Chapter 18: Happy Birthday, Love Father
The first Saturday of March brought a Hogsmeade weekend. It also happened to fall on Draco's birthday. On the night before the Hogsmeade weekend, Hermione paced around the Gryffindor common room, contemplating different birthday gift ideas with Harry and Ron, who were less than helpful.
"How about some ferret food?" Ron piped. "I'm sure he'd love that." Hermione glared at Ron murderously.
"This is not a laughing matter, Ron." She collapsed into a chair and ran a hand over her face. "What do you get a boy who is spoiled rotten?"
"Nothing," Harry replied simply. Hermione looked at him quizzically.
"What?"
"Get him nothing. It's the only thing he doesn't have because he had everything." Hermione shook her head.
"Harry...I don't know about you sometimes." Hermione once again resumed her train of thought, racking her brain for any gift ideas at all. She still came up with nothing.
It had been about two weeks since Hermione had been let out of the infirmary, and still Draco and Hermione had not come out in the open about their relationship. Both Pansy and Nott had been transferred out almost immediately. Professor Dumbledore had explained that both were getting transferred to a different school upon the wishes of their parents. But between Head duties, studying for NEWTs and daily check-ups with Madam Pomfrey, they barely had time for each other. But Hermione did manage to talk to Draco about Lavender once which getting ready for their weekly Prefect meeting.
*FLASHBACK*
"Draco, I talked to Lavender today," Hermione began.
"About what?" he asked, disinterested.
"You," she replied simply. He turned to her, suddenly interested.
"Me? What about me?" he asked, suspicious.
"Nothing bad, love. Lavender was telling me a very interesting story about how you kissed her in the hallway." Draco frowned in disgust.
"I never did such a thing! When did I supposedly do this?"
"The day I woke up." Draco thought very hard, wondering what would have made Lavender create such a lie. Then he remembered.
"Oh...that. Yes, I kissed her." Hermione raised an eyebrow. "But only on the cheek!" he added hastily. He tucked a stray curl behind her ear. "I was just so happy that you weren't...you know. I guess I wasn't really paying attention to what I was doing." Hermione smiled.
"It's ok. I just wanted to make sure she was just blowing it all out of proportion...like she usually does. She made it sound like you two passionately made out." Draco laughed.
"That will never happen. Why would I make out with her if I could make out with you?" He raised his eyebrows suggestively and she slapped him on the arm. "Well, it's the truth.
"Well don't let her hear you say that. She really fancies you." She gave him a smug little smirk. Draco gave a repulsed shiver.
"Doesn't she know that I'm with you?" Hermione looked away as she shook her head. "You didn't tell her?"
"Well, Draco, she's my friend. I didn't have the heart to tell her that.
*END*
Hermione sighed deeply. She wondered when would they ever come out about their relationship. She trudged back to the Head dorms to find it empty. Draco had to do rounds that night. She sighed again, still without an idea for Draco's birthday present. She went to bed that night and fell into and uneasy sleep.
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The next day was Hogsmeade weekend. Draco woke that morning to Hermione coming in with breakfast. Draco smiled as she set down a tray heaping with food. He sat up in his bed and pulled her into his lap. She kissed him soundly on the lips as a good morning greeting.
"Good morning, birthday boy," she said cheerfully.
"Good morning to you too. Do I get my birthday present now?" Hermione shook her head.
"This is only part of it," she lied since she still had no clue as to what to get him. "Now, get ready so we can go to Hogsmeade." She started to pull on his arms to help him out of bed, but he pulled her into the bed with him instead and cuddled next to her.
"How about we stay in bed all day today?" Hermione tried not the give in to the sensation his warm breath on her neck was sending through her body and pushed him away.
"Draco, that no fun! Besides, you won't get your present if you don't go. Now, come on. Up!" She pushed him unceremoniously off the bed and he fell onto the floor, landing on his bum. She looked over the edge of the bed, laughing at the sight of him. He hair fell around her face like a curtain and Draco was struck dumb at the sight of her for a moment. Her beauty still managed to amaze him at times. He leaned up form his position of the floor to meet her lips. Both were soon caught up in that one kiss, that one had to wonder how such a simple thing could express so much emotion. Soon Draco regained his senses and pulled Hermione down with him. He laughed heartily as she slapped him on the arm.
"You can be such a tosser sometimes," she said with a pout. Draco kissed her sweetly on the nose.
"Only for you, love." He stood up and stretched then helped her up. "Would you liked the shower first this morning?"
"It's your birthday...you can go first." Draco then raised his eyebrows suggestively.
"How about we make this easier and go together?" he asked with a wink. Hermione tried to look sternly at him, but he caught the smile that was trying not to escape.
