Companion piece to my one shot 'We're Not Friends' I would HIGHLY suggest reading that first :) This is Hermione's POV so we see added pieces of their relationship with a new view on certain situations. Enjoy!
There wasn't much that caught Hermione off guard. She didn't scare easily anymore, she was hardly surprised when her normal work days ended with her wrangling a married couple off of each other, she was barely ever shocked by news. Well...until now.
Partners with Draco Malfoy? She must have misread.
Squinting her eyes at the memo sent to her this morning, read clear in black ink that her new partner was Draco Malfoy. Top of his Auror training class, graduated two weeks ago and assigned to be field partners with Hermione since she was a top Auror herself.
Partners? Ew, gods no.
She stood up from her desk and marched into her boss's office, not even bothering to knock and preparing to demand to know why Malfoy was assigned to her as a partner. She swung the door open, steam coming out of her ears as she opened her mouth.
"Robards, what in the f—"
"Tongue, Officer Granger." He shouted and nervously chuckled while looking down at the man sitting in front of him. "Sorry. I'm sure you know how fiery she can be sometimes."
Hermione narrowed her eyes at her boss and huffed at the accusation, but her gaze fell to the guest sitting in the chair. A deep chuckle fell out of his mouth and Hermione glared at the back of his platinum blonde head.
"Oh I remember. Oftentimes I found myself on the receiving end." Malfoy said, earning a chuckle from Robards.
"Rightfully so." She sneered at him and Robards shot her a look. He stood up, as did Malfoy who finally turned to her. A mask of neutrality and maybe even slight amusement on his face, he blinked once and she kept her eyes on him, daring him to look away first.
"I assume you got the memo Granger but this is final. We are lucky to have Malfoy join this precinct and I expect you two to play together nicely. I suspect your combined intellect and intuition will make for a fine pairing, I'm excited to see how this goes." Robards said and Hermione rolled her eyes as Malfoy extended his hand in appreciation.
"Your first assignment."
Robards handed them both a file and they left the room without another word. Hermione sat down at her desk and watched as Malfoy sat down at the one in front of her. She shot glares at him every time he would "ah" after taking a sip from his tea mug. Prick.
"Can you at least attempt to be quiet? I'm trying to focus and your ear splitting swigging is distracting." She curtly expressed, squeezing her quill so hard it was about to snap in half.
Malfoy turned around in his chair, a mocking smug look on his face as he took another sip from his tea and 'ah-ed' unnecessarily loud. He set his tea back down and narrowed his eyes at her.
"You better start getting used to me and all my idiosyncrasies, Granger. Otherwise this partnership will be the worst one of your life." Malfoy sneered at her, his amused grin lacking genuine humor.
"It already is Malfoy." She fired back.
"Good. Then I suppose we can only go up from here. After all, you are paired with the top graduate in the most recent Auror Academy class." He stood up and put on his robes, Hermione did the same.
"Top of the class my arse." She grumbled and stomped past him. She could hear him snicker behind her.
Their first assignment went fine and Hermione hated to admit, but he was already a great Auror. He was quick witted, exceptional at spells, though Hermione was better, and extremely calm in high strained situations. After nearly two months of him being perfect, he had his first slip up and boy did Hermione go to town on him because of it.
"You could at least say thank you." She huffed at him while they furiously walked back to the Ministry lifts. Hermione faced him while he faced forward, obviously annoyed at her pestering but that was something he should be used to by now, since she did a lot of it.
"You did something that I was in the process of—"
"Process yes, but you were too slow and that disgusting vermin could have killed you."
"Wait." Malfoy suddenly said and Hermione's fists loosened up just a bit. He turned his head and sent her a snarky grin. "When did we start talking about your ex-boyfriend Granger?"
Hermione made a noise that sounded like a growl from a feral cat. Malfoy tipped his head back to laugh as they stepped onto the lift.
"Why is it so hard for you to just be grateful?" Her blood was boiling. Sure they had frequent little spats but she saved his life. A plague rat the size of a small dog leaped at him, mouth open, foam spewing at its teeth ready to bite Malfoy. She quickly immobilized it and then bursted it dead from the inside out. Some of it's disgusting green guts got on Malfoy's clothes and he groaned about it the whole way back to the office.
"You made a plague rat explode all over my clothes. They have yet to invent any potions that will remove the stains and stench." He rolled his eyes, fumbling when the lift shot them sideways.
"I saved your life and that's all you can think of? Your precious clothes? My god how conceited are you?"
"Fine. Thank you for making a rat explode on me. Happy?" He shot at her and she stomped her foot.
"You ungrateful, self-absorbed, ugly little twat!" She almost screeched and the lift landed on the floor to their department. Malfoy turned his head back, raising a brow at her.
"Again, why are we talking about your ex?" He said chuckling again and Hermione nearly jogged to her desk just to get away from him. Malfoy grabbed his items and she looked at him confused.
"You're not seriously leaving are you? We have the report to file and still have two hours left in the day." She gaped at him, her irritation growing.
"I smell, my clothes are ruined and I know you're just going to gripe at me every five seconds for the way I do my reports, so, I'm leaving." He said and turned on his heel.
"But we're partners." She stated and regretted the words. It sounded like she wanted him to stay. Which of course was not true. She didn't need him to file reports but it was the principle of it all. He shouldn't get a free pass just because he's smelly.
Malfoy turned back around and leaned his hands on her desk, getting eye level with her.
"Tell you what Granger. When the day comes that I have to save your life, I'll do all the paperwork. Sound fair?"
"That will never happen because you will never have to save my life out in the field. I'm not incompetent like you."
"So sure of yourself eh, golden girl? Guess time will tell. Enjoy that paperwork." He smirked and then left the office. She glared at him until she no longer heard the echo of his boots hitting the floor.
Seems time did tell and Hermione unfortunately found herself in need of Malfoy saving her life.
They were staking out an illegal trading post a few hours outside of London, looking for a wizard that was selling a deadly potion. They were getting more and more leads within the last two months, building reputable information that could pinpoint where the distributor was going to be today. They charmed their appearance, approached him with the given names their intel had advised them to use so the seller knew they were legitimate. Malfoy successfully got him away from the crowd and then tried to detain him, which resulted in the man punching him across the face and sprinting away.
Hermione took off in a dead sprint, Malfoy passing her seconds later. The man was shooting hexes into the open public, dashing away into side paths and shoving anyone in his way. They couldn't send any curses his way to stop him, the area was too crowded and someone could get hurt, so they continued their pursuit on foot.
Unfortunately the man had passed a broom shoppe, broke the windows and took off when they were nearly on his heels.
"Bloody great!" Hermione yelled, watching their perp fly away. She heard more glass shattering and saw Draco reach into the display and grab two more brooms. "What're you doing!? That's stealing!"
"A necessary means, come on. We're losing him!" He said and soon zoomed off into the air after their criminal. She looked around at the people gathering with concerned eyes and then back to the broom. Having an internal battle with herself of whether or not Malfoy could handle the situation, she reluctantly hopped on the broom and chased after them. He was his partner after all, he may have needed her.
She grew nauseous as she pushed forward, trying to catch up to the men flying in front of her. Malfoy was close and they were sending hexes at each other, but successfully dodging each one. Leaning forward, she held out her wand and steadied herself, the wind making her body shake as she reached her arm out.
"Petrificus totalus!" She yelled but the criminal weaved out of the way at the last second. He snarled over his shoulder and Malfoy gained on him at the distraction. Hermione tried to speed up, but her eyes flashed down and she suddenly wavered in focus, stomach rolling with nervousness as she saw how high up they were.
The man looked at Malfoy and caught Hermione's unbalance, his eyes narrowed and he shot a hex directly at her, narrowly missing her body but instead striking her broom, breaking it in half. Her body began free falling into the ground, her wand flew out of her hands and a bloodcurdling scream ripped out of her chest.
