Author's Note: I didn't forget you, I promise. I don't have a lot to say. I'm too busy blushing over the end of this chapter. Be warned, there be smut. Dear God.
As always, I do not own Harry Potter or any of these characters I'm playing with. That honor goes to J. K. Rowling.
To say that I had been surprised by Astoria stopping by our apartment would have been a gross understatement. I was shocked and a little wary when I opened the door to her seemingly hesitant face, but the manners my mother rammed into my brain won out over everything else and I had invited her in.
God, I should have just slammed the fucking door in her face.
We made the usual small talk, you know the 'how have you been's' and the 'can't complain's'. Astoria had seemed almost nervous, which was weird; she was usually so confident. For a brief moment, just a miniscule second, I thought she might have changed her mind about us. What surprised me though, was that I didn't want that. I didn't want to play her games anymore.
I wanted something else. Or rather, someone else.
And that scared the ever-loving fuck out of me.
So when she handed over the invitation, I wasn't all that upset about it. I mean, yeah, it sucked. And it was most definitely a shitty thing to do, but I was still in the middle of my epiphany and hardly had the energy to spend upon Astoria's stupid mind games.
I'm sure she thought my rapidly paling face had to do with her upcoming nuptials, and from the self-satisfactory smirk she was trying and failing, to hide, I knew she was pleased with the idea.
Astoria couldn't have been more wrong.
It had everything to do with the strange and stimulating woman that had taken up residence in the apartment and my mind in the past month.
Hermione.
Jesus.
She was such an enigma but in a good way. She wasn't like the majority of women I knew. She preferred sweats and converse to designer jeans and heels. She loved Dr Who and even had her own sonic screwdriver.
In fact, I'd been jabbed between the ribs with that little fucker more times than I can count for snickering at her while she binge-watched old episodes. Hermione really gets into it. It's much more entertaining to watch her watching the show than to just watch the show itself. I could say the same for when she's reading, her expressions and heartfelt emotional responses were enough to knock a man for a loop. She was lovely when lost inside the pages of a book, or her guilty pleasure - fanfiction.
Hermione's a nerd. A lovely, charming, bookish nerd. She's kind and gentle, compassionate and gorgeous.
And that's what led me to my horrifying conclusion.
I had feelings. For Hermione. Hermione.
The woman who breaks into song randomly and has absolutely no filter.
None.
Hermione constantly mutters to herself. No lie. Most of the time its too soft to hear, but I've caught my name and 'gah' several times. I'm still not sure what she means by it, but it's funny...and cute.
Astoria assured me over and over that, I didn't have to come if it made me uncomfortable, that she understood if it was too much.
Yeah. No. I could give a fuck less about it all, really. Astoria was happy, or, well as happy as she could be I guess, and I was actually happy for her.
I was freaking out about Hermione. How the fuck had I allowed myself to catch feelings for her? Such a bad idea. We lived together for fuck's sake! We were roommates; friends! I didn't want to fuck that up. Hermione was awesome to hang with. She drank beer and liked our stupid video games. She cooked up breakfast every Sunday, and always made extra helpings of dinner when one of us were working late. Hermione was sweet, and thoughtful, and caring...and…
Perfect.
Yeah, that.
And it fucking terrified me.
…
Where is it? I know it's here somewhere.
"So let me get this straight," Blaise drawled while eyeing me warily. "Astoria came by and dropped off an invitation to her wedding?"
"Yep," I nodded before taking another long swig of whiskey, continuing to scroll through my iPod.
"And you said you'd go?" He questioned with a cocked brow.
Where the fuck is it?
"And you're okay?" Blaise concluded in a tone that conveyed his disbelief as he swung his hand through the air from my head to my feet as if asking, 'really?'
"I am okay," I stressed. Ah! There it is! "Well, I'm okay about the whole Astoria mess…" but he had disappeared.
Oh, well.
Bryan Adams is a boss.
…
This was a bad idea.
Scratch that, a really fucking bad idea.
But Hermione looked so cute pleading with me, begging me to agree.
Who was I to tell her she had it all wrong? That I wasn't upset over Astoria's wedding, but my feelings for her?
What? Don't judge me.
