Tuesday came and Hermione stood in front of the closet, assessing her wardrobe choices. She wasn't sure why she was putting so much thought into this outfit. It's not like she was trying to impress anybody….was she? No, of course not! What did she care if Draco Malfoy thought she looked nice or not? 'Go simple,' she told herself, grabbing a pink peasant top and flowy, white skirt from the closet.
"Just a group of friends, getting together for some dancing," Hermione muttered, smoothing out her top and giving herself an appraising look in the mirror. "It's not at all out of the ordinary that you were married to one of them and are currently sleeping with another."
Hermione groaned and let her head thud against the mirror. SLEPT with! Past tense! As in it happened and will not happen again!
Right….who was she fooling? The sex was great and she was sleeping better than she had in years. She could tell herself over and over again that it wouldn't happen ever again, but Hermione knew that given the opportunity, she'd hop right back into bed with Draco in a heartbeat.
"Hermione," Harry's voice called from downstairs, "I'm heading to the studio."
"Okay, I won't be far behind," Hermione called back.
She slipped into a pair of white tennis shoes and clipped her hair back. That weekend she had started putting lengthening charms on it so that it would grow a little bit each day. At the moment it almost reached her shoulders, but still wasn't quite long enough to tie back in a decent ponytail.
Hermione stared at her reflection in the mirror and gave herself a firm nod. "Stay strong, Hermione," she told herself. "Control your libido!"
At the dance studio, she hung up her purse and made her way over to where Ginny and Harry were standing. As she crossed the large hardwood floor, she scanned the room for a certain blonde head, but the only one that stuck out was Luna.
"Hey, Min," Ginny greeted, giving her a hug. "I believe your partner is the only one we're waiting for. It would appear he's going for fashionably late, as per usual."
Hermione frowned slightly and shook her head. "I'm not holding my breath for him. He was pretty clear at dinner the other night that this isn't his idea of a night of fun."
"Well, he has no clue what he's missing," Ginny declared, wrapping an arm around Hermione's waist. "If he doesn't show, I'll share Harry with you."
Harry's face lit up and he grinned. "Will you now? This dance class just got more interesting."
Hermione started cracking up and Ginny just shook her head. "Darling, you wouldn't even know what to do with both of us if I ever said yes to that."
"Oh, I'm sure I could think of a few things."
"Shut up," Ginny laughed, pulling him in for a kiss.
"Min?" Harry said, pulling away and leaning in towards Hermione.
Hermione put her hand over his face and pushed him away, saying, "Sorry, you're not my type, Potter."
"Yeah, I suppose I'm not," Harry replied, winking, with a smug, knowing look. Hermione was about to question it, but a sharp whistle echoed across the room, bringing the chattering to a halt.
An almost impossibly thin woman strode to the center of the room, beckoning the group to join her. The dance instructor had raven hair that was pulled into a tight bun; not a stray hair out of place. Her lips were pursed and painted blood red. She gave off an energy that signaled she wasn't one to be crossed. Hermione felt as though she was getting a glimpse of a young Professor McGonagall and found herself instinctively straightening her posture.
Her fears we unfounded though. As soon as their large group had assembled in front of her, the instructor's mouth broke into a wide smile and they were greeted with, "Good evening everyone! My name is Miranda and I will be teaching you all the art of dancing. Even those of you that claim to have two left feet." She smiled at Charlie, which made the others chuckle. "Now, we will be starting off-"
Before Miranda could finish her sentence the loud clang of the door opening and closing reverberated through the studio. Everyone looked to the far side of the room and Hermione started cursing her heart for skipping a beat. Draco Malfoy had entered the room.
"Greetings," Miranda called, as Draco hung up his jacket and sauntered over to stand behind Hermione. "You're just in time. We were just getting started. Now, tonight we'll be starting easy and learning the steps to a basic waltz. I like starting with this dance because it's only a few simple steps to master and it leaves a lot of room to add your own creative moves. Let's have the bride and groom come up and help demonstrate."
