Here it is, the last chapter. I thank those who kept poking for an ending to this story, for their endless patience. The lack of interest killed my muse for this fic by the roots. I'm sorry it took so long to finish it. All mistakes are mine & Grammarly's with one exception...Whatever Chef Willy says is deliberately written the way you'll read. Bon Appetit...or maybe not ;)
Chapter 10: Last Day
The downside of sleeping under the stars is that you wake up way too early to your taste. The majority groaned and hid their faces under the pillow, or beneath the blanket, except for two couples.
Pansy woke up with her nose pressed against the curve of a male neck, a heavy arm clearly pulling her tighter against a broad and slightly fluffy chest. Strangely enough, when she wiggled for freedom, that very arm pushed her harder against him with a groan. Needless to say that she flushed entirely, not only because it did feel good in an unexpected way, but also because it awakened a need she wasn't aware of.
A need to be cared for. The few times she fell asleep with Draco following a quick shag in his bed, she never woke up in his arms. On the contrary, selfish as he is, Draco would claim all the bedding for him.
Ron held her tight, inside his blanket - how in Salazar's name did she end up on his mattress was a mystery - but still. They were snuggling, and he made sure the corner of the blanket was tightly around her frame. Maybe the Weasel wasn't such a bad option.
That was until said wizard woke up, rubbing his scrub on the top of her head before realising he had company. In a matter of seconds, her warm cocoon vanished. Instead, the icy dawn wind covered her instantly with goosebumps due to the temperature difference. Needless to say, she nearly used her knee to make a point.
Speaking of the past, the difference couldn't be more significant between the blond wizard from the time she warmed up his bed - more a rarity than a recurrent event - and the man that held a bushy-hair witch in his arms, on the opposite side. It was of such magnitude that she couldn't avoid a pang of jealousy at the tender way Draco's arm cradled around Hermione's frame.
Luckily, the pang dissipated as quickly as it appeared. It was just a minute or so ago that the Weasel held her similarly - the wizard now sporting a complexion so red that almost rivalled the colour of his hair. Despite his awkwardness, his eyes couldn't hide a trace that quite didn't match his embarrassment. As if also he figured out that waking up this way, wasn't so bad as first thought.
Internally, Pansy shrugged. They still had their 8th year ahead to decide what to do with these feelings, it wasn't as if their stay here was equal to signing a marriage contract, after all.
Ron ended up waking up Harry with his startled way of escaping Pansy's cuddle. But both wizards fell speechless, watching how Hermione snuggled deeper into Draco's embrace, clearly sharing his mattress. Silently, they reached an agreement to let it follow its own natural course and not interfere with their best friends' choice. One shrugged and returned his face to the crease in the pillow. The other gulped, stared at the dark-haired witch next to him, cleared his throat and announced, "I'm going to the loo."
Not a romantic declaration and nor the kind of information Pansy needed to know either. Much work to be done under the category 'grooming', she thought.
-oOo-
The plan was to keep their escapade low-profile and explore whatever this was at their own pace far away from inquiring gazes.
Hermione discovered soon that to achieve such, one should not share a wizards bed in public. Pansy, Ron and Harry kept it calm, glancing once or twice and nodding. Theo, Neville and Tracey didn't even acknowledge the issue. But Blaise, however, kept glancing the entire time lewdly up to the point that Draco planned revenge as soon as his wand returned to his possession.
"I'm hungry." The blond announced as soon as their camping site was cleared up and all the bedding had returned to its original place.
"Heavy night, perhaps?" The double-entendre was hard to miss. "Too much physical exertion yesterday evening?"
"I understand you're jealousy, mate. There's nothing better than to wake up next to a charming witch." The clap on Blaise's shoulder was less soft than the tanned wizard hoped for, but it did nothing to stop his poking at the bear, or to be precise, his poking at a snake.
Hermione was more devious in her retribution. She wasted no energy on answering or huffing at another jab. Accidentally, she spilt some hot water for the tea over Blaise's hand; only, instead of the usual excuse, he stared at a pair of wiggling eyebrows. The man hissed but refrained from comment. For the moment, at least.
