You can't even imagine how much I laughed while writing this chapter. I hope you like it as much as I do!

Chapter Twenty-Two

The Parchment

Hermione was lying on a very soft and comfortable mattress.

It took her a few seconds to remember where she was. Draco's room.

She blinked a few times before opening her eyes, smiling at the sight of the white sheets. As she stretched her legs out, an arm around her waist tightened its grip and pulled her back.

Hermione opened her eyes wide as she felt Draco's whole body pressed against hers.

He was hugging her from behind and it felt like he hadn't woken up yet. She could feel his hot breath on the curve of her neck.

She sighed, rubbing her eyes with her hand. She was too comfortable to move.

Something was poking her in the small of her back. Hermione gasped as she realised what it was, which woke Draco up.

"Granger?"

She didn't answer. She was completely frozen, not moving a finger.

"What's wrong?"

"Um, well..."

Draco jerked away from her, putting distance between their bodies.

"Fuck," he hissed through his teeth, stifling a groan into the pillow.

Hermione spun around until they were face to face, laughing softly.

"Good morning."

He still had his face buried in the pillow and she heard a grunt. She reached out, running her fingers through his tousled blond hair.

"It doesn't matter, Draco. I know boys wake up like this."

His grey eyes locked on her, narrowing with irritation.

"Am I not the first one you've shared a bed with?"

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Let me remind you that I lived in a tent with Harry and Ron for months."

His face changed instantly and his lips curled into a smirk.

"Are you telling me that, when Potter lived in a tent, he woke up with another tent between his legs?"

Hermione tried to hold it in, but she couldn't. They both burst out laughing at the same time and she smacked his arm, shaking her head.

"Don't be mean, Draco."

Once he stopped laughing, he twisted his lips to the side.

"So it doesn't bother you?"

"No."

"Come here, then," he murmured, wrapping his arms around her again.

Hermione smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. Draco spoke into her ear.

"This is a bit your fault too, Granger."

"What?"

She blanched and Draco chuckled at the look on her face, placing a hand on her cheek and stroking it with his thumb.

"You smell too good," he whispered, lifting his brow.

It was suddenly very hot. Hermione felt her whole face flush.

He brushed the tip of his nose against hers, smiling at her.

"And you taste too good," he added softly, pressing their lips together.

She tensed a bit, thinking that she must have morning breath, but relaxed when she saw that he didn't seem to mind.

Draco kissed her too eagerly, nipping her bottom lip softly and intertwining their tongues again and again.

His arms wrapped tighter around her, pressing her against his chest until she was breathless. Her heart raced as she felt something hard against her lower belly again.

That sensation of her skin burning increased with each kiss. Her brain stopped working and she buried both hands in his hair, pulling him closer to her to deepen the kiss even more.

A small growl echoed in his chest and he pulled away, resting his head back on the pillow as he tried to catch his breath. One of his hands was still tangled in her curls.

Hermione pursed her lips, feeling annoyed. Why did he always do that?

"Why do you stop?"

His eyes went wide.

"What?"

She frowned, snorting in frustration.

"Why are you always the one stopping the kiss? Don't you like it?"

"Are you seriously asking me that?" Draco snarled angrily. His eyes flashed and he reached out, grabbing her hand and pulling it down to the bulge in his trousers. He pressed down on it, making Hermione gasp again in surprise. "Do you need more proof of how much I like kissing you?"

She hesitated.

"So?"

He made a face, sighing and releasing her hand.

"If I don't stop, I don't know what could happen. You know how hard it is for me to control myself."

"We both know you're not going to do anything to upset me," Hermione replied with a huff.

"Do we really know?" he asked, unsure.

She nodded.

"You need to trust yourself a bit more. I do."

Draco tugged at his bottom lip with his teeth and the rims of his irises changed to silver, glowing.

"Fuck, I want to touch you."

Hermione swallowed as she heard how raspy his voice had become. Her heart was about to burst out of her chest.

