Chapter 17: She Is A Playful Child
"Turn away," insisted Hermione.
"But I'll see you eventually anyway."
"I don't care. Just turn away."
Draco smirked and swam away from Hermione. He paused at the far edge of the stream and stared at the fields beyond.
Nervously, Hermione undid the buttons and ties on the back of her dress and shrugged off the blue peasant's dress.
"Don't look!" she yelled when she saw him peeking. Draco laughed and turned round again.
"Ok, but I'm getting impatient. I'll count to ten...one, two…"
Hermione gathered her corseted underdress around her and dipped her toe into the stream. It was cold! A running stream clearly didn't manage to retain heat very well.
"three..four…"
She stepped into the stream up to her knees, getting used to the cold.
"five….ten!" Draco pushed off from the opposite side of the bank and dove towards Hermione. She shrieked as she felt him pull her into the water. The water was just as cold as she knew it would be.
"It's so COLD!"
"Swim a bit, you'll get used to it" Draco laughed as he pulled her by the waist into the centre where it was the deepest. It rose nearly up to her ribs. Hermione threw herself into the water and swam a few strokes. He was right, she did feel warmer already. And really, it was fantastic to get so cold on a hot summer's day! To think she had waited a whole month before getting enough courage to join Draco at swimming.
"This feels super!" she said, floating on her back and getting as wet as she possibly could.
"I told you so," said Draco, watching her appreciatively. God, she looks so tempting. Her underdress was pulled tightly around her top making her breasts very attractive.
"Stop staring at me!" Hermione sputtered, splashing upright again. She lowered herself in the water slightly so that only her head was above the water.
"The water's too clear to hide, you know" said Draco, moving towards her and putting his arms around her waist.
Trapped in corsets all day with unsatisfactory tin-tub baths in front of the fire, this was the most sensual experience she had had in all her time here. The water tingled coolly against her skin, reaching every warm part of her, making her feel so alive. Hermione felt all dizzy and dangerous. She didn't know what Draco wanted to do with her in that clear, cool water… but she knew she probably would like it.
Draco could feel her relaxing in his embrace. They let the stream swirl around them softly, just enjoying the calming sound of running water. Through the clear water, he could see her hands reach around his shoulders and pull him to her…
"You're amazing." he said huskily, as they finally broke their kiss. Hermione was drunk with excitement. To think what she was doing could have such an effect on Draco… No, they certainly never taught me this in Hogwarts, she thought mischievously. She smiled and lifted his hands from around her waist to her chest.
Draco was shocked –What was it she wanted of him? They had grown very close over the last month, losing their inhibitions with each other and kissing more and more passionately, but she had never been this encouraging before. He gently stroked her neck and shoulders, moving down to below her collar bone and the swell of her breasts.
Draco was so excited he was practically trembling. Gently, he moved his lips down to where his hands had been stroking. She made a soft sound and arched her back out of the water. He used his lips and teeth to gently suck and bite a trail from her neck to the swell of her breasts. He pressed his hips against her and heard her make a muffled sound of surprise.
"Do you know what you do to me, Hermione?" he growled, as he pulled her to him.
Her exposed shoulders gleamed with drops of water, wet from the stream. Draco placed a hand behind her head and bent her forward to him. They were so close he could feel her breath on his lips. Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and slung her legs over his hips. She pressed herself against his hard-on.
Sweet Merlin, I feel like I'm going to burst, Draco thought. He pulled them both back down into the water so only their heads were above it. Her hair hung in wet straggles about her face and he could see her cheeks were flushed. He was acutely aware of her breasts pushed up against his chest- at that moment, the only thing he wanted to do was to rip off that corset she was wearing.
Engagememt be damned. Bloodlines be damned. Still kissing her, he began to undo the stays at the back of her dress.
Hermione gasped as she felt the tight bind of the corset loosen around her and fall to her waist. Lifting her slightly, so she was half out of the water, Draco stared in delight at the sight before him. She was even lovelier in the flesh than in the nights of his tortured, unfulfilled fantasies back at Hogwarts.
