Chapter 20

The next morning

The waiting room at the Office of Marriage and Family that they were waiting in was approximately eighteen feet from the door to the lobby to the door to the offices. From the chairs on one side of the waiting room to the other was approximately twenty feet, so with the chairs, twenty four. Minus the coffee table in the center, there was about eighteen feet of movable space in that direction, if he had to guess.

" Malfoy," Granger growled, " Will you stop that incessant pacing."

" What is taking so bloody long?" Draco circled the coffee table, picking up a two years old Witch Weekly just for the pleasure of throwing it back down again. Granger flinched, and eyed the other waiting witches and wizards carefully.

It had been an hour and a half since 10:20. Actually, an hour and thirty two minutes.

" There must have been some sort of problem, we should try to be patient," Granger retorted. He rolled his eyes and began to pace lengthwise.

" Patience is not my foremost virtue," He replied.

" I know that," She muttered, leaning back in her seat.

Confined spaces reminded him of the holding cell he'd occupied during his trial. That combined with the fact that he had to wait was a lethal combination. He could take the length in ten paces. He concentrated on counting them, and feeling the plushy spring of the carpet. One, two, three, four...

Granger's hand shot out and took his arm, pulling him towards the chair next to her.

" It won't be much longer," She whispered, " People are looking at you like you're going to crucio them."

He took a tight breath and sat down next to her. Maybe he could count seconds.

" Do you want to sexually harass me? It will pass the time," She offered.

" Well I can see that you wore those pants I enjoy so much, Granger," He responded, letting his eyes wander over her long shapely legs, " But not right now."

" How about I sexually harass you?" She muttered sardonically.

" I'd like to see you try," He answered with a chuckle.

" Your arm is very muscular," She commented, " I bet you could lift me straight off the ground."

" Oh, come on, that's barely sexual," He refuted, " That's something you might say to your uncle. Come on, now, give it a real try."

She blushed becomingly, " I like it when you pace around like a predator, Malfoy. What do you plan to do with your prey?"

His eyes glinted, " A little rough around the edges, but improved."

" I do have a very good teacher," She glanced at him, but she didn't seem to be able to meet his eye, " I bet you could show me more than just talking about it."

" Ah, you're interested in practical application," He joked, " Well, you've come to the right place."

" I haven't seen enough of your practical application to know whether or not that's true," She shot back saucily.

She was just trying to calm him down, rationally he knew that. But irrationally, his trousers suddenly felt uncomfortably tight.

" Granger, Malfoy!" A disembodied voice called out, " Please enter and go to Room Eight. Irene Galloway is ready to see you!"

" See?" She said brightly, standing and gathering her bag, " No time at all."

It was only when she got up that he realized she'd been rubbing his arm to settle him, like one might do for a spooked horse.

" It would have been no time at all an hour and thirty seven minutes ago," He scowled, taking up his plain black suit jacket.

He followed her into the hallway, mostly because she'd gotten there first, but also because it was the best vantage point to admire her behind. Her leggings were complimented (in his opinion) by a gauzy longer blouse that, while probably considered modest, allowed him to see straight through to her high rounded arse.

He really was wearing very tight trousers. He ought to give them away, really. They certainly felt like they no longer fit.

The door to room eight, a tiny square with a filing cabinet and a plain wooden desk, was propped open, and inside stood a brittle older woman, and a young clerk.

" I'm Irene Galloway, the Head of the Office of Marriage and Family," She offered her bony hand.

" Delighted to meet you," Hermione said cheerfully, shaking first, " I'm Hermione Granger, and this is Draco Malfoy."

" Ms. Galloway, a pleasure," He intoned, taking her hand. Granger shot him a look, though what it meant he wasn't sure.

" I'm glad I met you both," She said briskly, turning to the young clerk, " Kaminski, I'm using your desk for the moment, I hope you don't mind."

" Not at all, m'am," The clerk waved them into two uncomfortable wooden chairs while Ms. Galloway sat at the desk.

" Close the door, Kaminski," She commanded.

" Wait!" Draco interrupted, " Could you leave that open, please?"

" Mr. Malfoy, these meetings are highly confidential," Ms. Galloway said instructively, " Kaminski, shut the door."

Draco tightened his hand into a fist and held it tight.

When the door was shut, Ms. Galloway smiled at them, " So sorry for the wait, two of our clerks are out of the office today. Now I understand there was a little… hiccup with your status."

" Yes," Granger said politely, " I performed the Maritare charm about eight years ago."

