Well, some Dramione smut in this chapter, which was suprisingly difficult to write. Hope it's not too cringy to read, would love to know what you think!
The walk home did indeed cool him off, as well as sobering him up. By the time he got back to the house he was cold, tired and feeling pretty miserable. His mind was swinging back and forth between assuring himself that he had done the right thing, and cursing himself for being an idiot and turning her down. It then occurred to him that although he hadn't actually told her he didn't want to sleep with her, she would probably interpret him disappearing from her house without so much as leaving a note as a rejection, and feel humiliated anyway. What a mess! How could an evening that went so well result in such a monumental failure? Not only had he not secured any kind of arrangement with her, he had possibly offended her meaning the friendship he had been worried about ruining was already ruined.
Luckily his mother had been in bed for hours when he finally reached his front door, and wearily climbed the stairs to bed. He thought he would lay awake agonising, but exhaustion overtook him the moment his head hit the pillow.
Draco awoke feeling shit. His tongue felt like sandpaper, and the light streaming through the curtains that he had forgotten to close was burning his eyes. He had no idea what time it was, but guessed it was pretty late with how bright it was outside. Moving slowly so as not to jar his head, he shrugged on his dressing gown and make his way downstairs. There was no sign of his mother in the kitchen so Draco made himself some breakfast, rather pleased he did not have to speak about last night just yet.
After he had eaten his bacon and eggs, he started to feel a bit better, and managed to get back upstairs and in the shower before he had to speak to his mother. Feeling much more human, he ventured downstairs again ready to face the inevitable inquisition.
"So darling, did you have a nice evening?" She had been lurking in the sitting room, and had obviously heard him on the stairs.
"Yeah, it was fine." He said airily, knowing that it wouldn't wash for one moment.
"What happened? Did you have a falling out?" said Narcissa, concerned.
"No. It's fine." He didn't want to talk to his mother about whether he should have slept with Hermione or not!
"Draco, you forget I have known you all your life, and you are not fine!"
"O.k." he resigned himself to the discussion. "I don't know if we have fallen out. The evening started off great, but we both had a bit to drink and it went downhill." There, that was a reasonable approximation of the truth.
"Oh." Narcissa seemed to think for a moment. "Well if you want to make it up with her I suggest you go back to see her today, apologise for whatever happened and try again. Maybe this time without drinking?"
Draco was about to roll his eyes at the suggestion, but then thought 'why not?' Why shouldn't he go round there and just take her to bed? If she meant what she said whilst drunk the previous night then it would work, and if she didn't then at this point he really didn't have anything to lose.
"Thank you mother, that actually helps!"
"No need to sound so surprised Draco! I know I'm ancient but I still know how women think!" she replied sardonically.
He looked over at the clock on the mantle; 11.30. Still a bit early to go charging over to Granger's house for an assignation. Maybe under cover of darkness would be better? Maybe he should take dinner with him? Head full of plans, he went back upstairs, although not before noticing Narcissa's complacent smile as she watched him leave the room.
It was quarter to seven when Draco reached Hermione's front door that evening. He had debated going earlier, but she may have gone out during the day, or more likely he thought, be feeling horribly hungover and really not want to see anyone. He knocked, waited, and then knocked again when there was no answer. Shit, thought Draco, either she isn't in, or she knows it's me and doesn't want to answer the door!
It took another minute or so for the door to be opened, revealing a dishevelled Hermione wearing spotty flannel pyjamas. Her hair was back to the usual riot of curls, and her face was devoid of make-up. This was the Hermione he knew, and as sexy as she had looked the previous night, this was the Hermione he preferred.
"Draco!" she gasped. "What are you doing here?!"
"I'm doing what I should have done last night." He replied, stepping across the threshold and capturing her lips in a gentle kiss. He had been planning this move the whole journey over.
She kissed him back, tentatively at first then more confidently when she realised he wasn't trying to do anything else.
"About last night…" she said, breaking away.
"Did you mean it?" he interrupted before she could apologise or brush it off.
