Week 10 - First week of April
It was late at night. The chill was lessening in the air, spring was nearly here.
"What happened with Pansy?" Hermione asked as they walked through the sleeping village.
"What do you mean?"
"A few nights ago I heard you call for her. And back in December, you'd alluded to something happening between you two after school. I'm calling in this huge favour I'm doing you by being here. I want to know what happened."
Draco scoffed, "Favour? I'm paying you to be here."
"Piss off, you know what I mean." She rolled her eyes.
"Are you jealous I'm dreaming about another girl, Granger?" He elbowed her ribs.
Hermione rolled her eyes again and huffed. She looked frustrated as hell and Draco loved it. It felt like things were normal again. "Alright, fine I'll tell you. But we're trading stories, I get dirt on you after. This isn't truly my story to tell."
She turned her head to look at him and nodded.
"After the war, a lot of Slytherins who didn't take the Mark, like Pansy, weren't subjected to a trial. Pansy said she and most of Slytherin were locked in the dungeons for most of the battle, actually. But as you know, Fenrir Greyback evaded capture for a while. He… He kidnapped Pansy and a few other Slytherin girls. It was only for a month but it was long enough to fuck all those girls up. He didn't kill or turn them so you can imagine what he did do. Pansy wouldn't go into detail about it. But I dream about it… If my head hadn't been so far up my ass, maybe I could've done something…" Draco swallowed and kept his eyes on the distant hills, the village disappearing behind them. "The Ministry kept the kidnapping quiet at the request of all the girls. They weren't found for that long because most of their parents were either dead or in Azkaban for being Death Eaters.
Pansy took to drinking to help her cope with it all. The Ministry set her up with a job as a Secretary in Magical Law Enforcement and since then she's worked her way up to the head of the department, but the job didn't stop her from getting hammered every night. Some nights she'd have me over and I'd get tossed too because she was a fun drunk. Other nights she'd have loads of people over… But to answer your question from December, yeah, I've fucked Pansy since sixth year. Some of the times I don't remember and I'm sure there are times she doesn't remember. My stupid twenty-year-old brain was thrilled to be done with Voldemort and being scared all the time. I took advantage of my best friend when she was at her lowest point. That went on for three years." Draco hung his head in self-pity. "She's been sober for around three years now and has said there's nothing to apologise for but my guilty conscience is a force to be reckoned with these days." He glanced up to see her reaction, it was still impassive.
She slid her hand into his.
She didn't say anything for a long time. The smallest gesture of contact from her made Draco feel at ease. His shoulders felt lighter.
As the cottage drew closer she spoke. "You shouldn't feel guilty anymore. It sounds like she's already forgiven you of whatever pain you may have caused her. Stop wasting your time feeling guilty over things you can't fix."
Draco bit out a laugh, "I should make you an honorary Slytherin. You're sounding more and more like us."
"If I were a snake I wouldn't be here, would I?"
"On the contrary, we look after our own." He stopped as they stepped onto the porch and pulled her hand to turn her body to face him. "I won't forget this, you being here. Nor will Pansy, Theo or my mother. We're all indebted to you."
She watched his face, "I wouldn't have done it if it weren't for the money." She pursed her lips together to fight her growing smile.
Draco was completely entranced by her. Her too-big toothy smile was gorgeous, her frizzy hair from the humidity was beautiful, her nasty humour was charming.
He leaned forward until he was an inch from her mouth. His eyes searched her face for her response.
She made eye contact and closed the distance between them. Their lips met with slow gentle pressure. His left hand skimmed her cheek. Her arms worked their way over his shoulders.
Draco didn't want to break contact, he wanted more of her. He pulled her body against his and wrapped his right arm around her waist. The kiss was painfully slow and soft. He couldn't remember the last time he'd kissed anyone like this.
She hesitantly pulled away from his lips and cast her eyes sideways. He pulled her against him again and wound his arms around her waist.
"Stay with me tonight," he whispered into her neck.
