In fact, I only just learned where he is."
"And where is that?" Draco asked nastily.
"The county morgue," Leo retorted, half amused, half disgusted.
"Excuse me?" Draco said.
"My men found him this morning in an abandoned building down by the docks," Leo explained drolly. "The funny thing about his body, according to my men, was that there wasn't a mark in him. No bullet wounds, no stab wounds, nothing. If I didn't know better, I would have to think the man overdosed on something, but Pearson wasn't into drugs. He was into a lot of other things, but not that. And so, I'm afraid we'll learn nothing from him since dead men don't talk too much."
Draco sighed in frustrated anger. Pearson had been his only lead so far into discovering Justice's true identity. Someone, Justice was Draco's first choice, had killed Pearson. Draco recognized the Killing Curse when he heard it and what Leo had just described fit.
"Damn it!" Draco suddenly exploded. He stood and started pacing the length of Leo's office, which was thankfully very spacious.
Leo watched the younger man for a few minutes, studying him. Calmly, since nothing usually ruffled his feathers after thirty years, he asked, "Just who is this man calling himself Justice? Why's he after you? What does he want?"
"I haven't got a clue as to who he is," Draco snapped. "Why do you think I came to you? He's not after me, he's after my daughter and her mother and I have no idea why or what he ultimately wants to gain."
Leo's full attention was now focused on Draco. "You have a daughter? You've never mentioned her before."
Draco stopped his pacing long enough to give Leo a dirty look. "You know damn well, since you peeked into my past, that if I had known about her, you would have known about her."
"I only looked into you because you're such a mystifying young man, I wanted to be positive that you were exactly who you claimed to be," Leo said, though he was not defending his actions. He felt no guilt for his actions. "Besides, you did the same."
Draco started pacing again. "Touché."
Leo was getting dizzy watching Draco, so he said, "Sit down, Draco, and we can talk about this. I can't concentrate with you running about like that."
"I'm not running about," Draco growled, though he sat down as suggested. "Have you learned anything since we last spoke?"
Leo spread his hands. "Not a thing. I can't find anyone on the streets who knows a man calling himself Justice. I found three women named such, but one is a nurse in Edinburgh, another is a stripper down at the local joint and the third is a student from Ireland, here on exchange."
"This man has to exist," Draco growled, his temper getting the better of him. "Someone out there knows something and I want that person found."
"I'm still working on it," Leo assured Draco.
"Let me know if you find anything," Draco said. "I want to be there if you find anyone who knows something."
"Will do."
Draco returned home more frustrated than when he had left. He was greeted with the sound of giggling, though, and that lifted his spirits a little. Aria had come to stay a few days with them and Draco was happy to have her there, even if Abby and Aria could often be found in the kitchen testing their baking skills.
Aria had begged a few recipes from Millie and had been, according to his baby sister, simply dying to try her hand at making them. Draco had agreed to give the two girl's free reign in the kitchen, only to discover his mistake after the first night. The two girls had practically destroyed the kitchen, but they had had fun doing it, so Draco had not been able to find it within himself to yell too much about the mess.
Draco headed for the kitchen, and sure enough, found the two hellions at it again. They were both covered in something that looked like flour and were giggling like loons. Hermione entered from the back just as Draco did. They met each other's gaze, Hermione looking amused, and Draco looking exasperated.
"What are you two trying to make this time?" Draco asked, afraid of the answer.
"Muffins," Aria said and grinned.
"Aria says Millie makes the best muffins, so we asked her for the recipe," Abby chimed in.
"It looks as if you have more ingredients on you than in the muffin mix," Draco replied dryly.
They found his comment amusing and fell into another fit of giggles. Draco rolled his eyes and reminded them, "Just be sure to clean up when you're through."
He left the room and went to his office. He had a few things to go over and he wanted to do it before he forgot.
A few hours later he noticed the silence and looked up. He glanced at the clock and groaned. It was well past eleven and he had to get up early. He rubbed his eyes and yawned. It was time to head to bed, but first he needed a stiff drink to help him ease some of the day's tension away.
He was just standing up to go over to the small bar he kept in the corner when there was a light rap on the door. Before he could tell whoever it was to come in, it opened and Hermione stepped inside. She softly closed the door behind her and waited for him to say something.
