Draco's heels click on the familiar polished parquet and he grips his wand tightly in his slick palm. Dread surrounds him like a tangible thing. There had been a sound; something that had soured his stomach and caused panic to roil in his veins. What had it been? Where had it come from? He picks up his pace, portraits of his ancestors a blur as he almost jogs down the hall. He hears voices, a sickening hiss, a rumble of laughter.
And then a scream; pure as crystal and sharp as a shard of glass driven cruelly into soft skin.
He gasps and breaks into a run.
That was the sound.
(Oh god, oh god, he has to get to her.)
He is running flat out now, but the doorway is always just ahead, unreachable, and the screams are multiplying, one on top of another in an unrelenting wave. He feels hot tears spill down his face. His heart clenches. He reaches out, trying to grip a doorway, pull himself forward, but he slips and falls, pitching downward as a vision of her contorted face rips through his mind.
His impact with the floor is a swift, brutal jolt—
—Draco sat up with a gasp, his eyes stretched wide and his fingers clutching his soaked sheets. He looked around wildly, his ears reaching for the sound, the screams, but there was nothing.
All was silent and still.
He was in his bedroom, in the flat, in San Cipriano.
Theo was in the next room.
Draco made himself breathe—in and out—as memory rose up past the breathless terror of the nightmare.
The party. He'd had too much to drink. So much to drink that he hadn't bothered with the dreamless sleep potion Blaise had brought.
An obvious mistake.
He flopped back against his pillows and ran a rough hand through his hair. Swallowing heavily, he allowed his brain to travel back over the terrain of the dream now that he was firmly grounded in reality. Much of it was familiar; the manor, the dread, the inability to do anything about the violence happening just out of frame.
But the screams...and their owner. They were new.
Hermione. Fuck.
He scrubbed his hands across his face and rubbed his eyes and then his temples. What had he been thinking? And doing?
He'd almost kissed her tonight—at the sink and in the doorway as they were saying goodbye. And the way he'd looked at her and talked to her…in front of everyone.
Fucking mad. And reckless.
It couldn't go on. The thought had a flavour of finality, though it brought an immediate wash of pain and frustration with it.
Impulsively, he flipped over and grabbed a vial off of his nightstand—he'd never get back to sleep otherwise. Uncapping it, he drank the whole thing before he could second-guess himself, the taste of sweet anise and mallow chasing down his throat with the promise of oblivion. He wiped his mouth and barely had time to turn over before a black tide swamped him and his eyes fluttered shut.
Draco woke late the next morning with a splitting headache and a renewed sense that he had gone too far the night before. He lay quietly, reviewing the nightmare and the events preceding it, his regret and restlessness growing until he finally pushed up out of bed and made a trek through the silent flat for water and muggle pain pills. Settling into an armchair, he stared unseeingly at the wreck of the sitting room, (dirty glasses, cigarette butts and half full bottles on every surface) moments of what had happened there the night before flashing through his mind.
Fuck, fuck FUCK. What had happened to distance? To protecting people by keeping the hell away from them? What had happened to his famous reserve, constructed meticulously (mercilessly) in his boyhood by Lucius, and so well-honed over the last, vicious year? Why couldn't he turn that switch on? Why hadn't he?
He moved up impatiently and strode down the hallway to the bathroom for a shower, his fingers at his temples. Turning on the taps, he fretted while the water warmed, his anger at himself growing. He'd been entirely too loose and free. And the dream had come in like some dark portent to remind him of what that could mean.
He got in, letting the water sluice over him, and thought about the last few weeks. He'd been going to the café too much and it was time to stop. Stop seeking out excuses to talk to her, stop trying to find time alone with her. Blaise was here now so he should just...focus his social life on him. Hanging his head, Draco let the water wash over the back of his neck, staying that way for a few moments, his fists balled, already grieving a kind of loss.
But then he forced himself upright. He could still flip that switch, dammit.
He was in deep, yes (too deep) but he could call on his upbringing and his core. His cool, Slytherin base—despite his anguished thoughts, he felt his lips lift at the memory of her 'theory' and his heart swell at the memory of her gifts, her soft words and teasing face throughout the night—but then he pulled his features into grim lines. He looked up and let the water beat directly down on his face, allowing the horrific idea of that light, her light, being dimmed or snuffed out strengthen his resolve.