So I agreed. And we spent Friday becoming the 'perfect couple' as Hermione called it. I didn't tell her I thought she was utterly perfect the way she was. But it did give me a chance to cuddle with her on the couch while watching sappy, stupid romantic movies.
Only...they weren't so stupid with Hermione by my side.
What? I'm not a pussy.
I'm not a pussy.
…
I wasn't all that nervous the morning of the wedding. Hermione explained before that we wouldn't be attending the actual wedding, which I guess made sense. She thought I was all torn up about Astoria pledging her life and undying affection to some other dude and wanted to protect me from witnessing it. It was actually kind of sweet.
It was most likely a good thing. I mean, I don't have a vagina or anything, but it might be kind of hard to watch two people making the ultimate promise of love with Hermione by my side and not be affected.
Whoa, now.
It's not like I wanted to marry the girl. Not yet, anyway.
Not yet?
Christ on a cracker, the fuck is wrong with me?
Ugh. Maybe I am a pussy.
I dug my best suit out of the closet, knowing full well that I needed to look the part today. Hermione was going out of her way to put Astoria in her place, and honestly, I had no problem with that.
Had Hermione not been here, there was a good chance that Astoria's little stunt would have crushed me. Or at the very least, my ego. I couldn't remember what made me fall for that girl. I had to believe she hadn't always been so conniving.
After putting on the trousers and dress shirt, a loud knock preceded Ginny's entrance. I blinked in surprise at her as she held up a dark green silk tie in response; her words, however, took me by surprise.
"You better not fucking hurt her," she spoke forcefully, levelling me with an ice cold glare from her sky blue eyes.
"Wha-What the hell are you talking about?" I stuttered. Yeah, I fucking stuttered. Way to play it cool, Malfoy.
"Don't give me any of that shit, Draco. I've seen how you look at her and I know her. The way she talks about you?" Ginny's cheeks puffed out as she expelled a long breath and she shook her head. "She's been through enough in the last month and if you hurt her? I will break into this apartment ninja style and cut off your balls while you sleep, you feel me?" At my gulp and fearful nod, she smirked. "Good. You two have fun tonight!"
I think I stared after her for a solid minute with wide, terrified eyes before I turned to finish getting dressed.
Have I already mentioned what a bad idea this all was? Yeah? Well, it just got a whole hell of a lot worse.
…
Hermione was fucking stunning. There's really no other way to say it. She's beautiful in sweats, a sloppy bun, and her little librarian-esque glasses but in that dress, with those heels and that hair?
Jesus.
I would have no problem acting like I was totally enamored with her. I truly was.
When we made our way into the reception, I kept Hermione firmly by my side. Men were already looking her up and down like she was something to devour and it kind of made my blood boil. I mean, hello? Do you not see her on my arm? Back the fuck up, dude. Jeesh. Thirsty much?
Astoria noticed our arrival, of course. What caught me off guard was the way she looked Hermione up and down. I caught the subtle tightening of her features and the angry grimace she cast in my direction with an arched brow. I paused, not exactly sure what the fuck that was about. I mean, c'mon, didn't she just marry some guy? Why should my bringing a date to her wedding cause any strife?
"Don't pay her any attention, Draco," Hermione whispered in my ear, sending pleasurable shivers down my spine. "She's just jealous."
I nodded and her smile lit up the whole room. No lie. It was all sweet and pretty and shit. So I followed her sort of dumbly towards a table, in my Hermione-smile stupor. Blaise wasted no time, saying he was going to find some sad bridesmaid tail, at which Hermione shook her head with a soft, obviously disgusted groan. She looked a little sad as she watched him make his way through the crowd.
"What's that look about, princess?" I murmured into her ear. What? I was keeping up appearances.
Yeah, keep telling yourself that, arsehole.
Shut up.
"I just hate that he thinks he needs to act like that. All big and bad arse and douche-bag like. He's not like that at all," she turned her sad, brown eyes on me and it kind of made my chest hurt a little.
"Yeah," I muttered while running a hand through my hair. "Who knows? Maybe his bridesmaid will be the one to change his mind." I had no doubts this wouldn't be the case. Blaise was completely against the idea of love and romantic involvement thanks to Pansy and her shit, but I couldn't stand that sad look on Hermione's face.
"Maybe," she murmured with a small smile. Hermione didn't believe it either, but I guess it was the thought that counted.
