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CHAPTER 17
"What just happened?"
Hermione luxuriated under the weight of him, but after all she'd read regarding Alphas in bed, she was confused. She'd expected hours of touching and tasting, sweaty bodies and breathlessness, not two thrusts and a sprint to the finish in only half a minute.
Draco groaned, his tongue swiping over her gland once more, before sliding his arms beneath her, gripping her tightly and rolling them over. She made to move off him, but he grabbed her quickly, holding her in place.
"No," he grunted. "You can't move yet. We'll both be hurt…. if you're not already."
Hermione frowned at him. "We can't move?"
"I'm locked inside you, and I've no idea how long for."
"Oh," she said quietly, then reached her hand out, whispering an incantation. The bedcovers instantly cocooned around them and she curled herself against his chest, letting the spicy scent of him wash over her.
"I'm okay," she finally told him. "A bit… stretched… but okay."
"Fuck," he whispered quietly then kissed the top of her head. "I'm so sorry."
"What happened? Why are you sorry?"
"I didn't know." She heard his throat click as he swallowed thickly.
"You didn't know what?" She lifted her head from his chest, her heart dropping at the pained expression on his face. "Oh, that. It's not a big deal, Draco. It's not some sacred gift I gave you."
"You might not think so, but in the world of Alphas, it is."
She tried to sit up, but the movement caused a stab of pain between her thighs. She winced and Draco's hands held her steady.
"You are hurt." His eyes grew dark, angry at himself for what happened.
"No, honestly, I'm not." She shifted her shoulders, folding her arms over his chest and resting her chin on her hands. "Tell me what's going on."
Draco brushed his fingers in lazy patterns on her hips. "This is in no way your fault, okay?" She nodded and he continued, "But, in the Alpha world, what just happened was a natural instinct. No one else has had you, and I didn't realise, so when you took me inside you, the Alpha took over."
"So, my virginity was a big deal?"
"Yes and no." Draco's hands journeyed up her back. "In the real world, I guess not."
She grinned. "You guess not?"
"You don't seem too troubled by it," he said. "No big deal, that's what you said."
"I did." She traced her finger along the scar that ran from his left collarbone to his right pec.
"Maybe men make a bigger deal of it than women," Draco mused. "You don't seem concerned about it at all."
"I'm not. And it's not a big deal. Or at least it wasn't to me. But apparently in this world, it is."
"What do you know about Alpha men when it comes to… this?"
"This? Meaning sex?" Hermione giggled. "You can say it, Draco. I mean, you're still inside me."
Draco pinched her hip, making her squirm, and immediately regretted it. Her movement caused them both to groan painfully.
"What I've read about male Alphas..." Hermione said, "is that they're very, um, well-endowed." She squeezed her internal muscles, pulling a groan from him. "Check. And, I also read that male Alphas are amazing lovers." She kissed his chest. "Also, check."
"You're being far too generous."
"You're not well-endowed?"
Draco chuckled. "I think you're well aware of my… endowment."
"This is true." Hermione gave him another internal hug. "Male Alphas are also known to last for hours, but we might need to work up to that."
"Fucking hell," Draco growled. "I fucked up royally and you're being your usual forgiving self about it."
"Just tell me why this happened, please."
Draco nodded. "As I said, my instincts took over. No other man has had you, and in that one moment, nothing else mattered - I needed to be as deep inside you as possible, to plant my seed immediately and ensure you would be mine."
"Plant your seed?" Hermione's eyes went wide. "Is that something you want? The… ah… result of seed planting?"
Draco frowned. "Seed plant—Oh! Ah, no. Not right now. Not yet. Unless you…"
"Absolutely not. Well, not right now either." She tapped a finger on his chest. "So, instincts?"
"Yeah, instincts. Unfortunately, in this situation, it comes down to base level instincts." Draco pressed his nose to her forehead and breathed deeply. "And those instincts are simple."
"Really? How simple?" Hermione lifted her head and smirked at him, knowing exactly what those base instincts were.
"As simple as it gets." Draco matched her smirk.
"Fill me with your seed and procreate?"
"To put it bluntly, yes." Draco closed his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Granger."
"Draco, how is this your fault?" She kissed his warm skin and soothed her fingers across his neck, resting her head back on his chest. "You didn't know, and neither did I. If I had known it was a big deal, I would have told you. I'm not sure it would have been any different, but we would have been prepared."
