a/n We reached to the end. Thank you all for reading The Unity of Opposites, it means the world to me. It is not only the satisfaction of ending a beloved story, but the promise of improvement. Thank you for being here.
I hope you like Ch45, tell me what you think!
Take care, always laugh, smile, love and be loved. Be safe and strong and take big breaths every time something seems too much, too heavy to bear. You can achieve the world and so much more!
Love, Γ
The Unity of Opposites
Chapter Forty Five
Then, Now and After
December 4th, two months before the escape of Damien Nehone
She looked at Ginny eating her noodles and she smiled at the common resemblance with Ron. She was eating the second plate of fried noodles and chicken and she was already ordering the third when Hermione stopped her, placing a hand on top of the menu. ''Ginny, that's too much.'' she laughed and to her surprise, she frowned.
''Don't be a Harry!'' she complained, but she didn't order. She emptied her plate with two more extra full bites and she sat back, rubbing her belly with a pleased expression written on her face. ''I needed that.'' she smiled and sighed, feeling sleepy now. Hermione asked for the bill, taking one of the fortune cookies. ''What is that?'' she asked in amusement and grabbed one. She cracked it and gasped in surprised, thanking Hermione one more time for bringing her here and not taking away like they used to for the past months as Harry was acting overprotective all of the sudden. ''Apparently I am going to be a mum.'' she laughed and gave Hermione the quote saying congratulations! It's a boy.
Hermione laughed out loud, causing some ogling gazes to fall on her and she cracked hers open, but before she could read the quote, her eyes rose to see a familiar blond-silver hair, perfectly combed backwards, walking towards the small cornered restaurant she had taken Ginny for lunch. She frowned, watching him walking there like a commoner, and talking to Adrian Pucey, his tall body dressed in perfectly fitted suit, the kind she was sure he didn't buy from the store down the street. The smugness on his face made her roll her eyes. Same old Malfoy - ''Hasn't he aged like fine wine.'' Ginny said, grabbing the small piece of parchment from Hermione, who looked at her surprised.
''He is only 24 years old - and since when do you say Malfoy is good-looking?'' she whispered and laughed when she shrugged, ''Are your hormones - ''
''You have to admit, he always was and will be. I mean,'' she rose a brow and both of them looked at his tall posture as his lips were curled into a small smile while Adrian was talking to him about something that Hermione guessed it was girl-related. ''look at him.'' Draco's eyes met Hermione's. ''The love of your life approaches you.'' Ginny read the quote with a rather exciting enthusiasm and held it like a banner in front of her. ''See?'' a wide smile decorated her face and Hermione took it in her hands, rereading it. ''You are not going to die alone with cats - ''
''Or things that need batteries - ''
''What?''
Hermione grinned and shook her head, tearing the small parchment in half, ''I don't believe in love anymore.'' she said in perfect naiveness.
January 4th, one month before the escape of Damien Nehone
They were laughing for the past hour. His abs was hurting, his eyes were wet from tears, he couldn't even concentrate in one simple action of holding his glass of firewhiskey. He left it on top of a drawing his goddaughter, Nora made for him, of a single rose burning in the night. Blaise hit Adrian in the shoulder and laughed more, harder, thanking Merlin they were alone in the house. The low lighting of the library they were into should have made them feel sleepy but it didn't. Long conversations about their lives and doings were kept resurfacing with every passing minute that all the firewhiskey in the couldn't keep them proper, much needing company.
''But if you marry a Greengrass then you will have huge trust in Gringotts!'' Adrian joked and emptied his glass, pouring more.
''I have Malfoy trust, do not need to settle for less.'' Draco cheered his glass to his. ''And for Merlin's sake, you should be marrying, not me.''
''I haven't met the right one yet - what?'' Adrian laughed with Draco, who choked on his own drink.
''What is with you people and the right one?'' he mocked while coughing, his gaze travelled to the both of his friends, ''Thalia told me the very same quote the other day!'' he said and missed the way Adrian's gaze changed in a shy one, ''Honestly, marry someone, slag everyone else, no obligations, no strings attached - ''
''That's not adult life mate - ''
''Please, if you haven't met Stella you would be in Portugal now with the girl who you ogled more than a second.'' he snorted and took a sip, ''You are just an exception to the rule.''
''How is Thalia single?'' Blaise asked out of the blue, looking at Adrian.
''How should I know?'' his burning cheeks thanked him for the alcohol he had drunk and he rushed to look away, pretending his slacks had a stain.
