Chapter one

The music was soft, slow and sweet. The crowd around the dancefloor was murmuring and whispering at how in love the bride and groom looked. They had taken the centre of the dancefloor as their stage and were dancing slowly, in big circles. Her dress so big it flowed perfectly as she twirled. Her long mane of red hair bouncing and swishing along with her. Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley had never looked happier.

After a few minutes the band started playing a tune that was faster paced and more couples joined them on the dancefloor. Mr and Mrs Weasley for example. Luna and her date of which Hermione had forgotten the name. Ron and Nicolette, whose name she couldn't forget even if she tried. Nicolette was a distant cousin of Fleurs and equally beautiful.

Groaning softly Hermione took a sip from her wine. Her foot was dangling along the rhythm of the music. She hadn't brought a date, despite Harry and Ginny's reassurance that it would be fine. Merlin, even Ron had said he was okay with her bringing a date. As if she needed his permission.

But then again, he had Nicolette. Why would he care if she would bring anyone? He had the beautiful Veela-cousin, with silvery hair, sapphire blue eyes and rosy lips. He looked at her with a sparkle in his eye that had never been there when he was dating Hermione.

Not that she thought that dating him had been a mistake, but neither of them had been very happy in their relationship. She loved Ron, but she had long come to the realisation that he was like a brother to her, not a lover.

She took another sip from her wine, a long one, when someone started talking to her.

'All alone Granger?'

She whipped around, bushy hair flying and eyes disbelieving. Behind her, dressed in a tuxedo that fit to the tee, stood Draco Malfoy.

'What are you doing here?', she asked.

'Same as you, I guess', he said, and he joined her table. 'Wishing the happy couple well'.

She nodded. Somewhere in the back of her mind, which was rapidly being doused in wine, she remembered Harry telling her that Draco would also attend his wedding. The two worked together after all. And schoolboy grudges aside, Draco had turned out to be a very nice man as opposed to the nasty, mean boy he had been so many years ago. He was handsome as well, she noted. Not that that had anything to do with it.

'No date?', she asked, a little surprised.

He shook his head. 'No, I'm not seeing anyone right now. How about you? Why hasn't Weasley got his arms wrapped around you? Who is she?', and he jerked his head to the dancefloor.

The music had once again been made to a romantic love song and Ron was holding his date in his arms. They had eyes for only each other and the sappiness of it all had Hermione nauseated.

'That's Nicolette', she explained. 'Ron's…', she winced, 'girlfriend'.

Malfoy hid his grin behind his scotch. 'Don't tell me the golden couple broke up?'

Hermione looked at him, slightly surprised. Their relationship, and consequently their breakup, had been in all the magazines. But he didn't seem like the type to read Witch Weekly, so maybe he genuinely didn't know.

'We broke up a year ago', she said. 'About a year after the war ended. It just didn't work between us'.

Draco urged her to go on and, emboldened by the alcohol she had had, she did. 'We were okay, but we're better off as friends. I loved him like brother, and I like him as a friend, but we were not good at being in a relationship'.

She felt her rambling was embarrassing, but she kept going. Other than to Ginny, she never spoke about her relationship with Ron. And even Ginny was fed up about it sometimes.

'We drove each other mad. The littlest things would tic me off, and the same goes for him. He was working long hours as an auror, I was busy with schoolwork. The first year we only saw each other over the holidays and we just had…'. She trailed off, blushing furiously.

'Sex', Draco finished her sentence without so much as blinking. Hermione nodded.

'Was it even good?', he asked as a smirk crawled onto his face.

Hermione felt her face redden even more. She shrugged. 'He was my first and only, so…'.

'No means of comparing', Draco nodded. 'Well, I still would have guessed you would have a boyfriend of some sort. Someone you could go to weddings with'.

She shook her head. 'I've been too busy for boyfriends or anything really. Work is quite demanding and although I love it, it has left me with little time for dating, seriously or otherwise'.

Draco nodded again. He was quieter and friendlier than he seemed in their childhood, but he was still Draco Malfoy, she reminded herself. Best not to get too attached or reveal too much. Still, she felt a surge of compassion and warmth for the man sitting next to her, sipping his drink.

'How about you?', she turned the conversation around. 'I thought, after Hogwarts, it would be months until you would announce your engagement to Pansy'.

Draco choked on his last sip of scotch. Coughing slightly, he looked confused at Hermione. 'What do you mean?'

'Wasn't she your girlfriend back then?'

Draco shook his head slowly. 'I get that everybody thinks so, but no, we were never together'.

'That's not what she thought', muttered Hermione.

'Jealous Granger?', Draco murmured.

Hermione scoffed, not dignifying an answer. She turned instead to the dancefloor. It was packed with family, old classmates, work friends, Ginny's teammates, and people that were close to either the bride or the groom. They seemed to be having a lot of fun. Hermione sighed and went for a sip of wine, downing her glass instead.

'I need some more', she said, standing up. 'Can I get you one of those?'

