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yourselfat19: I think Hermione did what she had to do to save his life

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Atramentum Relinquo

All the candles lit themselves as soon as they entered the bathroom. Hermione glanced sideways at Draco, who was removing his bathrobe by the sink, and he arched an eyebrow in her direction.

"After what we did last night, don't tell me you are embarrassed to take your clothes off," he murmured, approaching her and untying the knot of hers as he bent his head and brushed his lips against hers.

She looked away, hiding a blush, and Draco chuckled.

"I like everything about you, Granger," he whispered, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her until she couldn't breathe. "Don't hide from me."

Hermione took a deep breath and let her bathrobe fall to the floor. She stepped into the grey-walled shower and felt his body heat behind her.

She turned her head and looked into his eyes, biting the inside of her cheek. She had been thinking the same thing for hours and she was going to go mad if she didn't ask him.

"Did you lie to me?"

Draco took a step back and his eyes widened in panic.

"What?" he asked with a frown.

Hermione shook her head, averting her gaze to the floor.

"I really shouldn't care..."

A hand cupped her chin.

"Granger. Look at me."

She looked up, finding a pair of grey eyes locked on hers.

"When do you think I lied to you?"

Hermione swallowed.

"You said you were a virgin."

Draco nodded.

"I was," a small smile curved his lips and he took a step closer to her, wrapping his other arm around her waist and pulling her against his chest. "Not anymore."

"And how...?" she cleared her throat, trying to control her racing heart. "How did you know so much?"

She hated being so shy about such things but she couldn't help it.

His brow furrowed again. She needed to explain herself better.

"You knew where to touch and how to. It's like... like you've done it before," she added softly as the blush spread down to her neck.

Draco paled and cursed under his breath, gritting his teeth. Hermione felt a pang of a feeling that wasn't hers in her stomach.

"Are you embarrassed?" she asked in surprise.

He buried his face in her curls, breathing in deeply.

"I can't look at you while I say this."

She blinked, even more confused.

"What...?"

"Pansy has explained a lot of things to me these past few months," he interrupted, whispering the words in her ear. "She wanted to make sure that I... that you had a good memory of your first time. That we both did."

Hermione held her breath.

"What did she tell you?" she asked, brushing her fingertips over the highest part of his back, just where his wings appeared.

Draco shivered in her arms.

"Don't make me repeat her words, Granger," he asked roughly, hugging her tighter. "Hearing it once was enough."

She tried to contain herself but a laugh escaped her throat at the thought of Draco listening intently as his best friend talked about the female body.

"You talked about sex? You and Pansy?"

"Blaise was there too, though he was just listening," Draco muttered between his teeth.

She nodded, smiling at the idea of the two boys listening to everything Pansy had to say about women.

Draco clicked his tongue and his fingers squeezed her waist.

"Stop laughing."

"But it's very funny," she replied with a giggle.

He pulled away and rolled his eyes. Draco turned the tap and water began to pour down on them, crushing her curls against her forehead.

She smiled as Draco pushed them away from her face. Her gaze drifted down to his chest and she stared at the white scars on it.

Hermione examined one of them, tracing it with her forefinger and pausing when he tensed.

"I don't like them," Draco confessed quietly.

"I do," she said, tracing the longest one down his side. "They're part of you."

She heard him sigh as she placed her other hand on his chest, touching another scar.

"Hermione..."

His husky voice saying her name stirred something deep in her belly. His lips crashed against hers, pulling her down until they were both under the spray of water.

Draco fisted a hand in her curls, gently pulling back and lifting her chin higher. He deepened the kiss as he pressed her against the marble, slowly devouring her.

Hermione needed a few seconds to remember where she was once he broke the kiss.

"How are you feeling?"

She met his worried gaze as she opened her eyes and smiled.

"I'm okay," she murmured, leaving a caress on his back.

"Are you sure?"

She nodded and kissed him again. Her breath hitched as she felt something hard against her belly.

"We don't have to..." Draco mumbled, pulling away.

