Hi everyone! As you can see, this chapter was split into two parts. This one is a lot longer than normal but I hope you enjoy. Thank you for the continued support!
One Hour Prior
Following the annual Halloween feast of turkey, pumpkin juice, candied apples, and cinnamon rolls, the Great Hall was transformed into a ballroom fit for a masquerade costume party.
Hermione was admittedly pleased with the outcome of her efforts in transforming the Hall. She had spent a great deal of time orchestrating the festive decorations and beverages, along with scheduling the Weird Sisters set to play at 10 PM sharp.
Hermione kept watch on the entrance way in anticipation of the Head Boy who would be implementing inspections of the guest list.
Their encounter in the library was something that she strove to set aside in her mind. As she had prompted Draco, she was intent on keeping their intermixed relationships separated for the good of the school.
This was not as easy as she had imagined, as it was mentally all consuming and was frankly all she could think about.
Kissing Draco was everything she had imagined it to be; gentle yet passionate, intimidating yet exhilarating, tame yet sensual. His respectful and appropriate manner of courting her was equally alluring.
There was something so unequivocally enticing about the smoldering look he regularly held while the wheels turned in his head, or the eloquence he exhibited while wooing her, or the way that his sweaty blonde bangs fell in his eyes post-flight, or the way his icy blue eyes lit up when they met hers, or the way that-
Hermione quickly rattled her head while shaking the pesky daydreams from her mind.
It would do no good obsessing over the numerous amounts of ways that the Slytherin simply drove her mad. She had a party to run, and her academic responsibilities would always come first over silly boys.
Leading up to the beginning of the event, Hermione used the assistance of Ginny and Luna to make some last-minute finishing touches in the Great Hall.
Luna enchanted a series of levitating jack-o-lanterns that caroled a series of spooky tunes while Ginny helped Hermione facilitate the concession stand filled with thematic snacks and enchanted drinks.
The concession stand held a selection of nonalcoholic thematic drinks that were orchestrated by the Head Girl. A spin on common potions were created with the intention of transmitting spooky cinematic effects:
The Skele-gro cocktails were served in a replica skeletal component that transmitted an unpleasant prickly sensation across the consumer's skin. In opposition to it's true revolting taste, the Skele-gro cocktail had a pleasant flavor of pumpkin and nutmeg.
The Draught of Living Death cocktail was served in a miniature cauldron with a thick black concoction tasting of black licorice. The nontoxic beverage overflowed with a smoky substance that emitted skulls and crossbones.
A harmless Wolfsbane tonic was a sweet and sour drink that exuded a faint blue smoke once uncorked. The tonic transmitted the consumer into a temporary state of lycanthropy, giving the drinker the ability to howl at the full moon.
Once everything was set up, Hermione brushed her hands together while glancing to her gown that rippled across the floor. She unraveled the angelic mask between her fingers before placing it over her eyes.
Ginny ran her fingers through Hermione's hair with a giddy smile. "You look ravishing," she complimented. "Malfoy's going to shit himself when he sees you."
"Stop it, Ginny," Hermione fiercely reprimanded. "This is a Halloween party for the school; Draco and I were simply paired to run the event based off our titles."
"So what?" Ginny shot back. "Doesn't mean that he won't be drooling all over you; Head Boy or not."
Luna ran up to them wearing a long ratty purple and black cloak. Over her face was a mask that depicted the Muggle's stereotype of a witch; an ugly green face with warts, a long-crooked nose, and glowing red eyes.
"What do you think?" she asked her friends with a curtsy.
"It's brilliant," Ginny and Hermione replied with a grin.
"And what're you supposed to be?" Luna asked Ginny.
Ginny frowned as she looked down to her costume; a simple burgundy numbered jersey laid over a padded uniform with loose fitting shorts that resembled that of a Muggle lacrosse player. Seeing as this wasn't enough of a clue, she pulled down the gated helmet that was resting on top of her head.