Her cheeks began to colour as he waited for an answer. "Yes." She breathed.
Thank goodness! Thought Draco, if she had said no then this whole 'just turn up' thing would have been mortifying.
"Good." He said shortly before kissing her again. He slid a hand into her hair, liking how the strands curled around his fingers before springing back into spirals. He shrugged off his jacket and let it fall to the floor, then slipped off his shoes. Wrapping his arms around her, he deepened the kiss, feeling her go soft in his hold and clutching his biceps for support.
"Shall we go upstairs?" he breathed, and instead of replying she just took his hand and led him up the stairs.
He felt elated; this was really going to happen! She paused in the doorway of her bedroom and he thought she was going to say something but instead went over and sat on the bed. He felt a tendril of anxiety unfurl in his stomach; she was trusting him and he needed to make this good for her.
He set to kissing her again and they were soon both flushed and breathless. Deciding it was time to move things along, Draco slowly kissed his way down her throat to her collar bones then began to undo the buttons of her top, kissing each piece of flesh he uncovered. As he reached her breasts she mewled softly and her hands found his hair, pulling gently at the platinum strands. He laved at a nipple with his tongue, his erection growing with each sound she made and with every little tug of his hair. He paid the other nipple the same attention, then pulled back to look at her; she had allowed her head to drop back with her eyes closed and lips slightly parted, looking every bit as wanton as he had hoped she would be. He slid her top off her shoulders before finding her mouth again, his hands renewing the attention to her breasts.
He realised her hands had gone to his shirt buttons, and she made short work of getting it off. Taking this as a green light, he maneuvered them down onto the bed so they were lying on their sides naked chests pressed together. He slid his hand down her spine to her backside and pulled her hips against his, pressing his arousal against her.
Seemingly unable to help herself, she undulated against him, each movement testing his self-control as he was already desperate to be inside her. Feeling impatient, he tugged her pyjama bottoms down, revealing simple black cotton knickers. He stroked at her buttocks and thighs, pressing the soft flesh beneath his fingers. She really is perfect, thought Draco, slim but still with enough curves to feel feminine and soft.
He felt her fingers on his belt buckle and felt a jolt of excitement. He wanted, no needed, her to touch him. He quickly shoved his jeans down and off, unable to suppress his groan when her hands brushed his cock over his boxers. This seemed to encourage her as she began to stroke him slowly. He had been correct in his fantasies about this moment; she did touch him gently.
He traced the edge of her panties, feeling the dewy heat from within before pulling them aside and touching her sex for the first time. She was so hot and slick! He carefully teased her folds apart until he found her throbbing little clit and began to rub in slow circles.
"Draco," she breathed, and he felt a rush of wetness in his hand. They both continued to touch each other, until Draco decided really couldn't wait any more. Kneeling up, he peeled Hermione's knickers down her legs, ditched his boxers then just took a moment to look at her naked form spread out before him.
"You are so beautiful," he told her before leaning back down to kiss her once more. He pulled her knee up over his hip, positioning himself between her legs, then pushed forward to enter her slowly. His eyes slid closed as he penetrated her fully; she felt incredible! Savouring the feel of her for a couple of moments, he then glanced down to see her eyes squeezed tightly shut and brows knitted in discomfort.
Shit. "Am I hurting you?" he asked, cursing himself for being too impatient.
"No, it's not that…" she muttered. Then he remembered; she couldn't stand anyone on top of her. Draco quickly sat back on his heels, pulling her up with him to sit astride him. She squeaked in surprise and clutched his shoulders, her wide brown eyes finding his.
"Better?" he asked, pulling her tight against him with an arm across her back.
She smiled softly and he started to rock into her carefully. He wondered why he hadn't thought of this position before as it left him with free access to kiss her neck and pert little tits. She moaned softly as he ran his tongue along her collarbone and he increased his pace. Knowing he wasn't going to last much longer, he reached between them to strum her clit in time with his thrusts, determined to make her come before he did. It only took a minute or so before she was panting and crying out, finally reaching her climax and sagging against him as her inner walls clenched around his cock. That sent Draco over the edge, making him groan hoarsely into her neck as he came, and he was still rocking into her even as their breathing slowed and he felt the first wave of satisfied tiredness hit him.
