Draco watched Hermione pull Weasley on to the dance floor. He couldn't help, but feel terribly disappointed. He had wanted to dance with Hermione just then. He felt eyes on him and turned to see Potter's wife staring at him.
"Harry," she said, barely taking her eyes off Draco. "I'm going to dance with Malfoy, here." Ginny gave Potter a quick kiss on the cheek before reaching out and pulling Draco towards the dancers.
As she turned and placed a hand on his shoulder, Draco was sure he had never felt more uncomfortable in his life. He stiffened slightly, and pushed away from her, creating nearly a foot and a half of space between them.
"Not to worry, Malfoy. I am happily married," the redhead said quickly.
She doesn't miss anything, Draco thought to himself.
"Um –" he started to say, but broke off. He wasn't sure what to say, he never actually had a conversation with Potter's wife before. He couldn't even think of ever saying more than a few words to her.
"My father wouldn't actually hurt you if you were to do anything to Hermione," Ginny sighed and Draco twirled her around. "However, I am sure Harry and Ron will, myself included."
Draco chuckled nervously, "Oh, I know it."
"Good, just so you know," she said forcefully. Her eyes seemed to penetrate him, as though daring him to mess up.
He tried to think of a situation where he and Hermione didn't work out. Far too many came to mind for his liking, so he tied to think of life after Hermione. Oddly enough, he couldn't picture it. They had only been 'dating' for a month, but he had known her since he was eleven. It now seemed impossible to erase the bookworm from his life and he found that he didn't want to. She was good for him, and more importantly, good for Scorpius. She made him a lot happier and when she was around, he didn't feel like the Wizarding World's biggest bastard.
"You'll have to get in line behind me," he said softly, almost so Ginny wouldn't hear. "Because if I fuck this up, I'll hex myself."
Ginny quirked her head at him and offered him an odd look. For a moment she was quiet, like she was choosing her words.
"I can't believe it," she breathed, a look of awe forming on her face. Draco looked down at her, puzzled. "You love her." Draco started to deny it, but Ginny cut him off, "No, you really do. Growing up with the twins you get use to seeing weird stuff and you stop being amazed…you stop believing in the impossible because everything is possible. It's been a long time since I've been amazed, but I am now. You love her and you don't even know it," she ended with a breath of a laugh.
Draco shook his head. He didn't love Granger. And she certainly didn't love him. They were just having fun or something along those lines, nothing serious. Maybe in the future he would like something serious, but that was in the future; and most certainly not now.
Draco made his face void of any emotion. "Scorpius loves her," was the only thing Draco could think of saying.
"Hiding behind a child, Malfoy, that's a new low even for you," Ginny laughed and anger welled up in Draco. "I meant it as a joke, calm down. I won't tell her," Ginny continued.
Draco's eyes shot to Ginny's and he saw that she was telling the truth. "Why not?"
Ginny huffed, "Because she's in love too and she doesn't know it either. You guys are both too smart for your own good," was all she offered before she continued, "but you'll figure it out, eventually."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
"I hope my wife wasn't too hard on you," Potter smiled as they all returned from dancing. "She has a tendency to step on feet."
"I do not," Ginny cried as she swatted Potter playfully on the shoulder.
"Why don't you prove that?" Potter said, offering her his hand.
"Fine, I will," said Ginny.
"Merlin, Hermione, I won't do anything," Ron said coming up behind Draco.
He turned, just as Hermione placed her hand in his. He smiled down at her.
"Why don't you ask me to dance again, seeing as the last time we were interrupted," Hermione said softly.
Draco's heart flipped and eagerly pulled her to the dance floor. He looked behind to see that they had left a sour looking Ron with Pansy.
Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Draco leaned in closer to her and breathed in her scent. He placed his hand on her lower back and began to move.
"How often did you attend these types of balls?" Hermione asked.
"Uh – before the war, a few times a year. But this has been the first one in awhile," Draco trailed off.
"Oh, Merlin. How do you do it? I'm exhausted and it's only 10:30," Hermione sighed.
Draco chuckled, "You get use to it. Furthermore, they are usually not this eventful."
Hermione laughed lightly. Draco liked the way that smiles consumed Hermione's whole face. He liked the way one side of her mouth would turn up before the other and how her nose twitched.
She turned her head to look over at Weasley and frowned, "You think that they will be able to behave alone?"
Draco didn't answer, instead he asked, "Stay the night with me?"
He had tried, really tried hard to be reserved and aloof with her. But he just couldn't. Something about her made him want to admit everything. He couldn't withhold anything from her and it was slightly unnerving.
She looked up at him slightly puzzled. After a long, long minute, she breathed, "Yes."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
As it turned out, Ron and Pansy were fine alone. Scorpius had run up to Pansy just a while after Draco took Hermione to dance and he had provided to be a good distraction. Scorpius had pulled Pansy into an animated conversation about dragons.
"Pansy says that dragons are mean!" Scorpius exclaimed.
Draco, Hermione and Scorpius had landed in the living room of Draco's home.
"I says that I know they are, but they are still awesome!" He continued as Draco set him down.
Beside Draco, Hermione chuckled lightly.
"Alright," Draco sighed, "it's time to get you to bed, Scorp. You've had a big day."
