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The much awaited chapter. Make or break! :)
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To all the comments: - Hermione wants to leave because, 1. To get away from Draco an their memories 2. Its a wonderful opportunity for her to learn about the magical society in America.
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Enjoy Chapter Twenty!
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HAPPY READING! :)
The way to the hotel was decorated with starry lights, magically floating lanterns, and soft bursts of silver and blue erupting at intervals, engulfing the area in a hue of fluttering fairy dust.
Dainty floating candles illuminated the way forward and it was uniquely beautiful and elegant. Hermione took a deep breath in awe. The months of hard work had definitely paid off.
"Oh, bloody hell!" Ron mumbled, at the sea of reporters that came into view.
Harry clutched Ginny tightly to his side and Hermione smoothened down her dress and took in a deep breath.
Ron marched forward without care, "I hope the buggers get my good side," he joked loudly.
The reporters jumped to attention as the Golden Trio came into view and they were blinded by the continuous stream of flashes going off.
They posed for hundreds of photographs and by the time they managed to get inside they were exhausted.
"Oh Merlin, my feet are already killing me," Ginny exclaimed hotly and they all burst out laughing.
Draco heard her laugh, he turned towards it. He stared, unable to look away!
Hermione looked stunning, exquisite, there was not a word that would do her justice tonight.
She was perfect! This was his witch; she would always be his.
He was standing with Theo, Luna, and Blaise by their table.
"Whoa, is that Granger? Blaise asked, his eyes popping out. He was usually collected and showed indifference.
Draco felt a sharp stab of jealously.
Luna smiled, "Everyone looks lovely tonight," she said, in her mystically calming voice.
"Everyone's looking at Granger," Theo said in shock, looking around him.
Draco felt his breathing quicken and Theo was right, heads had turned to look at Hermione Granger.
His eyes shifted in annoyance to the man at her side, trust Weasley to accompany her. Golden Trio and all that shit!
Hermione felt Draco staring at her intently. Their eyes met over the sea of people.
The all-black ensemble, he was famous for made him look dangerously handsome and sexy.
He was a foot taller than the rest and by far the most handsome man in the room.
Unable to contain herself, Hermione bit down on her lip hard.
Draco stiffened, as she bit down on her ruby red lip. It drove him crazy.
A smile almost touched her lips, but it turned to annoyance quickly.
Astoria had linked her hand through his and at the feel of the soft hand on his arm, he understood why.
Oblivious, Astoria smiled up at him innocently.
Ron escaped the hounds of press questioning his relationship status with Hermione.
Since they had arrived together, questions were being asked. Ron placed his hand protectively on her bareback and navigated Hermione to their table.
Draco glared in their direction.
Astoria had been watching Draco and she was beginning to wonder if Granger had destroyed him for good.
She lightly touched his arm again and he turned to face her. She offered a sweet smile and he halfheartedly returned the smile.
Hermione took her seat, Ron next to her, Harry on her other side with Ginny right next to him.
Throngs of people stopped by their table to speak with Harry and they were constantly getting up to greet old friends from Hogwarts.
A friendly face appeared, and for once the trio was happy at the person walking towards them, with his fiancé firmly on his arm.
"Neville!" Hermione exclaimed excitedly. Reaching over to give him a quick kiss.
Harry, Ginny, and Ron followed suit and greeted their good friend.
They congratulated Pansy and Neville on their engagement, the unlikely couple looked lovely and completely in love. Hermione felt a pull at her heartstrings.
It was heartwarming to watch the secret looks of adoration Pansy gave her fiancé. Unconsciously, her eyes searched the crowd for Draco.
Everyone took their seats and Kingsley was on stage along with Hermione, Cormac, and Sandra.
Cormac leaned towards Hermione's ear, "You look absolutely gorgeous tonight, I'm looking forward to our little trip."
Argh! Hermione stepped away in disgust and brushed him off. If Cormac thought anything would ever happen between them, he was CRAZY!