"Do it."

He sucked in a sharp breath and in a moment he had his lips on hers again. His fingers lifted her pyjama top, tracing the skin of her back.

"Is this okay?" Draco whispered against her lips.

She nodded and felt his smile before he kissed her again. His hands went to her upper back and pressed between her shoulder blades, pushing their bodies closer.

Hermione did the same, gasping as she felt his skin beneath her fingertips.

It was as soft as she had imagined in her dreams.

Draco broke the kiss again, shuddering. She felt her chest shrink.

"You don't like me touching you?" she asked in a trembling voice.

He shook his head, burying his hand in her curls and placing a soft kiss at the corner of her mouth.

"It's not that, Granger. I love it so much, you can't even imagine how it makes me feel."

"I don't understand, Draco."

Draco took a deep breath, letting it out slowly and staring into her eyes.

"I don't want to... I don't want to do something wrong. I can't mess this up," he said, pointing a finger between them.

They were still so close together that it was hard for him to do. Hermione smiled.

"You're not going to mess this up. I still find it hard to believe how much I like you."

"I really like you too, Granger."

'Tell her. Tell her how you feel about her.'

Draco shook his head. It wasn't a good idea, he needed to be sure she felt the same way before he took any chances. He'd told her enough already.

"You have to go. They'll be waiting for you at the Ministry."

Hermione sighed, furrowing her brow and closing her eyes.

"Right."

She sat up and he did the same, running a hand through his hair and letting out a long sigh.

As she got to her feet, she turned to him.

"Before I forget, Draco. You know we're celebrating my birthday next week at the Leaky Cauldron."

Hermione saw how his whole body tensed all at once. He didn't say anything so she kept talking.

"I thought it was obvious that you were invited, but Ron thinks it isn't. Are you coming?"

Draco clicked his tongue, crossing his arms over his chest.

"What for? To see bloody Krum hugging you?" he mumbled under his breath.

"I won't let anyone touch me, I promise. Besides, most of them already know they can't. Only some friends will be there, Molly and Arthur too. You could ask your mother to come."

He lowered his gaze, pushing the sheets aside with a hand and pursing his lips.

Hermione plucked up her courage. Now or never.

"If you come, you'll come as... as my boyfriend."

The change was so quick she would have missed it if she'd blinked. His face softened as he looked up at her again, his eyes wide.

"Boyfriend?"

She nodded and Draco grinned, rising to stand in front of her.

"Are you my girlfriend, then?" he asked, taking a step forward.

She shrugged, her nerves flaring.

"Only if that's what you want."

"Of course it is," Draco replied, pulling her back into a hug and resting his forehead on hers.

"I'd really like you to come to the party," she whispered, looking up into his eyes.

He agreed with a nod, releasing her.

"As you wish, Granger."

Walking out of the bathroom after a relaxing hot shower, Hermione saw that Draco was still leaning on his desk as he leafed through one of his books.

"Your shower is great."

A smirk spread across his face and he closed the book, setting it down on the table.

"The bathtub is even better."

Hermione bit her lower lip nervously.

Since they had started talking about it, she decided it was the best time to tell him. He was going to find out sooner or later.

"Draco, I... I'm a virgin."

"I know."

"And how do you know that?" she asked, folding her arms.

"I figured it out when you told me you'd never been in a relationship."

"You don't have to be in a relationship to have sex with someone," Hermione mumbled, narrowing her eyes.

Draco gave her a crooked smile and she looked away, feeling uncomfortable. She had long wanted to know if her suspicions were true.

"You... and Daphne..."

His eyes widened.

"What? Is that what you think?"

Hermione blinked, her brow furrowing.

"I saw the two of you many times in the corridors of Hogwarts and you seemed very passionate."

"Didn't you hear what Theo said yesterday?"

Seeing her confused face, Draco arched an eyebrow.

"Think back, Granger."

