I'm mostly peace, love, and light. And a little go fuck yourself. - Pansy Parkinson
Five days. It took Draco Lucius Malfoy five days to contemplate the idea he might have spoken harshly. Five days of silences. Five days of returned owls. Five days coming to terms with the fact, he had been wrong. It was difficult to fathom such a thing, but when faced with the reality of a dire situation, it was the only conclusion.
Draco glared at the empty space across from his desk and wondered how she managed to file their reports when he hadn't even caught a glimpse of her within the Ministry. The ink dripped from his quill and marred the parchment, but he didn't care. He didn't care about much of anything as far as his work was concerned and it showed.
"Malfoy, you can't keep this up." Harry Potter sighed heavily as he leaned against the doorjamb.
He couldn't pretend he was mates with Malfoy, or even particularly fond of him, but someone needed to do something. Harry didn't really want to be the one to confront the surly former Death Eater, but Ron had absolutely refused. Ron was of a mind that Malfoy was the sort that if he wished for help, he'd ask for it, but Harry vehemently disagreed.
"Shut up, Potter," Draco growled and accidentally knocked the inkpot off his dark wood desk. "Why are you here? What do you want?"
Harry flicked his wand and watched as the ink steadily streamed back into the inkpot. He crossed the office slowly and perched on the edge of Malfoy's desk. He studied the purple smudges beneath the paler wizard's eyes. He noted the hard-set of the man's jaw.
"You really should apologise." Harry crossed his arms and waited for the angry outburst.
"I have, Potter! I've sent owls, and she's returned them! What the fuck else am I supposed to do? She hasn't even been to work for fuck's sake." Draco slammed his fist on the desk and angrily shoved the neat pile of files to the floor.
"Come out with us." Harry struggled with the invitation, but Draco didn't seem to notice in his ire.
"Why would I go anywhere with you?" Draco sneered and Harry was haunted by the childish veneer of the wizard before him. The difference now, however, was the fact Harry knew Draco's abhorrent attitude was simply a defence mechanism.
"Ron and I are going to the pub after our shift ends. It might be beneficial for you, Malfoy. Who knows Hermione Granger better than the two blokes that have been by her side since we were all eleven?" Harry gently removed the quill being gripped tightly between Draco's fingers and set it on the desk. "You can't just sit here wallowing in your own misery. I'm not going to pretend we're best mates or anything, but I'm making a bloody effort here. I'm well aware of the fact you're mates with Ron and it would make Hermione's life easier if we just attempted to get along."
Draco groaned loudly and buried his head in his arms. The last thing he wished to do was spend the remainder of his evening with two Gryffindors, especially where Harry Potter was concerned, but the man had a point. He simply wanted Hermione Granger to entertain the possibility of speaking with him and he couldn't think beyond a simple owl.
"Alright."
The words were spoken so quietly, Harry had to lean forward to hear them, but they were there. He decided it was unnecessary to inform Draco Malfoy that Ron was extending the very same invitation to Hermione Granger. He knew from personal experience, she was downright unbearable when faced with the idea of a surprise and an unwelcome one would be much worse. It would be easy enough to blame Ron for such things.
"I don't want to!"
Harry cringed and squeezed his eyes shut. It seemed Ron had a completely different idea and he didn't see it ending well. He adjusted his Auror trench and glanced at Draco, surprised to see the wizard holding his breath.
"Yeah, I don't care anymore, Hermione. I can't be forced to work under these conditions. Did you know you filed a report with an error?" Ron Weasley held Hermione's elbow in a firm grasp as he led her toward her new office.
"I did not!"
Harry noted the way Draco nearly smiled at the sound of Hermione's indignation. Of course, the twitch was immediately concealed by a deep frown. Draco kept his eyes on the door handle as the voices in the corridor grew louder. He barely noticed when Harry moved toward the door.
"Apparently that's my cue. I'll see you at the Leaky later if you survive," Harry offered a half shrug as the door swung open and Draco swallowed hard. "Expelliarmus." Harry smiled brightly when Hermione's wand flew to his hand.
"Harry, you-you disarmed me. What the hell is going on here?" Hermione was unceremoniously pushed into her new office and she hadn't spied Draco quite yet.
"It was bound to happen eventually, Hermione." Harry wiggled his dark eyebrows as he stuffed her wand into his interior pocket.
"Robards, Williams, and Shacklebolt have agreed this is the best course of action for the sake of the D.M.L.E. Malfoy, you're up." Ron Weasley poked his head into the office and Harry Potter slipped through the narrow space with a guilty wave.