She was going to die.
From the corner of her eye she saw a flash of gray whip beside her, plummeting to the ground at a faster rate than she was. The ground was fast approaching, she shut her eyes and tried not to panic about her imminent death.
A firm grasp on her forearm yanked her upwards and she screamed at the blinding pain that shot up her arm to her shoulder. She jolted upwards, her vision blurry with tears, mind dizzy. Her body was tightly tucked into someone else's before they suddenly hit the ground, being thrown a few meters, bodies banging into each other and the ground.
Hermione was groaning in violent pain, her vision black and white with spots. She cried loudly in agony, her shoulder was most certainly dislocated and broke at least one bone in her hand.
"Granger? Granger can you hear me?"
She felt a warm hand on her non injured shoulder, it was soothing. Her groans fell into quiet sobs and she tried to open her eyes.
"Malfoy?" She whined. "I think my shoulder is dislocated, my-my hand is broken." She opened her eyes and his face creased down with worry, face smudged with dirt, some pieces of grass in his hair and a cut on his cheek.
"Fuck. Hold on." He accio'd her basic medical kit, digging for a sling and finding a pain relief potion. "Let me put the sling on before you take the potion, otherwise I could make your shoulder worse."
Hermione nodded, tears falling from her eyes as she sat up.
"Tell me if it hurts too much and I'll stop." He said, fingers slightly shaking as he wrapped her shoulder and arm, mumbling soft apologies any time she winced or hissed in pain. His movements were gentle, her crying subsided by the time he helped her to her feet. She was still in unbelievable amounts of discomfort after she took the potion, but it did help.
She accio'd her wand which thankfully wasn't broken from the fall and began walking slowly side by side with Malfoy back to town to travel to St. Mungo's via floo. She felt woozy and had to ask Malfoy to stop frequently. He'd patiently wait until she was ready, the worry never leaving his face.
"Okay?" He'd ask softly as she'd blindly reach for anything to keep her focused and steady. He'd outstretch his hand and let her squeeze it until her vision would become clear, a gentle hand on her back that really did nothing except comfort her.
"Yeah. Lets go." They continued on like that until they reached the floo.
Hermione was seen immediately at St. Mungo's, being carted off as soon as someone saw her. A coolness on her back alerted her that Malfoy's hand rested there as they arrived and now it was missing. She looked over her shoulder, seeing him take a deep inhale and watched as his chest puffed out. His eyes softened and she sent him a thankful half smile. He nodded once.
Hermione was released that day, after the mediwizards popped her shoulder in and gave her skelegrow to consume for the next two weeks. She had no other serious injuries besides a minor concussion that would cause her to work half days for the next week. Harry had visited her to help her home and make sure she was alright.
"This sucks." Hermione pouted as she sat on her couch. "I can't go on a mission for another three weeks, we lost our guy and Malfoy is probably going to mess up all our reports."
Harry sat down next to her with a slight smile. He unpacked her vials of skelegrow from her bag as he spoke.
"Malfoy caught the guy." He said and Hermione looked at him wildly.
"What? There's no way he was on—"
"A broom? Yeah well Malfoy landed a stupefy while also successfully getting him to the ground before catching you. He disillusioned his unconscious body and marked the location before taking you to St. Mungo's. Brought him in after you were seen by the mediwizards." Harry explained and Hermione held her mouth open, shocked at the performance and somewhat happy that her injuries weren't for nothing.
"That's…incredible." She blinked and Harry scoffed.
"Yeah, and after that, I saw him lurking around the waiting room asking the mediwitches about your condition." Harry said with an odd smile, like the notion was funny. Hermione felt a strange warmth spread through her body at the news. After his tired and long day he came back to St. Mungo's to make sure she was okay, or at least check to see she was fine. It was exceptionally kind of him and she was painfully aware the only reason she was alive was because of his quick thinking and high observance. Damn him for being a good partner.
The next day Hermione came back to work, obviously only being able to do organizing and planning and any other tasks that didn't involve physical exertion. She arrived in the office, seeing Malfoy already seated at his desk, a small bruise and cut on his eye from where he was punched. She sighed once before walking to his desk and placed a paper to-go cup of tea on his desk. He looked up and raised his eyebrows, tiny amusement glinting in his eyes.
"Is this poisoned?" He asked
"Why would it be poisoned Malfoy?" She asked tiredly, thinking he could just accept her nice gesture without follow up questions.
"Maybe you're mad at me because I technically dislocated your shoulder and broke your hand." He shrugged but popped off the cap and took a sip anyways, humming in the annoying way he usually did. Hermione scoffed but sat down at her desk.
"That wasn't your fault, you sa—" She stopped her words and squinted her eyes before releasing an irritated sigh.
"Go on." Malfoy smirked. "I what?"
She glared at him. "You annoy me."
Draco snorted and turned his chair completely around, leaning his forearms on her desk. Hermione ignored his stare.
"It's okay Granger, I know you only see me as a fairly competent partner, but the facts are there: I did save your life and I did bring our perp down, and—" He turned and grabbed a huge file, throwing it down on her desk. Hermione opened it to see the paperwork from their case completely done, exactly the way she likes it, neat and procedurally filed. "I finished the paperwork."
Hermione swallowed as she looked down at the report. She shut her eyes tightly before looking back up to him, seeing his cheeky grin.
"Thank you." She mumbled.
"What was that?" Malfoy leaned in closer to hear, knowing what she said.
"I said fuck off." She shouted and made him laugh loudly. He shook his head and took a sip of his tea.
"Thanks by the way." He raised the cup. "Buying my favorite tea as a way to wordlessly say thank you for saving your life? So thoughtful Granger." He said sarcastically but he didn't sound rude.
Hermione didn't respond to his comments, tried to focus on today's schedule and not think about how hard it was to move around with one arm. Thirty minutes later, Malfoy got up to go to the break room and came with a mug of coffee. He placed it on her desk with two sugar cubes and a cup of cream. She looked up in question but he was already turned away. She allowed herself to smile in the smallest way, grateful that her partner was in fact somewhat competent.
Not long after Malfoy's birthday, there was a shift between them. An unspoken agreement that they could be friendly with one another. Hermione began asking Draco to partake in more activities with their work group and her friends. Harry had even invited Malfoy to play in a pickup game of Quidditch one Saturday after Hermione mentioned he was free that weekend. Though Draco seemed unsure at first, he quickly found his groove on the pitch and enjoyed the friendly competition between him and his coworkers.
It was rather hot the first week of July and since today's game only had male participants, they decided to go shirts and skins. Malfoy was on the team with no shirts and Hermione found herself drawn to the outlined muscles of his arms and back more often than not. She was surprised really, intrigued and curious. His face was pink from the sun and exercising, sweat glistening off his body. Hermione wondered when he became so fit.
Lisa sat next to her as they watched the game, chatting about how well Malfoy has fit in with the precinct, and with her.
"Everyone thought you two would curse each other at least once. We all prepared for the worst." Lisa laughed, watching as the players returned to the ground. "But you two have shown a lot of maturity. It's kind of nice to see how much you've grown as friends too."
Hermione laughed and looked over at Draco. He was smiling a teasing smirk at Harry who mirrored his expression, most likely talking about the game and who performed better. Malfoy caught her eye and for the briefest of seconds, his eyes flashed brighter.
"Well we're not really friends" Hermione said, her lips tugging upwards. "Just partners."
"Mhm." Lisa said with a knowing tone. People formed a small circle and began talking about the night's plans.
"Everyone go home, shower, eat, then meet up for drinks? At the Flickering Candle around eight?" Harry suggested and most people nodded then dispersed. Hermione said her goodbyes to some people and walked over to Draco while he gathered his things and put his shirt back on.