As Ginny and Harry stepped to the front, Hermione tuned out the rest of Miranda's speech. She knew this dance by heart and at the moment she couldn't focus her mind on anything else except the presence behind her. Why was her mind and body betraying her so much? Sure, he had changed a lot since school, but Draco Malfoy was still a smug prick. The trait wasn't appealing on him as a boy, and much less so now as a man.
Was it because he was good in bed? She certainly enjoyed the sex. Draco never failed to finish the job, making sure she was just as satisfied as he seemed. Hermione wasn't quite sure what it was about sex with Draco that allowed her mind to clear and actually sleep, but it was a much needed reprieve. Maybe it was orgasms in general that she needed. Maybe it didn't have to be specifically with Draco. But then again, she's pleasured herself many times and never reached the same result….
Several claps interrupted Hermione's ponderings as Miranda instructed them all to pair off and practice the demonstrated steps. Hermione took a deep breath and turned to face Draco, only to find herself staring at his retreating backside as he moved to an empty space. She stood rooted to the spot, momentarily hypnotized.
"You coming Granger, or are you just gonna stare at my arse all night?" Draco called. Hermione scowled at him, eliciting a smirk from his lips. "Keep scowling like that and you'll give yourself wrinkles." Hermione rolled her eyes as she walked over to join him.
"Okay, starting positions," Miranda announced, putting a record on the turntable. At once, both Hermione and Draco raised their arms for the lead position.
"Switch," Draco instructed.
"Why do I have to be the one to switch?"
"Because I'm the guy."
"Outdated patriarchal-"
"Shut up and humor me," Draco interrupted. He grabbed her right hand in his left, and then pulled her left up onto his shoulder. "Perfect," he said, sliding his right hand around to her back.
"I thought you can't dance," Hermione grumbled as she fixed her footing.
"Never said can't. I said I don't dance. Big difference." The sound of needle against vinyl sounded through the studio and Draco pulled her close. "On three," and he started his count.
The music started and Hermione tried her best to pay attention to her steps. Back, right, together. Back, left, together. Back, right, together. It was hard to keep her own count though as the smell of Draco's cologne and the feel of his thigh pushing between her legs fogged her brain.
"Turn," Draco said suddenly. Hermione had a split second to react as Draco started in on the steps to spin her around. She ended up stumbling and stepping on his feet. "Bugger all, Granger," he huffed, steadying her and easing back into the rhythm. "I assumed you knew how to do this."
"I do. It'd be nice to have a bit of a heads up though if you're going to change up the moves," Hermione replied.
"It was either turn or slam you up against the wall." Draco gave her an evil smile before continuing, "Which I'm not opposed to, I just usually don't enjoy an audience. Turn." Hermione was prepared this time and was able to keep her moves in sync with his. "I am enjoying the blush though. Does it go all the way down?"
He glanced down at her cleavage and Hermione pushed herself closer to him. "For Godric's sake, Malfoy. Could you show just an ounce of decorum?"
"I think not throwing you up against the wall and hiking your skirt up is a perfect example of my decorum," Draco whispered in Hermione's ear, sending shivers down her spine. "Turn."
Hermione wasn't sure how to respond to that so she kept her mouth shut and stared off over Draco's shoulder as he led her around the dance floor. She watched as the other couples practiced. Harry and Ginny had caught on quickly. Bill was spinning Fleur gracefully along their dance path. Ron seemed to be struggling with Luna as his partner. He wasn't the most competent dancer to begin with, and Luna seemed to be dancing to music that only she could hear.
"Get ready, Granger."
"For what?"
"This." Keeping hold of her right hand, Draco let go of her back and gave her a quick spin, before pulling her back and dipping her low as the last notes of the music faded away. Hermione stared up at him, her eyes wide and breathing heavy.
