Hermione felt the warm water sprinkle onto her face and roll down her. The hotness felt soothing as it trickled over her sore tired body. As much as she wanted too she couldn't take her time. It was extremely difficult to get up that morning, but she knew if she didn't get up early enough she'd run into Draco, and she really, really didn't want that to happen. It made her sad that her hot shower, the nicest thing she had experienced in a long time, had to be cut short.
With annoyance she quickly shampooed her hair, rinsed off and reached for a towel. She rung out her hair and wrapped the towel around her body as she stepped out of the steamy mist of the shower room.
She jumped when she saw Draco come through his door.
"Good morning," he said sweetly. His tone didn't fool Hermione though. She knew he was there to make her life miserable.
"What's going on," Hermione said, clutching the towel to her.
Draco looked at her, the thought her in just a towel was extremely intriguing….. but unfortunately for him, he had a different mood he needed to set.
"I need you to make my bed." He replied
"What?" Hermione asked, not sure she heard him right.
"I'm up early to get in some quidditch practice. I'm gonna go now so if I wanna be on time for 1st hour I'm gonna need you to make my bed for me," he said matter-of-factly as he grabbed a towel from the rack, "I trust you're more than willing to do that for me of course. After all, it's just a small way to show how much you like it here, and how badly you want to stay. Thanks ahead doll face."
Draco walked out of the bathroom. Hermione couldn't believe it. He wasn't seriously going to make her do bullshit chores for the rest of the year was he? She desperately craved some of her ateral. She feared she didn't have the confidence to believe she could make it through the day without them.
But Draco really did plan on making Hermione be his servant. He made her do every little thing he could think of. And he loved making her be nice to him in front of her friends. Later in that same day he made her tie his shoe in the hall. When she went to her room that night she found a note on her door that read "I'm having trouble understanding some of my homework, perhaps you could help me out a little. Thanks bunches! Your friend, Draco Malfoy" and set on her top step was a stack of books. He wanted her to do all his homework form that day.
That day turned into the whole week. Tuesday right before DADA he handed her a note demanding she not get an A on the exam. DADA was her best subject, everyone knew that, how could she not get an A? He stared her down the entire class period so she had no choice to intentional get some questions wrong. She was holding back the tears with all her might.
Then that same night they got assigned their next head assessment project by Dumbledore. They were required to make an advanced potion which was supposed to rejuvenate and cleanse the body, a remedy used on those who have been tortured and subjected to harmful potions and poisons and want all those bad substances out of their body. It was called Seratonium. It was a very difficult potion to brew and distribute, getting the dosage just a little off could be more harmful to whoever was taking it than helpful. They would have to do a lot of reading up on it and make it extremely carefully. Although she was capable, potions wasn't exactly her best subject and she winced at the thought of having to ask Snape for help. For a short moment she was almost glad she was going to be working with Draco, who was very good at potions and even if he got stumped, he could ask Snape. However, after they left Dumbledore's office Draco had bad news for her.
"Well Granger," he said with that menacing tone in his voice, the one Hermione knew meant he was going to do something dreadful, "Since I did the last one, looks like this one is all yours."
Hermione was crushed, "You can't be serious!" she cried.
"Well," he raised his eyebrows, "unless you can think of some way to convince me I should help you, I don't see why I should."
Hermione looked at him with a puzzled expression. It wasn't until she looked around and realized they were in the exact same spot in the dark hallway where they had their first kiss that she knew what he was trying to say. Hermione looked up at him with a stern yet subtly flirty expression. 'When it comes down to it this is all about him wanting me, or least being the one who didn't get rejected anyway." she thought. She got a wave of confidence as she realized that maybe, just maybe, he didn't have as much power as he thought he did. Perhaps there was some way to beat him at his own game.
Draco stepped closer to her, staring at her intently awaiting her reaction. The look in her eyes seemed playful and her lips were slightly perked. He looked down at her looking up at him and her body language was promising. She stepped up to him, so that their bodies were pressed together. Draco breathed in the sweet smell of her and the anticipation was nerve-racking, yet it really turned him on.
"Well.…" she said softly but clearly, looking him right in the eyes, "…. looks like I'm on my own."
Draco watched her as she slipped away from him and began walking back to their room. 'God damn her,' was all he could say to himself. 'She'll pay for that one,' he thought as he tried to suppress his arousal from her slight display of dominance. And she did pay.
