Thursday passed in an uncomfortable blur, filled with stilted conversations with Blaise and extraneous work that needed to be done in Draco's absence. Mel and Blaise hadn't really found much of anything in Falmouth, so I'd sent them to Harry for direction. Since things were so tense between Draco and I, Draco and Blaise, and then Blaise and I, I wanted someone uninvolved to make those decisions.
Before I left for the day, Blaise cornered me.
"What's going on, Hermione?" he asked. "Is this it? One trip down memory lane and we're done?"
I shook my head. "I told you. I need time to think things through, Blaise. I have questions—"
"And how are those questions going to get answered if you're not speaking to me?"
"Can we just… I need until Saturday," I stated, trying to hold my ground.
He narrowed his eyes at me. "Do you realise this makes the third week in a row where you've given me the silent treatment?"
As I thought back, I realised he was right. The first time had been when he got upset about me working with Draco, the second after the photos had been published in The Daily Prophet.
"I'm sorry about that," I said quietly. "This isn't easy for me."
His frustration was nearly palpable. "It's not easy for me, either. But, like always, you don't really seem to understand that." Pulling back, he turned towards the door. "I guess I'll just wait for you to decide if I'm worth keeping around now that Draco knows your dirty little secrets."
"That's not fair, Blaise!"
"Oh, and keeping me in the dark about how you're feeling is?" he responded. "You promised me you wouldn't do this, and here you are, just running away because he's back and stirring shit up."
"What did I promise?" I asked, not sure what he was talking about.
Blaise let out a laugh that sounded more sarcastic than anything else. "Forget about it. I guess send me an owl or text when you're ready to really fuck me over."
Before I had a chance to reply, he was gone, striding towards the department doors and the lifts. When I looked outside of my office, I saw others in the department watching, their mouths open. My cheeks heated in embarrassment, and I started packing my bag. I was furious that he'd made a scene in the office.
Feeling tears threatening once again, I shoved my emotions down, putting myself on autopilot. Once everything I needed was tucked away in my bag, I walked out of my office and locked the door. Harry's door was closed, so I figured he'd already headed home for the day.
I took the lift down to the Atrium and, as I was walking to the Floo, I heard my name being called. When I turned, I saw Kingsley making his way over to me.
"I didn't have a chance to send you a note, but the thing we discussed Monday — it's all set if you want it. Think about it over the weekend, Hermione," he said quietly. "Let me know if you need to discuss it."
"Thank you," I replied. "I'll definitely let you know by Tuesday."
"Have a good night. I'm on my way out, as well."
As I stood in front of the Floo, I debated where to go. I knew Grimmauld Place was always open to me, but I didn't want to rely completely on Harry and Pansy. I'd stayed there last night and I'd been there every time something went wrong with Blaise.
I needed to learn how to sort myself out and deal with this mess on my own.
Knowing I had no food in my house, I decided to Floo to the Leaky and I prayed that Draco wasn't sitting in the bar.
When Hannah saw me step through, her eyes widened almost comically.
"Is he here?" I asked.
She nodded. "Up in his room. He's been sticking close."
"Hopefully he stays there. Do you think you could pack me up a couple of meals? Something for tonight and tomorrow night?"
"Of course," Hannah replied. "Breakfast for the morning? We've got some pastries."
"Sounds great. I'm just going to pop over to Flourish and Blotts. I need to pick something up. I'll be back in fifteen minutes or so," I told her, and she waved me away.
As soon as I was in the bookstore, I breathed easier, knowing that Draco wasn't in the same building. I walked over to the shelf containing empty journals and selected two. I had a feeling I was going to need them, and Penelope would likely recommend that I start writing everything out again. Both food and thoughts.
When I got back to the Leaky, I took my food and departed, heading home and settling in for the night. The Pensieve and the chest containing Draco's memories were still sitting on my table, along with everything else that I'd removed to get to the memories. Figuring I'd still need them, I simply packed away the random items and letters. My fingers ran over the edges of the Cartier box and I opened it, looking down on the diamond.
On a whim, I took the dragon figurine and set it back in its place next to the otter on my mantle. I stared at them, not sure if it was right to leave them that way or not. Since I had all of the Draco things down in the main part of the house, I decided the dragon could stay. Otherwise, I'd just be taking him in and out of the trunk anyway.
Or that was what I told myself.
The next morning, I half expected Blaise to barge into my office and demand that I talk to him. When he didn't, I felt relieved.
