Hello! Are you still there? Oh, sorry, I couldn't see you behind the MOUNTAIN of FLUFF!
Hope you all survived the fluffiness of the last chapter. No one drowned in the speck avalanche, did they?
Anyway, sorry this chapter is a day late. I underestimated how long it would take me to clean the house before our inspection today. Seriously, I didn't go to sleep until 3 am and then they showed up an hour early... fun times.
Ok, but you didn't come to hear about me... onto our favourite pair and their itty bitty speck.
Hermione picked up her pen. And put it down again.
She didn't know how to write the letter she needed to write. She'd tried, numerous times, to put the right words onto paper but they never seemed to work. They seemed sullen.
I've done something irresponsible, but I've decided to face the consequences I've made for myself.
Or defensive.
I know you may not approve, but I am a grown woman, I can and will face this by myself.
Or downright silly.
I know you're trying to enjoy your holiday. I don't mean to ruin it but surprise- you're going to be grandparents!
Hermione groaned. This was ridiculous. She'd decided to write her parents a letter as they'd left just after Christmas for a holiday in Australia. Hermione had actually been right when she'd sent them away during the war- they'd always loved the country. Once Hermione had returned their memories they'd moved back to Britain but still travelled back every so often to enjoy the beaches and the heat. Hermione hated hot weather and there was no way she was could port key to Australia to inform her parents of their impending grandchild. Even if Hermione wanted to, she wasn't allowed. Now that she was pregnant, she was advised to use apparition sparingly. No long-distance magic travel, floo was the only way she would be travelling around the country now.
Finally, Hermione scribbled something down on the paper. She was too terrified to call them, she would spill all her secrets if she heard her mothers voice right now and they would be back from their holiday in February. Then she would have to tell them their daughter had gotten drunk and was now pregnant from what was meant to be a one-night stand.
Hi Mum and Dad,
Hope you're doing well in Australia; I know you were so excited to go again. Mum- please don't let Dad bring back anymore Vegemite- I still have the last jar of the stuff, and it's even worse than Marmite. I just thought I would write to check-in, please don't worry.
I was thinking as soon as you get back, we could have a family dinner. I'd really love to talk to you about something.
Love,
Hermione.
It was the best she could muster. Hermione looked down at the ultrasound photo she'd left on her dining table. She'd, in a brief moment of hysteria, thought about just sending them the photo but her dad didn't have the most reliable heart, and it was probably advisable not to give him a heart attack by post.
She and Draco had agreed that apart from Harry, Ginny, Blaise and their parents that they wouldn't tell anyone about the pregnancy yet. Partially as the first trimester was the riskiest but really because they had no idea how two people who weren't even dating announced they would be having a child together. There would be no congratulatory article in the Prophet speculating whether their unborn baby would eventually be a Gryffindor or a Slytherin. It would be a scandal. It would be a huge scandal. An unconfirmed sighting of them snogging at the Christmas party had sent the Prophet into a spin even when there was plenty of other news circulating. News that the Gryffindor Golden Girl was now to be an unwed mother because of exonerated Death Eater and notorious bachelor Draco Malfoy would spread like wildfire. It would drag all the history of the two back into the light. It was easier if they tried to sort of out some details before everyone else decided to insert themselves into their business.
It had been two days since their appointment at St Mungo's. It had gone well, she reflected later. Really well. Part of her was suspecting it had gone too well, a little dark pit in the back of her mind liked to shout terrible doubts at her whenever she was feeling overly calm about the situation. She'd been six chapters into Mothering a Magical Child when it decided to remind her that although they had agreed that Hermione should tell her parents, no mention of Draco's parents was made.
She'd decided not to worry about it. She still did, of course, but Lucius was in Azkaban so there was nothing he could do about the pregnancy and Narcissa was… somewhere. Hermione had no idea where but the witch didn't seem inclined to return anytime soon.
Still, it had thrown her when Draco had been so positive about the experience. She'd genuinely expected him to refuse anything to do with her or the child. Instead, she'd had to practically beg him to part with the ultrasound photo long enough for them to go into the bookshop. It was suspicious enough that she had bought almost a dozen books on pregnancy, motherhood and children without him trying to show everyone 'The Speck'. When the cashier had looked curiously at the books, Hermione had had a stroke of genius and said they were for a charity project assisting women without finances for such items. She'd actually been thankful when Draco had paid for most of the books, she made decent money but the small library she'd just purchased was no small sum. She'd still insisted on paying for a few; it didn't feel right to put the burden on him even if they had agreed to share the books.
