"Purrrrrrrr."
Uh-oh.
It was too late to try and hide. Mrs. Norris would have already alerted Filch and the five of them could not all hide under the invisibility cloak.
"Finally," exclaimed Filch in triumph. "Finally, I've caught Potter, Malfoy, and Granger. Detentions all around," he shrieked gleefully. Then his face turned to a deep frown, "You two," he growled, pointing shakily at Fred and George. They grinned madly at the caretaker. "You two graduated already. I finally got rid of you two."
"Oh, but Argus. We missed you so. We thought we'd come and see how you were doing."
"Maybe have a spot of tea," Fred added to George's completely, absolutely sincere greeting. Well, as sincere as Fred and George could be.
"Detention for you two as well," flustered Filch.
"You can't," said a shocked George.
"We aren't students anymore. We're grown wizards," whined Fred.
"It's all right, Argus. I will handle the punishments from here," Professor Dumbledore said, stepping from the shadows of the stairs. Filch relented and muttered something to the effect of, 'They ought to be hung their toes in the Great Hall. Then they'd learn not to break the rules,' but it fell on deaf ears as he stalked away.
"Well, if it isn't the Brothers Weasley. It's nice to see you this evening. To what do we owe the great honor of your visit?"
"Good evening, sir. We were just escorting Tweedledum, Tweedledee, and Princess Hermione back to the castle," answered George, trying to stifle his laughter.
Fred on the other hand was not doing to well of a job hiding his amusement. "You never know what type of nefarious creatures you'll run into in the dead of night. Better safe than sorry."
"Yeah, nefarious," Harry grumbled. Fred and George chanced a look at aforementioned Tweedles and Hermione, only to receive two death glares, and a well-hidden smirk from Hermione.
"How very noble indeed. It seems I really can't punish the two of you. Given that you two are no longer students and you were acting in service by bringing back three very valuable students. I really don't see how I could ask you to walk all the distance back to Hogsmeade at such late hour. I would hope you would grant an old wizard, such as myself, the privilege of requesting you stay for the night. Perhaps reacquainting yourselves with your old housemates, that is of course if it is to your likings."
Giving a string of fake yawn, "Your offer is most gracious, Headmaster. Fred and I are most extremely tired. Probably just go straight to sleep as soon as we get to the common room."
"Yes, I can see that," replied the Headmaster, with his familiar twinkle, "But as for Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy, and Ms. Granger, some form of punishment will be necessary and I think I have the perfect detention for the three of them."
Please not Snape, Harry thought silently.
Not Snape, please anything, but Snape, came Hermione's thoughts.
Anything but the Forbidden Forest, was Draco's secret opinion.
"Madam Hooch needs all of her brooms tested for first year training. I'd like Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Potter to do the testing and Ms. Granger to supervise."
Thank God it wasn't Snape.
Thank God I don't have to fly one of those blasted things.
Thank God it's not the Forbidden Forest.
"Good evening. I'll see you all for breakfast in the morning." And with that Dumbledore was gone.
"Goodnight, Hermione," Draco said after briefly kissing her. He turned and began taking the stairwell leading to the dungeons.
"Where are you going?" He heard Harry call out as started down the steps.
"To the dungeons," he replied, as he turned to face the four Gryffindors.
"Why on earth would you do that?"
"That's were I live, remember, or did you forget in all the excitement, I'm a Slytherin."
Harry grinned at him widely before responding. "Tonight you're not and I daresay that you ever will be again." Draco looked at him with puzzlement, shifting awkwardly his weight on the steps. "Come on. We're going to have a party."
Draco could not help but be happy as he retook his position beside Hermione and the five of them went on to the Gryffindor tower. Life was turning out unexpectedly good for Draco.
"It's good to see you back, dear," regarded the portrait as Hermione and the others approached.
"Thank you. It's good to be home," she answered, glancing affectionately at Draco, "Jellyfish." The portrait swung open and what Hermione saw before her was overwhelming and nearly brought her to tears.
