Chapter Twenty

Making Plans

Granger closed her eyes and kissed him back eagerly, standing on her tiptoes and wrapping her arms around his neck.

Draco tried to concentrate on her lips, but his brain kept thinking about every part of her body he could feel pressing against his. Specifically, that part he could feel against his chest.

He could also feel the warmth of her skin through her clothes.

Draco kept exploring the softness of her lips with his tongue, and he felt the lower part of his body closer to bursting into flames with every little noise that escaped her throat.

The image of himself ripping open her shirt and kissing her collarbone flashed into his mind and all his muscles tensed.

He couldn't go any further. Not yet.

One of her hands was trailing down his back and Draco panicked as he heard her sigh, breaking the kiss and bringing their foreheads together.

She looked up into his eyes, panting and with a small smile on her face.

Draco watched her red lips for a moment as he tried to catch his breath.

Kissing her was too intense. He was finding it harder and harder to resist and stop, but the fear of doing something wrong and disappointing her was even worse.

"Are you all right?"

He nodded, letting out a long sigh.

"I shouldn't have got so angry with you."

"And I shouldn't have touched the diary," she murmured, brushing a blond strand of hair away from his forehead.

"I don't like being like this with you, Granger. You forgave me, you're giving me another chance and I..."

She covered his mouth with a hand, shaking her head.

"Are you still having trouble controlling your emotions?"

Draco nodded again, He grabbed her hand and pulled it away gently, holding onto it.

Being in contact with her skin was the only thing that calmed him completely.

"Occlumency helps, but sometimes it's not enough."

She blinked and twisted her lips in thought.

"Is there anything we can do to help you with that?"

He took a step back, putting distance between them to think more clearly.

"Yes, though now is not the time."

Her eyebrows arched.

"What is it?"

Draco turned and walked to the door of his room, opening it wide.

"We should go tell my nosy friends that you managed to get me out of here," he said, stepping out into the corridor.

She followed him, picking up her pace until she caught up with him and was able to walk beside him.

The rays of dusk were streaming through the windows of the manor, illuminating the white walls with an autumnal light.

Draco heard her taking a deep breath and focused on not rolling his eyes. Of course she was going to keep insisting.

"Can't you tell me?"

"I said one question, Granger. And you've already asked too many," he replied without looking at her.

She sighed and Draco glanced sideways at her, snorting as he saw her sad gaze fixed on the marble floor as she walked.

'Fuck. She's impossible to resist.'

"Once the bond is complete I'll be able to control my impulses much better, almost like before my Veela blood activated."

Granger gasped, her eyes going wide.

He knew his mother had spoken to Potter on the subject so surely the four-eyed one had told her everything.

But Narcissa would never say anything he didn't want Granger to know. Draco still trusted his mother and would do so unconditionally for the rest of his life.

After all, she had risked her own life more than once to try and protect him.

"And what needs to be done to complete it?"

"You don't have to worry about that. It's still too soon," he muttered, shaking his head.

Granger clasped one of his hands, interlacing their fingers.

"You don't want me to know?" she asked in a whisper, seeking his gaze.

Draco worked his jaw, focusing on the warmth of her small fingers to relax.

"I don't want to scare you, Granger."

She bit her lower lip nervously.

"Is it something bad or painful?"

"You could say that," Draco mumbled under his breath, low enough for her not to hear him.

"What?"

"I'll explain soon, but not yet. We need to have more dates before we talk about it," he added, squeezing her hand and giving her a small smirk.

Granger rolled her eyes, letting out a snort.

"Okay."

Draco smiled and squared his shoulders, closing his eyes and drawing in a slow breath.

He still wasn't ready for that conversation, and he doubted he ever would be. But at least she had agreed to wait.

He started down the stairs without letting go of her hand, clicking his tongue as he saw his mother and his three best friends in the hall.

He would never admit it, but Pansy had done him a great favour by going in search of Granger.

If she hadn't, he would probably have remained locked in his room until he felt his body begin to weaken.