After a moment of her arms awkwardly hovering over his back, she dropped her hands onto his shoulder blades and rested her cheek on his shoulder.
"Okay."
Week 11 - Second week of April
Hermione laid on her side watching Draco's sleeping profile. It'd been two nights without an incident but she didn't sleep soundly next to him. She couldn't be sure if it was because she was afraid he'd break loose of his bonds and choke her to death or if she was feeling too comfortable being so close to him after sleeping together consistently for a week. She wasn't sure which was worse.
The early morning sunlight was creeping through the slat blinds around the room. She inhaled his warm earthy scent and sweat that permeated the air. Her eyes closed.
"I was assaulted when I was twenty-four. I couldn't get to my wand and I'd just started Muay Thai. I knew they were going to beat and rape me and leave me for dead in that alley," she whispered. She opened her eyes to make sure his breathing hadn't changed.
"I go to that alley anytime I leave the house, but you probably knew that. I want to find them. It was the most frightened I've been since… I didn't get to kill Bellatrix; I need to kill them. I want to watch the life leave their eyes the same way they would've done to me."
She tried to hold back any tears that dared to make themselves known. She'd never told anyone what happened that night. She'd never spoken those bloodthirsty words out loud. He might've understood, but she couldn't bring herself to tell him. It was her lowest moment as if she'd learned nothing from the horrors she'd survived.
"Don't tell," she whimpered as her tears spilled. She looked away from his face and rubbed the tip of her finger against the small strip of his exposed abdomen. Her tears silently fell and she hoped desperately he wouldn't wake to see her like this.
Week 12 - Third week of April
"You know, it's been nearly a week since you had to be strapped down from pain thanks to that potion Neville sent. How do you feel about going back?" Hermione asked as they ate breakfast on the porch. It wasn't warm by any means, but they were both plagued with serious cabin fever.
"Yeah, I've thought about it. That'll be fine. Does Saturday work for you?" He shrugged, mastering a face of indifference.
"Saturday's grand. Theo wrote saying they were having a party at Neville's for Pansy. He has a new flat just a block away from mine. So I'll probably go…" She looked over at him from her seat.
"I'll probably go as well," He looked questioningly at her. Why was she being so strange about it?
"Oh, no, yeah, that's fine. Should we go together, er, or… ?"
"Salazar's rod, Hermione. We're not bloody school children, I'm sure it's fine to attend a party at the same time without a lifelong commitment." Draco rolled his eyes and resumed eating his porridge.
"Well excuse me for trying to be conscientious of your feelings, asshole!" She stood and slammed her bowl down on the porch railing.
"You're still shit at it after three months, you bitch," Draco shot back.
She stopped with her hand on the doorknob, "What the hell is your problem?! Aren't you happy to get out of this place?!" She stomped through the door and slammed it closed.
"Thrilled," Draco muttered into his spoonful of food. He knew once they left things would be over. There was no more pretending to play house. No more sleeping together. No more repeats of the kiss they shared on this porch weeks ago. Saturday may as well be the last time he'll see her.
They stood with their luggage in the sitting room on Saturday morning.
"Well, I suppose I'll see you tonight?" Draco asked as he shrugged on his cloak.
"Yeah. It's going to be odd, isn't it?" Hermione asked, digging around in her purse and producing Draco's wand. "You don't seem like a threat to society anymore." She handed it to him. Hermione watched him carefully as he readjusted his grip several times around the wand.
"It'll only be odd if you make it so, Granger." He cooly cast his eyes towards the kitchen.
She sucked her teeth at the mention of her last name. "Right." She disarmed the wards and Apparated to her flat.
It was just as she'd left it, no signs of life, in fact. All her plants had died from neglect. She walked to her mantle and thumbed Crookshanks' ashes remorsefully before turning back to her luggage. It wouldn't unpack itself.
As she threw her soiled laundry in the basket she fumed over their last interaction.
If he wanted to go back to acting like that then fine! All I've done for him and that was the thanks I got.
