Chapter Thirty-One

Admission

Hermione looked up as the door to her office opened.

"Hello, Harry."

Her best friend took a few steps towards her, pointing to the clock hanging on the wall with his chin.

"It's almost twelve."

She dropped her quill with a sigh.

"I know."

"Are you going out to eat?"

Hermione bit her bottom lip, glancing at the clock out of the corner of her eye.

"Draco said he'd pick me up at twelve," she murmured, leaning her back against the back of her chair. "He likes to visit Muggle London, where no one knows who he is."

Harry nodded. He, too, loved to lose himself in the streets of the city and enjoy anonymity from time to time.

And luckily no one else had mistaken Draco for his father since that disastrous date.

"Come with us," Hermione added, leaning her arms on the table.

Harry snorted.

"Draco looked like he wanted to kill me with his glare when you came down for dinner on Monday," he said, chuckling under his breath. "I'd better leave you two alone today. See you later, Hermione."

The door closed again and she smiled, turning her attention back to the parchments in front of her. She hadn't even read four lines when she heard two small knocks.

Her smile reappeared as she saw Draco enter the office.

"Hello."

"Hi, Granger," he greeted, stopping by the desk with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm almost ready," she assured him as she tidied up her papers and put the folders in a drawer. "Let's go."

She only had an hour for lunch and she needed to finish going through those papers before dinner.

His fingers wrapped around her wrist as she walked past him, stopping her.

"Wait."

Confused, Hermione turned to look at him. His other hand cupped her chin, lifting it as he leaned down to press their lips together.

Her arms flew up and wrapped around his neck, prolonging the kiss a little longer.

She wouldn't mind staying like this during her break, lost between his lips. She could eat something in the evening.

Her traitorous stomach growled and he broke the kiss, smirking as he took a step back. Draco opened the door and placed his hand on the small of her back, letting her step out first.

They walked together towards the lifts and she took the opportunity to look at his face. The dark circles under his eyes were getting more and more pronounced.

"How are you?"

"I'm fine, Granger."

Hermione narrowed her eyes.

"You look tired."

Draco shrugged, playing it down, but he couldn't fool her. His health was deteriorating too fast and she suspected that, if they didn't complete the bond that month, the next one would probably be too late for him.

The thought of Draco dying sent a shiver down her spine. Hermione shook her head, sending the thought to the farthest corner of her mind.

In a few days, he would be safe forever.

Her heart was racing as they entered one of the fireplaces.

Soon they would both no longer be virgins and that was both terrifying and thrilling. It was hard to imagine that there could be anyone better than him to share that experience.

Her thoughts came to a screeching halt when she felt his fingers intertwine with hers. A smile spread across her face, widening as she glanced sideways at him and saw his relaxed expression.

She still remembered how tense he had been the first time they had visited the Muggle world together.

"That's a very typical pub, I think you'll like it," she commented, pointing to a pub across the street. "It's a bit like the Three Broomsticks."

Draco looked around once they were inside, letting her guide him to one of the tables at the back.

They had just finished ordering their food when something inside her handbag began to vibrate. Hermione frowned as she pulled out her phone.

"My parents," she murmured, staring at the small screen. "They know I'm taking a lunch break at this time."

She thought she noticed Draco tense up for a second, but it was so fast she couldn't be sure.

"Answer. I don't mind it," he said with a nod.

Hermione held her mobile to her ear.

"Dad? Yes, hello. I'm fine," she furrowed her brow even more and her eyes widened at her father's words.

Draco was running the tip of his forefinger along the rim of his glass, watching her with interest.

"What?" Hermione shouted, unable to contain a gasp of surprise. "When? But..." her father's voice interrupted her again and her eyes filled with tears.

Was this really happening? Or was it a dream?

"Yes, of course I'll come and pick you up. Are you sure?" Draco placed his hand on the table as the tears began to roll down her cheeks and she grabbed it, squeezing tightly. "All right, I... thank you very much."

Her eyes flew to Draco's face when her father mentioned his name.

"Oh, is that so?" Hermione pursed her lips, staring at him, and he swallowed. "Okay, I'll talk to you later, Dad. Bye."

