.

**** DRACO ****

"Alright," I said stopping mid step, "That's it. I cannot take another step."

Hermione turned to look at me, "Are you tired? Poor baby."

I studied her. Her face was painted with delight. We had spent the entire day roaming the museums, castles, and the streets of Florence, and I was loathe to admit it, but I was exhausted. The amount of energy she had was endless, but now the sun had dipped below the city skyline and evening was upon us, and I'd had enough.

And I was starving.

"Aren't you hungry?"

She looked at her watch and then her head whipped back up to me, "Oh," She said with an innocent grimace, "I didn't realise."

I pointed up at the darkening sky, "I know you didn't." I said and then tilted my head, "Follow me."

She followed as I led her along the footpath, turning down a dark alley, and apparating us across the city. We landed in another alley and I led her back to the street, the cold air hitting us as we rounded the corner. We walked another block and I stopped just outside a rustic wooden door that was set back into a stone archway.

She gripped my arm, "Are we dressed well enough for here?" She was looking down at her jeans.

I followed her eyes; she was wearing tight-fitting jeans, knee-high boots and a stylish woollen coat that covered the grey turtleneck jumper beneath it.

"You'll be fine." I assured her, wanting to take her hand in mine, but resisted. I 'd managed to make it through the day with limited touching; my hand on her back, directing her; an innocent brushing of shoulders or hands as we strolled through the museums and galleries; a sneaky kiss when we found ourselves alone for half a minute.

I opened the door for her and she inhaled the delicious aroma's that wafted out into the cold air, and I was sure that I heard her stomach growl. I followed her as she eagerly headed inside, grinning at her gasp when she saw just how small the restaurant was. Small, round tables were dotted around the space, and sputtering candles sat atop them in red and green glass jars casting in intimate glow across the had long been a favourite of mine as it was unobtrusive and quiet, and I could eat here without even being noticed.

"Ah! Signor Malfoy!" A short, heavy-set man greeted us as we brushed our shoulders of the light dusting of snow that had begun to fall outside.

"Tomasso," I shook his hand and stepped back, avoiding the usual cheek-kissing greeting. "Do you have a table for us?"

"Of course, of course!" He exclaimed and greeted Hermione, who allowed the cheek-kissing with a smirk at me.

He led us towards the window in the front and I felt a small flicker of panic. Being seen in museums and art galleries could be explained away if anyone happened to see us, and at this early hour there were few other diners to notice us, but a table by the window in a small, romantic restaurant would definitely make waves if we happened to be seen.

"Non vicino alla finestra," I said and Tomasso nodded, and changed direction, leading us towards the rear corner, which was probably worse. We were now sitting in a dimly-lit corner away from the few other diners and probably looked like a loved-up couple who wanted privacy so we could whisper sweet nothings and stare lustfully at each other. It wasn't far from the truth, but I was still acutely aware of her want to stay hidden just a bit longer.

Hermione was staring at me as we sat, "What?" I asked.

"You speak Italian?"

"You speak Spanish." I countered, reminding her of her interaction with Tavares.

"What did you tell him?"

"Ah, I said not to sit us near the window." I shrugged, "Might be safer back here."

She looked back at the window and then her eyes trailed across the restaurant.

"You don't like it?" I asked.

"No, it's perfect," She shrugged, "I guess I've just missed this."

I frowned, looking over my shoulder and wondering exactly what she was referring to.

"I just mean that we've been holed up on the cliffs for months, it's nice to do this with you."

My heart leapt into my throat. Did that mean..?

"I agree," I said trying to keep my voice from wavering, "Does that mean you want to do this more often?"

"I do, but…" she hesitated.

I reached across the small table and lightly touched her hand, "Talk to me."

Leaning her chin on her hand and twisting her glass in her fingers, she was quiet for several long seconds, a thoughtful frown creasing her features.

"Today was wonderful," she finally said, looking up at me, "I loved spending time with you just doing something normal and not having to hide. Don't get me wrong," she added quickly, "I love our hideaway on the cliffs. I love that we can be there and not have the world watching us, but this was perfect as well."

I nodded, but remained silent.

"I want people to know we're together, but not the entire world just yet."

"Okay," I said, "What are you suggesting?"

"Maybe we could start out small." Her knee brushed against mine and she smiled, "How binding is the company's confidentiality agreement?"

"Unbreakable," I said and her smile widened.

"And do you trust your team?"

"They were handpicked by the three of us, so yes, I trust them implicitly."

