AN:I am terribly sorry that this is late and thank you for your patience. I was sick and both my wonderful betas, Nantai and chocomieux, have to manage real life and fic. Therefore it might happen occassionally that I will switch between Friday and Saturday - but I can promise you I will update every two weeks even though the day is it off - if I won't, you'll know in advance

THEPrinceCharming: Idk. Friends?

Hermione stared at her phone in disbelief. He had to be joking! He had pushed talking about their feelings, had been ridiculously nice about it and then forced the talk about it and now this? Why not ignore what had happened if he had no real goal.

Persephone: I thought we already were friends.

Hermione reached for the book on her nightstand, assuming that the Prince would take a little longer to reply since they were talking about emotions. He always did when they came up, being obviously as emotionally incapable as she was.

She cringed when she realized she was beginning to actually discern him and his quirks, despite them only talking online for such a short time. She wasn't sure if it was a good thing.

Hermione didn't even manage to read one line before her phone buzzed. She sighed and unlocked it.

THEPrinceCharming: There are friends and there are FRIENDS. And I would be very happy if we became FRIENDS. We have a lot in common and I like you and tbh having a real friend I won't meet means a new level of honesty bc no fear and I am ranting at this point. sry

Hermione frowned. She understood what he was trying to say but, at the same time, she didn't really understand. And of course, there were those awful abbreviations - did he have to use them? The era of paying for each letter was long gone so he could actually write like a decent human being. Of course, Hermione knew that he was probably using them to text her back as fast as he could, but she really felt like being angry with him.

Persephone: A new level of honesty? What do you mean? Aren't you honest to your friends?
THEPrinceCharming: I am. I pride myself in never lying. I just sometimes don't tell them stuff
THEPrinceCharming: I am a very private person, mostly because I hate people's reactions to my problems and have to keep face. And often my friends either wouldn't understand or it would open up a huge pit of despair that's all our problems and it would be a MESS
THEPrinceCharming: I sound like a kindergartener. Sorry about that - my rhetorical skills suffer under the hangover

Hermione wanted to toss her phone away and not deal with this conversation and pretend that it never happened, but at the same time she knew that things wouldn't return to as they were before even if she did that.

She rubbed her eyes and set to type her response without any vigour.

Persephone: Fine. Let's be FRIENDS.

Hermione halted. The message sounded mean, but she wasn't too happy with him. She groaned, pressing send before she would overthink it even more. She was hungover, tired and this was so unnecessary. Men were so unnecessary. Hermione buried her head in her pillow. Damn Malfoy, damn McLaggen and damn the Prince.

Draco let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding when Persephone's response arrived. While she didn't sound too pleased, she had agreed and that was what mattered.

THEPrinceCharming: I am SO glad you agreed!
THEPrinceCharming: But about yesterday: what exactly is your problem with Nietzsche?

Draco grinned to himself when he saw that she was typing a response, his whole body tingling in anticipation of the lengthy paragraph that was to come. He simply loved their intellectual exchanges.

The discussion about Nietzsche spiralled out of control rather fast, resulting in a lengthy talk about the third Reich and anti-semitism and racism that made Draco's insides turn. He even ran to the bathroom in fear he was going to throw up but only coughed a bit.

Luckily Blaise was still asleep so he wasn't there to ask weird questions and even if he was - Draco could always say it was the alcohol and not the guilt that had been stirred at the sole mention of the terrible things that were still happening to people because of things they couldn't control like skin colour of their skin, gender or sexuality.

While he had decided to open up to Persephone, he wasn't ready to share this part of his past yet - especially as she wasn't exactly white. Apart from that, he still wasn't ready to talk about it, his upset stomach making it more than clear.

Fortunately, Persephone refrained from mentioning her own experiences with discrimination and hate altogether, saving Draco from having to suffer through it. Instead, she went on and on about feminism and animal rights and Draco managed to get a few sympathy points by telling her that he saw himself as a feminist too.

From there, everything progressed rather smoothly and Draco relaxed. It seemed that with time not only his dreadful hangover - Granger's fault of course - disappeared but his common sense and luck returned as well.

They were arguing about whether chocolate chip cookies or brownie cookies were better by the time evening came and Draco, feeling bold and happy asked something he knew he shouldn't. But then, Persephone had the tendency to surprise him.

THEPrinceCharming: how do you feel about getting pictures when sexting?
THEPrinceCharming: We've seen parts of each others bodies now anyway. But only if you are comfortable with it - I would understand if you are not
Persephone: I would rather not. But you can if you want?
THEPrinceCharming: Of course :) But please tell me it's not because you are self-conscious about your body. Too many are and it makes me sad and angry
THEPrinceCharming: And this is not me pressuring you into it but being worried
THEPrinceCharming: My last girlfriend didn't want to show me her breasts because someone told her they were too small and she wasn't attractive because of them. She's one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen
THEPrinceCharming: never-mind the sexting. I've talked myself into a real rage here and am out of the mood again

Draco stopped, realizing that he had begun to pace as he wrote the texts. He really hated the way society made girls feel.