After hanging up the call, she opened her handbag again to put the phone away. She took her time, letting her mind go blank as, out of the corner of her eye, she watched Draco drum his fingers on the table nervously.

When she looked back up at him his grey eyes were watching her warily.

Hermione folded her arms, keeping her expression neutral.

"I didn't know you talk to my parents on a daily basis."

Draco stood up, rounding the table to sit beside her.

"It's something new," he murmured, scanning her face anxiously. "Are you angry?"

Hermione smiled inwardly.

Since returning from Australia she had started practising Occlumency following the instructions in a book she had found in the library at Grimmauld Place. She didn't want to scare him again and she needed to get her emotions and reactions under control.

And, by the look of confusion on his face, he had no idea what she was feeling at the moment.

Controlling strong emotions was an extremely difficult thing to do, though. Hermione didn't understand how he could do it.

She looked at him again with glassy eyes, letting her emotions flow through her body.

"They're coming back to London, Draco," she whispered, holding back a sob. "And it's all thanks to you."

He wiped away a tear with his thumb.

"Are those happy tears?"

Hermione laughed and two more fell from her eyes.

"You know they are," she wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder and sighing. "Thank you. You're the best."

Draco placed a hand in her curls, burying his nose in them and closing his eyes as he breathed in.

Why did he like the smell of her hair so much?

"Only with you, Granger."

Hermione smiled again, stroking the back of his neck with her fingers, and lifted her head to give him a teasing smile.

"And a bit with Harry as well."

Draco wrinkled his nose and watched her for a moment in silence, pulling away when the waitress appeared with their food. But, instead of sitting across from her again, he stayed at her side. Hermione looked up as she felt his fingers run up and down her forearm.

"Will you come to the manor after work?"

She swallowed and looked back down at her salad, using her curls to hide a blush.

"Sure."

At a quarter past five, Hermione emerged from the fireplace of Malfoy Manor and found a small elf waiting for her near the main staircase.

"Rinny," she greeted with a smile.

"Miss," the elf bowed his head slightly. "Master is in the swimming pool."

Hermione followed him through one of the corridors, trying to ignore the glares from some of the paintings.

She could feel them growing more hostile since the incident with Lucius' portrait as if they blamed her for it. They still didn't dare to say a word to her, though.

"I have to learn how to come here by myself," she muttered, sighing as she glanced at the doors they were passing by. "How are you, Rinny?"

The elf's snort caught her attention.

"Rinny's fine, though he's still having nightmares."

Hermione frowned, stopping and taking the elf's hand in hers.

"Why?"

He shuddered.

"Seeing Master Draco hurt and unable to move brought back memories of... of when he lived here."

Voldemort. Hermione held her breath, bending down so she could look into his eyes.

Draco hurt? What was he talking about?

"Did Draco hurt himself?"

The elf twisted one of his ears nervously.

"Rinny mustn't say anything."

She clasped both his hands and squeezed encouragingly.

"You can tell me, Rinny."

He stared up at her.

"It's true, Miss is part of the family," he said, making her heartbeat quicken as she remembered that both the manor and the elves already recognised her as such. "Master had an accident a few days ago."

Her brow furrowed even more.

"Accident?" Hermione repeated in a shaky voice.

What if Draco was much weaker than he wanted to admit?

The elf nodded regretfully.

"He fell off the broom. Rinny and Minsy healed him and Mistress Narcissa helped as well."

Hermione continued to ask questions until she was satisfied. Then the elf led her to the last door.

"Thank you for telling me, Rinny."

He bowed his head and disappeared with a crack. Hermione entered the curious cave room she already knew and descended the stairs in silence. She was annoyed, but couldn't help but smile a little at the sight of Draco swimming in the huge pool.

She sat down on one of the loungers and waited. He ran his hands through his hair as he reached the edge of the pool, combing it back. A big smile spread across his face as he saw her there and he jumped out, walking towards her.

Hermione held out a hand in front of her, stopping him when he had almost reached her.

"When were you planning on telling me that you broke your leg and several ribs?"

He rolled his eyes, folding his arms.

"Who told you that?"

She mimicked him, crossing her arms over her chest as well and narrowing her eyes just as Draco loved to do.