Hermione pushed her luggage up into her linen closet. She sighed remorsefully. She obviously felt something for him, but maybe he didn't feel the same way. He got what he needed from her, someone to watch him during his rehab.
She went downstairs to get a cappuccino. She didn't want to be alone in her flat, she'd had enough reflection time in Keel.
Draco's flat smelled stuffy and cold. He opened the drapes in the sitting room with a flick of his wrist. It felt so good to have his wand back in his hand. Aside from the constant headache and light sleeps, he felt nearly normal. But something didn't sit well with him. Not the fact that his home felt even colder and less welcoming than it did before he left. Not the fact that his wrists ached deeply every time he used his wand. It was that he was smitten for Granger.
At first, he'd felt foolish, falling for someone he'd wanted to antagonize, fuck then move on. Then he was angry when she didn't feel the same. That the night they spent together in Greece meant nothing to her and had meant everything to him.
Now, all he wanted was her warm scent in his flat. But he couldn't bring himself to tell her that. If her first rejection sent him over the edge, he couldn't imagine what another would do. So here he was, alone in his flat, again. He'd have to move on, pretend he wasn't in love with her, date other women, adamantly avoid her coffee shop.
He could hire an Elf and make an anonymous tip about himself and hope she'd see to his case herself.
What's the matter with me? Is this how Astoria feels? He sat down heavily on his sofa. This was what he was now. Owner of the most profitable potions company in Wizarding history and a sap for Hermione Granger.
"Accio sudoku," he summoned the little book from his luggage. He decided to do his puzzles until he fell asleep or until he had to leave for Pansy's party.
"You going to be alright at Neville's tonight?" Pansy asked Theo as she fixed his hair.
"Yes, yes, Pansy, Cersei's cunt! Leave the sodding hair!" He batted her hand away.
She tsked and smoothed her dress before reapplying her lipstick. "Well, it's your own fault for having it shaved your whole life. You hardly know how to style it and Merlin knows you need to be on your A-game tonight."
He roughly sighed, "I don't even know if he'll want to talk about us tonight. I won't push it on him. But it'll be nice to see Drake, I'm glad he made it through detox without losing his mind."
Pansy snorted, "Me too. Hopefully, Granger can keep him clean because soon, I'll hardly have time to babysit you two anymore."
Theo barked a laugh and held his forearm out for her. "Ms. Minister, allow me."
"Oh why thank you, Mr. Nott," she took his forearm as they side-Apparated to Neville's flat.
Neville's new flat was just as quaint as Hermione's but absolutely covered in different types of muggle and wizard flora.
Pansy was the first to notice Draco's arrival, "Well! The attention hog finally arrives!" She hugged Draco, "It's good to see you. You look, well you look as good as you normally do. A little scrawnier though. Wasn't Granger feeding you?"
Draco smiled and hugged her back. "I think she purposefully held my meals when I pissed her off too badly. It's good to see you too, Pans. Congratulations on the announcement, hopefully, it's a smooth campaign."
Granger appeared in the Floo. Draco's heart clenched and he tried to listen to Pansy as she approached them.
"Oh, I'm sure it won't be. Kingsley is a good opponent but veteran affairs have been grossly overlooked, so even if I lose, hopefully, it'll knock some sense into the Ministry to open some sort of support," she shrugged.
"That's a very admirable campaign, Pansy. I suppose I've been underestimating you Slytherins for years," Hermione chimed in.
"That's for sure, just because Drake was Slytherin's head prat didn't mean we all were," Theo sauntered up to the three of them. "Welcome back, ye two." He embraced Draco and Hermione.
"Just lovely, my two mates start insulting me the moment I walk in the door when they haven't heard from me in three months," Draco huffed.
"Granger here has been keeping us updated on your progress, you junkie. I can't believe you agreed to stay locked up with him in a cottage for three months," Pansy addressed Hermione.
Hermione laughed, "Well, I was paid handsomely for my time. And there were times I considered leaving him tied up there for good." Her eyes found Harry's across the room and excused herself. She flung herself into his equally excited arms.
