A/N: I can't believe this story is almost over! For those of you that are concerned about the Astoria sub-plot, I highly advise you re-read chapter 18 & 19 as everything was explained there. If it still feels unanswered, feel free to PM me here or on my FB group page if you have further questions :)
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TWENTY-THREE
The owl she had received from Draco early Saturday morning hadn't been very forthcoming with details about their date later that night. All it said was to dress comfortably as they wouldn't be going anywhere that would require reservations or put her out of her comfort zone. She had smiled at that and proceeded to go about her day, though she made sure to give herself extra time to get ready just in case she changed her mind.
Which happened to be the case three times.
She only settled on an outfit when a knock sounded at her front door signaling that her time to get ready had run out and whatever she had on was going to be the one. Glancing down at herself to make sure, she gave herself a nod in the mirror and dashed to the door to answer it. She smiled at the sight of Draco waiting outside with his hands behind his back. The dark charcoal slacks and burgundy button down with his sleeves pushed up not only made her mouth water, but made the silver of his eyes even brighter.
He pulled his hands before him and her eyes widened at the bouquet of purple roses. He took advantage of her surprised state to press forward and capture her lips with his. "Hope it's okay I used the front door," he murmured when she finally pulled back to invite him in.
She nodded as she took the bouquet and used her wand to summon a vase. "Of course," she said as she set the vase on her table and muttered a spell to add water to it. "Though I've unlocked my Floo for you as well as adjusted the wards to let you in."
"I'll keep that in mind," he said, his sweeping gaze making her blush.
"How did you know I liked roses?" she asked.
"I'm not clueless, Granger. You may be progressive and independent by nature, but when it comes to timeless traditions, you're a sucker for the tried and true. Roses, though overdone, are your favorite." His eyes sparkled as his grin spread. "In fact, if it's not roses, you're not really one for flowers at all."
A smile took hold of her lips and she hummed in approval. "So you do pay attention."
"I may have acted the fool when we were young, but I assure you, I was always right behind you in intelligence," he said, coming to pull her into his arms. "And even then it was only because you were such a distraction."
She snorted before his lips pressed over hers. "And here I thought your romantic streak would end when we got together."
"One of the only lessons from my father worth remembering was that just because you have the witch, doesn't mean you stop courting her."
Her nose wrinkled at the thought of Lucius with a romantic streak and pulled herself away from Draco with a shudder. "That's too weird for me to think about."
He shrugged. "For all his other shortcomings, treating my mother like a goddess was something he did rather well."
She nodded, but chose to not carry that conversation a moment longer. She looked down at her dark wash jeans and long-sleeved cream-colored tunic that slouched off one shoulder. "Am I too casual for what you had in mind?"
"No," he replied, but produced his wand from his pocket. "Although the color could be adjusted."
She watched as the cream turned to a dark green and crossed her arms as she stared at him. "Really?"
"Much better."
She waved him off and summoned her purse. He offered his arm and when she took it, he smiled down at her. "Ready?" When she nodded, he Apparated them to their destination.
The date itself was nothing like Hermione had expected. Then again, nothing about Draco had been what she expected either. From the moment she discovered it was him under the mask of Kratos, he had made her rethink so many preconceived notions of the man who used to torment her as a boy.
Instead of going to some posh restaurant to try and flaunt his Gringott's vault or impress her with his upbringing, he took her to a little hidden gem of a Muggle restaurant. It was obvious he had been going there for some time when he spoke to the staff with a familiarity that could only be obtained by frequent visits. And she decided that it was worth it alone to hear him speak fluent French and lots of it.
However, it was after dinner that surprised her the most and left her speechless until it was time to leave.
Not more than a fifteen minute stroll from the restaurant, Hermione found herself passing through a ward and stopping short at the sight of a street that looked similar to Diagon Alley, but more streamlined. The shops that lined the small section of the street were devoted to rare magical items; mostly books. She had looked at Draco like a child on Christmas morning and told him he would regret it when he told her to get whatever she wanted.
By the time they returned to his flat, he had spent quite a few of his Galleons on rare finds. Under his breath he had made a comment on how he never knew someone could spend so much on books, but when she tried to apologize, he cut her off with a kiss and led her down toward the bedroom.
Later that night, he promised to take her shopping for books every day if she promised to make up the empty space in his vault by repeating that thing she did with her tongue. She agreed with a laugh and snuggled in closer to his side as she drifted off to sleep.
Hermione woke to the feeling of bliss.
Her eyes remained shut as a shiver caused her skin to erupt in gooseflesh. Heat licked up her spine as the coil inside her belly began to tighten. The more it threatened to snap, the more of Hermione's senses returned. Her fingers clutched at the sheets as her body bowed off of them, her legs quaking around Draco's head. She sucked in a breath and released it in the form of a moan. Her head ground back against the pillows as she chased the throes of passion while Draco's tongue whispered lustful secrets into her core.