He let out a snort.

"Bloody elves..."

"Don't blame them," It was hard not to be distracted by the water droplets running down his bare chest. Hermione bit the inside of her cheek, looking back into his eyes. "Why didn't you tell me?"

He shrugged.

"I was fine, and I didn't want to worry you."

Hermione stood up, approaching him with slow steps.

"What happened?" she asked in a soft voice.

Draco sighed, pushing back the damp locks that fell across his forehead before replying.

"I think it was when your parents told you they didn't want to come back. I was flying and..."

Her gasp interrupted him.

"I didn't know it could affect you so much."

Draco cocked his head to the side, his gaze flickering between her eyes.

"I was too close to transforming and flying all the way to Australia."

"That's too much, even for you," she said, smiling back at him. "And you can't leave the country."

"I know that."

A very long sigh escaped her lips. She lifted a hand, brushing her fingers across his cheek.

"I want to know if there's something wrong with you too, Draco."

He placed his hand over hers, closing his eyes and nodding.

"I'll tell you everything from now on."

Hermione decided to ask what was bothering her so much.

"Can you rest at night?"

His smile curved more.

"I'm sure I'll sleep better tonight if you stay with me."

She rolled her eyes but smiled when he leaned in and kissed her. She liked sharing a bed with him too and seeing him when she woke up in the mornings.

Draco pulled away and she gave him a smirk.

"Red swimsuit?" she commented, pointing at it with her gaze.

"It's just a colour, Granger," he replied, rolling his eyes and leaving another kiss on her lips. "Get in the water."

She looked away from him for a second and pressed her lips together.

"I don't have a swimsuit."

His eyes travelled down her body and back up to her face as he arched an eyebrow.

"You're a witch."

True. Hermione opened her handbag and pulled out her wand, creating a mental image of her favourite bikini. When she opened her eyes again, she saw Draco staring at her with wide eyes.

"Fuck," he hissed, squaring his jaw.

Hermione felt like covering her body with a towel at the intensity of his stare.

"What?"

Draco clicked his tongue, diving headfirst into the pool. He grinned in her direction as he resurfaced.

"That's not what Pansy and my mother wear."

Hermione entered the water knowing she was flushed. It was the perfect temperature.

"It's called a bikini. It's... it's a Muggle thing."

"Muggles are really growing on me," Draco mumbled, grabbing one of her wrists and tugging. "Come here."

Hermione bumped into his chest and laughed. His arms wrapped around her and she heard his laughter in her ear.

His lips moved down her neck leaving a trail of wet kisses and back up to her jaw, nibbling on her earlobe before crashing against hers.

She let herself be enveloped in that kiss, enjoying the sparks that coursed through her veins every time Draco kissed her. Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and he pulled her in, pressing her back against the wall of the pool.

The kiss ended sooner than she wanted it to.

"I want to ask you a favour, Granger."

She opened her eyes, finding his gaze fixed on her.

"You can ask me anything," she replied breathlessly, taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly.

His kisses were affecting her more and more and it was even worse when she could feel him against her with barely any clothes between them.

Hermione ran her hands down his back, leaving a caress in her wake, and heard his raspy voice again. She liked knowing that she wasn't the only one who ended up breathless when they kissed.

"I'd like to... I'd like to see you. Before Italy."

Hermione tensed up.

"See me?" she repeated, a little confused.

She thought she knew what he meant. Draco cupped her face in his hands, looking into her eyes.

"If I see you naked for the first time that day, I'll..." he shook his head, snorting, and Hermione saw that there was a faint blush on his cheeks. "It'll be a disaster."

It was a coherent enough request, but that didn't stop her heart from hammering inside her chest.

He caught a curl between his fingers, tucking it back behind her ear.

"I need to be prepared," he added quietly with a sigh.

Hermione tugged at her bottom lip with her teeth. The thought of Draco staring at her naked body embarrassed her too much.

Something changed in his face and his arms released her.

"Forget it," he muttered, stepping back until the water was up to his neck. "You're not comfortable."

Hermione shook her head, holding a hand out to him.

"No, I... Give me a moment."

Draco grabbed it and returned to her side. He smirked as he saw her glancing sideways at the door.