"Dad always goes on about lacrosse," Ginny hinted. "It's apparently the Muggle's quidditch."
"Well you look lovely," Luna replied with visible confusion still etched across her face.
As time passed, the professors began to trickle in for preparation of the party. Professor Sprout wore a pine green mask that was inundated with vines; Jade wore a simple black lacy mask, and Professor Flitwick wore a clown mask that came across more creepy than humorous.
During her final analysis of the Great Hall and nettlesome daydreaming, Hermione failed to notice Draco's entrance; he was patiently docked beside Filch at the doorway with his back turned to her.
"I suppose I should go check in with Draco," Hermione told her friends who gave her a knowing smile. She ignored their suggestive smirks before excusing herself.
The Head Boy hovered over an unraveled piece of parchment while observing the list of attendees.
Hermione sneaked up behind him and gripped his shoulders while hissing, "Boo!"
"Fucking hell, Granger," Draco flinched as he spun in his seat. He lounged an arm across the back of his chair as his face tilted up toward her.
A deep red mask rested over his eyes and nose with engraved menacing pointed eyebrows and two horns sticking out of the sides. The devilish smirk that appeared on his face served as a proper depiction to his ensemble.
Hermione lightly gasped at the realization that they had unintentionally dressed up in couple's costume.
"You never cease to take my breath away," Draco shamelessly admitted while scanning her up and down.
"You look rather handsome yourself," she cordially greeted, grateful that he had decided to skate over their correlating costumes.
Draco held her in a prolonged gaze, amused by the fact that the longer they held eye contact, the more gradual a wash of pink kissed her cheeks.
Suddenly, Draco was wacked upside the head with the tip of Filch's Secrecy Sensor. The groundskeeper's method had proven to do it's due diligence; Draco was forcefully brought from the blissful daze. His neck snapped in the direction of Filch while rubbing the back of his head with a wince. "You're lucky I don't sue you, old man!"
Hermione scowled at Filch disapprovingly. "If I remember correctly, Mr. Filch, you recently shared a lengthy conversation with Professor McGonagall over the intolerance of abuse on students," she reprimanded with poise. "Shall I have a word with her?"
"No, Miss Granger," Filch grumbled with his head held low. "My apologies."
"I'll find you later," Draco dismissed Hermione. "As much as an incompetent moron this man is," he added with a threatening look in Filch's direction. "He may have a point. If you distract me much longer, I may accidentally let a resurrected Voldemort into the party himself."
Hermione rolled her eyes at him with a light smile. "Alright, then," she agreed with one last stern look at Filch. "I suspect the guests will be arriving any minute."
From the other side to the entrance barrier, Harry rounded about the corridor and came to a halt before the inspection table. Draco looked up at him while observing his lacrosse getup that matched Ginny's.
"Name please," the Slytherin greeted with an aloof expression.
Harry scowled at him while taking off his helmet and holding it at his side. "Asshole."
"Asshole.. asshole.." Draco tapped his finger on his chin as his eyes scanned the guest list. "Nope, there's no asshole listed."
A series of students continued to file past Harry on their left, passing Filch with the Secrecy Sensor with ease.
"My girlfriend is waiting for me," Harry impatiently scolded. "Potter, you dickhead."
"Potter.. Potter.." Draco exhibited the same banter from before as he slowly traced his finger down the parchment. "Ah, there you are." He waved an arm to the side while instructing, "You may proceed to the security line." Turning to Filch, he added, "Make sure to do a thorough examination on that one."
Harry shook his head at Draco, profanities muttered under his breath, as he reluctantly made his way to the back of the security line.
Once everyone was successfully checked in, Draco made a beeline to the concession stand that Neville and Goyle were tending. Neville was wearing a Phantom of the Opera-esque black mask that covered the right side of his face while Goyle donned casual dress robes.
"Oi, Draco," Goyle greeted with a sneer. "It's Halloween," he noted with a gesture to Draco's mask. "You're supposed to dress up."