"Welcome home! I've missed you! I've got loads to tell you. Care for a fag?" Harry exclaimed into her hair.
She pulled back and made a disgusted sound. "You're still smoking, Harry?"
"You'll understand. Come on." He led her out to Neville's cramped patio.
"Where to begin," he wondered out loud as he lit the cancerous stick. "Ah yes! Romilda had the baby! I don't know if Ron's had the time to owl you but it's a girl. They named her Isabelle. You should go 'round and see her. I think she's the first Weasley to have brown hair."
Hermione laughed and waved away the smoke curling towards her. "That's wonderful! Romilda's a beautiful woman, that little girl will be lucky to look like her. Speaking of Weasleys, how's Ginny?"
A blinding smile broke out on Harry's face. "Yeah, she's good. She's been coming 'round for dinners every Saturday. You remember that recreational Quidditch team I joined? She's offered to help me practice to get back into it. I don't want to jinx it, but I'm feeling really hopeful about it."
Hermione's heart was full at the sight. "Well, you know what might help your chances, is quitting this shite." She gestured to the cigarette.
"As I said, I've kept up with it because it's been difficult adjusting to a slower life. I do office work two days a week, recruit training two days and a patrol of nearby villages on Fridays. You know I joined a boxing club in Essex a few months back and now Quidditch, but it's not enough. Some days I feel like I could go stir crazy. This shite keeps me calm." Harry rubbed the back of his neck.
"That's fair," Hermione sighed. "But it's still killing you the way your last job did. This is Ginny's battle now, I've done hard time with you already."
"Yeah, speaking of which, how's that going? It didn't seem easy being Malfoy's orderly." Harry tapped out the cigarette butt.
"It's going well. I still have difficulties with heavy emotions, despite the immersion therapy with him. But small things like, 'how did you sleep?' and 'how was your day?' don't feel like pulling teeth. And he cried like a baby a lot so crying doesn't make me want to crawl out of my skin anymore."
"And what of Malfoy now? Are you two dating?" Harry enquired.
She sighed, "I don't know… I thought we might've - I don't think that's what he wants. I care for him, though."
"I never thought I'd hear you say that about Malfoy," Harry chuckled. "Are you okay?"
"Oh, yes, of course," Hermione lied. "I… It was a wash for romance but there was this... I just feel like we know each other quite well now so I was a little taken aback when he was cold when we parted ways."
"He's always been a git and always will be," he angrily sighed. "I'm proud of you for putting yourself through this sort of thing."
"Thank you, Harry. I'm proud of you too, but it seems having Ginny in your life again is reward enough," Hermione replied, happy to change the subject.
Harry slung his arm around her shoulders, "I'll always need you. Now, you should go back in. I've hogged you for long enough. I'm sure Luna can't wait to see you!"
Draco watched Hermione launch herself into Potter's arms and smirked. He was glad she was back with her friends; She sacrificed a lot to stay with him in Ireland.
"So that's going well, I take it."
His gaze shifted back to his two friends who were smiling widely at him, "Shove off, you two. Nothing's happening."
Theo rolled his eyes dramatically, "Really? We can read ye like a book, mate. We saw the look on your face when she showed up. Ye have it bad."
"Piss off, she completely ignored me," Draco snapped.
"Probably because you were pulling this shit of pretending you don't fancy her. Draco fancies Granger, Draco fancies Granger!" Pansy mocked.
Theo joined in and howled with laughter.
"Fuck off," Draco shoved Theo and covered Pansy's mouth. "Merlin, you two! Pansy you're meant to be the leader of the British wizarding world and this is how you conduct yourself?"
Pansy licked his palm and he pulled his hand away, disgusted.
"Politicians don't need sticks up their rears to be in office," she smirked.
"Alright, alright, just enough, okay?" He glanced at the kitchen. "Care for a bev, Theo?"
