A/N: Shout out to my amazing beta, CindyBarnard, who encourages me and helps gives me confidence in my writing! Check out her work if you haven't yet.
Update on my doggie: he had an ultrasound that rules out any "bad" things. He will go in for a 24 hour glucose curve next Friday in order to change his insulin and get it regulated.
I really do appreciate each and every review, favorite and follow! They encourage me and make me very happy!
Reminder: Italics are for emphasis in a conversation, spells, magical items (like the Portum) and internal thoughts.
Shout out to Honoria Granger who caught my mistake in the last chapter - Hermione is no longer wearing footie PJs!
Chapter 14
Thinking it is Harry and Ginny at the door Hermione puts one hand on her hip and as she opens the door with the other, smirking she says, "Shouldn't you be snuggled up in bed somewhere instead of knocking on my..." The remainder of the thought dies on her lips when she sees Draco standing on her doorstep looking impeccable and deliciously handsome wearing a crisp white button-up shirt with dark green, almost black slacks that must have been tailored as they fit him perfectly. She catches herself before she slams the door on him in surprise. Of course, he would show up now that I look manky. She lets out a little huff, at once pleased and distressed. When she realizes she isn't wearing a bra, she quickly folds her arms over her chest.
Draco looks at her somewhat wide-eyed expression. He knows he is smiling and probably looks daft. She is absolutely adorable, with her hair wilder than ever and wearing pajamas that have some sort of abstract cat-like animal on them. He restrains himself from pulling her close and kissing her senseless, especially when he notices her expression has changed from shock to closed off, as she huffs and puts her arms around herself. This is not the reaction he was expecting, he tries to remain calm and not scowl at her behavior. Easy there Draco, she is your Amortentia, you are not hers. He takes a couple steadying breaths before he casually leans against her door-frame so she knows he isn't inviting himself into her home.
They just stare at each other for a few beats. She is waiting for him to make a snarky comment about her appearance. He is waiting for an invitation inside or at least a hello. When neither comes, Draco's chest constricts, what little hope his mother had given him is gone, he looks down and notices that even her dainty little feet, with her toenails painted a soft pink color, are beautiful to him.
Hermione notices his stormy grey eyes drop to the ground and suddenly realizes she is being extremely rude. Releasing the tight hold she has on herself, but not dropping her arms, she quickly debates what she should say, "Hi…" She squeaks, clearing her throat, she rocks a little on her heels then tries again, "Hi, Draco. Would you like to come in?" She opens the door all the way and shifts to the side so he can enter.
His eyes immediately meet hers and he gives her an imploring look that Hermione doesn't understand. He straightens his posture as he replies, "Yes, I would." She closes the door behind him and asks "would you like something to drink?"
"Yes, just some water please." She walks directly into the kitchen not looking at him. Draco is angry at himself for just popping in on Hermione. He should have known she would not want him to just show up at her flat. When he realizes he is pacing, he walks over to her fireplace and notices instead of marble, it is a beautiful stacked stone. He looks around and notices she has completely transformed the flat so that it now resembles a cozy cottage.
After she pours Draco a glass of water she accio's her robe and wraps it around her. She looks down at herself and wishes she had something nicer on, but knows if she changes now she will just draw attention to it. She shakes her head, takes a deep breath, and leaves the kitchen. She finds Draco standing by the fire taking in his surroundings. Unsure of his reaction to her changes she starts on an explanation about how she just couldn't see herself living in such posh surroundings; she walks him to every room showing him each little change she made in the flat. She fidgets as she talks, subconsciously playing with the frayed hem of her robe. Draco listens to her with interest, asking questions about certain items, learning more information about her with each room. Because of his conscientiousness, she begins feeling more and more comfortable with him, forgetting what she is wearing and begins to enjoy herself.
When they enter her bedroom he sees the Portum on her nightstand. He hasn't been able to tell if she was wearing the necklace but is glad to see the box in a prominent place next to her bed. He decides against asking her about it, not ready for her to know yet that it is from him.
When they return to the sitting room she takes a breath and is about to continue her rambling when he places a hand on her arm and says, "It is more beautiful now than it has ever been. You must have worked on it all day." She smiles, knowing he is being genuine.
"Well, Harry and Ginny helped me move, then Ginny helped with the transfiguration while Harry got lunch. Then they helped me unpack and organize. Actually, I assumed you were them when I opened the door." She stops and bites her bottom lip before continuing, "Well, it could only be them or you as you are the only ones that can apparate to my door."
This catches Draco by surprise and he smiles. I am one of three people she gave access to her security wards. Hermione notices his face light up and hers does as well. It makes her feel more comfortable, even content. Without conscious thought, she takes his hand and leads him to the sofa where they both sit.
Draco feels goosebumps break out at the touch of her soft skin on his roughened palm from his years of riding his broom and playing quidditch. It reminds him of that day by the lake at Hogwarts. He almost mentions it, but before he does she starts talking about her afternoon and meeting the concierge and about loving the magical qualities of the building and how silly she was to not realize that there would be as it is owned by a magical person. He decides he needs to tell her the truth about the owner since she has given him the perfect opening and to hold back any longer would make breaking the news to her even harder. When she finishes her story, he says, "If I tell you something will you promise not to hex me or hit me?"
She looks at him with concern, wondering what it is. I've been yammering on this whole time. He needed to tell me something that's why he is here, not to see me. What if he met someone in France? Would he tell me that? Why would it matter if he did? She nods, speaking softly "Is it about work?" Please be about work!