"Ha.. ha," Draco slowly replied while glaring at him through the devil accessory. "Oldest joke in the book." He wasted zero time while turning to Neville and prompting, "Where's Hermione?"
Neville crossed his arms and reclined in his seat. "How should I know?" he snapped.
Draco and Goyle raised an eyebrow at the uncharacteristically irritable Gryffindor.
"Sorry." Neville cleared his throat and did a light shake of his head before adding, "I don't care much for Halloween is all."
"No matter," Draco casually deflected. "Nevertheless, I wanted to thank you for the ointment you facilitated. It seems to have already done a great amount of healing."
Neville scowled in outright disgust as his eyes fell to the Slytherin's waistline. Draco's eyebrows furrowed as he followed Neville's line of vision directed at his groin. The blonde opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by Goyle's chortling.
"Did the shag with Parkinson come back to haunt you, Draco?" Goyle chuckled while shaking his head. "I don't think you should go about openly admitting how Longbottom helped alleviate your sexually transmitted disease."
Draco's face screwed up as his eyes viciously darted between his housemate and Neville; the sides of Neville's lips curling into a suppressed grin.
"What're you getting at, Longbottom?" Draco firmly scolded Neville, convinced that the Gryffindor was playing dumb in spite of him for the sake of entertainment. The malicious grin on Goyle's face prompted Draco to yank the dress sleeve from his forearm. "I was talking about this, you prat."
Neville curiously leaned forward in his seat while examining the singed Dark Mark in the process of healing. His eyes flickered between the Mark and Draco's face with pause. "Happy to help," he finally responded with the shadow of a smile.
"I reckon I saw Granger talking to Potter and Weasley over there," Goyle diverted with a pointed finger.
Neville's fingers curled into fists against the stand while glaring over Draco's shoulder. Draco did a double take in the general direction of the Gryffindors before turning back to Neville and peering down his nose at him.
Neville had managed to indirectly make a mockery out of Draco without making any verbal allegations. This required a particular set of skills that he hadn't expected from the renowned timid Gryffindor.
Sending one last speculative look to Neville, Draco nodded at Goyle and wordlessly turned from them. He made his way through the sea of people while recounting the extremely odd and peculiar exchange of words; or lack thereof.
The Great Hall was filled from wall to wall with students from all years dressed in a plethora of costumes. An overall air of excitement was palpable; they were elated to be participating in an evening of lighthearted fun with the relief from academics.
Once Draco finally spotted Hermione, he ran a hand through his bangs before folding his arms behind his back. He smoothly swaggered toward the Head Girl with a charming smile.
"Hello gorgeous," he greeted Hermione followed by a bow of acknowledgement to Harry and Ginny.
"Oh, there you are," Hermione replied with a kind smile.
"We were just talking about Jade," Ginny informed Draco.
Draco pivoted toward the general direction of the professors where Jade sat beside her elf Faye. Jade maintained a characteristic reserved façade as her disfigured eye devoured the crowd. She occasionally glanced at Faye with a distinct scowl on her face while keeping a keen eye on her from out of her peripheral.
"What about her?" Draco asked indifferently.
"Apparently Jade is still grilling the Slytherins over the attack," Ginny informed. "Blaise mentioned that she's been holding extensive private meetings with the whole lot of them."
Harry made an audible humph at the mention of Blaise's name.
Masking his inner hesitations, Draco deflected, "What's the harm in investigating the attack?"
Inwardly, he was candidly aware of the head of Slytherin's invasive powers of mind reading. He was conflicted to hear that Jade was potentially continuing the illegal use of Legilimency upon innocent students; even if her abilities were being inflicted upon his housemates that were debatably harmless..
"I found it strange that my meeting with Jade was rather short, seeing as I was also on the pitch during the attack," Ginny declared with a scowl in Jade's direction. "She appears to be very selective with her interrogations."
"Jade must know more than she's putting on," Hermione noted. "But I must admit, she's being rather sloppy with her methods of surveillance."