He could do this. He could pull away and not look back. It was for the best. For everyone. But especially for her.
But then he slumped, reaching an arm out to brace himself against the wall, letting the water pour over his bowed head in a torrent, allowing himself one last moment of debilitating regret and dismay; an almost childish complaint at the unfairness of it all. But then an echo of the scream from his nightmare ran through his mind and he straightened, cutting the shower off with a shake of his head.
He could do it and he would.
The next few days saw Draco very committed to this new course of action—avoiding the café and any other situations where he might interact with Hermione.
It didn't feel good, but it felt right.
And when Blaise came over and made the expected comments about Draco's behaviour the night of the party, it only strengthened Draco's vow. Because surprisingly Blaise's words were more gentle than mocking, and far more disturbing for that reason.
"Granger. What a surprise," he said with a sidelong glance as they settled into the armchairs and looked out at a spectacular sunset.
Draco tensed. "Yeah?"
"Yeah. I actually liked hanging out with her." Blaise took a drink of wine as he blinked at the pinks and oranges in the sky. "Guess this war is changing us all."
The last statement was accompanied by the full power of his dark eyes on Draco's. And Draco knew then that he had been rumbled completely. Blaise not only knew, but he knew that it went beyond something as simple as lust or boredom or proximity.
"I'm stepping back." Draco said after several moments of tense silence. "It's too dangerous for anyone to be involved with me like that. But especially her."
"OK." Blaise was quiet for a long beat. "But it might not be that simple."
"It should be!" Draco exploded. "I don't know why she even gives me the time of day. She should hate me."
Blaise made a sound of exasperation and sympathy. "Have you talked to her about all that?"
"I apologized." Draco tipped his head back. "Briefly. Told her I've been changing my opinions for a while now."
"And?"
"She thanked me for telling her. Then went right on being herself. I wish she would have yelled at me or pushed me or something."
"She may yet." Blaise's smile flashed.
"Ha. Ha."
"Serious question, though." Blaise turned in his seat, although Draco kept looking straight ahead. "Is any of this because you can't quite do it? She's muggleborn, Draco. Not a minor family, not a half-blood. Muggle. Born. I wouldn't blame you if it's just…too much. Too soon."
Draco was silent for a long time, the question knocking around his head, rattling at old ideas and prejudices, things he'd believed his whole life and that his family had cleaved to for generations. Fundamentals of what it meant to be who he was. Or had been.
Was that it?
Was it that, when it really came down to it, he just couldn't stomach it?
"No." The word came out of his mouth almost involuntarily. "That's not it."
"All right." Blaise took a deep drink of his wine. "Well, prepare yourself for a bit of a fight, then. I get the impression she doesn't give up easily."
Draco had brushed him off, but Blaise had been right, because even though Draco had stayed away, Granger was clearly not on the same track. Once he'd missed a few days at the café, she'd appeared in the bookshop and then at the flat with Theo after their class, bright-eyed and full of interesting things to chat about. Draco had been cool to her, feigning preoccupation with a client at the shop and inventing an errand that took him away from the flat not five minutes after she and Theo had arrived—trying to not care that he'd just left them totally alone.
He even tried to tell himself he could just leave Hermione to Theo if she wanted him. That it didn't matter and that she could take care of herself. She was too smart not to know about Theo's proclivities—if she pursued something with him in spite of that, it was her prerogative. Draco had to do a lot of pushing down of an inner voice that howled in protest at this train of thought, but he managed it.
Barely.
And he could tell Hermione was confused, and maybe even hurt. Her expressive face couldn't hide it. But he pressed on nonetheless, convinced of his course of action.
But Blaise had been right; she was nothing if not tenacious, so he did find himself in the café one bright afternoon, responding to a note she'd slipped under the bookshop door early that morning informing him that she had some new music for him and that he had to stop by and get it if he wanted it.
He pushed through the door warily, bracing himself and vowing to make the encounter brief. He held his helmet in one hand in what he hoped was a clear signal that he was on his way somewhere else.
The bell tinkled and she looked up from where she was sitting at the end of the counter, leaning over a book. She was wearing the soft pink dress from that first day at The Pools and her hair was up, revealing her pretty neck. Draco swallowed.
"Hi!" she said warmly, jumping up off the stool and hurrying out from behind the counter. Alarmed, Draco was certain she was about to hug him, so he schooled his face into cool lines and propped himself against the counter in a way that made it impossible. She stopped short with a jerky motion.