"We're they aware that you wanted me to work for you before we became...us?"

"Yes, they were well aware of it. We've all wanted you there for quite some time now."

"Perfect." She said, "We could just make this known to them, in confidence of course, but it might be somewhere to start."

"I think that's a brilliant plan." I nudged her knee with mine, but she held up her hand.

"This doesn't mean you can kiss me in hallways, or the greenhouse, or the elevator," her face was so serious that I had to laugh.

"And why on earth would you think I would kiss you in the elevator?"

She shot me a wry smile, "So you weren't thinking 'elevator sex' yesterday?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest, "Draco, I mean it. If we do this, we have to stay professional."

I matched her pose and lifted an eyebrow, "If I remember correctly, it was you who kissed me in the conference room yesterday. Or am I mistaken?"

Her cheeks went an adorable shade of pink, and then she laughed, "I guess I did."

I unfolded my arms and leaned forward, "Hermione, all joking aside, if this is what you want, then I'm more than happy to oblige."

She stared at me, remaining silent, and I had the distinct feeling that she was up to something, I just couldn't place it. I wouldn't admit it to her, but I was nervous about her idea. I wasn't lying when I said that the confidentiality agreement that we had in place was unbreakable, and I knew that the entire team wanted her there, but how they would react to us being together, well, I had no idea.

And as much as I wanted the entire world to know, I was equally as nervous about that. I was sure that I was not the person that everyone saw her with. The immediate reaction from Potter and Ginny was most likely to be the reaction from everyone. I knew that she would handle it, despite her concerns about out status being known, but my temper was not my finest quality.

I was just grateful that she could forgive my past and see me as the person I had become. And I just hoped that since everyone loved and admired her that they would recognise the fact that someone as kind and as good as Hermione Granger wouldn't be with someone like me if I hadn't changed my ways, and that they would give me the same chance that she had.

"Alright," She finally said as our food arrived, "If you're comfortable, we'll take baby steps."

I refilled her glass, and my stomach clenched at the tiny groan she made as she began devouring the plate of food in front of her. She winked cheekily at me, and told me that my cooking was almost as good. I pinched her knee under the table, making her squirm, and I understood what she had meant. This was like a date – I guess it was a date, our first in public at least. And I agreed with her; it was nice to do this with her.

But as the small restaurant filled up, a surge of jealousy hit me and despite everyone around us being complete strangers, I wanted her all to myself.

And when she licked chocolate sauce from her finger, I was done for.

"Granger, we should go," I said in a low voice, and her nostrils flared, her pupils dilated, and she dragged her bottom lip between her teeth, "We're wasting a perfectly good hotel room."

I stepped out of the floo on Thursday morning, turning to wait for her to do the same. The few seconds it took for her to join me seemed like an age, my nerves kicking in and filling my stomach with knots.

We had agreed that there would be no hand holding, no kissing, and definitely no elevator sex. But arriving and leaving together would be perfectly appropriate. And we decided that we wouldn't directly tell our co-workers that we were together, but instead we simply wouldn't deny that we were if they asked.

But even with all of that, I knew she was nervous - even though she seemed calm - which in turn escalated my nerves to the point where I had spent the entire evening hovering around her. Which lead to an extremely irate Granger and extremely blue balls for me.

She stepped out of the floo and I couldn't stop my grin. "You ready for this?"

She brushed a speck of dust from her shoulder, "I am. Are you?"

"Mr. Malfoy, Hermione," Alexis greeted us with a too big smile, "I assume your trip went well?"

I glanced at Hermione and Alexis grinned at the startled expressions on our faces and slid The Daily Prophet across the desk, "It's official, you work for us."

The headline blared at us, Granger out of Hiding, and beneath it an older photo of Hermione scowled at us.

"After several months of speculation as to her whereabouts, Hermione Granger has finally emerged from her self-imposed exile and is now working at MZP Potions with her once former school rivals, Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini, and Pansy Parkinson." Hermione read, "Theadora Trentino confirmed Ms. Grangers' appointment as head Herbologist for the trio after she met with Ms. Granger on Monday in Florence, to solidify dealings between the two companies. Signora Trentino was only too pleased to announce that she was not only delighted to continue her association with the new potion company, but she was emphatic in her delight to be working with 'war hero' Granger."

She looked up at me and smiled, "Alexis is right; I definitely work here."

"You're okay with this?" I asked, tapping my finger on the headline.

"They were going to find out anyway," she pointed out, "And just wait until they find out the rest."