In that moment, Draco felt as though it was the right time to profess his full revelations on Jade. He had neglected to inform Hermione during their meeting in the library because he didn't want to needlessly worry her..
Or it could have been the fact that he was simply too selfishly invested in getting her to kiss him than discuss the more pressing issue at hand.
"Just because Jade recruited us to go after the culprit doesn't mean she's innocent, Malfoy," Harry added his hesitations to the conversation. "She could have used it as a diversion."
"If Jade was so intent on killing me, then why would she reveal her deepest secret to me?" Draco pridefully prompted Harry.
Ginny and Hermione instantly shared a look of mutual intrigue. Ginny didn't waste any time while firmly instructing, "Well go on then, Malfoy. What did Jade tell you?"
Draco shoved his hands in his pockets while inwardly regretting his impulsive outburst. Although he was planning on professing his secret, he was too eager to gloat about being in the know of something that Harry was not.
Thus, he had displayed irresponsible execution while leading up to the sensitive topic. He had admittedly cornered himself and the only thing he could do now was come clean. He neglected to add colorful bells and whistles to the statement while directly professing, "Jade is a Legilimens."
Hermione and Ginny's jaws dropped in amazement. "She's a what?"
"Well, not a certified Legilimens," Draco corrected himself. "In her words, a Muggle that experienced a freak accident that implanted it's components. That's why her eye is debilitated; it allows her to read people's memories when given the right opportunity."
"How could you not tell me this?" Harry griped while yanking the helmet from his head. "Did it slip your mind that we're on the same team?"
"It just.. happened," Draco professed, feeling downright guilty at this point. "Jade tried to get into my head, so I put a stop to it."
"I'm only joking," Harry admitted, unable to withhold a taunting smirk. "Do you really think after years of being tortured by Snape's Legilimency that I wouldn't be able to recognize when his sibling was utilizing the same method onto me?"
Hermione and Ginny glared at their male counterparts, frustrated to find that both men had withheld crucial information from them.
Draco projected his anger on to Harry so as to get the attention off of himself. "You knew?" he reprimanded. "I've felt guilty for weeks keeping this to myself, and you already knew?"
"You didn't tell me either, you git," Harry lashed back. "But the difference between us, Malfoy, is that I was smart enough to keep this revelation to myself; Jade knowing that you're aware of her abilities serves as an advantage to strategize her next move and cover her tracks. It was rather daft of you to let her know."
"Are you really using this opportunity to critique my methods of problem solving?" Draco argued. His colleague tilted his head to the side with a shameless, entertained smile causing Draco to shout, "Could you be any more egocentric, Potter?!"
"Enough!" Hermione hollered, startling both men. "For Merlin's sake; must it always be a battle of wits between you two?"
"'Mione's right," Ginny added while jutting her hip to the side. "Always seeking a one up on each other, aren't you?"
Draco and Harry exchanged a look of resentment while mutually folding their arms in defiance.
"It would be convenient if one of you decided to form a cohesive thought and inform Ginny and myself of what exactly is going on," Hermione prompted with a scathing look.
Draco and Harry simultaneously opened their mouths as Ginny reprimanded, "One at a time!"
Draco harshly swallowed while forcing back the inclination to continue using Harry as a makeshift soundboard to project his frustrations at.
It was undeniable that there would always be an existing battle of power between the Slytherin and Gryffindor. They had the potential of making an unstoppable force, some may reason, which is precisely why Jade had promptly identified this and recruited them to work together as an investigative team.
After taking a calming breath, Draco was able to set aside his annoyance with the insufferable Boy Who Lived and come to the conclusion that they were working together.
Needless to say, they had started off to a terrible rocky start.
Draco rigidly gestured an arm toward Harry, allowing him to take the stage while simultaneously deflecting the sole backlash from the impatient women.
"Two weeks ago following quidditch practice, Jade infiltrated my mind in an attempt to gather information from my view point of the attack," Harry shared. "I resisted the best that I could, and I think it worked."