"I knew she'd convince you," Pansy commented mockingly as she watched the two of them walk down the stairs together.

Draco wrinkled his nose.

"You think you're so clever, Pansy."

"I am, you idiot."

Theo chuckled beside her and Narcissa hid a smile. Blaise was staring at Hermione and raised an eyebrow, giving her a mysterious smile.

"All this over a little argument? Still as dramatic as ever, I see," he said, searching Draco's gaze with his dark irises.

He narrowed his eyes in his direction.

"It wasn't a little argument, Blaise. It was quite serious," Draco growled in a deep voice.

Hermione sighed, bumping her shoulder with his arm gently.

"It's okay now and we should just forget about it."

Pansy smiled in Draco's direction, arching her eyebrows, and he rolled his eyes.

Narcissa moved towards them and took hold of her son's free arm, leaning down to speak softly.

"I'm glad you're alright."

He glanced sideways at his mother and nodded with a small smile.

"Don't lose your temper in front of her again," the woman added in a whisper before releasing his arm.

Draco watched her out of the corner of his eye as she walked away down the central corridor of the manor.

"I'll try not to let it happen again," he murmured, turning his head to Hermione and squeezing her hand again.

She gave him an encouraging smile.

"You can do it. You're such a gentleman when you want to."

Blaise and Theo burst out in mock laughter.

"I find that hard to believe," Theo said, still laughing.

Pansy shot them both a hateful glare.

"Stop talking nonsense. Draco is far more chivalrous than the two of you together."

Theo raised an eyebrow, slipping his arm around Pansy's shoulders and pulling her closer to him.

"Do you have any complaints about me?" he asked in a seductive voice.

She ran her tongue over her teeth as she watched him closely.

"Not really."

Theo's grin widened and he bent down to press his lips to hers. Hermione tensed, looking up to meet Draco's eyes.

"The two of them are together, Granger," he said, confirming the obvious.

Hermione blinked in confusion. She glanced back at the pair of Slytherins and then settled her gaze on Blaise.

"I've always seen you being so affectionate with Parkinson. I thought you and her..."

"The three of us are best friends, Granger. But they have been dating for a while now," Blaise replied, nudging Pansy affectionately.

"And no one can know about it," Draco added quietly.

"Why not?"

Blaise and Draco exchanged a glance and Theo rolled his eyes, snorting before speaking.

"Because it would be a scandal. Purebloods like us don't show affection in public or have relations until their wedding day."

"Relations?" Hermione repeated, her brow furrowing.

Theo's lips curved into a mocking smile.

"She and I are the only unmarried purebloods who aren't virgins, but only Blaise and Draco know that."

"And now you. You'd better not tell anyone, Granger," Pansy added, narrowing her eyes.

Hermione's cheeks flushed red and she shook her head.

"Look at her, blushing like a prude," Pansy commented in a whisper.

Draco took a step towards her, hardening his gaze.

"Pansy..."

"I was just joking," she said, holding up her hands.

He growled a curse under his breath and returned to Hermione's side, wrapping his arm around her.

"Ignore her, Granger. That's what I do."

"Never mind. I was thinking... What if you tried meditation?" she proposed, changing the subject.

"Meditation?" Draco and Theo asked at the same time.

"It's something Muggles do. They let their minds go blank and it helps them relax."

"That sounds a lot like Occlumency," Draco said with a shrug.

Hermione bit the inside of her cheek in thought.

He was right. Occlumency did require a similar technique.

"I'll keep thinking. We'll think of something."

"What we need is for you to learn to control your temper for once, Draco," Pansy protested, placing her hands on her hips and clicking her tongue.

"When you learn to control yours."

The laughter of their two friends surrounded them and Pansy rolled her eyes.

"Touché."

She sat down in one of the armchairs and the rest of them mimicked her, sitting around her. Draco still hadn't let go of Hermione's hand.

"Did you miss me?" she asked in a whisper, smiling sheepishly.

He returned her smile.

"Maybe a little."

"Hey, Draco... When are we going to do something together?" Theo interrupted.