"Hey, good game." She spoke and he gave out a half laugh.
"Thanks Granger. Surprised you lot stayed out so long in the heat." He wiped his face off with a towel.
"It wasn't that bad after the sun started going down. You're coming out, right?" She asked as they started walking out of the field, not heading in a particular direction.
"Eh I don't know. I wouldn't be out here if it wasn't for you, so I don't think I should extend my time." He said scratching the back of his head.
"What? Harry was happy to have you join, another chance to prove our Gryffindor supremacy." She teased and Malfoy threw his dirty towel at her face, causing her to chuckle and lightly shove him. "But you should come out. It'll be fun, I'll even buy first round."
Malfoy stopped on the field and Hermione turned to look at his gray eyes. They flickered down her body for a moment and she shivered in the tiniest of seconds before regaining her composure.
"Please?" She tried to give him her best pleading eyes and after a moment he groaned and agreed.
"Fine, but if Daniel makes one comment about his promotion, I'm leaving." He told her seriously and Hermione laughed.
"So will I." She turned to walk again. "I'll see you around eight then."
"I'll see you at eight." Draco confirmed and Hermione gave him a genuine smile before they both disapparated.
Hermione was drawn to Draco. She found herself moving in sync with him at work, outside of work and everywhere in between. She found him to be thoughtful and considerate in the most genuine ways. Though any time she tried to compliment him for his generous actions, like getting her coffee or her favorite desserts, he'd blush and tell her to shut up, which always made her laugh.
She enjoyed the way they'd bicker, finding his intelligence to be quite endearing, making him a worthy debate partner. Other times, like now, he could be annoying and bossy, reprimanding her like a child. They were currently retracing their steps, on a particularly cold day in December, alongside the sea after another successful mission. Hermione dropped her wand somewhere after getting distracted from detaining their guy, Malfoy groaned and proceeded to argue with her about getting a proper holster.
"Honestly Granger, I'm surprised you haven't lost it permanently. What kind of witch are you?" Malfoy said, rolling his eyes as she tried yet again to accio her wand.
"Can you just shut up and keep looking? God this would go a lot faster if you looked more than you talked." She grumbled, shivering as the wind was particularly biting that day. She could've sworn she left it right here. There was matted grass from where they took the guy down as well some charred earth.
Malfoy suddenly casted a warming charm around her and she instantly sighed. She looked up at him, arms crossed, face calm. His small gestures, again so thoughtful but it always felt like he did them without a thought, like they were second nature to him. It would sometimes make her stomach flutter.
"Why do you lose your wand so much? I swear you are oddly forgetful of it." He commented, stepping over the tall grass to walk beside her a little closer. Hermione bit her lip and thought hard for a moment.
"I think…I think it's because I'm muggleborn." She said quietly, insecurity showing. "I set it down often when I'm doing things the muggle way, like making coffee, writing, little minuscule things that I could do with magic, but don't because…I don't know sometimes I just prefer to do things without magic." She admitted, feeling like a fraud of a witch because she said she doesn't always like to use magic.
"No I think you're just forgetful because you have thousands of other unimportant things going on in your head." Malfoy teased and Hermione looked at him, seeing his eye glimmer with the joke. He didn't think she was a fraud, she felt a weird sigh of relief leave her body. "Which is why you should be thankful you have such an attentive partner."
Draco reached down and pulled her wand out of his pant holster. She gasped and launched herself to grab it out of his hands.
"You had it this whole time? We've been out here for almost an hour in the cold Malfoy!" She screeched as he held it away from her.
"I only found it thirty minutes ago." He shrugged and her eyes grew wide.
"Then why didn't you tell me!?"
"To prove a point that I'm a good partner and highly observant." He laughed. "Plus I didn't want to go back to the office. I'm up to my knees in paperwork and Robards assigned me the task of re- alphabetizing our domestic violence cases from this year."
"Give me my wand Malfoy." She outstretched her palm impatiently.
"Say I'm a good partner." He challenged with a large smirk, bloody prat.
"Give me my wand and I'll say it." She said crossing her arms.
"You're a terrible liar."
"Fine. You're a good partner and a terrible friend."
He narrowed his eyes and reluctantly handed her wand back. The corner of his lips turned up. "It's a good thing we're not friends."
She laughed at his comment, the saying becoming a little inside joke between them. They were friends now, but it was still fun to pretend they weren't at times. She never thought she'd have a running joke with Draco Malfoy. Hermione smiled up at him and sighed. "Wanna blow off work for another hour and get lunch?"
"Oh Granger you're singing to me." He grinned and they apparated to Diagon Alley, stopping at their favorite lunch spot. Once they were settled, food set down and taking a load off, Draco asked her a question.
"So what are you going to get Ethan for Christmas?"
"Not sure, haven't really thought of it yet honestly." She told him and Malfoy gave her a funny look. "What?"
"Just thought you would have gotten him the perfect gift already since you're so in love with him." He teased, making funny voices over the words 'in love.'
"I'm not in love with him." She laughed. It had only been a few months since she started seeing Ethan anyways.
"You make goo goo eyes every time someone brings him up, you got it bad Granger." He explained as he took a sip from his water.
"Nothing wrong with liking someone a lot. He's really sweet. I'm excited for you to meet him." She told him.
"I'll be sure to share all the most embarrassing work stories."
"Please don't." She begged. "Since you brought it up, what should I get him?"
"Depends on how serious you are now. Maybe just something general like cologne, a new book or socks." He suggested and she giggled.
"You're so helpful." She rolled her eyes and he shrugged. "You know, I actually know what I'm getting you for Christmas."
"How fascinating, I'm picking up your Christmas present today. What's my gift?" He asked like an impatient kid.
"Why would I tell you?" She questioned and Draco sent her a devilish grin.
"I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours."
"No you snake. You'll just have to wait until the Ministry party." Hermione passed her chips onto Draco's plate, too full to finish. She leaned back in her chair and watched as he finished her food.
"Can I get any hints?" He asked and Hermione decided to inconspicuously get him to help her with the present. She needed a colorway to choose from and she didn't want to take any chances with her present.
"No. Can I ask you a question though?" She bit her lip and he nodded. "If you were an Animagus what do you think your animal would be?"
Draco chortled and wiped his mouth, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms. He gave her an obvious look. "Obviously a dragon, Granger."
"Are you basing this off of your actual qualities or solely your name?" Hermione questioned, raising an eyebrow and earning a cheeky smile from him. He moved his jaw in a way that she found to be kind of attractive.
"Both."
"What would you look like then, if you took the form of a dragon?" She continued and Draco looked up for a moment to contemplate the question.
"Probably a Welsh Green. But I'd be a mix between blue and green. Like a teal color morphing into a dark green." He explained and Hermione stifled a laugh. It seemed that his answer was carefully thought out.
"Interesting answer, have you thought of this previously?" She saw his ears go pink and he looked down, trying to appear nonchalant.
"Maybe. I was named dragon so it's only natural that I thought about being a dragon once or twice before." He muttered, clearly embarrassed by his admission.
"Only natural, of course." She pressed her lips together so tightly that they began to slightly ache, her suppressed laugh still came out. "Why the colors though?"
"Teal is my favorite color and I'm always going to be loyal to my house." He explained casually.
Hermione watched him for a second and then shook her head.
"What's so funny?" Draco asked.
"Nothing, I just know you're going to love your Christmas present." She told him, excitement fluttering in her stomach when she imagined his face once he got to open it.
And he did, Draco's eyes lit up when he pulled the handmade pillow out of the giftbag at the Ministry Christmas party.
"Granger are you serious?" He let out a laugh as he inspected the pillow, Hermione could feel her insides bouncing at his gleeful expression.