The door was quickly closed and it was obviously being warded from the exterior. Hermione angrily crossed her arms and very nearly stamped her foot. Draco's first instinct was to search his pockets for his wand, but Harry had nicked it while Draco was distracted.
"Rude," Hermione grumbled.
She was more than aware of the fact Draco Malfoy had rounded his desk, yet she continued to ignore him. She turned on the heel of her black boots and stalked toward her empty desk. She noted the bookshelves lining the back wall and frowned. They hadn't been present the last time she had stepped into the office.
Hermione disliked the idea that Draco Malfoy had done something kind for her after his childish outburst while at his parent's home. She released a jagged breath when she discovered her favourite research tomes were neatly lined on the shelves, in alphabetical order, just the way she preferred. The dozen empty shelves were quite an incentive to move into this office, except for the fact she'd be forced to share it with Draco.
"Was this your doing?" Hermione finally turned to glower at him, with her hands firmly pressed against her hips, but her tirade died in her throat. "You look awful ."
"I didn't know they had a plan. Potter stopped by to invite me to the pub after hours. I probably should have been suspicious." Draco leaned against the smooth wood, his grey eyes roving over her familiar form. "Did you, did you read any of my owls?"
Hermione copied his stance against her own desk and tapped her bottom lip with her forefinger. She had been successful in avoiding Draco thus far, but it had always been a temporary fix. However, Hermione hadn't planned for her best mate's subterfuge.
"Obviously the Howler." Hermione's toffee eyes inspected the scuff on her black boots rather than study the curious grey eyes lingering on her. "I-I wasn't aware a Howler could be sent without actually shouting."
Draco closed his eyes and released the breath he'd been holding. The Howler hadn't been his idea. It had been Theo Nott in all honesty. The man had burst through Draco's Floo and spent an hour ranting and raving about their idiocy. He'd also helped himself to Draco's Imported Firewhiskey, but the idea had been brilliant and Draco was quick to forgive his mate. He only hoped Hermione wasn't the sort of witch to hold onto a grudge for all eternity.
"Theo said it couldn't hurt to try."
"Did you, did you mean it?"
Draco pushed off the desk and pursed his lips. For the first time in his life, he was thankful he didn't have his wand. He was even more thankful Hermione hadn't hers either. He chanced her wrath and walked toward her slowly, but she didn't stiffen upon his approach.
"I wouldn't say I was sorry if I wasn't." He kept a small modicum of space between them, though his fingers itched to touch her.
"Your mother is displeased with me," Hermione's gaze dropped to the pearl buttons on Draco's button down. "Apparently, she doesn't appreciate the fact I've begged off her invitations to tea."
"Granger, I don't give a shit about my mother. Potter and Weasley didn't lock us in here to discuss my bloody mother. She'll get over it and if she doesn't I'm sure I'll hear about it. Would you just fucking talk to me?" Draco's trembling hands grasped her hips and his fingers curled into the drab brown skirt.
"I can't think when you're touching me," Hermione's hands covered his and yet she didn't force his fingers from her person.
"Good, now you know how I feel every moment we work together," Draco's warm breath on her cheek caused a shiver and it pleased him to know he affected her.
"You're being ridiculous, Malfoy. We've worked together for years and you've been awful." Hermione's cool fingers unconsciously stroked the warm flesh of his wrists and her heart raced toward a furious beat.
"M-my tutors…I should have told you…" Draco lowered his head and stopped his attempts to pull her against him.
"Tell me now then." Hermione's thumb grazed the faded Dark Mark on Draco's forearm and she paused. It intrigued her, it always had, and the fact the skin wasn't quite as warm, quite as smooth, only added to her interest.
Draco inhaled deeply and risked her ire. Ever so gently, he turned Hermione toward her desk and yanked her against his chest. He resisted the urge to crinkle her skirt in his hands and sink his teeth into the smooth skin of her shoulder.
"It's easier to speak to you if I can't see your eyes." Draco bent his head and his tongue flicked forward to taste her earlobe.
Hermione was determined to remain strong. She had managed to keep her composure while in close proximity to Draco, but her resolve was waning. It was infinitely easier to keep a clear head when she avoided him, but of course, Harry and Ron had to interfere. She expected nothing less really, but she truly believed she'd have a bit more time.
"You're not saying anything." Hermione refused to shift against him, yet it wasn't without difficulty.