"Yeah, like old times," Blaise added with a nod.

"That's right. You haven't hung out with us since you became a sourpuss in sixth year," murmured Pansy, sighing theatrically.

Draco narrowed his eyes in hatred.

"I had some reasons to be bitter and you know it, Pansy," he snarled, covering his left forearm with his free hand.

All three of his friends knew that was the place where his Dark Mark was.

"We need to celebrate that the war is over and we are free," she insisted, jumping up and down on the armchair excitedly.

"I can't leave the manor without the supervision of someone from the Ministry."

Pansy snorted, pointing at Hermione with her hand.

"And what is she?"

Draco twisted his lips hesitantly.

"Would you come with us?" he asked, giving her a sidelong glance.

Hermione squeezed his hand affectionately.

"Why not? It might be fun," she said, shrugging one of her shoulders. "Besides, we were planning to go to Hogsmeade this Saturday to have lunch with Ginny. I was going to invite you whenever I saw you again."

"We could go there in the afternoon and have drinks together before dinner," Blaise proposed.

"I don't know if Madam Rosmerta will let me into the Three Broomsticks," said Draco, looking away uncomfortably and crossing his arms.

"That's right. I forgot you had her under the Imperius Curse for over a month," Theo commented, his eyes widening.

Draco gave him a cold look.

"Maybe she doesn't remember anymore," Pansy muttered.

"Or perhaps she's willing to give you another chance, too," Hermione added optimistically.

Draco turned to her, smiling as he shook his head.

"Not everyone is as understanding as you, Granger."

"We'll go to Hog's Head, then," Blaise said, snorting in annoyance.

Hermione watched the four of them for a moment. She knew Draco hadn't had a social life since before the war and he could use a night out with his friends.

"Okay. Draco and I will stay there for the evening."

Blaise's grin widened.

"I'd give you a hug, Granger, but..." he extended an arm in Draco's direction and winked at her.

She smiled, glancing at Draco to see his reaction. His eyes were wide and he was watching her carefully.

"Are you sure?"

She shrugged.

"I think I could do with getting to know your friends a little better. I'll suggest the plan to Harry, Ginny and Ron so they can get to know them too."

"The Weasleys?" Pansy asked, wrinkling her nose in disgust.

Draco shot her a warning look and she threw her hands up again innocently.

"I'll be lovely, I promise."

"I hope so," Draco replied, pursing his lips.

Hermione burst out laughing, shaking her head in disbelief.

Four Gryffindors and four Slytherins sharing a night of drinks in Hogsmeade was something she never imagined could happen.

"Harry will be making dinner by now. I should probably get going," she commented quietly, getting to her feet and averting her gaze to Draco.

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek, feeling his friends' gazes on her.

"See you tomorrow, Draco. Oh, and you can sleep over at Harry's again any time."

His arms wrapped around her as she pulled back, preventing her from moving away.

Draco ducked his head and she felt his breath on her neck, shivering in his arms.

"Why don't you stay with me today?" he whispered in her ear.

Hermione held her breath.

"Here?"

Draco nodded, catching one of her curls as he stared down at her.

"There are over twenty guest rooms in this house but I'd prefer it if you slept in my room."

Seeing her blush, he lifted an eyebrow.

"I don't know why you're looking at me like that, Granger. We've slept together several times before, and my bed is much bigger than the one at Grimmauld Place."

She hesitated, taking a step back.

"I-it's all right. I'll have dinner with Harry and come back with one of my pyjamas."

He gave her a crooked smile.

"You can use my fireplace. If I'm not there when you get back, I'll probably be at the pool. Call Minsy and ask her to take you there."

"Do you have a pool?" Hermione asked, very surprised.

Draco arched his other eyebrow, still grinning.

"Of course there's a pool in this manor, and it'll probably be bigger than my parents' house," she added with a grunt.

She smiled as she heard Draco and his three friends chuckle.

"I'll be waiting for you," he murmured, tugging at his bottom lip with his teeth and staring into her eyes.

