#2 MURDER MYSTERY
Rating: This is a fluffy fic, hence T.
AN: This was my entry for the Fluff Fest, a Harry Potter-centered fest dedicated to fluffy themes, meet cutes and wholesome vibes, an anonymous fanfic fest with prompts. This was such a very challenging fest for me, thank you so much the mods for hosting it!
My Prompt was "Mountains, blankets, tea, stuck inside" & "Throw in a random, unexpected genre, if you can ;)".
Alpha and beta love: GaeilgeRua & Postal Ninja.
Murder Mystery
OS.
"Let's make a list." She blew on her warm tea. "Do you know who would want you dead?"
T
Day 3
"Let's make a list."
She blew on her warm tea.
"Do you know who would want you dead?"
Draco shot her a dirty glare.
"I guess... Everyone who blames me for the war?"
Rolling her eyes, Hermione sipped before answering.
"No, I mean," she wrapped herself tighter in the blankets, "you've been doing good enough. So, who'd really want it enough to threaten you?"
Scoffing, Draco crossed his arms on his chest.
"Happy to see that threats to my life are a fucking mystery you're trying to solve for fun, Granger."
She shrugged easily.
"What else do you want to do? We're stuck here; better make the most of it."
His grey eyes flashed daggers at her, before looking through the windows at the mountains far away.
"Why are you the one stuck here with me again, Granger?"
Summoning a book, she sank into the couch.
"Because Ron cancelled at the last minute, and Harry asked me to fill in so that he wouldn't look bad. I don't like it either, Malfoy!"
She turned the pages to the last chapter and looked stern once more.
"Hush now, I'm reading."
Day 7
She screamed bloody murder making him jump in alarm.
"What's going on?"
Hermione merely laughed, shaking her head in a frenzy.
"Merlin's beard, Malfoy..."
She caught her breath and wiped at her eyes.
"You're supposed to run away and hide if I scream... It's my signal. I'm the one in charge of the protection, ; I can handle myself."
His eyes narrowed until they were mere slits as they gazed over her.
"I should have known. The person willing to kill me would be you."
Day 1
"Do we need to come here? It's so far away!"
Harry sighed, tired of answering the same question.
"It's for your own security, as you well know."
Draco knew he was whining, but he was past caring.
"But why her? I hate her!"
The Auror shrugged, unabashedly.
"She's the only one available who I trust with my life, so I trust her with yours."
Draco moaned as if he was in pain and hung his head in defeat.
That's when the door opened, and Hermione came in, carrying only her beaded handbag.
"Hello, Harry. "
She looked at Draco with the utmost contempt.
"Malfoy. Still unable to handle yourself alone, you cry-baby."
Day 10
He tried to reach the door handle, but she was quicker, coming to stand in front of the door.
"You heard Harry," she said. "You can't leave. It's not allowed."
He frowned, angry and tired.
"Fuck this, Granger, I need to walk. I need to breathe."
She bit her lips, and her hands gripped her wand.
"I know. I understand; you're stuck here inside with me... But the danger is real."
Draco shot her an angry look.
"I know all that. Will it be easier if you come too?"
Her answer sounded more tactless than she would have liked.
"Wh... What?"
He stared at her, sulking.
"Do you want to? I guess it's the only way for me to be able to stretch my legs."
She gave a small groan at his sorry face and nodded.
"Five minutes, no more. Let me grab my cloak."
Day 16
"What do you mean we can go back now? My life is at stake here."
She sighed tiredly.
"Malfoy, you need to trust me on this. It's been two weeks; we can call it quits."
He threw her an aggravated look.
"You just want me to die. I knew it."
He shook his head, tragic as ever.
"I knew that. I told Potter that. Is anyone listening to me? Of course not!"
Rolling her eyes, Hermione grabbed his shirt collar and tugged at it to bring his face next to hers.
"Granger, what are you..."
She kissed his cheek, rendering him speechless. Quietly, tenderly, slowly.
"Now go pack. I'll explain after."
Day 14
"I never would have thought you'd have lasted so long, frankly."
Hermione stopped reading as she heard the voice booming through the fireplace.
"Whatever do you mean?"
Pansy gave a hearty laugh.
"You and Malfoy..."
Hermione arched a brow, putting her book and her tea onto the coffee table. But the other woman wasn't done.
"I mean, we can all feel the sexual tension."
"Pansy..."
"I can't believe you haven't killed him yet, let alone done the dirty."
"Pansy..."
"But as usual, I'm needed to make things happen."
"Pansy..."
"Yes, dearie?"
Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Is there an actual threat to Malfoy's life?"
Pansy smiled.
"There was one. But since it seems you can tolerate each other, both your murders have been called off."
"Pansy!"
"Hermione!"
Taking a deep breath, Hermione closed her eyes before opening them.
"So we can come back, now?"
"You always could."
She grinned evilly as she disappeared once again.
Sighing, Hermione sat back in her seat and took back her mug.
How long could she keep up the charade before Draco found out as well? He sure as hell wasn't ready yet.
Unknown Day
The door closed, and Harry sighed, pressing his palms to his forehead.
"We need to do something, I guess."
Pansy smiled as she stood up on her toes to kiss him.
"I may have an idea, dear fiancé of mine."
Harry looked at her, surprised, as he rested his hands on her waist.
"Do you now?"
She flashed him a toothy grin.
"No one is going to disturb our wedding, not even our stupid best friends. But you'll need to play along."
He chuckled, rolling his eyes.
"It's actually best if I help you. It'll prevent the murders of said best friends and you going to jail."
The raven-haired girl shook her head, meeting his green eyes.
"As if you'd catch me, Potter."
His eyebrows rose, his lips pulling in a smug grin.
"Oh, I caught you alright, I think."
"That you did", she smirked, "that you did."
She rubbed her hands and raised her brows suggestively.
"Let's plan a murder. A murder party."
Day 34
"I almost liked it better when they fought like cats and dogs..."
Ginny gave a small chuckle, resting her head on Blaise's shoulder.
"This is all your doing, you know..."
Pansy groaned, swallowing her champagne before answering.
"They disgust me. Look at them, Merlin's beard, just look at them, will you?"
Harry frowned and took her flute away before she smashed it without meaning to.
"I think you've drunk enough, love..."
The raven-haired woman shushed him
"Don't you dare, it's my wedding!"
Not paying any mind to their friends watching them from the bar, Hermione murmured Draco's ear as they danced.
"Are they still watching us?"
An eyebrow shot up towards his hairline, not interested at all as he spun her.
"I'm sure they are. Do we care?"
"We really don't, but you should kiss me all the same."
He chuckled, and placed his forehead against hers, his silver eyes meeting her chocolate ones with a warm look.
"That I will, Granger."
He kissed the tip of her nose, holding her a bit tighter.
"It's my pleasure solving mysteries with you, after all."
Hermione had a small laugh.
"It really was."