Hermione picked up the ultrasound and stared at it. There was almost nothing to see on it, but it was a reminder that this was real. She'd just reached the official six weeks mark the day before. She hadn't noticed any changes, other than being tired, but she'd thrown herself at the books in preparation. They detailed each week extensively, although Hermione wondered how many women really got to experience the first few weeks even knowing they were pregnant.
She'd set up a calendar in the kitchen, already marking off her next appointment at St Mungo's. She also knew that by then, they should be able to listen to the heartbeat for the first time. Her own heart bet harder just thinking about it.
Draco had asked her to keep him updated, but she didn't really know what that meant. She wasn't showing, there was no real change in her yet. Still, she picked up the second piece of parchment.
Hi.
Six weeks officially. No change since Tuesday, but I've started Mothering a Magical Child and Monthly Magic: a detailed guide to your pregnancy. Have you started reading anything yet?
Did you know that the Speck (I do not approve of that nickname by the way) is currently the size of a sweet pea? Last week it was only the size of an apple seed. I found a whole list in a muggle book I bought. Muggles like to compare foetuses to fruit a lot. I don't know if that's the same for wizards…
Hermione.
She folded the letter and the one for her parents. She would send them on the way to work. Thankfully no one had questioned her excuse of a stomach bug to excuse her absence on Monday or Tuesday. Hermione didn't often take days off from work so most likely they'd all thought her gravely ill. A few had stopped by her office to tell her it was good to see her looking better and Annabelle had agreed she had looked a bit peaky last week.
Hermione shuffled a large pile of paperwork. Two days. She'd been gone for two days, and suddenly one project was a week behind schedule and another underfunded. Brilliant.
Not only was Hermione now actively trying to grow a very small human but she was getting practice mothering a large group of incompetent adults. Alright, that was a bit harsh. Some of them were competent. Others, specifically Johnson Adders and Annabelle Pith, were a handful. And apparently going through some kind of a breakup. Hermione didn't care, but the hostile environment was now causing issues for the whole department.
She'd considered asking Mary to have one moved, but that apparently would be choosing sides in the breakup, and Hermione desperately wanted to remain neutral. So far neutral meant overseeing their arguments and trying to keep their meeting on track to get this project completed on time. On average Hermione managed and oversaw six projects at a time for W.O.F. Each project had a small team that organised the day-to-day details. Hermione had started in one of those positions and sometimes found herself missing being able to dedicate herself so fully to one idea. Now she spent as much time managing people as she did seeing genuine clients that needed help.
"Alright," Hermione rubbed her forehead, "Can someone explain why we are missing almost 20% of our funding for next month's wolfbane distribution?"
The Program to Assist Werewolves, or PAW, had been Hermione's baby since the day she'd started at W.O.F. It had been her, the memory of Lupin and no funds. Since then, they had managed to sustain a costly supply of wolfsbane for werewolves in the program, and almost all were now holding down steady jobs. Now, for the first time, they'd lost a supporter and their donated funding. Hermione was furious.
Annabelle shot a fierce glare down the small table at her ex-boyfriend.
"Some people," she said, "can't keep it in their pants."
Adders stared at his thumbs but still hissed under his breath.
"At least I know how to keep my mouth shut."
Annabelle looked about ready to launch herself across the table and throttle him. Hermione interjected,
"What exactly does this have to do with our funds?" Her voice was scathing, and everyone around the table glanced nervously.
No one spoke for a moment then Penelope Clearwater, one of the few people in the company Hermione completely trusted, leant in and whispered none too subtly.
"That 20% was being donated by the Fawley family. It appears, however, someone-" a stern glance at Adders, "-had an intimate interaction with one of the Miss Fawley's, and someone else-" a look at Annabelle, "-saw fit to inform the young woman's grandfather."
Hermione groaned. She glared at the two employees. They'd lost her valuable funding, some of which she'd been petitioning for months. Not to mention they could have done to W.O.F.'s reputation.