Draco kissed the swell of each perfect breast tenderly. She groaned as she felt him take a hardened nipple into his mouth. He flicked his tongue against it gently and bit down very gently.
Draco felt his hard-on straining against his hose, and he was pleasantly surprised to feel Granger's hand's stroking him tentatively. He turned his attentions to her other nipple and teased it with his tongue.
Nothing could describe how Draco was feeling at the moment.
Sure, there had been girls back at Hogwarts. Pansy- giggling and scratching - a few times back in the Sixth. Sally-Anne Perks - whiny and submissive - in the Fifth. Even a few juniors now and then. But nothing like this.
He pulled her at her underdress, trying to slip it down her hips. But suddenly, he felt her hands stop him. She pulled back.
"No…Draco" she whispered. "I…I'm not ready."
What Draco wanted to do at that moment was to curse loudly. Instead, what came out was a strangled, "…why?..."
Hermione suddenly looked shy, quite different from the little seductress she had been a moment ago. "I…I've n-never…before."
"Seriously?" Draco was surprised. After going out with Viktor Krum for two years, one would have expected more of Granger.
She blushed. "It's true. I would like to, but I'm…not sure…sorry."
Draco felt his hard-on throb even more painfully. Damn. Think of cold water. Man, they were already in a stream full of cold water…
"That's all right" he said stiffly, helping her fasten her stays.
"I'm really sorry" she said, in a small voice.
"Hey, I said it's all right." he said, in a more normal voice. Oddly, with this new revelation he felt even more protective over her than before.
Silently, they made their way to the bank and sat on the grass. There was a light wind and the sun was beginning to set. Hermione drew closer to Draco and he put an arm around her. Part of the reason why she hadn't let herself go all the way was a tiny part of her mind wondering if Draco really took her seriously, or was she going to be just another notch on his belt?
"Draco," she murmured, "Have you ever?"
Draco knew what she was asking- she was afraid that she would be just another conquest for him. And no wonder- it was her first time, and with her sworn enemy for seven years, no less. He considered whether to lie to her- shit, his history didn't help his position much. But then again, what was the point anyway? Already, he was keeping the incident with the fay from her, he shouldn't keep anything else. "Yes"
He felt her tense.
"With Blaise?"
"No."
She relaxed slightly.
"Who?"
Draco felt embarrassed. He fudged his answer a little, "Some Sytherin girls…a few juniors…that's all."
"Draco Malfoy!" Hermione turned round in shock, "You didn't!"
"Oh come on, it's not like Scarhead and the Weasley Girl don't have a reputation either. Or how about that tart in Gryffindor…watshername…Lavender."
"Lav isn't a tart." Hermione said loyally. "She's just…romantic."
"Yeah well, so am I."
"No…you are a tart." she scolded. Hermione wasn't really angry with Draco. She had heard the rumours ages ago- they had started when Draco turned sixteen, and the girls in Hogwarts began to giggle whenever they passed him.
"You're different, you know, Hermione." Draco said. "I don't know how to make you believe me, if that's why you're worried."
She didn't say anything. So he had guessed that was what she had been so worried about?
She felt him stroking her bare arms as he nuzzled her neck.
"Just give me some time" she said.
"How about five centuries of it?"
Hermione buried her head in his shoulder. Draco pulled her down onto the soft grass and together, they watched the stars begin to appear. Their breathing settled into unison, and Hermione began to float away on that cloud of timelessness. She almost believed him, she really wanted to.
*********************************
They slipped through the shadows along the stream and toward the outer compound. Hermione's underclothes were still wet from her swim and she was eager to get back and change into her warm nightgown. She would lay her dress out in front of her fireplace, and by the next morning, it would be dry.
She had stayed much later with Draco than she intended. They had nearly fallen asleep by the stream and it had grown dark before they knew what was happening. They rounded the final curve of the stream.