"Look, Grumpy and Humpy are on their way," Theo warned everyone of Gnarluk and Uruk's approach.
You would think that after six days, the Goblins' duo was going to be a little more relaxed, but nothing was less accurate. The paper in Uruk's hand was handed over to Neville, under the barked instructions to read. Harry saluted ironically.
"It seems we all need to do the same proof to determine our place on the final challenge. The couple with the slowest time will have another task than the rest of us."
"Summarised, we are up against each other?" Blaise feared already to end up with the shortest straw.
"We know the answer, whatever it is, I'm sure it won't be so bad." Harry, always the pacifier.
"Show us the way, the faster we're done, the quicker we can return to familiar grounds." Hermione voiced the overall opinion. Though she didn't know what she would do first, take a nice soaking bath or devour anything that didn't look like a quiche.
The two goblins took off at a fast pace and made the entire group run almost the full outline of the fortress.
"The two fuckers could have used a shortcut. We were only two doors away from this challenge, the tossers." Theo didn't hold back, puffing heavily.
"Next time, call them by their real names, it might help." Lavender's jab was well received for once, expect by the addressed wizard.
Uruk growled and pointed brutally to the page. Tracey rolled her eyes at the lack of manners, and read aloud, "Chess Willy Rovelli."
Hermione whispered, reading over the Slytherin's shoulder, "It's Chez, meaning "With Willy Rovelli".
Tracey's mouth formed an 'O', "Oops, so With Willy Rovelli. We must enter together and have to eat a speciality from this chef. The pair who ends last will get a different task. Enjoy your meal!"
Ron perked up, "Nice, food!" Thinking this was a proof tailor-made for him, he entered the room and took the first bar stool on the further end. The counter accommodated ten seats and staring at them, a middle-aged man dressed in a white chef jacket plus matching hat, strands of black and white hair peeking from underneath. From afar, he looked like a true Frenchman, including the groomed upward curled moustache.
"Bienvenue! Welcome! Please choose your seat par pairre." Tracey took the bar stool next to Ron's, and shortly, everyone had their place facing the French cook. "You will taste my newest crreation…" The man's English bore a massive French twist. "It is not yourr orrdinarry meal, but something verry exquuiisite… To enterr the last challange, you'll have to finish your plat and the pairr that ends last will participate in the challange but on anotherr position."
Neville demanded confirmation, "So, even if we don't like we have to eat it anyway, or we don't get to participate, and your position on the challenge is determined by how fast you finish your plate?"
"Oui, yes, monsieur." The smile on the cooks face promised nothing good, but the group was left with no choice. Ten plates were set harshly in front of each student. "Savourez un plat duet de pattes de poulet frits et testicles de coq bouillies acompagnés par un jus de surströmming," The man changed into his English-French speech, "A duet dish of frried chicken paws and rroosterr testicles accompanied by a sauce of Surrstrrömming which is ferrmented herrring. Bon Appetit!"
On colourful plates two paws, two small beige balls and a small glass of dark greyish water that smelled so repugnant that the majority of the Hogwarts group pinched their noses almost immediately before their stomach returned this mornings breakfast to the mouth.
"I've never smelled something so horrid in my life!" Pansy whined between the gagging. "Fuck, I can't eat this!"
Hermione hid her nose under the collar of her shirt, "You'll have to, otherwise no finale…" Her problem wasn't the nasty looking drink, but the small testicles which seemed to have the same structure as goose liver. If there was one thing she detested to eat, that was foie gras.
Ron shrugged, grabbed the glass and downed the glass, "Ad Fundum!" He coughed and spit the last of its taste, "Bloody hell! Fuck, it's pure acid!"
Harry followed suit, including the adverse reactions, "Fuck, that's sour. Ah shit, can I have some water?"
The cook shook his head, "First the rest of your plate, monsieur."
If the Gryffindors did it - Neville's "Down the hatch" barely a whisper before the gagging started, but his glass was cleared - the snake wizards had no other choice than to show they were man enough to handle the case at hand.