And then I felt like shite for feeling relieved that he wasn't speaking to me.
With the exception of going to lunch with Harry, I focused on my work all day. I still noticed that Draco hadn't come into the office, but I tried not to think about that, to wonder if he'd ever come back again.
Before I knew it, it was five in the evening, and I knew I had to get home to start readying myself for another viewing of memory Draco and Hermione's sexcapades, this time taking place in my office.
Even the thought of it had my heart racing with both anticipation and panic. I didn't know what kind of mood Draco would be in, and I had no idea if I'd be getting turned on or upset or both all in one go.
I just knew that I had to be the one to show him what had happened between us. I wouldn't give anyone else access to these memories. They were private, shared only between Draco and me, and I didn't want to share.
I hurried through the Ministry, wanting to get home with enough time to change out of my office attire. When I crossed the threshold into my house, I immediately rushed up the stairs, walked into my bedroom, and started pulling clothes out at random. Shimmying into a pair of jeans and pulling a black vest over my head, I looked in the mirror. My hair was tied back and I let it down, finger-combing my curls until they looked like they normally did.
As soon as I was in the main living space, I sat down at the table to wait. I didn't want to be pacing when he came through the Floo; I wanted to keep the anxiety I was feeling about this second meeting locked away. Even though I'd already told him he made me weak, I didn't want him to see that it was still true.
A few minutes later, Draco stepped out of the grate, and I could tell he was in a foul mood. His eyes landed on me and immediately narrowed.
"I hate waiting to see my own life, Granger," he said in lieu of a greeting. "I just want to get this shite over with."
"The healer said one memory at a time," I told him patiently, ignoring the way he'd spoken to me. I didn't want to argue with him. "So we'll do one memory at a time. I can't have you taking up all my evenings, Malfoy."
That was the wrong thing to say.
"Oh, I know," he snapped. "Need to have your time with Zabini."
I honestly hadn't thought about Blaise since I'd entered my house, but I wasn't going to admit that to him. It was clear he was trying to pick a fight, and I didn't plan on arguing.
"So what are we looking at tonight, Granger?" he asked, his tone harsh. "Going to show me my honeymoon? Or—"
"Stop," I interrupted, shutting him down. "I understand that you're angry with me, but I need you to stop being an arse. We're going through the memories I choose, and you're going to see my perspective. Then I will hand everything over to you and you can go through it at your own pace, if the healer thinks that's okay."
He scoffed, and I was beyond irritated with him already. His features were set in a scowl and there were dark circles around his eyes, indicating he'd not been sleeping well. I wondered if he'd seen Scorpius, if he'd talked to Astoria or his parents.
But I didn't ask. Instead, I stuck to the plan.
"I want to talk a bit first," I told him. "You came back to work about a month after you got married. I tried my best to avoid you—"
"Like this time around," he stated.
"Yes, like this time. Except it seems that no matter what, we end up in the same position."
And I meant what I said — since the first night we shared, any time we'd been in close proximity, it had started all over again. The feelings, the attraction, the jealousy.
He gestured for me to continue.
"You were relentless, Draco. You were in my office nearly every day, you followed me to lunch more than once, and you made sure to approach me whenever you saw me on my own, regardless of where we were," I explained. "And I remembered everything from that night, how intense it had been, how I'd felt a connection with you that I'd never felt before in my life." I took a deep breath. "But you were married to Astoria. I was trying to move on — to forget — but you were always there."
Glaring, he spat, "So you got rid of me entirely the second time around."
"This has nothing to do with what happened at the beginning, but yes. I assumed it would be the same thing all over again!" My voice came out louder than I'd meant it to, but he was being such an arse. "I didn't want to keep going through it."
I could feel the tears already collecting in my eyes as I watched him. He sat down at my table, resting his elbows on it and covering his face with his hands. "Fine. Whatever, Granger. So what happened when I came back to work?"
"I couldn't bury myself in my work during the week because you were always there. You left me alone for about a week when you returned, and then it started. A couple of weeks in, I decided to go into the office on a weekend to catch up. I was spending so much time avoiding you that I'd fallen way behind. And that worked fine, until you came in one Saturday, as well," I said.
"Was there anyone else around?" Draco asked.
I shook my head. "No. We were alone in the office all day and you ended up asking me for help on something. I wanted to refuse, but I couldn't." Pinching the bridge of my nose, I admitted, "You'd basically broken me down at that point. I wanted to spend time with you. I was lonely and weak."
