By the time Friday rolled around she was going crazy. She didn't understand him. Her brain was clouded, bored as she slipped away from her peers again. But every time she considered pleading to McGonagall for a weekend pass to visit George she would see Malfoy smirking at her in the Great Hall, taunting her. The game was afoot and she'll be damned if she loses.
She had seen him no less than five times while alone, she could dismiss one or two as inconvenient or not secluded enough. But why in the hell did he just accept his point docking for being out after hours last night in a totally empty corridor just off the prefect's bathroom. It was driving her mad.
"Hermione?"
She pulled out of her thoughts as Ginny shook her shoulder. Hermione turned back to the redhead on the grass beside her watching the boys skip rocks in the lake. It was really too cold to be out even with warming charms. The Scottish winter came early and fast and while the first snow hadn't fallen yet, the clouds threatened it daily.
"What?" she questioned.
She hated how much of a common occurrence that statement was becoming these days. Maybe she should just give up and ask McGonagall-
"I asked if you needed to hex something?" Ginny frowned. "We're losing you again."
"No I'm fine." Hermione brushed her off. "Just a bit… tired."
"Tired? Sure..."
Ginny turned back to watch the boys for a moment, Hermione's mind wondering if there was any other natural thing with Ginny's hair color. Brick was too dull but Holly berry too bright. Maybe if-
"Come on." Ginny yanked Hermione up to her feet then stalked a few feet away and turning to her wand drawn. "We're dueling."
She gestured to Hermione's pocket just as the boys noticed.
"Come on Hermione. Pull your wand out."
Hermione was still scrabbling for her vinewood when Ron came to a panting halt in the middle of them.
"What's going on? Everything alright?"
"Didn't mum ever tell you to stay out of two dueling witch's way?" Ginny growled at her brother just as Hermione drew her wand, praying for her mind to clear. "Move it Ron."
"Is that such a good id-" Harry started. All three of them jumped when Ginny snapped at him.
"No. I am pretty sure it is a piss poor idea but there is not much else to be done and unlike you two I would like to keep my friend with me for as long as possible." Ginny knocked Ron back with a jinx refocusing her wand on Hermione. "Ready?"
Hermione nodded, cajoling her feet into a dueling position. One slightly more forward than the other. No, wait they should be turned for better balance. Or… maybe her heels together? No that's ballet. Maybe she should-
The langlock jinx tied her tongue to the roof of her mouth and sent her backwards, ending the duel before it could even begin as Hermione tried to work out the counter curse around it. Ron walked over and with a swipe of his wand freed her, helping her up from where she had fallen.
"Up we go. Sorry about Gin."
He looked back to where Ginny was screaming at Harry as he tried to calm her down. Her face red and eyes shimmering. Hermione knew that it was her fault. She should have at least thrown up a shield.
"Don't worry about her. She's just… It's hard for her to see you this way," Ron murmured, brushing off her robes like a child. The worst part was that she let him and by the time she thought to tell him to stop he had already finished.
"Me and Harry… Well we were there when it happened. We saw it and are just glad you're alive. For her, her best friend disappeared one day and didn't come back. It's… it's just hard. "
"Sorry," Hermione murmured. She felt the guilt seep through the cloud. Ron nodded then smiled softly at her. "You've gotten better at that."
"At what?" he questioned, watching Harry begin to raise his voice too. His and Ginny's spats were rare but when they got going you could hear it all over the castle.
"People. Emotions."
"I guess." Ron flushed, rubbing the back of his head. He waited a moment before clearing his throat. "Do you need me to call George?"
Hermione watched as Ginny began to cry, Harry wrapping her to his chest as she sobbed. Her fault. No one else's. It was always her fault.
"No. I…"
Hermione hated that she was this way. She really did. She didn't want her friends to hurt just because she wasn't able to function. She turned towards the castle just as the flakes started to fall.
"I'll take care of it."
00000000000000000000000
Draco was sitting in the library trying to understand the complexities of gurdy root when a pure white paper bird floated in the air above him. He braced himself, wand at the ready as it circled in a low, lazy spiral until it landed elegantly in front of him. He looked around, watching for any prying eyes or malicious snickers but none came. He prodded the bird with the tip of his wand, watching the bleached parchment unfold into a scrawled note with messy handwriting.