"And I still would have hurt you." His arms wrapped around her, holding her tightly.
"It didn't hurt, not like I expected in any case." She snuggled into him, his scent returning to the argan, vanilla and rainforest she was so familiar with. "All the stories you hear… excruciating pain, burning and stretching, bodies adjusting… what we just did, was none of that."
"It wasn't all that great, though."
"Hmm, I must say, I thought you might last a little longer."
"I'll slap your arse, Granger. As soon as we're separated, you'll be wearing my handprint."
"Is that how you mark me?" she asked cheekily. "Do I have to show my bum in public so everyone knows I'm yours?"
"Not bloody likely." Draco's hand slid down to the curve of her arse. "No one sees this except me."
"Well, no one has ever seen it."
Draco's fingers tangled into her hair, caressing her scalp in a way that made her want to purr. He made a bewildered humming sound. "How is that even possible? I mean shit, Granger, you could have any man on the planet. Why'd you wait?"
"No one ever felt right," she replied honestly her eyes closing as his hand continued to massage through her hair. "Besides, very few men ever asked me out. I think I scared them."
"And I was one of those men."
A long silence fell between them and Hermione had several questions running through her head.
"Just ask me," Draco murmured.
"What?"
"I know you have questions. I'm sure you already had them, but my father brought them all to the surface. So ask me."
"I'm not sure it's appropriate right now. I do want to ask you, but I don't think it's appropriate while we're… locked together."
"Okay, but please ask when you're ready. Let's not have any more secrets between us." His hands moved from her hair to her back, moving gently down her ribs, around her hips and back up her spine. "I should have asked you out. I should have done so many things differently."
"S'alright. You didn't like me very much." Hermione's eyes were growing heavy. His hands on her, his scent surrounding her, and the warmth of his body were all lulling her into a dozy stupor.
"Granger, are you falling asleep?"
"Mhmm," she murmured sleepily. "You're warm.. and… hands… keep doing that."
Her body relaxed, the feeling of him still locked inside her was exquisite. She wanted to ask him if they could stay locked together permanently, but sleep took her, Draco's deep voice whispering into the quiet space they occupied.
"I'll never stop doing anything for you, Darling."
"Darling, wake up."
"No," she muttered. She was warm and cozy and relaxed — he was the best pillow she'd ever slept on.
Draco laughed, the sound rumbling through his chest and shaking her awake. "Granger, wake your lazy arse up."
"No," she said again. "I'm not moving and you can't make me."
Draco squeezed her arse. "You don't have a choice, we have to move."
He shifted beneath her and she felt his knot release from inside her. Her body shuddered and she sighed. As insane as it had been, she really didn't want him to leave her. She squeezed her thighs tightly against him, holding him inside her, not caring about his protests. "I'm not not moving, Malfoy."
"Fucking stubborn witch," he growled, wrapping his arms around her waist and sitting up.
Hermione yelped in surprise, her arms quickly surrounding his shoulders. "What the hell are you doing?"
"I told you, we have to move." He glanced over her shoulder. "Where's your bathroom?"
"Bathroom?" She frowned.
"Well, Brightest Witch," he glanced quickly down between them. "This is going to be messy, we're definitely going to need a shower." Her cheeks flamed and he laughed. "Now, now, Granger. Nothing to be embarrassed about, not when I'm still inside you."
"Down the hallway," she muttered and then protested when he moved to stand. "I'm sure I can walk."
"Oh, I'm positive you can, but as I said, messy. Now wrap your legs around me."
"I hate you right now," she grumbled, embarrassed at not realising what the aftermath of his enthusiasm would entail.
"No you don't." He kissed her and stood, keeping them joined as he carried her down the short hallway. He started the shower, laughing at her expression as she began to squirm uncomfortably against him.
"This is… weird." Hermione held her hand out to check the water temperature, then nodded that she was satisfied. "Is there always, ah, so much?"
"Not usually, no." He stepped under the water, turning so the spray hit them both. "Lower your legs, slowly."
Her legs were stiff, her hips aching from being in the same position for so long. She groaned, then winced when he slipped out of her and lowered her to the tiles, holding her steady. "How long was I asleep?"
"About twenty minutes." He reached one hand out to the wall, his own legs slightly unsteady.