Looking up at me, he said, "Weak?"
"Just like I've told you, you make me weak. I knew it was wrong and that us working together would lead to more pain or no good or whatever you want to say, and I agreed anyway," I answered. "But I didn't think it would happen so fast, and definitely not that day."
"That first Saturday?"
I nodded. "That very first Saturday. Your birthday in 2004. That's what I'm going to show you now."
Holding my wand to my temple, I removed the memory, the silvery strands coming out easily, like they hadn't been buried that far down. I placed them in the basin of the Pensieve and my office was clearly visible. Not waiting for Draco, I touched my finger to the surface, disappearing into the memory.
A moment later, he dropped in, as well. He looked around, taking in his surroundings. My office hadn't changed much over the past three years and I was sure he noticed that.
Memory Hermione was sitting behind the desk, looking exhausted and stressed, furiously filling out a Ministry-issued form. When her quill stopped moving, she sighed. Her posture straightened and she stretched, her chest jutting out.
I didn't miss the way Draco looked her over. He didn't hate her — not past me — just present me. He hadn't looked at me with desire since he'd found out about the Obliviation.
She released her hair from the bun she'd had it pulled into, curls falling down around her face and shoulders. I could tell her hair was still a little damp as she ran her fingers through it, tucking it behind her ears and reaching for another form — another request for information or help on this case or another.
A minute later, memory Draco knocked at the door. When memory Hermione looked up, I could see the conflicted feelings written across her face. She quickly turned away.
"Malfoy, what can I do for you today?"
Memory Draco stepped through the door and took a seat in front of her desk, but he didn't speak. Eventually, she looked up, breaking the stalemate.
"How was your date?" he asked, as soon as he had her full attention.
"What date?"
Rolling his eyes, memory Draco said, "I heard you talking to Potter. You said you had a date with some tosser from Magical Games and Sports last night. Still have a thing for mediocre Quidditch players?"
Memory Hermione glared at him.
"I'm not doing this with you. Get out of my office." She paused. "Or, better yet, go home to your wife."
"Calm down. I'm here to work. I just wanted to rile you up a bit. But I could use your help—"
"Absolutely not," memory Hermione snapped. "I want nothing to do with you."
His face fell and she looked away again.
Present Draco turned to me. "That's always been your tell. You're so transparent."
"What is?" I asked, waving my hand and pausing the memory.
He gestured to memory Hermione. "That. You turn away like you're angry, but it's obvious this is basically flirting for you. You did the same thing with Weasley when we were kids."
"I did not!"
"You did," he stated. "Luckily, you didn't take those memories from me, so I can see all your lovers' spats clearly."
Narrowing my eyes, I said, "Who knew you were watching me so closely, Malfoy?"
Of course, as soon as the words left my lips, I felt like the biggest bitch on the planet. He had told me he'd secretly paid attention to me all the time. My stomach turned, my own memories swarming my brain. Rather than continue the conversation, I waved my hand again.
"Come on, Granger," memory Draco said, his voice low and sexy, trying to draw her in. "I need help researching new tracking spells for informants. We wouldn't want someone helpful to go truly missing."
Memory Hermione didn't look up right away, but I remembered how she fought the urge to say yes immediately; what he was working on was very important and she wanted to help. And she wanted to spend the day with him, bouncing ideas off each other. And she wanted him to take her choice away, to just kiss her again, to tear her clothes off.
But she knew he wouldn't. He wouldn't touch her until she gave him a clear yes.
"I really think it's inappropriate," she murmured. "We shouldn't—we can't work together."
I heard a scoff, and I knew it hadn't come from memory Draco. "Inappropriate. There's that word again. You must really like it, Granger."
The way Draco said Granger was so different now. He didn't sound like memory Draco in the slightest.
Memory Draco sighed. "We can work together. I know you don't want to repeat what happened in April. I'm not going to keep coming after you. A month's worth of rejections are pretty fucking clear."
Tilting her head up, memory Hermione's eyes scanned his face, trying to see if he was sincere. I remembered how it had hurt, how I'd wanted him to keep chasing me. I remembered how close I'd been to breaking down, to giving in, when he'd just decided he was done.
"Okay," memory Hermione said quietly. "We can try it, as long as you promise not to turn it into another way to seduce me."
A smile spreading across his face, memory Draco pulled books out of his pockets. Old books from Malfoy Manor containing obscure tracking spells.