"What is all this?" She finally managed to croak, looking misty eyed at the welcome back banner and transfigured balloons.
Ginny stepped forward proudly, "Oh this." She waved airily around the room. "This is just the first meeting of the Hermione Granger Mutual Admiration Society," she said with a grin. Ginny stepped closer and gave Hermione a hug. "I know you weren't gone long, but we missed you," she whispered into Hermione's ear, "and you nearly broke his heart."
Hermione hugged back, thankfully acknowledging Ginny's concerns. "I know and I'll have to find a way to make it up to him." Her eyes glinted mischievously, so mischievously that Ginny couldn't deign a response befitting her amusement. She just laughed lightly and smirked at Draco, who looked at her curiously.
The party was in full swing. Hermione looked about the room full of pride. It was like all the other Gryffindor parties, but amazingly so much better. She knew why. Because Draco was here to share it with her, but it was also sad because Ron was not. And although she was still hurt by his actions, she still missed him, knowing what he did was not of his own volition. For now though, she let the thoughts of Ron drift from her mind and let herself be swept away by laughter and warmth.
The party went on until the wee hours of the morning, until one by one each Gryffindor dropped off and headed to their beds. The only ones left were Hermione and Draco. Appraising the situation carefully, he pulled her to the portrait.
"I think I'd better go now," he said cautiously. Hermione noted his definite disappointment and his ability to disguise it well, but not well enough from her. He placed a chaste kiss on her cheek and took a second to take her appearance in once again. Hermione rubbed her thumb over his hand, caressing it softly.
"I'd rather like it if you didn't. I'm sure Parvati and Lavender wouldn't mind and I don't want to be alone. We can just sleep."
"I could deny you nothing, my love." He smiled at her as she led him up the stairs.
"And maybe we could do a little more than sleep," she added flirtatiously. Draco's breath hitched and if she had turned around to see him, she would have seen the color rising in his cheeks.
Hermione looked around the room before entering, noticing Parvati and Lavender were passed out carelessly on their beds. Nothing short of the earth sucking them up would disturb their slumber, if even that. Perfect, her mind whispered. Indeed, she answered back, leading Draco to her bed.
Two sets of smoldering eyes met in the dark as they removed their clothing. Modesty and pretense was unnecessary, for they trusted each other completely. Hermione walked around the four-poster and pulled the crimson drapes around leaving only one side open. She slid in between the cool sheets, lifting them invitingly for Draco. He gracefully fell in beside her, pulling the final drape closed, sealing them off from the world; encasing them in darkness. The room may have held a chill but that went unnoticed as he felt the fire burning amorously next to him.
In the darkness they found each other, like they had so many other times before, but this time it was different. So unexplainably different, that if asked about it at a later time they could not have been able to put it into words. The love they expressed was deeper and gentler than they had expressed previously. It almost made their previous times seem like child's play, but when consummated this time, an unbreakable bond was forming. No matter where life led them in the future, there would always be this bond that would forever link them. Even if the present led to future heartache, neither of them would ever forget tonight.
Draco kissed her softer than she had ever been kissed before. He held her almost reverently as they melded into each other. Hermione could feel his hot breath rushing past her cheek. Her insides burned furiously as they wrapped themselves against each other. They moved with each other in fluid motions. Soft, beautiful motions that encompassed them, let them weep into each other, but tears of joy, completion. Motions full of nothing but love and trust that encircled them.
The slow, seductive movements were clouded with deeper emotions than either had previously experienced. It was almost to overwhelming, more perfect than ever imaginable, and completely consuming. Sanctuary.
Patience was a virtue, Hermione thought wildly. A virtue she was impatiently pushing out of her mind. Draco had never beheld a finer creature in his life and was greedily taking advantage of each searing kiss. Hungrily, tasting…savoring every inch of warm flesh. The build-up was becoming too much and soon they would both combust in flames of desire. Their hands and legs seemed to have minds of their own, as they wantonly explored each other's body.
