Happy New Year! Here's a baby chapter for you lot. A bigger one is on its' way!
"Hermione, I'm far too hungover for this shit," Ginny complained.
Hermione had woken fairly early to an owl tapping on her bedroom window. She'd hurried over to it, untangling herself gently from Draco's still sleeping form, and opened the sliding glass. The owl stuck a foot out, allowing her to retrieve the letter. She didn't have any pellets for it so she gave it a head scratch instead. It flew away as she skimmed the letter from Kingsley.
It seemed he'd put her on home duty again. The blast had created much more of a mess than he'd originally thought and it was taking longer to put the department right again. He'd also revealed that her workload would be fairly lighter; a group of her colleagues had been cleared to get back to work after their questioning. That left her day pretty wide open.
So Hermione did the first thing she could think of. She quietly exited the room to let Draco sleep some more and ventured down the hall to wake up Ginny.
"It's not even seven in the morning, 'Mione. Let a witch get some rest."
"Nope. Not when I have a boy in my bed and need a chat with my best friend." Hermione hinted. Ginny sat up lightning-quick, regretting it instantly as she grabbed her head with a groan.
"Say what?" She hopped off the bed and tore down the hall. It was a slower pace than normal, given her hangover, but quicker than Hermione could've anticipated. She followed close behind her.
Ginny opened the door and tip-toed inside. When she got to the bed and spotted who was sleeping there, she turned to Hermione on her left and gawked.
"What. The. Fuck." She whispered, her eyes wide and her mouth upturned in a sly grin. "Someone's been bad while I've been away!"
"Shhhh!" Hermione shushed her. "You'll wake him!" She stifled a giggle, swatting her friend as she tried to peak around the covers to gain any sort of glance at the man.
"Why does he have clothes on?" She asked, still whispering.
"Because we didn't... you know."
"What?" Ginny asked out loud.
"Shhhhh!" Hermione loud whispered, attempting to cover Ginny's mouth. The two scuffled a moment before a male voice interrupted them.
"You two are about as subtle as a train," Draco grumbled, turning his head. Ginny laughed and plopped on the bed sideways, leaning her head in her hand.
"Mooooorning," She said coyly.
"I see someone is feeling much better," He said to her. She shrugged.
"Not really, I feel like shite... but..." She looked at Hermione, smirking at her blushing face. "I had to check in on the man in my best mates bed. Who'd have known leaving you two alone could end with such naughty results?"
"Shove off, Weasley," Draco muttered and flung the blanket over his face. Ginny laughed.
"Are you blushing, Malfoy!?" She ripped the quilt down and pointed, bouncing a little on the bed. "Merlin, you are!"
"Ginny," Hermione chastised but the tone was more teasing than anything. She sat down in the spot she'd slept and Draco laid his head in her lap.
"Morning," He said shyly.
"Morning back," She smiled down at him. His hair was stuck up in odd places and he had indentations in his skin from the fabric of the pillowcases. He was absolutely adorable in the morning.
"How did this happen?" Ginny asked, giving them a genuine smile. "Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled. Draco's had a hard-on for you since school-"
"Oi!" Draco threw a pillow at her face. She laughed loudly and used it to help prop herself up.
"So this is pretty recent, huh?" She asked. Hermione nodded and looked down at Draco's head in her lap. She rested her hand in the loose tendrils in the back. He closed his eyes briefly at the contact and looked back at Ginny.
"I asked her to be mine just last night," He admitted.
"Damn, you work quickly. Already in her bed..."
"Gin," Hermione giggled. Ginny held up a hand in surrender.
"Fine, but I want details later. I mean it!" She pointed at her. "No holding back because of your prudish ways."
"Of course not," Hermione promised. Draco gave her a faux affronted expression.
"You'd tell her all the personal inter-workings of our relationship?" His palm flew to his chest. "I'm hurt, Granger."
"Whatever, you guys are pretty boring so far," Ginny stood up a tad more slowly than she had earlier.
"Still feeling the booze, Gin?" Draco teased. She flipped him off and walked towards the door.
"I'm going back to bed." She proclaimed and left the room.
"Pep-up potion's in the kitchen!" Draco called after her. She changed directions and waved a thank you as she went in search of relief.
"Sorry about her," Hermione smiled down at him. He sat up and rubbed a hand down his face.
"Trust me, you never have to apologize for her behavior. I know her well enough by now to tell what she really means. Well, most of the time." He said and stood up to stretch out his limbs. "Damn, Granger, I slept so well last night."
"Even with the ginger interruption at two am?"
"Even with that." He said. "Your bed is divine."
"Good to know," She said and handed him the letter from the Ministry. "No going in today, either."
"Oh," Draco grabbed the letter from her and skimmed it. "I know what an annoyance this must be for you. I think it's for the best that he's having your department, namely, you, stay away from the Ministry for now."
"Draco, I need to work..."
"I get that you feel that way. I really do. So let's keep you busy another way. Come to work with me today?" He asked. Hermione pursed her lips.
"And do what?" She asked.
"Well you're one of our authors, are you not? Is it not still your desire to finish your book and become published?"
"You know it is-"
"Well come to work with me. Use Olympus to inspire you."
"Where would I write?"
"You could work at my desk," Draco suggested. "You've seen it yourself, it's enormous."
"Won't I be in your way? You should really focus on your job—"
"Hermione," Draco walked around the bed and grabbed her arms. "I'm hardly ever in my office most of the day. Besides, you could never be in my way," He said. He planted a warm kiss on her cheek and skimmed over it with the tip of his nose.
"You're too good at that," She muttered, her eyes fluttered closed.
"What's that?"
"Sweet talking me to get your way," she said. "It won't work."
"I think it already is..." He whispered in her ear, the little hairs being tickled by his breath. He took the opportunity to steal a kiss, pressing his lips against her own. She practically sighed out loud, feeling her resolve melt along with her body.
"Fine," She said against his mouth. He withdrew and gave her his best grin.
"Damn straight," He exclaimed and lightly smacked her butt before making a quick exit. Hermione stood there, feeling a tad tricked, but finding herself not minding it.
After all, she was his girlfriend now; she'd have to get more used to his trickery and sassy war methods. She could be just as sly as he. Slytherin's might be known for it, but Gryffindors could be better at it. After all, it was her nature to be bold and fearless. Even if she'd kept it under wraps for such a time, it was still there, clawing at the surface of her day to day life.
Hopefully, Draco would be ready for it when the time came.