''Fuck, she is gorgeous - ''
''Married - '' Adrian pointed the ring on his finger and looked at him in a way that should alert them, but they were too drunk to notice it.
''I have eyes!'' Blaise laughed and extended his leg to hit Draco's. ''Why not ask her out?'' Draco frowned for a second, as if he was thinking about it and Adrian held his breath, feeling those few seconds before Draco's laughter hotter than lava.
''I don't like her like that, I mean, she is beautiful - '' he finally said and Adrian let out a deep breath, almost familiar to a bull's. ''I respect her, she is smart and always in a good mood, great in her work!'' he nodded and sighed, ''But I don't fancy her.'' he shook his head and looked at his glass, ''I think she is seeing someone too.'' he took a sip, missing the way Adrian was feeling uncomfortable but yet so smug about it, ''The other day someone sent her flowers and she was smiling like teenage girl - ''
''Is it polite to spy on your workers?'' Adrian asked with a smirk, covering his delighted confidence that was rising like a skyrocket.
''See, love is real!'' Blaise moved his hands in the air, played his fingers to make his wedding ring shine and watched Draco roll his eyes.
''I don't believe in love.'' he said in perfect naiveness and took a sip from his carved glass.
February 4th
The tall trees were not as greener as the last time he had seen them. It almost gave the impression of a dying life - wasn't here where he tortured his cousin? A smile curled his lips and he rose his still soaked wet arms, feeling the chilling air refreshing.
''I kept my promise.'' he had helped him escape. He threw him a pair of robes. He didn't dare to walk closer to him. Nehone turned around and watched him taking a step back. ''Will you do - ''
''The Document of Truth.'' he told him and waited for the only evidence in the word proving he was not the actual son of Horatio Nehone. ''The Document - '' a piece of parchment reached his hand. Small calligraphic letters were forming a much familiar name and an address. He smirked. Not only for the revenge he will take, but for the terror he will bring to her own house.
''She took away five years of your life.'' he reminded him and kept his gaze straight, not wanting him to see the fear in his eyes. ''Will you do as we arrange?'' his voice might sound strong, but it sure wasn't.
He smirked again. ''I will do your favour, Warlock, even if you are scared to do it on your own.'' he talked slowly, calm even, ''If by tomorrow night the Document is not mine, you will be first.'' he smiled and disappeared in the night, not even bothering to look back at the old, scared wizard.
ΛVΛ
A smile decorated his hairy face as the reflection of his tall body dressed in light beige coloured slacks and green shirt was starting to look much more appealing that any other time. The voices of his best friends telling him how regretful he will be once he realized what he had spent his galleons buying came to his mind, but he cared little about those wankers who didn't let him wear his coloured suits.
The need to make some space in his closet for the new costume-made pieces his tailor was making popped in his head - he cursed under his breath and watched the black suits hanging around him in perfect line, along with expensive shirts and shoes. It sure could wait, couldn't it?
An itchiness made his hand rose and found the strange sensation on his face troublesome. He needed to shave, but he didn't find a reason or a need to do it. A longer than some months ago lock of silver blond hair fell down his face and he rushed to push it back, wishing he had heard Adrian when he told him to have a haircut. Even if he wanted to, the hair product he once loved to use were sitting untouched on the tall stand in the bathroom. He might have even walked around the Wizarding World without his old time classic slick-backwards style.
He wore his shining oxfords and looked around to find the blazer he wore some nights ago, when Blaise came to brag about his one month vacation trip and ask him to babysit Nora for a week so he could have some alone time with his wife - he had redeemed him with a pair of sunglasses. Muggle sunglasses. With a weird name and gold lines around black lens. He was not going to lie, he loved them.
Awkwardly his hands started to search for it before he found another blazer, one he thought Hermione threw away. He frowned. It was resting in plain sight, freshly cleaned and perfectly ironed. He was wearing that blazer the day he returned to the Enterprise after his father passing - the one he was wearing when he cracked his head open. He frowned again. Cowardly, maybe with a small fear in his heart, he took it in his hands and patted the inner pocket to find something waiting to be read. How could he forget it? How could he?
Guilt took him over faster than every other time and he rushed to take the envelope out, reading his written name, in familiar handwriting and ink. Draconis. His heart started to beat fast and he might have even held his breath for a second, reading his name again and again, not sure if he will even read something his father wrote for him. Draconis. The name he gave him to empower him. How could he forget? How could he forget about the last thing his father gave him? Draconis. He swore he could hear him calling him right this second. His lips pressed together and he found himself being angry with him for a second. The image of his father holding him as a baby came to his mind only to fade away by a drunk, ruthless figure walking around the Manor with a glass of whatever liquid he would have found. Draconis. His mother's words came to his mind - she was right, he had spent too much time in a haze, trying to find another way to pity himself. His hands were shaken, and he didn't know for how long he was holding the letter out of the named envelope.