The collective "Bottoms up" sounded more like a curse, but seven glasses were set down nearly in synch - all the Slytherins and remaining Gryffindors. Also synchronised, the gagging and the extended tongues "Bahhh. Awk. Fuck."
"I'll chew on these thinking I'm eating Voldemort's bullocks in front of his noseless face." Harry picked one of the testicles, analysed them up close while he pressed his lips together, revolted for a fraction of a second before opening his mouth, "Gawd, this is disgusting." He shoved quickly the second before his courage left.
Harry's squinted face was no good foreboding, neither was how his arms clutched to his stomach to quiet down the contractions. Sweat pearls shined on his forehead. Lavender' and Tracey's bottom lip quivered at the prospect, tears trailing down their face.
"I can't do this…" Tracey squeaked.
"Neither can I…" Lavender squealed, biting her lip.
"I'll start with the fried paws." Pansy drew a deep breath, grabbed a foot and munched on it, "It's crunchy...and sinewy," She chewed and pulled hard with her teeth the wrinkled skin from the tendons, swallowing half bitten pieces to avoid the unsavoury taste. "Hermione, girls, it looks worse than it tastes." She scrunched her face, unable to prevent the cracking sounds while biting through tough chunks, although both paws disappeared surprisingly quickly. In fact, faster than Harry with the testicles, the wizard looking an odd shade of green by now still eating on his load.
Encouraged by Pansy's details, everyone grabbed the paws nearly simultaneously and devoured them, noses turned up while chewing.
A relieved spectacled Gryffindor wizard finished the last of his distasteful delicacies and continued more relaxed on the poultry feet, but for the others, the ugly task remained.
Blaise took the shortcut, throwing a ball at the time and swallowing it in one piece. The first went smooth, but the second remained stuck half his throat, and he felt it return into his mouth. Gathering all his courage, he forced the food down and leapt outside, picking a bucket to empty his stomach.
By the looks, it was an ordinary course of events for this specific test, and the fact that there were three buckets at hand proved it.
Theo appeared in a flash, using the bucket similarly, just as Pansy did. "I ate bullocks!"
Ron munched and shrugged, "Not my favourite." His stomach seemed to be stronger than all the rest.
Only Tracey and Hermione remained behind, looking the greyer as time went by.
Draco returned into the room, drying his lips on the pillowy side of his hand, "Granger, you can do this, witch. I promise you a nice bottle of water to wash out the taste. Tracey, c' mon, dare to defy your spirit."
"You have water by the hand?" The closeness of the lunchroom had come in handy when he spurted after something to drink. He added testicles to the never again-food list, as he grabbed a few bottles; not enough for single use, but he counted on Longbottom to do the honours for his Slytherin witch.
"You'll have to share my bottle, witch." The dismissing hand told him she gave no knut about that particular issue. "You're strong, grab your Gryffindor courage. Swallow it in one piece, so you don't have to feel the structure against the tongue." His hand was rubbing hypnotically up and down her spine, "Don't you want to partake with me in the big finale? You worked so hard for it."
His encouraging words achieved their goal, her ambition did the rest. Taking both testicles in her palm, she shoved them into her mouth, chewing with a hand against her lips to hold back the urge to gag. It took her three attempts at swallowing before she succeeded, grasping the open bottle of water and downing more than half of its content in one go, spilling some through the corners of her mouth.
Tracey whined, "I can't do this…"
But thanks to Neville and Ron's support she did dispatch her plate, expelling her guts into the bucket just in time.
"Parfait, you did amazing. Does any of you want seconds?" If looks could kill, the poor chef would be dead on the spot. Hermione contemplated to throw her empty bottle at the man's head, but a pale hand held her arm in place. The grip even tightened up when she put a fight.
Uruk announced with the rarest grin, "Lunch?"
Shortly said, the goblin should kiss his lucky arse for the lack of wands. In particular, the witches looked the most murderous among the group.
-oOo-
"Bloody hell." Ron stuck his tongue out.
Harry cursed, "Fucking goblins."