"No, Draco," she answered firmly. Even though her expression was breaking, Draco knew her answer was final. He shrugged.
"It was just a suggestion," he said innocently. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Yes, a very bad one. Now, hurry up and shower before I change my mind about being generous."
"Yes, ma'am," he said with a slight bow, and strode into the bathroom locking the doors behind him. Hermione sighed and threw herself onto his bed.
"I still don't know what to get Draco!" she said quietly to herself. She snuggled into the covers and inhaled his scent on the pillows and sheets with her eyes closed. Just then, an owl fluttered through the open window and landed right in front of her. She did not recognize the bird, but relieved it from its burden: a letter addressed to herself. She opened the letter, curious as to who could've sent it and was surprised to find that it was from Draco's mother! It was very professional and hastily written.
Dear Hermione,
I don't have much time, so I'll try to be brief. Draco had already informed me of your relationship and I can't tell you how happy I am that he had finally found someone, even if you are not of pure blood. He seems to love you very much and you sound like a very lovely girl. I'm glad that my son has been able to expel all of my husband's teachings from his mind and let himself fall in love.
Anyway, I'm sure my son had already told you that his birthday is today. Please make sure that he gets the box that I will be sending with a separate owl. It will have a letter attached as well. I trust that you'll make sure he gets both.
Lastly, before I go, I'll give you a gift idea. I know it must be hard to think of a good present for Draco, since it seems that his father and I bestow his with everything his heart desires. But the one thing we could not give him was what you have already shown...love. Just love my son with all your heart, as I'm sure you already do. It's not that I don't love my son. You must understand how hard it is to live with a man who believed that showing love is a sign of weakness. I must go now, Hermione, but please remember my words. And take care of my son.
Sincerely,
Narcissa Malfoy.
Hermione carefully folded the letter back up and thought about it. It seemed so simple...give Draco her love. Isn't that what she had been doing? So it seemed she'd be going with Harry's gift idea: she'd be giving him nothing. Nothing because Draco already had her love. In fact, he had her whole heart. She fell back onto the pillows and closed her eyes again, letting Draco's scent wash over her senses and lull her to sleep
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Draco came in, after his shower, towel drying his hair. He smirked as he saw Hermione curled up in his bed. He quietly walked over and just watched her sleep. She looked so beautiful and so peaceful. He brushed her cheek with the back of him hand and she stirred. She opened her eyes and was greeted with the sight of a shirtless Draco. She smiled and sat up.
"I bet Lavender would pay good money to wake up and see that every morning." Draco smirked.
"Yes, I'm sure she would. After all, who could resist me?" Hermione rolled her eyes and brushed past him to head towards the bathroom. He smirked to himself as he heard the sound of locks clicking. She knows I can simply unlock the doors with my wand, so why bother? he thought, picking up his wand from the bedside table. He made two steps towards the bathroom door before giving it a second thought and putting his wand back down. He sighed and sat on the bed, staring almost longingly at the bathroom door. He lay back on the bed and heard the crinkling of paper. He reached behind him and pulled out the letter to Hermione from his mother. He began to read it but was interrupted with another owl came in through the window. Draco immediately recognized it as his mother's owl and took the letter, which was clamped in its beak, and the parcel that was tied to its leg. He opened the parcel first to find a small black velvet box. He smiled at the contents of the box and hid it away in a drawer. Then he opened the letter carefully and read the short and unsigned letter.
Draco,
Your father found out! He's on his way right now!
Draco dropped the letter and grabbed his wand again. He knew that Lucius could be on the grounds right now! Sure enough, the sound of banging came from downstairs. It was Lucius banging on the doorframe. He quickly whispered the unlocking charm for the bathroom door then quietly went it.
"Hermione, turn off the shower!" Draco said, trying to keep his voice down, but still be heard over the roar of the water.
"Draco!" Hermione yelled. Draco bolted into the shower with her and put a hand over her mouth.
"Shh! He'll hear you," he whispered. He reached behind her and turned the water off so he could hear better. She moved his hand away so she could speak.
"What's going on?" she whispered, but the fear was still evident in her voice. Draco held her close, vaguely registering in his brain that they were both very naked and very wet.
"It's Lucius...he knows." Hermione gasped, and put a hand to her mouth. Draco finally regained his senses enough to realize the situation they found themselves in and blushed appropriately. He quietly stuck his head out of the shower to reach for Hermione's bathrobe and his towel, which fell off in the process of jumping into the shower. Both covered themselves up, blushing furiously all the while, then listened again. Lucius had somehow found a way into their common room and was now climbing up the stairs. Draco pushed Hermione behind his since she was unarmed and he gripped his wand tightly, ready to duel his father if necessary.