"Hello," he said, his voice tight, feeling like an arse.
"Hello," she said again, more softly than before. "You got my note? You're here for the cassettes?"
"Yeah, and I'll take a coffee too. For the road." He lifted his helmet onto the bar.
"Oh, ah, OK." She went back behind the counter, her movements much more restrained than before. Draco felt a strange little seize in his gut, but ignored it. She worked the espresso machine silently and eventually turned with his cup. "Here you are. I'll just duck in the back and get the music."
"Thanks."
While she was gone the bell tinkled again and to Draco's surprise, Lavender and Blaise walked in, laughing and holding hands. Things between them had progressed quickly, and for a moment Draco was awash in jealousy, wishing it could be that easy for him. But it never would be, would it? The thought bolstered his resolve and he threw back his coffee, determined to get out of there as fast as he could.
"Heyyy." Blaise greeted him with surprise in his tone.
"Fancy seeing you here," Lavender said at the same time, a little frown in her eyes.
Hermione came out from the back, her face drawn, but she brightened when she saw the new arrivals. "Hey, you two," she said with a little wave. "Haven't seen you in a while. Any of you," she murmured, her eyes darting quickly to Draco. He felt a stab of guilt. If Lavender had been off with Blaise while he had been staying away too, Hermione must not have had much company. Except for Theo. You're welcome, Theo. He frowned down at the counter.
"Well we're here to remedy that!" Lavender was saying. "We're going to the disco tonight. All of us. We already stopped by your flat and Theo is in," she said with a look at Draco. He opened his mouth to protest but Granger cut in.
"Oh that would be fun." Her face lifted and she turned her eyes to him. "We haven't been there since that first night. I've still never demonstrated 80s dancing for you." Her mouth went up in a tentative smile.
It was a clear olive branch and Draco knew it. Knew that she realised he'd been keeping away and didn't know why, but was willing to work past it. Try again. Bloody Gryffindor persistence.
Everyone was waiting for his reply and he knew he should say no. A refusal would cement this new distance. Even if she was tenacious, Hermione had self-respect. She wouldn't keep trying in the face of his indifference.
He took a deep breath, willing himself to make the cut, but instead he said, "OK."
"Really?" Lavender smiled and Granger's eyes stayed on him.
"Yeah, what time?"
"We're meeting at yours at nine," Lavender said. "We can all ride together."
"All right." Draco looked down at the counter again. Shite. His helmet slid against his suddenly damp hand and he started. The ride. His excuse. "Ah, I'm off then." He picked up the helmet and waved it slightly before putting a bill down on the counter for the coffee and turning away.
"Wait, your tapes!" Hermione said, coming out from behind the bar again. He stopped and turned back, willing himself not to notice how perfectly the pink dress skimmed her body.
"Word got out that I was on the hunt and somebody brought these in," she said, holding out a stack of cassettes. He looked down at them and then back up at her face, which was guarded. "They're newer," she explained. "From the last few years. Radiohead, Blur, and Pulp. Someone must know I'm English." She gave a short laugh. "They're uh, all English bands." He took the tapes from her grasp, but she kept one back and held it up. "I think you'll especially like this one; Radiohead. This is one of my favorites of the last few years. The Bends." She looked into his face and a nervous smile flashed across hers. "I was really happy to get them. Someone left them in the hostel in Aquino." He didn't smile back and after a beat she looked away, a frown crossing her features. Draco felt like a complete arsehole.
"Thanks—" he started to say, but she interrupted him as she swung around and walked quickly behind the counter, her tone and demeanor suddenly brusque.
"Anyway, hope you like them." She waved her hand. "So tonight?" She turned her attention to Lavender. "What are you wearing?"
Draco felt the dismissal, but also didn't miss the two spots of red burning in Granger's cheeks. He sighed and Blaise raised a brow at him. Draco shrugged slightly. "See you tonight, man," Blaise said with a flip of his chin.
"Yeah," Draco said and then forced his steps away and out the door.
Hermione pursed her lips as they walked into the disco. Draco had beat them there of course. She could see him across the dance floor, drink already in hand, chatting to a waiter from the restaurant. His bike was a lot faster than Theo's fully loaded car, which they'd of course realised wouldn't fit all of them. Hermione sniffed. Draco had jumped at the chance to take the motorcycle when the alternative being circulated involved her sitting on his lap.