"Are you two aware of how damaging this could be?" She growled at the entire table, "You've lost funding for one of our most effective programs. Not only have you lost funds, but you've also lost the trust of a long-time supporter of our organisations, and you've put the people who need us the most at risk. Which of you would like to explain to the werewolves who rely on the wolfsbane that they may have to lose control of their bodies next month? They could lose their jobs, their families or they could get loose and hurt someone."
Everyone stared at the table as Hermione looked at every member of the small team.
"You need to think about the bigger picture. We come here to change lives. Now you've let a moment of weakness define our actions. People respect us. We started as a small organisation who helped children orphaned by the war, but we have grown so far beyond that. We rely on our good name so they will come to us when they are in need, and so others will donate to support our work. You have damaged that reputation today. Next time don't-"
Hermione faltered for a moment and sighed. She'd been about to say never sleep with one of their benefactors. Except she had. She'd slept with their biggest benefactor. She was going to have his child. It was probably best not to set herself up for humiliation already.
"Just," she said, "think about how your actions affect others, alright. You're not children, I can't tell you how to conduct your relationships, but the wizarding community in Britain is smaller than you think. People talk, and they remember. Your actions reflect your person, make them worthwhile."
Penelope, the only one not looking well chastised gave her an approving nod. Hermione tried not to roll her eyes at her, this wasn't the first time Hermione had to do some variation of the 'I'm not mad, I'm disappointed' speech. While their organisation had incredibly hard workers, there were a lot of fresh, bold witches and wizards that joined because they knew experience at W.O.F. was highly valued in the sort after Ministry positions. Despite their short tenure as an organisation, they had built a fierce reputation of skilled, efficient workers.
There was a gently tap at the door, and the receptionist poked his bright, cheery face into the room.
"Sorry." He said, still smiling. "Miss Granger, you've a visitor waiting for you."
Hermione frowned and checked her watch. She didn't have any appointments scheduled for the day, just a preliminary meeting with the Wizenmagot later in the afternoon. There was no way she could be late for anything. She was meant to be doing damage control and getting her projects back on track until then.
"It's not scheduled." The receptionist said, "but, ah, I didn't think you'd want to miss this visitor."
Hermione leant back in her chair, trying to see through the glass walls.
"Who is it, Charles?" She asked, her view blocked by a poster promoting goblin rights.
Hermione didn't get many clients in the office.
"One of our benefactors, Mr Malfoy."
"Oh," Hermione said, suddenly doubting this was a business appointment. "Can you tell him I'll be there as soon as this meeting is done?"
Charles looked uncomfortable, leaning on the doorway, so more of this body was in the room.
"It's just that," he whispered loudly, "he asked for you specifically, and Mary has already spotted him. She's about to have a conniption, you know what she'd like with these big benefactors."
Hermione looked at the ceiling and huffed. She did know what their boss was like. She also knew she had to be that way, or they quite simply wouldn't have the funding they did. Mary's ability to soothe and schmooze the big businesses of the wizarding world was legendary. She'd single handily managed to get previously Death Eater filled families throwing money at her to raise the poor orphaned children left behind by the war. She'd made not being a terrible human being the most significant and influential trend in high society. Everyone wanted to been seen at the W.O.F.s charity dinners or their name on an important project. The socialites thrived on the attention, and the press ate it up. The good it had done was incredible, but it came at a price, Mary spent every waking moment managing their funds and appeasing the big pockets they came from.
For all the years Draco had been donating to them, he'd never come to their offices. His sudden appearance would have Mary on the edge of her seat.
"Alright," Hermione said, conceding defeat. If she didn't go out there, then Mary would no doubt come barging in demanding Hermione see to Draco's every whim. "Take Draco to my office, I'll be there as soon as I can."
From the looks Hermione received her use of the Malfoy's first name was dutifully noted by all. Hermione supposed they'd best get used to the idea of her being friendly with him sooner rather than later, he was going to be an unusual fixture in her life from now on. Charles recovered first, nodding and heading back to the reception area.
Hermione took a few minutes to deliver new assignments to her team and then left Penelope to coordinate the rest of the meeting.