I snapped my eyes to Alexis, who was grinning madly and patting her hands together lightly, "Ooh, please let me be there when they find that out!"

Hermione laughed, "We're hoping it's a while before they do."

I looked between them, "Wait. What? You already know about Hermione and me?"

My receptionist gave me a look of kindness; one that told me she thought me very sweet, but very stupid. "Yes, Mr. Malfoy, I'm fairly certain everyone here already knows."

"But...but...how?" I spluttered. "She's only actually worked here one day!"

Hermione patted my arm, "Not everyone is as blind as you are, baby."

My jaw dropped open at her endearment, "But you said no—" I stopped at the look on her face and I narrowed my eyes at her, "You did this for me, didn't you? That whole conversation we had in Florence, you were aware that they all knew?"

"Not everyone is as slow to catch on either."

"So it was to make it easier on me, not you?"

"I realised on Monday morning we weren't hiding anything," She explained, "But I knew you had no idea. And Blaise told me to mess with you."

I kissed her temple, "You're lucky I like you," I told her, "Blaise on the other hand..."

"I suggest you head up," Alexis advised, glancing at the glass door that fronted the building, "I'm sure the vultures will be here soon, they'll be eager to find out what's going on."

I nodded, pointedly thanking her for her discretion, and smiled as Hermione offered her hand to me. I slipped my hand into hers, linking our fingers, and liking the feel of her warm hand in mine.

"So, we're breaking this rule," I said nodding towards our joined hands, "Are the others in danger?"

She shot me a look that was so sinful my cock twitched, "Maybe."

I worked furiously throughout the day. Blaise and I were smug as owl after owl appeared; the deserters wanting back in. I'd seen her only once in passing since we'd parted at the elevators earlier that morning, stopping her briefly in the hallway to kiss her - not caring if anyone saw me - to say thanks.

But since then, I had barely lifted my head from the stack of parchment that kept landing on my desk.

"Are you nearly done?" she said from the doorway.

I looked up, the light from the hallway silhouetted her frame in the doorway and I realised that with the exception of the lamp on my desk, my office had grown dark.

"I guess so," I said, tossing the quill I was holding onto my desk and leaning back in my chair. I gripped the back of my neck and squeezed my eyes shut, weariness suddenly washing over me. I heard the door shut and then felt her lips on my forehead, and I reached blindly for her, my hand circling her hip and felt an instant warmth spread through my chest at the nearness of her.

"Big day?" She asked quietly, slipping her hand to the back of my neck and massaging the tight muscles she found there.

"Yeah," I said not opening my eyes, "Thanks to you we've people knocking down our doors to work with us." I pulled her in front of me and bent forward, burying my head into her stomach and she pressed both hands into my neck and shoulders.

"I don't think it's all me." She pressed her fingers harder into my neck, finding a particularly stubborn knot, "Theadora helped."

I chuckled and tightened my grip around her waist, feeling my shoulders finally relax. I sighed when her fingers dragged through my hair and smiled when I felt her lips press to the back of my head.

"Draco?" her voice was barely a whisper.

"Hmm," I murmured against her stomach.

"Sorry about this morning."

I lifted my head to look at her and I saw the look of sincerity in her eyes. I brushed my hand across her rear, "I know," I said, "And it's perfectly fine. I guess we didn't hide this very well."

She cupped my jaw and I kissed her thumb as she ran it across my lips. "I think it's only because we've not had to hide it, no one lives anywhere near us to see us."

"You're right again Granger," I slapped her arse, and she giggled, "Are you ready to go home?"

"Not quite," she said and put her hand on my chest, gently pushing me back into my chair.

"Hermione, what—?" my eyes went as wide as saucers when she dropped to her knees. I scrambled for my wand on the desk, aiming it at the door, hearing the audible click as it locked. I grabbed her hands, "What are you doing?"

She gave me a wicked grin, and pulled her hands from mine, tracing them along my thighs, "Breaking the rules."

I swallowed as she went to work on my waistcoat, unbuttoning it and pushing it aside. She tugged my shirt from my pants, and bent down to kiss my stomach. I sucked in a breath and leaned my head back, closing my eyes. I should have been watching her, but before she really got started, I just wanted to feel.

Her mouth never stopped moving as she kissed every inch of my skin, my hips, her tongue circling my belly button. She unbuttoned my shirt, sliding it apart and exposing my torso.

"Draco," she whispered as her fingers stopped just over my heart, "Watch me, please?"