"Ssshh" Draco hissed at her side. The two of them stood stock still.
Something was wrong.
There were lights heading towards them from the manor compound.
"What's…"
"I don't know, but you'd better go…" Draco gave her hand a quick squeeze and let it go.
She nodded, feeling alarmed.
"Hermione?" she heard a man shout. Draco was already hurrying away. A beam of light fell on her and she shielded her eyes.
"Hermione!" the man's voice was shocked and angry. "Who was that and what are you doing in those clothes?"
Hermione felt light-headed with guilt and fear.
"F-father…I can explain."
Other lights came onto the scene and all around her, men emerged with lamps. Hermione was acutely aware that her clothes were dripping wet and she didn't know if it was because of that or of fear that she began to shiver.
"M'Lord…Have you found her?" came a familiar voice. It was Audley. Fanhope arrived on the scene with about six under-servants. The place was completely lit by the glow of lamps now and Hermione was in the centre of it all.
"I can explain" she said, her heart pounding.
Lord Granger looked so angry she thought he would have a heart attack. He turned to one of the under servants and whispered something. The man nodded and together with another man, they hurried down the stream in the direction where Draco had gone. Hermione knew that her father had glimpsed Draco and was sending men to look for him.
"Please…father…" she tried again.
"HOW DARE YOU" Lord Granger shouted and she flinched. "Look at your clothes, your hair, what the deuce were you doing? And why are you so wet?" he said, noticing wet stains appearing on her outer dress. He marched forward and grabbed her arm roughly, she cried out in pain.
"Please, m'lord" said Fanhope.
"Silence!" Lord Granger snapped at his bailiff. Fanhope and Audley stepped back, exchanging nervous glances.
Lord Granger seemed to have lost his senses. He began to shake Hermione's arm violently, "WHAT THE DEUCE HAVE YOU BEEN DOING? WHAT THE DEUCE HAVE YOU BEEN DOING? TALK! HAVE YOU LOST YOUR TONGUE? TALK!"
"I…was…s-swimming…in the stream" Hermione gasped. Lord Granger was still shaking her roughly.
"WHO WAS WITH YOU? WHY IN GOD'S NAME ARE YOU DRESSED LIKE A SERVANT?"
"No…one… was… with me…"
Lord Granger gave Hermione a furious glare and flung her away from him.
"There was a lad with you…I saw him" he said, dangerously calmly. "You are lying to me. You shall return to the manor where your mother is half-sick with worry over your disappearance and we will continue this conversation there. And if you lie to me anymore, you will regret it."
Hermione's greatest fear then was not for herself but for Draco. What if the two under-servants found him? There was a rustle in the bushes and the two servants re-appeared. To her dismay, she saw that Draco was caught firmly between them. She felt her stomach bottom out.
"We found him, m'lord. He was hiding nearby watching everything."
The look on Lord Granger's face was hard to put into words. Murderous would have been an understatement. He clenched his fists.
"M'Lord…" Audley said nervously, "'Tis best we continue in the manor. Lady Hermione is wet and may catch cold."
Without a word, Lord Granger turned and stormed off into the manor. Hermione felt Fanhope gently take her arm and guide her along. She didn't even dare to look behind her to where Draco was being marched in by the two under-servants. This was not her real father. This was not her real life. So why did she feel so terrified of what might happen to them? In spite of herself, she felt tears spring to her eyes.
"Don't cry, m'lady" she heard Fanhope whisper in her ear. "This mess will be sorted out."
She felt grateful for the kind words and followed her father into the main hall of the manor.
"Gareth!" Lady Granger called out to her husband as soon as she saw him approaching. Mary, Hermione's nurse, was with her. "Have you found…" Her voice trailed off at the sight of the wet Hermione. Her eyes opened wider when she saw the blonde stablehand being led in by two servants. "Oh no. Oh no, Hermione!" Her mother sat down heavily in a chair as Mary soothed her.