By Friday Hermione had given his owl a bath, trimmed and polished his broomstick, reorganized, relabeled and restocked all his potion supplies, tailored his robes and memorized compliments he told her and recited them in front of everyone during transfigurations. And on top of that she was cleaning his room and doing all his homework daily. She was also the first student to the great hall in the mornings so she could bring Draco breakfast in bed and then she had almost no time to shower and be out of the bathroom by the time he was done eating.
Hermione tried to escape him as much as she could but he found ways of making his demands. Friday night Hermione was much looking forward to an evening with friends but right before Hogwart's first quidditch game he made her swear she'd cheer when he did well.
"But Malfoy! My friends will suspect something!" she pleaded, "You said as long as I do what you say no one will ever no anything was wrong."
"Well then you better find some way to make it convincing shouldn't you?" was the only consolation he'd give her.
Hermione desperately wanted to tell her friends about the incidents with Draco but she couldn't now, not without confessing she was addicted to medication. She beat herself up for not going to Ginny or the boys when she had the chance. Now she was too scared to do anything. He had her completely trapped and she had no choice but to do his will. She feared when he would tire of watching her do petty chores and perform humiliating compliments in front of everyone and start making her do more serious harsh things.
The first game was Gryffindor versus Slytherin, and all the regulars had made the team. It was Harry against Draco as they searched for the snitch. Technically Draco had made some pretty impressive blocks and dives and each time Hermione let out a little "Yay!" Her friends looked over at her like she was crazy. "Well," she said defensively, "that was a very nice maneuver, I don't care who made it. You guys just don't understand because you haven't played quidditch." Draco always checked for her reaction, he sneered to himself at the thought of having total power over her. Lucky for her, Draco forgot to mention anything about not cheering for Gryffindor, so she went nuts with enthusiasm whenever they did anything good to save face.
In the end it was Harry who got the snitch and Hermione could tell Draco was furious. She resented the fact that Harry winning was going to mean extra work for Hermione. Draco was definitely going to take out Slytherin's loss on her. It was very fortunate then, that Hermione didn't plan on having to take any of Draco's crap much longer. She managed to think of a few plans of her own. She hoped it would only be a matter of time before she'd put them into action and free herself, but it was still too soon to do anything rash, and she didn't want to jump the gun.
… … …
Hermione stayed away from her room for as long as she could. Lucky for her, Gryffindor was up real late celebrating their victory. Hermione was almost completely successful in forgetting about Draco for a little bit because the party was so much fun. She loved her friends dearly for the joy they brought her. Even if they didn't know everything about her, that didn't mean they didn't care. How were they to know Hermione kept things from them? It wasn't their fault at all. In fact, for not knowing the whole story they were still pretty intuitive.
"So Hermione, how's head going?" asked Harry, "You seem a little different lately, is everything ok?"
"Oh, I'm fine guys," she lied, "just haven't been getting enough sleep, I should be fine though."
"Just tired?" said Harry, "Well geez, Hermione what's keeping you up? It aint ferret-boy is it?"
Hermione laughed, "No, he's no problem." She wished badly that statement was true.
"Yeah I've noticed," said Ron kind of angrily. "It seems like you guys are almost friends, you falling all over him in class and tying his shoes and shit."
"Yeah, that is pretty weird you know," Harry said, "I'm glad he's not bothering you…. but you're not turning into one of his Slytherin groupies are you?"
"Heavens no!" cried Hermione, then she laughed oddly, "No way, yuck….We just made an agreement is all. We both decided it would be better if we were very professional with each other; it just makes the work so much easier. We do the job till its done then stay out of each others way."
"Looks to me like you don't always get out of each others way," Ron said abruptly. "I recall a certain someone carrying another certain someone's Tragdor pooper-scooper around the grounds for them during care of magical creatures. About made me sick quite honestly.
"Oh Ron," Hermione said, trying to make something up as quickly as she could, "That was nothing….. we just also decided that we both love this school and take our positions very seriously. We agreed that it would be best for the student body if the heads were an example and treated each other kindly….. Especially since Slytherin/Gryffindor relations needs improving. 70 of detentions are from Slytherin/Gryffindor related conflicts you know."
"I knew there must have been something up!" said Harry defiantly. "You seemed so weird every time you were nice to him….like you were faking it or somethin', I dunno." Hermione giggled awkwardly. Harry laughed, "Turns out you were just forcing yourself the whole time." Laughing harder Harry said, "I'd like to fake nice to him once myself….. right before I punch him right in the face for checking me into the q-post that is!" Ron laughed and Hermione tried to join in.
But really, she felt terrible. Here she was, lying to her best friends, when really they knew a lot more about what was going on then she ever imagined, yet they didn't know it all. At least they truly did know her well despite all she kept from them and they cared about her immensely.