"Oh come on! It's hilarious. I even made it myself!" She nearly bounced up and down.
Draco pulled out a throw pillow, dark green on one side, white on the other. The white side had a green and blue dragon hand stitched into the fabric that was blowing fire, or rather, vomiting a lot of red and yellow yarn. She had complained about his new flat not having any real character or warmth to it, so she took it upon herself to make something that would add some flavor to his place. His smile was definitely worth all the times she poked herself.
"The stitch work could use some improvements, I think you should stick to reading as a full time hobby." He jested and ran his fingers over the pillow. "This is great though, thank you."
Hermione smiled and nodded her head, almost forgetting her boyfriend was right beside her until he spoke up.
"You two have a wonderful friendship." He dryly commented.
"Oh we're not friends." Draco stated. He looked at Hermione whose eyes were warm with appreciation, enjoying their small inside joke. "I should make my rounds though. It was nice to meet you again Ethan. You two enjoy the rest of the night and holiday."
"Likewise Malfoy." Ethan responded not reaching his hand forward to engage in a shake, Draco didn't extend his either. Hermione thought it was a little odd on both their parts but brushed it off regardless.
Hermione had gotten Ethan socks and a book after all, not wanting to splurge since they hadn't been dating for that long anyways. He gave her a gift certificate to the tea shoppe in Diagon Alley, explaining that he knows it's her favorite since she always goes in there. She didn't have the heart to tell him that she only goes in there to pick up Draco's favorite tea. It was the effort that counted and now she didn't have to spend so much money picking up his order.
During the course of their relationship, Ethan grew odd. He was paranoid about every man, specifically Draco and always planned to go out on the days her office was going out. She suspected it was done purposely but then Ethan had told her she was being unappreciative of him. Hermione felt so bad so she stopped going out to oblige Ethan and his planned dates. She also realized that every time she spoke of Malfoy, he would hardly listen or just grow tense. When she asked if he had a problem with her partner, Ethan kind of snapped.
"You spend so much time with him, Hermione. There's times where I don't see you for days because you two are on missions and I don't know what goes on between you two." He ranted and she gaped at him.
"Are you implying that I'm cheating on you?" She almost yelled.
"I'm just saying it's suspicious how much you talk of him and see him. Other people in your office too." Ethan countered.
"I'm not cheating on you! How could you even suggest that when I-when I love you." She swallowed her tears down, and at her revelation Ethan didn't say it back right away but did stop suggesting she was cheating on him. They continued to bicker until she slowly began withdrawing herself from hanging around her colleagues.
"Hermione! You should come out tonight! We haven't seen you at the Flickering Candle in so long." Lisa requested with a bright smile.
"I'd love to but Ethan is taking me out tonight." She responded with a guilty expression.
"You guys can miss one dinner date, bring him out. We don't mind." Lisa tried.
"Eh, I don't really think he—"
"Come on Lisa. You know better than to ask Granger to come out anymore." Draco interrupted with a judgmental face. "Her and Ethan would rather knit each other socks than spend time with friends these days."
Hermione squinted her eyes at Draco, a touch of irritation in them but she was more offended than anything.
"That's not true." She defended.
"Oh yeah?" When's the last time you hung out with any of us? At non-work related functions?"
Hermione opened her mouth but nothing came to mind. A look of realization crossed her face, she slowly shut her mouth and frowned.
"Exactly." He scowled.
"It hasn't been that long." She mumbled and Draco walked past her to leave the office, knocking her shoulder when he passed.
"Yes it has." He muttered as he walked by.
Hermione stopped speaking to Draco unless it was directly for work and tried not to work late if she could help it. She felt terrible and truly missed Malfoy, but she didn't want to cause more problems in her relationship, not when things were going so well.
But they weren't going that well. Ethan grew possessive and seemed to grow angry at every little thing she did. It was like being under a microscope of all hours of the day. She couldn't understand what was making him so insecure until she walked into his flat and saw him kissing his ex.
The idea seemed crazy, especially after all the arguments he started. He was cheating on her, yet worried she was doing the same? Unbelievable. Hermione blew up some of his furniture, as well as sent a hex on his face and jelly-legged him when he tried to chase after her. She apparated immediately, her mind only focused on one place and before she could stop herself, she pounded on Draco's door, loudly crying.
He opened the door, looking a tad disgruntled and she sadly realized he was most likely sleeping. But his face morphed into concern and his brow crunched down the way he did was he was worried about something. His tired gray eyes took in her appearance and her lower lip quivered.
"Malfoy." She sobbed, bursting into a fresh batch of tears and felt him bring her inside, ushering her to the sofa and sitting down right beside her. A warm hand was placed on her back as she took one of the tissues he offered.
"What's going on?" His voice was thick with stress.
"He cheated on me…with his ex." She cried and felt embarrassed at the outburst. Saying it out loud hit her so hard in the stomach. She's never been cheated on before and now she couldn't help but wonder what she did wrong to lead him away.
Hermione was pulled into Malfoy's embrace, his arms wrapped around her back and she cried harder into his chest. She cringed at herself when she realized snot was wiped on his shirt material but he didn't say anything so she clung on to him tighter and told him what happened. His arms felt so good, so comforting, it was exactly what she needed.
Malfoy had let her cry for some time, taking her mind off of what just happened by catching her up and what's been going on in his life. She felt awful for not being more present and felt her chest ache.
"I'm sorry I've not been around more." She began and felt a headache coming on. "He didn't…like you. Not sure why, but he just made some comments about you but I always defended you. So eventually I just stopped talking to you a lot, I thought maybe it would help his and mine's relationship. It was wrong of me, I'm so sorry Malfoy."
The guilt was heavy in her chest but Malfoy suddenly chuckled and she looked at him surprised. "No worries Granger. I didn't exactly like the twat anyways and now I really don't."
She was perplexed. "Really? Why didn't you say anything then if you didn't like him? I trust your judgement."
"I know, but you looked happy so I didn't want to interfere."
Draco looked down for a moment, his eyes looking almost sad and Hermione felt even worse than before. How could she have swept away her friendship with Malfoy for some cheating bastard? She vowed to never let that happen again, making sure to always put her friends first.
"Well next time you have a bad feeling about a guy I'm dating, please tell me. It'll probably save me some heartbreak." She tried to joke but it hurt her heart. She sniffled a bit and sighed.
"Granger," he said and she looked up at him, "that man does not deserve to even clean the dirt off the bottom on your shoes. You are worth an infinite amount more than what he ever showed you. Don't let him make you feel differently."
Her eyes welled up again and she gave him a shaky smile. Gods what a terrible friend she was and what a brilliant person Draco is. She leaned forward on her knees and hugged him, her eyes filling with tears as she felt his warm hands on her back. A hug from a friend was so nice and needed. He was wonderful.
"You're a good friend Draco Malfoy." She said softly, her voice choking a bit as she nuzzled closer into his shoulder.
A good friend indeed and one she would never take for granted again. After her break up, Draco and her had been promoted which couldn't have come at a better time. She could focus on work and let her heart mend the broken pieces.
Draco would constantly remind her to eat, pushing her even when she said she wasn't hungry on those particular hard days. He brewed her coffee without even asking if she wanted some at work. There were times too where she'd come into the office and he'd be early, dark purple rings under his eyes but he'd look up and smile at her.
"Hey, you're here early." She would say as she handed him his tea.
"Yeah well, I knew you had a long night so I wanted to make sure we both got out of here at a good time. I brought you lunch too." He'd respond and her stomach would roll at the sweet gesture.
They had sleepovers, oftentimes when they would almost work through the night. Hermione would tell him to stay and sometimes, find herself wrapped up in his body before he snuck out just before her alarm went off. Something he always did. It saved the awkwardness of waking up in the morning together. But she couldn't deny that every time she'd wake up without him, little twinges of disappointment churned unpleasantly in her stomach.
