Chapter Three -- A Hotter Touch
The following months passed quietly. Winter came to full bloom, and then passed. Draco became more and more reclusive as spring wormed it's way into the garden out back. Draco had permitted her to visit the garden as much as she wanted as soon as she'd started gaining back some of the weight she'd lost over the years. Her cheeks didn't look as hollow, and the bags from under her eyes were mostly gone. The clothes that were her once upon a time size were only slightly baggy now, and she didn't resemble a skeleton when she wrapped towels around her after baths.
She'd been lulled into an almost sense of security by the time spring's debut began to fade. She'd worked in the garden extensively, and all her work began to show. She'd cleaned out the beds and the area, trimming some plants, coaxing others. Draco had silently brought home various vases of different sizes and colours. Soon the house had fresh flowers in most rooms. Her days consisted of playing in the garden and learning, slowly, how to cook. It was amazing how easy it could be to burn water, she'd found in the first few days. By now, she was at least proficient. She didn't burn things hardly ever, and she actually enjoyed cooking. Spices were a source of endless amusement for her. She'd gotten Draco to bring home some herbs for her to plant in a bed that nothing had shown up in. Soon, many things on the dinner table were from her garden.
Then there was the swing. She'd sit on it for hours, playing with a bracelet that Draco had brought home for her. She personally didn't value it because it was from him, but something about it charmed her. The way the light reflected off the intricate vines of silver and the small stones embedded in it at seemingly random distances. The designs on the swing told her very little of it's history. When she asked Draco about it, he'd swallowed some wine, and tell her it was here before he'd gained possession of the house. She didn't ask about it anymore.
Her and Draco still had their quarrels. There were many nights when he wouldn't get home until late, and he wouldn't bother to bathe. At four AM, someone dropping into bed next to you who smells like blood and sweat isn't really all that welcomed.
She never asked him what he did when Voldemort summoned him at all hours of the day and night. He never told her.
About the middle of summer, Draco came home surprisingly early, getting comfortable, bathing, and grooming. After a silent lunch, he cleared his throat, announcing: "Granger, there's a ball tonight. We're required to attend." He didn't sound happy about it, but in some way he seemed satisfied. Though Hermione had never been a stunning beauty, he knew she had some potential at least. She looked more like a human now, and hey, it's not the girl who makes the clothes, it's the clothes who make the girl. If that was so, Hermione would be dressed to kill tonight. Her hair was long enough now to put up, which she often did. He decided then that he wanted it down for tonight's occasion. "I don't care what you wear, just pick something nice. I'll be wearing black and navy. I expect you to match"
Hermione stared at her plate, pushing the fruit pieces around with her fork. She didn't answer, though she had heard. So now it was time. Her stomach turning, she started cleaning up. Draco moved between her and the dinner mess though, taking her plate from her gently. "I'll take care of this tonight, Granger"
Hermione blushed, not even sure why, and turned from him, fleeing to the safety of the bedroom. She began laying out her outfit. The collar, she was sure, would be included. As well as the leash. This was her premier, and Draco always was one for dramatic entrances. She finally decided on a long black dress that came down to mid-calf. The back was a criss-cross design made with the small, delicate chain, that ran up her shoulder to connect to the front and form something to hold the dress onto her. She was never busty enough to get away with strapless dresses. She paced around all night, playing with her make-up. Simple, simple, simple. That was her motto for the night. She hadn't played with make-up since she was a girl, and that was just playing. She wasn't even sure what half of the things were for.
Her final make-up scheme ended up along the lines of simple bell earrings, mascara, and black eyeliner. She applied lipstick, pouting in the mirror. How silly could she make herself feel, she wondered? Her friends were dead, and they'd died saving her, fighting for what was right. And what was she doing? Primping for Malfoy and his friends so she could be lead around on a leash all night. She bit her lip, smearing the lipstick. Carefully, she reapplied it, brushing one side of her bangs up with a small clip. When in the outfit, complete, as she listened to Draco pace outside, she couldn't help but stare. She was pretty. She couldn't remember a time when she felt so proud of her pale, freckled skin, or her tawny brown eyes. She ran a hand through her hair. The leash hung loosely from one hand, clipped to the side of the collar.
Into the lion's den, she thought silently, straightening her posture and opening the door.
For the look that appeared on Malfoy's face, it was worth it. All that time and guilt. Just to see the wonder on his face. It was a smug wonder, as though he knew what was lurking under the surface all that time, but wonder none-the-less. The leash tinkled softly, her earrings mimicking the sound when she turned her head as she held the leash out. "Are we done yet?" She had to find some way to spite him, after all.
"Not quite, Granger. C'mon, let's go knock 'em flat." He smiled, a proud flashy, reckless smile. Taking the chain, he bowed at the waist, opening the door.
The ball was extravagant in every meaning of the word. The halls and main room were decked with all sorts of shiny trinkets, the night sky crowding into the ceiling. Hermione felt a sudden homesickness at seeing a place that so reminded her of Hogwarts. How lucky they'd been in those days. Draco had clipped the end of her leash to the waist of his pants, going around and greeting those who approached him. Hermione politely kept her tongue as she watched Draco smother people in subtle insults. Few, if any, caught them.