She was limp in his arms, and he lowered her to the bed before stretching out beside her and tucking her into his side. He couldn't believe her good she had felt; maybe that was why other guys raved about virgins? Giving her a little squeeze, he placed a kiss against her hair. She rested her hand on his chest and returned the gesture with a kiss on his pec.
They lay curled around each other for a while, until gooseflesh peppered their limbs and the evening sun faded into darkness.
"We should get cleaned up." Said Draco breaking the silence. "Do you want to go first?"
"You use the bathroom," she replied. "I'll go to my parent's ensuite."
She got up from the bed, and Draco watched her naked form in the half-light as she hurried to find a dressing gown to cover up with. He smiled to himself, typical Granger, now she was shy! Feeling rather self-satisfied, he walked to the bathroom, snagging his boxers on the way past. It wasn't until he had finished washing the evidence of Granger's virginity off himself that he began to feel a little insecure. Ok, they had slept together, but there had been no talk of any kind of arrangement between them. Yes, the objective of getting her into bed had been achieved, but he wanted to be able to do that again, as many times as he liked! Resolved to have a discussion with her, he put his boxers on and padded back to the bedroom where she was waiting.
"Are you ok? I didn't hurt you?" he asked, knowing he hadn't been as slow or as careful as he had planned to be.
"I'm fine," she replied, "It was good." She was blushing furiously, and Draco was quite bemused that the usually loquacious witch had difficulty talking about this subject; he could have some fun with that!
"Good? Damn, I was trying for amazing. Ok Granger back into the bed, we'll have to go again!"
Hermione coloured further, "It was amaz… " She began to reassure him, then realised he was joking. "Shut up!" she said laughing.
"Too late Granger," he said, "I heard you say I was amazing! You can't take it back now!" He grinned cockily and she huffed at him.
"Sorry Granger, I couldn't resist, you blush so prettily." He took her hand and delicately kissed it, enjoying keeping her on the back foot. "Although I was not joking when I said to get back in the bed."
She blushed again, "Draco, I'm rather, um…"
"Not for that!" he interrupted, seeing her awkwardness. "I'm freezing and I want to hold you!" Even if he wanted to he doubted he could manage another performance so quickly, and of course she would be sore, even if she was too embarrassed to say it to him.
He crossed the room and got into her bed, pulling the flowery duvet over himself and breathing deep as her scent enveloped him. She quickly shrugged off her dressing gown and joined him, nestling into his side as before. He took a curl of her hair between his fingers and played with it, feeling more relaxed than he could remember. This felt right, he thought, being like this with Granger. Usually he wasn't big into cuddling after sex, he got bored quickly and wanted to be up and doing something else, but he was content to just lay holding Hermione. He took note of how her chestnut hair contrasted against his skin, how small her hand looked resting on his chest and then looked at the things around her room. She had a photo board above her desk with a picture of Potter and the Weasley's on it, making Draco smile to think about what the tiny people had just witnessed. She also had a couple of muggle photos of whom he could only imagine were her parents. The desk was strewn with books of course, but there was also another book on her bedside table next to him.
"What is this about?" he asked, gesturing to the muggle novel.
"Pride and Prejudice!" she said, like he should know what she was talking about. "You haven't heard of it?" At his head shake she continued. "It is one of my favourite books! Rather ironically, it is about an unpleasant, rich aristocrat who has a chance meeting with an intelligent, bookish young woman. They instantly dislike each other, but their paths keep crossing. Eventually they both realise that they were wrong about each other, and that the man isn't unpleasant at all he just doesn't know how to express himself well. Despite what society and their families think they end up very much in love and married!"
"Ha, ha. Come on Granger, what's it about?" maybe he shouldn't have teased her earlier as she seemed determined to pay him back.
"Seriously Draco, I'm not joking!" she said taking the book and handing it to him so he could read the back.