"I'm sure you wet your knickers when you saw those," present Draco grumbled. "You're nothing if not predictable when it comes to things like that."
I glared at him. "Fuck off, Malfoy. Honestly, why can't you just shut up and watch?"
"Need I remind you that I am only here because I need someone to go through the memories with me? I do not want to be here. I do not want to be around you specifically. You're a deceitful bitch, and I can't stand to even look at you."
Swallowing my pain, I kept quiet, letting him spew whatever vitriol he needed to. I hadn't expected him to be this way since he hadn't been on Wednesday, but something had clearly gotten under his skin. It didn't matter; he'd get it eventually. He'd see how this relationship had wrecked us both.
Memory Draco handed memory Hermione a book and they both started reading, the silence between them mostly comfortable.
"Can we get to the point, Granger?" present Draco said. "I've got better things to do than watch us read."
I gestured to the clock. "So it's about 10am for them now. I'll move forwards."
Speeding things up, I stopped at around 5pm.
Memory Draco stood from his seat for the third time that day, stretching and grinning.
"We've gotten so much done today. I'm excited."
Memory Hermione smiled back at him and agreed, "We really have."
"We're a good team. And you know what good teammates do?"
As she rolled her eyes, a blush stained her cheeks. "What do you think good teammates do, Malfoy?"
"They have dinner together while continuing to work. Let me order some takeaway for us. It's my birthday, after all."
"Why the fuck are you working on your birthday?" memory Hermione asked, incredulous. "You should be out celebrating."
Memory Draco shrugged. "This has been more fun than a typical pureblood birthday celebration."
"But what about Blaise and Harry and everyone? They took you out for the stag party!"
"Potter's about to have a baby, and I'm sure Blaise is otherwise... engaged. I've enjoyed spending the day working with you. We got a lot accomplished so I won't be rushing next week," memory Draco answered. "So let's have dinner before we leave. We can just eat here."
Memory Hermione bit her lip as she internally debated, drawing the attention of both Dracos.
"Come on. It's just a meal in your office, Granger."
"Dinner and then I'm going straight home. Alone," she caved, his silver eyes focusing on her and his sexy drawl sealing the deal.
With a grin, memory Draco strode out of the office and memory Hermione huffed out a breath as she watched him walk away.
I sped things up again, skipping to his return. I didn't want to converse with present Draco if I could avoid it.
When memory Draco walked back in, he was holding a bottle of firewhisky.
"No way, Malfoy. Get that out of here," memory Hermione scolded. "Why do you have it at work, anyway?"
"Blaise and I used to take shots when we solved a case," he responded, shrugging. "I just want to have one glass with my dinner. For my birthday."
Standing, she crossed her arms over her chest. "You're a spoiled git. What makes you think I'll let you drink in here just because it's your birthday?"
Memory Draco set the bottle and their takeaway bag on the table. With a smirk, he raked his eyes over memory Hermione from head to hips, making her blush.
"You find me charming. You've enjoyed yourself today, too. I know you won't admit it, and that's fine. Keep playing it cool."
"Malfoy—"
He shook his head. "I'm not saying anything more. I'm just pointing out that I haven't seen you smile like you did today in quite some time, Granger. You like debating and bantering with me. It's got nothing to do with fucking."
Reaching for the takeaway bag, she replied, "Fine. I can admit that I do like having someone who can keep up with me."
Memory Draco smiled and conjured two glasses, pouring a generous amount of firewhisky into each. He pushed one to her side of the desk while she unpacked the food.
"One meal and one drink," she said. "And then we're going home. Separately."
"This isn't going to be just a meal," present Draco said, looking at memory Hermione. "I'm — I was — He's seducing her."
"And it's working," I admitted. "There will be more than one drink, and it won't end with dinner."
Draco looked at me. "Is this all going to be fucking?"
I shook my head. "Not all of it, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a big part of our relationship. We had sex at every opportunity."
We watched as they had dinner, talking about the workweek and their mutual friends. Blaise especially.
"He's such a slag," memory Draco laughed, his second glass of firewhisky in hand. "You'd better watch out, Granger. Next thing you know, he'll be trying to get in your knickers."
"I'd forgotten this part," I said aloud.
"Funny. Me too," Draco deadpanned.
"Blaise has barely spoken more than ten words to me at a time. I'm really not his type," memory Hermione replied, running her fingers through her curls.