She finally went to her dorm around 2 a.m. She couldn't believe it when she saw Draco arriving at the same time as well! He had been in Slytherin no doubt, talking about how Gryffindor must have cheated with the other losers. Hermione's hopes of him being sound asleep diminished.
"Don't say a word about it," Draco muttered to her as they walked into their commons together."
"I wasn't planning on it," Hermione answered. The night of some fun had left her more confident and secure than before. She found herself less scared of Draco than usual. It also helped that she had some small hope of being free of his blackmail forever if things worked out right, but unfortunately, it was a little too soon to go about that just yet. "I'm just gonna go to bed." She said bravely, eager to get away from him
"Not so fast hot stuff," Draco said grabbing her shoulder. He rolled his head around his neck, sore from a rough game. "I could use a quick back rub if you could be so kind."
Hermione's face dropped. She knew she had no choice.
"Excellent." was all Draco said as he walked towards the sofa and threw himself down on it, he let out a big sigh. Hermione walked over to him and began stiffly rubbing his shoulders with just her fingers.
"Oh com'n, you can do better than that. You better make this feel good Hermione, you're in no position to be slacking off."
Irritated Hermione climbed over him, straddling his back. She began to massage him deeper, putting her arms into this time. Maybe if she did a good job he'd leave her alone for awhile. He began moaning. Hermione hated it but she couldn't help but notice how muscular his back was. She was definitely a sucker for broad shoulders and a strong sculpted back. After awhile she forgot what she was even doing, she absent mindedly gave him a thorough relaxing back rub.
Draco couldn't ignore the fact that she was straddling him. Her long legs gripped his sides and he cursed his luck for not being on his back. Her thighs were warm and strong. And her hands stroking and working his body was too good to be true. He was getting a little to into it, he needed a break.
"It's a bit chilly in here don't you think? Perhaps you wouldn't mind throwing another log on the fire?"
Hermione almost had the nerve to say no, it wasn't cold in the commons at all, but in the end she did as she was told. She was exhausted and only wanted to go to bed. The week had been so long. While she was feeling a little better, he had still drained her of all she had. Hermione tried to think back to the last time she felt really good, without a single worry. To her total surprise she recalled being right under where Draco was laying at that exact moment.
That night on the couch when Darco kissed her again. Before she freaked out it was the last time she could remember feeling genuinely good. For just a small moment she had nothing on her mind except the attractive man on top of her. He made her feel so good and the moment was so exciting.
Hermione was lost in this new realization as she began adding a new log to an already roaring fire. Draco watched the figure in the fire as the light danced around her, silhouetting her curves. When she turned to poke the log her face was lit up. She looked very tired. But her features were still stunning. The majority of her already light makeup had worn off well before midnight, and her hair had gone a little wild, but it didn't lessen her appeal in the slightest. Her skirt was a little crooked on her hips and her white button up top, now a little sooty, had come undone in the first few top buttons exposing the voluptuous top of her perky breasts. Draco stared hungrily. He couldn't help it, he was a boob man. Well, he was an ass, legs, lips and eyes man as well but that wasn't the point at that moment.
"Hermione," Draco asked while she finished up with the fire.
"What?" she said, her reminiscing interrupted.
"Have you ever enchanted yourself?" He said.
Hermione's brow furrowed. That was an incredibly rude question, equivalent to "have you had any plastic surgery?" in the muggle world.
"Shove off Malfoy," she said annoyed.
"Hey, just a question." He said snidely, "It's just hard to believe that your body is really that amazing. We all know you're a good witch. What's stopping you from, you know, making a few adjustments?"
Hermione looked at him meanly.
"Hey," he said defensively, "It's not like something like that would be that surprising coming from you, not after recent discoveries. There's no use in pretending you wouldn't do anything to be better than others."
Hermione was very angry now. "Well I know how much you'd like to have one more thing hanging over my head Draco, but this," she said gesturing up and down her body, "is all real thank you very much."
She was just going to drop it there, but she was too pissed off. "And just so idiots like you can be clear, there's a big difference between doing something taboo so you can get the good grades you deserve and being shallow enough to use magic to be "hotter". I guess a stuck up Malfoy like you wouldn't understand priorities like that!"
Draco felt like he was back to that day in the book store. He hated her so much but was so attracted to her at the same time. Their developing argument intrigued him, despite his rising madness.