"And did it not strike you as odd that Jade is a Muggle who can perform Legilimency?" Draco reprimanded, pointing the finger at Harry once more.
"Of course I found it odd," Harry defended with an arched eyebrow. "But that didn't mean that I would be irresponsible enough to let Jade know that."
"What would be Jade's purpose for penetrating your minds when it's clear that neither of you cast the Cruciatus curse?" Hermione prompted with palpable skepticism. "Sounds like she's trying to gain information on you."
"Well, yes, that would be a plausible objective," Draco impatiently replied. "And her efforts personally worked to my benefit; after identifying my sleep deprivation, she provided an effective and harmless sleeping draught."
As if his own words had triggered a wave of similar symptoms to the sleeping draught, Draco was suddenly consumed by another influx of tiredness that made his vision blurry. He suppressed a yawn while observing Jade from out of his peripheral who had risen from her pointed throne across the Hall.
With a darted look across the room, Jade breezed behind the row of professors with her house elf leading the way. She forcefully nudged the elf with her shin as Faye lost her footing and scurried at a faster pace.
They promptly approached the door to a hidden corridor behind the Head Table and disappeared from out of sight.
"Where's she running off to?" Ginny questioned. "Seems like she's in quite the hurry."
The lights simultaneously dimmed as Hermione noted, "The Weird Sisters should be making their appearance any minute."
"That serves as a proper distraction," Harry noted with a suggestive head tilt in Jade's direction. "If only I had my Cloak on me.."
"Did you forget it on the quidditch pitch?" Ginny prodded her boyfriend with a self-satisfied smirk.
Harry folded his arms defensively. "I dunno," he chided while scanning the crowd. "Maybe ask your mate Blaise if he's seen it?"
Hermione made a pointed look across the Hall, ignoring the light bickering between the couple. "Where are the Slytherins, anyway?" she asked wearily. "It's been unnervingly quiet, come of think of it."
"My housemates depicted the Halloween party as too mundane of an activity to participate in," Draco blandly replied.
"That's a right shame," Harry sarcastically noted. "I was looking forward to Blaise sweeping Ginny off her feet into a dance."
"Oh, lighten up," Ginny teased Harry with a transition to her expression. She lifted the lacrosse helmet from off her head and held it in one hand. Her other fingers squeezed Harry's cheeks, forcing his lips into a pout. "It would take loads more than a few tricks on a broomstick to ever amount to the brilliant boyfriend that I already have."
A relieved smile crossed Harry's lips as he wrapped his arms around Ginny's waist and pulled her close. He held her in an affectionate embrace, seemingly forgetting that they were accompanied by the two others, as he repeatedly pecked her on the lips.
Draco made a point to overtly express his outright displeasure. Not only had Harry already gotten under his skin, but he was admittedly envious of the couple; he wished he could show outward affection toward Hermione without repercussions.
The sappy company of the Gryffindors and consequential frustration had exceeded his discomfort, and he was eager to leave their side.
Hermione remained seemingly distracted in the direction of the professor's lounge, contemplating her inner inclination to investigate the Muggle Studies professor.
Draco was mutually interested in following Jade but for different reasons. Not only would this allow a moment of privacy between himself and Hermione, but it would also put the Gryffindors pesky speculations to a close.
He didn't truly believe that Jade was involved in any malice toward himself, but if that meant that the others would be put at ease, and that he could escape Harry and Ginny's lovey-dovey affections, he was more than happy to oblige.
As he wordlessly met the eyes of Hermione, Draco prompted the unspoken sentiment. "After you," he commented with the motion of his lengthened arm.
Harry and Ginny remained lost in their own little world; affectionately rocking back and forth while wrapped in each other's arms and occasionally snickering.
Draco placed a hand on the small of Hermione's back as she led him through the raucous crowd gathering for the live performance.