My dear son, Draco closed his eyes. He took a breath, then another and a deeper one. He might have wished for Hermione's presence. His lips pouted and he looked himself in the mirror. He looked so much like his father - same eyes, same hair, same facial expressions. They looked alike, but they were not alike. He swallowed hard. He clenched his jaw. Through the mirror, he saw the empty side of their bed. She might have read it to him, or she might have given him some privacy - the thing is that she would know what to do. His leg started to bounce - she might know, but he sure didn't - a small nervousness overtook his whole body. ''Alright.'' he tried to encourage himself and held the letter wide open.
My dear son,
how many times have I started this letter only to leave it unfinished and aside for longer than I should have, wanting to steal time and enjoy our given gifted moments rather than hide in my study room and finish it?
By the time you read this, I hope, everything went according planned. For that, I am sorry.
Not only for the times I was not there, but for those I was.
You see, son, there is no easy way for things to be done, either a quick one, simply the idea of need and action that firing the laters to existence.
I wish I had more time to offer, I wish I had a different way to offer what you deserve, I wish I was the one you look up to, but I am not. Part of me never wanted it to be and knowing what I know now, I am glad you never will.
For now, I leave you with those words, hoping you will be the man I know you are, hoping the mistakes I once acted on, has now faded away. The most devious thing about mistakes, Draco, is how educational they can be.
Mistakes are the ones leading you to where you should be, so do not fear when you make one. Be aware, to always make new ones, there lay the true lessons life will teach you. As many mistakes as you make, as many failures you are achieving, as many risks you are taking, it will always lead you further, watering you with knowledge and experience no one could ever teach you, except you, Draco.
It is you, who will fill your soul so others can be delighted by it, you, who will feed yourself with favourites, likes, desires and needs. Never expect one to do it for you, simply because it is your job. If there is something you do not like, change it, and if you cannot change it, embrace it with open arms, learn to live with it, it is there for a reason, a reason you might find later in your life. If there is anything you seek, first you need to understand what is that you seek, if it is yours and no one else's, only then you will have come in terms with yourself and all you will have to do is stop seeking it and it will come to you, effortlessly, happily.
Life never gives you what you want, but what you truly need. Not all people need the same thing, son, learn to be content with it and never seek beyond what others offer you.
As I look at your photograph, and pray to Salazar to give you strength and courage, knowing how much I have pained you, my only wish is for you to be safe and happy my son, with whoever you choice to be with. Love comes from the very unexpected places, Draconis, and I do believe you found yours.
Know you have my love for the very first moment I saw you.
Never, ever, use the Time Turner.
your proud father.
P.S If your mother insists, allow her one dinner date per year with Mr Nestor Steele. Make sure to point how very unsettling it is.
''What!?'' he yelled out loud, remembering the tulip she received some days ago.
ΛVΛ
She had never been in the Enterprise before. She had seen photos in the Daily Prophet, articles in the Ministry Times, and plenty of references to the Witch Weekly, but she had never been in the building before. Everywhere her eyes dared to look, there was luxury written on thick marble, gold details, heavy art and spotless mirror-worthy floors. It almost felt strange to her walking on top of them - how very odd it was, being in his work place for the very first time.
People were looking at her, but it wasn't for who she was, no, for a reason her presence here was not that strange - it was her dress that cause people to stare. It was a summer dress, a yellow one, stopping in the middle of her thighs. With small blue flowers spreading all around it and two thin strings creating bows on her shoulders, keeping it in place. She might have thought of going home and change, but it would just be a waste of time. In her mind, these past weeks and right this very second, there was only the thought of Draco and right now, she wanted to see him, even if she knew he probably be mad at her.
It didn't matter, it really didn't, because for the very first time in her adult life, she had her mind cleaned, her thoughts sorted out, her wants and needs were loud and clear, and everything was pointing to one Draco Malfoy. Her face radiated more, her whole chest filled with pride and anticipation and even if she would never going to admit it, her lips curled more with the thought of their last tete-a-tete and the way his lips had traced down her naked back.
''Good morning.'' she greeted the young man behind the desk, with a sense of confidence that could easily outshine Draco's, floating around her like a majestic veil. She smiled at him when he awkwardly stood up, the chair hit the tall R in Enterprise. He blushed, turning around to fetch it, cursing under his breath. He fixed his suit on his body and his cheeks fired up even more, as well as the rest of his face.