"Seriously? It felt like hours."
"I'm good, but not that good," he winked, then laughed as her hand slapped his chest. "You're okay?"
"Yeah." She grimaced at the feeling of his orgasm running down her thighs. "Has this happened every time you've knotted inside someone?"
Draco shook his head and reached for the soap. "I've never knotted inside anyone else."
He lathered his hands and began to wash her shoulders. Hermione grabbed his wrists, stopping him.
"What?"
He smiled down at her. "You're the first."
Her jaw dropped open. He hadn't knotted in anyone else. It was a revelation that floored her.
"But… why?"
"No one felt right," he repeated her words from earlier. "But you, Darling, certainly felt right."
She dropped her gaze to hide her smile, but it wasn't the best move. They were in the shower. Naked. And he was…. downstairs dragon may have been incorrect. Anaconda was more apt.
The rumours surrounding Alpha… parts… were grossly understated. He was enormous. Even now, spent and limp, it was still hanging proudly. Long and thick, he was uncut and nestled against the twin weights hanging below. The blond hair on his navel — now damp and sticking to his skin — trailed down and circled the base.
He was fucking perfect. Masculinity in its most beautiful form.
Her fingers touched him tentatively. That had just been inside her; she was surprised she wasn't split in two. How the hell had it fit inside her? Did she have some kind of magic Alpha vagina?
His stomach clenched when she grazed the still evident knot at the base. She looked up at him to find him watching her fingers, his eyes becoming lighter.
"Sorry," she whispered and pulled her hand away.
"Touch me all you want, Granger." He circled her wrist and tugged her hand back towards him. "Just don't be surprised if I get a little excited."
Hermione yanked her hand away again. "Ah, no. You're not putting that anywhere near me for quite a while." She took a step back and — forgetting momentarily she was in the shower — crashed into the tiled wall, cringing at the flash of pain the quick movement had caused. Draco's expression instantly changed from amused to concerned.
"I did hurt you," One hand went to the gland at her throat, his fingers pressing gently. The other reached between her thighs, but she stopped him.
"No," she said a little sharply. "I'm fine."
"You're anything but fine." His voice was grave and he pleaded with her. "Please let me help."
"Draco, I'm not hurt, just a bit sore," She huffed out a laugh, trying to ease the tension that had built. "I'm sure all virgins have to deal with it."
But Draco was having none of it. "Hermione, Darling, you're hurt because of me. I can help, will you please let me?"
Her breath came out in a shuddering exhale and she relented. "Not inside me, please?"
Draco nodded. "I promise. It's just a simple healing charm."
His eyes never left hers as his hand cupped her between her thighs. One finger pressed gently over her entrance and she winced.
"Draco—"
"Not inside you." He leaned his forehead on hers and whispered a simple charm, the magic flowing into her and the ache melting away. "I'm so sorry, Granger. I never meant to hurt you."
"I know." She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him close. "And now you've healed me. But it might be awhile before we do that again. My poor, virgin, Alpha vagina needs a rest."
She felt his smile against her shoulder. "That would only be Alpha vagina now. The virgin part is gone."
"It is gone." Hermione pulled back to look at him. "And I know I said it's not a big deal… but I'm glad it was you."
Hermione sat curled in the corner of the sofa, her legs tucked under her, while she stared blankly out the window, her forgotten tea growing cold on the side table.
She'd dressed after their shower in a pair of warm, flannel pyjama pants and her favourite Gryffindor fleecy jumper — much to Draco's disgust — not caring that it was barely two in the afternoon.
Draco had Flooed home, leaving his shredded shirt on the living room floor, and leaving Hermione with the breathing space she needed. He must have sensed it - he could have easily transfigured his shirt and suit into something comfortable, but instead he'd kissed her quickly and told her he'd be right back.
Hermione had watched as he disappeared into the Floo then closed her eyes, taking a much needed deep breath.
Her day had been one that would definitely be filed under crazy.
All the emotions she'd felt in the months following her presentation had condensed themselves into the last few hours. Confusion, hurt, anger, embarrassment, fear — it was all there. And condensed as those feelings were, her anxiety heightened at her complete lack of control.
But then there was Draco.
Even after picking a ridiculous fight with him — a fight with which he should have been much more incensed than he had been — he had been patient, had allowed her to say things that needed to be said. And instead of holding judgment over those things, he encouraged her to say even more, to get her feelings out.
