Chapter 24 – Enemies with Benefits

Hermione took a seat at in the Great Hall between Harry and Ron. She could see Draco talking to Blaise and hoped that Blaise hadn't told him of her mischievous acts. But even if he had, it had all worked out for her in the end. 'Oh god. What's becoming of me?' she thought frantically. 'He has turned me into a complete nymphomaniac.' She brushed the thoughts out of her head and put on a deceiving smile. "Hey guys!" She piped.

"Hey Hermione." Harry replied. Ron was too busy stuffing his mouth with what appeared heaps of spaghetti.

"What are your plans today?" She asked, hoping that they could hang out. She hadn't had much time with her best friends this year, and considering there were no classes on this particular day she thought it the perfect opportunity.

"We are SO busy today…" Harry trailed off. He had the familiar look in his eyes that was just SCREAMING 'Quidditch.'

"What?" Ron asked quickly. "I thought we were just going to be mellow today… you know… take a break."

"No can do!" Harry said shaking his head scornfully. Now that he was the Captain of the Gryffondir Quidditch team he had really become obsessed, and worked his team tirelessly. "We really have to practice all week! Don't forget about the game next Thursday with Slytherine! That's why we are so busy today… I know Malfoy scheduled a practice for his team, but there's no way I'm letting that fly. I figure if we can get in there right after breakfast we can probably squeeze in an hour before they have the field, then we can come back tonight and practice some more!" He looked quite pleased with himself.

Ron groaned. "ANOTHER practice? Harry… I cant do this every waking our of my life!"

"Well you will just HAVE to, wont you?"

Ron turned to Hermione. "I'm starting to think joining the quidditch team was a bad idea."

She laughed.

XXX

The wind was whipping in the cold night air, but it did nothing against Draco's hot and sticky skin. His long practice had only just come to an end, and finally he entered the school, walking up and down hallways and stairways towards his dorm room. He entered his room, in dire need of a shower, and stepped into the bathroom, turning on the water and ripping off his clothes. As the hot water touched his skin he let out a guttural sigh of relief and began to wash off the dried mud and sweat. This was heaven.

XXX

Hermione let out a loud yawn and put down her half read book. It had been a long, boring day of studying alone, and she was ready for a long nights rest. She tiptoed out of her room clad only in her pajama shorts and a tank top and headed for the bathroom. The door was open a crack, and the familiar golden glow of light peeked out. She walked up to the door and was about to walk in when she heard the sound of the shower bring turned off. Despite herself, she peeked in. The room was steamy from the recent shower, and the mirror clouded with fog. Water had leaked across the floor, and she took a mental note to scold Draco for not securing the shower curtain… but she was ripped from those thoughts immediately.

Draco had emerged from inside the shower… naked. And right away she saw that his ego wasn't the only thing of his that was big. His body glistened and his hair stuck up. He was a bit rosy cheeked from the heat, and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around his waist. She let out a soft gasp, and tried desperately to tear herself away from the crack in the door… but her efforts were in vain. She stood, rooted to the spot, and stared.

He was the perfect specimen of a man. He had long, lean muscles, and his blond hair shone in the light. He reached up a large hand to clear the mirror, then began to brush his hands lazily through his hair. A bead of water ran slowly between his shoulder blades and down his back. His muscles rippled.

She sucked in her breath. 'Come on! Move! Move!' She told herself frantically. Her legs were now wobbling a bit, imitating one of her favorite desserts- jello.

'You shouldn't be staring at him like that! But it IS his own fault that he left the door open… and he looks soo good.' She mentally fought with herself.

The towel was slowly sinking off his hips exposing more and more, and she tried her hardest not to let out the high pitched squeal that had been lingering in her throat since she had first seen him.

She HAD seen him in his underwear before, although it was in the dark. But at the time, she really hadn't cared too much… and now that was an entirely different story. In fact, just looking at him was causing beads of perspiration to form on her forehead and nose, and her breathing to quicken. Her legs were now wobbling hopelessly, and when the towel that was barely hanging on his lower hips slipped several inches more, they gave way completely. Hermione came tumbling down to the ground with a rather loud CRASH!

Draco's head whipped around. "Hello?" He called, re-adjusting his towel and walking towards the door. Hermione tried to get up but in her current position she was stuck. The door swung open, hitting her in the stomache and causing her to utter a loud "Oof!"

Draco looked down. "Granger?" He asked dumbly, not yet regestiring.

She scrambled up. "Uh…uh…" She muttered quickly, trying to think of something to say. "I was just coming bathroom use…" She closed her eyes tightly at hearing her fumbled words. "I mean I was just coming to use the bathroom."

"Uh… okay." He said suspiciously, seeming to forget he was only wearing a towel. He walked towards her and she backed into the wall nervously. Her legs will still shaking. "You know Granger… It almost looks like you were spying on me." He smirked.