Hermione's office door was closed as she approached and she could see Mary observing though her own open door. The older witch raised a hand questioningly, communicating to Hermione from across the office. Hermione shrugged but tried not to look concerned, her boss would also have to get used to Draco too.
Hermione slipped into her office.
"Hi." She said, a little nervously to the man lounging casually on her guest chair.
"Hi," Draco said, voice smooth and playful smirk already appearing on his lips. "Sorry, I didn't realise you were in a meeting."
Hermione glanced at the clock, 11:45 it announced.
"I generally am." She said, "there's always something to kind of meeting around here. Most of them could probably be memo's but…"
She trailed off with a shrugged. Draco nodded like he understood the feeling.
"How are you feeling?" He asked with a quick, subtle glance down at her waist.
"Fine," Hermione said. "Tired mostly."
Draco frowned,
"All the books say you shouldn't overwork yourself. You-"
"I," Hermione said, sternly cutting him off, "am perfectly capable of doing a full day's work."
Draco pursed his lips.
"I'm only six weeks pregnant, Draco. Sure, I'm a bit more tired than normal, but that doesn't mean I'm ready to go home and lie on the sofa all day."
"I know." Draco said, "I was just saying-"
"You were butting." Hermione leant against her desk and folded her arms against her chest. Actually, 'tired' wasn't her only symptom. Her breasts were also tender and chaffed against her bra, but she wasn't going to mention that to him.
Draco lifted an eyebrow.
"Butting?" He dripped the word sarcastically of his lips.
"Yes." Hermione said, jutting her chin, stubbornly, "You're butting in on my business."
Draco snorted.
"Sorry, Granger," he said. Hermione wrinkled her nose at his habit of going back to her last name whenever he was annoyed at her or trying to annoy her, "but as you put it, my business is inside of you right now. That means you are my business."
Hermione tried not to roll her eyes at him. She tried to understand his point of view. After all, Hermione was the one carrying their child, it was with her all the time. She didn't know how she'd feel if someone else was carrying her offspring. Probably less sore seeing as it wouldn't be her breasts aching. She wished she could give that responsibility to Draco.
"Speaking of," Draco said, "I actually came to ask you to lunch."
Hermione perked up at that. She was hungry. Really hungry.
"Yes." She said, eyeing the clock again.
"I haven't asked yet."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Then ask."
"Do you want to go out for lunch with me?"
"Ye- wait, no." Hermione faltered making Draco wrinkle his brow in confusion.
"No?"
"Um. Food, yes. Out, no." Hermione said awkwardly, looking at her hands as she spoke.
"You've lost me," Draco said with a frown.
"I just… don't want to have people see us out for lunch and think it's a date or anything. You know what the Prophet's like." She tried to explain.
Draco frowned, looking genuinely concerned. Hermione didn't know how to explain it. It wasn't that she didn't like spending time with Draco and, Merlin, they would be spending a lot of time together soon, but it seemed like they were running into trouble every time they were seen together. Just going to the bookstore the previous day had involved an elaborate lie. Hermione didn't want another article going out, suggesting that they were dating or anything closer to the truth.
"You don't want to be seen with me?" Draco asked slowly.
Hermione's face paled, realising she'd offended him.
"It's not you, I promise." She said hurriedly, "I don't mind people seeing us going out as friends but if we do, the next thing you know the prophet is telling everyone we've snuck out for a midday rendezvous."
Draco nodded very slowly, clearly thinking over her words. Hermione hated having to try and rush out her feelings, she liked to have time and sort out her words before trying to explain them to someone else. She was a perfectionist, and unfortunately, there was no book out there for her to study in regards to her own messed up feelings on their situation. If Draco wanted an hour-long speech on use properties of dragon blood Hermione was prepared, but her own opinions on their relationship and she'd need a few hours to prepare a comprehensive presentation, or it would be a garbled mess.
"We're friends now?" Draco smirked, although still frowning.
Hermione blew out an exasperated breath, making some of her curls dance. She waved her hand between them.
"I don't know. What would you call this?" She asked.
"I don't know, either." Draco shrugged, "That's why I asked you to lunch."
Hermione pursed her lips; she knew this wasn't just a friendly call. Draco Malfoy always had an ulterior motive. He'd come to lure her with promises of food, but really it was an ambush for a conversation Hermione would very much like to put off.
