CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Hermione and Draco were in Keel, Ireland for nearly three and a half months. After a month, Hermione started working remotely, impressed that her department had maintained high numbers of freed Elves and continued to update the specifications of living standards.
Draco could still recall his terrifying hallucinations and nightmares about Hermione, his Mother, Pansy, Theo and Neville. He lost about two stone but regained colour in his once greyish complexion. Based on the bruises on his wrists and ankles, he assumed he'd had to be restrained several times and not for the reason he'd like Hermione to be doing so. He felt deathly ill for three months straight, but had never been happier. He'd had Granger a room away from him for the entire time.
She had considered fleeing countless times, writing Harry about her incessant need to bite off more work than she could chew. But the sight of Draco sweaty, gaunt and terrified of seemingly everything kept her there. Even though his complete reliance on her made her feel like squirming out of her own skin, she would remind herself that she needed to be immersed in his annoying emotions just as much as he needed her to slap him back into reality.
Keel showed Hermione a side of Draco that would have sent her running for the hills in December. Over countless sleepless nights together, talking about little nothings while looking over the Atlantic ocean, she grew to deeply care for the pale prat. They shared secrets and fears, ones that would never meet the English air, but would remain hidden in rural Ireland.
Hermione grew to be happy with their twisted life together. She was able to fulfill her childhood dreams of kicking the piss out of Draco most nights, then would then stroke his hair to get him to sleep. She wasn't sure she wanted to leave him once they went home.
Their return to England was marked by a party at Neville's new flat, just down the road from Hermione's flat.
"A party just for us?" Hermione wrinkled her nose as they dropped their luggage in Draco's foyer.
"So full of herself," Draco tsked teasingly, "No, it was originally a party for Pansy's campaign for Minister and she's graciously agreed to share the spotlight."
She shucked off her shoes and made her way to living room to sit down, "A little soon for her to be running, isn't it?"
Draco shrugged and sat next to her, "Perhaps. Good climate for it?"
Hermione rested her head on Draco's bicep, "Hmm. Are you sure you're ready for tonight? We can just have a quiet dinner once you adjust to having so many people around."
"Yes, Granger, I'll be fine. I'm not a China doll, despite what these past months have led you to believe," he huffed and rolled his eyes.
She laughed and closed her eyes, happy to be back in England. They napped on the sofa until they were half an hour late for the party.
Neville's new flat was just as quaint as Hermione's but absolutely covered in different types of Muggle and wizard flora.
Pansy was the first to notice their arrival, "Well! The attention hogs finally arrive." She hugged Draco and nodded at Hermione, "It's good to see you. You look, well you look as good as you can for an Albino."
"My bloody facial hair is dark blond and my eyes are grey, not purple. Why does everyone call me Albino?" Draco asked with mock exasperation. "It's good to see you too, Pans. Congratulations on the announcement, hopefully it's a smooth campaign."
"Oh I'm sure it won't be. Kingsley is a good opponent but veteran affairs have been grossly overlooked, so even if I lose, hopefully it'll knock some sense into the Ministry to open some sort of support."
"That's a very admirable campaign, Pansy. I suppose I've been underestimating you Slytherins for years," Hermione chimed in.
"That's for sure, just because Drake was Slytherin's head prat didn't mean we all were," Theo sauntered up to the three of them. "Welcome back, ye two." He embraced Draco and Hermione.
"Just lovely, my two mates start insulting me the moment I walk in the door when they haven't heard from me in three months," Draco huffed.
"Granger here has been keeping us updated on your progress, you junkie. I can't believe you agreed to stay locked up with him in a cottage for three months," Pansy addressed Hermione.
Hermione laughed, "Well, I was paid handsomely for my time. And there were times I wouldn't return to the cottage for several hours." Her eyes found Harry's across the room and excused herself. She flung herself into his equally excited arms.
"Welcome home, 'Mione. I've missed you! I've got loads to tell you. Care for a fag?" Harry exclaimed into her hair.
She pulled back and made a disgusted sound, "You're still smoking, Harry?"
"You'll understand. Come on." He led her out to Neville's cramped patio. "Where to begin," he wondered out loud as he lit the cancerous stick, "Ah yes! Romilda had the baby! I don't know if Ron's had the time to owl you but it's a girl. They named her Isabelle. You should go 'round and see her. I think she's the first Weasley to have brown hair."
Hermione laughed and waved away the smoke curling towards her, "That's wonderful! Romilda's a beautiful woman, that little girl will be lucky to look like her. Speaking of Weasleys, how's Ginny?"
