The patience MissyJAnne85 had with me on this one was 100, you guys! The time she put into the beta'ing was above and beyond. She made this chapter what it is. Thank you, my love!

As always, I suggest that you listen to the chapter songs before or during the read, after is more than ok, too! You can find them on the A Losing Game spotify playlist here.

It was a good thing; fantastic really that McGonagall had done what she had. It was well known throughout the school that Draco Malfoy had fucked up. That he was on probation and he was failing his classes, suddenly in need of a full-time tutor/ babysitter. It gave them the ultimate excuse to always be seen in each other's company, studying in the library, avoiding dormitory parties for joint patrols, skipping out on Hogsmeade weekends to get that Ancient Runes homework turned in. It was a fantastic way to get to know each other better, being in this little bubble. Even if he did tease her for singing along to the wireless. Or when he would lose his cool when she beat him to an answer - which happened frequently. When she'd been caught up in one thing or another, forgetting to get to breakfast in time, he would leave muffins and other baked goods lying around in plain sight. He was deliciously attentive and he was hers.

Mysteriously, not a single Prefect had questioned his ability to still get the Head Boy job done. Maybe they were glad to see him in good spirits, back at work and performing well. Maybe they just didn't want to get on his bad side. Draco neither knew nor cared.

He and Hermione had decided that first morning to keep their relationship a secret. He had insisted upon it, actually.

"Granger, if word gets out that I got in your knickers - on multiple occasions, they'll ditch their wands and come after me with the pitchforks."

Hermione had rolled her eyes and countered. "Not with me by your side, they won't."

"They'll admit you to the Janus Thickey Ward at St. Mungo's and throw away the key."

"They wouldn't dare!"

"They would! I can see Skeeter's headline already 'Golden Girl Falls from Grace: Sleeping with Death Eaters'."

She had rolled her eyes at him again, they were going to get stuck that way. She thought him ridiculous, apparently. "Fine, Malfoy. We will keep it a secret, for now. I don't know when I will change my mind, but you can count on it that I will. I will have the world know that you are a good man, despite what you wish to believe about yourself. One day and I hope it is soon, the world will know that you are good and you are mine." She had said, her eyes alight.

"Granger," he had growled. Want, need, and desire coursing through him, he had scooped her into his lap and kissed her breathless.

That had been two weeks ago and so far, everything was going to plan. They sniped at each other in classes, while their hands brushed up against one another. They held Prefect meetings, each sitting behind their own desk, her eyes flitting to and from him of their own accord - and once the prefects were dismissed, the door was locked and they ripped each other's clothes to shreds. Sitting at a study table in the back of the library, glaring daggers while they played footsies under it. And every night, they fell asleep snuggled up in either his or her bed. Sometimes with their pyjamas still intact, but more often naked.

The time had come, Hermione decided. This was no longer a one, two, three-time thing. She was falling for Draco Malfoy in a way that left her dizzy and breathless. He was rude, arrogant, paranoid and as damaged as she was. He was also funny, smart, sincere and generous. After that first morning, she had drunk the last of her contraceptive potion. The potion only lasted for one month at a time and her time the clock was ticking. It was time to get out the potion kit and brew enough of the potion to last her for the foreseeable future. But she was missing two key ingredients. She'd have to ask Slughorn if she could borrow from his stores.


Hermione sent Malfoy on his way to lunch and finished packing up their cauldron. She wrapped the delicate ingredients correctly and placed them back in the storeroom. When she returned, she was relieved to see that she was alone with the Professor.

"Ah, Miss Granger. Good work today! Mr Malfoy is really bouncing back in his studies. All thanks to you, I presume," he said jovially. His hands on his hips and stomach protruding.

"Yes, thank you. It hasn't been easy, but we're getting there now," she smiled.

When she didn't immediately leave for the Great Hall, he looked at her, his expression odd. "Is there something else I can help you with, Granger?"

"Yes, sir," she hesitated. "I am in need of a few ingredients to stock up my personal stores, but I can't get to Hogsmeade any time soon. I was hoping I could borrow them from you in the meantime?"

"But of course, my girl. What did you need?"

"Stoneseed root and Thistle leaves?" She asked nervously, praying against the odds that he wouldn't make the connection.