We took our seats and Theo sort of hovered around us, showcasing his wariness. He had always been uncomfortable with large social settings, stating that they put him on edge. It wouldn't surprise me if he didn't flip out on at least one or two guests by the end of the evening. Theo's a crazy bastard.
Astoria's watchful eyes had me on edge. It seemed like she always had one eye on Hermione and myself, while she made her rounds with the guests. I couldn't discern the meaning behind her looks. Sometimes her gaze looked thoughtful and sometimes it looked outright hostile. Hermione seemed oblivious to it all and I preferred it that way. I didn't want her to get caught up in one of Astoria's little games, she was too good for that shit.
And again, didn't Astoria just pledge her undying devotion to another man? I was seriously starting to feel for the fucker.
I guess I didn't hide my distress as well as I thought because Hermione said I needed to relax. It wasn't all that hard to do once she cupped my cheek with her soft palms and stared into my eyes. I couldn't be sure, but I thought I saw a real tenderness in her gaze as she stroked my face. I didn't want to let her out of my sight but figured that would look a little douchey, so I acquiesced when she offered to get us some drinks.
I don't think she made it three feet from me before Astoria pounced.
Seriously, what the hell had I ever seen in her?
"Draco," Astoria cooed. Yes, cooed. It was fucking creepy. "I didn't know you'd be bringing a date." She pushed her bottom lip out in an overly exaggerated pout. I didn't know why, I mean, yeah, I had been single for over a year. But she just got married. Who the fuck cared if I had a date?
"Yeah, well, you know," I offered with a shrug.
"She seems...nice," Astoria pushed. I didn't like the way she said it, her tone bordering on disgusted. Hermione was nice. A hell of a lot nicer than Astoria, that's for sure.
"She really is," I said softly, not making eye contact. I hated the way she looked at me, almost as if I had done something wrong.
"Why didn't you tell me about her the other day? Were you keeping her a secret or something?" I just looked at her, kind of stupefied. "Who is she, Draco? I thought we were closer than that and if you had someone special in your life...well, I thought you'd tell me." The puppy dog expression that Astoria sent my way had no effect on me, but her words did strike a guilty chord within me. I did think Hermione was special, but I hadn't told her that yet. In fact, I hadn't told her anything. Instead, I led her to believe I still had feelings for my ex and paraded her about said ex's wedding like an arm decoration.
"Hermione. Her name is Hermione," I mumbled my response while looking down at my hands. I didn't feel good all of a sudden and I really wished Astoria would go the fuck away.
"That's a pretty name," Astoria muttered, her tone bordering on angry. She changed tune quickly, murmuring to me in a sad voice, "And is she? Someone special I mean?" I looked up at her, a little shocked by her blatant attempt at guilt. Who the fuck was she trying to fool? Astoria could care less about me, I knew that much. Her only interest in this situation was whether or not another woman had taken hold of my heart and therefore nullified her power over me.
But her question struck that chord in me again. Yes, Hermione was someone special. And not just in that, 'Whoa, this chick is crazy!' way. Hermione was real and honest. She cared about people. She cared about me. So, I sat there opening and closing my mouth like a fish out of water. I didn't want to talk to Astoria about this. She certainly didn't deserve to be the first to know, that was for sure.
Hermione did. I just had to figure out how to be man enough to tell her.
Of course, she chose that moment to appear as well. I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing as she blatantly hip-checked Astoria while making her way back to me. If looks could kill, Hermione would have been six feet under from Astoria's icy glare, but she paid her no mind. Her attention was focused solely on me and some small part of me relished in it. I couldn't keep my eyes from following the swing of her hips and the smile she gave me in return was downright sinful.
I may have had to shift in my seat a little to hide my body's reaction to her.
But the kiss she placed on my lips, once she made it to my side, did me in. I was a goner. I had died and gone to Hermione's Lips Heaven. They were so fucking soft, and slightly sweet and oh so amazing. I wanted nothing more than to keep her right there, attached to my lips, until the end of time.
Sadly, Hermione was unaware of these plans and pulled away. I pouted a little on the inside.
"Sorry I was gone so long, love," Hermione cooed and it was positively enchanting when she did it, unlike Astoria's creepy tone. "The line was terrible. Did you miss me?" Her luminous brown eyes sparkled with playfulness and the coy smile that played upon her lips had me entranced.