"This is your favourite book?!" he said, seeing that indeed she wasn't lying.
"It is a lovely, romantic story about how two people can be suited no matter their social class or fortune! It's also a warning of how you should not judge someone before you get to know them! The fact that I can image myself as Elizabeth and imagine meeting an intelligent, handsome and conveniently rich Mr Darcy has nothing to do with my love for the book."
"Sounds great…" said Draco, giving her a disbelieving look.
"Ok, then what's your favourite book?" she asked impatiently.
Draco thought for a moment, then realised that he couldn't think of a single book he had read that wasn't something to do with school or pureblood ideology. "I don't have one."
Hermione looked aghast, like she could not imagine such a thing. "What do you enjoy doing in your spare time then?"
It had been a long time since he had been questioned about stuff like this. "I loved to fly. I haven't flown since I was playing Quiddich at school. There is something that makes me feel wonderfully free when I'm on a broom!"
He looked over at her and saw her watching him with a smile. "What?" he asked.
"Nothing really. You just look so… I don't know, hopeful? Relaxed?" She shook her head slightly, and nestled closer to him. "Just ignore me, I'm rambling."
Draco lay silently, letting his mind drift. Maybe Granger was on to something, he did feel different. Relaxed, yes. Hopeful, maybe. Although hopeful for what he wasn't sure.
"Do you need to go home? Will your mum be worried?" she murmured, sounding rather sleepy.
"No. Mother will be pleased I'm spending the night with my girlfriend. She'll be fine." Draco just stopped himself from rolling his eyes; his mother was bound to make a big deal out of this.
"Is that what I am? Your girlfriend?" She seemed more alert all of a sudden and he was tempted to tease her a little but decided that he wanted it too much to mess around.
"You don't strike me as the one night stand type Granger, so I assumed that is what you would expect." He felt he had hedged his bets a little; if she were to reject him he could just shrug it off and keep his dignity intact.
"That wasn't particularly enlightening." She said, propping herself up on her elbow to look at him. "Do you want a relationship or not?"
Maybe he had hedged his bets a little too much. "Granger, I want a relationship with you. I have wanted you since I saw you at the yule ball four years ago, and god did it make me hate myself just a little bit!" Shit, now he had revealed far too much.
"Seriously?" she asked, "but you were utterly horrible to me. You hated me."
"Of course I was. I could never let anyone know that a Malfoy fancied a muggleborn. You were already beating me in all our classes, you were on the arm of an international quiddich player for merlin's sake! There was no way I could have suddenly started being nice to you after all that had gone before, you would never have believed that I was sincere. Not to mention I would have been shunned by the other slytherins and disowned by my father."
"Were you jealous?" she asked softly, seeming unsure as to whether she would get away with it.
"I have always been jealous." Said Draco. "I was told that I was better than practically everyone else purely by who I was born to, but people of inferior birth seemed to be more talented than I. Potter being lauded for all he did, being a better seeker than me. You, being the cleverest witch in our year although you had no idea magic even existed until your eleventh birthday. I was even jealous of Weasley for inspiring the loyalty of you both. Even with all the wealth and status of my family I still never felt good enough." He was spilling his guts now, pouring out his tainted soul in the hope she would still accept him.
"Good enough for what, though?" She asked him earnestly.
"I don't know. Good enough for my father, for my name. There was always this pressure to make them proud, to show I was worthy. That's what it was all for, what this was for." He exposed the ugly skull on his wrist.
She reached out and covered the mark with her hand. "You are not that person anymore Draco. You don't need to feel like that anymore."
"Granger…" he murmured, pulling her up to kiss her; she was too good to be true. He ran a hand down her side, tracing the curve of her waist and coming to rest on her hip. Feeling the first stirrings of arousal he knew he needed a distraction so began talking, asking her questions about herself and her muggle life. He found that she had always felt lonely and out of place in her muggle schools, and that Potty and Weasel had been her first real friends. She was close to her parents, and they were proud of her. She had learned to drive a muggle car last summer (an "intensive course" whatever that was.) They talked for hours, just relaxing against one another in the dark until the words came less frequently and they succumbed to sleep.