"I never thought that I would say this, but I prefer quiches," Neville commented, resting against the stone wall but looked surprised as Hermione followed with a threat.
"I'm close to committing murder."
They all stood outside the fortress, rinsing their mouths with copious amounts of water and spitting them in the ocean.
"One last challenge to get whatever we need to bring home, and we're gone." Theo rationalised. Their torture was almost ending.
"If we don't get a banquet at Hogwarts, I'll throw a fit." Pansy flushed once more.
"If that's the case, we invade the Three Broomsticks," Harry suggested from his place at the edge of the pontoon.
"I'm in!" For once the rest answered in unison. Followed by several food desires, "Butterbeer."
"Roast and gravy."
"Treacle Tart."
"Stop people, you're torturing me!" It wasn't often that Hermione whined, the rest roaring in laughter.
-oOo-
The grunting goblins were ignored at first and made to wait for what felt longer than half an hour before the Hogwarts team joined them for the final challenge. As retaliation, Uruk forced them the long way around through the second floor to reach the entrance of the tiger cage, on the ground level.
Needless to say that the goblins' arses would have been jinxed to Timbuktu, once again, if wands were at hand - that is between the heavy puffing and leaning on the knees to gather their breath.
The treasure area with its iron bars was, in fact, more prominent than first thought; a sort birdcage in thick rusty metal bars stood on a stone basis, while the centre of the solid floor was carved in letters. Apparently, they had only seen a fraction of it, during Hermione and Draco's buggy proof.
As usual, a growling Gnarluk pointed to the page, Blaise taking the honours to explain. "We have to form the answer to our challenge by standing on the exact letter tile. If we are correct..." He gave the rest a duh-look. "The gong will sound, and our prize will appear in the centre of the well, but we have only twenty seconds to leave the cage. If the time runs out, the tigers will join us."
"We become tiger food?" Lavender asked everyone's question, "Is this approved by McGonagall?"
Hermione reasoned, "I guess she trusts us to escape in time." Not that it erased the fear in the faces of Pansy, Tracey and, surprisingly enough, Theo.
"The couple that lost the previous proof has a separate task. One has to guide us to the right tile, the other will turn the bronze tiger head when we are in the right position. It seems the letters aren't in alphabetical order." All the heads pressed between the bars to confirm the statement. "We have less than one minute to be in place."
"Fuck their time restraints," Draco swore. "Let us divide the letters between us so we can be efficient. I'll take the O, Hermione, you take your own letter H."
Harry requested, hand in the air, "The G from Ginny!"
Pansy was quick to reserve, "The W!" Punching her tanned friend in the shoulder for his lewd gaze. Ron blushed with curled lips.
"I want my T." Theo beat Blaise by seconds, who planned to steal his friend's letter but settled for the S instead.
"I'll take the A, Lavender, you have the R." The blonde witch nodded at Neville's comment.
Ron noticed a plan next to the mechanism to open the gate, "Wait! Hermione, your letter is on C3…" The letters were jammed indeed. Using his chess tactic, Ron deciphered the quickest way to guide everyone through, "Malfoy, your O is on D3, Harry, you'll find G on C1, Pansy for your W its C8, Neville A is on D6; Lavender, R is on A7, Theo, you're on F6 and Blaise, you have to stand on D8."
Harry and Hermione had a smile tugged on their lips, Ron was a pleasure to watch, entirely at ease within his love for chess. The Slytherins blinked at the display, who knew that the ginger-head was such a master in strategy?
Instead of the usual disdain, Draco addressed Ron with respect, "Good catch, Weasley."
Hermione blinked surprised. One, he called Ron by his family name decently, plus he added an appraisal towards her friend? These are days of wonders and miracles, she thought.
Dumbfounded, Ron shook his head to make sure he wasn't in a different dimension, cleared his throat and asked, "Are we ready?"
Lavender's arm went up, "Which was my place?"
The wizard peeked the map again and repeated, "A 7."
"I don't see numbers on the floor…" She overlooked the floor once more, pouting.