She clutched his neck tighter, preventing him from stepping back.

"But I want to."

A silver gleam appeared in his eyes as he heard her.

"Fuck," he hissed, attacking her lips again. "Me too."

He lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist, responding to his kisses with the same intensity. His left hand moved down her body, tracing her every curve and stopping at her core.

He drew circles on her most sensitive spot with his thumb and moved away from her lips, watching her reactions to his strokes.

Hermione threw her head back, gasping as a finger slipped inside her. She tried to touch him too, but the feel of his fingers moving inside her was too distracting.

She couldn't concentrate.

She stroked Draco and he moaned against her neck, shuddering with each movement of her hand.

Hermione opened her eyes as she heard a small thump. His silver wings had crashed against the glass as they came out of his back.

"Thank Merlin this shower is big," she commented, brushing the wet feathers with her fingers.

Draco shivered.

"We should go to the bed," he murmured, spreading kisses across her shoulder.

"No." Hermione buried her hand in his hair, waiting until he looked at her. "Here."

A growl echoed deep in his chest. Draco grabbed her thighs and gasped against her cheek.

"Like this?" he asked, grinding their hips together.

She nodded, holding her breath as he pushed a little more.

It hurt. It hurt more than the night before.

"Shit," he grunted, pausing and resting his forehead on her shoulder. "I knew this wasn't a good idea."

Draco turned off the shower and held her, walking out of the bathroom with her in his arms. He opened his mouth but Hermione covered it with her hand.

"Don't apologise," she said, kissing the curve of his neck. "It's not your fault."

He dropped onto the bed, rolling over until he was lying on top of her and smiling at her laughter. After several minutes of kisses and caresses Draco positioned himself between her legs, thrusting until their hips were joined and they both gasped.

"Better?" he asked, his gaze flicking between her eyes.

Hermione smiled against his lips, letting out a shaky breath.

"Much better."

Draco smiled back and kissed her again, groaning when she stroked his wings.

"We'll be doing whatever you want in a shower very soon, Hermione," he murmured, holding her hands at each side of her head and lacing their fingers. "And in my bathtub."

She stifled a moan as she felt him deeper than ever.

"But first we have many beds to try," Draco added, almost breathless.

Every movement, every sound that escaped his throat was incredible. Hermione gripped his shoulders tightly, rolling her hips in rhythm with his.

"This feels good."

Draco nodded with a grunt.

"Too good."

It wasn't enough, she needed to feel him closer. Hermione used her elbows to prop herself up.

"I want..."

Draco grabbed her shoulders, pushing her back down.

"No," he said, curtly. "Pansy says your body needs to get used to this."

He thrust again and pushed even deeper. She clenched her teeth, closing her eyes against the wave of sensations sweeping through her body.

'Hermione... I can't...'

"It's okay," she whispered, stroking his cheek and kissing him. "You don't have to stop."

Draco shook his head.

"You first," his fingers trailed down between them and her heart skipped a beat. "You always first."

Feeling him inside her and receiving his soft strokes at the same time was too much. Hermione shuddered uncontrollably and Draco caught her lips between his, rolling his hips and kissing her as the spasms continued to run through her body.

After three more movements, he bit down hard on her lip, growling softly as his huge wings quivered around them.

Draco hid his face in her neck as they both caught their breath.

"Give me a few days," he whispered, leaning into one of his arms and kissing her forehead. "And I'll let you do whatever you want with me."

"Whatever I want?"

He nodded with an amused expression, dropping down beside her.

"What if I want to go back to your giant pool?" Hermione asked, raising her eyebrows.

Draco gave her a crooked grin.

"I didn't know you liked water so much."

She brushed a blond strand of hair away from his forehead and shrugged.

'He looks so handsome with his hair wet.'

His grin widened and she narrowed her eyes.

"Did you hear that?" she asked, pursing her lips.

His arms wrapped around her.

"I like you wet, too," Draco whispered in her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. "Get some sleep. We'll have to pack soon."