The only feeling that remained was confusion.
Confusion at why she felt so drawn to her childhood tormentor. She knew in part it was the Alpha attraction, but she was also aware that her own feelings — the ones not driven by scent and insane hormones — were directed only towards him. And she knew those feelings were real because they had her spiraling in a way that she hadn't with anyone else. She was falling towards him in a rush that was quickly becoming more than just Alpha lust.
A rush that she didn't want to end.
It was addictive — he was addictive — leaving her breathless and wanting more.
But it was also more than just the breathless wanting. It was him. That she hadn't been alone in dealing with the changes, that he had become a voice of reason and helped her see that she was allowing the insanity to rule her life, was a blessing. He had been through it all and survived. Her friends had been supportive, as had Narcissa, but none of them really knew what it was like.
He knew what she was going through. And despite the rocky start, he had been supportive, had calmed her, and had given her the kick in the arse she needed.
And what came after that kick… his mouth kissing her, his hands touching her, his body inside hers… it had been incredible.
Her cheeks warmed at the thought. It was over much quicker than she had expected, but oh, the feeling of him inside her…
The pain hadn't been there — the stretching, pulling, burning pain that she'd both read and been told about. She assumed it was the Alpha side of her, some kind of natural instinct that allowed her body to accept him easily.
And the pleasure of it — of him. She'd only experienced half a minute of it and could only imagine what he would do when she was ready to give him the chance again.
She closed her eyes and exhaled slowly, her body reacting to her own thoughts. Would it be hours like the rumours said? Would he be gentle knowing her inexperience? Or would he take her like he did in her dreams? Hard and fast, and making her scream.
She wasn't sure what she wanted more.
The sound of the Floo pulled her from her thoughts, and Draco emerged dressed in sweatpants and a hoodie. His feet were bare and his hair was still messy from the towel he'd dried it with. He'd argued that if she got to wear comfortable clothing, he should too.
Hermione was staring at him, completely stunned.
He laughed at her expression. "I don't think you would be more shocked if I stepped out of there naked."
"But… those are muggle clothes."
He looked down at himself. "They are, and they're deceptively comfortable… I would once have never thought so."
"And do you have to work later?" Hermione asked, eyeing the suit bag that was draped over his arm.
"Nope." He smiled and folded it over the back of a chair before disappearing into the kitchen. She heard the clink of china, heard water being poured, the fridge opening then closing several seconds later. She smiled. He was making himself at home.
"I have to work tomorrow," he informed her, returning to the living room, slouching beside her on the sofa.
"So you're...?"
"Staying here with you?" He squeezed her foot. "That is correct."
"That is pretty presumptuous of you." She arched one eyebrow. "Maybe I don't want you staying here."
"Too bad." He pulled her feet into his lap, his fingers massaging the soles. "You're stuck with me, Granger. Your bed is awfully comfortable and the body that was in it with me was quite pleasant."
"Quite pleasant?" She poked him in the ribs with her toe. "That's all I get? Quite pleasant?"
"Incredibly pleasant?"
"Funny." She nodded towards her feet where his hands had stopped moving, silently telling him to continue. "The body with me was fucking incredible, however the show was a let down."
"Rude." Draco pinched her ankle and she squirmed. "If the body that was with me hadn't been so fucking tight and wet, the show would still be playing."
"I thought you said it wasn't my fault."
"I did say that and I meant it."
They sat staring at each other, their lightheartedness suddenly becoming serious, and the air grew heavy around them.
"We had sex," Hermione said.
"We did," Draco replied.
"It wasn't very good."
Draco snorted. "Far from it."
"It… ah… does get better, right?"
Draco reached for her hand, linking their fingers, and smiled. "I promise. That was just a minor slip up."
"Good, because I'd hate to have to dump you for being a rubbish shag." She grinned at his look of incredulity, then twisted her lips into a nervous smile. "I can't believe we did that. Us."
"Us." Draco looked down at their joined hands, then back up. "You know, that's something we've not talked about. Us."
"Are you joking? That's all we've talked about."
"No, it's not. We've talked about us as Alphas and all that entails, but not about us just being us. You and me. Granger and Malfoy. Hermione and Draco."
"How is it any different?"
