A.N. - Happy reading!
Thanks for the favourites and follows!
Special thanks to the reviewers: ForsakenKalika [I'm glad you like the banter and Draco XD ], lila-writes-xo [Thanks! glad you are enjoying the story], Reichain Blikov [Hope you enjoy this latest update!], BrokenKeeper [around about now :) ], Guest [Thanks, glad you enjoy the character!]
Hermione groaned as she woke, head pounding, mouth fuzzy, and eyes unfocused. She blinked a few times and sat up, unsure where she was and knowing this bed was far more comfortable than her own.
Crap, what did I do last night?
Casting her mind back, she recalled being stood up by Ron (again) and planning to dump him if he wasn't grievously injured, Draco talking to her, then she found out Ron had forgotten her, and then, instead of coming to apologise in person, asked her to pick up dinner and join him at his place for sex while he finished his work. She had snapped and gone to his office and broken up with him.
She buried her head in her hands when she realised Ron had tried to stop her, but she didn't listen. She'd then gone back to the pub and joined Draco and his friends. After that it got hazy, but she distinctly remembered kissing him and being wrapped in his arms.
Hades, I was going to wait a week!
Frantically checking her body, she calmed when she realised she was still fully clothed, just missing her jacket and shoes.
Soothed, she looked around the room.
Definitely not my place… or anyone I know.
An unsettling thought dawned on her: am I at Malfoy Manor?
She searched the room with her eyes, trying to find a definite clue. Spotting the water, vial, and note on the bedside table, she snatched up the note.
Morning darling,
Welcome to Malfoy Manor! You were rather too intoxicated to apparate last night, and since you have never invited me to your place, I had to bring you to mine. Don't worry, I kept my promise to be a gentleman, didn't even make you comfy by removing your clothes – although I do look forward to doing that in the future.
The vial is a Hangover Potion, I daresay you will need it.
My room is across the hall, come in when you wake up. If I'm not there, call for Squiggles (a paidhouse elf) and he will bring you to me for breakfast… or lunch.
Entirely yours, Draco
Hermione tried, but failed, to fight the pleased grin that stole across her face at the note. Even without his name and the property explanation, she would know Draco wrote it in an instant; it was a mix of charming, confident, direct, thoughtful, and something else that was just quintessentially Draco.
Leaning forward, she collected the vial and gulped it down, promptly following it up with the entire glass of water.
Note to self – create a better tasting Hangover Potion.
She waited patiently for a few minutes to allow the potion to take full effect. When it did, Hermione pushed aside the covers.
Checking the first door, she found a bathroom with towels folded neatly on the counter. Deciding a shower was definitely needed to wash away the stale sourness of last night, she peeled of her clothes and turned on the jets of water. Warm water ran over her, making her feel better almost instantly.
Stepping out, she cast a cleaning charm on her underwear and put them on. On the back of the door was a thick looking, Slytherin green bathrobe. Smirking when she realised Draco's reaction to her wearing it, she pulled it on and tied it firmly so it couldn't slip open.
Opening the bathroom door, steam billowed out with her and she made her way towards the second door.
A walk-in cupboard.
Really‽ This place is ridiculously massive!
She walked over to the third door – a sitting room.
Oh for Merlin's sake!
Finally arriving in front of the fourth and final door, Hermione swung it open.
She padded across the hall to the other side and knocked softly on the door.
No answer.
Turning the doorknob quietly and pushing the door open a smidgen, Hermione peered through the crack.
Deep breathing caught her ears and she realised Draco must still be asleep. She tiptoed in and looked at the sleeping blond. His hair was tussled and he looked surprisingly innocent as he slept.
Deciding she should let him sleep, Hermione crept back to the door.
'ermione,' Draco breathed just loud enough to catch her attention.
Snapping upright, Hermione spun back to face the blond who was still sleeping.
He really does like me, she thought with surprise.
'Don't leave me,' he muttered.
Her lip twitched up at the plea, probably the only one she was ever likely to hear from the man – definitely the first she had ever heard from him.
Glancing around the room, there was nowhere to sit unless she decided to use the dresser. Moving back to the bed, she slide onto the side furthest from Draco, hoping not to interrupt his sleep, but reassure his mind with her presence.
I'm being silly, he can't know I'm here.
As soon as she was seated, Draco rolled over and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her flat on the bed and snuggling into her, his breath tickling her neck and making her chuckle.
The sound woke the man holding her tightly. He opened his wide eyes and gazed at her.
'Sorry for waking you,' she said.
He blinked for a few moments and then grinned mischievously. 'I was having a very pleasant dream.'
'Really?'
'Mm hmm, I look forward to testing its accuracy.'
'That is awfully presumptuous of you.'
'Am I wrong?' he asked with a raised eyebrow, no doubt in his voice.
'Maybe not, but it is still rude to presume such a thing.'
'My apologies, darling, I will not do so again,' he pledged.
'And what do I get if you do?'
Draco smirked, 'I think you'll comeup with something.'
A tingle of excitement worked its way through her body.
Releasing her, Draco slid out of bed; his long, silk pants leaving little to the imagination.
Hermione gulped and a hot flush shimmered over her.
'I'm going to have a quick shower, if you call Squiggles he can take you till the library until I'm ready, or you can stay and watch,' he added with an eyebrow waggle.
I do not have that much restraint, Hermione decided with a longing look at Draco.
Jumping up, she called the house elf. Appearing promptly, she requested it take her to the library. A nod from Draco, had the elf soon leading her through a maze of corridors and stairs. Arriving in the room, Hermione gasped at the sight before her. Masses of books lined the walls and shelves of the library.