"Did you need something, Hermione?"
"I wanted…" she cleared her throat and started again. "I was wondering if I could talk to you for a minute. If you aren't too busy, that is?"
"Not at all, come in, have a seat." Draco indicated the small sofa set off to the side. "I was about to call it a night after a small nightcap. Care to join me?"
She hesitated a moment before nodding. "Yes, something light, please."
Light? He looked down at the bottles lined on the bar counter and frowned. He did not own anything light. He did not drink Butterbeer, since he found it a bit too sweet and he did not have any wines here in the office. He had Firewhiskey, Dragon Vodka, Fireball Rum, Flame Hopping Gin, and Hard Tail Tequila. He stooped over to see if there was anything else on the bottom shelves, but all that was there were a few canters and one bottle of Hellfire Brandy. Which one would she consider light?
Draco poured himself a glass of the Dragon Vodka and settled on the Hellfire Brandy for Hermione. He went over and took a seat next to her, handing her the goblet as he did. "Are the girls asleep?"
"Out cold," Hermione replied. She sipped from the glass and gasped. "What is this?"
"Hellfire Brandy," Draco said with a small smile. "It's the, er, lightest liquor I have. Sorry."
She shook her head. "No, it's okay. I just wasn't expecting it." She downed the rest of the contents in one long swallow. She held the goblet in her hands afterwards. Draco had a feeling she wanted to say something so he waited.
Finally, she said, "I overheard Abby today, telling Aria that she thinks you're her father." Draco waited to hear the rest. "Aria's response and I quote, ''Course he is.' Did you tell Aria?"
"No," Draco replied, incensed that she would think that. "I'm waiting, um, a little impatiently, for you tell Abigail before I tell anyone. When are you going to tell her?"
Her answer surprised him. "I told her. I pulled her aside earlier and did my best to explain things to her."
"How did she take it?" Draco asked concerned.
"Rather well, actually," Hermione said and handed the glass back to Draco. "Could I have a little more, please?"
Draco refilled the goblet and gave it back to her. She took a gulp of the fiery liquid, letting it burn her eyes and belly. "Abby told me that she thinks she understands why I never said anything to you, but I'm not sure if she really does."
"I don't think you give her enough credit," Draco defended Abby.
Hermione shrugged. "Maybe I don't, and maybe you give her too much credit."
"Point taken," Draco said, not wanting to squabble over the issue.
"Abby wants to talk to you about this, but she's asked me to tell you that it won't be until after Aria returns home," Hermione explained. "She said that she was happy to finally know the truth and that she's glad it's you, but she said it would be impolite to discuss such serious matters while she has company."
Draco smiled a little. "Sounds like Abigail."
Hermione only nodded as she brought the glass to her lips and downed the rest of the liquor. She got up herself this time, to refill the goblet. After sitting back down, she took a small sip. Draco was unable to stop himself from watching her. She was beautiful to him. He could still recall the night he had first noticed that underneath her bushy hair was a girl that was not ugly at all, but rather, a beauty that hid it well. It was the night, in their fourth year at Hogwarts, at the Yule Ball. She had walked past him on the arm of Viktor Krum and he had hardly recognized her. It was that night, though he had not yet realized it, that he started having feelings for her that had nothing to do with hateful disdain for what she was.
Her beauty was subtle and it took a keen eye to see it, something else he came to see in later years. Now, with her hair less wild than it had once been, it was not as hard to see that beauty first, and appreciate it as it should be. However, even with all that, it was still her eyes that captivated him the most. The liquid amber glowed in certain light and seemed to have a life of its own then. Even now, in the low light from the candle -lamps burning on his desk, they mesmerized him to the point that he was unable to look away.
Hermione swallowed the rest of the brandy and placed the goblet on the stand in front of her. Draco commented, "I didn't think you drank, not after that night."
"I-" Hermione stopped, seemed to consider what she wanted to say, and then blurted, "I haven't actually. You're right about that."
"Why tonight then?" he asked inquiringly.
She licked her lips nervously and leaned in close to him. She got so close that Draco was able to smell the brandy on her breath as she said, "Have you noticed that there's this, er, tension between us?"