"Bravo! Very nice, Draco," Miranda complimented as Draco pulled Hermione back to her feet. "Your boyfriend is very light on his feet," she said, giving Hermione a wink.
"N-n-no, not my b-boyfriend," Hermione called, quickly pulling her hands from Draco's grasp.
Miranda either didn't hear, or didn't care, because she breezed by Hermione and Draco, calling to the group, "Very good first night. We'll practice that one first thing on Thursday before we spice things up with the Salsa. Have a good night everyone!"
The chattering of couples filled the air as everyone moved to gather purses and coats. Draco simply smiled at Hermione and walked off to get his jacket. As soon as he was away from Hermione, Ginny rushed over to her side.
"Wow, you and Draco make quite the pair. Who would have thought he could dance like that?"
"You saw that?"
"Oh honey, I think everyone took notice. As close as you two were, I doubt we could've fit a quill between your bodies," Ginny said, arching an almost expectant eyebrow.
"I guess Draco Malfoy is just full of surprises."
A snort of laughter caused her and Ginny to quickly turn and see Ron walking past. Before Hermione could tell him off, Draco called, "Granger!" Hermione looked over at the coat rack and saw him beckoning her over. She glanced at Ginny, who just grinned, shrugged her shoulders and said, "Better go see what he wants."
Hermione slowly made her way over to where Draco stood. "What?" she asked, stopping a few feet in front of him.
"Hold out your hand." Hermione hesitated and Draco let out an agitated sigh. "What the hell do you think I'm going to do to you in a room full of people? Hold out your hand." She relented and extended her hand to him. He slyly slipped an object into her palm and closed her fingers around it. "Just in case you get the urge to show up at my door again, there's no need to knock."
And with that, Draco turned and left the studio. Hermione watched the door swing shut as she pocketed the key she had just received.
"Everything okay?" Ginny asked, appearing at her side.
"Yeah, fine. He just had to get in one last complaint in about stepping on his toes," Hermione lied, smiling at her friend. "You guys heading home?"
Back at the cottage, in Godric's Hollow, Hermione lay on her bed, twirling the key between her fingers. A knock on the door made her quickly shove it back into her pocket.
"Okay if I come in?" Ginny asked, opening the door a crack.
"Sure," Hermione answered, quickly sitting up.
Ginny entered, a basket of laundry on her hip. She closed the door, set the basket on the floor, and came to sit next to Hermione on the bed. "If I ask you a question, will you be completely honest with me?"
"Of course."
"Good. Why didn't you tell me you've been sleeping with Draco?"
"What?! How on earth did you get that idea?!" Hermione cried.
"You're a really shite lier, Hermione Granger. But if you refuse to come clean, I present you with Exhibit A." Ginny moved back to the laundry basket and lifted up a clean, pressed, white button-up shirt. "Because I am the greatest best friend ever, I did your laundry. Imagine my surprise to find this in amongst your clothes."
"What makes you think it's Draco's? That could be any man's shirt," Hermione said, dismissively. Ginny stepped forward, holding out a sleeve of the shirt. Right under where a cufflink would reside was a green, embroidered 'M'. "Oh, for fuck's sake," Hermione groaned. "He would be the kind of pompous git that monogrammed his shirts."
Ginny beamed victoriously as she hung the shirt in the closet. She pulled something from her pocket and tossed it to Hermione. It landed in her lap as Ginny said, "He doesn't brand those, but I'm just gonna assume they're are Draco's also. Hermione sighed in defeat as she lifted the boxers from her lap.
"So," Ginny continued, sitting back on the bed, "How is he?"
"What?"
"In bed, how is he?" Ginny repeated.
"Would you keep it down?" Hermione hissed. "I don't want Harry to know."
"Harry already knows," a voice called from the hall.
"Are you kidding me?" Hermione yelled, covering her face with her hands. "If you're using extendable ears on me I'm gonna murder you."
The door swung open to reveal Harry leaning against the doorframe, the same knowing look on his face from the dance studio.