Hermione made a face and sighed, resting her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes.

Harry's shout echoed through the earth-coloured walls as they appeared in the fireplace at Grimmauld Place.

"You're back!"

He walked over to his friend with a smile, stopping a short distance away and giving Draco a sidelong glance.

"It's all right," Hermione assured him, taking a step closer and hugging him. "Draco doesn't feel pain anymore, right?" she asked, looking back at him.

He had his nose wrinkled and was watching them with his arms folded.

"That doesn't mean I like this."

The stairs creaked as someone came rushing down them.

"Hermione!"

She couldn't help but smile at the sight of her other best friend, throwing herself into his arms. Ron frowned, shooting a confused look at Draco.

He just shrugged, looking at them with a bored expression.

Ron returned Hermione's embrace, smiling and seeking her gaze.

"Look who's here," he added, stepping to the side and still smiling.

Hermione gasped as she saw the girl who had just come down the stairs.

"Padma!" she ran up to her, hugging her and turning to Ron. "So it's official now?"

Ron's ears turned red.

Across the room, Draco leaned over to Harry.

"What's official?" he asked in a low voice.

He raised an eyebrow, pointing at his friends with a jerk of his chin.

"She and Ron are dating."

Draco snorted, rolling his eyes.

"How did everything go in Italy?" Harry added in a whisper, taking another step towards him so the others wouldn't overhear the conversation.

Draco worked his jaw, avoiding his gaze.

"Fine."

"You're looking well," Harry commented, looking him up and down with a knowing smile.

Draco cleared his throat and a small blush spread across his cheeks.

"Thanks, Potter," he mumbled, glancing sideways at him. "For everything."

Harry patted his shoulder with a big smile.

"You're welcome, Draco."

They both looked back to where the others were and Hermione's laughter filled the room as she listened to some embarrassing details of Padma's first date with her friend.

Ron's blush worsened.

"I have some bad news," Harry said suddenly.

Draco turned to face him and narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"Tonight we're going to the Burrow for dinner," Harry announced, pressing his lips together to keep from smiling as he watched him turn pale. "Everyone."

Draco took a step back.

"I'm not going," he growled through his teeth.

"Your mother's there, Draco," Harry replied, cocking his head to the side. "And it's about time you bury the hatchet with the Weasleys, too."

Draco clenched and unclenched his fists, looking around for something to help him.

He found nothing. He let out a resigned sigh and leaned his back against the wall.

"I suppose if you and Granger can tolerate them... They won't be so bad."

"No, they're not," Harry confirmed. "And they love playing Quidditch in their back garden."

Draco ran his tongue over his teeth, trying to remember the last time he played Quidditch.

"Interesting."

Harry reached into one of his pockets and pulled out a small golden ball, showing it to Draco.

"It'll be just like old times," he added, putting the snitch back in his pocket.

Draco's lips curved upwards.

"I'll beat you this time, Potter."

"Did you read this morning's Prophet?" Padma commented aloud. "Viktor Krum has moved to England! They say he's bought a house in South London."

Draco's face darkened and he shot Harry a glare as he coughed to hide his laughter.

"He has joined the Montrose Magpies! Isn't that great?" Ron said enthusiastically.

"Wonderful," Draco muttered sarcastically.

Hermione looked at her red-haired friend with an arched eyebrow.

"Now you like Viktor again?"

"I never stopped liking him, I was just a bit jealous," Ron admitted, rubbing the back of his neck and shrugging. "Thankfully I'm not a fourteen-year-old anymore."

Padma nodded with a smirk on her face.

"We should go now," Ron added, glancing at his wristwatch. "Mum hates it when we're late."

He held Padma's hand and they both disappeared into the green flames. Harry grabbed a handful of Floo Powder and stopped by the fireplace.

"Are you coming?" he asked, looking back at them.

Hermione pulled two small rectangles out of her pocket, tapping them with her wand and making them return to their normal size.

"I want to put our suitcases in my room first."