Looking out into the crowd, Hermione saw Ron and Draco staring at her, their faces narrowed intensely with displeasure.
Maybe this bloody dress was a bad idea! Hermione felt hot and flustered.
Kingsley concluded his speech shortly, not a man of many words. His speech was met with enthusiastic applause and he invited Harry on stage.
A nervous-looking Harry Potter made his way to the stage adjusting his suit.
The minute he reached the podium, everyone got to their feet and give him welcoming applause. Hermione squeezed his hand, "Calm down, it'll be over soon," she whispered.
Harry smiled unconvincingly, "Fuck! You give the speech Hermione, I'm heading off," he said, wiping his forehead.
Everyone settled down and Harry began his speech, he thanked Hermione and Ron for being there with him from the start, that their friendship made it possible to overcome any obstacle.
He went on to thank the Order of the Phoenix and the crucial part they played in the bringing down of Voldemort. He left the best for last and spoke in great length about Dumbledore and Snape.
Harry was overcome with emotion when he spoke about Severus Snape and Albus Dumbledore.
He declared, Snape was the bravest man he had ever known and that it was time everyone knew the story about the greatest sacrifice ever made.
Hermione could see people in crowd dabbing their eyes and she was one of them.
Hermione would never forget how Snape asked Harry to look at him, while his life drained because he had his mother's eyes.
The love he felt for Harry's mother Lily was truly unconditional, that was true love.
She found herself looking at Draco.
He raised an eyebrow at her. The ache that plagued her fragile heart increased.
Everyone was on their feet once again, thundering applause followed Harry right back to his seat.
Ginny gave him a quick kiss and held onto his hand tightly. Speeches and official business over, Hermione joined her friends at the table.
Sliding into the seat next to Ginny, "Everything looks great Mi," Ginny gushed at her surroundings. Ron was in deep conversation with his parents, they smiled warmly at Hermione and waved her over.
"My dear Hermione, you look wonderful," Mrs. Weasley greeted her, throwing a look at her son that said, You idiot. Ron smiled sheepishly; he already knew that.
An hour later, Hermione was standing with Kingsley and Sandra talking to some foreign dignitaries and the Muggle Minister, when she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder.
Hermione turned around to see a lovely older woman smiling warmly at her, "Mrs. Malfoy," Hermione said, a bit surprised.
She could see where Draco got his impeccable taste from, his mother dressed so elegantly, and prestige radiated off the regal-looking lady.
Narcissa continued to smile at Hermione, "Miss Granger, you are looking lovely tonight, my son is lucky man," Hermione felt herself blush.
Taking Hermione's hand gently, she asked, "Would you have a moment to talk?''
Taken back, she scanned the room to find Draco, but he was nowhere to be seen. Smiling politely at Narcissa, "Of course Mrs. Malfoy."
Leading her away from the crowded hall, Narcissa spoke in her polished eloquently perfect way, "I never got the opportunity to thank you Miss Granger."
Hermione looked at her curiously, "I'm sorry, but I don't quite understand."
"You had a relationship with my son in school," Narcissa declared. Instant panic! Where the hell was Draco? "Please don't deny it" Narcissa continued, watching Hermione fidget nervously.
"All I want to say is you changed Draco. Saving him from drowning in his despair and for that I'm very grateful to you for giving my son back to me," The aristocratic lady said through tears in her eyes.
Hermione reached out and held onto Narcissa's hand, unable to find the right words to say.
Narcissa laughed a low motherly laugh, placing her other hand over Hermione's, "My son is a stubborn man, probably the only thing he inherited from his father, but he loves you very much."
Hermione stepped back at the revelation.
"Please don't let him make another mistake Miss Granger," She requested, holding her head high.
Hermione stared at Narcissa, was she actually telling her to get back together with Draco?
Unable to find the right words, she mumbled, "Please call me Hermione." Narcissa tenderly touched Hermione's face, as she walked away.