" With Mr. Malfoy as the result?" Ms. Galloway asked.

" Yes," Granger answered.

" I'm not unaware of the confusion that this must have caused. To have a decorated war veteran matched with…" Ms. Galloway met his hard stare and trailed off, " So I'm sure you want to be assured of the results of the charm once and for all."

" Yes, of course," Draco responded tightly.
Ms. Galloway nodded deeply, " Then, Mr. Malfoy, If you'd be so kind?"

Kaminski handed Draco a slip of paper with instructions for the proper stance for the spell (Steady wand, held rather high, relaxed pose) and the spell itself.

Draco stood awkwardly in the few feet of space between himself, the desk, his chair, and the expectant clerk, who stood with a ready quill.

" It will appear on the palm of your wand hand, be sure to show it to Kaminski before it fades, Mr. Malfoy," Ms. Galloway added.

" Thank you," He responded. He let out a tight breath. This all felt rather foolish, so he could feel himself roll his eyes when he said the incantation.

" Maritare Aspiritus!"

The tip of Draco's wand gained a dim silver light. It crawled down his wand and up his arm like a clinging vine, and when it reached his chest, settling into his veins, he was instilled with a deep and satisfying sense of calm. He breathed a deep breath, letting his magic flow all around him, through him. In his wonder, he caught Granger looking at him, biting her lip in nervousness.

Please, let it be anyone else, he thought fiercely.

The feeling faded as soon as it had come, leaving him desperate for it to come back. He opened his palm, taking his wand with his other hand.

" Hermione Jean Granger," The clerk announced as he wrote on his clipboard.

Draco hadn't realized what slim hope he'd been holding onto until it was gone. He sat back in his chair stiffly.

Ms Galloway nodded, " Now, there's no need to be upset. The Ministry is not looking to chain our populace. This is merely a formality, and it sets many people's minds at ease."

" What about the girl who got a prisoner in Azkaban," Draco muttered.

Ms. Galloway raised her nose imperiously, " That is exceedingly rude."

" Did the charm set her mind at ease?" He ignored her.

Ms. Galloway rose at the desk, " I don't know what you're complaining about, Mr. Malfoy. It's Granger who must be angry that she would be matched with a..."

" A what?" He challenged.

" You little... you should be in azkaban you little worm," Ms. Galloway hissed, " Who knows what underhanded means you used to get-"

Granger's hand closed about his arm before he could even react, " Ms. Galloway, his behavior is no excuse for accusations."

" Miss Granger, I'm surprised you even see it fit to defend-"

" Have a good day," Granger said with finality.

She jerked Draco up and led him past the stunned Kaminski out the door and into the hallway, where she let him go.

" That was so unprofessional," She muttered, " That old bat!"

When they'd made their way into the lobby he stopped her before she walked too far ahead.

" Ah… this isn't easy to say," He began.

" You've fallen in love with Kaminski the clerk, oh I could tell from the moment you locked eyes over his clipboard," She jested.

He chuckled, " I just wanted to say thank-"

" It's fine," She interrupted, " I just can't stand other people berating you in public."

" Because that's your job?" He quipped.

" Absolutely it is," She tossed her hair, " And I'm very good at it."

" Well, thanks anyway," Draco said, " And for stopping me from putting a jelly legs curse on that old bag."

" Well, she said thoughtfully, " I just put a hand on your arm, which certainly wouldn't have prevented a well deserved curse."

He laughed, " What Slytherin thinking!"

" Maybe you're rubbing off on me," She said simply.

Oh, Granger, you have no idea.

"This is a strange situation," He raised an eyebrow, " I thought you would have been rather furious with me for leaving you high and dry yesterday. Trying to get on my good side?"

What she said next could not have surprised him more, " In a way…"

" Ah…" He began, though she'd thrown him off the rhythm of their conversation, " Why? Need someone to do their excellent Weasley impression for a children's party? My rate is two Galleons an hour."

" Well Harry's son is turning one soon…" She mused, " But no."

" If you're trying to throw me off, Granger, you've succeeded," Draco pushed back his hair, which was in need of a good trimming charm, and noted that Granger's eyes followed his movements, " I would have assumed you would be quite put out with me."

" Well the way you said what you said was… upsetting," Granger began carefully, " But what you said made a lot of sense."

He was taken aback, " Well thank you."

" However, after some contemplation, I've found that I do not agree," She continued.

" You don't agree," It was meant to be a question but it came out as a statement. What he'd meant was that the flirting was harmless, Draco really had no idea what there was to disagree with. She patently did not enjoy it. Even today, she had termed it "sexual harassment."