Follow me.
The parchment snapped back into shape, taking off from the desk and looping above him as he gathered his things. There was only one person who would be looking for him that was so skilled at Charms.
Dracp placed a notice-me-not charm on the paper crane as it drifted away so no one would see him following it and set out at a matching pace. It had started to snow while he was in the library, fat white flakes falling with all the speed of a flobberworm. First years ran through the courtyard trying to catch bits of it on their tongue while the older students tightened their scarves and wished for warmer weather. No one paid any mind to him. Not that they ever did.
The bird banked left, sending him on a meandering path through the Great Hall and up the Great Tower, past the Head's dorm. It came to a stop on the eighth floor, just outside of a nondescript door before unfolding and slipping under the crack. He considered turning around, she was supposed to come to him. But then again… he wasn't in the best shape either. He had been losing sleep, spent half of his meals watching her instead of eating, and was completely unaware of anything going on in Potions right now. If it went poorly he could always leave.
His mind made up, he opened the door, light flooding into the hallway from the room. Slipping in, he shut the door behind him and turned to face her. She was sitting on a table, her knees pulled up to her chest with her arms wrapped around them. She was framed by an old paned window taking up the majority of the wall as the snow fell from ashy skies above them. Her bird floated in, coming to rest in her hair softly before the magic holding it together slipped away and it fell to the wood. He was so distracted watching the way the dull winter light reflected off her curls that he jumped when she turned to look at him. For a moment they stared at each other and he briefly wondered when she had gotten so beautiful.
"Malfoy." The glazed look faded from her eyes and her tone became clipped. "Er… hello I suppose."
"Granger." He nodded glancing around the room seemingly stuffed with various pieces of mismatched furniture. "Where are we?"
"Storage closest I think." She unfolded her legs to hang over the edge of the table as she smoothed her skirt. "I used to come here in third year when the boys became too much. There are plenty of places to read."
"I see." It was strange, speaking to her like this. He had barbs and wit for her in spades and just as many harsh and filthy things that were a new addition to his thought processes this year. But just speaking to her like a classmate… "I like the window."
She glanced behind her as if she had forgotten it was there. "Oh. I suppose it's a nice window."
He cleared his throat and leaned against the door. "Well Granger. Is there a reason you led me up here?"
He watched her play with her skirt, her fingers tangling in the hem pulling it higher on her thigh than she probably realized, revealing long toned legs. An attractive blush speckled her cheeks as she stared off to the left. Really, she was nothing special… nothing at all.
"You said to come find you," she murmured.
He couldn't help the immense rush of pleasure that coursed through him. That odd, little, tightly wound thing inside him uncurling and with it a cruel smile.
"No."
He pushed off the door, pleased to note the way her attention snapped to him instantly.
"I told you to find me in a week. By my count it has been two."
"I've… I had made myself available."
"Hmm, but that's not finding me is it? That's waiting for me."
A wonderful idea that he would indeed need to revisit. He sauntered over, his eyes never leaving her face. She bit her lip lightly, as if she was trying her best not to spit out an insult.
"You've had no problems kidnapping me in broad daylight before" she pouted, even as her ankles uncrossed, her skirt dipping between her thighs temptingly.
"You asked me to stop doing that if I recall." He stopped just before her knees, resting a hand on one and using the other to tilt her face up to him.
"What do you want with me, Granger?"
Her darkening eyes were distracting. He focused on goosebumps rising on her skin under his thumb instead. Her breath hitched as he guided her knees apart stepping between them. She was so fucking responsive, it was intoxicating. She sought him out. She knew what he was like and she invited him in anyway.
"You're trouble," she mumbled leaning toward him, eyes drifting shut. "You're hate, and harsh, and pain, and fear."
"I know." He let his lips hover over hers, just brushing as he spoke. "So why are you still here?"
"Because I need those. And you are the only one willing to give them to me."
Her lips were on his in the next moment, pushing against him demurely with delicate little nips and a careful tongue. His body buzzed with satisfaction. The cruel, selfish part of him that ached for control roared, demanding he claim her instantly. Instead he let her kiss him, only responding in the slightest. Once her hips begin to wiggle impatiently he pulled away, loving the disappointment in her face.