''Hello, miss Hermione,'' his eyes widened and his lips fell apart for the way he greeted her, ''Good morning miss Hermione Granger.'' he tried hard to collect himself, but failed. His hands reached his tie, awkwardly trying to fix it, not knowing it was already fixed. ''To - to what do we own the honour, sir, I mean - I mean Miss Granger, miss Hermione Granger.'' he breathed out, her kind smile made him offer it back, feeling himself little in front of her.
''Could you point me at Draco Malfoy's office, please?'' she asked in a whisper after she leaned ever the slightest towards him, making him hold his breath.
''Is he expecting you?'' he blushed as her body scent covered the whole front desk and a nice comfort aura relaxed him. She smiled, shaking her head once. ''I really have to announce you - ''
''It's a surprise.'' she offered another smile, but this time it didn't have the same effect. It almost made her worry, she had been trained from the very best; ''Mr Malfoy won't mind it, I am certain.''
''It's my intership. I might lose it if he notices - ''
''And I might convince him to look the other way.'' her brow rose in a rather familiar way and he searched her eyes for a second.
He cleared his throat and with the corner of his eye watched the elevators' wall with golden doors. ''Private elevator, to your left.'' he looked at her with a bit fear in his eyes that was gone when she smiled at him. ''His password is - ''
''Apple pie?'' she guessed, leaving him dazzling her from afar.
ΛVΛ
The elevator's bell vibrated her ears. She might have been lost in her thoughts, feeling her heart beating faster and faster as she was reaching the top floor of his company and the idea of seeing him again shivered her legs and limbs like she was a string of silk, being played by the wind. She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and she smiled to the old man, wishing him a good rest day. The doors opened wide and her shoes stepped on top of the naked floors that had a beautiful pattern of different shades of green. It made her feel ashamed for walking on them.
She rose her eyes only to frown. A couple of meters away from her, there was a desk, a woman sitting on top of it, a male hand on her exposed leg, a rather desired smile on her face as her hands were on top of his arms, tightening her grip whenever his kisses on her neck were too much to handle without a proper moan.
She giggled only to gasp and push Adrian away from her, ''What, what did I do - now? Now you are showing up?'' he looked offended watching her standing here. He felt his erection disappearing at once, cursing his bad luck the past days and actually thinking to ask her to move in with him.
''Hello to you too, Adrian.'' she smirked at him, noticing the panic in the woman's eyes, who stood up from her desk, awkwardly fixing the familiar dress on her body. ''I thought you were doing the shopping.'' she teased, noticing the dress being the very same Draco gave her back in Sicily, only in different colour. The cheeks on the woman's face fired up and she hid her hands behind her back.
''I am Thalia Haydenshon.'' she looked at her through shameful eyes before meeting her feet, knowing exactly how their doings looked like. ''I am Mr Malfoy's secretary.'' her voice came out of her mouth with a bit of fear, and she rose her eyes to see Hermione smiling. She frowned and looked at Adrian, who had crossed his arms under his chest, looking back at her bothered.
''Can I see him?'' she pointed at the closed double doors of his office.
''He is at the DD - ''
''He is mad at you - ''
''Development Department.'' Thalia explained herself and looked at Adrian again, this time like she was about to have a fight with him. He looked at her like a little boy and sighed. He rolled his eyes, opening the door of his office.
''You can wait if you must.'' he narrowed his eyes when she passed by him before noticing the panic in Thalia's eyes. He looked defeated - he really, really didn't want to do this, but he cleared his throat, ''I would appreciate if you did not mention what you might or might not have seen earlier - ''
''It's not my place.'' she smiled when he blushed, ''You looked happy.'' she whispered and walked inside his office.
Her eyes roared around the new scenery, narrowing them ever the slightest because of the heavy light bathing the opened area. She smiled to herself, his cologne was in the air like a cloud veil surrounding tall mountains and trees. It was intoxicating, yet familiar and fully overwhelming. Her legs shakened more and her mind was forcing her to breath every single trace of him, feeling the need to be with him much more powerful than before. Her bottom lips trapped between her lips and she had to control herself as the thought of him was weakening her.
