Third Time Lucky

That's okay babe
Just tell me all your problems
I'll try my best to kiss them all away

A few days after his last encounter with Hermione, Draco was down at the Three Broomsticks having a meeting with one of his clients when he heard a couple of people sit at the table behind them.

"So Ron's teammates dropped him home drunk and when he saw Hermione… well, let's just say Hermione came off second best." Draco could never forget that distinguished voice. Harry was talking to someone and his voice was a little more hushed then was usual for privacy in the pub's loud noise, so Draco had to strain to hear.

"Well, is she okay?" It was a girl's voice this time. Definitely a Weasley, it must be Ginny,thought Draco.

"Yeah, after a few healing charms she was all back to normal. I think the owl I sent to Ron, telling him I'd seen Malfoy with Hermione, must have caused him to go a bit nuts." Draco didn't like the sound of that. It was a good thing his client was reading over a contract as Harry and Ginny were talking.

Ginny and Harry's voice then became no more than a whisper and Draco couldn't make out any of what they were saying. Even so, Draco had heard enough for him to make a mental note to find Hermione and make sure he hadn't caused too much trouble.

"Umm, what is this supposed to mean?" His client caught his attention and then pointed to a sentence on a page full of tiny writing.


After his Friday night shift, Draco had a nap and then decided to pay Hermione a visit. He wanted to make sure she was all right and he had not caused any unwanted trouble between the couple. He knew Ron wasn't likely to be at the house because he had a game that day in Ireland.

One of his work colleagues, who was a friend of one of Ron's teammates, had mentioned being at their house for a party once. Draco asked for the address in the pretence of having been invited to a party there and losing the invitation the address was written on it.

Draco apparated to the front of the house, walked up the path and knocked on the door. I hope she is home,he thought when a minute passed and the door still hadn't been answered. He knocked again, only a little louder, just in case she didn't hear the first time.

"I'm coming," came a woman's voice from inside. Okay, so she is home.Draco was relieved.

The door opened and Hermione greeted him with, "Oh…umm…what are you doing here?"

"I'm sorry," he blurted out and really meant it, "It's just that, well… I overheard someone talking about Ron finding out I saw you again and him not being very happy about it." Draco's words were coming out rather quickly due to his nervousness. "I just wanted to know whether you were all right and apologise if I caused any trouble." Draco waited for her to say something, but when she didn't he said, "Anyway, I guess I should probably go before I cause any more trouble for you." He gave her an apologetic smile and turned to leave.

"Wait…" Hermione finally said. Draco turned back to see a distressed look on her face. "Would you come in?" Hermione asked tentatively, with a small gesture towards the inside of her home.

"Are you sure that is a good idea?"

She looked around to make sure no one was on the street to watch and then cast a disillusionment charm on him. Draco felt the charm taking effect. "Now will you come in?" she said with minimal movement of her lips.

Hermione obviously didn't want to talk to him out in the open about whatever had happened and her house at this point might be as private as they were going to get. "Okay" Draco whispered and stepped inside as Hermione moved behind the door. "I'm in," he stated and she closed the door behind him.

"Would you like a drink or anything?" she offered as she took the disillusionment charm off him.

"Ah, no thanks." Draco was still a little nervous. He had this overwhelming feeling he shouldn't be here and this had been a very bad idea.

"I think I should go. You probably have a lot of things to do and I don't want to keep you. I only really came round to make sure you were okay."

"Well, I'm fine enough," she stated nonchalantly as she reached the kitchen and went for one of the overhead cupboards to get a mug so she could make herself a cuppa. When she did, the sleeves of her shirt slid up to reveal a bruise on her upper arm.

"Hermione," Draco said while walking over to stand next to her. "What's that on your arm?"

Hermione quickly pulled her arm down and covered the mark with her sleeve again. "What do you mean? There is nothing on my arm." She turned away from him.

Draco gently put a hand on the place where he had seen the bruise. "Did Ron do that to you?"

"Don't tell anyone, please." Hermione looked at Draco with tears falling from her eyes. "He didn't mean to, he was drunk and…" Hermione started to cry on Draco's shoulder.

"It's okay, it's okay." Draco rubbed her back to try and calm her down. He felt the urge to wrap his arms around her, but resisted. When her crying subsided Draco removed Hermione's head from his shoulder. They looked into each other's eyes and, before either of them knew what was happening, their lips were interlocked in a tender kiss.

Hermione's instincts kicked in and she pushed away from Draco, looking in the other direction. I can't do this. I have a husband. But you want this. No, I can't.

Even as Hermione's thoughts ran through her head, she felt herself being drawn back to Draco. She didn't know what it was, but the kiss had felt so right. Spending time with him felt, somehow, natural.

She turned back to face him. His mouth was still partially open (possibly in shock), so she reached up to touch it with her fingertips. His breath felt hot and the scent coming from him was intoxicating.

Hermione found her mouth over Draco's once more. She let his tongue find its way over her teeth and the roof of her mouth. Her hands wound their way into his hair and then one strayed down to his chest. Meanwhile, Draco's hands had a mind of their own as they moved to the base of Hermione's shirt and attempted to lift it so he could feel her bare, hot skin.

What are you doing? Getting closer to a beautiful girl. A girl that happens to be married. Fine, spoil my fun. Fun? Do I wanna live?

Draco suddenly pulled away from Hermione. "I'm sorry Hermione. We can't do this; you're married for goodness sake. I've got to go," and with that he turned and disappeared out the front door.