Growing up with Pansy had opened his eyes to all kinds of stupid beauty standards, as she had been ridiculed for her nose and face most of her life to the point where she had begged her parents to allow her to get a plastic surgery for Christmas when she was only eleven.

Of course, nobody but him and Daphne knew that and Pansy would kill them both and herself if they ever as much as thought about telling anybody.

For all her fierceness and bad bitch attitude, Pansy was a human being underneath the layers of sass and mascara and people's words hurt her - especially when she had been younger.

The buzz of his phone brought Draco back to reality and away from his musings about Pansy.

Persephone: I admit I laughed at the last message
Persephone: while it is not the reason why I don't want to send pictures, I am self-conscious but that's because I am not pretty. I'm ugly.
Persephone: I've been told that too many times by too many people
Persephone: and seriously don't try to tell me it's not true bc you don't know how I look and I won't show you.

Draco ran a hand through his hair. While he had asked he didn't know what to say to her once again. He was sure she wasn't ugly. He didn't know a single girl who was ugly after puberty passed. Millie wasn't a model but she didn't look like a swamp monster either the way some of the men he had seen around campus did and even Granger had turned out rather good-looking - she was still a wallflower but not an ugly one. Draco wasn't even sure that really ugly women existed - unkempt ones for sure, but not ugly. At least, that's what his mother taught him.

THEPrinceCharming: I am sorry you had to deal with such arseholes.
THEPrinceCharming: I wish I could change how you feel about yourself
Persephone: can we please change the topic?
THEPrinceCharming: Of course.
THEPrinceCharming: Do you want to read and discuss a novel next? It could be a nice distraction from all the philosophical texts. I feel like my brain needs it!

"I am sorry but another student is currently reading The Secret History." The very bored looking librarian said and Hermione scowled.

"Are they going to return it anytime soon?" she asked, tapping her foot impatiently. She hated it when the books she wanted to read were lent out. Usually that wasn't the case - not too many students bothered to read long-dead philosophers and non-fiction books in their spare time and Hermione made a point to read her own books during the exam period where everyone was fighting over literature they needed for their essays and papers.

"I doubt it. They lent it out just today."

Hermione thanked the librarian and stormed out, already musing about where she could get the book. She loved books over everything but she couldn't buy every book she wanted as they were expensive and she wanted too many of them. When she started university and moved out for the first time, she ended up buying way too many books with the result that she was ridiculously broke for the next few months. She had sworn to herself after that, that she would only spend money on books she needed for classes from there on. She had more or less succeeded to follow through, making exceptions only for her birthday and Christmas because you have to treat yourself sometimes, right?

Hermione walked over the campus, deciding to check out the nearby used-bookstore when she saw Malfoy on a bench, reading The Secret History. And not any random copy - there was the obligatory library sticker on the back of the book in his hand.

Hermione stomped over without thinking. "Planning on returning it anytime soon?" she asked without a greeting.

Malfoy looked up from the book and raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"Are you planning on returning the book anytime soon?" Hermione repeated, crossing her arms.

"Actually, no," Malfoy said and put the book into his lap, grinning up at her. "Why should I?"

"We both know you have enough money to buy a whole bookshop so why lend out books instead of buying them? You can't know what kind of lowly people have touched them before you after all." The smug grin disappeared from Malfoy's face to Hermione's delight and she was already congratulating herself on the jab when he started talking, his voice dangerously low.

"How about you shut up and stay out of my business, Granger? You don't know a thing about me." He stood up and shoved the book into her arms before walking away. He didn't look back.

Hermione looked after him in stunned silence, clutching the book with shaking fingers.

When she returned home, she put the book on her table and pulled out her phone. That she hadn't started reading during the bus ride spoke volumes, but not reading at home? That was unheard of.

THEPrinceCharming: Reading novels was a bad idea. Can we read something else?

Hermione frowned and glanced at the book. She really didn't feel like reading it now, despite liking the premise so much when they had talked about it.

Persephone: Agreed. I don't like the book. How about Cicero once again?
THEPrinceCharming: I don't feel like Cicero right now either. Kant?
Persephone: You know exactly that I don't like Kant! Sylvia Plath?
THEPrinceCharming: that's not exactly non-fiction either. And you haven't read her? I am shocked!
Persephone: I have. But I feel like rereading so why not talk about it too?
THEPrinceCharming: fine. Plath it is.
Persephone: Thank you!

Hermione smiled to herself. When she saw the next message her eyes widened.

THEPrinceCharming: Only because I like you so much! Forcing me to read poetry and stuff.. Puh

She was sure she was red as a tomato. Luckily she was alone and didn't have to explain the colour of her face and the goofy smile she was sure she was sporting. It didn't happen too often that somebody told her that they liked her. A sad thing, really, but Hermione had a few good friends and that was better than nothing so she didn't complain. But every person who really liked her - not kinda wanted to shag her like McLaggen - was greatly appreciated.

Persephone: I like you too. And you've told me that you like poetry as well so cut the drama
THEPrinceCharming: NO. It's too fun.