A deep breath escaped her lungs and her cheeks blushed. She forced her eyes to keep looking around, guessing he might be gone for a second or two. The huge bookcase curved her lips. She walked towards the tall shelves holding numerous books and small art, her fingers tracing the leather covers, suede, velvet, even some were skinned, which made her wonder how much history his family have. She wiped her fingertips on her dress, feeling shivers from the idea of skinned books and their content and she stood in front of the sofa, watching the empty space above. She frowned, thinking that might have been a painting there he sent to conservation. He was always careful with art - even when she had started living with him, he would always make sure his art was perfectly settled, showing off like bathing from the sun diamonds.
The tall stand holding a familiar bottle of firewhiskey caught her attention. She carefully walked there and smiled, knowing its inside was the very same liquid he had at home. She carefully looked over her shoulder to see the shadow of Adrian outside the doors. A grin carved her face and she extended her hand, taking the lid and sniffing the familiar scent she had tasted too many times from his tongue. Her heartbeat hammered inside her chest. Her tongue licked her lips before putting her bottom lip in her mouth and slowly setting it free. Her breathing fasten. Her needs groaned inside of her as a hungry lion.
Without knowing it, her feet had already drove her to his desk. Beautiful quills aside their inks made her smile. He always had a rather nice prospective about his personal stuff, hadn't he. With the corner of her eye she saw two same frames, holding two different photos. She took the one she hadn't seen before, admiring the way the three of them laughed, the bond of their friendship only shone brighter. She smiled and she took the frame with their photo, her lips adopting a smugness she had seen in Draco's too many times before.
She was kissing his cheek, his one hand was around her waist, holding her on top of him while the other was taking the photograph. The way he looked disappointed when he understood the photo will not be moving made her smile a little. There was a blush on his cheeks, a colourful happiness she dared to adore more and more, because it was the kind she had put to his life and she knew it now. She shivered. A deep breath was trying to find an exit, but failed. She looked in front of her - her eyes watered when the light blinded her in he most delighted way. ''Are you still running towards me?'' she asked, feeling her whole body reacting to his presence, as his eyes were on her.
She turned around and her breath caught up her chest again, shockingly looking at him. He had four weeks long beard and he was wearing light grey slacks? And light blue shirt? Like the colour blue? And his hair was not perfectly combed backwards, but messy? Her lips fell apart and she started to feel his relief to see her, but his anger as well, his happiness and his sadness - her heart skipped a beat, not because of how he looked, but for how he looked at her. She swore on her life she had never seen a person with such relievedly.
His arms fell unconsciously at his sides and he might have clenched his jaw twice, wanting nothing more than to hold her in his arms, but having his pride to blame for his stoned status. ''Adrian.'' he called him, his nose exhaled smoke like an angry bull who had seen red for the very first time.
''Oh shit.'' he whispered and he looked apologetic at Hermione, but her eyes were lost deep inside Draco's.
''Take your girlfriend and leave.'' Draco ordered with a dominant voice, his eyes never leaving Hermione's.
''What - '' he breathy laughed before clearing his throat, his cheeks fired up, ''what girlfriend mate - ''
''Adrian.'' Draco talked with a new leveled dangerous tone and looked at him over his shoulder. Adrian mouthed I am sorry to Hermione before he took a step back and leave with Thalia in hand. ''Where have you been.'' he angrily spoke to her when the ring of the elevator rang, but Hermione knew he wasn't truly angry anymore.
''You didn't answer my question - ''
''This is not how this works Hermione!'' now he was angry. But she didn't care. Her eyes sparkled at the hearing of her name coming out of his lips, reminding the melody of a beloved sonata, if not a whole orchestra playing it.
Her heart pounded inside her chest in a way she had never felt before. It almost created its own beat, its own rhythm. A shiver fired up her spine all the way down to her toes and she found herself craving for his touch. He was angry, but she didn't care, because everything was simply clearer than every other time. She wanted to cry. She might have even bit the inside of her cheek to not allow herself to do so. ''How does it work then.'' her voice could easily called a whisper. She took a single step towards him, knowing how very happy she might look now.
''With you by my side!'' he shouted and she might have jumped a little. He blushed and her breathing fastened. ''Where the fuck have you been?'' he looked down at her with pained eyes, wanting nothing more than to hold her closer to him, only to see his ego fighting back for a well-deserved answer. ''Where were you?'' he shouted again and she closed the distance between them, her eyes never daring to look elsewhere, trying to take the pain away from him and maybe share her own.
''I am here now.'' she smiled at him, sensing exactly how much she pained him, and Draco finally sensing how much she needed this time alone.