A blinding smile broke out onto Harry's face, "Yeah, she's good. She's been coming 'round for dinners every Saturday. You remember that recreational Quidditch team I joined? She's offered to help me practice to get back into it. I don't want to jinx it, but I'm feeling really hopeful about it, 'Mione."
Hermione's heart was full at the sight. "Well you know what might help, is quitting this shite." She gestured to the cigarette.
"Like I said, I've kept up with it because it's been difficult adjusting to a slower life. I do office work two days a week, recruit training two days and a patrol of nearby villages on Fridays. You know I joined a boxing club in Essex a few months back and now Quidditch, but it's not enough. Some days I feel like I could go stir crazy. This shite keeps me calm." Harry rubbed the back of his neck in shame.
"That's fair," Hermione sighed, "but it's still killing you the way your last job did. This is Ginny's battle now, I've done hard time with you already."
"Yeah, speaking of which, how's that going? It didn't seem easy being Malfoy's keeper." Harry tapped out the cigarette butt.
"It's going well. I still have difficulties with heavy emotions, despite the immersion therapy with him. But small things like, 'how did you sleep?' and 'how was your day?' don't feel like pulling teeth anymore."
"And what of Malfoy now? Are you two dating?" Harry enquired.
"I don't know, perhaps? Ireland was somewhat of a wash for romance and we only just got back this afternoon, we haven't discussed it. I really care for him, though. Enough to keep seeing him." Hermione had a wide smile on her face.
"I think that's wonderful, 'Mione. You seem very content and that's leaps and bounds over where you were just a few months ago," he squeezed her hand, "I'm proud of you."
"Thank you, Harry. I'm proud of you too, but it seems having Ginny in your life again is reward enough."
Harry slung his arm around her neck, "I'll always need you. Now, you should go back in. I've hogged you for long enough. I'm sure Luna can't wait to see you!"
Draco watched Hermione launch herself into Potter's arms and smirked. He was glad she was back with her friends; She sacrificed a lot to stay with him in Ireland.
"So that's going well, I take it."
His gaze shifted back to his two friends who were smiling widely at him, "Shove off, you two. I suppose it is, now that I've stopped hallucinating she's an Inferius. She seems okay, right?"
"For the few moments we had with her, yeah. Seems like good ol' Granger. I'm surprised she didn't run off for more than a few hours," Pansy snarked.
"Honestly, so am I. While we were over there she mentioned that she had some revelation with Potter after I had fucked up before New Years. I think she's working on herself and used me to get the process along faster." Draco shrugged to appear nonchalant. He glanced at the kitchen, "Care for a bev, Theo?"
Theo waved his hand, "Not for me, brother. I'm drying out still. The Wag here," he jerked his thumb at Pansy, "guilted me into it. That and it's done wonders for my waistline. Would ye look at us though," Theo slung his arms around Draco and Pansy's necks, "a bunch of addicts getting their shite together. Snape would be teary eyed with pride."
Draco snorted and shrugged the arm off and went to the kitchen to fix drinks. He poured whisky into a glass and gin into another. He started walking towards the patio where Hermione and Potter were when he felt a big hand clap on his shoulder.
"How I have I missed you, Draco! Come here!" Neville enveloped Draco into a hug while he held his arms out trying not to spill the drinks.
Draco awkwardly cleared his throat, "Alright, Neville? It's good to see you too. Without a cane, no less."
Neville pulled back still smiling, "Yeah, Theo and I still run most days but he stops me from going too far. How've you been? You're looking much better."
"Yeah, I feel better too, thanks to Granger. She kept me in check."
"Sounds like her. Where is she?" Neville asked looking around the flat.
"Just coming in from the patio with Potter. Give her this, will you?" Draco handed Neville the tumbler of gin and watched him walk towards Hermione. Luna appeared from the hall and joined the three Gryffindors.
Draco stood next to Theo, Pansy was nowhere in sight. "Isn't it uncomfortable her being here?" He nodded towards Luna.
"When has her presence ever been comfortable?" Theo snorted. "Since ye've been gone they've kept in touch, they're still mates."
"So does that mean you two…" Draco allowed Theo to fill in the blanks.
Theo waved his hand in response, clearly not wanting to discuss it but continued staring across the room at Neville chatting with Hermione. "You worried Potter's going to take your bird now that they're reunited?"