Draco looked surprised. 'Hermione Granger getting me a drink? That would be a surprise. Wouldn't you rather I fetched some?'

Hermione shrugged. 'Now or never Malfoy'.

'Please', said Draco with a smile.

'A please from a Malfoy', retorted Hermione. 'Well I'll be damned'.

'Don't get used to it', he muttered darkly and there seemed a promise in his eyes that made her shudder.

She quickly walked to the bar and ordered herself some more wine and a scotch for Draco. Within minutes she returned, half expecting him to have left or to be engaged in conversation with some pretty girl. But he still sat at her table, watching the dancing crowd, waiting for her.

With a small smile she joined him. She half expected him to continue their conversation about their personal lives, but he started asking her questions about the people he saw. Who was who and who were they with?

Hermione happily filled him in on all the gossip and rumours she knew. Dean Thomas was dancing around with a girl Hermione quickly recognized as Elena Timmons, a Ravenclaw two years younger than he was.

She told him about the Weasley cousins, which he didn't seem to be able to tell apart. She told him about Bill and Fleur and their daughter, Percy and his girlfriend, and many more things.

He made her laugh with his witty remarks and sarcastic comments. It was after some time, and two more glasses of wine, that Hermione realized she was having a good time. In fact, she was having a wonderful time. And with Draco Malfoy for that matter. He seemed to guess what she was thinking of.

'Should I go?', he asked when he saw the comprehension dawn on her face that she was sitting at a wedding, enjoying drinks with her childhood enemy.

Hermione looked at him and shook her head, smiling. 'I just never expected this, you know. I never thought you would be capable of having a normal conversation. Let alone with me'.

Draco didn't blush, but his cheeks turned a slight shade of pink. 'I know', he said softly. 'I know I was a… a prat when we were in school. Those last few years, when I saw what…You-Know-Who was doing…I wanted to back out. My father was in his inner circle and therefore so was I. But I never really wanted… wanted to be a part of it. Being a Malfoy was power and respect enough. I didn't need to kill Muggles to make me feel superior, the title did that for me'.

His face darkened and his grasp on his glass got tighter. Hermione could see his knuckles turning white. She actually felt sorry for him.

'Ever since Hogwarts I have been trying to make a name for myself, a good name. To be someone who was respected and liked. People see just my last name though and they associate it with all things bad. They rarely see past it'.

Hermione put her hand on his arm. 'I see past it', she mumbled. 'Harry does too, or you wouldn't be here'.

He looked up at her and smiled. The band started playing a slow song again and all but the couples left the dancefloor to get drinks or enjoy the cool night air out in the gardens.

'Do you want to dance?', Draco asked Hermione suddenly.

'Me?'

'Yeah', Draco smiled at the thought. 'Let's dance. Please'.

'Another please from you. What has gotten into you?' Hermione asked, returning the smile.

'About seven glasses of scotch', Draco mumbled, and she laughed. His eyes sparkled when he heard her laugh. She had a very nice laugh indeed. Low and hoarse, kind of sexy.

She nodded. 'I'll dance with you'. And she got to her feet.

Quickly Draco followed her to the dancefloor and took her in his arms, pulling her close to his chest. She could smell his scent, warm and manly. He smelled of some expensive cologne and scotch. His heartbeat sounded in her ear, fast, faster than she would expect.

She glanced up towards him. He had his face buried in her hair, his hand low on her back. She felt safe and secure. With a big smile she closed her eyes and enjoyed the swaying movement of his body.

Draco had his eyes closed. His face was buried in her thick curls and he could smell a sweet scent coming from them. Strawberries, maybe, or raspberries. She was in his arms, this insufferable know-it-all, this old classmate. She was a woman now. A kind-hearted and nice woman. When she had said that she could see past his name, past his old behaviour, it had felt genuine. It wasn't like she had said she forgave him, but it felt so good to hear her say those words. And what's more, he believed her. He believed she saw past all that.

He felt her small frame pressed against his body. The soft material of her bridesmaids dress smooth under his hands. Her hair tickling his face somewhat. He sensed her breathing, low and calm. If he concentrated hard enough he could feel her bosom against his suit jacket. She was at peace, enjoying herself and he couldn't help but smile. There wasn't a place in the world he would rather be.

'Hermione', he said in a low rumble.

'Mmm?', she moaned softly to his chest, enjoying how sensual he could make her name sound.

'People are watching', he continued.

'Let them', she whispered, not wanting this dance to ever end.

She could feel him shrug as he pressed her closer to him and spun around. With a big smile on her face she held him tight.

But then the band started another song, a quicker one. Draco let go of her and looked her in the eye. She smiled and started to sway her hips in a most sensual way. Her gaze was inviting him to do the same. Draco felt lost; he wasn't a very good dancer when it came to "freestyle". Things like a waltz had been part of his upbringing. Dancing in a club or bar certainly wasn't.

Hermione seemed to have no problems with it. She swayed, moved and shook in rhythm with the beat. The band was playing very well and most of the songs he knew. He just never danced to any of them.