"I really did," I mumbled, still in a daze. I knew I probably resembled a pussy-whipped motherfucker, but I didn't care. She was just so…
Perfect.
Yeah, that just about sums it up.
"Oh, you must be Astoria. You look beautiful," Hermione commented sweetly. Her expression mirrored her tone, there was no hidden malice or hidden agenda on her part. She was being genuine. Hermione didn't play the mean girl game that Astoria was so well-versed in.
"Oh, um...thanks," Astoria's confusion was almost comical. "You must be Hermione, Draco and I were just talking about you," she recovered quickly, insinuating that we may not have been saying the nicest things.
Hermione's eyes tightened just a fraction, I'm not sure anyone besides myself would have noticed, but she held firm to her amiable expression. She took her seat next to me, immediately curling into my side when I placed my arm around her shoulders.
"Oh dear, was he bragging on me again?" Hermione shook her head at me playfully before continuing. "I swear I can't take this one anywhere," she hooked her thumb in my direction, turning her teasing gaze on Astoria and even the frigid bitch cracked a miniscule smile at that, before schooling her features.
"Yeah, he tends to get a little overly enthusiastic at the beginning of relationships," Astoria changed her approach. I guess she thought that since she wasn't making much headway with insinuating that Hermione was lacking, she should attack me instead.
It hurt a little. My pride felt the jab. Not cool.
Hermione's response was immediate. I watched as her features hardened and her eyes narrowed into slits and I'm not going to lie, it was pretty fucking scary. Hermione looked murderous.
"I appreciate his enthusiasm, Astoria," Hermione spat her name like a curse. "In fact, I'm equally as enthusiastic about my relationship with him," she curled her fingers around my side protectively and possibly just a touch possessively. "Draco is amazing and I feel sorry for the girls that allowed him to get away. They obviously had some sort of mental deficiency, but I can't say I'm not happy about their oversight." Hermione turned back to me and smiled while tenderly running her thumb along my lower lip. "How could I be, when I get him in return?" Her question was aimed at the woman standing a few feet from us, but I'm pretty sure she could give a fuck less about her response. I know I didn't. I was happily lost in Hermione's eyes.
"Dance with me?" I murmured before placing a soft kiss against the pad of her thumb.
Hermione smiled before taking a long pull from her glass of champagne.
"I thought you'd never ask."
…
One dance turned into two, and two turned into ten. I really couldn't help myself, touching Hermione - holding Hermione - was addictive. I craved more, much like an addict looking for his next fix. Granted, the copious amount of alcohol being pushed at us by Theo and the wait staff probably didn't help matters any. My mother always told me not to lie, so I won't. I indulged myself a little and by the looks of it, so did Hermione. But I felt like celebrating. Hermione had successfully put Astoria in her place, and pretty much stolen my heart in the process. It felt good. It felt right.
And I was happy.
So why the hell shouldn't indulge a little? And why not celebrate Hermione's victory? At least, that's what I told myself. Not too mention, the more we drank, the more she seemed to get closer, hold on to me tighter, and God, the way she would smile. I was smitten. Deeply smitten.
During yet another slow, romantic tune, I couldn't help but place a soft, open-mouthed kiss to her bare shoulder. Hermione sighed and it sounded happy if not a little wistful.
"I didn't know you were such a talented actress, princess," I murmured while nuzzling her neck. She smelled so good.
Hermione giggled as I pulled away and blushed a pretty shade of pink. She fucking blushed, I'm not kidding. I didn't even know girls could do that anymore.
"Well, it's easy because.." but then she sort of gasped before biting her plump bottom lip and turned her head away. I wasn't having any of that shit. I wanted to know why it was so easy for her to fake it with me. Had I been too obvious with my feelings for her? Had she already figured me out?
I mean, I planned on telling her, but on my own, and not with Astoria's clusterfuck of a wedding and all her shit hanging over us.
So I cupped her cheeks and pulled her face back to my own.
"Because why?" I whispered while searching her eyes. If possible, she blushed a darker shade of pink and smiled bashfully.
"Because I'm not acting," Hermione returned just as quietly. "You're kind of, well, you're sort of amazing, Draco."