"So, you came here to talk about us, not take me out for a nice lunch." She mock pouted, a ridiculous expression she almost instantly regretted. "Here I was thinking you cared about me eating, but no, you didn't just decide to take your pregnant…"
Hermione faltered. She didn't know what the rest of the sentence was meant to be, it was just missing a glaring word. A word she didn't know. 'You didn't just decide to take your pregnant insert-blank-here out for lunch from the goodness of your heart…' She'd been trying to lighten the mood a little and stumbled right into the heart of the problem. Draco saw it too; he folded his arms, looking satisfied.
"You see." He said smugly, "My pregnant, what exactly?"
Hermione studied the wood of her desk, intently for a few minutes.
"Friend?"
"Again, I ask. Are we friends?"
"I don't know. We're something…"
"Which is exactly why I asked you to lunch?"
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, they were going in circles. She wanted to go to lunch, she even looked forward to the idea of spending time with Draco, but she didn't fancy the Prophet seeing them and she didn't feel ready to discuss what they were going to mean to each other. Draco was watching her curiously, looking stunning as usual as he leant back in her office chair.
"As a date or as friends?" Hermione asked cautiously.
"I-" Draco hesitated, looking up at her with bright grey eyes. "Do you want it to be as a date?"
"I don't…. know." Hermione had to look away, feeling like they were roaming to dangerous territory that tugged at something low in her gut.
"Yes, you've said that." Draco sounded irritable now, glaring down at his hands.
"Damn it, Draco. Don't jump down my throat because I don't know."
Hermione let out an annoyed groan, she couldn't keep up with this conversation. They were bouncing between teasing, flirting and arguing so rapidly it was making her head spin. She'd already had a bad enough morning, she was meant to be sorting out her work debacles not the ones currently plaguing her personal life. She glared at her toes before finally letting out a stream of conscious thought.
"I don't know if I want to go on a date with you because I don't know you. Or I know you too well. I know you, Malfoy, as the pain in the ass Slytherin asshole who mirthlessly tormented me at Hogwarts. I also know you as Draco, who collects fire whisky and who likes to shag slowly in the morning when the sun is dawning, so the sunlight comes with us."
She blushed remembering the words he had whispered to her as dawn spilt its morning light over her body and their orgasm. However, she pushed on, thoughts flowing now, and she didn't dare stop herself in case she lost her train of thought before she could come to some kind of a conclusion.
"I don't know if I want to date you Draco because I want the chance to know you. We're not friends right now, we don't even know each other. We're just two people who shared one night and would have gone back to barely knowing each other except now we're in this weird situation and are stuck together. So, if you ask me if I want to go on a date with you right now? Then, no. I don't. I don't want to date you while I get to know you only to find out it's a disaster and you want nothing to do with me or this child."
"Hermione." Draco stood abruptly, interrupting her and she tried to wave him off so she could continue her rambling, but he grabbed one of her flailing arms causing her to stop and look at him. "I need you to listen to me."
His face was so still and so severe that she stopped and gulped. His eyes burned into her as she slowly nodded.
"You and me, whatever our relationship ends up as, it is completely separate to the speck."
Hermione tried to open her mouth to argue, but Draco stopped her with a warning glare.
"We date, we don't date. We're friends, we hate each other. Regardless of what happens Hermione, that child is my blood, and I will be there for it. I need you to know that. I am not going to walk away; I'm not going to change my mind. The speck is my family now, regardless of how it came about or what happens next. I'm not running away."
Hermione nodded dumbly. She'd never seen Draco look so serious or so earnest. His voice was solemn, and Hermione realised how much she'd needed to hear those words. All her fear about the pregnancy over the last few days had been about whether she was doing the right thing. If she was going to be able to raise the baby alone if that's what it came down to. Despite how well Draco had taken the news and how the appointment at St Mungo's had gone, she'd been terrified Draco would turn around and walk away. Hermione realised, with a small start, Draco was far more like his mother than anyone gave him credit for. Narcissa had lied in the face of the Dark Lord to save her son. Perhaps Lucius had made a terrible choice when it came to his family, but Draco's mother had been prepared to die for the smallest hope her son was still alive. Hermione could see that fierce determination in Draco's eyes now. He was intense, and she was incredibly grateful that it was the case. She needed him to love this child, regardless of how insane the rest of this situation was.
