AN: Sorry for the late update. I am having technical difficulties receiving edits from my beta. These are unresolved, but I didn't want to keep you waiting any longer. I am posting without edits, so hopefully I have caught all of my errors. No promises though.
As always, thanks for reading and your reviews make my day. I own nothing but the plot bunny.
Enjoy!
Lost Souls of Nott Castle
Chapter 23 - Flying
Tuesday morning when Hermione woke, Draco was already gone. Her anxiety attack and subsequent extracurricular activities had left her exhausted. The sun was well in the sky when she rolled out of bed.
Sitting on her bedside table, she found a note.
" Remember, I've got you. -DM"
She smiled to herself. She was still smiling when she got in the shower a few minutes later. After she had dressed for the day, she sat down at her desk and opened the black leather bound book that rested on top.
The book, a journal, had been the second purchase she made with her pay from the bookstore. For the last several weeks she had been using it to record her journey. She wrote in it as though she was writing to her mother or a close friend. Even though she had neither.
It was an exercise she had taken up the previous summer. As they hid from snatchers and hunted horcruxes, she wrote to her mother to tell her of their adventures. Just in case she was ever able to reverse the memory charm. In case her mother was ever curious about what her daughter had been up to after they had gone to Australia.
And Ginny had taken it. Burned it.
A flare of anger and melancholy swept through her. She brushed them off quickly with a deep, cleansing breath and turned to the first blank page. Her last entry had been about casting the charm to make Nott Castle unplottable.
She took another deep breath and started writing. She described her duel with Draco and how she had lost. She talked about the warning from Ron. Her panic attack, and Draco just being there for her. The way he had made her feel after, desired and cherished. The note he had left for her. She wrote, and she wished she could talk to her mother in person rather than in a book that she would never have a chance to read.
When she was finished, she went downstairs for a very late breakfast, then joined Theo and Blaise to study for their arithmancy NEWT.
The rest of the week went quickly. Studying during the day with Theo and Blaise, then in the evening with Draco. Spending the nights wrapped in his arms either in her bed or his.
Before they knew it, the weekend was there. They had all decided not to study over the weekend. They were as ready for their exams as they were going to be. Instead on Saturday, the guys spent the day flying.
Hermione watched for a little while. She was getting restless, though. Sitting around doing nothing was not exactly her forte. It was a beautiful day out, though. Sunshine, a warm breeze and not a cloud in the sky. After lunch, she rummaged through Anna's closet until she found what she was looking for - a bathing suit. It was a one piece, modest cut that was simple in design.
She tried it on and admired her reflection in the mirror. The emerald green suit brought out the green specks in her eyes. The modest cut hid most of her scars, while still flattering her figure.
She collected the Advanced Concealment Charms Volume I and made her way to the roof. Then she lay on one of the lounge chairs and soaked up the sun. She watched the boys. She read. And she forced herself to relax, if only for a few minutes at a time.
Hours passed before Draco, Blaise and Theo called it a day. Draco took a quick shower before joining her on the roof. She was surprised to see that he was wearing swim trunks.
"You know there is a perfect lake right over there for swimming." He held his hand out to her. "Come on, Princess. Let me take you flying."
"What does flying have to do with swimming?" She asked, even though she knew the answer.
"Only way to get there from here." He smirked at her.
She swallowed, then put her hand out holding it just above his.
"Absolutely no dives, spins or falls," she told him.
"Don't worry, Granger. I've got you."
That was becoming her favorite phrase. She smiled, took a shaky breath, then put her hand in his. Her nerves were ramped up, but as soon as his hand wrapped around hers, a sense of calm slipped over her.
She sat in front of him on the broom. He put his arms around her, cocooning her against his chest. He lifted off slowly and talked to her as they flew.
He traversed the perimeter of the grounds. It was the first time she had seen it, other than the view from the castle. He was on his second pass when she realized what he was doing. He was showing her the wards, showing her that no one could attack them.
She turned her head back towards him and gave him a quick kiss.
"I love you." She told him.
"See. I've got you." He whispered in her ear. Then he sped up, taking off across the yard.
She forced a deep breath or two, then closed her eyes and let the wind blow through her hair. Soon she found herself enjoying the feeling.