"Yeah, your tits are real," memory Draco quipped. "And you've actually got a brain."
Watching us make fun of Blaise's previous conquests, I felt sick. It reinforced what we'd seen in the Pensieve on Wednesday, the way he'd talked about Sara as if she was just a warm body.
Memory Hermione leaned forward and whispered, "I suppose you'd know they're real."
Her first glass of firewhisky was gone, and she was pouring another.
"I suppose I would," memory Draco said in response. "Though I'd always be willing to check again if you need me to."
She threw a balled up piece of parchment at him.
"Pig. You're married."
He shrugged. "I suppose I am, though my wife has been absent all week."
They both continued to sip and memory Hermione didn't ask any questions about Astoria.
"Did you really have that date?" memory Draco asked.
She sighed. "I did. It was terribly boring. He didn't even pretend to be interested in anything I had to say."
Memory Draco's jaw clenched, and I looked over at present day Draco. His face was unreadable, no clear emotions coming through. I wasn't sure if he was Occluding or just didn't care anymore.
"Did you—"
Memory Hermione held up her hand. "Don't ask. You're not allowed to ask that, Malfoy."
At her words, memory Draco looked away. "I know. I just… I don't want you to get hurt."
"I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I'll be fine."
He gave a sharp nod in response before moving the conversation along. "Any plans for tomorrow?"
Swirling the liquor in her glass, memory Hermione shrugged. "I'll probably be sleeping in since I had this—" she raised the drink "—and then I'll have to do grocery shopping and all of those things."
Present Draco interrupted. "Stop for a second." I paused the memory again. "Who was the date?"
Snorting, I said, "Roger Davies. Ravenclaw. A few years ahead of us."
"The one who took the Veela to the Yule Ball?"
"The very one."
"And did you—"
"My answer is the same, Malfoy. You don't get to ask that," I replied. "And besides, it was years ago."
His eyes scanned my face, looking for my tells. I made sure there were none and restarted the memory.
"Sounds boring," memory Draco said.
"What about you? Plans at the Manor?"
Memory Hermione's voice dripped with contempt, and I imagined I would sound much the same if I spoke of the place now. It was possible I hated it more now than I did then.
"Not much. I'm thinking I'll go looking for a house. I don't like being back at the Manor."
Memory Hermione nodded, draining the last of her drink. "Well, it's been lovely catching up. I'm going to head home now."
I watched, knowing what was coming. Memory Draco also emptied his glass and then stood. But he didn't walk to the door. Instead, he rounded the desk and spun her chair around, bracketing her with his arms, his hands planted on the desk.
"You drive me mental, Granger," he said, his face only centimetres from hers. "I want you so badly it hurts."
She looked up at him, frozen for just a moment. He didn't move or speak again, but she could feel his breath against her lips, his need radiating off of him.
"I can't stop thinking about that night," memory Hermione confessed, her voice softer than normal.
Memory Draco's eyes moved down to her mouth and it was obvious he was at war with himself.
Making the decision, memory Hermione moved forward and pressed her lips to his. He groaned into her mouth and his hands moved to her arms, guiding her to standing. The office chair was pushed out of the way and the door slammed shut with a wave of memory Draco's hand.
As soon as she heard the lock click, memory Hermione started unbuttoning his shirt, her hands shaking. Memory Draco's hands moved to her arse, lifting her and setting her on the surface of the desk. His fingers tangled in her hair, tugging her head back as his lips moved down her neck. Inhaling sharply, he groaned again.
"You smell so fucking good. I remembered this. I've been dying to press my nose against your neck since I got back."
His shirt was gaping, only one button at the very bottom holding it on, and her hands roamed around to his back, sinking her fingernails into his skin like she could keep him there forever.
"We don't have to watch this," I said, my face flushing. "It's pretty clear what's going to happen…"
Draco raised an eyebrow at me. "Are you uncomfortable with the show you chose?"
"No, it's just… I know you don't want to be here."
I looked back to the memory versions of us. The zipper that ran along memory Hermione's spine had been tugged down and they were frantically pawing at each other.
After a moment, present Draco spoke. "We're going to watch every second of this. If you don't want to see us fucking, you can choose different memories to show me."
Nodding, I swallowed the lump in my throat before refocusing on the memory playing out around us.
Memory Hermione slid herself off the desk, stripping her dress off and letting it fall to the floor while she tugged at memory Draco's belt. His shirt was already gone, thrown over the office chair, and his hands had snaked around her back to unclasp her bra.