''That is not good enough!'' he dangerously looked at her, ''I merely lost my mind Hermione! Do you know - '' Hermione had taken his hand in hers, slowly placing it on her cheek and his lips sealed. She looked at him, his temper had now faded away and only looked at her with a certainty, the kind it allows one to trust the other. ''Do not do this to me again.'' he carefully talked, the words were strange to his mouth and feelings, his thumb cowardly caressed her warm skin, feeling his fingertips firing up with life and desire once more. She was so beautiful. So damn beautiful. And she was looking at him in a way he adored. All this previous fears were gone now and all that was left was her.
''It's Hermione now?'' she asked with a smirk and he angrily looked at her again.
''You miss the point of my words.'' he berated. ''You do not get to do this again.'' he ordered with a dominant voice, his other hand finally raised to rest on her cheek and she smiled, her hands found his chest, feeling his fast heartbeat.
''I won't Draco - ''
''Better be.'' his gaze alarmed her at once and she frowned, ''Because Salazar be my witness, I do not know what I will do if you leave from me again.'' he gave her a small, gentle slap and she gasped.
''Did you just - ''
''That's because you make me think you left me. For good.'' he caressed her cheek and she frowned again, stepping on her toes to kiss him - but he turned around, walking to his desk. ''Now, go home.'' he made himself comfortable in his chair and she left to stare blankly at him.
''I am not leaving.'' she looked offended, but followed him there, sitting on top of his desk, the brim of her dress revealing her toned thighs. He rose a brow at her puppy-looking expression, forcing himself not to laugh. She sighed and slide herself closer to him, noticing how very gentle his hand was holding one of the quills. She rested her chin on her shoulder and she looked at him, his serious features made her stomach turn into a knot as the idea of him not wanting her anymore popped up - was that possible? She sighed and he looked at her, her curls had framed her face and the corner of his lips curled a little.
She extended her foot, caressing the side of his calf. ''I am working.'' to his disappointment, he laughed. She did it again and he angrily looked at her. ''You are grounded!'' he pointed at her shocked face with his quill, an ink drop dirtied his parchment.
''What - ''
''You reset our relationship, Granger.'' he dramatically rolled his eyes and she frowned, ''You - you need to court me! And I mean, real courting.'' he nodded too many times and left the quill aside, not liking the idea of messing his slacks, ''Dinners, dates - '' her face fell and she stood up to leave, feeling his hand curling around her forearm. ''Where do you think you are going.'' it wasn't even a question and it made her frown. He turned her around when he stood up, looking down on her sad face.
''Home?'' she took her arm back, ''I am guessing you already packed my things - '' he breathy laughed and sat back in his chair, making her sit on his lap, even if she protested for the briefest second.
''I am mad at you.'' he confessed to her, helping her straddle him and placing his big hands on his waist to not let her move away from him. ''I am mad at you for leaving me alone. I am mad you left me without a proper say - ''
''Draco.'' she called his name in a rather unknown tone and her face fell. One of her hands moved on top of his chest, feeling the fast pounding pleasant. He cleared her face from her hair and she met his needy eyes. ''I - you died in my arms, Draco. You died.'' her heartbeat matched his and she grabbed his face, desperately needing to feel his warm body, and make sure he is alright and alive, as the image of him inside bandages and bloody clothes was simply too much for her. ''And everything went blank and white, there was nothing for me to feel, anything - don't say I cannot get rid of you!'' she rushed to talk when he opened his mouth to speak, ''I don't want to get rid of you, cannot you see that?'' she talked with a rising panic and his hands tightened around her waist. ''I don't want to lose you! I don't - ''
''Is that what scared you enough to leave me?'' he felt her legs around him stiffen and he knew that was the answer, but for the very first time in his life, he needed to talk about it, ''If you are not willing to talk to me about it, chances are you will leave from me again.'' he calmly spoke this time, maybe he might have tried to sound a bit hurt to make her anxious, but failed - deep down he knew she will always come back to him. His ego raised and he cursed his confidence for it. He wasn't taking her for granted and he fucking knew how easy it was to lose her if he was not willing to try enough.
''I might have realized, you mean more to me than I had ever imagined.'' she whispered and blushed more and more with every speaking word - she took her eyes off him, meeting the light blue shirt he was wearing and missing the smirk of satisfaction and success on his face.
''Merlin, I've missed you.'' and before she could let her breath out, his lips had crushed hers, pulling her closer to his body, finally feeling the tension in his shoulders fading away. Her giggles made him look at her rubbing her lips together.
''You stabbed me.'' she heard him laugh and she smiled at the glowing of his face. She ran her fingers at his facial hair, feeling them wild on her soft skin. ''It's a nice.. touch.'' she lied and he knew it, already watching the redness around her lips spreading. He felt guilty and he rubbed them with his thumb.