"N-n-no!" She exclaimed quickly, her eyes getting bigger and bigger as he walked closer. His body still wet body was pressing up against hers, soaking threw her tank top and causing her to gasp lightly.

"It also looks like you've caught me at a disadvantage."

"What do you mean?" She was surprised to hear the words come out in a raspy, husky voice.

"Well… you are fully dressed, where as I am only in a towel." His smirk was growing ever wider.

"R-really?" She stuttered, trying her best to keep her cool attitude. "I hadn't noticed…" She trailed off.

"Well that's interesting. I could have sworn you HAD noticed… but I'm sure you wouldn't lie to me, right?"

She nodded quickly.

"Are you sure? Because I talked to Blaise yesterday, and it seems that yesterday you weren't being entirely truthful either. The only thing I am wondering… is why in the world Hermione Granger, known hater of my guts, would kiss me if she didn't have to?"

She was glairing now. He just wanted her to confirm that he was the best. "You do know why, you just want to hear me say it so that YOU can have an ego boost."

"Well," He admitted. "Although that is an added plus, it is not the only reason. You really have stumped me."

"You want to know why?" She asked in an almost angry tone. "Because ever since camp this summer you have fucked so much with my brain that I can't function. All I can think about is you. And its not that this would be so horrible, if it were almost ANY other person. But no, it's Draco Malfoy. I am worried for my mental health."

"You brain isn't the only thing of yours I'd like to fuck with." He said in a seductive tone.

"Wow. That is REALLY romantic." She said sarcastically.

"I don't need to be romantic. All I need to do, is this." He said, and with that he lowered his head to hers and their lips met. It was what they were both waiting for, and Hermione let out a small squeal. Her legs liquidized once more, and he caught her gracefully, carrying her to his room where he laid her on the bed. The continued to kiss for quite a while before she felt his hand inching up her stomach, carrying her shirt with it. She did not stop his as her pulled it over her head, staring down at her bare chest. Next, he removed her pajama shorts, leaving only her underwear and his towel separating them. He lowered his head to her neck, sucking it and leaving little red marks behind. Then, all of a sudden, her eyes widened at the feeling of his mouth on her breast.

"D-Draco!" She exclaimed in shock, then quickly let out a moan as his tongue swirled around her nipple causing it to harden. Her hands shot to his head, pulling him closer to her, wanting the feeling never to end. He smiled, and moved back up to her lips. Her senses slowly melted away, replaced by the incredible feeling of his lips on hers. Her hands trailed down his back, savoring the feeling of his soft skin, and then going lower in a sudden burst of confidence. The towel slipped easily away. Her hands to his hardness, pausing then trailing her finger tips over it.

He gasped. "Granger…" He whispered hoarsely. His need for her cranked up a notch, and she could feel his fingers at the top of her underwear, beginning to inch them down. Her eyes snapped open, and her hands rushed to his, stopping them. She was afraid. "I can't do this…"

"Do what?"

"This! I can't have sex with you, Draco, I can't!"

He let out an exasperated sigh. "Why the hell not? You want to… I know you do…"

"Yeah, well sometimes we don't get what we want."

"That doesn't even make sense!" He exclaimed. "You know you could get it…"

"Stop pressuring me!" She said, her face turning red as she hopped out of the bed and started to pull on her clothes.

"I wasn't trying to pressure you…" He replied, trying to calm her down.

"Yeah, well you were! And it wasn't very nice!"

"Since when are you little miss naïve? Ten seconds ago you were freaking giving me a hand job!"

Her face grew redder. "I was not!"

"Uh… yeah you were. Why does it even matter…"

"It just does."

"Are you a virgin or something?"

"No!" She shouted quickly.

"Then why are you making this such a big deal?"

"Sorry to bring you back down to earth, but sex IS a big deal! At least to me it is! I'm sure that by now you've fucked enough girls to consider it a daily ritual."

"So what if I have?"

Hermione shook her head. "You just don't think on the same level as me, do you?"

"Listen, Granger, I'm sorry that it sounded like I was pressuring you. That was not my intention, and I shouldn't have even said anything like that."

She sighed. "I'm sorry that I lead you on… I really do want you… it's just that I'm not ready for that sort of commitment with someone I'm not even going out with."

There was a long drawn out pause before Hermione continued.

"We are NOT going out… right?"

"No! No of course not…"

"Okay good. But then what the hell are we?"

"Uh…" He stuttered. "Friends with benefits?"

"No. That's vulgar and degrading…"

"The benefits part?"

"No! The friends part! Like I'd EVER be friends with you." But as she said this, she was smiling… and he was smiling back at her.

A/N: Hehe… I liked this chapter, if I do say so myself. 3 reviews before and update. Oh, and on a different note… HAPPY EASTER!