No, it was becoming rather obvious that Draco wanted his distance from her. She'd started to wonder after so many days had gone by without him stopping by the café. And then his demeanor had been strange when she'd gone to the bookshop and at his flat one afternoon. Earlier today had been the cherry on top. He'd clearly been reluctant to come see her and almost dismissive about the new cassettes.
Well, fine. She didn't need his friendship anyway. She'd gotten by very much without it for over seventeen years. And she had Lavender—well, some of Lavender. She hadn't been around much. But Theo had been really lovely lately. He seemed to sense Draco's distance and be trying to make up for it. No ostentatious flirting or pushing of boundaries, just an easy and friendly constant presence.
She sighed as she let Lavender lead them to a corner with a big, open table. She did wonder what had happened with Draco, though. They'd had such a great time at the party. If anything, she'd thought they were getting closer. In fact, a few times she'd wondered—in the kitchen and right before they left… But no, she must have read it all wrong. Maybe she'd actually been too familiar that night and this was his way with dealing with it, of putting her back in her place. She bristled again.
Well, fuck him.
She looked down and smoothed the bottom half of the white lacy skirt outfit she'd borrowed from Lavender. Both pieces covered a little less than Hermione was used to, but she'd wanted to show off a bit tonight, to look good. And, no, she didn't want to examine the reasons why too carefully. But it did have something to do with the way Draco's eyes widened when he'd opened the door to the flat earlier. Again, fuck him. She tossed her hair, which she'd left down and very curly, and accepted a cold glass from Theo, who had just approached the table. Lavender and Blaise were already on the dance floor, putting on quite a display.
"Wow, she's flexible," Theo remarked, raising an eyebrow in Lavender's direction.
Hermione laughed and swatted at him. "Stop it! She's just having fun."
"No judgement!" Theo lifted his hands. "In fact, would you like to go out there?"
Hermione was about to decline, she generally felt a bit uncomfortable with really suggestive dancing, when her eye was caught by the view over Theo's shoulder. It was Draco—still across the room—and he was getting a hug from the beautiful dark-haired girl from before. What the fuck? Did they know each other now? Hermione's mind raced as her mouth sucked down her drink almost in a single swallow. Was this the reason he'd been avoiding her? The girl reached up and ran long fingernails through his hair, ruffling it. He stepped back, laughing down at her in surprise.
Hermione snapped her gaze back to Theo's and grabbed his hand. "I'd love to," she said, jumping up.
"Excellent!" He pulled her onto the floor and immediately drew her close. Hermione was aware of his warmth and his scent—just like the last time they'd danced. She concentrated on that, running her hands up over his biceps and shoulders to lace her fingers around his neck. His smile, which had been playful, deepened to something more a bit more serious. He pulled her closer and Hermione made herself relax into the embrace. She also made a mighty effort to forget the scene playing out across the room. Her eyes locked with Theo's.
"You look really beautiful tonight," he said in a low voice. "I love your hair down like this." He slid a light hand up from her waist, skimming it over her back and brushing her curls.
"Thank you, you're looking very nice yourself." She said with a smile. He did look extremely handsome. He was wearing her favorite faded denim shirt, the one that made his eyes look like a summer sky. He kept his blue gaze on hers for a beat and she felt her breath come a little quickly. The movements of the dance were sensuous and he was a very good dancer.
Experimentally, she stroked lightly at the back of his neck. His eyes instantly darkened and dropped to her mouth. She bit her lip, feeling a little surge thread through her.
Theo bent his head to her ear and whispered, "you shouldn't have done that." The smile in his words combined with the lightest touch of his lips on Hermione's ear, caused a throb in a distinctive part of her anatomy. She blew out a surprised breath. Draco who? He could hug as many tarts in bars as he wanted.
As the thought flitted through her head, Theo pulled back, his serious look replaced by a roguish one, then spun her around so she was tucked up against him back to front. Hermione realised the song had changed to something very gritty and sexy. She stiffened against him, not sure she could pull off this kind of dancing.
"Relax," he whispered, sliding the palm of his hand around to her bare stomach and pulling her tighter against him.
Hermione normally had a rather violent reaction to being told to relax, shades of Ron, but something in the tone of Theo's voice was caressing and playful rather than condescending, and she did relax. She gave a little laugh and fell against him, letting him move her to the bumping beat of the song.