Hermione recalled the conversation they had with his friends just before she left for dinner with Harry, and Theo's voice echoed in her mind.

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

Her eyes widened as she looked back at Draco. He nodded, letting out a sigh.

"We were just kissing. Daphne was a distraction for me in that awful year, I don't know what I would have done to endure such stress without it."

It was silly, but those words were the best thing she'd heard in a long time.

Knowing that Draco was as inexperienced as she was on the subject was a great relief.

Hermione blushed at the thought that they could share that too... when they both felt ready.

"Well, sometimes we touched each other a little, but it was nothing like what I feel when you touch me," he added, glancing at her again.

"Did she... did she touch you there?" Hermione asked in a whisper, wiping her sweaty hands on her suit trousers.

His cheeks turned red.

"No. Not there."

"Oh... okay. So neither you nor I have much experience in this."

"Exactly."

She couldn't stop a big grin from spreading across her face.

"Why are you so happy, Granger?"

She stopped beside him, kissing him again on the cheek.

"Because we have so many things in common, including this."

Draco frowned.

"We've only been on two dates. It's still too early to think about that."

"Two dates?" She repeated, making a face. "There have been many more."

"I don't know how many dates you've been on, Granger, but I've only been on two with you."

Hermione rolled her eyes and tapped him gently on the shoulder at his laughter.

"We saw each other every afternoon before that, we've shared a bed a few times..."

"Three," Draco interrupted.

"...And I think I know you very well by now," she added, raising an eyebrow in his direction.

"It wasn't dating before. You only spent time with me because I needed it."

"Still, they should count. I already liked you back then," Hermione confessed quietly.

Draco smiled.

"All right. How about ten dates in total?"

"That's a good number," she agreed, returning his smile.

"Yes."

"And... How many dates are about right before...?"

Draco snorted.

"I don't know. For purebloods, there has to be a wedding before that."

"Wedding?" she repeated, her face paling.

"But it's different for me," he added with a shrug.

"So? What shall we do?"

"You don't know what you're talking about, Granger. We just can't."

Hermione frowned, placing her hands on her hips and giving him a dark look.

"I don't like you keeping so many secrets."

Draco snorted in annoyance.

"The bond will be complete the first time that you and I... well... you know," he muttered, pursing his lips and averting his gaze as his cheeks flared.

Just as she thought. Hermione had suspected as much ever since he'd refused to explain how to complete it.

She blinked at his sigh, feeling a shiver at the thought of them doing that.

Hermione had always been a little scared of sex. At Hogwarts, she'd heard girls talking about how painful the first time was and she didn't want to have to go through something like that, but she knew that the pain would be worth it with him.

She looked into his eyes again and felt something warm spread through her chest.

Draco made her feel so special every time he kissed her that she was sure it would just be wonderful. She couldn't imagine anyone better to share that experience with.

"... So you have to be absolutely sure because once it's done there will be no turning back. It will have the same effect as a wedding, Granger," he added, staring down at his nails with great interest.

Her heart fluttered. That was something she'd read in the book Harry had found in the Black's library, though it didn't explain it completely.

"And are you sure now?"

A shiver ran down her spine as she saw him nod.

Draco wanted to be with her forever.

"That's what you didn't want to tell me? That sex is the way to complete our bond?"

"There are other things to do as well," he commented, wrinkling his nose.

"What is it?"

"No more questions today, Granger. Give me a break."

She smiled, moving closer to him and wrapping her arms around his neck. Draco bowed his head slightly and Hermione closed her eyes, kissing him.

"Thanks for telling me," she whispered, opening them again.

"It's really easy to trust you," he murmured, looking down at her as he traced the curve of her jaw with his thumb.

"You can. I won't fail you again."

"I know."

Draco claimed her lips again and Hermione shivered, putting some distance between them.

"I'm going to be late."

"Yes, you should go."

She picked up her handbag and looked back at him.

Draco was standing at his desk with his hands in his pockets. His grey pyjamas really suited him.