I could read non-stop for the rest of my magical life and I wouldn't be able to read even half of these!
She started to wander around, fingers trailing the books. Calming and centring her mind as she moved.
There is nothing quite like books to create a peaceful atmosphere.
She followed the shelf around a corner, eyes focused on the tomes.
'Ahem.'
Hermione squeaked as she spun to face the unexpected noise. Her eyes widening as she saw Mr and Mrs Malfoy sitting side-by-side on a sofa and reading separate books.
She stared at them in unblinking horror.
Oh Merlin, what do I say? Damn you for putting me in this situation Draco! Apologise for interrupting, that's what I do.
'Excuse me, I didn't realise I would be interrupting anyone, Draco suggested I wait for him in the library.'
The couple raised their eyebrows in unison.
Huh?... Sod it! That sounds like I sleep with Draco, oh Merlin they think I just slept with their son!
She felt her cheeks heat up and was painfully aware of her probably very obvious blush.
'Erm…'
'Not to worry, Miss Granger,' Narcissa broke in, 'Draco is probably not aware we returned from our holiday early.'
Hermione shifted her weight.
Do I go or should I stay. Is it rude if I leave?
'I must say Slytherin green suits your complexion very well,' Lucius said with a smirk.
Mortification seeped through her as she realised she was still wearing only a bathrobe. Deciding to be very un-Gryffindor, she muttered, 'Again, I'm sorry to interrupt, I will leave you to your peace,' and spun on her heel and walked quickly back towards the exit.
She could just hear a thwack and Narcissa scold, 'Honestly, Lucius!'
As she exited the doors, she saw Draco strolling towards her. Seeing her, he smiled widely.
She shot a glare at him and pushed passed.
'Whoa, what's wrong?'
'I just ran into your parents!'
'Oh, they're back early,' he commented undisturbed.
'Wearing this bathrobe!'
'I must say I do like it on you,' he added with a smirk.
'They think we slept together!'
'Probably,' he said nonchalantly.
Hermione shot daggers through her eyes.
'I'll set them straight,' he amended, hand rubbing her upper arms in an attempt to soothe her.
'How are you not frazzled by this‽'
'Well, I'm standing in my home, in front of a lady that I am very attracted to, who is now single, having awoken from a very pleasant dream about her, and she is wearing my spare bathrobe,' he explained smoothly, edging closer as he spoke.
Hermione batted him away. 'Too soon.'
Draco groaned, but nodded his acceptance. 'So would you like me to talk to my parents now, or would you prefer to have breakfast with me and I talk to them later?'
Not wishing to face his smirking parents again, Hermione answered, 'Breakfast please.'
'I'm afraid it is closer to lunch,' Lucius said from behind her, smile evident in his tone.
Hermione glared up at Draco accusingly.
'Late night, was it?' Lucius continued on maliciously in an innocence tone.
'Lucius,' Narcissa scolded.
'Yes, dear?' Lucius said, as Hermione turned around to face Draco's parents, Hermione saw Lucius looking at Narcissa with a look Draco often used on her, one which said he knew exactly what the problem was but he'd fight tooth and nail not to admit it.
'Don't tease guests,' Narcissa replied. The lady then turned to Hermione and said, 'I am sorry for my husband, my dear, what you and Draco do in privacy is none of his business.'
'Oh Merlin,' Hermione groaned.
'I was out with Hermione and other friends last night. I'm afraid I topped up Hermione's glass once too many times and she was unable to safely apparate home. She slept off the alcohol in a guest room. That is all,' Draco replied with an eye roll, unembarrassed by his parents' assumptions.
'And the bathrobe?' Lucius asked with glee.
Hermione barely contained her whimper as the humiliation continued.
'The guest bathrobe, I daresay Squiggles was rather too prompt on washing Hermione's clothes when she had a shower and so she took what was available,' Draco explained with a warning glare to his father.
His father smirked in reply.
'Well, this has been… uncomfortable. So, I'm going to head home, I think I'll have a few friends visiting that I need to be around for. Draco, thank you for looking after me last night and letting me sleep away my intoxicated state here. Mrs Malfoy, Mr Malfoy, lovely to see you again—'
Lucius snorted.
Thwack.
'Cissa,' Lucius whined, rubbing his head.
'I hope you had a good holiday despite its shortened duration,' Hermione finished.
Hermione turned away and started to walk down the corridor, after three steps she realised she didn't know how to get out of the maze of a building. Before she had to stop, Draco was by her side and guiding her.
'Thanks,' Hermione muttered.
'Of course, besides, if you got lost in the Manor and died of starvation, I would be hunted down by Potter.'
'Indeed,' Hermione replied, smiling at the thought of her friend shouting at Draco for allowing her to become lost and starve in his home.
At the exit, Draco summoned Squiggles and had the elf bring her bag. Once she had all her belongings, Hermione kissed his cheek and thanked him once more.
'I'll be your knight in shining armour any day, Hermione,' he replied.
'Not sure about the shining knight, more likely to be Cimmerian.'
'Owl me you address,' he demanded softly.
'Why?'
'I'll have to come and pick up my robe.'
'In a week.'
'How about tomorrow?'
'A week,' Hermione repeated with a gentle smile.
'Okay, a week. But I need to discuss a potion with you at lunch on Monday.'
'No, I can't have any rumours. But I will see you in the office.'
'Only if you promise not to be swept off your feet by a knight with shining armour.'
'I'm only interested in a Cimmerian.'
'I'll ward off the Slytherins then,' Draco replied.
Hermione laughed, one last peck on the cheek and she apparated away.
A.N. - Next chapter will go up soonish :) Please let me a review, they are brilliant as creativity food.