I looked down at her and she was staring up at me. My heart slammed under my ribs, and her plea hit me. Despite her bravado, she'd not done this before. I tucked her hair behind her ear and nodded, reassuring her that what she was doing was perfect. I had told her that the first time she did this, I would fuck her mouth, but she hadn't even put my cock in her mouth and I already wanted her to so this to me again, so there was no way I would be too rough and scare her.

"Are you sure you want to do this here?" I asked gently, "Home might be more comfortable."

"No." she said firmly and kissed my stomach, "I definitely want to do this here."

I smiled and caressed her cheek, understanding immediately; she wanted a new image in her head. Walking in on her former boyfriend was something she was still struggling to forget, and if this was what she needed to get that image out of her head, well, who was I to tell her no?

She unbuckled my belt and unzipped my fly, spreading her hand over my boxer briefs and my steadily growing cock. I lifted my hips helping her ease my pants down my legs, and gripped the arms of my chair when she bent down and kissed the tip.

She rocked back on her heels and looked up at me, her expression asking me to help her.

I gripped myself, "Use your tongue. Start at the bottom, lick me all the way to the top. Go slow."

She didn't hesitate, leaning in and drawing an agonisingly slow line along the underside of my cock with the tip of her tongue.

I shuddered and when she looked up I grinned. "Again."

She leaned back down, her eyes not leaving mine as she flattened her tongue and licked me from base to tip, flicking over the head, catching the first leaking drops of moisture and drawing a moan from me.

"Good?" She asked sliding her hand along the inside of my thigh, stopping just millimetres away from my balls.

"Brilliant," I assured her, "Keep going."

I watched as she became bolder, licking and kissing along every inch of my shaft, and then finally, finally, she wrapped her lips around me and drew me into her mouth. I made a rather loud, undignified groan when her tongue twirled around the tip. She dropped lower, slowly taking more of me into her mouth, and I swore, loudly, when she increased the pressure and dragged her mouth back up. She released me with a gasp and I cupped her jaw.

"Alright?"

She smiled and let out a breathy "Yeah."

I took her hand and wrapped it around the base of my cock, "Did you want to keep going?"

"Do you want me to keep going?"

I laughed, "Am I an arse if I say fuck yes?"

She grinned at me impishly, "You're an arse anyway."

We both laughed, and then the torture started. I swore again as she dipped her head, her mouth closing around me, her tongue swirling and her teeth grazing me gently. She reached her free hand up and circled her fingers through the hair on my navel, humming around me, the vibration causing my balls to tighten and my hips to rock of their own volition.

She moaned at the movement, and my hips jerked again when her teeth bit down gently. I hissed out a breath and her eyes flicked up to mine; the sight of her mouth around me, her eyes dark and wanting, had me clenching my jaw.

"Harder," I said through gritted teeth, and my head thumped back onto the chair as her mouth sunk low, taking me in to the hilt, and then her cheeks hollowed creating a hard, almost painful, suction as she slowly rose back up.

"Hard enough?" she asked with a smirk, the tip of my cock resting against her lips.

"Perfect," I exhaled and slid both my hands into her hair, guiding her back over my twitching cock. She found a rhythm, her mouth and hand working in unison, twisting and twirling, and I pulled her hair back over her shoulders, watching her.

The million or so dreams I'd had of her doing this were nothing compared to reality. Her mouth was all heat and warmth and moisture, her lips swollen and red, and the tiny sounds she made vibrated along the length of me making my balls clench painfully tighter.

I bucked up harder when her hand squeezed my sac, and my promise to myself dissolved instantly. I gripped her hair tighter, holding her head in place and thrust up, pushing hard into her mouth and grunting as I hit the back of her throat. Her fingernails dug into my thigh and she closed her eyes, an exhale of breath from her nose tickled across my skin.

"Good girl," I growled as her mouth tightened around me, sucking hard and rolling her tongue while I continued to slide between her wet lips. "Let me fuck your mouth."

She nodded and I pumped into her mouth, watching closely for any sign she wanted me to stop, but her muffled groans and hums told me she was enjoying this as much as I was, that she liked the feeling of my cock plunging into her mouth.

The familiar tingle buzzed along my spine, my body began to tense and I felt a bead of sweat trickle down the back of my neck. She looked up at me, her brown eyes blazing with desire and boring directly into mine, and I felt my cock swell in her mouth.

"Granger…fuck!...coming." I managed, tugging her hair, attempting to pull her off me.