His eyes narrowed, and the spring in his step disappeared. Shit, he was on to her. She should have thrown a few other random ingredients in with her request. "I'm afraid I'm all out of both of those, Miss Granger. Both are used in a number of potions required by Madam Pomfrey, and I'm sorry to say that I used the last of them last night. I don't expect another shipment for two weeks. Britain is currently out of stock, it would seem." Slughorn's tone was very unfriendly.

Hermione was distinctly uncomfortable at Slughorn's knowing, disappointed look. Her face was burning and there was a sticky lump in her throat. "Oh, ok. No problem. I guess I will just have to wait to fill my stores. Thank you anyway, Professor." She darted out of the room as quickly as she could.

Face burning, she made her way to lunch. Hermione joined Ginny and Parvati at the Gryffindor table.

"It feels like forever since we last hung out," Ginny told Hermione with a pout.

"I know, I know. I've just been-"

"Busy," Ginny finished for her. "We know."

"I'm sorry you guys, it's just been so hectic with classes, being Head Girl and now all this nonsense with Malfoy. Honestly, he's really very clever, and he doesn't need my help." She shrugged, pouring a glass of pumpkin juice and selecting a sandwich.

"Why won't McGonagall let you off the hook if he's back on track now?" Parvati shovelled some salad onto her fork.

"Maybe she's worried that if she does, it'll go back to how it was before?" Ginny answered her while Hermione bit into her lunch.

"No idea. Maybe I'll ask her the next chance I get. Oh hi Luna, Padma."

The two Ravenclaw's were sliding into seats beside them. "We spotted girl-talk," Padma said with a grin.

"We thought it looked rather fun," Luna smiled, reaching for a glass of pumpkin juice.

"I wouldn't say we were discussing anything exciting," Hermione said. "Just wondering when McGonagall will let me have some personal time again," she shrugged.

"In that case, does anyone want to join me for a walk down to the Forbidden Forest?" Padma asked. "I was hoping to find Firenze," she sighed.

"Count me in," Parvati jumped up to join her twin, discarding her unfinished lunch.

"Tell him I say hello if you see him," Hermione called after them.

"When do you think you will next have some free time, 'Mione?" Ginny asked, returning to her first subject.

"Actually," Hermione popped the last of her sandwich in her mouth, chewed and swallowed before continuing. "Malfoy has Quidditch practice tonight. Do you guys want to come over?"

"I have plans with Neville," Luna said in her sing-song voice. "But I will ask him if we can postpone," she smiled.

Ginny fist pumped into the air. "Count me in," she grinned.


The weather was atrocious that night, the wind howled, and the rain pounded the windows. Hermione shivered and conjured some warm drinks. "Ginny, Luna, tell me. How are things?"

"Things for me are great. School is ok, but I fucking love being the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain. I'm telling you, 'Mione - I'm gonna pursue Quidditch after Hogwarts. I can just feel it! McGonagall has even said that there are a few scouts coming out to watch some games this year. I've got this in the bag!" Ginny was practically vibrating with excitement. "Oh, and Harry is actually amazing at this long-distance thing!"

"Oh, that's wonderful, Gin. You know I can't do Quidditch for the life of me, but I'm so excited for you! Just don't let the scouts coming mess with your performance. Just do your thing!" Hermione grinned, happy for her friend. "And Luna, tell me about how you and Neville got together! I can't believe I don't already know this!" She gushed, sitting down with the girls in the common room.

"So. After the battle, he found me, and told me how much he liked me," Luna smiled, genuine and bright. "It took some time for me to realise I felt the same. I suppose I am always looking for things that are harder to see and find, and missing the things that are right under my nose," she shrugged.

"Oh, Luna. I am genuinely happy for you. You and Neville are wonderful together," Hermione gushed, sipping on her hot chocolate.

"Just wait 'til she tells you about the sex!" Ginny cackled.

Hermione's head swivelled back and forth between her two girlfriends. "What about the sex?"

Luna's pale skin took on a very slight blush. "It's very good. Very, very good," she admitted.

"Do tell," Hermione encouraged her, a grin spreading across her face.

"What was that phrase again, Ginny?"