"You aren't fooling anyone." He traced a hand reverently down her jaw and into her hair, tightening it until she gasped. He pulled the hand on her knee to her thigh, digging into the pale flesh. "We both know you don't like it that way."
He pulled her to his lips, overpowering her own movements and wrapping her up in him and only barely letting her hold on. His tongue invaded her mouth, licking at teeth and flicking against her tongue, promising only terrible things for the future until he was all she could taste. Her hands scrambled for purchase, knotting in his shirt and hair as he pulled their bodies together. She was already so pliant and willing that she practically melted against him. She shuddered when she pulled away to moan, her core grinding into him through their clothes.
He smiled before pulling her down by the hair and over to a nearby chair. He didn't bother being gentle as he threw her on the ground, her knees scraping against the bare stone. Taking a moment to collect himself he paused, pushing his hair back as he watched her way her body quivered.
Choosing a path he settled down into the overstuffed red chair, making himself comfortable. Gabbing her wrist he pulled her onto her knees in front of him, her face turned down and hidden behind that wild mess of hair. Oh, this would make the most beautiful picture, one he would no doubt remember for the rest of his life.
"Granger look at me."
She obeyed, flicking her eyes up to his face and running them down his body until they stalled at his swollen cock. She let out a small gasp, her eye widening as she shifted. The reaction caused an obvious twitch, one that had a small pink tongue darting across her lips.
"If you want it then beg for it."
"I…"
He raised one incredulous eyebrow as he watched her war with herself. Her cheeks flush to a brilliant red as she came to a decision.
"Please."
She reached out her hand tentatively. He slapped it away waiting for more.
"Please let me…"
"I know you can do better than that Granger."
He was resisting the urge to just yank her directly on to his lap and fuck her until she screamed.
"Please fuck my mouth." Dangerously close, but not what he was going-
"Please Malfoy."
His name enticed a hiss as he unbuckled his belt. He could get drunk off of the sinful way it fell from her lips. His belt snaked out of the loops and he noted her shiver in response. A flick of his wrist and the pants were undone. She shuffled closer, hovering until he could feel her breath on him through his shorts.
"Wand is right there Granger."
His eyes locked onto hers, refusing to take more than offered. He groaned as she reached forward and maneuvered him out, her fingers gripped around the base as he sprung free.
"Won't need it."
She look almost holy as she licked the tip of him. A shot of pleasure rode through his system followed by anger when she smiled up at him condescendingly.
"Well in that case."
He tangled his hands in her hair and thrust himself into her mouth, groaning as he sank into her. He only savored the pleasure of her throat for a moment before pulling back to give her the chance to breathe or bail. She retreated just far enough to gasp before dipping back down, taking almost all of him again. He held her there this time, arching his back and pulling her hair to keep from thrusting into her. She moaned around him, the vibration setting off fireworks behind his eyes.
He pulled her all the way off of him, staring at her face until her eyes fluttered open. Her breathing was ragged and her eyes dark. He had meant to ask her if she was okay when she licked her lips, the thin flesh folding into a contented smile.
"Fucking hell," he growled.
He pulled her back onto him, setting a brutal pace. She gagged around him as he pulled her up and down watching her curls bounce as her mouth rode his cock. Every once in a while she would look up at him and he would thrust to meet her, dragging the whole of him down the tight walls of her throat as she moaned. He had the idle thought that she would probably be unable to speak for the rest of the day but found he quite liked that idea. All too soon he felt his muscles tighten, his hand spasming in her hair as she sucked and moaned. One last snap of his hips had him pulling her head back, riding through his orgasm in her hand as she pumped him, his cum spurting in thick ribbons across her face.
When his muscles finally released her she fell to the floor, her breathing almost as ragged as his as they stared at each other. One of her eyes was shut as some of him dripped from her hair and onto her parted lips. Her tongue darted out to taste it, moaning as she leaned back.
Fucking. Shitting. Melrin. Fuck. Hermione. Damned. Granger.