A spotlight projected from the ceiling as the renowned rock band made a fashionable appearance by use of previously approved Apparition. The students roared in cheers and applause, hopping on the balls of their feet. The space between the crowd compacted as they conjoined for the pending entertainment.
As Draco and Hermione inched toward the teacher's podium, a group of younger female students ran up to them giggling and gossiping to one another.
At the forefront of the group was a young girl with a feathery black mask that appropriately resembled that of a raven. "Care to share a dance with me later, Draco?"
"I'm sorry, have we met?"
"No, not formally. My name is Claire; Claire Duntz."
Hermione promptly recognized the name from Witch Weekly where the third year had clearly stated Hermione was 'too good' for Draco.
The contrasting flirty demeanor in which the Ravenclaw held herself in the presence of the handsome Slytherin made her skin crawl. She wasn't exactly sure why she was getting so annoyed, or why Draco hadn't told the girl to piss off already, but she decided to take the matter into her own hands.
"Run along!" Hermione scolded much harsher than intended.
Claire visibly retracted at the Head Girl's words, scowling at her before leading the group of third years in the opposite direction. Soon thereafter, Hermione expeditiously composed herself so as to not give off the impression that she was irked.
Unfortunately for Hermione, Draco was keen to pick up on her possessive outburst.
The horde of students narrowed as their bodies were naturally brought within a closer proximity. Draco hummed beneath his breath while circling around Hermione and wrapping an arm around her waist from behind. He felt her composure tighten as he pulled her close and positioned his mouth next to her ear.
"No need to be jealous, darling," he whispered, his lips tickling the fragile skin beneath her earlobe. His hand quickly found hers beneath her navel as their fingers intertwined. He lightly dug his fingertips into the fabric of her dress while adding, "You know that I only have eyes for you."
Turning to Draco, Hermione fluttered her eyelashes at him through her mask while cupping a hand around his jawline. There was a certain yearning to her expression that struck him immobile; her lips curled into an enticing smirk, and her upper eyelids lowered as she gazed into his eyes with a strong sense of desire.
Draco was uncertain how things would transpire moving forward from their kiss, but one thing was certain; he definitely wasn't expecting her to show such outward flirtation in the presence of others.
Stunned by her forthcoming demeanor, Draco's eyes widened as Hermione continued to graze his chin with the tips of her fingers. Ever so slowly, she traced the devilish mask on his face before clenching her fingers around it. Getting a firm grip on the accessory, she yanked it back from his face and let go, causing it to harshly snap against his nose and face.
Draco growled in frustration, having been fooled by her flirtatious games.
"Care to tell me why your breath smells of Firewhisky?" she pointed out disapprovingly.
"Peer pressure," he quickly dismissed. Feeling in no mood to be ridiculed or interrogated on his housemates, he impatiently added, "Well, go on."
Hermione pouted her lips at him, tactfully withholding the playful smile masked beneath. She turned her back to him and strutted toward the teacher's podium while methodically swaying her hips in a seductive manner.
Draco displayed impressive self-control, toying with the cuffs of his shirt while following behind her with his chin held high.
Everyone's attention, professors and students alike, was drawn to the Weird Sisters who had begun their first song.
Hermione glanced to Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick who were closest to them, gleefully clapping their hands to the tune.
"Come on," she whispered while grabbing his hand.
They pushed through the door behind the podium before promptly trickling through the corridor.
The hidden hallway held an array of enchanted portraits that extended toward high ceilings. A warm red glow transmitted from the fireplace down the corridor matched with lit candles. The ferocious storm filled the hallway with the sound of rain splattering against the stoned walls.
Draco and Hermione followed Jade's voice down the corridor, indicating that she and Faye were just around the corner. As they positioned their backs up against the wall, Hermione pressed a rigid finger against her lips as they strained their ears.
"Where have you been all afternoon, elf?" Jade demanded.
"In the kitchens, Miss; preparing for the Halloween feast!" Faye squeaked.
"Have you been watching the boy as I have instructed?"
"Diligently, Miss."
