Chapter 23

That night

Hermione rested her back against the solid weight of her marble countertop while Ginny stepped a pot of mint tea.

" Thanks for coming, Gin, I hope I didn't disturb your evening too much," Hermione worried.

" No, I'm do for a girl's night anyway. Harry will be fine with the baby for a few hours," Ginny grinned toothily, " And anyway, I have to wait with you til Malfoy replies."

" He might not," Hermione protested weakly.

" If he said what you said he said, I'm sure he will. He might even want to meet up tonight," Ginny winked, " If so, just let me know and I'll get home to my boring married life."

" But he didn't seem too keen when I asked him," Hermione bit her lip.

" Did he seem confused?"

" Yes," Hermione crossed her hands over her chest, rubbing her arm nervously.

" Then at least he hasn't dismissed it," Ginny said with finality, " Now, what's for tonight?"

Hermione smiled. Since she had moved to muggle London, she'd been able to bring some comforts from home back, including but not limited to, the television. She found that if she kept magical objects far enough away from it and didn't go overboard with her spell work in the living room it worked decently enough. She wasn't a big television fan, but it was comforting in times of stress, especially today. And ever since she'd had a no-wands movie screening for her friends, Ginny and Ron were always dying to come over and watch movies.

" A classic, Pride and Prejudice," Hermione smiled.

Ginny set her wand on the counter and bounded into the living room with her tea, " What's it about?"

Hermione followed, " I don't want to spoil it if you haven't read the book."

Ginny pouted, " Just a hint?"

" Well… it's about a young woman named Elizabeth Bennet," Hermione tried to boil the story down while placing the DVD in the machine, " Who had five sisters, and they must marry well because their family… oh just watch it."

Just as the menu began to load, there was a scratch on the window. Hermione froze.

" Aren't you going to get it?" Ginny asked, wrapping her stocking feet in Hermione's cozy throw.

Hermione steeled herself, " Of course."

" Mind if I start the movie?" Ginny bit her lip nervously.

" No, not at all," Hermione pressed play, and, with gritted teeth, made her way back to the kitchen.

The owl this time was a plain brown barn owl, but it bore the same green ribbon, and had the same training. As soon as she removed the note, it flew away.

The parchment was, impossibly, longer than last time, and Malfoy's message was shorter.

What do you say to some ground rules, Granger?

-Malfoy

PS Would also be open to calling them " Rules for Granger, who cannot keep her hands off me."

A bubble of dred formed in her stomach despite the butterflies. She found a spare quill in her junk drawer and sat down at the kitchen table to reply.

Ground rules seem like a very practical idea. Go ahead.

-Granger

PS Watch your ego, Malfoy, it's very unattractive. If your head gets any bigger you won't be able to fit through the door to your mansion.

There, she was forthright and strong, just like she'd planned.

First, not too public. Would hardly be seemly to have this leaked to the gossip pages.

-Malfoy

PS The door to my mansion, among other things, is bigger than you might think.

She blushed bright red and furiously scribbled a reply.

Agreed.

Second, obviously we're free to break it off at any time, and no reason is necessary.

-Granger

PS Could you have possibly gone for a more obvious joke?

She realized that she'd forgotten her tea. She padded into the living room to retrieve it.

" How's it goin?" Ginny raised an eyebrow saucily.

Hermione's blush returned with a vengeance, " We're setting up ground rules."

" Ooh, fun! Remember though, keep it light, not like you're hiring an accountant," Ginny hinted, " Shouldn't be hard. I hear Malfoy's a bit of a jokester now."

" What?"

" Nothing," Ginny corrected, " And no full sex the first time."

" Why?"

" Because he won't come back, silly," Ginny said with an eye roll, " Is Mr. Darcy the hero? He's got such a broody look."

" Just like Harry?" Hermione joked.

Ginny laughed heartily, " I can't say I don't have a type. Now go back to your dirty letter, stop wasting time with old married ladies like me."

" Just forgot my tea," Hermione grabbed her favorite plain blue mug off the table and scurried back to the kitchen. She wasn't sure the level of levity required.

Malfoy had replied while she'd been gone.

How do you propose we go about meeting up? Your place, or mine, or a third location?

-Malfoy

PS My cock is just enormous, Granger. Massive. Unwieldy, even. And it has wards around it so no one can open it, and it swings both- Hang on, I'm thinking about the door again.

Hermione chuckled quietly before she remembered herself.

A third location seems more likely to attract attention. Why don't we alternate homes?

-Granger

PS That was actually funny, well done.

The reply came back almost instantly.

Agreed, extremely practical solution. I vote your place first.

-Malfoy

PS I like it better when you scold me than congratulate me, Granger.

Did he mean he wanted to meet up now? Hermione had never had a one night stand, let alone a booty call. Of course now that she had one it was someone she wanted to give a good kick in the shin.

Third, meeting places shall be alternated between homes.

Forth, this is only sex, not dating. A little obvious but it had to be said.

-Granger

PS Well then do something to make me scold you.

Hermione's ears burned. Her cheeks burned. Actually it felt as though her whole body was on fire. If he wanted to come over should she let him? Of course, she'd have to wait for Ginny to be gone. She glanced down at herself. No, she wasn't dressed properly or ready for any of that sort of thing. She was in her embarrassing polka dotted pjs and a ratty robe.

The worst part of all of this was that it was just humiliating. Humiliating that she had to worry over her clothes, humiliating that it was Malfoy she was worrying for. As if he really cared. She was just a warm body to him, while she had to scheme to lure him in.

Fifth, every time we're at my house, I get to fuck you from behind so I can watch that gorgeous ass of yours.

-Malfoy

PS. How was that?

Hermione bit her lip hard.

Sixth, if one of us would like to meet, they should contact the other with a reasonable advance of time.

-Granger

She wrote simply, waiting on the edge of her seat for a reply.

What, no scolding or comeback, Granger? I'm disappointed in you.

Seventh, You can never disappoint me again.

-Malfoy

She took a deep calming breath, and then wrote her reply.

I just thought nothing needed to be added to the fifth rule, because it was fine as is. And as for the seventh rule, that goes double for you. Goodnight Malfoy.

-Granger

She set her quill down and looked at the paper. Just when it seemed like he was never going to reply the last words appeared.

Tomorrow at 9, Granger. I won't disappoint you. Goodnight.

-Malfoy

The bubble of dread in her chest formed a solid mass of humiliated anxiety.

Because the most humiliating thing of all had to be that as much as it frightened her, the attraction was real. Hermione was brave enough to admit it. What she would do with it she had no earthly idea.