Hermione took another step back, knowing that her blush had worsened. She nodded and tossed the powder onto the embers, disappearing in a swirl of green flames.

Draco turned, facing his three friends.

"Why are you still here?"

"I think we should talk," Pansy commented, crossing her arms and tapping her foot impatiently.

Theo glanced sideways at her.

"Is this the conversation you told me about?"

Pansy nodded and he shifted his weight from one foot to the other uncomfortably.

"I'd rather you talk to him about it when I'm not around," Theo added quietly, his green eyes fixed on her.

Pansy clicked her tongue.

"You're so shy."

"Well, I want to be there," Blaise said with a big grin.

She rolled her eyes.

"It's too late, but I'll come tomorrow morning and we'll talk. Okay, Draco?"

"And what do you want to talk about?" he asked, frowning suspiciously.

"Girl's stuff."

His brow furrowed even more.

"What?"

"There are things you need to know if you want things to go well with Granger now that your relationship has begun to get physical. You'll thank me in the future," she replied, waving a hand dismissively as Blaise threw a handful of Floo powder into the embers.

Draco stared open-mouthed at the fireplace where his three friends had just disappeared.

He wasn't sure if he'd got it right, but it looked like Pansy wanted to have a chat about sex.

'What the hell...?'

Harry heard the roar of flames and set the small mirror down on his knees, looking up as Hermione opened the kitchen door.

"Harry! I'll put my things in my room and be right back," she said, glancing at the platter of food in the centre of the table.

He stopped her with a gesture before she could leave.

"Wait! What happened?"

"Draco had sealed his room with elven magic and hadn't come out since our argument, but I managed to convince him."

Both of Harry's eyebrows rose, hiding behind his bangs.

"Was he locked up?"

"He didn't want his mother to force him to come and apologise to me," Hermione admitted, leaning against the doorframe.

Harry started to laugh and she soon joined in.

"Malfoy can be a bit childish sometimes, don't you think?" he asked in a mocking voice.

"What did you expect, Harry? He's a spoiled brat and still needs to grow up, but he's got a good heart," she replied with a shrug.

"I'll give you that. He felt so guilty that he was willing to die so that you wouldn't feel obliged to be his mate. He's a stubborn guy with a good heart."

Hermione sighed.

"Thank goodness you told me and we were able to get him out of Azkaban."

"I think I did the right thing," Harry mumbled, cocking his head to the side.

She nodded and he frowned as he watched her clutch her hands nervously.

"What's wrong, Hermione?"

"I'm not staying over here today. Draco... Draco wants me to sleep at the manor with him tonight."

Harry pursed his lips, trying not to smirk.

"Don't look at me like that, Harry! You know he can get sick if we're apart for a while, and we haven't seen each other for two days. It'll do him good to spend the night with me."

He gave her a nod, running his eyes over her flushed face and smiling wider.

"So you're staying because you've seen Malfoy looking a bit weak, right?"

Hermione rolled her eyes at his mocking tone, snorting softly.

"He's fine, but it's a good idea. He took a turn for the worse very quickly that night, do you remember?"

"Well, I think that's an excuse and that you're actually looking forward to sleeping in Malfoy's arms again."

She grimaced, opening the door again.

"Okay fine. It feels nice... Shut up, Harry! You like sleeping with Ginny too," she protested, storming out of the kitchen.

Harry chuckled, shaking his head.

"Did you hear that?" he asked, picking up the mirror again and leaving it on the table.

A very smiling Ginny burst out laughing on the other side of the glass.

"She's in love! I can't believe it's true."

"Told you," he replied with a grin.

"It's time for me to go down to the Great Hall, Harry. See you Saturday."

"Yeah. See you in two days."

Ginny blew him a kiss and flicked her wand. The mirror image disappeared and Harry saw himself again.

He pushed it aside and sighed, taking off his glasses and rubbing his scar absently with the back of his hand.

"I just hope this all works out," he murmured, shaking his head and smiling as he heard Hermione's hurried footsteps coming down the stairs.