She slapped my hands away, increasing the pressure, her head bobbing frantically.

"Fuckfuckfuck!" I tried to pull her away again, but she buried her face against my pelvis and I came in seconds, spilling into the back of her throat. She moaned, and I felt her throat close as she swallowed around my cock. Another small burst of liquid shot out of me, and then another, and she licked and sucked and swallowed until I groaned and told her to stop.

My stomach clenched and my entire body jerked as she slowly released me, and then leaned her head on my thigh. Her eyes were glassed over, her breaths were short, and a tiny smile twitched on her lips.

I slumped back in my chair and threw my arm across my eyes. My entire body tingled, "Thank you." I said and she laughed.

"You liked it then?"

I lowered my arm and ran my hand though her hair, "Yes, I definitely liked it. And I definitely like rule-breaking Granger."

She lifted her head off my leg and I reached out and cupped her face with one of his hand. She was a dishevelled mess, her cheeks pink, her lips wet, and she looked amazing.

"Really?" She asked, her eyes unsure. "I mean I've never done that before, and I wasn't sure if—"

I pressed my finger against her lips, "You were perfect. I loved every second of it."

She blushed, and I leaned forward, bringing my lips to hers, rubbing my thumb gently across the side of her face and kissing her slowly. She sighed and wrapped her arms around my neck, and I lifted her to my lap. Her tongue danced with mine, our kiss remaining slow and tender, my hands caressing her face, her neck, over her shoulders and back and finally resting on her hips.

She pulled away from my lips and pressed her forehead to mine, "We should go home."

"Maybe we should wait until I can feel my legs again."

She smiled and I reached for the front of her pants, my fingers pressing against the button, "Maybe I could repay the favour."

She shook her head, "No, I wanted to do this just for you. I don't need anything."

I lifted her chin and met her eyes, "Alright?"

She nodded and tucked her head into my neck. I wrapped her in my arms and we sat quietly, our breathing the only sound in the room. I was heavy with sleep, and she was warm in my arms, tucked perfectly against me. I was blissfully happy and completely spent and honestly, I didn't want to move.

I heard her exhale, a shaky, gasping sound breaking the silence, and then she shuddered in my arms, a tiny sob escaping her.

"Hermione?"

"I–I'm s–sorry," she stuttered.

"You have nothing to be sorry for." I assured her and held her tighter.

"I shouldn't have done that." She hiccupped, "Not here."

I pressed my lips to her temple, "I'm not complaining."

"But I shouldn't have," she was trying to control her sobs, "Not like that. Not to you." She pushed at my chest, trying to escape my arms, but I kept them folded around her like a steel cage.

"No!," her voice cracked and she still struggled against me, "I'm no better than him!"

I wasn't aware that it was possible, but a white-hot anger surged through me at the same time that my heart cracked in two.

"Look at me," I said, loosening my grip and forcing her eyes level with mine, "You did nothing wrong here. What you did was perfect and spontaneous and right. You're not like him. Not at all."

She swallowed thickly and looked at me through tear-filled eyes, but remained silent.

"Hey," I said gently, the sadness in her eyes was breaking my heart further, "Talk to me"

She fidgeted with the button on my shirt, her face unsure. "I didn't mean to use you like that." She shrugged, "I don't actually know what I was thinking when I walked in here, I just knew that I wanted you, and I couldn't wait."

"Were you thinking that you wanted know what it was like?" I asked cautiously and she frowned at me. "Did you want to know what it was like to what he did?

She nodded, almost imperceptibly, and I squeezed her hip, "Because if sucking my cock was what you needed to get that image out of your head, then I am more than happy to have been used."

She laughed softly, "Are you sure?"

"Positive," I said, "In fact, I might insist that you do it again."

She finally let out an easy breath, "You're a little too perfect, you know that?"

I winked at her, "I like to exceed expectations occasionally."

She laughed and brushed her hands through my hair, "Draco, this was a one-time thing, yeah?"

I dogged down my disappointment. She could lock my office door every day, I certainly wouldn't object. "Why's that?"

"I want to keep this between for us. At home, or in hotels," She paused, and the spark returned to her eyes, "The beach."

My disappointment lessened slightly at the thought of her naked on the sand, "I think I can work with that."

"Good," she said, "Home?"

I kissed the tip of her nose, "Home."

A/N:

Thanks for your patience...a couple of chapters being written at once and i'm trying to decide which order suits my end game the best.

As always, thanks for reading/reviewing/favouriting xx