Harry nodded.

"We'll wait for you there."

Hermione exchanged a glance with Draco once the roar of the flames had died down. He was still leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets.

She swallowed as she saw a glint of something dangerous in his eyes.

"Viktor is my friend, Draco. Nothing more."

Silence. The knot in her stomach loosened and his expression softened.

"Ron's nervous. His family is meeting Padma," she added, trying to change the subject.

She climbed the stairs to the second floor, hearing his footsteps behind her as he followed. She opened the door to her room and pointed her wand at the bed, setting the two suitcases on the mattress.

Hermione opened hers and pointed to her wardrobe. Her clothes levitated, tucking neatly into the drawers.

"I think I'm going to tell everyone tonight, too."

Draco turned his head to her sharply.

"Tell them what?"

She knew he'd been feeling her nerves for a while now, even if he hadn't said anything. Hermione gave him a sidelong glance and raised her left hand.

"About this," she added, pointing to the ring. She smiled as she saw Draco let out a sigh of relief. "Did you really think I'd tell them about what happened in Italy?"

He shook his head, moving closer and wrapping his arms around her shoulders.

"It's enough that Potter knows."

"Your friends know, too," she reminded him, lifting her chin to look him in the eye. "And your mother."

Draco made a face of disgust.

"Don't remind me."

Hermione smiled, blushing as he tangled his fingers in her hair, playing with her curls. Her gaze fell to her desk and her face lost its colour at the sight of the two books on the table, along with a parchment full of notes.

She took a step back and Draco furrowed his brow, staring at her as she approached the table.

"I forgot," Hermione muttered, clutching the parchment between her fingers.

She returned to the foot of the bed and pulled out her wand, pointing it at the mattress.

"Sit down, Draco."

He obeyed, though the confusion was evident on his face. Hermione sighed, flexed her free hand and placed it on his shoulder. She read the incantation one last time and laid the parchment on the bed.

"It might hurt a little."

She concentrated with all her might on her wand, which began to vibrate in her fingers. Hermione frowned and gripped it tighter, placing the tip on his neck.

Just above the rune tattoo.

He held his breath and his shoulders tensed.

Hermione waited a few seconds but Draco didn't move. He trusted her.

Holding back her emotions, she whispered the words she had found in one of the books in the Black Library.

"Atramentum relinquo."

The tip of her wand glowed and the black ink disappeared without a trace. Hermione felt a twinge of pain, though Draco's face showed nothing.

She stared down at the result and took a step back, lowering her wand. He brought a hand to his neck, rubbing the area where his Azkaban tattoo should be.

"What have you done?"

It should have left a mark, but his skin was as if there had never been a magical tattoo under it.

Hermione smiled and pulled his hand away, looking at the reddened skin closely.

"I told you I'd find a way to remove it."

Draco pursed his lips and raised his hand again. She grabbed his wrist.

"Don't touch it! You're irritating the skin."

He snorted in annoyance, opening his suitcase and placing it on his lap. He pulled out a small vial filled with the same reddish paste he had used on her the night she was attacked and squeezed a drop onto his finger, spreading it across his neck.

Hermione waited until his skin absorbed it, letting him look at his neck in the mirror.

"Let's go or we'll be late."

As he turned to her, a spark of emotion crossed his face.

Hermione didn't have time to react. Draco lunged at her and crushed her against the wall, placing his hands around her neck and kissing her deeply. A small flame began to burn inside her, spreading throughout her body as their tongues brushed against each other. She buried her hands in his hair and lost herself between his lips.

It was impossible to think clearly when he was kissing her like this.

Hermione broke the kiss, gasping for air, and pushed against his chest to put some distance between them.

"Draco!" she hissed, pushing harder when he tried to kiss her again. "We have to go."

He smirked, pressing their foreheads together and tucking a curl behind her ear.

"Thank you."

Hermione smiled up at him. She ran her fingers through his blond hair, combing it back until it was the same as before, and took his hand.

"Come on."