Draco woke disorientated and far too hot. It took him a couple of seconds to realise that last night had been real, and the warmth at his back was a naked Hermione Granger. He thought about all he had learned about Granger, and all he had revealed about himself, realising that he had never just sat and talked like that with anyone before, even people he had known for years.
His musings were abruptly halted when a slim arm crept around his waist, and a hand began to stroke down his stomach. Holy crap, she was awake and obviously wanted a repeat performance.
"Good morning," Draco drawled as her hand reached the waistband of his boxers.
"Good morning," she breathed, kissing a path from his ear to his throat, her hand resuming its downward trajectory. Just before she reached his already erect cock he turned to face her, surprising her with a kiss.
"Turn around," he whispered against her lips. She did so, and he ground his cock against the curve of her backside whilst his hands explored her front, noting each intake of breath so he could find the places with his lips later. He reached between her legs and slowly stroked, keeping his fingers light and teasing, until she was panting and writhing against him. He kept her on the edge for a couple of minutes before sheathing himself inside her in a long steady glide.
"Fuck Granger, you feel so good" Draco growled in her ear. He kept his pace slow, savouring the sensation of each stroke. He had never really enjoyed this position with Pansy, it was difficult to go as fast or as hard as he wanted, but with Granger this languid coupling was perfect.
When they were both finally sated, and their heartbeats returned to normal, they got up and showered. Separately, much to Draco's disappointment but Hermione seemed to have come over all shy again.
They were in the kitchen, Draco watching Hermione cooking them breakfast, when she suddenly dropped the spatula and turned to him in horror. "We didn't use any protection!"
Draco wondered what she was talking about; his wand had been there the whole time. Then he realised; he hadn't done the contraceptive spell!
"Shit, I totally forgot to do the spell. I'm sorry Hermione, I won't forget again." How could he have forgotten the one useful thing his father had told him about women?
"It's ok, I guess." She said, "I mean I didn't think about it either." She paused, and then looked at him. "Hang on, what spell?"
"You know 'impervia concepta'." He said, confused. How did she not know the spell?
"There is a contraceptive spell? Why have I never read this?" She seemed annoyed that her beloved books had let her down and Draco had to supress his smile.
"I've never seen it in a book either," he replied. "I think it is just something that your parents tell you. I guess your parents told you the muggle version?"
"Yes." She said with a smile. "My mum sat me down and we had a horrifically awkward talk about such things. Most of it I already knew from Magazines and hearing people talk at school."
"Don't the girls in your dorm talk about stuff like that?" he asked, thinking back to some of the subjects discussed in the boy's dorm late at night.
"Oh yes." She said airily. "I could tell you about the size of Dean Thomas's penis, or describe in minute detail Ron and Lavender's first time, but nothing as practical as how to not get pregnant!"
He laughed at her disgusted tone. "No, that's fine. I have more than enough horrifying images in my head without adding those as well!"
"Believe me, I agree!" She presented him with a plate of bacon and scrambled egg. "Anyway, I will need to go to the pharmacy today to get the morning after pill, but I shan't bother to get any condoms."
Thank god for that, thought Draco; he had seen what muggles used as contraception and had no interest in wearing one. "O.k." he replied, wondering if she hinting that he should leave by telling him she had things to do.
"We should probably get some revision done too." She sat down opposite him with her plate. "Do you want to stay here again tonight?" she seemed like she was giving him a chance to change his mind about what he has said last night about her being his girlfriend.
"Yes, of course I do." In fact he would quite happily take her back to bed as soon as he had finished his breakfast.
She smiled softly and quickly hid it behind a mouthful of bacon. "Ok, well whilst I'm in town do you want to go home and check in with your mum, get some stuff and books and come back for dinner?"
"Great." He said, "I'll come back about 5ish this evening."
They finished their breakfast, and after several lingering kisses on the doorstep, Draco made his way home feeling more content than he could remember.