"You know Granger," he said smoothly, "I have to admit I was pretty dense earlier…." Hermione perked up her ears, was Draco admitting to being a stupid ass? "I should've known you weren't really getting those good grades by yourself. I can't believe I thought a mudblood like you actually was." No, he wasn't admitting to being a stupid ass, he was just plain being a stupid ass.
Hermione wished desperately she had her wand on her; she'd like to show him what a mudblood could do. "Why are you such a dickhead Draco?" she yelled, "Honestly what has anyone ever done to you? You really think class rank and top grades are what's really important in life?"
"Whoa whoa whoa, I can't believe me ears," he yelled back, "Granger, super nerd, denouncing good grades? How does that work I wonder? Seeing how you're the one who stooped to the level of drugs in order to get them."
"Oh yeah, and getting good grades through blackmail is so much better!" Hermione fired back, something about arguing with him filled her with fire. "Actually, you know what Draco, You're right. I've learned the grades aren't the most important thing, thanks to you that is. Being true to yourself and others, and working hard to get what you really deserve, that's what's really important, I could care less if I come in 2nd now, because I'm getting something so much more valuable in return. I get to be me. The real me! And that's what I'm working so hard at right now," Hermione completely lost her temper now, she was screaming at Draco, "I haven't taken drugs in 7 whole days!"
Hermione realized with horror that she had said too much, but she couldn't stop herself. Draco's eyes widened, he couldn't believe she honestly stopped taking them, she was so addicted.
"You're lying," he said. "There's no way you could just stop like that, not with the hell I've been putting you through."
Hermione laughed, "Well I have you to thank sweetie. You're the one who made me re-believe that if I had the desire to overcome anything that I could. I flushed all my pills down the toilet the morning after you found them. I've taken on two hells this week, you and drugs, and I've survived them both." She sneered. "Oh," she went on, "and by the way, I have something else to thank you for, Seratonium has proved to be a real help."
Draco stared at her. 'Oh shit.' He thought, recalling the cleansing potion the heads were supposed to be making, 'She's figured out Seratonium, she's been taking it'.
"That's right," she said, reading his mind, "My body is almost completely rid of any trace of drug, I'll pass any drug test a teacher could give me." She smiled wickedly, revealing her plan to rid herself of his rein of terror. "Soon I'll be back to my old self, true to my heart. You can guess, I hope, that no longer having any evidence against me means I won't be under your control anymore. No more bullshit favors and no more faking that I like you in public. After all, you're the one who has shown me how pathetic lying is. Pretending to like you has been the worst lie of all."
Draco stared at her silently. Hermione knew he was trying to hide any sign of emotion but she could tell he was shocked and disappointed. She expected him to be furious, however, surprisingly all the new information appeared to make him more sad than angry. Hermione looked at his attractive yet sullen face. She suddenly felt very bad. She had never yelled at someone like that. She realized she never really wanted to yell at him. In all honesty, she truly was grateful for all that he made her realize. She would have never been able to really quit unless he had discovered her and gave her no option. And although he was a jerk about it, he never did tell anyone like he said he wouldn't. That puzzled Hermione, why would he not go straight to Dumbledore? Perhaps deep down he didn't want her kicked out of school. Maybe he liked having her around more than he wanted to let on.
Hermione recalled their 3rd incident together, the time where it was her who almost kissed him. She wanted to so badly. Slowly leaning in for it was so exciting. Her insides beamed with passion; similar to the fiery feeling she got when she was yelling at him just moments ago. When she was with Draco everything was more intense and explosive, he brought so much more out of life than any other person she knew.
Finally Draco broke a cold awkward silence, "Well looks like you've managed to practically re-gain control of everything once again Granger, congratulations." He said calmly. He stood up. "So I take it the potions project is going well."
"Yes, very well." Hermione answered.
"Well good," Draco said nodding his head, "How long has it been ready for consumption?"
"Since Wednesday." She Bragged.
"Wow, you got that ready fast." He said.
"Yeah well I was up all night doing twice as much homework anyway," she responded. She recalled getting it ready the night she felt a surge of power over Draco in the hallway. It was that moment that gave her the last boost of self realization that she needed to get her life back. She brewed the hardest potion she'd ever encountered that night.
"So, you've had about…what? 2, 3 doses?" Draco wanted to know.
"4" she answered.
"Wow, really? 4?" Draco said sounding surprised.
"Yeah well I did the calculations; I was pushing it close, but I knew it would be safe." Hermione said, starting to wonder what his point was.
"Hmmmm," Draco said to no one in particular looking deep in thought, yet a little smug.