She had ignored her crush, reminding herself that Malfoy and her worked best as partners and friends. Her feelings derived from looking for something safe and comfortable after her failed relationship and the kindness of Malfoy had shown her confused her romantic feelings. There was no romance between them, she reminded herself, they were only platonic friends.
Ginny didn't buy it. Hermione's eyes lit up any time she spoke of something Malfoy said or did, even if it wasn't that funny. She engaged in more flirting than ever before and she even was giving him fuck me eyes at the pub these days. She had to ask.
"Are you and Malfoy sleeping together?" Ginny interrogated as they watched the quidditch game on a Saturday. Hermione shot her head to her and gave her the most amused yet cross look.
"Excuse me? No we are not sleeping together." She defended, a slight blush creeping over her cheeks. Ginny snorted and turned her attention back on the game.
"Huh. I could've sworn I saw his sweater over at your house last time I visited." Ginny pointed a look at her and Hermione's blush grew.
"He must've left it there after we got done with work." She mumbled, averting her eyes from her friend's growing smirk.
"Done with work? Or done with work." She teased and Hermione swatted her leg, earning a laugh. "Well if you're not sleeping with him, what are you doing? Cause I heard you turned down Martin, William AND Ahmad this month."
"Nothing, we're just partners. We work late, sometimes he sleeps over but that's it." She grumbled.
"Ah. So you're waiting for him to make the move?"
"Ginny…" Hermione said warningly.
"Okay, okay. I'll stop. But no worries, I think he'll do it soon enough."
Hermione looked at Ginny from the corner of her eye then back up at Malfoy. He was focused on the game and lifted his shirt up to wipe some sweat off his forehead, giving Hermione the perfect glimpse of his sweaty abs. She sharply inhaled and awkwardly shifted, hoping Ginny didn't notice. But Ginny did notice and she was going to tell Harry.
Not long after their conversation, Hermione tried to subtly get Draco's attention. She'd be more touchy with him after a night out drinking, always making a habit to walk to the floo together so their shoulders would brush and try to get him to have her over more. It seemed his attention was caught for a bit, until he pulled away and she learned that Draco seemed to be sleeping with everyone but her.
"You have that date with Melissa, yeah, from the Minister's office?" She overheard Daniel ask as he and Draco walked out from the break room.
"Yeah, just dinner though. Not all that interested in her if you get what I'm saying." Draco quietly said and Daniel mumbled something before both men laughed.
Hermione felt her stomach twist but also a disgusting feeling wash over her. She knew Draco was a man but she didn't think he engaged in such…immature activities. He seemed to be more of a sweep you off your feet kind of guy, someone who would memorize your favorite lines out of a book just to make you smile, or the kind of guy that always paid for your meal if you were out.
A few days later Hermione tried to ask Draco if he wanted to come over and watch a movie, something they used to do frequently until he started dating more recently.
"Sorry Granger, I'm meeting with Corina this evening for drinks." He said as he put on his coat in the lift and Hermione stared unblinking, trying not to frown. He was just with Melissa a few days ago.
"That's nice. Where are you taking her?" She politely asked.
"Don't know actually. She told me to meet her at some lounge that's close to her flat." He offhandedly said. They got off the lift and walked to the floo. She understood the implication of 'meeting for drinks,' what she couldn't understand was why it stung to hear about it.
"Ah, well I'd say have fun tonight but I think you already will." Hermione tried to joke but the end of it came out a little bitter. Malfoy smiled nonetheless but raised his brow in a skeptical way. She cleared her throat before he said anything. "I'll see you Monday. Have a good weekend Malfoy."
She turned on her heel without waiting to hear his goodbye and went immediately home. Hermione spent her night pathetically wearing one of his cotton t-shirts, occasionally turning her head down to the collar to inhale his residual scent. There was no good reason for letting herself think of Draco, but her thoughts wandered anyways.
Malfoy was probably heading to Corina's house now, her tipsy, giggling and smiling at him as he chuckled deeply in the way that always made Hermione's spine straighten. He'd probably be handsy since he was drunk, he normally is with her, but she wondered if he'd be aggressively handsy, grabbing and groping, or if his touches were soft and careful.
Hermione shut her eyes, not wanting to think about Draco with another woman so she crossed the line and instead pictured herself. She thought of the times they've gone out for drinks with their groups and she would touch his thigh just to feel his warmth, or hug him longer than anyone else to feel the hardness of his chest on hers, or carelessly kiss his face, giddy to catch a corner of his mouth.
She thought about what it would be like if they fumbled home after a drunken night. Hoping his hands were greedy, wondering if his kisses would be full of tongue or all lips, thinking that maybe he'd be desperate and pin her against the wall.
Her hand slid down under her knickers at the thought, pointer and middle finger drawing slow circles on her clit as she continued her daydream. Hermione thought Draco would be a generous lover, one that took his time to appreciate your body and make sure you were properly aroused. She bet that he wouldn't be able to contain his arrogance if he felt how wet he made her.
Her fingers sped up the movements, her arousal covering her lips and clit. Draco's sly grin came to her mind and she knew he'd wear it the entire time he'd go down on her. Humming into her sex every time she'd grind her hips or moan out loud. She could feel her legs tighten and toes clench up.
She wondered if Draco liked a girl on top of he preferred to choose the positions, she figured a bit of both and imagined him taking her from behind. He'd grab her arse with his large hands as he drove into her to a hilt, their skin would slap together and in a most arousing pain. He'd groan her name into the air, maybe comment on how wet she was again. His fingers would snake around to her front and rub her until she cried into the mattress panting his name.
"Mmm, Draco."
He'd be relentless in his thrusts, and she imagined her name on his lips, whimpering while he came, filling her with his come, feeling his cock pulse inside her.
"Fuck." She sighed when her body unravelled, her chest heaving air.
Hermione's eyes widened the second she came down. She shot up from her couch and sprinted into her bathroom, excessively washing her hands and splashed some cold water on her face.
It was already bad enough that she was getting jealous of Draco going on dates.
And it was pretty annoying that she was purposely trying to see him smile more just to feel her stomach flutter at the scene.
There was definitely something wrong with her since any time he touched her, even in the most innocent of ways, her breathing would stop and her chest felt like someone had electrocuted her with 5,000 volts.
But this was terrible, this was grotesque. Draco was her best friend. And while she found him attractive, she shouldn't be thinking about him and…getting off to him, right? They weren't like that, and despite their close relationship she shouldn't be pining after someone who clearly wasn't interested.
No, he wasn't interested. She told herself over and over again. Just partners, just friends. But he continued to come over to her house and spend time with her. And as far as Hermione was concerned, he stopped dating coincidentally the same time he began to hang out with her again.
He slept over and she stopped caring about their boundaries. She cuddled him until they both fell asleep, her head on his chest or her back to his front, sometimes she would dig her nose into his neck to smell his scent.
Even with a little extra touching, more flirting he still didn't take a hint. He never crossed the line and Hermione grew impatient and disappointed.
He would catch the way he looked at other women sometimes. Eyes trailing on their legs when they walked away, briefly hanging on their bums until he looked away. She'd hear mumbling between him and Daniel.
"You know that new girl from the Department of Mysteries?" Daniel would ask, thinking he was whispering but not really.
"The blonde?" Draco would ask back.
"Yes! Gods her tits are the size of a bludger. So fucking hot."
She could hear Draco snicker and she insecurely looked down at her own chest.
"Definitely a looker. Gods her lips too, I bet she knows how to—"
Hermione got up from her desk, accidentally scratching the ground from the abrupt movement, causing the ground to screech and interrupt the boy's demoralizing conversation. Embarrassed by the noise, she hurried into the back room and took a deep breath.