Theo waved his hand, "Not for me, brother. I'm still sober. The wag here," he jerked his thumb at Pansy, "guilted me into it. That and it's done wonders for my waistline. Would ye look at us though," Theo slung his arms around Draco and Pansy's necks, "a bunch of addicts getting their shit together. Snape would be bleary-eyed with pride."
Draco snorted and shrugged his arm off and went to the kitchen to fix drinks. He poured whisky into a glass and gin into another. He started walking towards the patio where Hermione and Potter were when he felt a big hand clap on his shoulder.
"Oh how I have missed you, Draco! Come here!" Neville enveloped Draco into a hug while he held his arms out trying not to spill the drinks.
Draco awkwardly cleared his throat, "Alright, Neville? It's good to see you too. Without a cane, no less."
Neville pulled back still smiling, "Yeah, Theo and I still run most days. How've you been? You're looking much better, but a little skinny. Have you been eating?"
"Yeah, I feel better too, thanks to Granger. She kept me in check."
"Sounds like her. Where is she?" Neville asked, looking around the crowded flat.
"Just coming in from the patio with Potter. Give her this, will you?"
Draco handed Neville the tumbler of gin and watched him walk towards Hermione. Luna appeared from the hall and joined the three Gryffindors.
Draco stood next to Theo, Pansy was nowhere in sight. "Isn't it uncomfortable her being here?" He nodded towards Luna.
"When has her presence ever been comfortable?" Theo snorted. "Since ye've been gone they've kept in touch, they're still mates."
"So does that mean you two…" Draco allowed Theo to fill in the blanks.
Theo waved his hand in response, clearly not wanting to discuss it but continued staring across the room at Neville chatting with Hermione. "Ye worried Potter's going to take your bird now that they're reunited?"
Draco scoffed into his drink, "She'll never be mine or anyone else's for that matter. She's far too much of a pain to be tethered by a person. Besides, how could she say no to a twice recovering addict?" His heart was heavy knowing she would never fully be his, but he would be happy to give himself to her in any way she wanted.
One sip in and I'm all wet. For godssake…
The night passed by as everyone caught Draco and Hermione up on current events, congratulated Pansy and discussed her platform in depth. Draco was coming out of the loo when Potter cornered him in the hallway.
"Glad to see you're clean," Potter clipped.
"Yeah. Glad to see you haven't gotten yourself blown up. For Granger's sake," Draco glared down at the shorter man, unsure of where they currently stood. He couldn't stand Potter but didn't wish any ill will on him. For Granger's sake.
"What are your intentions with her?"
Draco scoffed, "Really? An intentions talk? She's a grown woman, Potter. She can do what she wants and I don't have to answer to you. You're not her bloody father."
"No, but she hasn't exactly got one of those anymore, does she?" Potter sneered.
Draco felt his temper rising to dangerous levels. "Don't you think I know that? I watched her wallow for months! I was there when you had your head so far up your own ass, you couldn't see she was suffering!"
Potter shoved Draco against the wall and started shouting. "How dare you of all people question my relationship with her! She's been my best friend for fifteen years! You'll always be the prick who made her childhood a living hell! Not only that, you'll always be the fucker who let her get tortured! You haven't changed one bit, you don't deserve her!"
"Don't you think I fucking know that? Get out of my face, go fuck up your own life some more. Isn't there a redhead here to suck you off?" Draco yelled and turned to leave.
Potter pulled his shoulder back and wound up to punch him in the jaw. Draco blocked the jab with his forearm and pushed him away. He pulled out his wand and was about to curse Potter when Hermione stepped in front of him and shoved him back against the wall, knocking his wand from his hand.
"Stop! Draco, stop! Look at me," she grabbed his face and yanked his head down to get him to look away from Potter.
Both men were panting and seething with rage.
"Enough!" She smacked his face hard. She threw his shoulders back against the wall again when his eyes didn't move.
"You're awake. Look at me," she whispered low enough so only he heard those magic words.