"It's vastly different." Draco frowned thoughtfully. "My behaviour towards you was despicable. How you've managed to get past it and are now sitting here with me is a complete mystery."
"So, you are wondering if it is just the Alpha attraction?"
"No, not at all. I know it's more than that, for me at least." He shifted closer to her, sliding under her legs so her thighs rested on his. Smiling, he tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. "You surprise me constantly, Granger. You are so incredibly forgiving, even to those who don't deserve it. I mean, you're best friends with my mother, for Merlin's sake."
She smiled back, lifting their joined hands and kissing his knuckles. "I wasn't terribly happy that Molly took me to the Manor when she first suspected what was happening to me. And your mother was on the receiving end of a rather rude tirade, so I wasn't all that forgiving."
"Was that when things changed for you?"
"At the Manor?" Draco nodded and Hermione shook her head. "No, it was quite a while before that. Harry and Ron kind of made it impossible not to forgive you lot. And what would be the point of holding onto that anger? I'm certainly not the same person I was back then, and I know you're not either."
Draco shrugged. "No, I guess I'm not."
"Draco, there's no guessing. You've changed more than any of us."
"Everything I saw and did… that's what changed me. I couldn't understand how people who celebrated blood purity could be so cruel." He shook his head. "Every idea I once held as truth… you came along and knocked each one of them down. But the most amazing thing is, my cruelty never changed you. You rarely showed any emotion when I degraded you. I mean, the reason you punched me was because I insulted Hagrid, not you."
"And I still stand by my actions," Hermione stated. "You deserved it."
"I did deserve it." He ran his knuckles down her cheek. "But I promise that snotty brat no longer exists."
"Other than that time you discovered I was an Alpha?" An impish grin broke out on her face and he poked her ribs.
"Other than that one time," he agreed, cupping her jaw and brushing his thumb across her cheek. "As for the rest of it, I'm not sure I could ever apologise enough."
"Draco, let's not dwell on it. What happened in the past needs to stay there. I know how you were then, and I know how you are now." She turned into his touch, closing her eyes for a second, then smiled at him. "And I like now."
"So do I." Draco's free hand resumed caressing her calf. "So, what do we do now?"
Hermione lay her head on the back of the sofa. "What do you mean?"
"Tomorrow. The day after. The one after that. Next week. What is it you're thinking about us?"
"Do you remember what I told you while we were dancing at the wedding?"
"The thing about our inevitable bonding?"
Hermione nodded. "I do want this with you, Draco, but we still have a long way to go before that takes place."
"Okay," Draco nodded slowly. "But in the meantime we… what? Hide away from the world until we're bonded?"
"No, not hide. Not anymore." She smiled at the expression of hope on his face. "You said it yourself, people watch you regardless of the unwritten rules. They might not talk about you, but they watch. And as sweet as it was of you and Alexander, the interview will really not stop the chatter and the attention I've received. So-" she shifted from her position, moving slowly to straddle his lap. "-let them watch."
Draco's hands curled around her hips. "That's a big step. Are you sure you're ready?"
"I'm positive." Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck. "I want to be seen with you. I want all those women who thought they'd landed Draco Malfoy to know he's no longer available, that Hermione Granger is the only woman who even comes close to satisfying him."
Draco pulled her forward in his lap, allowing her to feel him stirring between her thighs. He reached up and tucked her hair over her shoulders. "There she is. There's the Alpha no one will ever fuck with."
Hermione pressed her nose to his throat. "You smell so fucking delicious." She latched onto his scent gland, her mouth sucking hard, tasting the salty-sweet flavour of his skin.
"Granger," he groaned, sliding his hands beneath her jumper, his fingers pressing close to her spine. When she looked up at him, his lips curved into a wicked grin and he raised an eyebrow.
"What colour?" she whispered.
"The most perfect shade of gold I've seen yet."
Her mouth came down over his, lips moved, tongues stroked and caressed, and Draco's hands curved around her ribs, sliding up to cup her breasts.
Hermione pulled away to look at him. His eyes were light, his arousal evident, the gentle caress of his hands drawing the fire of her own desire down to where he was pressed hard against her.
"Draco?" Her voice was little more than a breath of air.
"Hmm?"
"Did that show have an encore?"
A/N:
As always, a great big bunch of gratitude for reading and reviewing and favouriting this fic xx