And I kissed her, because how the hell could I not?
Just like with the dancing, one kiss led to two and two led to who the fuck knew how many. But it wasn't like I minded. If I thought to hold Hermione was addictive, I didn't know what to call kissing her. I tried to stop myself a couple times, I mean, we were at my ex's wedding reception and it might seem a little rude to basically maul one another on the dance floor. But her lips were so soft and they sort of glistened from our kisses and the lighting and I just couldn't stay away.
So, I didn't.
I don't know how long we spent dancing-slash-making-out-like-teenagers, but I wouldn't have traded a minute of it for anything. I learned that Hermione would giggle if I flexed my fingers against her sides and she would sigh softly if I kissed the hollow beneath her ear. She liked being spun, but if I dipped her she would stare into my eyes with the most enchanting expression like she was as lost in the moment as I was. She would gasp when I would pull her back into my chest and then melt into me.
It was more than a little amazing.
But when she kissed my neck and whispered something along the lines of "Take me home, Draco." I was lost.
I didn't think, I simply responded. I pulled her out of the reception as quickly as I could, laughing along with her at my enthusiasm. I paid no mind to the cab driver as we shared deep kisses and gentle caresses. I couldn't get close enough in the elevator, and I felt worried - for just a moment - when I picked her up and Hermione wrapped her legs around my waist and her head bounced off the wall. Hard.
"Shit. Are you okay?" I mumbled against her lips.
"Fine. I'm fine. Don't stop," she panted breathlessly into my mouth.
So, I didn't.
We fumbled our way through the dark apartment before falling in a tangled heap on my bed. I chuckled along with her as she pulled me back to her mouth by my tie. I placed wet, heated kisses against the silky column of her neck while she rid me of my jacket and shirt. I groaned, probably way too loudly, when she ran her nails down the bare skin of my back.
Hermione whimpered when I pulled back until I brought her with me to unzip her dress. She helped me take it off and then shifted self-consciously while I stared at her lingerie-clad body.
"Ginny," she whispered and ran a hand along the length of her gorgeous body, showcasing the nearly indecent, lacy unmentionables she wore.
"Remind me to thank her later," I said seriously before sucking a lace-covered nipple into my mouth.
We were both gone then, lost in a haze of desire. Her back arched, pushing more of her breast into my salivating mouth while pawing at my trousers and I lifted my hips to grant her better access. I couldn't help but groan against her breast when she wrapped her legs around my hips and pushed off the offensive garment with her feet. It allowed me to fall flush against her, in the cradle of her hips, my straining bulge against her wet heat. I rocked against her mindlessly, my cock taking charge of the situation and relishing in the little breathy moans escaping her kiss-swollen lips.
No longer happy with the fabric that separated her glorious breasts from my overheated skin, I pulled Hermione up against my naked chest, my arm bracing her while the other slid around and undid the closure of her strapless bra. I couldn't resist placing several wet kisses along the open expanse along her collarbones. Hermione's sharp gasps and gentle undulations against my cock drove me more than a little insane. I wanted her. God, how I wanted her.
But I wasn't just some douche out to get his dick wet and Hermione wasn't just some random hook-up. So with much protesting from my aching groin, I pulled away.
"Hermione, baby," I gave in for a moment and kissed her swollen lips. "We don't have to do this. We can stop." Jesus, it pained me to say the words, but I meant it. I didn't want just one night with Hermione, I wanted more.
"Don't stop. Fuck, don't you dare stop," she pulled me down by my shoulders before running her hands along my sides and down to my arse, squeezing gently. "I want this. I want you."
With that, she rolled us over before smiling down at me. I watched her every movement, unable and unwilling to look away. I was certain she had bewitched me somehow. Hermione sat back on her heels and tugged my shorts down my legs. I'm pretty sure I nearly lost my shit when she bent and placed a soft kiss to the swollen head of my cock. I know I saw stars when she ran her tongue along the underside of my shaft and I may have considered taking her to Vegas and declaring my undying devotion when she took me fully in her mouth.
I was completely lost in the sensation as Hermione lavished my dick with her tongue, lips and teeth. I fisted my sheets in my hands when the urge to bury my hands in her wild mane of curls became too strong. I didn't want her to think I was some sort of animal. Still, I had a hard time not thrusting into her mouth and I was rapidly careening towards coming. I must have whimpered or done something to alert her to my distress because she released me with a pop and raised up on her knees.