"That's it." He tightened his other hand on her hip and put his lips to her ear again. Hermione felt the same shiver go over her body. She also felt the cocktail she'd drunk practically in one gulp slip through her veins. She tipped her head back and twined her arm up and around his neck, her palm against the back of his head. He laughed softly and tilted his face toward her neck. "There you go. It's fun, right?"
And it was fun. They moved together for a while longer, Hermione getting looser with every stroke. She didn't feel self conscious because almost everyone else around them was dancing more provocatively, some of the girls nearly bent double and touching the floor with the boys right behind them, grabbing their hips. Lavender was putting her flexibility to good use. Hermione laughed lightly just as Theo grabbed her waist and spun her around to face him. She reeled a little at the unexpected movement and fell into him. He was smiling too, but kept her from pulling away at all. Now they were dancing just as close, but facing each other. Hermione looked up at him from under her lashes just as the smile faded from his face.
"And there's your 'look'," he said. "Very good." His voice was light, but his eyes were intense on hers. He turned them in a slow circle and Hermione kept his gaze, really looking at him. Considering him. But as they turned she caught a flash of platinum over his shoulder.
Draco was alone at their table now. No dark haired girl. He was leaned over, smoking and watching them as they danced, just like the last time. It was impossible to read his expression through the dim and the smoke, but his posture was tense, his shoulders hunched, his foot tapping slowly.
Hermione's impulse reaction was to disengage and step away from Theo, which really pissed her off. So she closed her eyes and pulled him closer instead. She'd barely noticed, but the song had changed and was now slow and romantic. She leaned her head on Theo's shoulder and closed her eyes—against the vision of Draco and the feelings that went with it. She felt Theo touch his face to her hair and take a deep breath in.
Pulling her head up, she collected herself and smiled at him. "I think I like this kind of dancing better."
"It's very nice," he murmured, his hands brushing slowly over the bare skin of her back. Hermione felt that confusing warmth building again and she looked down. Suddenly, Theo took her hands from around his neck and swung her out in a slow twirl. She laughed as he did it, thankful for a break in the tension between them. He smiled back and pulled her in again.
They swayed a bit more, until the notes died and the DJ announced a break. Everyone pulled apart and started walking off the floor. Theo kept Hermione's hand lightly in his as they turned toward the table. Lavender and Blaise were there, but Draco was gone, his empty glass sitting in front of his empty chair.
"You want another drink?" Theo's voice broke into Hermione's suddenly swirling thoughts.
"Yeah," she said, glancing at him briefly. "Another of the same. Thanks."
He nodded and dropped her hand, moving toward the bar as she walked toward the table. Blaise jumped up as she approached and shot her a look that she couldn't quite read before going off after Theo.
"Having fun?" Lavender asked as Hermione sat, flicking her eyes in Theo's direction with a tease in her voice.
"Yeah." Hermione smiled and nodded, but couldn't help her glance at Draco's empty chair.
"He left," Lavender said with a twist of her mouth. "Sorry."
"What!?" Hermione shrugged exaggeratedly. "I don't care!"
"Uh huh." Lavender played with the straw in her empty glass.
"I don't! I'm having fun! With Theo!" Hermione protested.
"I can see that." Lavender's brows went up. "Remember what I told you about him."
Hermione squinted at her.
"He's a very good kisser," Lavender said with a wink and a naughty smile.
Hermione rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Thanks." They sat in silence for a beat, then Hermione looked at Draco's glass again and abruptly asked, "Did you see where he went?"
Lavender blew out an exasperated breath. "What am I going to do with you? He went home, and yes he was alone. Not for lack of trying on her part." She jutted her chin toward a corner of the room, where the dark haired girl was laughing with some friends. Hermione looked at the girl and felt a very distinct rush of relief. She then looked back at Lavender, who was shaking her head slowly.
"Lav." Blaise was suddenly at the table. "They can't make that peach thingy you want. Come see the choices."
"Oh, ok!" Lavender jumped up and took Blaise's hand, just as Theo came up behind them with two drinks. She and Blaise spun away toward the bar, Lavender darting a very significant look at Theo's back and wiggling her eyebrows at Hermione as they went.