"Wait, you knew? How?" Ginny asked.
"They both gave the same lame excuse for where they disappeared to the night after dinner at the Burrow. Just seemed a bit too coincidental. And then when she disappeared again, the night her and Ron rowed, I assumed she had gone back again."
"I can't believe you didn't tell me!"
Harry just shrugged and said, "I figured she'd tell us when she felt ready."
"Hello! I'm right here you know," Hermione said, exasperated. "Could you not talk like I'm on another planet?"
"Sorry," the couple replied, in unison.
"Look, it's no big deal. It was just sex," Hermione explained.
"With Draco Malfoy," Ginny countered.
"Yes."
"Two times."
"Yes."
"Draco Malfoy never sleeps with the same woman twice. Not since-"
"Gin," Harry warned.
"What? It's true," Ginny replied.
"That's Draco's business. Not something for us to be talking about."
"It's not like it was a secret. They-" Ginny started, only to be interrupted again.
"If he wants to share that with Min, he will on his own time."
Hermione growled and said, "Again, I'm right here! Care to clue me in on what I'm missing here?"
Harry gave her a sympathetic smile and shook his head. "It's Draco's history to share, not ours."
Now Hermione's curiosity was at a high. If Draco didn't sleep with the same woman twice, why was she the exception? And what did it mean that he gave her…..Hermione dug the key back out of her pocket and held it up. "He gave me this tonight. What am I supposed to make of it?" she demanded, looking between Ginny's shocked face to Harry's passive one.
"I see the gears turning in your head, Ginny," Harry said, pointing at his fiance. "Don't turn it into a big deal."
"But it is a big deal, isn't it?" Hermione said, jumping up. "You tell me he doesn't sleep with the same woman twice, yet here I am, two shags in and holding his flat key!"
"Do you want something more with Draco?" Harry asked.
"No!" Hermione replied, almost too quickly.
"Are you enjoying your nights with him?" Hermione felt a blush creeping up her body, but nodded. "Then don't overanalyze everything," Harry advised. "You want to sleep with Draco, you have our blessing to go shag him senseless. Or maybe shag some sense into him. Merlin knows he could use some. If you want to leave it at two shags and hash out your sexual tension on the dance floor, go for it. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you enjoy yourself. You deserve to let loose and have some no consequence fun." He moved from the door and gave Hermione a hug. "Now, if you ladies will excuse me, I am off to bed. You," he said, narrowing his eyes at Ginny. "Stop asking about the sex lives of our best friends. It's weird."
"Strictly for research purposes, darling," Ginny reassured, flashing him a smile of innocence.
"Right," Harry laughed. "Good night."
Harry shut the door and Ginny turned to Hermione with an eager grin. "So, whatcha gonna do with that key?"
"I don't know." Hermione let out an agitated squeak and fell back onto the bed. "It wasn't supposed to be like this. I don't just hop into bed with random guys. Fuck, I don't just hop into bed with guys I actually know well!"
"Draco isn't that random," Ginny quipped.
"You know what I mean."
"Do you hate him?"
"Yes….no?" Hermione punched her pillow. "I don't hate him like I did back in school. I'll concede to the fact that he's changed and is much more tolerable. But he's still an arsehole that has control issues." She chewed on her bottom lip for a minute before continuing, "I guess it bugs me a bit because he's not the type of guy I go for. But that first night…..my senses were soaked in tequila and he was being unusually sweet and I hadn't been with anyone since Ron…."
"Whoa, you mean you went over two years with nothing? No one?" Hermione gave her friend a miserable nod. "Then...fuck, yeah, you were due for a good shag." Ginny stood up, giving Hermione's knee a gentle pat. "Look, Min. No one is judging you here, except you. You've obviously been struggling since the divorce. Like Harry said, if anyone deserves some happiness, it's you. Just be safe. And don't go falling in love with a Malfoy," she added.