"Draco?" came Lucius' voice from Draco's room. Hermione gripped Draco's arms tightly in fear.
"Draco," came Lucius' voice again. "I know you're in here. I demand that you show your face this instant! You and your filthy Mudblood girlfriend." Hermione felt Draco tense in anger at Lucius' words. She wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, hoping to calm him down. He looked down at her and put his hand atop hers, squeezing it gently to let her know that he was grateful. She kissed him on the shoulder as if to tell him not to do anything rash.
The sound of rustling paper indicated that Lucius was reading the letters sent by Narcissa. After a few moments, Lucius let out an anguished cry and exited the room, mumbling about meddlesome wives. As soon as he heard the portrait door slam, Draco let out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding. He stepped out of the shower and sat down next to the tub. Hermione joined him and rested her head on his shoulder.
"What are we going to do now?" she asked. Draco sighed heavily and ran a hand through his damp hair.
"I don't know. I guess all we can do is sit here and wait until Dumbledore tells us it's safe to come out." Draco looked down at Hermione. She looked back at him sadly.
"I guess your birthday is ruined then." Draco shrugged.
"Oh, I don't know about that," he said, giving her a wicked grin. Hermione grew suspicious, but smiled back in spite of herself.
"What are you thinking, Mr. Malfoy?" she said with somewhat of a suspicious tone. Draco shrugged again and studies his cuticles.
"Oh, you know...about you," he said, pretending to be nonchalant. She narrowed her eyes.
"And...?" Draco finally looked back up, wicked grin still in place.
"Did you know that you have the cutest little mole right about your-" Hermione cut him off and her hand clapped over his mouth. His eyes danced with amusement as she couldn't help but smile too.
"Not a word," she warned. "Besides, you don't hear me saying anything about your *ahem* interesting tattoo." Draco's eyes widened.
"Not a word," he said, imitating Hermione. She held up a hand.
"Witch's honor." He smiled then helped her up off the floor.
"Come on. I'm tired of looking at his bathroom." He led her out through the door and down to the common room. As soon as they reached it, Dumbledore's head appeared in the fireplace. As soon as he saw the two of them, he immediately looked relieved.
"Oh good. He didn't find you. Draco, your father is terribly upset with you." Draco sat in a chair in front of the fireplace and Hermione perched herself on the arm of his chair.
"I know," Draco said with a sigh. "He was in here earlier, but he found Narcissa's letter warning us about him and assumed we left." Dumbledore nodded.
"Yes, he was in my office demanding to know where you both were. I say, it's lucky he didn't think to look in the shower." Draco and Hermione blushed furiously and shifted uncomfortably. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled merrily and mischievously.
"Anyway, I'm glad you are both safe, but unfortunately I am going to have to put you on house arrest and forbid you to go to Hogsmeade as it is not safe." The young couple nodded in understanding. "Well, I must dash. I promised to meet some of the professors for drinks at the Three Broomsticks. I'll come back and talk to you both later about this matter. Oh yes, Happy Birthday, Mr. Malfoy." Draco nodded his head towards the Headmaster.
"Thank you, Professor," Draco said before the Headmaster's head disappeared. He stood and made his way towards the stairs leading towards his bedroom.
"Where are you going?" Hermione called after him. Draco looked over his shoulder.
"As long as we're on house arrest, I should at least use the time to get some clothes on." Hermione thought he had a good point and went up to her own room to change. She simply threw on a pair of athletic shorts and a tank top and said a quick drying spell on her hair. When she finally came downstairs again, Draco was already there, sitting in front of the fire in just his boxers. He had a very hard look on his face and Hermione felt like she should just leave him alone for a while. He didn't even look up when she crossed the room to the bookcase and pulled down a book. She suppressed a sigh and lay back onto the sofa to read.
Draco finally broke away from his thoughts about his father as the sound of Hermione turning a page in her book reached his ears. He slowly turned and his eyes scanned over her whole body. He admired her long, creamy white legs, one flat on the sofa, the other bent at the knee, and her book propped up against it. He appreciated the small top as it raised a bit to expose her midriff. She shifted slightly and he caught a glimpse of the Dragon "tattoo." He smirked as a small wave of possessiveness washed over him. She was forever marked as his. His eyes finished their trip over Hermione's body and landed on her face. Those full, red lips that, on so many occasions, met his passionately. That same mouth that still lashed out at his every now and then. Her rosy cheeks with skin so smooth that he felt like brushing his hand over it at that moment, but held back. His eyes traveled to that elegant nose that, if you looked closely, was sprinkled with a few light freckles. That nose, which was always buried in a book (like now) and wrinkled whenever she laughed. Finally, his eyes looked into hers. Though she wasn't looked at him, those eyes still had an effect on him. Her eyes her mesmerizing...those golden orbs that held so much emotion...emotions he had never expressed or even felt before. Not until he started this relationship with her. He finally stood up and walked over to where she lay. He lifted her head and sat down so she could rest her head on his lap. She smiled, glad that he was paying attention to her again. She put her book down and looked up at him. He returned her smile and began to play with her silky, auburn curls. They sat in comfortable silence for a while, and then Hermione began to think about Lucius.