My hands seemed to have a mind of their own as she shimmied herself out of her scrap of lace masquerading as underwear. I ran them over her stomach, I cupped her breasts and rolled her nipples between my forefinger and thumb before trailing them up and over her shoulders and into her hair, pulling her mouth back to my own. My breath caught at the first touch of her wet flesh against my cock. I had seen the pink disc in the bathroom but had to make sure.
"Are you sure?" I whispered against her lips and she lowered herself onto me as an answer.
Enough fucking said. Or not said, in this case.
My hands found purchase on her hips after she straightened and threw her head back. I helped to guide her over me all the while relishing her sounds of pleasure.
"Draco, Draco, Draco…" I don't give a fuck who you are, there is nothing sexier than your name falling from a woman's lips like a breathy little prayer. It felt like she was too far away from me, so I sat up, wrapping my arms around her waist as she continued rocking her hips against me.
"Jesus, Hermione," I groaned into the damp flesh between her shoulder and neck. I was incapable of any further speaking and settled for moaning with each roll of her hips.
"Oh, God. Oh, God...Draco" she whimpered as I brought my thumb to rub quick circles on her clit.
"I can't, Hermione. I'm too close. Too close," I whispered before biting down on her shoulder. I meant it to be a gentle nip but may have been rougher than intended because Hermione cried out sharply. I could feel her orgasm start, her pussy clenching around my cock as her rhythm faltered.
I took over, moving her over my shaft as I thrust up into her forcefully. Hermione grabbed my face pulling me into a deep kiss, sliding her tongue against mine sinfully as she rode out her orgasm. I swallowed her whimpers and moans while my own orgasm battled it's way up against my will. With one deep and final thrust, I came, calling Hermione's name as I shook from the force of it.
I held Hermione against my chest for several moments, trying to catch my breath and unwilling to let her go. She pressed a kiss to my shoulder before resting her head on it and sighing.
"Sleepy, baby?" I whispered while laying back and bringing Hermione with me. Her brown eyes blinked up at me owlishly as a slow smile spread across her lips. "I'll take that as a yes," I chuckled, rolling us onto our sides. We both made unhappy noises as I slipped from her but I placed a kiss on her forehead, telling her I'd be right back.
I couldn't imagine sleeping with spunk between my legs and wanted to get her something to clean up with. I raced into the bathroom and grabbed a hand towel before making my way back to Hermione. She was already half asleep, her curls fanned across my pillow like a crazy halo. I couldn't help but smile at the soft snore that escaped her lips and crawled back into bed, taking care of cleaning her up before pulling her into my arms and falling asleep myself.
I slept peacefully. No, seriously, I slept like the motherfucking dead, wrapped around Hermione's warm body. So imagine my surprise when my next coherent moment included hearing Hermione gasp, "Holy shitfuck, I slept with Draco last night."
That couldn't be a good sign.
I cracked my eyes open just as Hermione sat up straight and looked over her shoulder at me.
"Hermione?" I questioned warily. "Are you okay?"
She swallowed while her eyes bounced nervously around my room, much like suddenly caged animals would. I placed my hand against the bare skin of her back trying to calm her, but she startled before jumping out of the bed, taking my sheet and wrapping it around herself.
"Oh, hey, no. Yeah, I'm fine. You had a really rough time last night and things got carried away and...yeah, I'll shut up now. But it's cool. We're cool. No worries," Hermione kept her eyes averted while gathering her things from my bedroom floor. My head was spinning and I couldn't find the words I needed.
No, really, I just laid there gaping like a fish as Hermione ran around my room grabbing her haphazardly discarded clothing. She made her way to the door before she paused and looked back at me.
"I'm sorry, Draco," she whispered with a sheepish look and bright blush staining her cheeks. "I shouldn't have taken advantage...uh, shit. Sorry."
And with that, she ran from the room and I was left staring after her. It was only then that I realized that I had never told her the truth of what I felt and now she felt like she'd seduced me while I was in a fragile state. I dropped my head back against my pillow and groaned.
Fuck my life.
Yeah, I couldn't have said it better myself.
Footnote: Meep! That is all. xx - otterly