''I will shave when we get home.'' he promised, resting back his head to fully see her. She had a smile on her face, a rather new one, the kind he had seen in Stella's face whenever Blaise was doing something silly, or out of character, although, Hermione's was much, much better and for a reason he couldn't understand at the moment, he felt proud seeing it on her face. ''What?'' he asked and even if he didn't know it, he had it too.
She looked at him and he might have held his breath. She caressed his hairy cheeks and she felt the need to tell him something, ''I - '' she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and she smiled again, '' Draco, I - '' he frowned for only second, but it was enough to make her regret the three words she had prepared to say, ''I missed you too, Draco.'' she smiled at him and found his lips, not minding the light stabbing this time. His hands tightened around her waist and pulled her closer to his starved body - her fingers had already fallen from his face to his shirt, pulling it out only to start unbuttoning it. He smiled against her lips and she found her chance to bite his bottom lip and hear him giggle. She opened his shirt and broke the kiss the moment the tip of her fingers touched the healed skin. Once again, her breath caught up her chest and she dared not to look at the scars he now had. He looked at her and she swallowed hard. Guilt took her over again and her heart ached. She caressed his skin, never losing his gaze. ''Does it hurt?'' she carefully asked, knowing she had left him alone to get through this.
''No.'' he reassured her with a simple look and she let her hand found the big round wound on his shoulder. He knew what she wanted and he straightened his back, letting her undress his torso to fully see him. And she did. Her face might have fallen and Draco rushed to run his hands on her arms, feeling her shiver. ''I love your dress.'' he untied the bows, letting the top part fall around her waist. He smirked and let some kisses between her exposed breasts, hearing pridefully her longing breathing, until his soft lips reached her neck and without a warning, he grabbed her hair, pulling her head backwards. Automatically her hands placed against his chest and she gasped, feeling his teeth bite the side of her breast. ''Will you do it again?'' he asked when her flesh bruised and he was proud with his doing. ''I asked you something.'' her hair was tangled around his hand and he licked his lips before bringing her face closer to his. ''Will you leave me again?'' he asked and she shook her head no. ''Good girl.'' he purred in her mouth and set her free, reaching the brim of her dress to find an entrance to her ass, gripping it tightly.
''I thought you have to work - ''
''You distract me, love.'' he massaged her ass and her lips found his before she could let out a needy moan, and start rubbing herself against him, worrying little about where they were. ''If you had listened to me and went home - '' but she was too hungry for him to let him speak. Her hands fell down to his slacks and with certain yet awkward moves, she took his already hard manhood out and sucked his tongue before meeting his eyes. There was a hunger in her gaze and she rose her arms in the air, telling him to get her naked, but he didn't. He wrinkled her dress in one hand and with the other slide her underwear just as much as needed to allow him to enter her wet center. She made a rather pleased expression and her cheeks blushed. Her breath was coming in and out with a small difficulty and he tightened the grip of her dress to bring her closer to him. ''What, what is it, love?'' he purred in her ear and a sharp breath escaped her lips.
She knew that he didn't want an answer - the way her body was reacting to him was everything he needed to know. ''I missed you.'' she whispered and she started to move, proving her words to him.
ΛVΛ
The summer night breeze chilled her body and she curled his shirt on her body, smiling as his scent reached her nose. She watched the lights in the small town in front of her and breathed in and out a couple of times, relaxing herself - it was a long day and she was sleepy, but she found herself unable to do so, even with his steady heartbeat next to her. Some distant car noises made her smile. Draco had told her about the young couples coming to those woods surrounding the castle in France and their need to enter the unreachable perimeter. Apparently, it was a dare among the younger generations. How very big of deal they might have considered it having a castle some meters away from their houses? She could hear a girl's laughter.
''Why are you not sleeping?'' he asked her and curled his arms around her, pulling her closer to his exposed chest. ''I thought you were sleepy?'' he placed his head next to hers and kissed her cheek.
''Why are you not sleeping?'' she asked him, feeling his hands curling around hers as he locked her in front of him. They stayed like this for a second, pushing time to stop and allow them to appreciate more the sensation of the two of them together, but the giggles sounded again, ''They are happy.'' she whispered and he spun her around, hugging her with one arm before he kissed the other and start dancing in the balcony.
''Of course the are.'' he whispered as well, ''They haven't seen the real world yet.'' he spun her again and she smiled to herself with the way his mind was working. ''Aren't you? Happy I mean.'' he asked and held his breath.