He snatched at her wrist pulling her forcefully up to his lap, her back to him. Twisting his ankles around hers, he wrenched her legs apart over him and locked them into place. A shaking wand rose into his vision and for a moment he panicked. That odd creature inside him viciously angry at the idea of her rejecting him. It was only as he heard the failed cleaning spell he realized what she was doing. Snatching at her wrist he yanked it behind her, binding it to the other with a quick sticking spell which coincidentally forced her beautiful breasts forward.
"I think not." He breathed watching her squirm against the bindings. "I quite like you with my cum all over your face marking you as mine. I think you quite like it too."
He grinned as he placed his hand on her upper thigh bunching up her skirt and she bucked her hips forward seeking him out. With the other he roughly pushed under her shirt, snaking his hand up to pluck and tease her through her bra.
She groaned deeply, grinding into him, already half hard again. She was so very tempting but he had a lesson to teach her and giving in would not help that. Instead he trailed his finger up her inner thighs thinking about how wet she had gotten while he fucked her throat. Merlin's magic, that should be a crime against nature.
He pressed his forehead against her hair for just a moment, trying to calm himself enough to breathe. The mild scent of cinnamon and warmth wrapped around him comfortingly and it made his conscious twinge awkwardly. She writhed under him causing him to refocus on his task at hand.
"Now, there is another matter I'd like to discuss."
"Later- Malfoy," she breathed.
"No. Now."
He kissed up her neck, scowling where he could picture the now-gone bruise that wasn't his. He had to stay focused. He trailed his finger over her knickers, ignoring the way she ground into him. With deft fingers he slipped underneath, circling around her clit as she went ridged for a moment before melting against him. He explored her slowly, withholding just enough pleasure to keep her on the edge.
"You see." He prodded her entrance and pinched her nipple at the same time smirking as she cried out. "When I give an instruction." Abandoning the action to her sobs, he returned to her clit, flicking once and pausing when her body went ridged. "I expect." He waited until she relaxed back into him before swiping over it again, her moan catching in her throat. "You." Another flick. "To." Her body was shaking. "Listen" She was so close to the edge that the slightest movement would push her over. He leaned into her ear.
"I expect an apology." The effect was instant, she whirled on him so quickly she would have fallen off if not for his hand holding her hips in place.
"An apology?!" A purr escaped him when her face contorted into a fit of rage. "You think you deserve an apology for attacking me on the train?"
"No." He let his hand circle on her thigh, his nail dragging along the sensitive skin and lowering her hackles as he did so. "I expect an apology because you didn't listen."
"How da-" She was cut off by a groan when he traced over her knickers, putting the slightest pressure on her entrance. "Fuck your apologies. I won't do it."
He smiled, plan falling perfectly into place.
"Well that's unfortunate." He removed his hand from waist, withdrawing his wand as he pulled her body tightly to his. He flicked her clit one more time watching her face screw up, just moments away from release with his wand hovering over her sex.
" Sinesuea ." Her body froze, caught between two places and unsure of where to fall. Like a marionette with her strings cut, she collapsed against him, squirming against his slack hand promising sweet things if he would just move.
"I didn't- but… Just fuck me. Please Malfoy," she purred, trying to spurn him on.
"Hm, you should beg more often."
He cancelled the spell on her wrist letting them come up to tangle in his hair as her pretty cum covered lips whispered to him.
"Don't stop. I was so close."
"I know."
He smiled, watching the heat fade from her eyes, replaced with suspicion. Her gaze flicked down to where his fingers still trailed through her slick sex, finally dipping the fingers she had so badly wanted into her deeply. She tensed as she watched, waiting for the wave of pleasure that never came. He removed his hand, pulling her to stand with him, albeit on shaky legs.
"I can't...W-what did you do?" she questioned in a sore voice.
Her bearings returned to her as she brushed her hand up her skirt, finding she couldn't feel that either. The image was almost enough to make him consider lifting the spell and throwing her over the table. But then she wouldn't learn anything would she? And she did so love to learn.
"You didn't listen and made me wait a week. Then you didn't even bother to apologize." As much as he loved the way his cum had dried on her he whispered a quick cleaning spell, the magic tipping her off to what was about to happen. "So I think I will make you wait."
"Malfoy don't-"
He sauntered to the door, highly pleased with himself as she leaned against the table with a groan, the need still tearing at her with no physical outlet.
"I should make you wait just as long but I don't think you'll make it."