The floodgates burst - Ginny could no longer contain her mirth. Laughing, she managed to say, "Kama Sutra," before the giggles took hold of her again.

Hermione stared at Ginny, shocked, before turning her gaze on Luna, the picture of serenity.

"Neville? Are you sure?" Hermione asked, incredulous.

"Yes," Luna nodded. "He has this fascinating calendar. Three hundred and sixty-five days of different positions. Of course, we haven't had the opportunity to be intimate every day, but we just try a new one each time. He is much more flexible than you would imagine - the way he can bend his body." She sighed - happy, content, well-sexed.

Ginny and Hermione shared an incredulous glance, but making eye contact had been a mistake. They burst into a round of giggles, both picturing Neville Longbottom bending in various ways. Luna watched her friends laugh, enjoying their girl time.

"What's your," Ginny broke off in another giggle. "What's been your favourite so far, Lu?"

"Oh!" Luna jumped up off of the sofa. "It's like this," she lifted her leg as high in the air as she could. "And then Neville would come in and-" the way Luna bent her body next had Hermione rolling off of the lounge, clutching her stomach. The laughter was contagious, all three girls had sore stomachs and aching cheeks.

Hermione was itching to tell her girlfriends about her own recent bedroom adventures but quickly bit her tongue before she could betray Malfoy's trust. Instead, she asked Luna, "What are you using as contraception?"

"Oh, we just use the charm every time," Luna said, non-plussed.

"But er, what if you're too caught up in the moment, and you forget?"

Luna looked at Hermione, blinking slowly as if that didn't make any sense to her. Ginny was just opening her mouth to say something when the portrait of Anne Boleyn above the fireplace came to life. "Head Mistress McGonagall is requesting an audience with Head Girl Hermione Granger."

"Yes, thank you, Anne. Let her in," Hermione said. The girls hustled to sit orderly on the couch beside one another as Minerva swept into the room.

"Ah, Miss Granger, good. I see you are enjoying your free time. I won't keep you longer than necessary."

"Is everything ok, Headmistress? Do we need to speak privately?"

"No, no. What I have come here to tell you will probably benefit Miss Lovegood and Miss Weasley, as well. Horace has brought to my attention that you requested some extra ingredients to help fill your personal stores. I have come to tell you that you have no need for contraceptive potions while you live in the castle."

Hermione's face turned crimson as Ginny fixed her with an impenetrable stare. Luna continued to listen to McGonagall without missing a beat.

"I run a co-ed boarding school for teenagers, Miss Granger. Have you ever heard of pregnancy occurring within these walls? No? That's because there are contraceptives laced through almost everything you consume," she watched the three girls from over the rim of the glasses perched on her nose. "You girls needn't concern yourselves over unwanted pregnancies while you eat and drink at Hogwarts. Enjoy the rest of your evening, ladies."

Over the cacophony of warning bells in her head, Hermione still managed to think - Well, that is highly unethical.

McGonagall left the dormitory in stunned silence. Once she was gone, Ginny pounced.

"Why do you need contraceptive potions, 'Mione?"

Ding, ding, ding, rang those damn warning bells.

While Hermione gaped, Luna responded. "Well, it's obvious, isn't it? She's having sex."

Hermione swung her head to gape at Luna, instead.

"Hermione!" Ginny screeched. "Who are you fucking ?" Her grin was wide, and she was bouncing in her seat.

"I, er. Umm, that is. Ah, you see. Umm, what?" Hermione stammered. She didn't want to lie and avoid the direct question from her friend, but she also didn't want to divulge her secret, either. At least, not without running it by Malfoy first.

"Oh, didn't you know?" Luna asked. "It's Malfoy," she said, picking up her hot chocolate.

Hermione jumped to her feet and spun to face the two girls on the sofa. Her face was a brilliant red and her curls were frizzing with every run of her hand through her hair. "I - shit. Luna! How did -?" She couldn't even finish the sentence, her mind was reeling out of control.

Ginny sprung from the couch and bowled Hermione over, tackling her to the ground, laughing as she rolled away. "Malfoy? " She giggled. "With that body? That face? That arse - in those Quidditch pants! They really leave nothing to the imagination, you know! Those looks he can sometimes throw your way that just get you squirming. Is he your own personal Adonis? You. Have. To. Tell. Us. Everything!"