Finally, as she knew he would, Draco drifted to the drinks table, grabbing a red wine for himself, and passing a white to Hermione. "Be nice, Malfoy. I wouldn't want them to kill you or anything." She spoke in low tones, half over her wine glass as she sipped at the liquid. It burned as it traveled down her throat. After a few sips, she felt better. The thought that she was in public, on a chain, in this outfit… well, it would've struck her dead a few years ago. Just the shock of it.
"I love you, too, Granger." Draco replied, smiling through his teeth and nodding at a gentleman who approached them.
"So, this is who you've been hiding with all this time, Draco. You never told us she was so pretty." The gentleman didn't look familiar. He was dressed almost the same as Draco, his suit dark, with blood red accents. His dark hair fell over his olive skin like ferns around a pond. Hermione was struck by his beauty. His face was pristine, looking roman in some ways, as though he should be made of marble. His dark brown eyes studied her as Draco laughed carelessly, swirling his wine in his glass casually. He was trying his hardest to appear calm, she noticed. But the hand by his side was clenched tight.
"Pretty, but she's got some thorns under that beauty. I don't know about you, but it's safer not to test the poison without the cure nearby." Draco eyed Hermione, scowling slightly at her obvious look of appreciation at his friend.
"Mmm, well, if you won't, I will." With practiced skill, he reached out, unhooking Hermione's leash from Draco's waist. "If you don't mind..?" His eyebrows perked slightly, his eyes flashing with merriment. He could tell Draco was frustrated.
"Of course, Blaise. Just don't get too cozy, please." Draco was obviously fuming. As they walked off, he downed the rest of his wine and grabbed another; he moved with them as they moved, almost stalking them, watching with intense speculation.
Blaise swept Hermione off to the dance floor, his hand on her waist, holding her other hand up in the classic ballroom dance. Hermione could hardly breathe. Blaise, how could this be Blaise? He'd always been so quiet in school, overshadowed by Draco and other Slytherins. Now, his dark eyes danced with danger as he leaned down and nipped at her ear. "He watches you like a hawk." His voice made Hermione feel woozy. It happened so fast, Blaise holding her close, biting at her neck, shivers running down her back. She didn't know what to make of it all. She could feel Draco's eyes boring into her back, watching them like prey. Blaise had been right. His hips moved against her lower stomach lightly, subtly. "He doesn't make you sleep with him, does he?" Blaise's voice seemed amused as he looked down at her, his eyes staring into hers.
"No." She could hardly whisper. His eyes were so intent, so dark, seemingly swallowing her. She could feel his warmth pressed up against her, feeling heady. Was this how it was like in the movies? The heroine falls in love with the bad boy? Not love, no, just a night of passionate sex and he walks off into the sunset with his cowboy hat and gun.
"Silly girl. You want him to. He wants to." He dug his nails into her sides, causing her to gasp sharply. "We have a word for those like you, Hermione. You are of Michez's line. She was the first, did you know? She made lots of money in the wizarding world. I bet you never learned that in history class." His nails inched up her sides, causing her to shiver, her mouth still agape as he whispered into her ear. "He won't hurt you. Not like I could. Like you want to be… he'll never own you. Not like I could, Hermione. Not like I could." He was looking at her again, her eyes half-closed, her lips parted slightly. Blaise kissed her, seemingly an innocent swipe of the lips, but in reality he bit the inside of her lip, causing it to bleed. He licked the lip, sucking the blood as he stared at her. "Someday, Hermione. Someday." It was a promise, and honestly, Hermione couldn't wait. She licked the last bit of the blood from the inside of her lip. It had been a shallow cut; that fact almost made her sad.
The song had ended, and she could see Draco storming towards them, his face flushed and his hand clenched by his side, the other squeezing a brand new glass of wine. "Granger, we're going." He pulled her over roughly by the chain, the collar giving only slightly and yanking her off balance. She looked at him, bewildered, her eyes swimming in something Draco didn't want to admit. "Blaise." His voice was stiff, a perfect example of barely concealed anger.
"Draco. Always a pleasure." He was so calm and cool, his voice pleasant. The sweeping bow he made was elegant. As he rose from it, oh so slowly, he gazed up at Hermione. "Hermione." She shivered to hear him say her name like that. Like he wanted her. It'd been so long since she'd felt that way. Wanted. For something other than information, for something she had no control over. No. She wanted Blaise, Merlin how she wanted him! She stumbled after Draco who was pulling her along. She'd been too choked up to return Blaise's goodbye, but she'd managed a blushing smile, enough to make him smirk at her.
People tried to stop Draco to talk to him, people tried to stop him to eye at her. But she was oblivious. All she could think of was deep, dark eyes that made her yearn to strip naked and beg for any attention she could get. The metallic taste of blood lingered in her mouth still, and she savored it.
He was silent the whole way home. Hermione wasn't disappointed. She knew he'd save his anger for something else. He never took it out on her, and if he did, it was all very civil. Maybe this would push him over the line of civility? She could only hope. He really was stressed enough, already. He didn't need something like this on his plate right now.
A/N: So there's chapter three. Hope you all enjoy. My friend Becka is now beta-ing for me, so that may help a bit. She caught a few typos of mine. Hope you all enjoy. The next chapter is interesting... Chapters four and five are written, btw. But you'll have to review to get them! Kidding, kidding. They'll be up there soon. ;o Thanks for all the support!