He frowned over his shoulder at the beads of blood on her knees. She would probably be too wrapped up in herself to heal them correctly and they would scar, ruining that perfect expanse of skin. He threw an episky over his shoulder, watching the small abrasions disappear as she glared after him.
"How- Long?" she panted. If looks could kill he would have happily traded her out to deal with the dark lord instead.
"I'll come find you."
He smiled as he quickly stepped out of the doorway just as a nasty looking jinx exploded on the wall behind him. He heard her quite moans all the way to the stairs.
000000000000000000000000000000000
Ginny was stirring their cauldron two days later, the cloudy green liquid slopping around making horrible squelching sounds. It would have been disgusting if she were paying attention but she wasn't. Two days have passed since that- that fucking bastard- had put the charm on her and no matter what she tried she couldn't remove it.
It would have been easy enough to ignore the dull ache in her, to go without even her own hand, for just a few days. That was if he hadn't kept touching her! A glancing nail dragged against her wrist while reaching for a book in the library, a subtle tug on her braid when he bumped into her in the hall. The worst was yesterday when he pulled her into a broom closet only to run a hand down her cheek and ask her a question about gurdy root before spiriting away and leaving her heart racing. She swore he wouldn't be satisfied until she attacked him in the Great Hall.
"Okay that's twenty-six, now we switch directions?" Ginny asked.
"No, crosswise starting at the top and ending to the right," Hermione murmured without looking.
She was instead watching the Slytherin side of the room just as Malfoy adjusted his stirring. His right sleeve folded up to his forearm, quietly counting with barely moving lips. Each move was graceful, the stirring stick never touching the cauldron edge even as he changed direction in one fluid motion. The fire flared underneath him, casting his features in a soft flickering light. His shoulders carried less tension lately and when she would glare at him in the Great Hall he was more often trading witty barbs with his housemates rather than staring at his food.
His eyes glanced over to hers for a moment and she shot her head down to the open book. Her cheeks flushed at being caught admiring him. Fucking Bastard.
"Hermione are you okay? You look… ill," Ginny asked. She switched hands to place her palm on Hermione's forehead.
"Yeah, fine Gin. Just too close to the fire," she muttered, watching Malfoy release a puff of air that she could assume was the closest he got to laughing in public. She had half a mind to tip that potion out on top of him.
"Well alright. But if you start feeling even a bit off head to Madame Pomfrey," Ginny pushed as she turned back to the cauldron.
"Apparently there is a flu going around," Harry added from behind them, where he was pointedly staring at Ginny's behind while he stirred. "And you had that sore throat earlier this week."
"It's fine. She gave me a potion for that." Hermione made a point not to look off to her left.
It wasn't truly a lie, she had gone to the hospital wing intending to just dance her way around any questions that the matron may ask. Luckily she ran into Neville dropping off some medicinal plants the fourth years were growing and he parted with a sprig of sandflower for her to make tea with.
"Good to hear," Ron added. To Ron's credit he was pointedly ignoring Harry's actions and met Hermione's gaze like it was a life line. "I'd hate to have you all cheerful and what not, only to get sick and be miserable."
"Idiot." Ginny turned back to glare at them, making both boys flinch. "How about you use your brain before speaking?"
"Well according to you I don't have one," Ron grumbled much to Hermione's amusement.
She was about to add a thought onto that when she felt a breeze swirl along her calf. She spun around looking for the source, there were no drafts in the dungeon. The coil of air climbed higher, ghosting up her thigh and under her skirt hem. She inhaled sharply, as it brushed softly on her inner thigh, just short of enough pressure to really be there. The heat was back, begging to be released, the ache slamming against her skin in time with her heart, making her shift in her seat.
"'Mione?" Ron's voice tickled at her consciousness.
Suddenly the wind was gone and she groaned softly, letting her head fall to the desk with a thud, her hair hiding the short pants of breath. She glanced up to where Malfoy was pocketing his wand and scowling at his potion. "You okay?"
"Yeah," she breathed. "Just frustrated."
Malfoy's lips quirked up into a smirk, back straightening as he rolled his shoulders. Fucking bastard.
"But…" Ginny glanced at the board. "Didn't you master polyjuice in your second year?"