Hermione stood frozen to the spot. What the hell just happened?
Distracted by the sounds around her, Hermione snapped out of the trance and looked up to find Astoria staring at her carefully in absolute fury.
Hermione stared her down, hell if she was going to back down. Draco came into view with Blaise, Theo was dancing with Luna.
Blaise held out a drink for Astoria but when she didn't take it, Draco followed her gaze and saw her staring at Hermione.
His Gryffindor didn't back down, she returned the glare, her eyes filled with fire. Blaise and he exchanged looks of bewilderment. Draco couldn't help but wonder, what the fuck happened?
People were now dancing as the band started to play and Ron tapped her on the shoulder, "You want to dance?" He asked politely and since Ginny, Harry, Theo, and Luna were already dancing.
Hermione smiled and accepted Ron's hand.
They danced for a few songs, he held her at a safe distance.
Draco stared at them from the sidelines.
One slip of Weasley's hands and he would be at their side in an instant. A soft hand on his arm, distracted him, "Shall we dance?" Astoria asked timidly.
Unable to reject her, Draco nodded curtly and took her small hand in his.
Hermione watched Draco walk onto the dance floor with Astoria. Her insides churned unpleasantly. Ron sensed her discomfort and followed her gaze. Of course, it had to be the Slytherin fucktard.
Astoria, ignored the hand Draco gave her, instead locking her hands around his neck.
Draco rolled his eyes and held her gingerly by her narrow waist. Astoria boldly stepped in closer to his body, her fingers touching the hair at his neck.
What was Astoria doing? Hermione asked herself.
The woman had moved her hands to Draco's chest, was she reaching up to kiss him?
Unable to watch any longer, she excused herself from Ron and fled the hall.
Draco watched as Hermione left the Ballroom. Leaving Astoria awkwardly on the dance floor. He hurriedly went after the woman he loved.
Quickly grabbing two champagne flutes from passing by server Draco hastily followed Hermione.
He found her on the wide terrace looking at the stars.
Standing back, he took a moment to stare at the timeless beauty in front of him.
Memories of Hogwarts appeared before him of a younger Hermione, recent memories of her laugh, smile and touches swirled around him.
Their time apart had crippled him and left a gaping hole in his heart. There was nothing on earth to fill it, but the woman who stood before him looking to the stars.
He loved her; he had always loved her. Having lived surrounded by her love for months made it impossible to go back to any existence without her.
Draco chose not to live without Hermione.
Slowly and confidently, Draco approached and offered her a flute, "Here, I thought you could use it."
Hermione looked to her side; the unsteady beating of her heart returned. My love! she thought.
Draco leaned against the balcony casually as he handed her the flute, Hermione took it without fuss and took a sip before saying, "Don't neglect your date Draco."
He laughed, "She's not my date, I'm single...for now."
Placing his flute on the ground, Draco pulled Hermione to him.
"Are you trying to drive me insane?" He pleaded huskily, against her hair.
The wonderful smell surrounded him, pulling him to her even more.
Hermione struggled but in vain, she wanted to be in his arms, "I don't know what you're talking about," She replied while holding onto him, her fingers digging into his arm.
"Oh, I think you do," he whispered, against her skin placing a heated kiss onto the throbbing pulse of her neck.
Hermione let out a whimper, "Draco," her voice barely audible. Her hands were moving on their own, running eagerly over his body.
"I would take you, right here and now if I could," he muttered, between kisses. His mouth found hers and her succulent lips moulded to his, leaving no room for doubt.
She was his! Always!
Hermione's body shuddered. Draco had pulled her even closer to his body.
The fingers in his hair tightened, as they pushed and pulled against each other with ardent passion and longing.
Never getting enough.
"GET AWAY FROM HIM," Astoria suddenly shrieked.
Reluctantly they broke apart.
Hermione swallowed, staring at the other woman with contempt. Who the hell did she think she was?
Giving Draco one last look, Hermione turned to walk away. Astoria was his problem, he needed to fix it on his own.