Hermione snorted to herself while Theo was placing the drinks down. He opened his mouth to say something, but just then the music started up again; a loud, raucous tune that had everyone yelling and running out to the dance floor. Hermione winced and grimaced at the noise.
"Do you want to take these to those tables around the back?" Theo yelled.
"Yeah!" Hermione nodded as a particularly loud guitar squeal rent the air. "Let's go!"
Theo nodded and grabbed her hand, threading them through the crowds of dancers and out a side door. It closed behind them and the sound muffled pleasantly. This section of the club was reserved for dining during the day but seemed to be designated as an informal quiet area at night. There were only a few other people out there. One couple sitting at one of the small square tables and two girls smoking and talking animatedly under a tree in the corner. Theo led Hermione to a table and hopped up on its top, resting his feet on one of the seats. Hermione joined him and watched the girls as they stubbed out their cigarettes and made their way inside.
"That was fun," she said, clinking her glass with his. "Thanks for putting up with my sub-par dancing skills."
Theo smiled. "What are you talking about? You were brilliant."
Hermione took a long swallow of her drink and nudged his shoulder. "Come on."
"Once you loosened up, you were great," he said firmly, nudging her back. They sat in silence for a moment, and Hermione looked up at the starry sky through the branches of an overhanging tree. The night air whispered warm against her skin. She glanced around, the other couple seemed to have gone inside.
"It's so beautiful here," she said. "Sometimes I still can't believe this is my life."
"Yeah," he blew out a soft laugh. "Same." He paused for a minute and she felt him turn toward her. "How are you doing?" he asked.
She gave him a questioning look. Was he talking about Draco?
"I mean, just generally," he explained. "With all of this."
Ah. "OK, I guess?" she said, shrugging. "I mean, I worry all the time. But I try not to let the worry surface, if you know what I mean."
"I do." He nodded.
"And how are you?" she said.
"Same. OK, but always with the undercurrent. I'm starting to wonder how all of this is going to end too." He waved his hand. "Like, will we go back to school? And when we do, what will it be like?" The look on his face was serious.
"Do you think we'll still be friends?" Hermione asked softly, speaking aloud the first words that popped into her mind.
"Of course!" His reply was immediate, and something about its quickness and warmth touched Hermione. She realised there had been part of her that worried that they'd all be pretending like they didn't know each other come autumn.
"That makes me really happy, Theo." Impulsively she leaned over to emphasise her words with a quick kiss on his cheek, right on his dimple. But at that same moment he turned to look at her, opening his mouth to say something, and her kiss ended up landing closer to his lips. She inhaled in surprise, but didn't pull away, something keeping her frozen. A second or two ticked by and he didn't pull away either. Instead, he leaned forward the slightest bit and kissed her again, his lips soft and caressing.
Hermione's first reaction was surprise, and there was a very brief point where she thought she would pull back, smooth the whole thing over with a funny word and a laugh. But something inside of her was curious and caught up in the moment, so instead of pulling away, she kissed him back, parting her lips and exploring his. He breathed in sharply and his hand came up, around the back of her neck, under her hair. His fingers were warm and sure and she let herself fall into the kiss as he deepened it, tilting her head and slanting his mouth across hers.
Hermione felt almost outside of her body, like she was in a film, the sensation of warmth as it tingled through her veins secondhand somehow. Experimentally, she opened her mouth and teased her tongue against his lips while she ran her hand up his chest and around his neck, cradling it lightly. Why not? The thought whispered through her mind. He was a gorgeous boy, it was a romantic night and she wanted to. She didn't owe anybody anything. Far from it, in fact.
Theo's reaction to the touch of her tongue and caress of her hand was immediate. He breathed in sharply and slipped off the table, barely breaking contact with her lips as he stepped between her legs and pulled her toward him. His tongue went to hers and Hermione got a demonstration of what Lavender had been talking about. Kissing him was like zipping in a fast car or twirling on a ride at a fun fair. Her sessions with Adam last winter instantly paled in comparison.
"Gods," he breathed against her mouth after a few minutes, pulling back very slightly, "you are so sweet."
"Mmm," she made an indistinct sound in response, enjoying the sensations that were rolling over her in slow waves. She had been holding his shoulders, but now ran her hands up to his neck again, and caressed the soft skin there.
"Hermione," he half said, half moaned, his lips now near her ear. "You're driving me mad." He kissed her again, even more deeply, and his hands, which had been in her hair, went to her thighs and gripped lightly there, running up just a bit, his thumbs caressing in slow circles.