"He must not be informed that we are watching him," Jade instructed with strict administration to her words. "Our plan would become derailed, should that happen."
"Never, Miss," the elf hurriedly replied. "Doesn't suspect a thing."
"Very well," Jade resolved with a palpable impatience to her tone. "His memories were indiscernible; I have reason to believe he has learned to alter them."
"Understandable," the elf was eager to agree. "Faye will get to the bottom of it."
"And I have trust that your closeness with the individual has not progressed into an alliance?"
Overcome with curiosity, Draco stealthily peeked his head around the corner. Jade's house elf appeared much meeker than he had ever witnessed, cowering in the corner at her master's words.
"Faye's loyalty is to Miss Jade Snape," the elf croaked while vehemently nodding her head. "No one else."
Draco felt Hermione's dainty hand wrap around his wrist, lightly tugging him back to conceal himself at her side.
"From this point forth, I demand that you continue to follow the boy wherever you see fit," Jade firmly commanded.
The sound of the professor's rapid footsteps ricocheted against the walls at a much faster pace than expected. Draco and Hermione had become all consumed in the conversation, momentarily rendering them oblivious to the fact that they were meant to remain unseen.
Hermione's breath hitched in her throat as Faye scurried past them. The shadow of Jade's lengthened figure spread across the walls as she approached the corner.
Thinking quickly on her feet, Hermione turned to Draco and gripped the collar of his dress shirt. "Quick," she hissed beneath her breath. "Kiss me."
Draco suspiciously narrowed his eyes at her while shaking his head. His pride had already taken a hit from the rejection to his flirtatious advances just moments prior, and he was prepared to defend himself from it happening again.
"Granger, I won't play into your-"
His sentence was cut off short as Hermione threw her arms around his shoulders and wrapped them behind his neck, hunching him over slightly.
It was as quick as being hit over the head with the Secrecy Sensor; she had her lips on his, and his hands were on her hips, and in that moment he had completely forgotten that they were in the presence of the current accomplice to their investigation.
Hermione exaggerated her performance, moaning against his lips while messily ruffling his hair with her fingers. Draco's eyes remained widened, never more surprised in his life, before thinking better of himself and playing along; closing his eyes, pulling her in closer, and pushing her frame against the stoned wall.
"Draco; Hermione," Jade breathlessly greeted, sounding caught in the act. "What exactly do you think you two are doing?"
Hermione's grip loosed on Draco's hair while ignoring the relentless stunned look on his face. "Professor," she greeted equally as breathless. "We were just.. looking for a moment of privacy."
Jade peered down her nose as her glimmering eyes flickered between them. Her disfigured eye threateningly bore into Draco's, serving as a reminder that she had the advantage of reading his memories.
All it took was one stern look, and their cover would be blown.
"What're you looking at?" Draco boldly sneered at Jade.
Methodically peering back into Hermione's eyes, he affectionately traced his thumb across her cheek. He transmitted what appeared to be a smile of adoration from the Gryffindor; this, he reasoned, was not a part of the act.
Jade remained starkly speechless; they had come to a cease fire of sorts, and it was only a matter of time before one of them folded. So, the professor took the opportunity to escape the uncomfortable situation herself. "We'll discuss this later," she instructed with one last disapproving glare.
They nodded in rushed agreement while Hermione placed a hand on Draco's jawline and redirected his mouth onto hers.
The croak of the door shutting beside them transmitted the fact that their plan had worked.
Hermione grinned against his lips as she broke the kiss. Her arms remained wound around his neck while pressing her forehead against his. "I can't believe that worked," she whispered.
"If this is any indication of what is yet to come in investigating Jade.." Draco began, his chest rapidly rising and falling with each breath. "I am one lucky man."
An impulsive giggle escaped Hermione's lips before promptly clasping a hand over her mouth.
It was a spontaneous physical reaction that was very unlike herself; Hermione was generally reserved in displaying her amusement, and outright giggling as a response to a boy's advances was simply out of character.