"There is?" Draco asked softly, wondering where she was going with it.
"Yes, there is," she insisted with a nod. Her hair fell forward and she reached one hand up to brush it back into place. "It's not from the situation with Abby either. It's something else."
Draco did not dare move, afraid of breaking the spell they were seemingly under. "What is it then?"
Hermione tilted her head forward and to the side so that her lips brushed slightly over Draco's, as she answered, "Desire, lust, want, need, whatever it is you want to call it. It's there, hanging like a knife above our heads whenever we're in the same room."
"Ah," Draco breathed against her lips. "So you're drinking to forget about it?"
She leaned back a little and slowly shook her head.
Draco frowned. "Then why are you drinking?"
She once again brought her head forward so that her lips barely rested on Draco's. She hovered there and said, "So I can do this."
She closed the small distance between their mouths and kissed him.
Draco stopped her before she was able to deepen the kiss. He pulled back and looked into her eyes, silently questioning her. She stared back at him steadily, unflinching desire shining from her amber eyes. She appeared in control of what she was doing, but Draco had doubts, so many that he was unable to keep track of all that sprang to mind. The one thing that was on top of his list was regret. He was not going to set his progress back because she was just tipsy enough from the brandy to want this now.
His mind and body were fighting for control. His head was telling him to take things slowly while his body ached with needful wanting. His head said that if he allowed this to go forward, Hermione would later bemoan her choices of this night and he would be the one to pay the price. His body, aching with desire, was telling him to forget about the consequences and take what she was offering.
Hermione reached up, cupped the back of his neck with her hand and pulled him closer. She whispered against his lips, "Just let it happen."
It was as if she had heard his inner thoughts. Draco shook his head. "I can't… We can't do this, Hermione."
Draco could feel her breath on his face and it made a flutter of yearning roll dangerously around his middle. She smiled against his lips and said, "Yes, we can. I locked the door."
She was deliberately misunderstanding him. His lips brushed delicately over hers as he said, "Liar."
Hermione laughed a low, smoky sound that sent shivers of pleasure down his spine. "You think so? Check for yourself."
"Why would you lock the door?" he asked, stalling for time, trying to find the right road to take with her.
"You aren't the only one who can be sneaky, Draco." She nibbled on his lower lip, sending quivers over his body.
"Why did you come in here tonight?" Draco asked, growing wary of her reasons.
Hermione moved her body closer, so that she was almost on top of him. She moved her lips away from his mouth, but before he could sigh in relief, her mouth found the sensitive part of his neck and the sigh turned into a low moan. "I came to tell you about Abby knowing the truth now."
Draco did not believe her. "You're lying."
"Am I?" she sighed against his neck. "Does it matter that my reason hid my true purpose?"
Draco could not take it anymore. He grabbed her by the upper arms and pulled her back so he could see her face, not to mention that her actions were driving him crazy with desire. The more she teased his skin, the more difficult it was becoming to think straight. Since the moment she had knocked on his door looking for Abby, he had dreamed up a million different ways he would seduce her back into his bed. Never once, in any of the scenarios, had he imagined she would be the seductress. Never once, in all his dreams, had he believed she could be the aggressive pursuer and he the innocent target. Well, maybe innocent was not the right term, but it was damn near close since he was starting to feel like she was playing with him.
Draco shook the absurd thoughts away and looked into Hermione's eyes. "You've had too much to drink and I don't think you're able to decide if this is what you really want."
She laughed that low, smoky laugh again and smiled. "I'm in no way drunk, not even a little tipsy. I know what I'm doing and I know what I want."
"I don't think you-"
She stopped him by bringing her lips back to his and lightly kissing him. "Stop thinking so much and just feel."
"I-"
She kissed him again, this time harder and longer. When she pulled back just a little, she said, "I've been thinking about this for a while now, Draco. I remember how good it was between us, this part anyway. I want this, just this one night. I want and need to feel your skin against mine, your lips on me, your-"
This time he cut her off, her words making him hot. "You'll regret this in the morning."
She slowly shook her head. "No, I won't"
"I can't,' Draco said and stood up and turned away from her. He knew if he looked at her again, he would lose the battle.