Hermione rolled her eyes.

Persephone: you are ridiculous.
THEPrinceCharming: and yet here we are
THEPrinceCharming: should I show you just how much I like you? *insert eyebrow wiggle*
Persephone: really?
THEPrinceCharming: your loss

Hermione sighed. Was she really going to do this? Obviously she was or else she wouldn't be contemplating it.

Persephone: I didn't say you shouldn't.

Draco smirked and walked over to his mirror, pulling his shirt over his head on his way before tossing it on his bed. He turned his phone carefully, making sure that neither his face, nor too many things that could identify him would be in the picture. While almost nobody knew how his bed looked, he would easily be recognized by the photos on his wall. Draco glanced down on himself and adjusted his trousers so his bulge would be properly visible on the picture.

THEPrinceCharming: photo sent
Persephone: nice. Are you going to strip for me, or how did you imagine this?

Draco stopped. How exactly did he imagine it? He bit the inside of his cheek, thinking about it.

THEPrinceCharming: You tell me a story - I send you a picture showing you just how aroused you made me as it progresses.
Persephone: Oh. that's interesting. Sounds good
THEPrinceCharming: but you have to touch yourself for the whole duration and aren't allowed to come until it's over. I won't too
Persephone: Deal

Draco smirked.

THEPrinceCharming: then go ahead. I'm waiting.
Persephone: Alright, alright.
Persephone: I am sitting at the floor with my hands behind my back, completely naked. I am waiting for you but you just sit there and watch me intently, enjoying how I squirm under your gaze
Persephone: When you finally beckon me to come to you, I want to jump up and run but I know that you expect me to crawl and I do, swaying my hips to give you a view

Draco stroked his dick, barely able to await the next message. He didn't want to send another picture yet, knowing that he didn't have much to show so he had to save them for later but when no message came for another two minutes, he groaned and stripped from his trousers and made a photo of his upper body and groin, the bulge more than prominent.

THEPrinceCharming: photo sent
Persephone: I lick my lips as I approach you and sit down between your legs. One look from you is enough for me to understand what you want. I smile and lick over the bulge in your pants. You let out a low laugh and pull yourself out from them and I set to work.
Persephone: I take you in fully at once, knowing that it's how you like it and groan at the taste of you
Persephone: I bob my head up and down, sucking gently before I pull out and lick along the underside of your dick.

Draco groaned for real. He was painfully hard and fuck if Persephone gave blowjobs as good as she described them, any man who got near her lips could count himself lucky. Near her generally speaking too - she was really awesome and Draco really hated the circumstances under which they met, because their own rules prohibited him from actually getting to know her and maybe court her if everything fit as good in real life as it did online.

Persephone: you stop me as you are too close and I turn around and lean forward. Your hand connects with my arse and I moan. I count as you spank me, altering lighter and stronger hits.

Draco blew out air through his teeth. Another break meant another picture. While he really enjoyed sending the pictures, the breaks frustrated him extremely. He was close and didn't know how long he would last. For once he wished for one of those penis rings Astoria always wanted to try out.
Draco shook his head, trying to rid himself of the thoughts of his ex-girlfriend. He was having fun with Persephone now and it wouldn't be fair to think about Tori when he was clearly interested in somebody else.
He started stroking his dick again.

THEPrinceCharming: photo send
Persephone: You kiss down my spine and lick upwards before you finally fill me in. You pull my hair and bite my shoulder as you pound into me. You rub my clit and stop when you feel me tremble beneath you, before you do it again. You tease me two more times before you finally allow me to come and my orgasm pulls you over the edge as well.

With a moan, Draco spilled over his hand, struggling to catch his breath. He made a picture quickly and fell backwards onto his bed, too lazy to clean up in that moment.

Only when his heart-rate returned to normal did he stand up again and wipe himself clean. Masturbating was such a mess but it was fun too - even though he seriously feared getting addicted as he and Persephone did it way too often.

He reached for his phone when it buzzed again.

THEPrinceCharming: photo send
THEPrinceCharming: look what you did
Persephone: I am proud of myself now.
Persephone: You are bigger than I imagined
THEPrinceCharming: thanks.
THEPrinceCharming: you can be proud of yourself - for a first time telling a story all by yourself it was quite good. but I feel like you already saw everything that matters during the first time :D
Persephone: don't tell me that's what you are thinking about now

Draco chuckled. That certainly wasn't what was on his mind.

THEPrinceCharming: Actually, I think about how I miss cuddling. I can bring myself to an orgasm and you can help ;) but you need either another human being or a pet for cuddling. I have neither to my disposal. My roommate doesn't count. I wouldn't survive an attempt to cuddle with him
Persephone: I feel you. My cat is at my parents' because I am rarely home and I really miss human contact too.
THEPrinceCharming: Aren't we just pathetic?
THEPrinceCharming: At least we have each other to be pathetic together and read weird poetry collections
Persephone: YOU LIKE POETRY!
THEPrinceCharming: I shouldn't have told you that. You are ruining my drama