"LEAVE US" Lord Granger shouted to the group of servants who had followed them in. The servants bowed and took off. Audley, Fanhope and Mary stood awkwardly with the family. "ALL OF YOU." Lord Granger rubbed his eyes and walked towards his wife. Audley, Fanhope and Mary left hurriedly.
There was a most uncomfortable silence in the room after they had gone. Hermione kept her eyes fixed on a knot of wood on the table. She couldn't see what Draco was doing by her side.
"Hermione, I am going to give you one chance to explain yourself," Lord Granger said quietly. "And if I find out you have been lying during this one chance, your punishment will be ten times worse than what I already have planned for you."
"Hermione, what have you done? Tell us the truth" her mother pleaded.
This is not my real father. This is not my real mother. This is not my life. And besides, I have done nothing wrong. Hermione repeated the phrases like a mantra inside her head.
"TALK!" she jumped.
"I…I…" she felt Draco shift slightly next to her. "He is my friend. We went swimming in the stream because it was so hot. That's all. I swear."
Her mother looked slightly mollified but her father tensed.
"That's all? That's all?"
"Gareth, you know she is a playful child…"
"Child?" her father spluttered. "Will you look at your child, woman? She has a full figure, she is ripe for the plucking- this is no child!" He glared at Hermione. "One last time…what happened?What were you doing with this boy?"
Hermione felt herself began to blush. She remembered the feel of Draco's lips on her skin. Don't blush. Don't blush. She commanded herself, but the more she tried to fight it, the hotter she felt her cheeks become.
"YOU SEE?" her father rounded on her mother, "You see her cheeks flame?"
Her mother turned white. "Oh Hermione, please tell us you didn't…"
"No! I didn't!"
"You were swimming in your underclothes with this boy?"
"Yes…"
"And you say nothing happened?"
"YES!"
"Please m'lord…" Draco spoke up, "I swear this lady's honour is intact."
"Your word counts for less than slop with me" Lord Granger said angrily. "And I did not give you permission to speak, servant." Hermione flinched at Lord Granger's insult.
"Gareth…"
"What?"
Lady Granger signaled to her husband to lower his head and she whispered something into his ear. Her father turned pale and muttered something back. Hermione took this chance to sneak a glance at Draco. He was not looking at her. His eyes were stormy and his jaw was clenched.
Draco felt worse than he had about the flogging. He couldn't even speak up for himself, or for someone he cared about. No, he was powerless. And he knew quite well that if Lord Granger wanted to, he could order his execution.
Lord Granger was shaking his head. Lady Granger was pleading with him now but he shook his head. Finally, she grasped his hand in her own but he flung it off. Her mother looked defeated.
Lord Granger turned to the unhappy pair before him.
"You will leave my estate immediately," he said to Draco. "If I ever see you again, I will kill you. Do you understand?"
Hermione caught her breath.
Draco looked furious. Lord Granger, who had been staring at him, involuntarily dropped his eyes. The blonde man looked like he was going to say something, but stopped himself.
"Are you mute as well as foolish!?"
"May I go now?" Draco said without emotion.
"Never let me see your face again. Never try to come near my daughter or my family."
Draco turned and walked towards the door. He showed no hurry or fear. He simply walked off.
"Wait!" he heard Hermione call out. "Please, father…"
He heard the sound of a slap ring out across hall. If there was anything he had learnt from Lucius, it was to pick one's battles wisely.
"Draco!"
He heard another slap ring out.
"Gareth!" he heard Lady Katherine shout.
Hermione would be all right on her own for now. She was the daughter of the family, they would not be too hard on her. If only she had the sense to play along with whatever they wanted…As for him, he knew the best thing to do was to escape and lie low for a while. In another ten minutes, he was in the outer compound and walking mechanically out of the iron gates.
Pausing to collect his thoughts, Draco stood still for a moment. Then he turned in the direction of the town.