" I don't," She said matter of factly, " You said you were not wanted. I realized that that wasn't true."

Draco's brain stopped working. Perhaps forever. He would have to signal to her that she needed to contact St. Mungos because he was hallucinating.

She didn't notice, but just continued saying completely outrageous things, " I realized that history, not actual distaste, was what was holding me back from what I want."

" W-What is that?" Draco knew he sounded completely stupid, but the witty repartee part of his brain was the first that had stopped working. Along with the part that processed new (insane, impossible, couldn't be happening) information.

At this she blushed slightly, but continued in her same factual tone, " I want to get whatever it is between us out of my system. And from what you said yesterday, I think you do too."

That was what finally got his mind started, " Are you saying you think we should…"

" I'm saying I would like to sleep with you Malfoy," She said simply.

" Are you alright in the head? I don't think you know what you're saying," He shook his head.

" I know exactly what I am saying. I've thought about it, and I've found that is something I want," She responded.

" To fuck me?" He exclaimed, " No, you haven't thought it through."

" I have."

" But… why?" He sputtered.

" Because I'm very attracted to you, and if I did not I suppose I would always sort of wonder. I wonder about it now," She said as though that was a completely normal and not earth shattering utterance, " And sense there's no way I'm going to forget who I am and who you are, so there's no chance of it getting in the way of my future relationships."

" You don't think your future husband would object to this?" Draco objected.

" He needn't know," She waved him off, " Besides, you're my 'soulmate.'" She said the last word with barely suppressed sarcasm.

Draco could do nothing but stare. She looked and acted like Hermione Granger, but it wasn't out of the realm of possibilities that someone was playing a trick on him.

" And so you want to fuck me? I'm sorry, Granger, but I just don't believe you," He responded, peering at her closely, " Weasley? I know you had extra polyjuice potion. I don't know what you expected would happen but this is outlandish, even for you."

" I'm serious," Granger said blushing.

" Say something Grangerish then?" He challenged.

" I'm Hermione Granger, therefore everything I say is, by definition, Grangerish," She sighed exasperatedly. For some reason her frustration sent a jolt of heat to his already uncontrollable erection. Brilliant. He was attracted to people who were annoyed by him. That was going to work out wonderfully for his life plan.

" Well then… say what you want," He demanded.

" I already said so," She protested, " But you're being so suspicious is putting me right off the concept."

" Say it, Granger," He crossed his arms over his chest, " If you want it, you'll say it."

She took in a little breath and looked away. A little bubble of hope he hadn't known about burst in his chest.

And then she looked straight up at him, and stepped into his personal space, and it swelled again.

" I've decided I want to… fuck you, Malfoy," Her cheeks were stained red, possibly permanently, " I want to know what it would be like, and satisfy my curiosity."

" You are a naturally curious witch," He responded breathlessly.

" I am," She echoed, " What about you, Malfoy?"

He gave a strangled cough, but she didn't move a muscle.

" I am trying to think about my future," He said carefully, " And yours. I don't want to do something I would regret just because of some misplaced lust."

" You don't have to regret it. Just a short… interlude," Her voice was plain and sincere, so he shouldn't have been so intensely aroused by them, but he was. Of course he was.

" I still don't understand why," He resisted fiercely.

" Because my reaction yesterday was so powerful," She hesitated, " It surprised me."

" But that doesn't answer why!"

" I feel like we're talking in circles here, Malfoy," She stepped back to a more polite distance and he instantly wished that she hadn't, " You can choose to believe me or not. But I've laid my cards on the table. What about you?"

" I'm trying to be a good guy here," He protested desperately.

She shook her head, " Does it seem like I want a good guy right now? I might have to get married because of some idiotic law, and I feel… trapped. I want something exciting, and dangerous. Maybe even a little stupid."

He eyed her warily.

They were standing a courteous distance apart. To any outsider it might have looked like some light bickering, nothing out of the ordinary. People milled around them as though the sky had not just fallen down about their ears. An older woman dropped her spectacles, and picked them up and no one knew that Granger was propositioning him for sex.

" Just think about it, Malfoy. If you're interested, owl me," She was almost businesslike, giving him a civil nod, which for some reason was the most erotic thing he'd ever seen.

And then she walked swiftly into the elevator, leaving him in the lobby of the office of Marriage and Family completely aroused and totally perplexed.

Well, he thought ruefully, one point to Granger.