When her breasts were free, present Draco sharply sucked in a breath, affected by the scene in front of him. He watched his memory self suck on her nipples, pressing her back against the desk.
Memory Draco's trousers had pooled around his ankles, stuck on his shoes. Memory Hermione was whimpering and arching into his touch. One of his hands was rubbing her through her knickers, the silky purple material darkening with her arousal.
"—gonna fuck you so hard," he said against her skin. "Wanted this so much, every single day."
She moaned, her hand finding its way inside his pants and stroking him. And then her knickers were falling to the floor and memory Draco was spinning her around, pressing her down against the desk.
He kissed the base of her neck, his lips trailing down her spine. One of his hands pushed against her back, stilling her, while the other worked its way between her legs, rubbing at her clit.
"You're fucking drenched." His fingers slipped inside of her and she cried out. "Tell me it's for me. Tell me that you've wanted this since the last time I was inside of you."
"It's for you," memory Hermione breathed. "I've wanted you to touch me since your first day back."
I looked up at present Draco and he was scowling. Meanwhile, my knickers were getting wet from watching us together.
"You should've told me," memory Draco said. "I could've been making you scream for weeks."
Memory Hermione was moving, meeting the slide of his fingers, fucking them like she hadn't come in years. It couldn't be seen, but I knew the moment memory Draco's thumb started circling her clit. The gasp and the moans that followed were the same as my own, after all.
"Are you still on the potion?" he asked, and she nodded. "Good, because it's going to be a long night."
And with that, he withdrew his fingers, pulled his shorts down, and slammed inside of her, jolting her forward and making her scream with relief. Her arms reached out over her head, her hands seeking purchase on the edge of the desk. Memory Draco plunged in and out of her, setting the pace for their coupling. One of his hands kneaded her arsecheek while the other moved back to her clit.
I remembered how those first touches had felt, the way my magic had sizzled and sparked beneath my skin. The feeling became addicting, and I was sure it would be the same if he touched me like that now.
In less than a minute, memory Hermione was coming, trembling and moaning beneath him, her cunt gripping him so tightly his face was strained.
"Lucky for you, I silenced the room," he taunted. "I remembered how loud you scream when you come, Granger."
"Fuck you," she hissed and he added a swivel to each thrust. "Oh, fuck, yes, like that!"
"I believe you are fucking me," he grunted. "And you're so tight you're gonna make me come way too fast."
My eyes were fixed on memory Draco's hand, the one kneading memory Hermione's arse. His wedding band was clearly visible and I realised I'd also forgotten that detail — he hadn't stopped wearing it until later in the year.
"It's fine," memory Hermione said, her voice strained. "I already came."
His hands fell on her hips, pulling them back to meet his thrusts. "Oh, Granger, don't you want seconds?"
She moaned again, the sound much louder than it had been before, as she continued to let memory Draco pound into her from behind.
Looking to present Draco, I was speechless. What was I supposed to say in this situation? 'Oh, look at how hard you made me come.'
That hardly seemed appropriate.
He apparently didn't have the same reservations. "Look at our faces," he said. "Look at how real it is, the relief."
I nodded. "We'd been dancing around it for weeks, and we'd only had the one night before this."
When memory Draco pulled out and turned memory Hermione over, moving her back to sitting on the desk, our past selves made eye contact and lost control. She wrapped her legs around his waist and he slid into her again, his hips moving frantically. They kissed like they'd never do this again, and I knew memory Hermione had been thinking that it would just be another one off, that it wouldn't be the beginning of something monumental.
"Fuck, Granger," memory Draco murmured against her neck. "This is perfect. You feel amazing wrapped around me."
His mouth moved lower, sucking on her throat and collarbones, making his way to her breast. As soon as his lips wrapped around her nipple, she shuddered. I watched as he pulled back slowly, teasing the sensitive bud with a graze of his teeth. Memory Hermione fisted his hair, dragging his mouth back up to hers and kissing him deeply as she fell apart for the second time.
Memory Draco wasn't far behind; he rocked his hips a few more times and then came, spilling deep inside of her with his face buried against her neck. After he caught his breath, he started kissing up to her ear.
"Where are we going tonight?" he whispered.
"I'm going home," memory Hermione answered, the panic and regret settling in for her as their tryst ended. "You should do the same."
"I'll come home with you," he replied, nuzzling and not truly understanding what she'd meant. "I'll take care of you like that all night."