She was quiet for so long, Draco thought that it was possible she had left. He turned around to see if she had. He wished he had not looked.
Hermione was still there and completely naked.
Draco's shock evaporated in a blink as desire swept over him like a rush of running water. His brain went blissfully blank even as every nerve ending he had came alive. He swiftly went back to Hermione and knelt down in front of her. He dug his fingers into her hips and pulled her closer so that he could ravage her mouth. Her hands came up and she spread her fingers into his hair, meeting his mouth for the kiss. Draco needed more than a kiss. He wanted to delve into her as if she were something he could cover himself with.
Fire exploded between them as their lips melded together. She moaned a low, deep sound in the back of her throat. Draco could no longer hold back. He pulled her hips to meet his and her legs came around to straddle his hips. She wiggled against him and even though his clothing still separated them from full contact, the motion she made sent tingles of pulsing pleasure through him.
She whispered, "Please."
Something held him back from going forth. He braced his weight with his arms so that their bodies were not fully connected. He dipped his head down to trail light kisses from her neck to her mouth. She said again, "Please."
Against her lips, he said, "I want you to be sure."
In answer, she knocked his hands out from under her and at the same time lifted her lower half to meet him. Draco stopped thinking and let desire sweep him away.
Later, as they lay on the floor, still entwined and spent from their vigorous activity, Hermione sighed heavily for the second time. Draco could just see the side of her face and knew that the sigh was not one of regret, not yet, anyhow. Instead, she wore a soft expression of a woman who had thoroughly enjoyed herself. She moved slightly so that her head was cradled in the nook of his shoulder and arm. Draco did not stop her and would not have been able to even if he wanted to. He did not think he had the energy to move a muscle for the next hour at least.
When Hermione sighed for the third time though, Draco asked, "Something wrong?"
"Not at all," she replied lazily.
"Glad to hear it," Draco said, half amused.
She chuckled a little. "Afraid I'm feeling that regret you're so bent on thinking I'll feel?" She did not let him answer. She twisted her head around just a little so she could look up into his face. "I'm not regretting a single moment and I won't tomorrow, or the next day, or the day after that, or ever, so stop thinking I will."
Draco made no comment and after a minute, she turned away and settled back into the crook of his shoulder. He knew that he could not let her go on thinking that he was going to let it end here. He had to tell her that he was not going to let her have her 'one night' and then walk away, but he did not want to ruin the moment by bringing the subject up.
Hermione had never been someone who could be cold and calculating, and so he knew that there was something else going on inside that head of hers, but he was not sure what that something was. Even so, he had to tell her that he wanted more; he just was not sure how to tell her.
Finally, sighing inwardly, he said, "Hermione?"
"Hmm," she murmured sleepily.
"We have to talk," he said, flinching slightly and bracing himself for the outburst he was sure was coming.
It did not come. Hermione lazily rolled to the side and tossed a leg casually over his. She bent her head up so she could look into his face. As she did, her hair slid across his chest, and he reached up to brush it aside. She grabbed his hand and brought one finger to her mouth. His body reacted instantly. Draco yanked his hand away. When had Hermione become such a wanton seductress?
His reaction amused her and she laughed softly. She took one of her fingers and started tracing his chest with it. The sensation was almost too much and Draco moaned right before slamming his hand down over hers to stop her. In the past, she had always been up for a good romp in bed, but she had never been so blatantly sexual.
He asked, "Are you trying to get me going again?"
She gave him a wicked grin. "Depends. Is it working?"
"Knock it off, Hermione," Draco said with a sigh. "This isn't like you."
"It's been ten years, Draco," Hermione replied teasingly. "Maybe I've changed a bit over the years."
"And maybe," Draco snarled lightly as he slapped her hand off his chest once more, "you're only trying to avoid talking to me."
"Or," Hermione said as she slipped her fingers down to another part of his body, "you're simply getting too old to keep up with me."
Draco growled and flipped her onto her back, making her laugh sexily. He looked down at her and said, "If I recall I'm younger than you by a few months."
She smiled wickedly. "Prove it."
He did and it was another hour before he was able to think straight again. Draco wanted to groan when he was able to think again. He had allowed her to prick his pride, which had compelled him to prove himself. If he let it happen again, he was never going to get to what he wanted to discuss, since she appeared to be set on seducing him every time he tried to talk.