Draco kept his word and did not try any of his seeker stunts. He looped around the grounds, pointing out landmarks like the waterfall at one end of the lake, and the natural cliffs that made up the easternmost border of the grounds.
She found herself leaning into him, relaxing even as they flew through the sky.
Eventually he set down near the waterfall and she gladly stretched her muscles.
The waterfall emptied into a pool of crystal clear water that was separated from the larger lake by a row of large boulders.
"Care for a swim?" He asked. He had already started taking off his shirt.
"Wasn't that the whole point?" She laughed at him as she slipped the shorts she was wearing over her hips.
He jumped in the water first and she dove in after him.
The water was warm and clear. It slid easily through her fingers as she chased him across the pool. In the center, it was deep. Along the edges, it was shallow enough that she could stand on the bottom and the water came up just past her waist.
They swam across the pool and back. They splashed and laughed and played. They took turns diving to the bottom. She couldn't remember the last time she had had so much fun.
She laughed and retreated as he splashed water towards her. He cornered her against one of the boulders, placing his hands on either side of her.
The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in bright red and orange.
She put her arms around his neck and stared into his eyes for a long moment. She was still smiling, but that one look changed the mood between them from fun and playful to pure desire.
She pulled him in for a kiss that quickly turned into something more. She still couldn't get enough of him. He knew every inch of her, and yet his hands cupping her breasts still sent a thrill down her spine straight to her core. His tongue on her neck made her sigh in appreciation. His hard cock pressed against her made her moan in anticipation.
"I love that sound," he told her as he pressed against her again.
"I want you inside me, Draco." She wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him close.
He held on to her wrists, lifted them above her head and held them against the stone above her.
"Here?" He asked her.
"Merlin, yes." She arched her back, trying to get closer to him.
"It's a little slippery. I don't know if I can keep my footing." He kept her wrists pinned above her with one hand. With the other, he traced her breasts, running his fingers across her nipples, teasing her.
"Trust me, Malfoy," she breathed. "It's very slippery."
He groaned against her skin.
"You are going to be the death of me." He growled into her ear. Then he cupped her face with both hands, running his thumbs along her chin. Threading his hands into her hair at the nape of her neck. His eyes bore into hers, searching and finding everything he ever wanted hidden in those hazel depths. Love. Acceptance. Desire.
He brought her lips to his slowly, carefully. He cherished her as his tongue swept across hers, tasting her, drinking her in.
She pulled him closer, squeezing their bodies together. It still wasn't close enough.
The setting sun cast long shadows over the lake as they continued to cling to each other. She was completely lost to everything except the feel of his body against hers, his mouth, his hands. The gentle waves seemed to lap against them in rhythm with their heavy breaths.
Draco's hands spread across her back, searching until he found the hook that held her bathing suit in place. He stopped kissing her only long enough to step back and peel the suit from her body.
The sun had set completely behind the horizon and the waxing moon was taking its place, shining enough light on them that he could see her silhouette and glistening cream skin.
He tossed her suit towards the shore. His swim trunks followed soon after. Then her hands were on his chest, pushing him, guiding him towards the shore.
"Sit down." She told him breathily.
He followed her eyes to a small boulder that was just below the water line. He smirked into the darkness between them, but followed her direction with no complaint. He slipped his arm around her waist and sat, just as she had instructed, pulling her down on his lap in the process.
Her lips found his immediately, picking up exactly where they had left off only moments earlier. His hands on her skin, the gentle breeze caressing her damp body, the darkness that surrounded them, all added to the thrill of pleasure that was building inside of her even before she centered herself over top of him.
She untangled herself from his arms just long enough to straddle his lap. Her eyes met his as she slid down his cock slowly, impaling herself. Her head fell back as she moaned loudly, the sound echoing off of the rocks surrounding them.
"Fuck, Hermione!" Draco held her hips, lifted her up until his cock was almost free of her tight pussy, then dropped her back down, thrusting up to meet her halfway. Her moan was even louder that time, almost a scream.
"Again, Draco." He gladly obliged. With each thrust, her delicious sounds echoed around them, driving him.
"That's it, Princess," he growled. "Louder."
She kissed him hard, tangling her tongue with his, gripping on to him like a lifeline. She was already so close to falling over the edge. The next time he slammed into her, she took over, lifting herself up and dropping back down on him, rolling her hips as she began riding his cock. Slowly at first, then faster and deeper as she figured out exactly where she wanted him.