Scorpius nodded solemnly and moved to walk to the staircase. "You read to me?" he piped up again.
"Of course," Draco smiled. "What story would you like?" he asked as he took the boy's hand to help him up the stairs.
"Not you, daddy," Scorpius rolled his eyes, "'I was talking to 'Mione."
"Of course I'll read you a story," Hermione said, flattered.
Rejection flashed though Draco, but he smiled down at his son, nevertheless. They reached Scorpius' bedroom and Hermione waited outside the room, while Draco helped Scorpius change into his pajamas.
"You come in now, 'Mione," Scorpius yelled as Draco pulled the nightshirt over his head. Draco winced as the young boy shouted in his ear.
"Read one of your's!" Scorpius grinned. He clamored up on to his bed and pulled the covers up to his chin.
Draco moved to pick up one of Hermione's books from the shelf and handed it to her; which she took and sat gently down on the edge of Scorpius' bed. Draco sat down in the rocking chair and Hermione began reading.
Draco was just as speechless as Scorpius was when Hermione read the story. He was captivated. How had he never noticed how absolutely perfect she was? She changed her voice to suit the characters in the story and she enthusiastically read the exciting parts. Draco realized that he was in far over his head. He could do a lot worse than Hermione Granger, and he would be hard pressed to find anyone better.
Soon, the young boy's eyes began to droop and quickly after Scorpius as fast asleep. Hermione quietly closed the book and placed in on the nightstand. Before getting up, she placed a gentle kiss on Scorpius' forehead, being sure not to wake him.
Draco followed her out of the room, suddenly nervous. It was a good nervousness though, the kind of rush that made you want more.
"He really likes you," Draco said, breaking the silence.
"Good because the feeling is very much mutual," Hermione said.
Draco opened the door to his left, but paused at the doorway. "Uh – yeah. This is my room."
Hermione nodded and peeked in curiously. "Well, aren't you going to invite me in or are we going to sleep in the hallway?"
Draco leaned down to kiss her. He had meant it to be a quick kiss, but Hermione pulled him closer.
They stumbled into his room and Draco gripped Hermione's hips. They fit perfectly in his hands and for a moment, he was surprised by how small she felt in his hands.
"Did I tell you how strikingly handsome you look in a suit, Malfoy?" Hermione gasped in between breaths.
Draco groaned and shook his head. He dived down to kiss her neck.
Hermione grabbed on to his hair. "You do. I meant to…" But she broke off and moaned.
Draco's hands skimmed around her dress, looking for the zipper. "Bloody hell," he groaned, "Where is the fucking –"
Hermione giggled and pulled away. She pulled at something under her left arm.
"I know I shouldn't be concerned about this now, but if I didn't exactly bring anything to sleep in," Hermione blushed.
Draco grinned, "Even better." He moved towards her again, but she placed a hand on his chest stopping him.
"Draco," she drawled. "It's not like when we are sleeping at my house. We aren't alone."
He pulled away and groaned. "Nothing kills the mood like mentioning one's children." Hermione giggled and he turned toward his wardrobe.
Opening the bottom drawer he pulled out his old Quidditch jersey and handed it to her. From the drawer next to it, he pulled out an old pair of pajama bottoms. He tossed them over to her and caught them.
Hermione eyed him expectantly and Draco laughed. "It's nothing that I haven't seen before, Granger."
"Just turn around, Draco." And he did.
The sound of shuffling rang out behind him. He tugged at his tie and pulled off his jacket. Without turning around, he shuffled to the side and placed the coat over the back of the chair.
"It's okay. You can turn around," she said quietly.
Draco turned around and a predatory grin formed on his face. Hermione had been beautiful in her dress that evening, but seeing her in his old Quidditch shirt caused things to stir in him. It was like he had a claim on her; maybe it was because his name was plastered on the back of the shirt.
His pants tightened uncomfortably and he lunged for her. She gasped as his lips crushed hers.
"Take it you're turned back on?" Hermione groaned as he lifted her up and threw her none too gently onto the bed.
"Merlin, you're so fucking hot," he ground out. Draco moved his hands under her shirt and gripped her breasts.
Hermione moaned loudly, as she melted into his hands. Draco ripped off her shirt and then ripped his off. Hermione placed a gentle hand on his forearm.
"Draco," she breathed, "slow down." She moved her hand to his face and caressed his cheek. "Let's take it slow tonight."
He nodded in agreement and leaned down to kiss her passionately. Draco felt Hermione's hand wander down his chest and linger on his abs. In response, he placed a hand over collarbone. He felt her gasp under his hands. Hermione's breathing quickened as she reached down to his pants. His breathing started mimicking hers and she unbuttoned them.
Smiling up at him, she took off both his pants and hers. He looked down between them, to see Hermione lightly grip his cock, stocking it gently. He groaned loudly.
Suddenly, she flipped him over and straddled him. His breathing hitched. She looked magnificent. Hermione leaned up slightly, then came back down on his cock. They groaned together at the sensation.
"Merlin, you're so tight," he groaned. Hermione placed her hands on his chest to steady herself.
She started to ride him slowly, but it quickly became heated. Draco wrapped a hand in her hair and pulled her down for a scorching kiss. She continued to move on him and he thought that if he were to die right then, he would die happy.