"What? What are you 'Hmm'ing about?" Hermione wanted to know.
"Well, for a muggle medication like Valium…." He started to say
"What about it?" Hermione asked, getting antsy.
"Well, I haven't read up on Seratonium in a while, but I mean with the way you were downing those pills….I'd guess you'd need about 5 doses…6 to be absolutely sure it was out of your system right?
"Well….. maybe.…. I….." Hermione started to get worried.
Draco flashed an evil smile. "That's all I need to know," he said cheerfully, "I'll be back in a bit, good bye till then."
"What?" Hermione exclaimed, "It's almost 3 a.m., where are you going?"
"To get Dumbledore," he said matter-of-factly.
"What! WHY!" Hermione asked frantically
"Well we've got to get you tested for drugs as soon as possible if we want there to be anything left to find, now don't we?" He said.
Hermione's heart stopped. She shouldn't have told him yet. "Draco! NO! please!" she cried as she grabbed his shirt. She must have moved too quickly because she got a huge head rush. Her knees gave out and she almost collapsed but Draco caught her.
Draco knew she was on the verge of a break down, not only was she going through withdrawal but because Seratonium is extremely draining as well. And she had been working 5 times harder than usual that week. Such troubling news must have been the straw that broke the camels back. He was honestly surprised she hadn't given out way earlier that week. She must be very strong, he thought, with amazing willpower.
He held her in her arms until the color came back into her face and her eyes looked like they had comprehension in them. She tried to stand up but Draco told her to slow down as he supported her with his arms. Hermione didn't fight him. She was way too tired. She just relaxed in his arms and took a deep breath. His enticing aroma filled her nose and she felt warm being held against his hard chest in his strong arms. Contentment overcame her for the first time since she was under his body just a week ago. She couldn't fool herself any longer, she loved being in those arms. 'If it feels good,' she thought, 'Why do I have to understand why?'
"Draco," she whispered.
"Yes Hermione?" he said back to her softly.
Stretching up onto her tippy toes she managed to wrap her arms around his neck and lowered his face so she could kiss his lips. She was swooning from his powerful presence. That excitement she loved but feared was developing in her again. Taken back by her actions, Draco's mind completely paused for a long moment as he enjoyed her mouth on his. Then his brain started up again. It was hard for him to hear his own thoughts because everything else about him was concentrating on the sweet sensations he was receiving for Hermione. But his brain finally formulated and voiced its doubts despite the huge distraction. Draco stopped. He looked down at Hermione. She was still cradled in his arms but he pulled her away from him a bit.
"Nice try Hermione," he said cruelly, "I almost fell for it." He let go of her and she slipped to the floor with a thud.
"What are you talking about?" she questioned earnestly.
"Smooth thinking, trying to make me forget about getting Dumbledore by giving me what I wanted. I had half the mind to keep going and then tell Dumbldore after anyway, nothing a stunt like that doesn't deserve."
Hermione's whole body tightened and lump developed in her throat. "It wasn't a stunt Draco." Hermione declared firmly, looking up at him with sad yet determined eyes.
"Oh really? And what, I wonder, would inspire such a one eighty? Days ago you were running from me, you expect me to believe you want me now?"
"Days ago I was a completely different person." She said softly. "All I know now is what feels good and real and what doesn't. I don't know why I feel the way I do with you but it's something that I like. I can admit that now." Draco looked at her through skeptical eyes. "I feel so unsure and vulnerable when I'm with you..…" she didn't know where these words were coming from but she knew they were the unfiltered truth, "..…and I think I like it. I get all woozy." She stood up and faced him. "I don't ever know what to expect with you Draco, and it's exciting." She walked to him until they were chest to chest and she looked up into his face. "For once I don't have control and it's amazing." She took his hands in hers and put the side of her face against his. "I want you to help me lose control." She whispered.
Much to his dismay he was extremely turned on. He wanted to throw her to the ground and take her right there. He stood there very still there for awhile, thinking. He took a deep breath; he touched her full pink lips lightly with his finger tips. "I don't know what the hell to do anymore Hermione." He whispered back. She looked up at him with her big sparkling eyes, then she closed them. He could feel her heart pounding and her skin was warm to the touch. He didn't know if she was lying or not, but she felt so sincere and he really wanted it to be true. Draco always was much more willing to take risks than she ever was, was he going to take this opportunity even if he wasn't 100 sure she was for real? When it came down to it he knew he couldn't resist her. He gave into his desire. If that's what she said she wanted then that's what he'd give her. He grabbed her by the wrist, "Come to my room," he demanded.