"Draco, what do you think your father will do?" she asked, but immediately wished she didn't. His expression grew hard again.
"Probably the same empty threats on my life," he said sarcastically. Hermione frowned.
"How can you be so sure that they're empty?" Draco shrugged.
"I'm his heir, Hermione. His only heir. He has too much pride in his bloodline and genealogy that he doesn't dare make an attempt to...extinguish me, as he would so put it. Sure, he beats me and all that, but not enough so that I could die or never heal or anything." He took a deep breath before continuing.
"But that's not what I'm worried about. It's you I'm worried about. While I was growing up, Lucius taught me that anything that will make me weak must be destroyed." He looked at Hermione with his eyes full of sorrow. "Showing any kind of emotion, especially love, is a sign of weakness. By Lucius' standards, you, Hermione, are one of my worst weaknesses." He smiled and helped her sit up so he could look straight into her eyes. He cupped her face into hands.
"You showed me love, Hermione. You showed me how to feel and helped me look past all that I've been taught." He sighed heavily and he looked away from her, lowering his hands. "But I can't let him hurt you. I wouldn't be able to live with myself knowing that you were harmed in anyway because of him." He looked back up into her eyes. "I love you, Hermione. And I swear that I'll never let any harm come to you." Hermione had begun to cry and Draco pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Draco, I'm so scared," she mumbled softly. "I don't want anything to happen to you either." Draco stroked her hair.
"I promised that you will never lose me, remember? Don't worry." He kissed her temple and continued to comfort her until her tears stopped and her breathing was somewhat normal. After a few moments of silence, Draco broke it by clearing his throat.
"So what do you want to do now, Ms. Granger?" he asked, twirling a strand of her hair around his finger. She snuggled into him and sighed.
"I don't know. What do you suggest?" she asked, her eyes shutting. A number of naughty ideas flashed across his mind. He smirked devilishly.
"Well," he began innocently. "These clothes you are wearing look much too tight. Do you need any help out of them?" Hermione's head shot up and she threw him a stern glare.
"Draco," she said in a warning tone. He flashed her a grin.
"Ok, ok. Just kidding." She smiled weakly and snuggled nest to him, resting her head on his chest. He sighed and went back to twirling her hair around. So he sensed that she had fallen asleep so he carefully positioned the both of them so that he lay on the couch with her head resting on his chest. He tried to go to sleep, but the feel of her hot breath on his bare chest distracted him more and more with every exhale.
"Damn it! Even in her sleep she knows exactly which buttons to push!" he said out loud. He felt her lips curl up into a smile and immediately he knew that she had been faking the whole time. He was about to say something, but froze when he felt her lips kissing his chest, making her way up towards his lips. She finally opened her eyes as she hovered just centimeters above his face. She smirked devilishly and he gave her a smirk back.
"Who knew that Gryffindors could be so naughty," he stated.
"Well, I figured that I could humor you this once since it's your birthday and all." She lowered her head and met his lips for a passionate kiss. His hand disappeared into her mass of auburn curls while the other cupped her face. Her hands had him pinned to the sofa; he was trapped...not that he minded. She moved so that she was straddling his stomach, her lips never leaving his. She let her hands rake through his platinum-blond locks. His hand left her hair and ran down her body. It rested at the small of her back and the other still cupped her face. With the hand that was at the small of her back, he used it to pull her closer to him. She didn't seem to mind and left his lips to nip at his ear. He involuntarily shivered as her tongue flicked across a terribly sensitive spot on his neck. He hand began to reach under her top and it was her turn to shiver as his cool hands came into contact with her skin. Then in one swift motion, Draco picked her up and carried her up the stairs towards his room, whispering "I love you" at least once into her ear. He silently thanked his father for making them go into house arrest.
And that's chapter 18 for you! I know, I know...they both seem a little OOC at one point, but that's why these things are called "fan fics." They're not SUPPOSED to be in character since this isn't the real thing. But someday, I hope that J.K. Rowling will see how brilliant these two would be together. Okie dokie...that's all for today! Later days!
