Hermione felt like she was dreaming. It felt like a string of kisses were being placed on her neck. Opening one eye, she saw that it was not a dream, but Draco waking her up in the most wonderful way. Stretching slightly, she turned to face him and placed a kiss on his nose.
"Well, good morning."
"Good morning indeed, "grinned Draco. 'God, he looks so delicious all mussed up,' thought Hermione. Glancing at the clock, she realized it was nearly eight o' clock.
"Oh my, I've slept in!" Hermione leapt out of bed and dashed to the bathroom. 'Oh my,' thought Hermione as she shut the door.
'What am I doing? Oh lord, I just slept with my boyfriend, who happens to be Draco Malfoy, who happens to very good in bed, who happens to be my former mortal enemy, the thorn on my side, the-'
Knock! Knock!
"Hermione? Mind if I come in and get ready while you're in the shower? Promise not to peek, but I'd like to wash the sleep out of my eyes…and maybe take a peek!"
Hermione smiled and shyly opened the door, attempting to cover herself with the door.
'Don't be stupid, I saw everything last night. Now let me in, I've got to use the bathroom." Hermione stepped aside as Draco walked in. He made his way past her and sped directly to the toilet. In an attempt to drown out Draco's bathroom sounds, Hermione turned on the water and stepped into the shower. She showered quickly in order to have time to make the pre-wedding brunch the Patil's were holding for the women guests at the Hotel Athenne. Hermione used a drying spell on her hair and pinned it up in a simple twist. She walked out into the bedroom to get dressed. She found Draco lounging in bed with the Daily Prophet in one hand, and a cup of tea in the other. He peered over the paper as she walked by in her robe and smiled to himself.
'Playing this part isn't has hard as I thought it would be. Few more weeks and I'll be back in with the social crowd,' he thought as he sipped his tea.
Dressed in a tweed suit, Hermione grabbed her purse and walked over to the bed. Giving Draco a kiss on the forehead, she bid him good-bye. He merely nodded, and smirked, but Hermione didn't notice.
~*~
"You had sex."
Hermione turned red at the sound of Parvati's voice. She turned around and saw the bride-to-be grinning like a Cheshire cat. "E-e-e-xcuss-e me? That's hardly appropriate brunch conversation, especially since you should be concerned with this evening, not my evening affairs."
"Oh hush 'Mione," said Parvati as she brushed a piece of lint off her blouse, "I just thought you should know that you're walking like you either ran a marathon last night, or you had a good run around the Draco pole."
"Don't be crude, Parv, that's absolutely disgusting!" Parvati just laughed and hugged her friend. "Hermione, look, all I know is that it's about damn time you stopped acting like you didn't need a little love and tenderness all this time. The whole 'business mogul' look suits you just fine, but my dear, once in a while we all need to take off our suits and, shall I say, slip into something more comfortable?" Parvati winked and turned to greet the other women at the brunch. Hermione just sipped her tea and made sure to watch how she walked for the rest of the morning."
~*~
The church was a sight to behold. Dozens of calla lilies donned the altar and the lobby of the church. Hundreds of fairies lit the dome, and the pews were magically transfigured into hundred of glittering chairs of silver and pink, Parvati's theme colors. Hermione, dressed in a simple coral satin lamour dress. She felt elegant, yet understated. It was a wedding, and she would hate to take any attention away from the bride. She did feel glamorous in her gown which was her own creation. The ceremony was short, and soon, guests were apparating to the reception. Slipping on her shawl, she took Draco's arm as he led her to the apparition platform that was set up.
"You look stunning you know. I can't even begin to tell you how I feel right now." Hermione looked at Draco and smiled, "Well, I know I look wonderful, after all, I did design this dress myself." She saw Draco's expression and laughed, "Thank you, really, I didn't mean to be such a cow just then. It was my attempt at a joke."
Draco helped Hermione onto the platform and watched as she apparated. As he stepped onto the platform, he couldn't help but think that Hermione wouldn't be one for jokes if she really knew why he seemed so enamored with her.
'Don't get attached,' Draco told himself as he prepared to apparate, "Do what you have to do and fast. The longer you hang around, the harder it will be to leave.'