"I'd really rather that she didn't," Draco said, stepping into the light. Water dripped off of him, and instead of looking like a drowned ferret, the wet clothes stuck to him, highlighting his muscular frame. His nose and cheeks were slightly pink, whether from the cold or anger, Hermione wasn't sure.

Luna watched him, expression unreadable while Ginny and Hermione scrambled up off of the floor. Ginny was grinning like the Cheshire Cat while Hermione looked at him, a deer in headlights.

"Malfoy," Hermione licked her lips nervously. "I thought you had practice?"

"Cancelled due to bad weather. A word, Granger? My room in one minute," he commanded. Hermione felt an indignant charge of anger at his demand, yet at the same time, it created a rush of moisture between her legs.

He manoeuvred around the three dumbstruck women and up to his bedroom without a second glance.

"Is that how he normally talks to you?" Ginny asked, suddenly concerned.

"No," Hermione shook her head, squeezing her legs together. "He never speaks to me like that. We had agreed to keep this a secret. I - he is probably very angry. I- I think I'd better go and just talk to him."

"Should we leave?" Luna asked, getting to her feet.

"No," Hermione said firmly. "We are enjoying our girls' night. I won't be long," she promised.

She took the stairs to his room two at a time, knocked once on his door and entered without waiting for permission. He was pacing back and forth, broom discarded but Quidditch uniform still clinging to him.

"Malfoy, you should get changed. Or at least dry yourself off. You'll catch your death," she said, leaning against his door. She was unwilling to cut into the path he was making in front of his bed.

He looked up at her sharply, eyes dark, and pulled the jumper off and over his head, tossing it into a dark corner of the room. "How much do they know?" He asked, his tone was less angry than she had anticipated.

"I didn't tell them anything," she said softly. "McGonagall came and-"

"I met her at the door, she was grinning from ear to ear. I couldn't work out why until I came into the room after her."

Relief flooded through Hermione like a river after a storm. She shook her head, curls flying. If he'd come in straight after McGonagall had left, then he'd know she was just as surprised as he was. It would also explain how he had come in without her noticing.

"I know you didn't tell them anything. I stepped in before your Gryffindor loyalty would have you saying something that you shouldn't. But I don't know them as you do," he stalked towards her.

Hermione's breath hitched in her throat as he placed his hands on the door on either side of her head, towering over her. "How much do they know?" He asked again. "Who will they tell? Potter? Weaselbee? Longbottom? The whole school?"

Hermione placed her hands on his bare shoulders, willing some warmth into them. "You can trust them," she whispered, setting a warm kiss on his cold chest. He dropped his hands from the door at her touch. Hermione ran a finger down his fading dark mark and laced her fingers with his. "They won't say a word for as long as we want this to be secret," she promised him. His hands dropped to her side, and he released a pent-up breath. He pulled her in, soaking her jeans with his wet breeches.

"Good," he said, grazing her neck with his teeth. Hermione shivered and it wasn't from the cold. "Because I really like you, Granger, and I'd hate for this to be ruined."

"You really like me?" She repeated. She had known this, of course, but it was heady to hear it said so plainly. Her body betrayed her, responding to his like a magnet, following his every step. "What do you really like about me?"

He stepped away from her and started to remove the last of his soaked garments, agonizingly slow. "I like the way you look at me with those beautiful eyes."

Hermione felt her heart skitter and stop, and start again, and her eyes dilated as desire coiled deep inside her.

"I like the way you act so surprised," he smirked, she hummed in pleasure as his eyes raked over her body. "I like the way you sing along." She swallowed hard, she was going to pass out.

"I like the way you never get it wrong."

That was it, she'd stopped breathing, she was sure of it. His shoes and socks had been discarded, and he was standing, slowly rolling the sodden pants down his hips, revealing the deep V leading to -

"I like the way you shake your hair, and I like the way you like to touch." He was bent in half, removing his pants from his ankles, boxer shorts along with them, and as he stood back up, Hermione couldn't help but notice there was one large part of him no longer cold. His blood had rushed to one of his organs, currently very hard and demanding her attention.