Draco held onto her wrist, "Apologize Astoria, you don't get to talk to her like that," he said in his deadliest deep voice.
"I most certainty will NOT apologize to some side whore," Astoria replied in anger, her petite body shaking.
Stopping dead in her tracks, Hermione brought her hand around and slapped Astoria hard across the face.
Astoria reeled back and held onto her cheek in horror as Hermione stared her down in absolute fury, "Don't fool yourself into thinking he will ever love you or come near you. Draco belongs to me!"
Hermione turned to Draco, her eyes blazing with fire, "Make your fucking choice!"
An ultimatum. Choice? He made that choice when he was seventeen.
Without another word, she stalked off to join Harry, Ginny, and Ron.
"I told you not to interfere Astoria," Draco said, his hands in his pockets, as he passed the shocked brunette. The woman's cheek was reddened by the might of Hermione's slap.
Draco felt tired, deciding he had enough. He left without informing anyone.
Bernard and Draco sat in silence, he toyed with his heavy ring moving it around his palm. "Home?"
Bernard broke the silence with a small smile, "Yes, old man, I have to convince a certain Gryffindor to come back to me," Draco said with purpose. Bernard hid a smile, "Finally."
Inside his apartment, Draco took off his jacket and loosened his bowtie, clumsily throwing it on the counter and unbuttoned his shirt. He sat down on his couch and took out his phone.
Punching in his message, he pressed send. It was up to her now.
Hermione looked down at the message alert: -
This ends now. Please come to me tonight. We need to talk.
Her heart started to flutter and beat fast. Was it too good to be true?
She suddenly got up with fire and purpose. Hermione made her decision and her heart soared with the revelation of it.
Her friends were watching the crowd around them, "Ginny, Harry, I have to got to go." They turned to her in surprise.
It was Ron, that responded, "Where are you going?" Ron asked, his voice cracking with deep emotion.
Holding onto her phone and clutch tightly, she backed away from the table with a smile.
Ron got to his feet and smiled suddenly, "You're going to Malfoy, aren't you?" Hermione could not bring herself to look him in the eyes. "Yes," she whispered loud enough for her friends to hear.
Ginny beamed and Harry gave an approving nod.
Without hesitation, Ron hugged her tightly, " I saw you guys earlier outside. Malfoy does love you, even if I hate to admit it."
After she had left him on the dancefloor, Ron had gone looking for her and run straight into the pair kissing heatedly.
His heart had broken into a million pieces but the realization that she was never coming back to him, hit him hard. It was time to truly let go.
Taking a deep breath, Ron firmly said, "Go to him." Hermione gently touched Ron's face, her best friend was back. With one last smile, she turned on her heel and left. Draco, I'm coming! Wishing he could hear her.
Harry placed a hand on Ron's shoulder, "As long as she's happy mate."
Blaise and Theo leaned against the bar, watching Hermione gather her things and leave the hall. They exchanged a knowing smile and clicked flutes, "Cheers mate."
At her hurried footsteps, the heels clicked against the tiled floor. Once outside, she apparated to him.
Draco sat with his back against the couch, nursing a scotch not knowing what to expect.
What if she didn't come? Was he strong enough to survive it?
The sound of apparation made his heart stop. Hermione straightened up, looking directly at him.
Her eyes burned with fire as she stared at him intensely. It went straight to his soul. Was it possible to love someone this much?
He didn't hesitate. They had waited long enough.
"I love you, Hermione," Draco said, his voice cracking with emotion. "I need you," he swallowed his pride, his ego and eagerly offered himself to her fully, "You have become my everything."
Hermione stood still, her chest rapidly rising and falling with anticipation, "Please say something," Draco pleaded. The fear of rejection filled his heart.
Hurriedly closing the distance between them, she flung herself at him.
They held each other tightly, breaking away Hermione cupped his face, gazing at Draco adoringly, "I have loved you always, only you!" She confessed, looking over his face, touching him with trembling hands.