Still holding his dark eyes, Hermione found herself moving forward. She grabbed Draco and slammed her lips on his. Draco's hands clutched at her waist with a surprised
"Ouf"
Despite his shock, he pushed back at her, opening her mouth with his and pressing her body into him. Between desperate kisses, he muttered
"Hermione. Didn't you just say we should be friends?"
Hermione bit out words between clashing lips.
"Yes." She said. "Friends. Just… Just Friends."
She dragged him backwards with her until they were pressing against her desk, and he wound one hand into her hair.
"Not," Draco said, kissing her lips roughly, "that I'm not enjoying this." She attacked his lips, muffling his next words "Because I am." He bit her lip, "But." She sucked on his lower lip, "This. Isn't. Exactly."
Draco hitched her waist up, pushing her bottom back, onto her desk and pressing into her.
"Friendly." His finished the sentence as she wrapped her legs around his hips.
"Right." Hermione groaned as he pressed a kiss to her neck. She pulled at his outer robes, her hands sought out his belt and used it to tug him closer her while he pulled her to the edge of the desk. "Friends."
Something about the man had released something inside of her. Hermione had never been obsessed with sex. She'd enjoyed it, but this desperate need throbbing inside her now was new. She wanted to touch him, feel every inch of him. Everything inside her burned. She needed him to touch her, to feel him inside her again. Their first night had created an ache inside of her body, and she just knew he was the only one who could fill it.
"Friends?" Draco grunted again, kissing her lips while his hand pushed her skirt up while she lifted herself, cool wood of her desk pressing against her exposed skin.
"Friends." She groaned, prying his belt open and undoing his fly.
His hand slid up her leg, finding her soaked knickers, and he let out a soft hiss of pleasure as she likewise slipped her hands inside his boxers and clasped him.
"Eugn." Hermione hung her head back, letting out a desperate moan as Draco pushed two fingers inside her, thrusting slowly.
"Do you do this with all your friends, Miss Granger?" Draco purred, looking at her face now that she wasn't viciously attacking his lips with her own.
Her head was leant back, eyes partially closed in ecstasy, feeling the way he held her and dipped his head to kiss her exposed throat. Something in the back of her mind warned her this wasn't a good idea, that she'd just rationalised the exact opposite of this situation. They needed to get to know one another, unbridled with sex and lust. She shouldn't be giving in to this luxurious feeling coursing through her veins. Like nothing she had ever felt before, his slow ministration made her willing to do anything to attain more of his touch. Her mouth parted slightly, soft pleasured breaths as he kissed a sensitive spot under her ear. Everything, her resolve, her worries, her logic, was unravelled by his soft lips brushing her skin.
"Just the ones who know how to fuck like gods." She could feel him smirk into her skin and vaguely wondered if it wasn't such a good idea to inflate his ego even more.
They moved together, both pumping slowly to each other's pleasure. Hermione pushed his pants out of the way, and Draco slipped his fingers out of her so he could drag her knickers off, lifting her bottom to devest her of the garment.
She didn't know what he did with them, but she was too invested in his tip, pressing against her slit to care. She needed him, and she gasped softly as he pushed in, stretching her.
She could feel him, the delightful pressure as he filled her completely. Her eyes rolled backwards, while she savoured the building pleasure as he sank in, gifting her with a soft moan and a languished kiss as he relished the feel of her tight walls clenching him.
"Gods, Hermione." He panted into her neck. "Do you know how good this feels?"
Hermione kissed a trail up his neck and sucking on his ear lobe moaned a simple
"Yes."
Something about their reconnection was different as if their bodies had longed for it. Hermione could feel every inch of him as he slowly drew out, her muscles crying out for their loss. Draco pulled out, making her hiss with the loss of him, then thrust sharply, hip snapping into hers as he drove deep.
He captured her gasping moan with his mouth, stopping the noise from escaping the small office. He pulled out, torturing her into soft pants as he prolonged the sensation. Hermione was desperate, she slid her hands under his robes and clawed as his back trying to drive him in. He nipped at her neck, continuing his slow punishment. She had to bite down on his shoulder when Draco thrust again, his cock hitting deep in her walls and making Hermione sure he would force her to come in only a few thrusts. Draco drew out again this time not as slow, she bit down on him before begging.