The first Saturday of March brought a Hogsmeade weekend. It also happened to fall on Draco's birthday. On the night before the Hogsmeade weekend, Hermione paced around the Gryffindor common room, contemplating different birthday gift ideas with Harry and Ron, who were less than helpful.
"How about some ferret food?" Ron piped. "I'm sure he'd love that." Hermione glared at Ron murderously.
"This is not a laughing matter, Ron." She collapsed into a chair and ran a hand over her face. "What do you get a boy who is spoiled rotten?"
"Nothing," Harry replied simply. Hermione looked at him quizzically.
"What?"
"Get him nothing. It's the only thing he doesn't have because he had everything." Hermione shook her head.
"Harry...I don't know about you sometimes." Hermione once again resumed her train of thought, racking her brain for any gift ideas at all. She still came up with nothing.
It had been about two weeks since Hermione had been let out of the infirmary, and still Draco and Hermione had not come out in the open about their relationship. Both Pansy and Nott had been transferred out almost immediately. Professor Dumbledore had explained that both were getting transferred to a different school upon the wishes of their parents. But between Head duties, studying for NEWTs and daily check-ups with Madam Pomfrey, they barely had time for each other. But Hermione did manage to talk to Draco about Lavender once which getting ready for their weekly Prefect meeting.
*FLASHBACK*
"Draco, I talked to Lavender today," Hermione began.
"About what?" he asked, disinterested.
"You," she replied simply. He turned to her, suddenly interested.
"Me? What about me?" he asked, suspicious.
"Nothing bad, love. Lavender was telling me a very interesting story about how you kissed her in the hallway." Draco frowned in disgust.
"I never did such a thing! When did I supposedly do this?"
"The day I woke up." Draco thought very hard, wondering what would have made Lavender create such a lie. Then he remembered.
"Oh...that. Yes, I kissed her." Hermione raised an eyebrow. "But only on the cheek!" he added hastily. He tucked a stray curl behind her ear. "I was just so happy that you weren't...you know. I guess I wasn't really paying attention to what I was doing." Hermione smiled.
"It's ok. I just wanted to make sure she was just blowing it all out of proportion...like she usually does. She made it sound like you two passionately made out." Draco laughed.
"That will never happen. Why would I make out with her if I could make out with you?" He raised his eyebrows suggestively and she slapped him on the arm. "Well, it's the truth.
"Well don't let her hear you say that. She really fancies you." She gave him a smug little smirk. Draco gave a repulsed shiver.
"Doesn't she know that I'm with you?" Hermione looked away as she shook her head. "You didn't tell her?"
"Well, Draco, she's my friend. I didn't have the heart to tell her that.
*END*
Hermione sighed deeply. She wondered when would they ever come out about their relationship. She trudged back to the Head dorms to find it empty. Draco had to do rounds that night. She sighed again, still without an idea for Draco's birthday present. She went to bed that night and fell into and uneasy sleep.
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The next day was Hogsmeade weekend. Draco woke that morning to Hermione coming in with breakfast. Draco smiled as she set down a tray heaping with food. He sat up in his bed and pulled her into his lap. She kissed him soundly on the lips as a good morning greeting.
"Good morning, birthday boy," she said cheerfully.
"Good morning to you too. Do I get my birthday present now?" Hermione shook her head.
"This is only part of it," she lied since she still had no clue as to what to get him. "Now, get ready so we can go to Hogsmeade." She started to pull on his arms to help him out of bed, but he pulled her into the bed with him instead and cuddled next to her.
"How about we stay in bed all day today?" Hermione tried not the give in to the sensation his warm breath on her neck was sending through her body and pushed him away.
"Draco, that no fun! Besides, you won't get your present if you don't go. Now, come on. Up!" She pushed him unceremoniously off the bed and he fell onto the floor, landing on his bum. She looked over the edge of the bed, laughing at the sight of him. He hair fell around her face like a curtain and Draco was struck dumb at the sight of her for a moment. Her beauty still managed to amaze him at times. He leaned up form his position of the floor to meet her lips. Both were soon caught up in that one kiss, that one had to wonder how such a simple thing could express so much emotion. Soon Draco regained his senses and pulled Hermione down with him. He laughed heartily as she slapped him on the arm.
"You can be such a tosser sometimes," she said with a pout. Draco kissed her sweetly on the nose.
"Only for you, love." He stood up and stretched then helped her up. "Would you liked the shower first this morning?"
"It's your birthday...you can go first." Draco then raised his eyebrows suggestively.
"How about we make this easier and go together?" he asked with a wink. Hermione tried to look sternly at him, but he caught the smile that was trying not to escape.