''I am.'' she softly said and his lips curled. He knew he didn't have to ask. He trusted his feelings, hers too. And everything he needed to know was right there in front of him - in her gazes, in her smiles, in the way she was kissing him, the way she was talking to him or even when she was simply standing next to him. ''Are you?'' she asked but she already knew as well.
''I love seeing you like this.'' he spun her around, the opened shirt revealed her naked body. ''Barefoot,'' he placed her closer to him, ''Naked,'' he leaned down, kissing her stern, ''Sore.'' he kissed a small bruise around her neck and looked down at her, ''Mine.'' there was a dominance in his voice which only sounded when he was talking to her.
''Where we're going?'' she asked through a laughter when he grabbed her hand and started to walk.
''To the pool!'' he said as if it was the most normal thing in the world.
''There is a pool?'' the surprise in her voice made him stop and turned around to see her.
''Of course there - ''
''Draco!'' she took her hand back and looked at him surprised, yet little in front of him. ''Draco, you have a castle. A fucking castle!'' she sighed and he snorted, shrugging a bit. ''Have you ever thought I might be never able to offer you back what you are offering me?'' she asked in a breaking whisper and she felt ashamed for her naked body. She curled her arms around her and to her surprise, he laughed.
''You offer me everything, Hermione.'' he closed the distance between them, tracing the back of her legs only to pull her up on his body and let her sit on the railings. ''I am the one who will never be able to offer back what you give me so - ''
''I love you.'' she said for the very first time and looked at his shocked face. ''I love you, Draco.'' she said again and smiled, at last saying the words she had prepared to say last year, but never did.
''Finally!'' he sighed relieved and laughed, ''I have been waiting a year for you to say it, you excruciating hussy!'' he sighed again, ''A year!'' he lost his thoughts for a second, not knowing what to do first, but he remembered he was a wizard and he extended his arm.
''What are you - '' she tried to lower his arm, but failed. ''You seemed to be afraid of words with strong engaging meaning - ''
''Me?'' he frowned, watching her step on her toes and standing perfectly still in front of him, ready to point her point of view.
''The other day you literally told me, and I quote, you will find another fellow wizard when you get tired of me - ''
''Yes, it's called Persuasion Tactic, Hermione!'' he looked at her offended and she rose her brows, ''I wanted to urge you into telling me you love me - ''
''Then say it back - stop that already!'' she tried to lower his arm again, ''We are seriously talking - ''
''And I am seriously expecting - no, it's here.'' he gripped in the air and smiled to her annoyed face - and even if he had promised to himself and to his friends he wouldn't do it, he fell to his knee and opened the velvet blue box in front of her, with a new level smugness, no one had ever seen before.
''I - I am naked.'' she laughed and watched her body inside his shirt.
''I do not much care about it - ''
''Say it.'' she was looking at him, at his eyes, only his eyes, wanting to find out if he was joking or not, but she knew he wasn't - she just wanted to hear him say it. ''Say it back and then ask me.'' she whispered in a rather demanding tone.
''I am holding a quarter of a million galleons, I am on my knee - ''
''Say it back!'' she demanded again and he gave her the sweetest smile, not because she wanted to hear it, that was just the cherry on top, but mostly because she didn't know how many times he told her - and that Draco Malfoy calls it a win.
''I have said it.'' he rushed to talk, not wanting to stay on his knee for more than a second. ''I have.'' he nodded and stood up, standing in front of her with everything he truly had, his own self, a self she loves. ''I have said it 365 times, every day when you fell asleep in my arms.'' he smiled when she lost a tear, ''I love you, Hermione.'' he said with the same smile and she reached out to him, curling her arms around him, caring little about the ring. He laughed and hugged her too, ''Is that a yes?'' he carefully asked, watching the ring inside the box ready to decorate her finger.
''I wasn't asked.'' she shrugged in an innocent way and pushed back, watching him blush. He never thought it would be easier.
''Well, if you say yes, I might never call you Granger again - ''
''I will not change my name for you, Malfoy! Hermione Granger Malfoy and that's it - ''
''So yes?'' he grabbed her hand sliding the ring on her finger and kissing it.
''You are so annoying.'' she shook her head and let him show her the ring, crystal clear diamond that was similar to his eyes, inside smaller diamonds that were shining more and more with every passing second -
''It gets you going isn't it.'' with a sudden move he threw her over his shoulder and slapped her ass, ''Fair warning, Mrs Malfoy, it won't come off.'' he squeezed her ass and she giggled. ''You are mine forever.''
And she was.