Draco scoffed into his drink, "She'll never be mine or anyone else's for that matter. She's far too much of a pain to be tethered by a person. Besides, how can she say no to a twice recovering addict?" His heart was heavy knowing she would never fully be his, but he was happy to have her in any way she would give him.
The night passed by as everyone caught Draco and Hermione up on current events, congratulated Pansy and discussed her platform in depth. Draco was ready to find Hermione and shag it out at his flat when Potter cornered him in the hallway.
"Glad to see you're clean," Potter clipped.
"Yeah. Glad to see you haven't gotten yourself blown up. For Granger's sake," Draco glared down at the brunette, unsure of where they currently stood. He couldn't stand Potter, but didn't wish any ill will on him. Again, for Granger's sake.
"What are your intentions with her?"
Draco scoffed, "Really? An intentions talk? She's a grown woman, Potter. You're not her bloody father."
"No, but she hasn't exactly got one of those anymore, does she?" Harry sneered.
Draco felt his temper rising to dangerous levels, "Don't you think I know that? I watched her wallow in that for months! I was there when you had your head so far up your own arse, you couldn't see she was suffering!"
Harry shoved Draco against the wall and started shouting, "How dare you of all people question my relationship with her! She's been my best friend for fifteen years! You'll always be the prick who made her childhood a living hell! Not only that, you'll always be the person who let her get tortured!"
Draco pulled out his wand and was about to shout a curse at Potter when Hermione stepped in front of him and shoved him back against the wall, knocking his wand from his hand.
"Stop! Draco, stop! Look at me," she grabbed his face and yanked his head down to get him to look away from Potter. Both men were panting and seething in rage. "Enough." She smacked his face and threw his shoulders against the wall again when his eyes didn't move.
"You're awake. Look at me," she whispered low enough so only he heard those magic words.
He wrenched his eyes from Potter's fury filled face and pierced hers. Her eyes were warm honey and he felt his chest loosen. He would happily drown in those eyes.
"Harry, leave."
"'Mione, you shouldn't be alone- "
"I did this for three months. Get out!" She yelled, not leaving Draco's eyes.
The hallway was empty and the party going on in the living room was silent.
"What happened?" She whispered.
"He got under my skin. He always has with his holier-than-thou attitude. He asked about my intentions with you." Draco felt suddenly very tired; closing his eyes, he leaned his forehead against hers. "I'm sorry."
"I don't care about your intentions, I think we're fine with having ambiguity for a while. But you can't jinx my friends just for asking. Thank Merlin, Ron's not here," she sighed.
"I know. You were right, I'm not used to other people yet, I suppose. I'm ready to go home, you can stay if you'd like," He straightened his back.
"I'll come with you. We have some long overdue business to take care of, don't you think?" Her eyes were mischievous as she cocked her eyebrow.
Draco instantly went hard and pulled her to make a quiet exit.
They had barely finished Apparating back to Draco's flat before they were devouring each others mouths and tearing at their clothes. Half naked, Draco grabbed Hermione and Apparated them up to his bedroom. She immediately dropped to her knees and tore down his trousers and pants. She sucked him off as enthusiastically as the device she'd made him wear to the Ministry's party had.
The clever minx knew he wouldn't last long after three months of forced celibacy. Her tongue pushed up against the underside of his cock as she worked his shaft with her hand. Already, he felt his body tightening for his release. Caught up in the moment, he grabbed her hair and started thrusting into her mouth. Her left hand gently caressed his bollocks and it sent him over the edge. He pulled out of her mouth and finished himself on her naked breasts.
He was still panting when she gently pushed him back towards the bed. He tripped over the trousers that were around his ankles and fell onto the bed. She Scourgified her chest and his hands, pulled off the rest of his clothes and cast an Incarcerous spell on his wrists and ankles.
"Blimey, I wish this was what these bruises were from," he moaned as she cast the contraception charm on herself.
She smiled, "I would say that's where I got the idea, but I've wanted to do this to you since you came back into my life." Draco's cock twitched and started to fill with blood as he audibly moaned at her declaration.
Hermione crawled onto the bed, fully naked as well and straddled his face between her legs. She was already deliciously ready for him, it dripped onto his chin. He raised his neck and ate her like a starved man. She cried out and ground herself down onto his mouth. What he would've given to be able to grab her bum at that moment, but he enjoyed being at her whim like this. She continued to rock her hips against his speeding tongue until she found her release.