He would never see her in that way, never think of her as anything more than a friend and partners at work.
As she walked down to the cafeteria alone that day, she accidentally ran right into someone's back, knocking over their plate of food on the ground.
"Oh gosh! I'm so sorry!" She stuttered and grabbed her wand to clear the mess. She looked up to see whose lunch she just ruined and her embarrassment grew. The handsome lad had twinkling eyes, she felt her face flash hot.
"Quite alright Ms. Granger." The man said, his plump lips curling into a sweet smile. "I don't much fancy the food here anyways."
Hermione let out a nervous chuckle and tucked her hair out of her face. "Me either, but can I at least pay you back? Timothy right?"
The man, Timothy from administrations she's certain, shook his head. "Yes and no, please don't. I'll step out for something that's actually edible. Would you care to join me?"
Hermione felt her stomach roll and for a small moment, she felt sad. There was no reason to feel sad. A man had just asked her to lunch, a bloody attractive man at that. She should be elated. There was no reason to hang hopes on someone that didn't look at her like the man standing in front of her did now.
"I actually um, don't have time for a long lunch but I am free for dinner tonight?" She bit her lip, and tried to smile at him the way she'd try to smile at Malfoy.
"Dinner would be much more preferred. Can I pick you up around seven?" He suggested and Hermione felt her mood shift.
"That would be lovely, I look forward to it." She said.
"Great, I'll see you then. I'm off to find something I can digest. Enjoy the rest of your day." Timothy said and turned to leave, she gave him a small wave and nearly skipped to get some food.
Returning to the office feeling a little lighter, Hermione felt giddy at the prospect of having a date, or maybe, at the prospect of someone not wasting her time.
"Hey. You're all smiley. Did they have tomato basil soup and cheese toasties today?" Draco asked, coming out of the break room.
Hermione glanced up and her childish grin faltered just a bit. She shifted in her seat and conjured a lie.
"Uh yeah. My favorite, as you know." She told him.
"And you didn't bring any for me? I'll remember that next time I pick up pastries from the bakery and you want that red velvet cupcake." He joked and sat down.
"You're evil." She teased back, looking down as his smile widened and his eyes crinkled.
"And you're a swot. Did you want to come over tonight? Or should I come to yours so we can watch that American film you were telling me about? The one about the psycho man and the hotel? What's it called again?" Draco questioned with a crinkle in his brow, she let out a giggle.
"It's called 'Psycho' and I can't tonight. Decided to swing by my parent's for the evening." She lied, her chest sinking as she did.
"Ah. Well tell them I say hello and ask your mum to make those apple cinnamon muffins for me please." He requested and turned back to his desk.
"I will." She mumbled.
Her date with Timothy went fantastic. He was charming, supremely attractive, witty and funny, plus, they shared plenty of values and beliefs. Hermione felt her stomach bubble when he leaned down and kissed her cheek at the end of the night. Once she returned home, her mind was fuzzy with excitement. It wasn't until she turned over and got a waft of Draco's scent on one of her pillows that her joy faded away. She shut her eyes and tightly gripped the pillow under her head, falling asleep to the images of blonde hair and gray eyes.
After Draco found out about the date, he didn't ask her if she was available after work. In fact, he didn't seem bothered by Timothy at all. Hermione didn't know if she was more hurt or offended by his indifference, and it just showed how one sided her feelings were…once were…still were. Ugh. Were. She wasn't kidding anyone.
How could she when her whole body soared as high as the birds when he gifted her with her favorite coffee, her favorite treat and a pillow to match the one she made him. Her eyes were blurry with tears as she clutched the pillow in her hand, his face turning pink as he tried to avoid her eyes.
"Happy Birthday."
She lunged forward, bringing him into one of the tightest hugs she's ever given him. She crushed their bodies together, rubbing her face into his neck and sighed as she felt his hands run up and down her back.
Hermione pulled back, a huge smile on her face, eyes bright with happiness. Her hands remained on his shoulders, his securely on the small of her back.
"I love it. Thank you so much." She stood on her toes and planted a kiss, accidentally catching the corner of his mouth. His cheeks were pink when she stood back and she could feel her heart hammering in her chest.
"You're welcome." He scratched the back of his head.
"Are you coming out tonight?" She asked.
"Of course, Granger. Wouldn't want to miss you getting up on chairs and singing again."
Hermione was determined to not end up on any chairs or tables tonight. But the night was still young and she was not yet drunk enough for that so it was still too early to tell.
"What do you think they're talking about over there?" Ginny nudged Hermione and the pair of eyes found Draco and Harry chatting. Harry looked amused, Draco looked…pained?
"Harry's probably teasing him about the last quidditch game they had." Hermione said and took a sip of her butterbeer.
"Yeah or Draco is talking about his plans to shag you tonight."
Hermione choked on her beer and the ladies beside her all laughed. She wiped her mouth away and glared at Ginny.
"Do you ever stop?"
"Not until you admit to me there's more there. I swear you think I'm as blind as a bat sometimes." Ginny scolded.
"We're just—"
"Partners, we know." All the girls said at the same time, making everyone laugh and Hermione blush. She chanced a look in Draco's direction, finding him eye her curiously. She felt her smile widen and his face morphed into one of his beautiful grins.
"Okay, if I'm being honest, I may have developed a small—"
"Small my arse, you were giving him heart eyes for the last two months." Lisa mumbled and Hermione's eyes widened.
"Crush." She finished. "But I tried to drop hints, he wasn't picking them up."
"It's Malfoy dearie. I think he's just a little unsure, with you two being so close already. He may not be confident you feel the same." Lisa added.
"It doesn't matter." She said offhandedly. "I'm going out with Timothy."
"Then why didn't you invite him out?" Ginny pushed, eyebrows raised with a knowing smug look.
"I'm…not ready for everyone to meet him yet." She said, but it felt like a bad excuse. Ginny snorted and rolled her eyes.
"Look Hermione, you're not serious with Timothy yet are you?" Hermione shook her head. "Then there's no harm in…exploring other options. Whether that's Malfoy or any other bloke. I say give it one more effort and if he doesn't bite, then drop the whole thing. But Hermione,"
She looked at Ginny with unsure eyes, her friend's tone turning almost uncomfortably serious.
"I've never seen two people look at each other the way you and Draco do."
Hermione felt her chest shake and she took a deep breath. Shaking her head, she picked up her beer and slammed the rest of the drink down her throat. The ladies hooted as she stood up, rather shakily, and headed over to Malfoy to try and flirt again. Harry passed her on the way and she sent him a warm smile.
"Hey." She grinned.
"Hi. Having a good time?" Draco asked and she nodded, hands clasped behind her back as she swayed side to side.
"Yep." She popped the 'p.' "But I think everyone is due for another round and I think it's your turn to buy." She pouted her lip out with a sneaky grin. She saw his eyes flash down to her lip, they lowered once they met her gaze again. Her insides clenched.
"Oh it's my turn to buy huh?" He stepped forward, their chests touching. Hermione's eyes widened at their proximity in public. "Whatever you want, birthday girl." He sent her a flirty smile and walked away. She turned around and found her friends giving her a cheesy thumbs up.
She did end up on tables and chairs, singing loudly yet again. But it was her birthday and she didn't care. Draco helped her down from the pub, her vision was severely hazy and body tired. His body felt so warm under her hands, she couldn't help but run them over his chest, he was like a bloody oven sometimes.
She requested to go home, and like always, Draco assisted her. She was so eager to jump into bed and have his arms around her that she sprinted into her room. Her coordination didn't agree with her inebriation, and she accidentally slammed her knee against her door jamb.
She fell onto her bed, a throbbing pain shooting in her knee.