Hermione bit the inside of her cheek. He always made her feel so nervous with everything he said to her... and the time had come to get a little revenge.

She gathered all her Gryffindor courage and cleared her throat.

"So... I'm the first girl who's ever touched you there, right?"

His eyebrows drew together and he averted his gaze to the wall. His cheeks were once more flushed.

"Technically I made you do it, but yes. The first one."

Hermione gave him a mischievous grin.

She took another step towards him and pressed her right hand to his crotch, just for a second. Draco gasped and she pulled away again, laughing at the look of surprise on his face.

"No one has forced me now."

Draco blinked, swallowing his nerves.

"You'll be my first in everything if you want to, Granger."

He smirked again at her blush. Hermione staggered as she took another step back and bumped against the edge of the fireplace.

Bloody Draco Malfoy. He always managed to get on her nerves.

"Will you be joining us for dinner this evening?"

Draco nodded.

"I'll be there."

"I'll be home by five," she said, tossing a handful of Floo powder onto the embers and disappearing in a cloud of green flames.

Draco snorted, leaning his back against the wall and trying to calm his racing heart.

He could hardly believe the conversation they'd just had.

"Fuck, another cold shower," he grunted, yanking open the bathroom door.

The flames roared and Draco looked up just in time to see two of his best friends emerging from the fireplace in the hall.

Pansy strode towards him, her heels clicking on the marble floor.

"I only have an hour. I have to be at the shop with my mother by ten so this talk needs to be quick."

Draco rolled his eyes as a very smiling Blaise sat down next to him.

"This is going to be great," he muttered, nudging him.

Draco grimaced and Pansy snapped her fingers to get his attention.

"I need to know a few things first. How physical is your relationship with Granger?"

Draco hesitated.

"Um... We kissed."

"What else?" she insisted, waving a hand for him to continue.

Draco glanced sideways at Blaise and cleared his throat.

"I touched her skin... underneath her clothes."

Pansy clicked her tongue impatiently.

"Breasts? Thighs? Arse?"

He'd never felt so embarrassed. Draco gritted his teeth and shook his head.

"Not yet."

"For fuck's sake, Draco. You're too slow."

He heard Blaise laugh and folded his arms, feeling his cheeks flush.

"I'm in no hurry! Besides, I can't do anything with her until... until I'm sure she wants to be with me."

"Has it something to do with your Veela blood and the bond?" Pansy asked, arching one of her eyebrows.

Draco nodded reluctantly. His friend was too intuitive.

"I see. Well, I'll explain everything you need to know about the female body."

"I'm not stupid, Pansy. I know what your body looks like," Draco snarled, giving her a hateful look.

"Oh, really? Have you ever seen a girl naked?"

"I've seen you in a swimsuit a hundred times."

"That doesn't count, you idiot."

Draco narrowed his eyes, biting his tongue to keep from talking.

His friend sat on the floor, summoning a piece of parchment and a quill from a nearby cabinet. As soon as they landed on the low table Pansy spread out the parchment and picked up the quill, tracing vertical lines on it.

"This is a vagina. Right above here is the clitoris, an area you'll need to pay close attention to, Draco. It's very important that she has an orgasm before penetration, especially the first time."

Draco groaned, covering his face with his hands.

"I need a drink before I go through with this."

"A great idea," Blaise agreed, waving his wand.

A bottle of Firewhisky and three glasses levitated to them, landing on the small table where Pansy was drawing.

"It's too early to drink," she protested, her eyes fixed on the parchment.

"Don't drink, then," Blaise shrugged, filling two of the glasses.

He exchanged a glance with Draco and they both gulped it down, wrinkling their noses as they felt the familiar burning in their throats.

Draco set the glass down on the table a little too hard and sighed.

"All right, Pansy. Show me the bloody drawing."

She grinned.

"You're almost as much of a prude as she is. You two are the perfect match."

"Shut up."

This is officially the longest dramione I've written (for now!)