She swallowed hard. "Malfoy, we can't—"
"Don't," he said. "Please just… don't."
"Astoria—"
"Isn't home," he interrupted. "And I don't want her. I want you. Only you."
Again, I looked to present Draco. His pupils were dilated as he watched the scene play out, focusing on memory Hermione, waiting to see what she would say.
"Just this once," she answered. "You can come and stay the night just this once. Because it's your birthday."
Memory Draco lifted his head and smirked at her before kissing her again.
We were thrown from the Pensieve and landed in my house again. I noticed that Draco's cheeks were faintly flushed, but I didn't say anything. He pulled a chair back and sat at my dining table.
"Granger, I've wanted to fuck you that way since I came back to work," he admitted, not meeting my eyes. "Is every single memory going to feel like this? Like a slap in the face?"
Sighing, I said, "I know I told you they weren't easy to live with. You're going to see parallels and even realise you've said things to me recently that you'd also said before the Obliviation."
"How have you been living with this?"
"Honestly, I've done a shit job of it," I replied. "Half the time, I'm in my own head. The other half, I've been distracting myself in any way I can."
Draco finally looked up at me, his anger seemingly burned out. "Watching these memories — has it been hard for you?"
I nodded. "Of course it has. Just because I know what happened between us doesn't mean it's easy for me to see."
"I'm guessing that one night turned into more pretty fast?"
"One night turned into a week while Astoria was away in Paris with your mother," I explained, recalling every detail like it had happened last week, rather than three years ago. "And then that week turned into the summer and then it just went on and on."
He rubbed his hands over his face. "Right. Once we started, we just didn't end."
"I tried to end it. But no, we never truly stayed apart until I…"
"Until you took my memories," Draco finished. "Got that part."
Looking him squarely in the eyes, I said, "For what it's worth, I am sorry. I've regretted it every day since."
With a shrug, he stood. "Do you know what you're going to show me next?"
"I hadn't really thought about it. Maybe a few shorter ones from the summer."
"Sunday?" he asked.
I could tell he was getting ready to leave, but I didn't want him to. I wanted him to ask more questions, to talk to me and tell me what was going through his mind. But I knew I'd lost the right to know what he was thinking when I violated his mind and Obliviated him.
When I answered, my voice was nearly a whisper, and I didn't look up at him. "Yes. That would be best for me."
"I'll see you then," Draco said, turning and stepping towards the Floo.
Before he left, his eyes caught on the otter and the dragon and he paused for just a moment. With one final glance at me, he left and I instantly felt his absence, the loneliness I'd felt in the weeks following his Obliviation.
And, once I was alone, I found myself thinking back to the Pensieve conversation about Blaise. We'd been joking, talking about how he slept around. These bits and pieces weren't things I ever would've remembered if I hadn't been rewatching the memories, viewing them outside my mind.
Sara's face kept flashing behind my eyes, as well, especially when I considered that he'd been at her restaurant and pretty pissed a mere week ago. My mind fixated on that fact.
We'd had another fight and he was spending his Friday night without me. Would he be with Mel? With Sara? With someone else?
My stomach started churning.
Things had been off between us all month, and I knew that was more my fault than his, but he didn't seem like the kind of man that would want to wait for me to figure my shite out. If he was feeling neglected or ignored, he would likely leave me.
The thought of being left behind again bothered me a lot more than it should've.
I started to pace in front of the Floo, my body begging me to just head to Falmouth, to see if Blaise was with Sara again. My paranoid brain was telling me that he would be there and that she would be offering him a shoulder to cry on. Hell, when we'd been on our first date, she'd talked to him for far longer than I would've considered appropriate, and she'd clearly slept with him.
I needed to know if he was with her.
On instinct, I went to Grimmauld Place. Harry was sitting on the couch with James tucked into his side. When he saw my frantic face, he said, "What's wrong, Hermione?"
"I need to borrow the Cloak," I stated, quickly trying to figure out an excuse for why I needed it.
He shrugged. "It's in the closet in the hall. Take it. Just bring it back safely."
"Seriously?"
"Honestly, I'm too exhausted to care what you need it for. If it has to do with Draco or Blaise, just take it. You're not going to be able to settle until you've used it."
"You're a good friend," I told him, heading to the closet and grabbing the cloak. "I'll repay you somehow."
Shaking his head, he said, "Just don't get arrested."
As I was heading into the hallway, I replied, "I promise. I just need to check something."