"Never mind, I'll talk you through it." Man...why did I ever… "Are we ready?"
"Yes!" Unisono yell.
Pushing hard on the wheel, Ron lifted the massive gate until it was blocked by the mechanism, and everyone crawled underneath from the moment it was high enough to do so. Running down the few stairs, they leapt counting rows and columns until they found their place. Hermione and Draco stood next to each other, with Harry two stones ahead of his best friend. Only Lavender was wondering around, mumbling the lack of numbers and letters on the side.
Ron shouted, "Lav, go to the far left."
"Your left or my left?" Groans floated in the air.
Ron commanded, "Look at the well… now walk to your left and retreat two stones."
"Ah… Why didn't you tell me first row, the furthest to the left and its first stone?" An offended Lavender riposted.
Ron gritted, "Tracey, turn the tiger's head." The Slytherin witch saluted and puffed turning the rusty head.
A minute or two of complete silence fell upon the treasure room, everyone holding their breaths. A pale hand sought a companion, feeling his fingers laced in seconds.
Pansy felt Ron's hot breath on her neck, and she stretched the arm behind, smiling as he caught her hand. It was the begin of something, what exactly? Time would tell.
After what seemed to be an eternity later, a cloth was removed, and the Hogwarts crest appeared in its full glory.
"So cheesy!" The mocking wasn't exclusively Slytherin, mouths falling open sardonically.
Even Neville commented, "Lame, Professor McGonagall!"
Behind them, the metal gate started to descend at a snail's pace, automatically, Theo alarmed, "Shit, guys! We don't have much time!"
Harry and Draco standing the closest to the metal cage in the middle, ran and pulled the shield together, extending their arms the furthest possible. The object weighed heavier than first thought and getting a grip was far from easy. Neville and Blaise climbed as good as they could up the metal bars to push the crest towards the other two wizards. But with combined efforts and grunts, the four succeeded in their intention, alas, with not much time to spare.
Blaise barely made it through, crouching almost to his knees to get out. A heartbeat later, the bang of the gate echoed through the stone walls just before the roar of the tigers was heard. "Fuck, no second too late."
Yet, the praises of congratulation were conspicuous by their absence, on the contrary, the goblins seemed sourer than ever.
-oOo-
*Hogwarts*
They arrived the same way as they had left, using the provided return-portkey to Hogwarts; the wards temporarily adjusted, courtesy of the Headmistress.
Neville and Theo shared the honour of carrying the crest to McGonagall's Head office, the others trailing behind as a seasoned army.
"Ah, I see my challenge has come to a positive end. You make me very proud." She clapped her hands in a familiar gesture, her former-house students smiling at the display, recognising the antics of their favourite teacher. Studying each face, Minerva encountered no animosity in the expressions. Minor exhaustion perhaps, a little ruffled from the travel, yet a glow of satisfaction in their gazes, with no exception.
What surprised her the most was how close two pairs stood - if her mind didn't play tricks on her, a pale pink was visibly brushing a tawny beige finger. Ron Weasley's closeness to Pansy Parkinson was somewhat unexpected, but it was how Draco Malfoy looked down on Hermione Granger that made Minerva blink a few times to make sure it wasn't her imagination. The older witch couldn't even decide between adoration or tenderness.
The fact was that she regretted the absence of a spy instantly, so curious she was to learn how those two not only buried the hatchet but somehow grew closer to one another. The older witch took a deep breath to resume her initial intent, "I'm sure you must be hungry. I've given the kitchen the order to prepare you a delicious meal, I believe they were making their best...quiche lorraine for you."
"No!" Ron and Neville gasped, looking horrified.
"I'm not hungry, Professor." Harry and Theo tried to be the most politely, flapping a hand in the air while Draco shook his head apologetically while biting a curse.
"With all due respect, Professor, but I can't stand the sight of quiches for at least a decade. You'll have to forgive me, but I prefer to lunch at The Three Broomsticks." Hermione tilted her chin, abstaining from a few curse words to emphasise her statement. If it was someone else, she might have added a few fucks...