He grinned. "I like the way you stare so much, but most of all -"

"Yes?" Hermione panted, dragging her eyes up to his as he stalked towards her.

"Most of all, I like the way you move." He captured her lips in his and kissed her until the breath left her lungs, and her fingers were clawing their way down his back. He pulled away from her and whispered in her ear. "Go and tell your friends that you need to call it a night."

Hermione gulped, smoothed her hair down, and attempted to calmly make her way back to the common room. Ginny and Luna were already on their way out as Hermione called for them to wait.

"We most definitely were not listening at the door," Luna said as she and Ginny made a hasty exit. The grin on Ginny's face was pure evil delight, as was the wink she threw her.

"Have fun," Ginny mouthed, disappearing through the entry.

Hermione was utterly embarrassed but couldn't help the huff of laughter that rose up through her throat. "Goodnight," she called.

Luna stuck her head back around the corner. "I think you will have a very good night, Hermione!" She said with a grin.

Laughing, Hermione shook her head, curls dancing and hurried back up to Draco's bedroom.


The next morning when Hermione woke, Draco was already getting dressed.

"So, I was thinking," she started.

"Not unusual for you," he smirked.

"Now that Ginny and Luna know," she continued, ignoring his comment. "Maybe you'd like to tell someone, too? They reacted so well. I'm really not sure what you're so worried about. Maybe this could be us kind of testing the waters?" She suggested, tentatively.

His eyes narrowed in on her as he pulled on his shoes. "Granger, we are not going public. It's too dangerous, and I won't damage your reputation that way."

Hermione scoffed and fell back into the pillows, making no attempt to cover her naked chest. "Why can't you see that that is my decision to make?"

"I'm just trying to protect you," he gave her a withering stare, pulling his Slytherin robe off of a hanger and shrugging into it.

Hermione rolled her eyes and slipped out of bed. The sudden drop in temperature sent shivers down her body and hardened her nipples. She was still completely naked, and she wanted to use it to her advantage. She let him get a good look at her as she approached. He watched her, eyes wary.

"I know what you're doing, Granger," he warned.

"Do you?" Reaching him, she slipped her arms up and around his neck, bringing him down to meet her in a kiss. "Is it working?"

He groaned against her mouth, his hands slipping up and down the bare skin of her body. He pulled away from her and threw her some of the fresh undergarments she kept in his room. "Not one little bit," he said.

"Oh come on, Malfoy. There has to be someone you want to share this with?"

"I want to share it with you," he said, a warning in his tone. "And not anyone else."

She was pulling on her underwear quickly, suddenly aware that Malfoy was not early, but that she was late. "Why didn't you wake me earlier?" She complained, searching for a uniform. "Just promise me that if the topic somehow comes up with someone you trust, you'll say something."

"Because I like watching you sleep. You're adorable when you snore, and that is an easy promise to make, Granger. The topic won't come up, and you're the only one I trust," he kissed her quickly on the cheek and left for breakfast before she could get another word in.

Smarmy git, she thought.


As it happened, Draco regretted making that promise. Three days later, Theodore Nott cornered him after a Quidditch game.

"Malfoy," he called. "Haven't caught up with you in ages. Don't tell me you're actually keeping up with this Head Boy business?"

"Nott," Draco grunted by way of response. "It keeps Granger and McGonagall off my back so, yeah, I guess I am," he shrugged, shouldering his broom. It had been a while since he'd interacted with anyone he used to call a friend. Probably since Granger's party, if he thought about it.

"Ah yes, Granger," Theo grinned at him. "How's it going with her?"

Draco watched the fellow Slytherin closely, searching for a sign of what he might know. "What are you talking about?" He asked haughtily.

Theo chuckled. "Come off it, Malfoy. Anyone who dares to pay attention knows that you've had a massive thing for her since forever."

"I have not," Draco protested vehemently.

Theo looked at him for a moment before breaking out into a grin. "I know you way too well, Malfoy. You have been pining after that witch since the fourth year. Now you're living with her. I'll swear whatever you want to tell me to secrecy!"

"Did she put you up to this?" He knew the words were a mistake as he watched Theo's eyes widen.