Hermione's small hands gripped Draco's torso with an incessant need to have him closer, although to have him any closer would be impossible. They were already firmly pressed against each other; hearts pounding so ferociously they might trade places in each other's body, but that did not matter. Nothing mattered. Everything was a delirious, fantastic haze. The sweet musk of their passion nearly drove them insane, as they inhaled each other.
They had rolled around so many times on the bed, neither knew which way was up and which was down, or if they were sideways. They were lost in each other; tangled in silk and skin. Hermione vaguely recalled Draco's hand caressing her breast, while the other was wrapped in her hair, pulling it just enough to remind her that it was there. Her own hands were now lost somewhere between their bodies. Briefly she grazed his nipple, shivering at how hard it was, as she sought out the rest of his chest, slick with their sweat. She snaked her other hand up his shoulder, where it took refuge on the nape of his neck; kneading it softly, repetitiously.
Draco in one of his own moments of clarity realized how sore his jaw was and when he looked at Hermione, her lips were swollen and a delicious shade of the insides of a blood red orange. He cast aside all thought, thoughts were for the morning, he reminded himself, and attacked her pulsing lips with a fury; wanting to taste the sweetness that they represented. Franticly they rubbed against each other. Electricity charging through them, like a live wire. Before Draco could stop them, his own thoughts were distracting him. Maybe it's too soon, he thought as he tried to desperately slow the scorching pace. What if she's not ready after what happened? What if all this is reactionary? But another voice cut him off from his own thoughts. Can't you tell. Can't you feel it. He thought he must be going insane. Driven over the edge by lust. He was hearing voices in his head. He was used to his own, but now…no it can't be. I'm just imagining the voice. Sweet delusions, that's all it is.
He caught her eyes again. They reflected the same intensity that was burning within him. If he had not been so caught up in their probing ministrations, he would have stopped when he heard the voice again. Relax. Enjoy it. It's what you want, isn't it? The voice asked, dripping with a husky yearning. "Yes," he grunted ardently. Then take what is yours. You don't need to be careful.
"Hermione," he bellowed, as he pressed against her, moving within her more forcefully than he had planned, but there was no going back. He watched her as he moved in and out. Her eyes blazed with lust to a golden hue; flashing brighter than a brand new galleon. A drunken, blissful smile played at the corners of her mouth with each fulfilling thrust. If heaven was anything like this who would not welcome the ecstasy of death.
The only thing pervading his thoughts now where the slow, simple gyrations beneath him. Captivating him, as he could almost hear them begging for more. More is something he could give. He would give all of himself until he collapsed from exhaustion.
Lifting Hermione's leg into the crook of his arm he was allowed to penetrate deeper. Deeper than before, smacking tightly against her with each thrust. She gasped sharply with each extraction. With each wet, hot insertion Draco felt the inevitable building. Ripping down his spine seeking the glorious release that was clearly in sight. Hold on tight. Just let go, the voice whispered. The slow and steady rush came to a crashing crescendo leaving the two in a heap of sweat and sex; heaving for air. The intoxicating fumes they had created surrounded them in a glistening afterglow.
After taking several minutes to come down from their high, they held each other tightly. Hermione draped herself over Draco. Still craving his touch, his warmth. She nestled her head on his shoulder and hummed cool breaths on his skin. Draco clasped the hand resting on his chest, rubbing it affectionately, before sleep finally prevailed them both. Sweet Dreams. That was the last voice he remembered, but his unconscious responded for him. Always.
A/N: The ten points go to Jackie, who answered first. The song was While You Loved Me By Rascal Flatts. The only cd that kept me sane during the depressing chapters. Thanks for all the reviews. Draco most definitely is not the one to die, although you really shouldn't put ideas like that in my head. I may take advantage of them in one way or another. Everyone else though is completely at my mercy, even the fair Hermione, but she has been tortured enough for now. ~Amber