But to their surprise, the Headmistress giggled as she clapped hands, "Hihi...your faces were priceless." Behind her, every painting grinned. "I knew that the Fortress of Boyard only offered quiches for lunch and dinner. Apparently, it's the only recipe the goblins know how to prepare...my poor kids."
For once, she didn't even acknowledge the ten dirty looks in her direction, "I believe there is roast beef with gravy and mashed potatoes waiting for you, followed by treacle tart." Her ears rang from the cheering that followed.
They wanted to sprint towards the Great Hall, but Hermione had one last request, "Headmistress... Professor, this eight-year are we going to be in… will we be split into Houses again?"
"That was the intention, yes." This was a question the older witch hadn't expected.
"I know there's an unused wing in this castle, meant to house couples from the times when it was customary for early set-up marriages. I read about it on 'Hogwarts, a History'." Hermione continued, head tilted in an inquiring way.
"That's correct, Miss Granger. What are you suggesting?" Everyone was one and all ears, from student to Headmistress, including the paintings.
"I'm speaking for myself at this point, but after Boyard, I would prefer to keep our group together, I believe there's room enough for the ten of us and the few others who'll join us within a week?" Hermione could hear the blood buzzing through her ears, so fast beat her heart. But the idea of keeping them together, in a slightly more mature environment outside classes sounded the longer, the better. "After the war, I could use a place inside these walls where I'm not constantly reminded of my participation in the war, and I assume others could use it as a sanctuary, free from accusations and such."
"I only ask an exception for Ginny so she can share my dorm, but beyond that, I'm completely on board with Hermione's idea." Harry didn't waste any time, standing shoulder to shoulder with his friend. "Ginny and I shared a bed the entire summer vacation with Molly's permission, Professor… I'm sorry... I mean, Headmistress. "
"You understand that I need written parental consent to allow such liberty." Minerva stared at Harry from above her glasses. Harry bobbed swiftly. "Well, do you all share Miss Granger's opinion?"
Pansy took a deep breath, "Honestly, dealing with first and second years in our common room is not something I'm looking forward to. Working together on those challenges bonded us, Headmistress, a bond that I would like to keep alive. Furthermore, it would improve the unity you desire so much."
Draco came forward, "I expect that the majority will not be happy to see me return. Hermione's suggestion will indeed provide me with a place where I can be in peace, away from all heading my way."
For a heartbeat, the room was silent. Draco's statement did contain a ring of truth. But his observation bore something more than promoting a retreat for those on the wrong side of the war. Minerva adventured to utter another theory, "Can I assume that, in time, some rooms might become couple quarters as they are originally designed?"
At this, at least five persons flushed instantly, Hermione's came with some delay but was obviously present. Exhaling hearable, Minerva accepted, "Very well but under one condition. I expect that all female students go to Madam Pomfrey and take the necessary precautions. Starting a family needs to be a conscious decision after you all pass your N.E.W.T's."
Even the wizards got red ears. To receive the sex-talk from someone like Minerva McGonagall was, to say the least, embarrassing as hell. Nevertheless, the six nodded, witches and wizards alike. Speaking of being speechless. Still dumb-founded, Minerva waved them a dismissing hand and the ten took off nearly immediately. The newest Head of Hogwarts sunk in her seat, still gathering her thoughts. I wouldn't have guessed this in a million years.
-oOo-
After a proper meal, the group headed to Hogsmeade carrying the sports bags on their backs totally forgetting to use their wands instead. It was time to return home and prepare for a new year at the beloved castle. They all squeezed into one compartment, Tracey using Neville's lap as her seat and a bold Pansy doing similar to Ron to save some room. Ron was clueless about what to do with his arm, but the witch caught his purposeless hand and set it on her thigh. Instantly, he flushed but kept his hand where it stood. Softer wasn't to be found.
Aside from pitching a few ideas back and forth, regarding their new common room - plans that included firewhiskey and smoking some pot - they kept it to small talk. Hermione objected a time or two but yielded under pressure. They were adults, after all, and what they planned didn't fall under illegal activities, strictly speaking.