Breaking the kiss, she stepped back, reaching behind her neck she undid the clasp that held her dress together. The dress fell to the ground and Draco groaned, as he gathered her in his arms.
Slowly Draco started to kiss Hermione's neck. Moving his tongue along her smooth skin, stopping only to suck on her quickened pulse, until it reddened with his insistent lips.
She wore little, only a barely visible thong to cover her sex. The diamonds at her ears and wrist glistened against her nakedness.
Hermione pushed his shirt off him feeling his toned, sculptured body against hers, while he continued to move his tongue along her neck and towards her mouth.
Kissing him was always enjoyable but after months of near-starvation of him, his lips felt like forbidden fruit.
Her lips were full and swollen, expecting his. Draco kissed her full on the mouth, pulling her close to his body trapping her hands between his firm chest and her very naked breasts.
Draco dropped his kisses from her long neckline down to the inviting valley between the supple mounds, while undoing his button and zip to be rid of the obstruction that was his trousers.
He was already rock hard, and his member was straining against the material uncomfortably.
It was the longest he had been without a woman since he was seventeen, but looking at his fiery little witch, it was worth every second.
He was going to take his time tonight; He would have her scream out his name.
Her fingers were already in his hair, moving small fingers along his silky strands holding him in place and pushing her breast further inside his mouth.
The rosy bud felt rock hard against his tongue, begging to be sucked. Draco bit down gently earning a gratifying moan from the woman in his arms.
Finally, his trousers fell to the floor and his boxers allowed his throbbing erection to breathe.
Draco wanted to take her to bed. No! He NEEDED to take her to bed.
Placing his firm hands around her exposed creamy smooth buttocks, Draco hoisted Hermione up effortlessly and she wrapped her long legs around his waist and her arms went around his neck.
Their lips met in unbridled passion for each other.
His insistent tongue pushed against her petite tongue savouring the faint taste of peppermint and strawberries.
Reaching his bedroom, the silver and grey rays of the moon illuminated the darkroom.
Draco laid down Hermione gently on the bed, she let out a sigh, sinking into the bedding.
He came on top, claiming her lips once again, pushing her further up the bed. Leaving her lips, he used his tongue to trail kisses down her chin and along the length of her throat.
Hermione moved her fingers to Draco's neck and down his back. His muscles rippled at the touch of her soft fingertips.
Cupping her soft, ripe mounds Draco flicked his tongue across both, sucking softly and nibbling on each eager bud.
He felt her breathing increase at his movements.
Hiding a small smile against the skin of her flat stomach, he paused at her navel and placed airy kisses downwards.
At her core, her arousal was clear, her thong soaked with her slick juices.
Pausing to marvel at the effect he had on her.
Placing his lips to the soaked material, he felt her eagerly push her core towards his eager mouth.
She loved getting her clit licked. He gently pulled down the lacy white thong and threw it on the floor. He stood up and discarded his own boxer.
Lying back down with his face inches away from her wetness, Draco swallowed, before running his tongue along her inviting wetness.
Hermione let out a loud moan, "I like that," she whispered barely audible. Draco heard her fine.
Parting her folds with his tongue, he pressed his lips to her swollen little clit. The pleasure was instant, and Hermione arched her back in a perfect arch involuntarily.
"Oh, babe," she whimpered, tightening her hold in his hair.
Draco moved his hands around her thighs and held Hermione tightly in place, as he sucked on her clit repeatedly.
She struggled, but he held her down continuing his assault on her most sensitive area.
His tongue licked the sensitive bundle of nerves repeatedly, steady juices dripped down her thighs and onto the bedding, soaking the area beneath her.
The heat rose from the depths of her body, slowly building up as it reached her core.
Building and swelling the small nub further with pleasure. Draco knew her body well, he knew Hermione was about to reach that beautiful release..
He tightened his hold and pushed his tongue down hard on the clit.
"Draco," a low moan, as she exploded into his mouth.