"Please, Draco." Her voice soft and breathless, "I need you."
He groaned into her and Hermione realised he liked when she whispered into his ear. She pulled him closer, moaning his name again. Draco clenched her hips and thrust into her, making her hum around him.
"Draco." She begged with his name again, "Gods, you feel so good."
Hermione smiled to herself as the rhythm picked up again, she was enjoying herself, seeing how she could make him react, to push him his restraint to the edge just with her voice.
"Do you know how much I've thought about this?" She panted, still sinking her nails into his skin. "When I can't sleep at night. I think about all the times you've taken me. I think about how wet you make me when I touch myself."
Draco nipped her neck, his hips thrusting against hers furiously now. He let out a deep moan and just from the tone of it she could tell he knew exactly what she was doing and he didn't think she was playing fair. He leant back, slipping a finger between them and rubbed small circles on her clit.
Hermione looked into his eyes and knew he was close. She saw the way his pupils dilated and fixated on her face, waiting for her to spill over for him.
She was close, she could feel her walls beginning to spasm around him, clenching as he continued to stimulate her clit.
"That's it, love." He groaned, watching her pleasure build, "You're not the only one with filthy little fantasies, you don't think I remember every time you've come around my cock?"
Hermione's heart raced at his words, he smirked as he played her mind games back to her.
"Replaying every time you've moaned my name. Your perfect eyes begging me for more." He thrust faster, building his own climax and Hermione moaned a little too loudly.
She stuffed her hand into her mouth, biting down hard on her palm to stop herself from screaming. She felt her walls tighten around Draco, milking him as he pressed his face into her neck and muffled his moaning into her hair.
"Oh gods, Draco." She rode the intense pleasure that coursed through her whole body, clinging to him as she gasped through the blinding lights in her eyes.
They leant against each other, relishing the aftershocks for a few moments until Draco kissed her lips softly with a mischievous smirk.
He was about to make some smart comment and Hermione opened her mouth to tell him to shove it when a brisk knock interrupted them.
Hermione's eyes went wide. Oh, gods, she'd officially gone mad! It was the middle of the day, and they were in her office. Draco's eyes went wide as if realising their position. Hermione was dishevelled, her hair a mess and her skirt shucked up to her hips. Draco's shirt was untucked, his pants undone and his hair clearly run through by desperate fingers. They looked like they'd just had an unprompted shag in a highly unethical location.
Which is precisely what they had done.
Draco stepped back, tucking himself and his shirttails into his pants, then smoothing his outer robes. He ran his hand through his hair, it still looked messy comparative to his usual standard of grooming, but it was a near sight better than Hermione. She tugged her skirt back down, the traces of Draco still staining her thighs as she looked around her office. She had no idea where her knickers had gone. She reached up, trying to neaten her hair even slightly when a gentle voice called.
"Miss Granger, it's Betty, dear. Did you want anything off the trolley?"
Hermione let out a rough sigh,
"No!" She called back a little too loudly, "No, thank you, Betty."
"Alrighty then, dear."
Creaky wheels announced the depart of the luncheon witch and Hermione pressed her hand against her heart. It was still pounding painfully in her chest, she wasn't sure if it was from the panic or if her body was still recovering from the earth-shattering orgasm Draco had given her. Merlin. She needed to cool it. They had almost just been caught shagging against her desk by the sweetest, most innocent lunch lady Hermione had ever met. She'd never be able to look Betty in the eye ever again.
Draco, now looking somewhat put together, glanced at her. As if trying to assess her mental state in case she chose to blow up at him. Not that she could, she thought, she had been the one to practically throw herself at him.
And for what? Promising to look after his kid even if he ended up hating her. Had it been that at all? She knew she was incredibly grateful to know that Draco wanted to step up to the mess they'd made, but a little part of her wondered if she had taken advantage of the moment. She hadn't lied to him, she had thought about him a few times, alone and needy in her bed. She had craved his touch since the Christmas Gala. Somehow knowing how good they were together, how incredibly mindblowing the sex felt made had created an insatiable ache.