Wrapping myself in the familiar cloak, I ran out the front door, surrounded by the scent of Harry's cologne and consumed by my thoughts. I wasn't sure if I wanted to find Blaise with Sara or not; I just knew that I had to know.
He'd slept with her before, and I had no doubt from the way she looked at him and talked to him that she'd be willing to repeat the experience.
As I Disapparated, I focused on the little bookstore I loved.
I stood outside of Sara's restaurant, debating with myself about whether or not I should go in. She'd be open for a few more hours, but that didn't mean she would stay there the whole time. She had a staff.
When a couple opened the door and made their way out, I took my chance and slipped inside. I didn't see Blaise in the immediately visible area or at the bar, but my paranoia took over. I carefully wandered around and weaved between tables, making my way to the more secluded area.
My stomach immediately dropped.
He was sitting at the furthest table from the door, a drink in hand, and Sara across from him. They were laughing and smiling, looking like they were on a date.
I couldn't resist the temptation — I moved closer, desperate to hear what they were saying.
"—when we went to that little place in Sorrento for the weekend?"
"How could I forget?" he replied, laughing.
"Gods, the water was so cold!" Sara reminisced. "I can't believe you talked me into swimming naked!"
I wanted to throw up. A weekend trip to Sorrento sounded like a lot more than a one-night stand or a casual hookup.
"Well, it made the most sense. We were already naked."
Sara laid a hand on his forearm and he looked up at her. "Blaise, that was seriously the best weekend. We should—"
He pulled his arm away, cutting her off. "Sara, you know I'm with Hermione—"
"Yeah, but from what it sounds like, she's not going to stick around," she responded. "I'm just saying — when you're free, I'm free. Just like before."
Biting my lip to stay quiet, I wanted to know more about the before.
"Who knows about before, Sara? Other than us."
She shrugged. "A few of my friends. Mel, after last weekend."
"Wait, what?" he asked. "You told Mel?"
"Well, she could tell that I had…" Sara trailed off, contemplating her next words. "She said she could tell there was something between us, so I told her. I didn't think it was some big secret. You took me to events before—"
Blaise sighed. "Hermione doesn't know. I've never told her, and she didn't recognise you. You look a lot different now than you did a few years ago."
"Why?"
I braced myself for his answer, thinking it was going to be something awful.
"When she first met you, she was jealous," he began. "And I might have said that I haven't been with anyone since she and Draco split. If I told her about you, I'm sure she would've asked when we stopped our… arrangement."
And there it was — confirmation that he'd told Sara about my relationship with Draco and that he'd apparently lied to me. He hadn't been celibate since I'd split with Draco — he had slept with Sara for an indeterminate amount of time.
"It was more than an arrangement," she said quietly. "We were so close, Blaise. We were more than just… It was over three years."
"But I love Hermione, Sara. I waited so long for my chance with her," he responded, looking her in the eyes. "If I can make it work, I'm going to."
Her lips trembled. "But we… You and I… We fit together. I've always been there for you. Anytime you've needed me in the past six years."
As much as I wanted to run out the door and never look back, I couldn't stop watching them.
"I know, cara. And I appreciate that, but you always knew that I wanted her."
"I don't think she loves you."
Blaise shrugged. "She says she does. Things were fine until Draco was back in her life. I'm sure once she's through showing him the memories and transfers departments, things between us will be fine."
When Sara looked at him, I could see the tears in her eyes. "You don't know that."
"I don't," he stated. "But I'm hoping for the best."
"That's not how you seemed last week, and now she's pushed you away again."
Her words were accurate — I was pushing him away. And, after hearing all of this tonight, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to let him back in. Honestly, I couldn't believe that he'd been going to a woman who he'd had a long-term sexual relationship with to discuss our relationship problems.
"She'll realise that he'll hurt her again," Blaise said. "I'm hoping the memories remind her of how horribly he treated her, shagging her and then running off to sleep with Astoria."
My lips were quivering; the pain from hearing him share my secrets with someone I barely knew — someone who clearly didn't like me all that much — was getting the better of me. I took a deep breath and turned, weaving my way back through the restaurant and out onto the street in Falmouth.
I stood beside a lamppost and cast a Muffliato over myself. A choking sob finally escaped me and I stood there, waiting to see if Blaise came out. After an hour passed and he hadn't, I decided to Apparate home.
Clearly, I had a lot to think about before speaking to him the next day.