"If you had gone to tea with my mother, she would have informed you. I think that was her plan all along. She suspected , you see." Draco practically curled around her, yet kept his fingers high on her hips. "The converging of the Black and Malfoy lines have, well, I can't say awakened, because it's less than that but definitely more than my parents."
"Malfoy—"
"Hidden deep within the family recesses are Veela. I'm not going to waste your time by filling in the silence with information you've studied since you were eleven. Veela themselves are far, far removed from my parents, but shockingly in both their ancestries, which brings us to me. I've been educated by Special Tutors since I was seven. I knew about my unique heritage, but I didn't know what it meant, until you." Draco paused, and in a moment of weakness, brushed his cheek against her tightly coiffed dark hair.
"Fleur Weasley is part Veela. She is ferociously protective of Bill. It's terrifying really. I was offered a position alongside Bill as an Apprentice Curse Breaker and I turned it down." Hermione's thoughts were flitting about, as they often did, and Draco was amused.
He was incredibly fond of the way her mind worked. It was unique and that uniqueness attracted him more than he was willing to admit. Their close proximity after days apart was a heady sensation and Draco knew if he wasn't careful, he would lose his head. He didn't want to scare her. Hell, he didn't want to scare himself either. It was uncharted territories, something they would have to wade through together, but only if she was willing.
"Yes, it's quite like that really. I imagine if they had met when she was younger, she probably would have been just as cruel to Bill as I was to you. I don't know why don't ask me to explain it because I can't. I hated you and wanted to protect you all at once. It was terribly confusing as a child, but hasn't changed much as an adult."
Hermione nodded and her quick wit caused her to discern the truth in his words. She closed her eyes and ignored his fingertips inching toward the hem of her blouse. She recalled the smattering of warnings laced with facetious sneers throughout her years at Hogwarts. Warnings that had saved not only her life but also the lives of others.
"You're not going to sprout wings are you?" Hermione teased him and managed to relax when he chuckled against her cheek.
"No. There shan't be any wings or mating rituals. Alright, I'm honestly not sure about the mating rituals, but I'm fairly certain the wings will remain a non-issue. I can say I'll have a tendency to be quite jealous and possessive. I'm not going to crawl away and die if you reject me, but it'll hurt like hell. It's a bit too late for that anyway, kitten. You're wearing my ring. I admit I was a bit of an arse—" Draco shrugged, yet Hermione was quick to interject.
"A bit? A bit? Is that the best you've got? You were obnoxious and hurtful without cause, Malfoy."
"I know, kitten. I said I was sorry." Draco kissed her cheek and sighed when his palms finally touched the smooth planes of her abdomen.
Hermione turned and Draco lamented the loss of contact. She smoothed his wrinkled dress shirt in order to calm her nerves more than anything. His forefinger tapped beneath her chin until finally brown met grey.
"What do we do now?" Hermione's tongue flicked across her bottom lip, just before she began to gnaw the corner.
"We allow my mother to plan a society wedding on short notice. We shag like bunnies. We continue to do our jobs and go from there. I don't know. I don't have all the answers. We can figure out the details later, after we've met the requirements of the Contract." Draco leant forward to kiss her and Hermione moved her head to avoid his lips.
"I need to speak to a Healer about some sort of Contraceptive Potion. I am not remotely ready to be a parent and neither are you." Hermione had that authoritarian tone of her voice and ordinarily, Draco wouldn't argue with her, but these circumstances were quite different.
His forefinger stroked down the smooth plane of her nose and tapped the end. Hermione bristled, as was her nature, yet that damned teasing smile caused her to deflate. She really hated the way he affected her. It wasn't fair. This was not what she had planned and now everything was upended because of some rare Veela gene.
"Oh kitten, your naïveté is almost as adorable as your temper. We've got two years to produce an heir, not a child mind you, an heir. I'm sure if there's a way around it, you'll find it, but Potions, Charms, and whatever else you can think of violates the Contract. Can we stop talking now? I'd rather like to shag you on your desk." Draco's lascivious intentions were blatantly obvious by the prominent tent of his trousers and the darkening of his eyes.
"I am not your little sex toy!" Hermione shrieked.
"Sex toy?" Draco mused. "Wait, Muggles have toys directly correlated to sex? I'm going to require visual aids and demonstrations."
Hermione groaned in frustration. He was an absolutely infuriating man. He was also sexy as hell and he knew it, which sort of ruined everything. She wasn't the type of girl that was attracted to arrogance. At least, she never had been before Draco Malfoy insinuated himself into her life.