But, Hermione groaned aloud while she processed the mess she'd just made, she couldn't afford to be selfish and weak right now. She wasn't only using Draco for cheap thrills, they couldn't walk away from each other anymore. They would, for better or worse, have to have a civil relationship. What she had reasoned to herself before the temporary insanity of lust was true. Apart from his body, Hermione knew nearly nothing about who Draco was now. They needed to develop some kind of friendship to make sure they could be there for their eventual child. Regardless of how good it was, Hermione wasn't willing to build that relationship when they were being clouded by sex.
Hermione rubbed her hand against her forehead, this had been a monstrously bad idea. It had felt incredible, but now she'd just gone and made this whole situation even worse. And she'd been leading Draco on. Hermione wasn't even sure of what Draco wanted yet, he'd never said whether he wanted to date her or not, but potentially, after what she'd just done, he'd think she was saying she did want them to be in a relationship.
She just wasn't ready to make that kind of leap of faith. Sex, sure they were compatible for that, but a real relationship? That was a whole different idea.
"This… uh," Draco said when Hermione wasn't the first to speak.
Hermione groaned.
"I'm sorry, Draco." She said, still sounding confused and tears suddenly brimming in her eyes. Great, she thought, hello hormones. "This, I… I shouldn't have done that. It wasn't fair on you."
Hermione wiped one eye while Draco seemed to process her limited words. Eventually, he sighed,
"Granger… Hermione." He said, approaching her. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have tried to spring this conversation on you over lunch."
Hermione sniffled and gave him a tiny nod.
"I just…" she mumbled, "Oh gods, I don't know what I was thinking. I'm a work. That was… was… incredibly inappropriate. I just jumped on you."
Draco snorted,
"I wasn't really complaining."
Hermione hiccuped a tiny laugh, and Draco pulled her to him with one arm. He wrapped her into a hug, her face squished into his chest.
"I'm really sorry." He mumbled into her hair. "Not about the sex, that was brilliant."
Hermione pulled one hand up and thumped him lightly on the shoulder.
"I shouldn't have sprung it on you like that. I probably should have started with the whole 'not going to leave you and the speck' part."
Hermione hmphed into his warm chest.
"I probably still would have jumped you." She mumbled. "I'm so stupid. I told you we should be friends and then practically pulled your pants off."
Draco snorted,
"Again. I wasn't exactly stopping you. I heard what you said about friends, and I was still yanking your skirt up the first chance I got."
Hermione chuckled.
"This is insane." She muttered, "How are we meant to build a relationship if we can't even talk about not having sex without having sex?"
Draco pulled her back, leaning on the chair as he held Hermione's shoulders. She was still crying, small balls of tears running down her cheeks.
"Alright," Draco said, trying to maintain a calm voice and rubbing her shoulders soothingly. "I've an idea for step six."
Hermione sniffled, slowly getting control of her tears.
"What's step six?'
"Step six: working out what the hell we are to each other," Draco said, with a frown. Clearly, he had no idea either. "I think we should both take a few days to think about what we want. Separately, seeing as you don't seem to be able to think in my presence without trying to get in my pants."
Hermione gave another little hiccup laugh,
"You're no better, Malfoy."
"Can you blame me?" He smirked, then his face dropped back to serious. "We take a few days, away from each other, to think about how we do this. If we both agree we want to try to date or just to be friends, then we'll go from there."
Hermione nodded slowly. Time. She needed time to think. Time when she wasn't distracted by Draco's hands on her body, even just having his arms around her shoulders, was distracting. She would be able to think rationally. Like she, Hermione Granger, was meant to do.
"Ok," Hermione said, trying to smile. "That's a good step six."
Draco smiled at her. Hermione sniffled again.
"Um," Draco said, "Hermione, why are you still crying?"
Hermione's chin wobbled and then she burst, a long sob breaking from her throat.
"Because" she whined, throwing her hands up in the air, "I'm starving now, and Betty has the best sandwiches, but I had to send her away!"
Draco couldn't help himself, he snorted loudly.
"Oh, gods." He said, "You really are pregnant, aren't you."
Hermione thumped him again, as he continued to laugh at her, and the tears refused to stop pouring down her cheeks.