The giddy demeanor in which she handled herself around Draco revealed a different side to her that made her wearier than failing her NEWTs. She was dissolved to a silly school girl in his presence, and no matter how hard she tried, there was nothing more she could do to fight it.
"Do I amuse you, Granger?" Draco teased, mirroring her thoughts with that insufferable charismatic smile of his.
Hermione's eyes crinkled at the corners, and she bit her lower lip as her neck bowed into an involuntary nod. Nonetheless, she was desperate to derail the unnerving direction of their conversation.
"We can't keep Harry and Ginny waiting," she suggested. Her eyes searched his an almost apologetic manner following her deflection.
As predicted, Draco's patience visibly depleted as he was quickly losing her undivided attention. His body language was transparent; his jaw tightened, his eyes narrowed, and the possessive clutch of his hands on her hips tensed.
"Are you really thinking about Potter right now?" he complained. "Based off that unsightly scene I just witnessed between himself and Weaslette, I hardly believe they're waiting upon our return with baited breath."
Hermione didn't reply, as she was held in a hypnotized state that not even the strongest bout magic could perform. It was like a combination of Amortentia topped with a touch of the Imperio Curse that disarmed her to his commands; there was an overwhelming need to get her hands on him with a submissive adherence to his flirtatious advances.
"Well, alright then.." She held eye contact with pause, her eyes occasionally flickering to his mouth. "I suppose another few minutes couldn't hurt."
Draco grinned at her words, satisfying the spoiled little brat within. "Let's get this silly mask off of you," he noted while untying the accessory from her face. "I can't gain a proper view of your beautiful eyes from beneath it."
Oh he was such a sap, Hermione speculated. A dreadful, cheesy sap.
But why, on Godric's green earth, was it so alluring?
Hermione's knees slightly buckled as her frame naturally leaned against his. She was mesmerized with overpowering titillation as her eyes continued to bore into his.
With a self-satisfied smirk, Draco whispered, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I'm not - I didn't.." Hermione felt her cheeks burn as she struggled to piece together a basic sentence. "I'm simply carrying a conversation with you while holding eye contact. Unlike yourself, I was taught manners at a young age."
Using a purposeful method to transmit the fact that he didn't believe a single word she was saying, Draco simply replied, "Right." They stood there in a moment of silence looking at each other until he casually noted, "You're doing it again."
"Doing what?"
"Looking at me like that."
"Looking at you like what?"
"That's not for me to tell," he smoothly replied. "That's for you to understand, love."
Hermione inwardly reprimanded herself. Once more, Draco had managed to get into her head and relay some form of cryptic message that in the end, wasn't so cryptic.
She wanted him.
She wanted Draco Malfoy, and she wanted him badly.
Hermione had finally admitted it to herself, and repeated it over and over in her head until she built enough courage to incite a physical response.
High off a rush of endorphins and adrenaline, she followed the instinctual lead to tightly wrap her fingers around the back of his neck and tug him close. "Oh, just shut up and kiss me already, will you?"
His lips contorted into that handsome, taunting smirk of his once more, and she decided to suppress it by masking it with her own. Her hand spread over his heart as she lifted herself to the tips of her toes to enhance the pressure of the kiss.
Draco's posture straightened, and he momentarily lost his footing by the unexpected force while holding her in a prolonged peck. He then deepened the kiss while parting her lips with his own and caressing his tongue with hers.
The provocative, slow and immensely sensual kiss prickled her skin. It was like the oxygen had been stripped from her lungs; when their lips met, she was left gasping for air that was never depleted.
Hermione promptly broke the kiss, visually indulging in the newfound shade of red that swelled his lips. He continued to delicately peck the length of her neck as her fingers tugged at his blonde locks into a tight hold. "Another few minutes," she repeated her previous statement, short of breath.
Draco nodded in agreement, his face nuzzling her neck, as she tilted her head back with eyes closed in blissful pleasure. "Another few minutes."