His groans echoed hers as she fucked him, their voices blending together to create a cacophony of moans surrounding them, encouraging them.
Her head fell backward and she screamed his name as her walls tightened and pulsed around him.
He took over again, lifting her up, guiding her hips to keep the rhythm even as she came undone around him. His tongue darted out to lick her nipple and she gasped. He latched on to her breast and she cried out, pulsing around his cock almost painfully. He sucked harder, his teeth grazing her flesh, as he continued rolling her hips.
"Oh God, Draco! Yes. Yes! YES!"
He slammed her down on his cock one final time as he came deep inside her. A second orgasm ripped through her body, coating him with her juices and leaving her boneless in his arms.
It took them several moments to catch their breath. He held her against him, her head on his chest, his arms wrapped around her.
"You okay?" He asked quietly. She nodded against him.
"More than okay," she whispered into his chest. "That was..."
"Incredible." He finished for her. "You are incredible."
"We are incredible." She sighed.
He tilted her chin up with his finger so he could look deep into her eyes.
"I love you, Hermione Granger."
She stared back at him for several heartbeats.
"I love you, Draco Malfoy."
They had said the words before, but this time felt different. It felt like more. More permanent. More of a promise. Just, more.
He kissed her gently, slowly, then she settled back against his chest.
It took every last drop of energy that she had to move away from him. He held her hands so she could stand on shaky legs.
They pulled themselves out of the water carefully and lay on a transfigured blanket under a nearby tree. The moon was the only light shining down on the water beside them. A gentle breeze continued to blow through the leaves. A bird could be heard singing nearby. Otherwise it was just him and her, and they were both in danger of falling asleep right there under the stars.
"Have you decided what you'll do after NEWT's? Career wise, I mean." Draco asked her after a long comfortable silence.
"There are so many choices," she said with a laugh. "Working on that unplottable charm sealed it for me, though. I'm going to follow Flitwick's advice and pursue a mastery in charms."
"After watching you work on that charm, then perform it, I would say that is a brilliant choice."
She smiled to herself, then rolled into her stomach and turned her head to face him.
"There was an offer in those letters that McGonnagal gave me from a company in London. A full paid apprenticeship, making three times what I was earning at the bookstore."
He rolled onto his side to face her. The smile on his face warmed her heart.
"That is brilliant. I completed the application for the potions guild and Master Abbott signed it. I already submitted it. As soon as I receive my scores, I'll know if they'll accept me."
"They would be crazy not to." She rolled again so that her back was against his chest. His arm draped over her waist and drew lazy patterns across her stomach.
"Do you still want to move out after NEWT's?" He asked her quietly.
She sighed. She knew she couldn't stay with Theo forever. He had told her until NEWT's. But she felt at home there, and Draco was there. She wasn't ready to leave.
"I don't want to think about that right now." She let her eyes drift shut. "I just want to be wherever you are."
She could feel herself dozing off as he continued to run his fingers over her bare flesh.
"If I were to move someplace else," he asked quietly, "would you come with me?"
Her eyes snapped open and she turned quickly to face him. Her eyes searched his.
"Are you asking me to move in with you?" She asked, just to be sure that she understood him correctly.
"Yes, I suppose I am. Not tomorrow, but in a few weeks, maybe a month or so."
"I think I would like that." She smiled, then leaned forward and kissed him.
"Me too," he told her, kissing her once again. "We should probably head back to the castle before we fall asleep out here."
She sighed. He was right. It had been such a perfect day, though, she didn't want to see it end.
Slowly they gathered their clothing and dressed, then he flew them back to the castle.
Later that evening, she lay in bed next to him. His arm was wrapped around her and she felt nothing but safe and loved. As she drifted off to sleep, she thought of the time when she was alone. When she had no food and no money and nowhere to stay.
She remembered sleeping under a bridge with nothing to protect her, scared and alone.
She never wanted to be in that situation again. She also didn't want to forget that it had happened. By agreeing to move in with Draco, she may have put more than her heart at risk.
AN: So more gratuitous lemons in this chapter. You're welcome. Next chapter is NEWT's, and what I would classify as the end of the first part of the story. Still a long way to go yet!
Until next week - mezy