Almost incoherently, she cast an Finite Incantatem on his ropes and Draco threw her back against the silk sheets. He lifted her hips, her feet planted on the bed and positioned himself on his knees between her legs before driving his cock into her. She cried out and pulled at the sheets beneath her. He tightened his grip on her delicate hips as he was entranced by her lust ridden face. The sound of skin slapping, deep and high moans filled Draco's flat until Hermione's breathing started hitching and she grabbed at him frantically.
"Don't stop, don't stop! I'm going to come. Please- " Her whole body tensed around him and tears rolled down her cheeks at her powerful orgasm.
Draco let out a feral grunt and flipped her onto her hands and knees. He spanked her bum hard and drove himself into her again. "Oh fuckin' hell, Hermione…" He reached forward and pulled her hair slightly so her bum arched up further against him.
He was fighting a losing battle and was getting close to finishing. He reached one hand underneath her and began rubbing circles on her engorged clit. It earned him a cry from her and an enthusiastic bump of her behind against his hips.
"Oh, Gods! Yes, like that! Draco, don't stop!"
Draco bit down hard on his lower lip, she knew he couldn't hold himself back when she said his name. It was no use, he came inside her, but kept up his pace, determined to give her another. She had earned so much more over the last few months.
Only moments passed before her body tightened around him again and her arms gave out from underneath her. Her moans were drunk and lengthy.
Hermione's face was still buzzing from her last orgasm when Draco fell heavily next to her. He brushed her hair from her sweaty forehead and gave her a gentle kiss before draping his long arm over her hips.
They slept like that the whole night through and Hermione didn't mind it, not one bit.
The party died soon after Harry and Draco's row. Hermione and Draco ducked away without a goodbye, but Neville understood why. After being isolated together for three months, he was sure they had developed some sort of special connection. He was feeling hopeful for his friends' budding romance as he walked his last guest, Luna, to the front door.
"Thank you for inviting me, Neville. It was nice to see everyone again," Luna smiled from the doorway of Neville's flat.
"Thank you for coming. It's been too long since we've seen each other." His heart ached at her airy smile. Not a day went by over the last three and a half months that he didn't miss her. But, he felt the sting less and less as time went on. Theo was a good mate to have around to keep him busy and from wallowing during the days that followed their break up. Did Theo already leave? He wondered before another thought burst through his mind, "Oh! Before you go, I have something for you!"
Neville ran into his guest bedroom and returned to Luna with a little tree with awkward looking red and yellow fruits on it. "It's the cashew tree you asked for months ago. I finally figured out the correct spells for optimal growing and harvesting! I've written it all down here," he handed her a scroll of parchment. "I would plant it on the South side of your father's yard since it needs at least six hours of direct sun."
Luna took the plant and beamed up at him, "Thank you, Neville! You're a good man and friend. I'll owl you when I start harvesting." She kissed him on the cheek and Apparated away.
Neville closed the door and sighed happily. It had been a wonderful evening. He heard dishes being washed in the kitchen and his heart leapt at the realisation of who was still there. Neville walked into the kitchen to see Theo lazily waving his wand at the glass cups cleaning themselves.
"Hope ye don't mind I stayed behind to help tidy. That was a nice thing to do for Lovegood. A very Neville gift," Theo grinned.
Neville's heart raced at the sight. He admired the transformation that had taken Theo since January. They ran at least three to four times a week and since he got off the sauce, he'd lost at least two stone and it showed. His jaw and arms were more defined and the gut he had been trying to work off was nearly flat as a board. Neville shifted uncomfortably as he remembered what Theo had looked like without a shirt on during one of their runs.
Neville cleared his throat and smiled politely, "Yeah, well she had asked for it when we were still together and I'd made a promise."
"I suppose that since ye've finally followed through on that ye won't need to be running as much?" Theo cocked his eyebrow in a teasing manner.
He took a moment before responding, "Actually, I haven't been running recently because of guilt. I just like… spending time with you," Neville rushed the confession out with a blush.
The dishes ceased their washing as Theo's concentration broke. He turned his body to face Neville, who was still standing in the kitchen entryway. "I'm happy to hear that. I've enjoyed spending time with ye too. That and I'm glad to be rid of my drunk's belly," Theo grinned and slapped his hard abdomen.
Without thinking Neville laughed, "Yeah."
Mischief lit in Theo's eyes, "Ye've noticed, have ye?"
Neville flushed a deep crimson and stammered, "I, em, you just look good. It suits you." Feeling a rush of confidence, "Besides, it's not like you were hiding it. How many times have you taken off your shirt on a run while it's only thirteen degrees out?"