"Firewhisky. Slytherin common room. Twenty minutes," Theo hissed at him.

"No," Draco shook his head, grabbing Nott by the sleeve of his robes before he got too far away. "My dorm. Too many prying eyes and ears in Slytherin."

"That's how we get ahead in life, Malfoy," Theo reminded him. "Fine, I'll concede. I'll meet you in twenty minutes."

With a sigh, Draco made his way back through the castle and up to the fifth floor. The moment he made it through the portrait hole and dropped his broom carelessly to the ground, Hermione pounced on him. Arms around his neck, legs around his waist, he cupped her arse and held her to him.

"You did it," she grinned at him between the kisses she rained on his face. "You caught the snitch and won the game!"

"How would you know?" He asked, setting her down. "You weren't there. I scanned the crowd for you almost as much as I scanned the sky for the snitch," he sulked.

"Then you should have scanned harder," she retorted, hands on her hips. "I was watching from under the stands. I didn't think you'd want anyone to see me wearing this," she indicated to the Slytherin scarf wrapped around her neck. Draco wrapped the scarf more tightly around her. Granger, his Granger in green and silver was doing unexpected things to his nervous system.

"And you'd be right about that. Next time, don't wear it and sit in the stands where I can see you," Draco pulled Hermione back to him. "But right now you need to find somewhere else to be. Nott is on his way here, and I'm going to make good on my promise to you," he lifted his eyebrows, watching as the realisation dawned on her.

"You're going to tell him about us?" She said over the breath she held in her throat.

"I sort of already did, just not in as many words. Don't you have some homework to do? Prefects to annoy? Friends to visit with?"

"I'll stay in my room, and you won't even know I'm here," she squealed, pecked him on the cheek and dashed up her staircase just as Anne Boleyn announced a visitor.

Theo waltzed into the room, tossing a bottle of Firewhisky from one hand to the other, whistling under his breath. "So this is how the other half lives. I almost didn't recognise it without all the party decorations."

Draco sat in an armchair and gestured for Theo to take any seat he wished. After pretending to sit on Draco's lap, and Draco hastily pushing him off, Theo moved to the other armchair with a chuckle. He presented Draco with the bottle of liquor. "Officially to congratulate you on your spectacular win, but more to get you drunk and get as much detail from you as possible," he warned with a smirk.

Draco glared daggers at him but conjured two glasses nonetheless. "Let's just ease into it, shall we?"

When half the bottle was gone, and Draco could no longer remember why he'd been distancing himself from his friends, the real conversation began.

"So. Tell me what's happening with Granger," Theo said, wavering slightly in his seat.

Draco slumped back against the cushions. "I don't know where to begin," he confessed. "Sometimes I think I'm still dreaming."

"Tell me about her - the real her - not all that 'Golden Girl' shit everyone's always on about," Theo sloshed his drink down the side of the chair. Draco couldn't bring himself to care.

"She's something to behold, Nott. She's elegant and bold like you wouldn't fucking believe."

Theo chuckled. "Gryffin-bloody-dor," he said, watching the liquid in his glass swish back and forth.

"She's fucking pure, undiluted magic, running through my soul."

Even in his inebriated state, Theo sat up straighter in his chair to listen.

"Her eyes, even with all the shit she's been through; they're innocent and wild. They remind me of what life could be like. I feel like I'm losing my mind - the way she kisses me, I - she ignites me," he shrugged like it was no big deal. "Every time I start to feel cold, she pulls me back into those flames, easing the chill from my bones each and every time she touches me."

Draco's words had Theo forgetting the drink he already held. The tone of Draco's voice had him sobering up, and the look on Draco's face had him screwing the lid back off of the bottle and pouring them both some more.

"Shit, Malfoy. You're fucked. Well and truly fucked," he said, raising his glass in mock salute.

"Tell me something I don't know," Draco confirmed with a sigh, lifting the tumbler to his lips.

A single tear slid down her cheek and into her ridiculously large grin. She had only come to check on them, make sure they were both still conscious. Instead, she had stumbled into a most delicate part of their conversation. Hermione turned and silently made her way back up to her bedroom.

I Like the Way - Bodyrockers

Georgia - Vance Joy