"No, Draco," she answered firmly. Even though her expression was breaking, Draco knew her answer was final. He shrugged.
"It was just a suggestion," he said innocently. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Yes, a very bad one. Now, hurry up and shower before I change my mind about being generous."
"Yes, ma'am," he said with a slight bow, and strode into the bathroom locking the doors behind him. Hermione sighed and threw herself onto his bed.
"I still don't know what to get Draco!" she said quietly to herself. She snuggled into the covers and inhaled his scent on the pillows and sheets with her eyes closed. Just then, an owl fluttered through the open window and landed right in front of her. She did not recognize the bird, but relieved it from its burden: a letter addressed to herself. She opened the letter, curious as to who could've sent it and was surprised to find that it was from Draco's mother! It was very professional and hastily written.
Dear Hermione,
I don't have much time, so I'll try to be brief. Draco had already informed me of your relationship and I can't tell you how happy I am that he had finally found someone, even if you are not of pure blood. He seems to love you very much and you sound like a very lovely girl. I'm glad that my son has been able to expel all of my husband's teachings from his mind and let himself fall in love.
Anyway, I'm sure my son had already told you that his birthday is today. Please make sure that he gets the box that I will be sending with a separate owl. It will have a letter attached as well. I trust that you'll make sure he gets both.
Lastly, before I go, I'll give you a gift idea. I know it must be hard to think of a good present for Draco, since it seems that his father and I bestow his with everything his heart desires. But the one thing we could not give him was what you have already shown...love. Just love my son with all your heart, as I'm sure you already do. It's not that I don't love my son. You must understand how hard it is to live with a man who believed that showing love is a sign of weakness. I must go now, Hermione, but please remember my words. And take care of my son.
Sincerely,
Narcissa Malfoy.
Hermione carefully folded the letter back up and thought about it. It seemed so simple...give Draco her love. Isn't that what she had been doing? So it seemed she'd be going with Harry's gift idea: she'd be giving him nothing. Nothing because Draco already had her love. In fact, he had her whole heart. She fell back onto the pillows and closed her eyes again, letting Draco's scent wash over her senses and lull her to sleep
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Draco came in, after his shower, towel drying his hair. He smirked as he saw Hermione curled up in his bed. He quietly walked over and just watched her sleep. She looked so beautiful and so peaceful. He brushed her cheek with the back of him hand and she stirred. She opened her eyes and was greeted with the sight of a shirtless Draco. She smiled and sat up.
"I bet Lavender would pay good money to wake up and see that every morning." Draco smirked.
"Yes, I'm sure she would. After all, who could resist me?" Hermione rolled her eyes and brushed past him to head towards the bathroom. He smirked to himself as he heard the sound of locks clicking. She knows I can simply unlock the doors with my wand, so why bother? he thought, picking up his wand from the bedside table. He made two steps towards the bathroom door before giving it a second thought and putting his wand back down. He sighed and sat on the bed, staring almost longingly at the bathroom door. He lay back on the bed and heard the crinkling of paper. He reached behind him and pulled out the letter to Hermione from his mother. He began to read it but was interrupted with another owl came in through the window. Draco immediately recognized it as his mother's owl and took the letter, which was clamped in its beak, and the parcel that was tied to its leg. He opened the parcel first to find a small black velvet box. He smiled at the contents of the box and hid it away in a drawer. Then he opened the letter carefully and read the short and unsigned letter.
Draco,
Your father found out! He's on his way right now!
Draco dropped the letter and grabbed his wand again. He knew that Lucius could be on the grounds right now! Sure enough, the sound of banging came from downstairs. It was Lucius banging on the doorframe. He quickly whispered the unlocking charm for the bathroom door then quietly went it.
"Hermione, turn off the shower!" Draco said, trying to keep his voice down, but still be heard over the roar of the water.
"Draco!" Hermione yelled. Draco bolted into the shower with her and put a hand over her mouth.
"Shh! He'll hear you," he whispered. He reached behind her and turned the water off so he could hear better. She moved his hand away so she could speak.
"What's going on?" she whispered, but the fear was still evident in her voice. Draco held her close, vaguely registering in his brain that they were both very naked and very wet.
"It's Lucius...he knows." Hermione gasped, and put a hand to her mouth. Draco finally regained his senses enough to realize the situation they found themselves in and blushed appropriately. He quietly stuck his head out of the shower to reach for Hermione's bathrobe and his towel, which fell off in the process of jumping into the shower. Both covered themselves up, blushing furiously all the while, then listened again. Lucius had somehow found a way into their common room and was now climbing up the stairs. Draco pushed Hermione behind his since she was unarmed and he gripped his wand tightly, ready to duel his father if necessary.