He wrenched his eyes from Potter's fury filled face and pierced hers. Her eyes were warm honey and he felt his chest loosen. He would happily drown in those eyes.
"Harry, leave."
"Hermione, you shouldn't be alone- "
"I did this for three months. Get out!" She yelled, not leaving Draco's eyes.
Potter reluctantly stomped back to the now silent sitting room.
"What happened?" She whispered.
"Oh, now you're talking to me?" He quietly sneered.
"Stop it, what happened?" She repeated with expert patience.
He expelled his anger through his nostrils. "He got under my skin. He always has with his holier-than-thou attitude. He asked about my intentions with you." Draco felt suddenly very tired; closing his eyes, he leaned his forehead against hers. "I'm sorry."
"I don't care about your intentions. But you can't jinx my friends just for asking. Thank Merlin Ron's not here," she sighed.
"I know. I'm not used to other people yet, I suppose. I'm going to go home." He straightened his back.
She sighed and pulled his hand as he started to walk away. "I kept the flower because I like you. I wanted to fuck you, but I liked you as a person and even when I was mad at you and wanted you out of my life I couldn't bear to get rid of it. Even if it is a stupid, sexist tradition."
He stared at her and clenched his jaw. He focused on his breathing to keep himself from exploding with joy.
"I'll come with you. We have some long-overdue business to take care of, wouldn't you say?" Her eyes were mischievous and she cocked her eyebrow.
He let out a loud breath as he chuckled. Draco pulled Hermione to his chest and they Apparated to her flat.
They had barely finished Apparating back to Hermione's flat before they were devouring each other's mouths and tearing at their clothes.
He backed her against her closed bedroom door. He ripped her bra off and kicked the door open. She left his mouth to tug his trousers to his knees. He stepped out of his pants and shoes and threw her backward onto the edge of the bed. She laughed headily, her eyes hooded. He'd missed her laugh, even more seeing her wanting for him.
He dropped to his knees in front of her, pulled her hips toward him hard and kissed down her thighs. Her legs draped over his shoulders, her heels dug harder into his back the lower he moved. Just before he hit the spot she was yearning for, he stopped.
"Beg for me," he growled.
She laughed amidst her panting. It was so easy to make her laugh now.
"Please, Draco, oh please, I need you!" she moaned theatrically.
Draco let out a deep groan and gently started to work on her. Soon, her ankles were tightly crossed behind his head and she lifted her hips off the bed. She was gripping the duvet tightly and her chest was flushed and slick. He couldn't wait any longer. He straightened his back and unwound the legs around his head to settle on his collarbone. The look she gave him was nothing short of murderous. He couldn't help the smirk that worked its way onto his face.
Before she had the chance to berate him, he surged his hips forward into her and the look on her face was replaced by shock. He stopped moving and looked at her with a cocked eyebrow.
Breathlessly, she nodded.
He grabbed the tops of her thighs and continued at an achingly fast speed. The room filled with the sound of his own legs hitting the footboard of the bed and her frantic sighing.
She resumed a hand between her legs and shot her hips upward, temporarily disrupting his pace.
"Keep going, keep going," she ordered quietly.
He didn't need further instruction. Watching her face intently, he did as he was told until all her muscles seized she let out a drunk and lengthy moan. He scrambled onto the bed on top of her. He hitched her right knee up with his and resumed his pace. Her hands clawed into his shoulders and hair. His breath was hot on her neck and made her already damp hair wet. She locked her ankles around his hips and bit down on his earlobe. He let out a harsh moan as he found his own end.
Hermione's face was still buzzing from her peak when Draco fell heavily next to her. He brushed her hair from her sweaty forehead and gave her a gentle kiss before draping his long arm over her hips.
They slept like that the whole night through and Hermione didn't mind it, not one bit.
A/N: One more chapter after this and it's finally finished! I'm working through the concept of my new story and I want to give a big shout out to aestheticaspen for keeping me motivated! She's an excellent writer in the Twilight fandom, I highly recommend checking out her stuff, she has some exciting things on the way!