"No, it isn't." He is drawing circles on her hand trying to sooth her. He had felt her tense up immediately with his question. "Before I tell you, you have to promise not to hurt me. So, do you promise?" He is watching her closely. She nods. Good. "Let me finish before you say anything as well?" She furrows her brow but agrees "Okay," since he is giving her such a beseeching look.
Draco mentally prepares himself for a fight, still tracing circles on her hand, hoping it will keep her calm. "I own our building."
"WHAT?" She turns toward Draco with a disbelieving look on her face more aghast than angry. Hermione is shocked and a little upset, but also relieved it was not anything like she had just been thinking.
"Let me finish, and no violence, after all you have a mean right hook." He rubbed his jaw where she had hit him so long ago. "You promised." Draco gives her a big smile, but it doesn't meet his eyes. He is concerned about her reaction, but his playful reminder about her hitting him has made her try to listen and understand. "Before you get angry with me, I want you to know I had no plans to lease out this flat until you came by the office saying you had been looking. I am very picky about tenants. I know I can trust you and do. I am glad you love it here as I am now making money on the flat and it won't sit empty falling into disrepair. So no arguments or adjustments in the terms of the lease." He silences her with a look when she opens her mouth to argue.
Hermione rolls her eyes, not wanting to acquiesce so easily, but she does not want to appear unappreciative and does understand his reasons. Her pride stings somewhat at the thought of him helping her, but she would do the exact same thing for one of her friends if in the same situation. He can tell she is agreeing when he feels the tension in her body leave and the smile he gives her this time is genuine.
Then he notices a gleam in her eyes as she smirks and says, "Very well, but I have one condition of my own." She arches her eyebrow as if to challenge him."Go on." he replies. "You have to let me cook for you once a week." He happily agrees and gives her a smirk of his own. Anything, to spend more time with you.
She decides to change the subject and asks him about his trip to see his parents. He scoffs and gives her a shortened version, leaving out the ball and his trip to Australia as he doesn't want to get her hopes up about her parents.
Before he even realizes what he is saying, the frustration at that insolent Zacharias Smith comes pouring out of him. Hermione notices Draco's body tense and his old sneer appear as he speaks. She also realizes they are holding hands and even though she feels irritation coming off him in waves, his hold on her hand is tender, and his thumb is caressing her softly. "I would have been round much earlier tonight if not for that clerk." he spats with rancor. His voice becoming gruffer as he continues, "He asked me more questions regarding my trip to France than the Wizengamont did at trial. He kept me for over an hour then made a comment about the likes of me being an Auror when someone good like him was not." He scoffs. "It almost sent me over the edge. It is not my fault the dolt didn't pass Auror training." Draco finishes his tirade with his breathing ragged. He leans back against the sofa, closes his eyes and stretches out his legs, crossing them at the ankles as tries to regain control of himself. He focuses on the feel of Hermione's delicate hand in his as he allows the anger to leech from him.
Hermione turns on her sofa facing him and watches as the scowl fades from his face and the tension around his eyes and mouth relax. Her thumb now caresses his hand. As his anger abates, hers increases. "You should file a report against him with Shacklebolt. He can't get away with treating you like that." Draco shakes his head no and smiles at her fiery response. "And, why not?!" Her voice has grown louder. "He deserves it! The nerve of that, that, that…"
"Foul, loathsome, evil, little cockroach?" Draco responds and the right edge of his mouth turns up slightly in a half smile before opening one eye looking up at Hermione who is watching him closely. She is surprised at his response and although she opens her mouth to speak nothing comes out and she shuts it without saying a word. This makes Draco laugh, finally asking, "Have I rendered you speechless?"
"Well, that description does suit him." She huffs but finds Draco's laughter contagious and joins him. When it dies, he turns toward her so he can see her fully, her face is relaxed and the smile she gives him takes his breath away. Lifting his free hand, he tucks a wayward curl that has fallen into her eyes behind her ear. She sighs with contentment closing her eyes and leans into his hand as he cups her cheek. He sits up slowly mesmerized by everything about her, her beauty, her charm, her humor, her fierceness, especially since it was directed at someone who slighted him. He caresses her cheek with one hand and links their fingers together with the hand he still holds. All his senses are consumed by Hermione, except for taste. Anticipating her taste, he licks his lips and deeply inhales the intoxicating aroma of his Amortentia. He breathes out her name, "Hermione." She replies in a sort of hum, "Hmmmm?" Her eyes flicker open briefly meeting his then she glances at his mouth, moistens her lips, which removes the last of his control. His eyes fixed on her lips, he dips his head the last couple of inches between them, closing his eyes when their lips are about to touch. She quickly pulls back and he feels her jerk free from him. He opens his eyes and sees her backing away from him. He is bewildered as she stands there with her arms around herself like when he first got there, looking everywhere around the room but at him.
He stands and walks to her slowly, begging her in his head to talk to him, but he can't get the words out. He stops in front of her and manages to whisper, "Hermione." He reaches for her, but she jumps back right as he touches her hand. Her hand flies to her throat and she pulls her necklace out and moves the time turner pendant back and forth on the chain. She is looking down watching the movement and misses the helpless look on Draco's face.
Not looking up, she quickly mumbles, "Thanks for coming by tonight. The move really got to me. I'm really knackered and think I will turn in now."
Hearing her dismissal hurts worse than being crucioed. He murmurs a strained "Goodnight" a moment before he disapparates directly into his bedroom. He pulls out a vial of dreamless sleep, downing it as he sits on the edge of his bed.