"Draco?" came Lucius' voice from Draco's room. Hermione gripped Draco's arms tightly in fear.
"Draco," came Lucius' voice again. "I know you're in here. I demand that you show your face this instant! You and your filthy Mudblood girlfriend." Hermione felt Draco tense in anger at Lucius' words. She wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, hoping to calm him down. He looked down at her and put his hand atop hers, squeezing it gently to let her know that he was grateful. She kissed him on the shoulder as if to tell him not to do anything rash.
The sound of rustling paper indicated that Lucius was reading the letters sent by Narcissa. After a few moments, Lucius let out an anguished cry and exited the room, mumbling about meddlesome wives. As soon as he heard the portrait door slam, Draco let out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding. He stepped out of the shower and sat down next to the tub. Hermione joined him and rested her head on his shoulder.
"What are we going to do now?" she asked. Draco sighed heavily and ran a hand through his damp hair.
"I don't know. I guess all we can do is sit here and wait until Dumbledore tells us it's safe to come out." Draco looked down at Hermione. She looked back at him sadly.
"I guess your birthday is ruined then." Draco shrugged.
"Oh, I don't know about that," he said, giving her a wicked grin. Hermione grew suspicious, but smiled back in spite of herself.
"What are you thinking, Mr. Malfoy?" she said with somewhat of a suspicious tone. Draco shrugged again and studies his cuticles.
"Oh, you know...about you," he said, pretending to be nonchalant. She narrowed her eyes.
"And...?" Draco finally looked back up, wicked grin still in place.
"Did you know that you have the cutest little mole right about your-" Hermione cut him off and her hand clapped over his mouth. His eyes danced with amusement as she couldn't help but smile too.
"Not a word," she warned. "Besides, you don't hear me saying anything about your *ahem* interesting tattoo." Draco's eyes widened.
"Not a word," he said, imitating Hermione. She held up a hand.
"Witch's honor." He smiled then helped her up off the floor.
"Come on. I'm tired of looking at his bathroom." He led her out through the door and down to the common room. As soon as they reached it, Dumbledore's head appeared in the fireplace. As soon as he saw the two of them, he immediately looked relieved.
"Oh good. He didn't find you. Draco, your father is terribly upset with you." Draco sat in a chair in front of the fireplace and Hermione perched herself on the arm of his chair.
"I know," Draco said with a sigh. "He was in here earlier, but he found Narcissa's letter warning us about him and assumed we left." Dumbledore nodded.
"Yes, he was in my office demanding to know where you both were. I say, it's lucky he didn't think to look in the shower." Draco and Hermione blushed furiously and shifted uncomfortably. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled merrily and mischievously.
"Anyway, I'm glad you are both safe, but unfortunately I am going to have to put you on house arrest and forbid you to go to Hogsmeade as it is not safe." The young couple nodded in understanding. "Well, I must dash. I promised to meet some of the professors for drinks at the Three Broomsticks. I'll come back and talk to you both later about this matter. Oh yes, Happy Birthday, Mr. Malfoy." Draco nodded his head towards the Headmaster.
"Thank you, Professor," Draco said before the Headmaster's head disappeared. He stood and made his way towards the stairs leading towards his bedroom.
"Where are you going?" Hermione called after him. Draco looked over his shoulder.
"As long as we're on house arrest, I should at least use the time to get some clothes on." Hermione thought he had a good point and went up to her own room to change. She simply threw on a pair of athletic shorts and a tank top and said a quick drying spell on her hair. When she finally came downstairs again, Draco was already there, sitting in front of the fire in just his boxers. He had a very hard look on his face and Hermione felt like she should just leave him alone for a while. He didn't even look up when she crossed the room to the bookcase and pulled down a book. She suppressed a sigh and lay back onto the sofa to read.
Draco finally broke away from his thoughts about his father as the sound of Hermione turning a page in her book reached his ears. He slowly turned and his eyes scanned over her whole body. He admired her long, creamy white legs, one flat on the sofa, the other bent at the knee, and her book propped up against it. He appreciated the small top as it raised a bit to expose her midriff. She shifted slightly and he caught a glimpse of the Dragon "tattoo." He smirked as a small wave of possessiveness washed over him. She was forever marked as his. His eyes finished their trip over Hermione's body and landed on her face. Those full, red lips that, on so many occasions, met his passionately. That same mouth that still lashed out at his every now and then. Her rosy cheeks with skin so smooth that he felt like brushing his hand over it at that moment, but held back. His eyes traveled to that elegant nose that, if you looked closely, was sprinkled with a few light freckles. That nose, which was always buried in a book (like now) and wrinkled whenever she laughed. Finally, his eyes looked into hers. Though she wasn't looked at him, those eyes still had an effect on him. Her eyes her mesmerizing...those golden orbs that held so much emotion...emotions he had never expressed or even felt before. Not until he started this relationship with her. He finally stood up and walked over to where she lay. He lifted her head and sat down so she could rest her head on his lap. She smiled, glad that he was paying attention to her again. She put her book down and looked up at him. He returned her smile and began to play with her silky, auburn curls. They sat in comfortable silence for a while, and then Hermione began to think about Lucius.