"Ow, ow owie." She hissed and she soon felt Draco enter the room and sit beside her, worry in his voice.
"Are you okay?" He asked and took her hand away from her knee, his fingertips brushing over the sensitive skin. "There's already a bruise forming. How are you such a clumsy drunk?"
"Don't scold me it's my birthday." She pouted and swatted his arm but leaned her cheek on his shoulder. Her eyes followed the pattern of his fingers, soothing her skin with careful strokes. She could smell his cologne, the scent commanding her eyes to shut.
"Do you want anything for it?"
She shook her head no and sighed deeply.
"Just want to go to bed with you."
Hermione missed him in her bed, he was the perfect blanket, perfect cuddler despite his cool outwardly behavior. She sadly wondered if he ever cuddled with Jennifer or Cindy or whatever the fuck those stupid girls he dated were called.
She could be like those girls. She could be flirty. She could get Draco Malfoy to look at her like he looked at those trampy girls. Pushing herself back into the mattress, she struggled to remove her dress with her limited strength but eventually did it, leaving her in her matching bra and knickers set.
Her eyes found his and she gave him an expectant look.
"Um, I'll grab you some pajamas." He rasped out while licking his lips. She inwardly smiled.
"No, no. Just give me your shirt please." She threw her hand out, wanting the scent of him wrapped around her like a warm blanket. He began to hand her his button up, but she didn't want that. "No your undershirt. It smells nice."
Thankful that the alcohol made her brave, when he took off his shirt and handed it to her, she successfully didn't openly ogle him. Drunk her was playful, confident and flirty. She could handle him being shirtless even if she clenched her thighs together underneath the covers.
"Come on, I'm tired." She whined when he just stood there. She watched him remove his pants and hop into bed. Instantly, she crawled to him, laying her head on his chest and wrapping her legs around his. She happily sighed as his arm circled around her lower back.
She nuzzled closer to him, her whole body melding into his. This was exactly how she wanted to end her birthday. They have done this so often that she was already drifting off into sleep. Them falling asleep together had almost become a habit, his scent, his body, his deep voice wishing her goodnight had made her heart fly every time. She had to tell him how she felt, how much he meant to her.
"Draco?" She said into the darkness
"Hm?" His chest rumbled under her and she smiled.
"I don't know what I'd do without you. I'm so happy you're my best friend and in my life." Hermione carefully lifted her head up, hoping to find his lips instead of his cheek and felt her insides explode with happiness when she found them on the first try. They were soft and warm, just like the rest of him.
She patiently waited a few seconds but eventually pulled away when he didn't reciprocate. It stung, and yes it was a chaste and innocent kiss, but he didn't even pucker his lips back. She swallowed thickly and closed her eyes, thankful that she was drunk enough for sleep to take her and not let her crushing embarrassment and disappointment keep her up.
Saturday she decided her feelings were certainly not returned and spent half the day trying not to read into the way he hugged her goodbye. Or the erection he tucked away when he put pants on. It only made sense that he had a woodie, he was a man after all, but the thought still made her blush.
Monday she was confused. And angry. Draco was flirting with her, making comments that made her blush, being excessively touchy and finding almost any excuse to be glued at her hip. She had been rejected Saturday night and they didn't speak for the remainder of the weekend. Now he was making some show of trying to get a rouse out of her.
She cornered Lisa before lunch, face red and warm after Malfoy had walked past her and grazed her hip a little too closely to her bum.
"Did you tell him?" She angrily whispered and Lisa looked just as confused.
"Tell who what?" She responded.
"Malfoy! Did anyone tell him about what was discussed on Friday?" Hermione could feel panicked set in, if someone told him then he was clearly making a show of her former crush, it was soul crushing and totally humiliating.
"No. None of us did love. We honor girl code." Lisa assured her with worried eyes. "Why? What's he doing?"
"He's acting like a handsy fifth year! I feel like someone told him and he's just making a joke out of it." Hermione explained and apprehensively looked to see if anyone was around to listen.
"No one told him that I'm aware of. I'm sure he doesn't know, try to ignore it."
Well she tried, sat through lunch with him, grinding her teeth and praying for the minutes to get away from his intrusion of personal space. His antics were too much to think about, but when she did think on it, the more it felt like he was just making fun of her. It felt like he was driving a knife straight into her heart.
She returned back to the office, finding her saving grace. Timothy had dropped by and he was a perfect Malfoy repellent, and luckily his actions stopped but he didn't speak to her for the rest of the week. Hermione still wanted to talk to him, but he wouldn't engage her unless she did first. She felt whiplash from his change of behavior and just wished he would tell her why he's been acting all over the place.
Lisa's wedding was lovely and Hermione was looking forward to celebrating her friend with all her friends. She tried to talk with Draco at dinner, but he never seemed to have a moment for her. After the dinner and the speeches, he disappeared and she would catch him talking to people or flirting with the single ladies of the night. She was slightly hurt when she thought that he'd rather be doing that then having one conversation with her.
Finding him alone at the bar, she turned to Timothy and told him she was going to see if Malfoy wanted to dance. He smiled at her and kissed her forehead before sitting down. Slowly approaching him from behind, she tapped his shoulder to get his attention.
"Want to dance? I haven't seen you all night." She grinned at him, eyes warm with hope and friendliness.
Draco narrowed his eyes at her and her smile slowly slipped off her face.
"Dance with Timmy." He told her before rolling his eyes. Her frown deepened, he was rude at dinner and now he was being plain nasty. There was no reason to be uncivil about Timothy, unless there was bad blood between them.
"It's Timothy." She corrected, not really caring to correct him but not giving him the satisfaction of being disrespectful, especially when he was acting closed off all week. "And I told him I wanted to dance with you so."
Draco leaned back on the bar and raised a brow, she felt slightly on edge.
"Why?"
"Why?" She chuckled, not even having to think about her answer as it just flew right out of her mouth naturally. "Cause you're my best friend and I want to."
Draco gulped the rest of his water and threw some galleons to the server. He met her eyes with a cold stare.
"We're not friends." He sneered and walked away, leaving the grand hall. Hermione felt her mouth hang open in hurt and stumped. He didn't say it playfully, he said it like he…meant it. She shook her head once before following him out. He was almost to the floo so she tried jogging in her heels to reach him.
She yanked his shoulder to face him.
"What is wrong with you? Monday we were fine and you were playful and...and fine. But then you just became so closed off, didn't speak to me and now you're being rude." Hermione rambled, thinking maybe something had happened she was unaware of and he just hadn't gotten the chance to speak with her about it yet."Draco, you can tell me anything okay? You're my—"
"Don't. Just don't finish that sentence. Because it's not true." He snapped and she felt her chest tighten again. She hated the way he glared at her and the way his words sounded. It felt like he was shooting fire right in her face and not caring if it burned.
"Yes it is Draco. The little joke isn't funny anymore." She pleaded.
"Just go back to Timmy, Granger, I'm sure he's anxiously waiting for you." He snidely remarked walking to the floo but she got in front of him.
"What do you have against Timothy? He's a good guy. I thought you wanted me to be happy."
"Fucking hell. Of course I do Hermione." He groaned and Hermione felt even more lost.
"Well then tell me what's going on. You've never been this cold to me." Her words came out hurt and he noticed. Good, she thought, he was hurting her and he deserved to know.
"My apologies for no longer wanting to be on your beck and call."
Hermione gasped and shook her head, eyes blinking wildly. Did she…treat him like that? No, she was certain. Their relationship had always been a good one, they shared a lot of things together, doing things fifty-fifty. She didn't treat him so poorly, surely she didn't.
"Is that how you think I treat you? Like some sort of servant? Draco I value you more than you know." He scoffed and tried to side step her to the floo but she mirrored his steps. "I thought as friends we could discuss this more maturely."