Something about the gesture was questioning; Hermione got the impression that he was asking if she wanted to go further and how far she wanted to take it. She appreciated the silent inquiry and pulled back from his lips, resting her hands on his.
Clearing her throat, Hermione laughed low and looked down and then up at him through her lashes, "Right," she said, her voice a bit breathy.
He leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers, "Yeah." His breath was ragged and his eyes closed. She put her hand up and ran a finger over his cheek and he half-smiled, still not opening his eyes. "Sorry, just give me a minute." His dimple appeared and deepened and Hermione blew out another soft laugh.
"OK." She moved her hands to his wrists and gripped lightly there. He pulled back and opened his eyes. His pupils were blown and the blue very dark around them. He took a deep breath and straightened, shaking his head slowly as a grin broke across his face.
"I—" he shook his head again and turned his hands in her grip, grasping her wrists lightly. She swung his hands lightly between them. "I would really like to kiss you again," he said, a slight smile playing at the corner of his mouth, "but I don't think I could handle it here. Damn, I wish we could apparate." He looked around a bit wildly.
Hermione laughed, inwardly glad that they weren't somewhere more private. She still wasn't sure how far she would ever want to go with Theo, and now she wasn't certain of how well she'd do at stopping herself if they were truly alone. "Shall we go back in?" she suggested gently. "Lavender and Blaise are probably wondering where we are."
He blinked down at her, a flash of disappointment crossing his face so quickly, she thought she might have imagined it. "Yeah, OK," he finally said, his tone lighter than before.
He took her hand and slid her down off the table, lingering a bit as he did so. Then he led her back through the door to what felt like the other side of the world. The music was instantly loud, the light brighter and the energy high. Hermione blinked at it all as she tried to reacclimate. She spotted Lavender on a stool at the bar, Blaise standing beside her, whispering something in her ear. Lavender laughed, spotting Theo and Hermione as she did so. Her eyes went instantly to Hermione's and her brows to her hairline. Hermione rolled her eyes and gave Lavender a quick grin. Lavender laughed again and gave Hermione a discreet thumbs up, which she turned into a wave to beckon them over.
They arrived at the bar, Theo keeping Hermione's hand until she gently freed it, a part of her (of which she was a bit ashamed) hoping Blaise hadn't seen. They discussed having another drink, but instead decided to go.
"Do you want to come to ours? Have a nightcap?" Theo asked the girls as they pulled out of the dirt lot and onto the highway. Hermione twisted to look at Lavender, suddenly wanting nothing less than to go to Theo's flat and possibly see Draco. She just wanted to go home, get in bed and mull over what had happened. Lavender's eyes, which had been wide and questioning, narrowed slightly.
She suddenly gave a jaw cracking yawn. "I, for one, am knackered," she said through it. "I think I'd just like to head back to ours and turn in if nobody minds." Hermione gave her a grateful look before turning and yawning herself.
"That sounds good, I'm actually tired too," she said, glancing at Theo. He was looking out at the road, his profile inscrutable.
"Your wish is my command," he said lightly. "Zabini, you want to come with me and apparate from there?"
"Yeah sounds good mate, since my woman don't want me." Blaise's voice held a smile and Hermione saw Lavender tilt against him as he kissed her temple. The rest of the ride passed mostly in silence and Hermione was glad when they pulled up to the usual drop-off point near the center of town.
Theo parked the car and Lavender and Blaise scrambled out of the back. "Back in a mo," Blaise said to Theo.
"Are you coming?" Lavender asked Hermione as they turned to walk around the corner up to the flat.
"Yeah, in a minute," Hermione said with a wave. She heard Theo getting up out of the car behind her and turned halfway to him, not exactly sure how she wanted this night to end. The moon was now high and shining down brightly, but his face was in shadow as he approached.
"So I'll see you tomorrow," he said softly, stepping close.
What? She was confused for a moment. "Class, of course!" she said. "Durr, totally forgot. Oh and something else I forgot. Giancarlo asked me to open tomorrow, so I'll be a bit late."
"So you won't need a lift?" he reached out and touched one of her curls, twisting it loosely around his finger.
"Not there, at least," Hermione said softly.