"Draco, what do you think your father will do?" she asked, but immediately wished she didn't. His expression grew hard again.
"Probably the same empty threats on my life," he said sarcastically. Hermione frowned.
"How can you be so sure that they're empty?" Draco shrugged.
"I'm his heir, Hermione. His only heir. He has too much pride in his bloodline and genealogy that he doesn't dare make an attempt to...extinguish me, as he would so put it. Sure, he beats me and all that, but not enough so that I could die or never heal or anything." He took a deep breath before continuing.
"But that's not what I'm worried about. It's you I'm worried about. While I was growing up, Lucius taught me that anything that will make me weak must be destroyed." He looked at Hermione with his eyes full of sorrow. "Showing any kind of emotion, especially love, is a sign of weakness. By Lucius' standards, you, Hermione, are one of my worst weaknesses." He smiled and helped her sit up so he could look straight into her eyes. He cupped her face into hands.
"You showed me love, Hermione. You showed me how to feel and helped me look past all that I've been taught." He sighed heavily and he looked away from her, lowering his hands. "But I can't let him hurt you. I wouldn't be able to live with myself knowing that you were harmed in anyway because of him." He looked back up into her eyes. "I love you, Hermione. And I swear that I'll never let any harm come to you." Hermione had begun to cry and Draco pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Draco, I'm so scared," she mumbled softly. "I don't want anything to happen to you either." Draco stroked her hair.
"I promised that you will never lose me, remember? Don't worry." He kissed her temple and continued to comfort her until her tears stopped and her breathing was somewhat normal. After a few moments of silence, Draco broke it by clearing his throat.
"So what do you want to do now, Ms. Granger?" he asked, twirling a strand of her hair around his finger. She snuggled into him and sighed.
"I don't know. What do you suggest?" she asked, her eyes shutting. A number of naughty ideas flashed across his mind. He smirked devilishly.
"Well," he began innocently. "These clothes you are wearing look much too tight. Do you need any help out of them?" Hermione's head shot up and she threw him a stern glare.
"Draco," she said in a warning tone. He flashed her a grin.
"Ok, ok. Just kidding." She smiled weakly and snuggled nest to him, resting her head on his chest. He sighed and went back to twirling her hair around. So he sensed that she had fallen asleep so he carefully positioned the both of them so that he lay on the couch with her head resting on his chest. He tried to go to sleep, but the feel of her hot breath on his bare chest distracted him more and more with every exhale.
"Damn it! Even in her sleep she knows exactly which buttons to push!" he said out loud. He felt her lips curl up into a smile and immediately he knew that she had been faking the whole time. He was about to say something, but froze when he felt her lips kissing his chest, making her way up towards his lips. She finally opened her eyes as she hovered just centimeters above his face. She smirked devilishly and he gave her a smirk back.
"Who knew that Gryffindors could be so naughty," he stated.
"Well, I figured that I could humor you this once since it's your birthday and all." She lowered her head and met his lips for a passionate kiss. His hand disappeared into her mass of auburn curls while the other cupped her face. Her hands had him pinned to the sofa; he was trapped...not that he minded. She moved so that she was straddling his stomach, her lips never leaving his. She let her hands rake through his platinum-blond locks. His hand left her hair and ran down her body. It rested at the small of her back and the other still cupped her face. With the hand that was at the small of her back, he used it to pull her closer to him. She didn't seem to mind and left his lips to nip at his ear. He involuntarily shivered as her tongue flicked across a terribly sensitive spot on his neck. He hand began to reach under her top and it was her turn to shiver as his cool hands came into contact with her skin. Then in one swift motion, Draco picked her up and carried her up the stairs towards his room, whispering "I love you" at least once into her ear. He silently thanked his father for making them go into house arrest.
And that's chapter 18 for you! I know, I know...they both seem a little OOC at one point, but that's why these things are called "fan fics." They're not SUPPOSED to be in character since this isn't the real thing. But someday, I hope that J.K. Rowling will see how brilliant these two would be together. Okie dokie...that's all for today! Later days!