But the train's gentle beat lulled them into sleep, it was the Atrium all over. Blaise curling against Harry this time - whose head rested against the window, and Theo's leaning on the tanned wizard's back. When Hermione's head rolled onto Draco's shoulder, he hoisted her legs over his limbs and pulled her tighter, wrapping an arm around her back. Eventually, also he fell prey to the temptation of a soothing nap.
-oOo-
At the platform, Hermione raised a muffliato around Draco and her to provide some privacy, after saying her goodbye's to the rest.
"Where are you heading now?" The blond asked one of the questions on the tip of his tongue, shoving a rebel curl behind her ear.
"Home, to pack my trunk for tomorrow, and then I'm heading to the Burrow, to spend the night there." She was nervous, for some reason.
"Ah, the Burrow." He offered his palms when her gaze darkened, "I mean no harm, I… never mind."
"You can't say A without saying B too, Draco." Her bullshite-o-meter coloured red.
"I...wanted to suggest us to go somewhere alone… we could use some privacy..."
Hermione interrupted him, "Between the Malfoy Manor and me, there is no love story, it's too fresh in my memory."
"I'm well aware, little swot." He huffed, shoving a hand through his tresses, "I didn't have the Manor in mind. I thought to go to a hotel in Muggle London or something." Her snort irritated him, "Hey! Alright, forget it… a stupid thought of mine."
"What you are suggesting is something I'm not ready for. I want us to explore whatever we started in France. Moreover, us merging our sleeping arrangements at Hogwarts doesn't sound impossible. But I don't want to throw myself headlong into whatever this becomes."
"Hermione…"
"Draco, I'm not saying no to you and me. I'm saying let us take it easy. A week of challenges isn't enough for me to discover who Draco Malfoy is behind the haughty mask. I saw a glimpse that spikes my interest, only, I want to see more, to know more…"
"Will you share a compartment with me at the train tomorrow?" He prided himself into not imposing himself on a woman.
"Save me a seat." She kissed him softly. "Dream of me, ferret."
"Little swot," the corners of his mouth curled into a smile, "Your name will be on my lips…" her breath stoked, knowing what was coming next, "While I wank to the memories of your body underneath me."
At first, she was speechless, "You have a dirty mind." Her breath came in short spurts, his voice sending jolts down her spine.
"Also, that is an element inherent to Draco Malfoy, little swot." It was far from what he wanted, but she set the pace, and he accepted. He fucked up his life already enough, but Hermione Granger wasn't someone that he wanted to add to that list. The brief thought of how to break this down to his parents was a predicament he would deal with, timely. Even the idea of an ultimatum crossed his mind more than once. Time would tell.
Her quirky comeback brought him back to the present, "Then, I wish you a good night with your hand, Mr. Malfoy. I'll see you tomorrow and expect a proper report about your nightly activity." If flirting was what he wanted…
She left him behind after blowing a kiss in the air.
On one side, she wondered if it was a good decision to get involved with one Draco Malfoy. On the other, he woke in her something that nor Ron or Viktor succeeded to do. A fluttering worth exploring.
She didn't exclude many additional intimate moments preferable without an audience, nor did the idea of sharing a room with him scare her off in the long run. But she was stepping into this adventure with eyes wide open and fully conscious of the consequences, instead of diving blindly into a relationship that eventually could turn out to be her worst decision ever.
Time would tell. Her N.E.W.T.s mattered, and so did her sanity. Her heart, however, was probably already a lost cause…
*To Be Continued*
The chef proof isn't a creation of mine... it is a real test and has happened in several episodes of Fort Boyard, check it out if you want. Personally, I would've chosen the jail time instead... haha.
To see the inside of the Treasure Room, take a peek at my Tumblr: ruthy4vrsmoak-ed dot tumblr dot com
I'm not saying no to a follow-up, enter the open ending. But at this point, I don't have a plunny that suits my taste - eight-year, maturely written. I'll give you a shout, if such miraculously appears! Thank you for travelling with me on this French journey.