Once again, he tried to talk to her. He hauled her up his chest so they were face to face. He cradled her cheeks in his hands. "We have to talk."
She slowly shook her head, though it was difficult since he was holding her. "No, we don't. Not tonight. We can talk in the morning, or in a week, but not tonight. Tonight is for this and only this."
"No," Draco disagreed shortly. "We'll talk now."
She tried to let her head drop, but since Draco still had a hold on her, all that ended up happening was that her facial expression became scrunched. Between squished lips, she said, "Why can't you just let it go for now? If we talk it will ruin what we just shared."
"It won't ruin anything," Draco promised her with determination.
She sighed heavily and sat up so that she hugged him with her thighs. She also disregarded the fact that she was still completely in the nude and was therefore giving Draco a lovely view of her front. His reaction was to suck in his breath and look away. A sinful look came into Hermione's eyes, glinting there as she inched herself backwards to take what his body was willingly giving. When she was there, she smiled. "I think talking will have to wait."
Draco grabbed her about the hips and moved her away. He quickly tossed a blanket over Hermione so that her lovely body would not distract him once again. She chuckled over his actions, but did not say anything; instead, she pulled the blanket around her and laughed even harder when he got up and threw his pants back on for better insurance.
She sat down cross-legged on the floor and Draco joined her. Draco had expected her to get dressed and hightail it out of the room once she realized he was not going to let her seducing effect him once again, so he was a little surprised that she was simply snuggling up inside the blanket and sitting there, looking at him expectantly.
Since he was still unsure of what he really wanted to say, he took his time making himself comfortable on the floor beside her. The minutes dragged by, making him slightly nervous, so that he finally blurted, "I want to marry you," this surprised her as well as him.
Hermione moved so quickly that it took a second for him to realize that she was gathering her clothing and was about to leave his office. She was not going to reply, was not even going to acknowledge his announcement, but was simply going to leave. Draco hopped up from the floor and grabbed her by both arms. She tried to shake him off, but he only tightened his grip.
"Hermione, stop!" he nearly shouted. More calmly, he said, "It's not as if I said something deplorable."
Hermione stopped trying to get away and looked up at him. "I can't… No, I won't marry you. I told you that I cannot ever be with you again. I won't let myself feel like that ever again. I won't… I don't ever want to feel like I did then. Not with you or anyone else."
Pain sliced over his heart as something occurred to him. Softly he asked, "What was tonight, then? Revenge for what I once did?"
"What?" Her eyes rounded in shock and she immediately shook her head in denial. "No, of course not. I would never…I could never…" She took a deep breath and struggled for a semblance of control. "I wanted one night of…passion, I suppose, nothing more or less. I don't want marriage."
"Why are you so sure of that?" he asked, hoping to hear her say she was not sure of anything. "Maybe somewhere deep inside-"
She stopped him. Smiling sadly, she said, "No. No matter what came or comes from tonight, I promised myself, I would walk away without regrets and without worries."
He opened his mouth to say something more, but she was not done. "It's not about what happened in the past, and it's not about revenge for what did happen. It's not about how much you might have changed, or how sorry we both are for the roles we played back then. I won't let myself feel like that ever again, not about you, or someone else. I can't let myself become that vulnerable again; it hurt too much and I can't do it again. I've had my heart ripped to shreds twice in this lifetime; the first time was when Ron was killed and the second time was by you. I won't let it happen for a third time."
"Even if that means you're not truly living?" Draco asked quietly.
A deep sorrow filled her eyes and she smiled sadly. "If that's what it takes, Draco, then yes."
She pulled away and left the room. Draco let her go, but not in defeat. He was simply going to have to work harder to make her come around to his way of thinking. It was a good thing he liked a challenge, because Hermione was proving to be a far harder person to crack than he had originally thought.
A/N: Hermione's quite the little seductress, isn't she? I wanted to explore a different side to Hermione. She is, though we all tend to forget it, a woman, who has needs and desires just as much as the next person does. I hope I was able to describe the scenes between Hermione and Draco with grace and subtlety. Hope you liked the "sexy" side of Hermione so tell me what you thought.