"Stop saying that." He growled, and she became enraged, what had she done?
"Are we suddenly not? I deserve to know why you no longer consider me your—" She desperately said but he cut her off.
"Stop."
"Seriously? You're being childish. Tell me what's wrong—"
"We're not friends!" He shouted, making her slightly jump, her heart was pounding. "Nor have we ever been, Hermione."
Hermione felt herself swallow tears. They're not friends. Just partners. This is what he wants, not to be her friend, not to be anything, he was ending their relationship.
"If you treat all your friends the way you treat me…then I can no longer be your friend. I-I can't." Draco said and Hermione clenched her jaw.
"I don't underst—"
"Friends don't sleep in the same bed."
All the air left her lungs, a million birds flapped their wings inside her stomach at the same time and she felt a painful glimmer of hope rise in her chest. His face looked like he was in pain. He bit his lip once as he looked over her, gray eyes searching, longing, for something. For…her?
"And friends don't treat me like you do." Draco shook his head and stepped closer to her.
Her mouth parted, eyes softened. Please, come closer. Please let this be what she wants it to be, what she's hoped for all this time, please Draco.
"And, fuck, Hermione I know who you are as a person but friends don't kiss me like you do."
He reached up and brushed his fingers on her cheek, her eyes closed at the delicate sensation for a moment. She felt her body sway into his in the tiniest of ways. She opened her eyes and was met with endless storms of gray. They were inviting and familiar and she wanted them to be the first thing she saw in the mornings and the last thing she saw before she fell asleep.
She let out a ragged breath, feeling his warm air brush against her cheeks.
"And I don't love my friends the way I love you."
He kissed her. He kissed her and it felt like she was falling through gray clouds with the sun enveloping her on the way down. Their lips moved as naturally as they moved as partners and friends. It was flawless, everything she gave he matched with equal amounts of power and neediness. His lips caressed hers to the point that her legs were going weak. She brought their bodies as close together as possible, just like she did when they would fall asleep together.
Harry interrupted, telling them to head home and not shag in the hallway which hindsight was a smart idea. Hermione asked him to cover and tugged Draco along. She's waited too long for this, spent too many nights thinking of him, wanting him, feeling absolutely insane for falling in love with him. If she wasn't going to have him immediately, she was certain to crumble into pieces.
It felt like everything clicked after that. It felt right, it felt normal, it felt like second nature to them. It didn't take much effort to be happy with Draco. They knew so much about each other as is, whispered feelings and emotions about personal stories in the dark while they laid in bed together, laughed when friends would tease them and say 'took you two long enough.'
They continued to go out with friends and felt so relieved to be drunk and touchy in public. Hermione felt the floodgates open once it was known in the office that they were an item. Anytime there was one drink in Draco, his hands were glued to her body. His large palms were grasping her thighs, his legs would intertwine with hers under the table, an arm was always around her chair. Hermione wasn't even sure if he was aware of how handsy he was when drinking, but she loved it.
She especially loved it when he'd whisper in her ear at the end of the night.
"Lets go home, I want to feel you under me." His warm breath would tickle her ear and she excitedly nodded, taking his hand and making a hasty getaway.
His lips would be on hers the second they found his room. Hands groping and teasing her buzzing skin, every touch sending a pulse of electricity to her center. His mouth would suck her skin, paying extra attention to her breasts and thighs, his favorite spots to leave marks.
She arched into him, tangling her fingers into his hair as he kissed her way down her stomach. He'd teasingly remove jeans, careful not to remove her knickers with them. She learned he had a preference for her keeping her knickers on during sex, something about needing her too badly that he just would have to slip the materials to the side and enter her.
This time was no different. Draco groaned when kissed over her hips, licking the skin uncovered by the material.
"A lace thong? You're trying to kill me." He kissed her mound, licking down until he met the damp patch of material and moved it away, revealing her soaked center. He always gave her head when he was drunk, sometimes not letting her feel his cock until she came twice on his tongue.
He licked her opening, causing her a moan to rip out of her chest and her hips to buck into his mouth.
"Ohh…yes." She'd hiss as he slid two of his fingers into her. She was heavily aroused tonight and wasn't going to last long. He could play her body like a harmonica, his mouth knowing where to go to make her sing every time.
He pumped his fingers and lapped at her wetness, sucking on her clit a little longer whenever she cried out. His gray eyes peeled open to watch her writhe under him, thinking she looked utterly beautiful when she moaned his name.
She felt her stomach tighten, her center fluttering around his fingers and she desperately chased her high. His tongue flicked and sucked until she came undone. He wouldn't remove his mouth or fingers until she brought him back up to her. They'd kiss, lips messy and full of her flavor, tongues reaching for one another.
"Please Draco, I need you." She always wanted more. Draco had kept her so sexually satisfied and yet so sexually frustrated with how much teasing he did. She'd beg him desperately some days just for him to bring her to an orgasm but he always happily obliged.
"Turn over for me love." He gruffly said, one hand around her neck while the other pinched her nipple. She anxiously flipped on her stomach while he stood up. She was clad in her lace knickers, bare everywhere else. She rose onto her knees, arse in the air, sighing as he ran his hands over it.
"The best sight." Draco growled before leaning down to bite the flesh and soothe it with his tongue.
"Draco," She sighed, a light laugh in her voice, "please get in me."
"Only cause you said please." He grinned before holding her panties to the side and sliding himself into her. They both let out a long sigh that turned into breathy moans as he began thrusting. Hermione arched her back to make her bum higher. He groaned as the angle changed, moaning her name and grabbing her hips.
"Gods, so fucking perfect. How are you mine?" He breathlessly said, punctuating his sentences with particularly rough thrusts. He loved to take her from behind when they were drunk, her backside was an incredible view, and he knew she liked it almost as much as him.
Hermione cried out, his erect member pushing into her until she was on the edge of ecstasy again. Her knickers were rubbing against her clit and she could feel her stomach burn with the delicious warmth.
"I'm close, don't—oh—don't stop." She arched into him, her hand reaching in between her folds to finding her throbbing clit. Draco suddenly pulled her up off her hands, so she was only on her knees. The angle made his thrusts shallow, but his cock rubbed her spot and she tightened around him.
"Come for me love, let me feel you." He growled into her mouth, tongue diving into her mouth. His one hand was on her neck, the other covering the hand that rubbed circles over her clit. She kissed him roughly, crying into his mouth as she met her climax.
"Fuck yes Draco!" Her voice was almost a whisper, her head laid back against his shoulder, an explosion bursting in her stomach. Draco held her tightly, keeping her upright as he found his own orgasm.
"Gods, OH! Hermione." He cried out, his hips freezing into hers as he finished, only thrusting once or twice until he was totally spent. She kissed his sweaty neck, listening to his fast panting. She heard him swallow and then both hands hugged her tightly, throwing them down on the bed.
"Hey!" She giggled as they landed. He nuzzled his face into her hair, then moved it out of the way to kiss her cheek. He sighed deeply, happily. Hermione could feel his smile.
"What you don't want to cuddle?" He said and she giggled again, grabbing his hand and squeezing it once.
"No I do." She yawned. "I think I'm going to head into the office tomorrow. Since someone didn't finish that Mueller report."
"Ugh I told you I was going to finish it Monday." Draco groaned.
"It's due Monday." She reminded him with a laugh.
"Not until five o'clock." He said with a shrug. "But I'll go into tomorrow so you don't have to." He kissed her head again.
"Hm. I'll still go in to make sure you do it right." She teased.
"Swot." Draco said while pinching her breast. She swatted his hand with a laugh.
"No." She smiled while pushing her back closer to him. "I'm a good partner."
"The best partner I've ever had." He responded and kissed her cheek once more. Hermione smiled, and silently agreed before they both drifted off to sleep.