Theo crossed the room to Neville, leaving a respectable metre between them. He raised his hands in surrender with a big grin, "Guilty as charged. But it's all thanks to ye. It's done well on ye too, not that it was needed beforehand."
"Well, aren't you cheeky? Does this tactic often work for you?" Neville flirted back.
Theo laughed heartily, "I couldn't tell ye, I haven't played the field in a while and I certainly didn't look like this when I did."
Neville smiled widely at the man who was now inching his way closer and closer to him. He had taken the past few months to evaluate what he wanted but he hadn't spoken to Theo about his decision, unsure how to bring it up.
"Listen, Neville. I don't want to rush ye on your decision nor do I want to make ye feel pressured-"
Neville cut him off before he lost his nerve and crushed his mouth onto Theo's. He had always taken a back seat in their friendship and budding romance and was tired of not being brave. His bravery earned him a sound of surprise from Theo, shortly followed by his back shoved against the doorway he'd just been leaning on.
Theo pressed himself fully against Neville's body and let his hands skim over Neville's shoulders. Their kisses maintained a passionate fire until Theo felt Neville's erection against his leg. To which he moaned into Neville's mouth and ran his hands up Neville's stomach and chest, urging the long sleeve shirt over his head. Neville followed suit and pushed Theo's over his head.
Skin to skin, the men groped and pulled at the other, like they'd both been longing to do so for months prior. Theo grasped the back of Neville's head with his right hand and moved his mouth to suck on the inexperienced man's neck. Neville's closed his eyes and let his head tip back. His cock was painfully hard and had taken the wheel from his brain. He ground his restrained desire into Theo's hip. Theo returned the movement by first grabbing Neville's hip with left hand and pulling him painfully close.
"Ye have no idea how long I've wanted ye," Theo whispered huskily against Neville's flushed throat before returning to his mouth.
Neville groaned and grabbed the back of Theo's neck, panting hard, he replied, "I want - I just don't think I'm ready, but I-"
Theo smiled and gently pecked Neville's slightly swollen lips, "It's alright, don't worry. I'm happy to just do this. I've waited a long time for ye and I can wait longer to take things further. But in the meanwhile, will ye come to dinner with me tomorrow night?"
Butterflies swelled in Neville's already excited chest, "Of course." He couldn't stop smiling as they continued to snog until Theo's left hand tightened its grip on his hip, then he fell back into the lustful state he'd definitely be wanking off to later that night.
Two weeks after their arrival, Hermione and Draco sat on her familiar navy blue sectional sofa. Draco reading a book about botany, Hermione reading Little Women with a mangy black and grey kitten purring in her lap.
Hermione lowered her book ever so slightly to covertly observe the man sitting next to her. He grew his facial hair out once they returned to England and she felt a jolt of heat to her core everytime she looked at him. She looked at the little life purring away on her knees and felt the ache of loss as she was reminded how she hadn't given Crookshanks the grieving period he deserved from her when he first passed. She looked at the two empty tea cups on the coffee table accompanied by two tumblers of gin and scotch.
She smiled wearily, feeling the swell of emotion in her chest. She placed down her book and leaned her head on the familiar man's bicep and breathed in his familiar earthy scent. "Find anything yet?"
He growled and rubbed his rough chin, "No. But it would be very helpful if you could pick up a volume and help me instead of reading that rubbish you've undoubtedly read one hundred times already."
"You know I read through five bloody volumes this past weekend! In fact, you should know I've been looking just as diligently as you! You've hardly left my flat since we got back. So I think I deserve a break, thank you. Besides, this book isn't rubbish, it's a timeless classic," she shot back.
Draco rolled his eyes and returned to his pages, "If you had a problem with me sleeping here every night you would've already told me to scram. Admit it, even after four months, you still can't get enough of me." He was cut off by the kitten padding his way onto Draco's lap, "Oi! Granger, will you get this sodding thing off me? These trousers cost three hundred Galleon! Ah, shite," he gave up his protests once the kitten curled up and fell asleep instantly in his lap.
Hermione giggled and watched Draco's exasperated expression soften as he stroked the kitten's back.
"I think I love you," Hermione blurted. The thought hadn't even taken root in her mind before it slipped through her lips.
Draco heaved what looked like a sigh of relief, "I definitely love you, Granger." He smirked and gently kissed her lips before returning to his book once again.
Hermione smiled widely and wondered out loud, "War is a curious thing, don't you think?"