"I think I'm safe there. Good night."
"Night." Ginny started for the door, then turned back and asked, "Really though, is he good?"
"Ginny!" Harry yelled from their bedroom.
Hermione smiled and mouthed 'Yes, very.'
"I knew it!" she whispered, before scurrying from the room.
After her friend left, Hermione sat on the bed and stared at the white shirt, hanging in the closet. She could feel Draco's key in her pocket and suddenly it seemed to weigh a ton. Was he expecting her to come over? He must be, otherwise why would he give it to her? Did she want to go over? No...yes? Urg! This indecisiveness was killing her!
Her best friends knew and didn't care, so why should she? People used each other for sex all the time. If her and Draco were on the same page, both fulfilling some unspoken need, then there really was no controversy.
Hermione walked over to the closet and let her fingertips trail along the shirt sleeve. The memory of Draco's thigh between her legs and his threats of taking her up against the wall flooded her mind and momentarily turned her legs to jelly. She really should return the shirt to him...most likely he wouldn't be home anyway. She can just hang the shirt back in his wardrobe and slip back out, like she was never even there….
Five minutes later she was standing outside his door, biting her bottom lip and contemplating her next move. Instinctively she wanted to knock, but then felt dumb for it because he had given her the key, specifically saying she didn't have to knock. She still felt awkward just walking right in though. What if he was with someone? Shouldn't she at least let her presence be known before just waking in?
'I'll knock as I go in. That way he'll have plenty of notice to tell me to fuck off if he's already preoccupied,' Hermione told herself. She took a steadying breath, slid the key into the lock, and gave a quick knock as she walked into the flat.
The lights were on, but it was quiet. Hermione had slowed her breathing, trying to listen for any noise coming from the bedroom, when Draco came in from the kitchen. He was holding a glass of water and had a look on his face that hovered somewhere between annoyed and amused.
"The point of the key, Granger, is so that you don't have to knock."
"I know. I just wanted to give you a heads up that I was here, in case you were in the middle of….something."
Draco smiled and moved towards her. "Just so you know, that wouldn't stop me. I'd just invite you to join."
"Right." Hermione wasn't sure how to reply to that, so she just held his shirt out to him. "All I wanted to do was return this. Thanks to your need to brand your clothing, Harry and Ginny know we've slept together."
"And this bothers you?" he asked, not making a move to take the shirt from her.
"Well, yeah, doesn't it bother you?"
"Not particularly. Why does it bother you?"
"Because I'm not one to go about gossiping about my bedroom activities."
"You're a first then," Draco replied nonchalantly. "It seems every other girl I've been with can't keep their traps shut afterwards."
"And that doesn't bother you?" Hermione asked in disbelief. She'd be mortified if she knew Ron had gone around and shared intimate details about their sex life.
"It's not like they're saying anything that's untrue. I ask again, though, why does it really bother you so much? Because we're supposed to hate each other?"
"I guess so. You were always the last person I ever expected to end up in bed with."
"I don't hate you, Granger," Draco said simply. "You irritate the fuck out of me, but I don't hate you. I understand if you still hate me, though. I wasn't exactly a prince back in our school days."
"You fucking acted like it," Hermione muttered, making Draco laugh. She sighed and shook her head, saying, "I don't hate you. And I don't regret what we did. Like I said, I'm not one to talk openly about my sex life."
She held the shirt out once more and Draco finally took it. For a moment they stood and stared at each other. Rolling his eyes, Draco tossed the shirt onto a nearby chair and said, "Now that that's out of the way, are you going to take your clothes off or do I have to?"
"What?!"
"This is the longest you've been in my flat and not naked. I know you didn't come all the way here just to return a shirt. So, I ask again, are you going to take your clothes off or shall I just tear them from you, piece by piece?" Hermione stared at him, gobsmacked and speechless. "Piece by piece it is then," Draco said, pushing her skirt down and letting it fall to her feet before covering her mouth with his.