He pulled away from her well after she had finished and took his time kissing his way back up her body. When his mouth closed around a nipple, she forced her eyes open. Once they focused on his face, she reached up for him with a sated smile. "That's one way to wake a girl up," she murmured as he settled himself over her.
"Best breakfast I've ever had," he returned, making her shiver as his mouth closed over hers.
She moaned at the taste of herself on his tongue; hers darting out to chase his. He reached down between them, taking his cock in his hand and brushing it through her dripping folds. He lined himself up at her entrance and pushed his hips forward, filling her in one stroke. They sighed into the kiss at the union, but before he could do anything else, something buzzed past their heads and made them pause.
They glanced to the side and Hermione recognized the disturbance immediately. "Is that-" he started.
"A howler," she finished, confirming it for him.
"Who would-"
He was cut off as a pair of lips appeared on the side of the letter facing them and then began to speak, the volume making them both wince. "Why is it that I had to find out my son is seeing someone from the bloody Prophet?"
Hermione squeaked as she shoved Draco off of her and diving under the covers at the recognition of Narcissa Malfoy's voice. She pulled them up to her chin as Draco simply pulled part of the sheets over his lower half and then placed a pillow over his face and groaned.
"I realize the whole arranged marriage thing may have instilled some mistrust, but I am still your mother. I should be made aware that my one and only son is courting a witch. Especially one such as Miss Granger!"
There was a pause and dread filled the pit of Hermione's stomach. She braced herself to hear the worst. To be told that she was no good for Draco with her muddy blood.
She was not prepared for what Narcissa actually had to say.
"Miss Granger, I realize you might still be with my son and I mean no disrespect," the recording said, the voice much gentler. "You are a witch of high standing in society and I only meant that Draco would be daft to think I wouldn't find out if he intended to keep it a secret. I am honored to have you be on the receiving end of my son's courtship."
Hermione could only stare at the floating letter as it continued to ream Draco apart.
"You should have told me! I'm stuck inside, Draco. If Miss Granger is the one you told Astoria you were seeing for some time, I demand the two of you come over for dinner next Saturday. No excuses! Though I shall see you at tea this afternoon."
The letter sighed and then self-destructed, the pieces fluttering to the ground next to the bed.
Both of them remained silent for a moment before he tossed the pillow off of his face and she loosened her grip on the sheet. "Cockblocked by my own mother," he muttered.
She stared at him before dissolving into hysterics. He glared at her for a few seconds before joining in on a much lighter of a laugh. When she finally began to wind down, she wiped tears from her eyes and held her other hand to her chest to catch her breath. "Sorry," she mumbled when she could finally speak.
"You should be," he groused, glancing down at his softened cock. "I doubt you'll be getting any for the rest of the day."
"Honestly, I think we could both use a break," she said, smiling at his glare. "Besides, I should be getting home and you have tea with your mother to get ready for."
He groaned and surged forward, pinning her beneath him. "I can decline if you want me to," he offered.
"Why?"
"Because they're still under house arrest at the Manor. After the last time you were there-"
"It's been years since then, Draco."
"But clearly what happened there still haunts you," he said, the humor fading quickly from his eyes.
"And it will continue to do so if I refuse to face my demons head on," she said, taking a deep breath. "Maybe while we're there you can show me the drawing room?"
He frowned, searching her face. After seeing she was serious, he gave a slight nod. "You're sure about this? We just had our first date, Granger. I've never taken anyone to have dinner with my parents. Or any sort of formal meeting." He paused to swallow hard, his fingers brushing hair from her face. "This means we're serious."
She gave him a smile as her hands ran up and down his biceps. "I suppose it does."
His eyes widened with surprise for a moment before he grinned down at her. They both felt his cock harden and twitch against her thigh. "You really want to? Hermione, I-"
"I want to," she interrupted, one hand sliding down between them to wrap around his cock. "I want to move forward with you, Draco. I want to get to know every part of you. You accept me for who I am and where I've come from; it's my turn to show you I can do the same for you."
He groaned as she directed him to her core. Finding it still wet and ready for earlier, he sank into her with ease, both of them shuddering at the sensation. He held her gaze as he moved his hips with a painstakingly slow pace, one that she could feel in every inch of her body. Her fingers curled around his arms as she bit her lips to hold back the words that lingered on the tip of her tongue.
"What is it, Hermione?" he asked, sensing she was holding back.
"I love you," she replied in a barely there whisper.
He stopped moving for a moment; choosing to stare down at her with wide eyes instead.
"I know it might be too much or too soon, but I-"
"I love you too," he said, putting an end to her ramble. "Gods, I think I've loved you for awhile."
"Me too," she said, gasping as he resumed thrusting into her, picking up the pace as he went.
Instead of going home, she spent the rest of the day wrapped up in Draco as they expressed their newfound love for one another.