"No one's coming, Granger. My mother is out and the elves are making dinner."

She looked at him again, twisting a lock of curls with her fingers.

"I know it's stupid to be embarrassed about it, but..."

He planted a kiss on her forehead and pulled away.

"Would it help if I was naked too?"

Hermione swallowed and nodded.

She thought she was ready, but she was wrong. All the air left her lungs as he removed his swimsuit and laid it on the edge of the pool. He turned around, letting her see his whole body and grinning as he watched her gaze drop down to his crotch.

She looked back up into his eyes and he raised an eyebrow.

"Don't give me that look. I'm like this because of you."

Hermione let out a nervous giggle and Draco joined her. He pulled his swimsuit back on and leaned his back against the pool wall, avoiding her gaze.

Seeing him so nervous and vulnerable reassured her. She smiled and leaned against his side, wrapping an arm around his waist.

"You're perfect, Draco."

He wrinkled his nose.

"I'm not."

"Yes, you are," she insisted, holding his face and forcing him to look at her. "Perfect for me."

Draco smiled and so did she, enjoying his blushing face. It wasn't a very common sight.

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him, letting out a shaky breath as she pulled away from him.

Hermione placed her hands on her back.

"Wait," Draco murmured, grabbing her waist and lifting her into the air until she was sitting on the edge. "Now you're ready."

She frowned.

"It's not fair. I've seen you in the water."

"You should have asked me to come out," he said with a chuckle.

Hermione snorted, feeling her blush spreading down her neck. She did her best to undo the knot, leaving her bikini top beside her.

Without looking at Draco she removed her bottom as well and gripped the edge of the pool so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

A few seconds passed before a hand entered her field of vision. His fingers brushed the purple scar under her right breast and she looked up, reading the question in his eyes.

"It was in the Department of Mysteries," Hermione blinked several times, holding back the tears that were forming in her eyes at the delicate way he was touching her, as if she was something very fragile. "Dolohov."

His face hardened.

"He's lucky he's dead."

His hand went up to her neck and he lifted her chin with his thumb, claiming her lips. Hermione felt all her insecurities melt away with that kiss.

Draco rested his forehead on hers and picked up her bikini, dropping it into her lap.

"Cover yourself or I'll do something stupid," he muttered, stepping to the side.

Hermione put it back on with trembling hands.

"Like what?" she asked as she tied the knot behind her back again.

He glanced sideways at her and she snorted as she recognised the look on his face.

"Draco, you have to stop occluding when you're with me."

"I can't. Not completely," he admitted under his breath.

Hermione tugged on his arm until he was standing between her legs and looked into his eyes.

"What are you so afraid of?"

Draco rested a hand on either side of her body.

"Do you know what I want to do right now, Granger?" he whispered, and Hermione shivered as she saw a silver glint in his eyes. "I want to rip off that bikini of yours and take you right here in the pool."

Her heart felt like it was about to burst but she managed to hold his gaze. Draco lowered his head to the skin of her neck, breathing in sharply.

"But I can't do that for two reasons," he continued, tracing the curve of her jaw with his nose. "I need to wait until the full moon, and I'd hurt you if I let my wildest urges get the better of me."

He stepped back and Hermione sighed, missing the warmth of his body.

"And I'd probably embarrass myself because I wouldn't know what to do."

Again, that insecurity Draco rarely showed. Hermione jumped back into the pool, walking through the water until she was facing him.

"I have no idea either, Draco," she admitted, wrapping her arms around him and resting her forehead on his chest. "We'll learn together."

Both of his hands dug into her curls.

"You'll be mine very soon."

His voice had that low note of when he was just a few moments away from transformation. Hermione tilted her head until she could look up at him through her lashes and made a face.

"You're the one who told me to stop occluding," he reminded her, pushing her curls aside and letting them fall over her left shoulder.

"I know," Hermione sighed. "And it's weird because it doesn't bother me to hear you say that."

His brow rose at her admission.

"If someone else said it to me, I'd be very, very angry. But you..."

He leaned in, silencing her with another kiss.

"I'll be yours, too," he whispered against her lips.

A smile spread across her face.

"I like the sound of that."