"I'll drive you home," he said, seeming suddenly closer. Hermione tensed involuntarily and her eyes darted up the street. Theo seemed to sense her reaction because he stepped back instantly, dropping her hair and taking up her hand instead. He placed a light kiss on the top of her wrist as he spun away. "Until then."
"Ok," Hermione said, turning to walk around the corner. "I had a lovely time!" she called at the last minute, just as Blaise came into view. She saw Theo's hand wave out the window as she turned away.
"Are you actually tired?" Lavender came out of her bedroom in a very tiny matching blue pyjama set. "What do you think of this hat?" she asked, inexplicably popping a straw fedora on and off her head as she looked in the mirror.
"Uh, it's cute?" Hermione said. She sat down at the table and tossed her handbag down with a sigh. "And no, I'm actually kind of wound up."
"One more drink?" Lavender asked, going to the fridge.
"Yeah, ok." Hermione realised she'd only had two all night. No excuses, then.
Lavender pulled out two beers and handed one to Hermione. "Too hot for red wine and we're out of white," she said as she sat down. Hermione nodded and swiped at the condensation on her bottle. "So," Lavender leaned her chin in her hand and wiggled her eyebrows. "What happened?"
"We kissed," Hermione said on a big exhale.
"And how was it?" Lavender leaned forward. "Good, I hope?"
"It was really good. Exciting. Hot. I just. I don't know. I'm so confused!" Hermione wailed.
Lavender sat back. "Because of Draco."
Hermione dropped her head into her hands. "I don't want it to be that," she said through her fingers.
"But it is," Lavender said, plunking her beer bottle down on the table.
"It's so frustrating." Hermione looked up at the ceiling. "He doesn't even like me that way."
Lavender shook her head. "Mmm, I don't know about that."
"Well he's definitely been avoiding me. Since the party. So maybe he did like me but he stopped? Or he can sense my interest in him and it disgusts him? I don't know! It's so stupid to even think about. He's Draco Malfoy! And there is a perfectly lovely, gorgeous boy right in front of me. What is wrong with me?"
"Oh no no no, Theo is not perfect. Don't forget that." Lavender wagged a finger. "He never has been. Even for Daphne Greengrass."
"What do you mean? Another Hogwarts romance I was totally ignorant of?"
"Yeah, it was Slytherin inner house stuff, so whatever. But the story did circulate."
"What happened?"
"He just liked her for a long time. I guess they were childhood friends and then finally got together at the beginning of last year. Happy and all that. Perfect together. Blah blah blah. Until he did his Theo thing. Broke her heart, broke his."
"Oh shit. You didn't—"
"No! In fact I think I was part of his epic rebound campaign."
"And her?"
"I think she started dating an older guy. Someone who graduated a few years ago. According to Blaise, she doesn't talk to Theo anymore."
"God, that's really sad."
"Yeah, and there's no way he's truly over it. He was in love with her for years. So don't get too sentimental over him." Lavender knocked twice on the table. "Plus we know he's got things going with at least two girls here. Blaise hinted that those are ongoing things too."
"Huh. Ok." Hermione looked off into the distance, "Keeping my eyes wide open with Theo for sure."
"I'm not saying don't do anything!" Lavender exclaimed. "Just be realistic."
"No, I know. I'm just not going to let myself get into a 'poor little Theo' guilt spiral."
"Exactly," Lavender said. "Now back to Draco." Hermione groaned. "I'll see if Blaise knows anything."
"Do NOT talk to Blaise about this!" Hermione yelled.
"I will be VERY subtle," Lavender said in a placating tone. "I'll make it seem like I noticed it and am just wondering. I'm actually good at this kind of thing, you know."
Hermione made a skeptical sound.
"Because," Lavender continued, "unless my intuition is really wrong, which it rarely is, he does like you. Quite a lot. It was clear as day the night of the party. But I'm wondering what happened after." She rubbed her chin.
"Well if you figure it out, fucking tell me," Hermione sighed. "Or," she straightened up. "Maybe I should just bloody well forget about him. He probably started to like me and then remembered I'm a muggle."
Lavender laughed, "Ouch. And for what it's worth. I don't think that's it. He's definitely trying to stay away from you, but I don't think that's why. Anyway."
"Anyway. I'm off to bed." Hermione stood up. "Thanks for listening to me moan."
"Of course. Sweet dreams of that hot kiss," Lavender said with a wink.
Hermione laughed as she turned and went down the hall.