She took his hand and began swaying it and his arm. He looked at her, feeling awkward. She dared him with a little head gesture. "Come on", she seemed to say.

He took a deep breath, sighed loudly, and started moving his hips like she was doing. Hermione smiled broadly at him and twirled herself in his arms. She was much closer now, he could feel the skirt of her dress hit against his legs whenever she moved a bit too wild.

Her hair was sweeping from side to side and her arms were raised over her head. She seemed so free, so wild. Her eyes shone as she danced, like she didn't have a care in the world.

Suddenly she tripped, possibly over her own feet, but more likely over his. She flailed her arms about and he grabbed her before she could fall to the ground. Smiling brightly, she looked at him. He knew she was thanking him, but he couldn't hear. He was focussed on the soft flesh he held in his arms. He knew where his hands were and although he should let go, he couldn't. Not yet anyway. Hermione didn't seem in a hurry to get out of his grip either as she straightened up. The rapid breathing he could feel on his face as he held her told him that much.

Without thinking twice about it, he grasped her hand and practically dragged her out of the ballroom. She followed without complaint, except when she said they shouldn't be seen like this. He changed direction and went back to the table they had been sitting at.

'Please, follow me', he muttered as he grazed behind her. His hips pressing softly against her bum, his hand rubbing over her arm for a second or two.

She nodded and collected her things while he left in a hurry. Glancing around to see if anyone paid her any attention, she almost fled the ballroom of the grand hotel Harry and Ginny had practically rented out.

Draco was waiting for her at the bottom of the marble staircase. He was pacing and looked almost disbelievingly at her.

'You came', he whispered when she was near enough.

Hermione didn't answer. Now that she was here, she thought it might not have been her brightest idea.

Draco stepped closer, grabbed her, and while cupping her face with his hands, he kissed her. His lips were pressed against hers, one of his hands still on her cheek, the other buried in her hair.

She flung her arms around his neck and pressed her body against his.

They only let go when they heard someone yell. Although no one was in the hall at this moment, it wouldn't stay that way.

Draco still had his hand on her waist, inches from her bum. She could feel his thumb rubbing circles on her lower back and suddenly she became aware of how much she wanted this man.

'I have a room', she breathed.

He nodded and gestured that she should lead the way. Without so much as a second thought, Hermione went up the stairs. Draco was behind her, trying his best to look bored and annoyed at the fact that he was behind a former classmate he never got along with.

She could feel his eyes on her body however, almost burning her clothes off of her. His raspy breath and the pounding of his shoes on the marble were enough to make her heart flutter with excitement.

Her room was on the second floor, near the honeymoon suite. Owing no doubt to her status of being the maid-of-honour. It was a big, champagne coloured room with high windows and long drapes. In the middle of the room stood a massive two-person bed with a mountain of throw pillows and a golden bedspread.

Hermione opened the door, turned around to face Draco, and before she could speak, he embraced her again. He took her in his arms and kissed her passionately, running his hands up and down her back. She barely got the door closed as they stumbled inside, both unwilling to let go of each other.

He kissed her mouth, her cheeks, her jawline. He traced little hot kisses over her neck that made her shiver and moan.

She rummaged her hands through his hair and grasped it as his hand slid over her breast.

He eventually let go of her and started to undo the buttons on his vest and dress shirt. She followed his example and kicked off her shoes. The dress had a zipper she could not reach but she found that Draco was more than willing to slowly undo it for her.

The light blue dress fell to her feet and she stood naked before him. Because the material had been so soft, so thin, she hadn't bothered with underwear. A simple little charm was all it took for the dress not to reveal that, even though a spell against unwanted panty-lines was just as easy.

His eyes nearly popped out of his head when he saw that she was naked under her dress. This time he followed her example and undressed completely. She stepped towards him and pressed her body against his. She could feel how much he wanted her.

They stumbled to the bed, unwilling to let his lips part with hers. They fell on the sheets and his hands roamed over her body. She shivered and shuddered as he let his hands stroke her breasts, rolling her nipples between his thumb and forefinger. She moaned loudly and gasped for breath when he pinched her.

He let go of her and, looking down on her, he smiled.

'What is it?', she asked, breathy and smiling also.

'It took me four scotches to come and talk to you and three more to finally have the nerve to kiss you. I just want to enjoy the moment, remember this forever', he said with an uncannily soft look in his eyes.

She cupped his face and smiled widely. 'That was so sweet', she muttered, but she got distracted by Draco's hand exploring her body from the waist down.

He grinned wickedly. 'That's the last sweet words you'll get out of me Hermione', he said, and she noticed how sensual her name rolled off his lips again.

'Oh?'. She cocked her eyebrow.

'I don't plan on using my mouth for talking no more and neither should you'. He dove down on her again and started kissing her while his hand found her most sensitive place yet.

She moaned and trembled under him and when he finally entered her, she sighed of content and enjoyment. But he was right, she didn't speak another word all night save for his name, over and over again.