It was warm and tasted of her, everything of her.
He could never get enough. Her body convulsed with the sheer magnitude of pent-up sexual tension, wave upon wave of ecstasy tore through her body.
Hermione was whimpering softly, riding the pleasured aftermath.
Draco withdrew only when Hermione was completely spent. Rock hard and ready to bury himself within her when she moved away.
She pushed him back roughly and he fell on his back. Straddling him, he felt her wetness against his chest and hips.
Looking up at his beautiful girlfriend, he smiled.
Hermione kissed Draco passionately holding onto his face.
She loved the hardness of his body and how it felt under her fingers and tongue.
Flattening herself on him, she trailed her tongue along his neck down his toned stomach muscles and spreading his legs, she eagerly settled between his firm legs.
His member stood ready to take off, so hard was he for her. Always impressive, it made her swallow.
Bending down, Hermione took him fully in her mouth. Gagging as she deep throated him. A low growl ensued he was enjoying her lips around his hardness.
Methodically sucking with tightened lips around his girth, Hermione moved rhythmically.
She felt his thick precum slide down her throat. The sounds of her slurping echoed through the silence of the room, mixed with his increasingly loud groans.
Draco was in another world, but he wanted to release inside her, in her warmth. The wanting to fill her up with his hot seed and make her his.
He sensed; she wanted the same, when she gave his head one last tightened suck, taking the remaining glistening precum with her tongue.
Hermione moved to the side whispering, "I want you in me."
Moving swiftly between her legs, his hardness rubbed along her thigh as it moved without direction to her eagerly awaiting wetness.
Lacing his fingers through hers, Draco pinned Hermione's hands above her head, holding her down firmly. Watching her face, he pushed into her tightness hard, burying herself within her complete in one go.
She moaned aloud and his groan was smothered by her fierce kiss.
Merlin, the feel of her walls and wetness against his shaft was amazing.
Draco started to move, tantalizingly slow enjoying the warmth she offered but as their need grew, he increased his speed. Her hands were on his back, feeling him.
Her hips started to move against his, edging him on and before he knew it.
He was plunging into her harder and faster, earning loud moans from his beloved. The silvery rays of the moon bounced off their naked skin glowing where it touched.
Draco was close to his release, but Hermione started to rub against him again, she was about to orgasm for the second time.
Increasing his thrusts, he felt her fingernails dig into his back as she came undone around him.
It was more than he could bear, with a final hard push he buried himself deep within her and groaned out aloud sending him over the edge.
Punching the bedding, he spilt deep into her.
They lay entwined in bed.
Hermione could hear the faint beating of his heart, it was reducing and coming back to normal.
"No more mistakes Draco, this time it's for real," she pleaded leaning into him and the comfort he promised.
"I'm so sorry, I fucked up things so badly," he apologized, kissing her neck softly. Their time apart was his doing. He would make it up to her! She deserved that much!
Silence. He needed to ask her.
Draco cleared his throat, "Are you still going to New York?"
She sat up holding onto the sheet to cover her nakedness, "Yes, I'm still going! It's a wonderful opportunity for me, babe." Hermione needed him to understand that, Yes, she took the assignment to put some distance between them and the constant reminder of their relationship, but it was also about realizing a dream.
The main reason no longer existed, but she wanted this experience.
His face scrunched up at once like he was figuring out a solution to a problem. Panic took hold of her. Fuck! Fuck!
Draco ran his fingers through his hair.
If she was going to be so damn adamant about it.
There were ways to make it bearable.
He had business interests in New York and his mind started working on how they could make the next year apart work.
He spoke slowly but firmly, "Ok fine! If you want this so fucking badly. Can I visit?" she smiled brightly, "I was hoping you would say that."
"Ya well, that McLaggen fucktard better stay the fuck away from you or blood will be spilt," Draco said, seriously.
"I love it when you get all jealous," Hermione kissed her boyfriend and dragged him back to bed.