However, the inherent attraction wasn't enough. It would never be enough, not for a woman like Hermione. Despite her bookish exterior, she wanted everything every woman wanted. She wanted to be loved in a way that made her ache with the intensity of it.
It was frivolous in the grand scheme of things, she knew that. It was completely inaccurate for the current state of affairs. She knew that as well. It didn't change what she wanted, though she'd never voice it. It was a secret; a well-kept secret that she would bind in a pretty little box and store it away in the darkened corner of her soul.
"Malfoy," Hermione sighed sadly. "Sex isn't the end all fix all."
"It could be, if you let it," Draco crooned, his fingers busily shoving her buttons through their respective holes.
Hermione had always considered herself a strong witch, a strong woman. She also had a tendency to overextend herself. She'd also allowed her friends to take advantage of her, but this was something different. There had to be rules in place. It had to be more than just hot shags, especially if there was absolutely no chance of escape.
"You bit me again, why did you do that?" Hermione valiantly attempted to remain focused even as her cream blouse was dragged down her pebbled arms.
"It had been too long," Draco whispered. "Even now, it's not as stark white as it should be. When you love me, it'll remain lighter longer, but until then—"
"When I love you ?" Hermione pushed against his hard chest angrily. "What about me, Malfoy? What do I get out of all this?"
"Kitten," Draco crooned, "don't be like that. I'm not going to wax poetic. If that's what you're expecting, you're going to be sorely disappointed."
"I need something. You've got to give me something. I can't just throw my hands up and say alright, guess I'm Malfoy's little sex slave now. You can't expect me to be happy with that! What about your mother? She's going to expect me to give up my career and pretend to be the perfect little Pureblood wife and I can't do that. I can't. It'll kill me."
Draco clenched his jaw and counted to ten in half a dozen languages before he addressed her concerns. The last thing he wanted to do was discuss their impending domesticity. He wanted to peel her hideously ugly skirt from her delectable hips and bury himself in her until he could no longer feel his extremities. He knew it was only a matter of time before he actually had to address such things with her beyond sex, but he really wished he'd had more time.
Despite copious uncomfortable conversations with his mother, he was still ill at ease with voicing his feelings. It simply wasn't done! It didn't matter that his mother encouraged such things, his father had tamped down Draco's emotionalism when he was nothing more than a boy. He took a moment and reflected upon a recent conversation he'd had with his incorrigible mother.
"Draco, do you believe me to be a fool?" Narcissa softly chided her only child.
"No, of course not. I don't understand what that would have to do with Granger, but definitely not."
"You've been obsessed with Hermione Granger since the first moment you laid eyes on her. Don't shake your head. I didn't say you liked her. In fact, quite the opposite wasn't it? You were abysmally cruel to her and yet somehow you've managed to forge a friendship with her.
'It's been much more than that for years and I haven't said a word. I assumed you would adamantly resist your father's plans for you, but you didn't. You were going to blindly follow as you've always done and dammit, Draco. I could not sit idly by and allow it to happen again.
'I interceded on your behalf, with a little help from unlikely sources. I'm not the least bit sorry, Draco. Tell her how you feel." Narcissa's blue eyes twinkled with knowledge and he hated it. He hated that his mother knew something about him that he didn't.
"I-you don't understand. I can't do it. My mouth gets dry and the words are just stuck in my throat. It's absolutely horrid. I mean, I don't like her. She drives me batty. I want to throttle her and also shag her at the same time. Every time she opens those pouty little lips, I want to bite them. Every time she walks past me in those sinfully tight skirts, I want to rip them to shreds. I want to badger her with unanswerable questions just so she'll bite her lip. I want to steal her shitty little Muggle drinks just to hear her laugh when she spies the disdain on my face. I don't know what it is. I don't know what it's called. I definitely don't know how to make it stop. Fuck, I don't even know when it started. What the fuck is it, Mother?"
"There are some questions even your mother cannot answer, Draco." Narcissa pursed her lips with a playful little smile and vacated the Conservatory without a backward glance.
"Thanks for nothing then!"
Hermione waited, impatiently, as was her way and finally rested her head against his chest. She was inexplicably soothed by the fact his arms always came around her tightly. It had always been that way between them and finally, finally, she understood the strange looks they'd garnered over the years.
"I'd never ask you to give up your illustrious Ministry career, Granger." Draco awkwardly patted her back and rubbed his cheek across the top of her head. "Why don't we start small and choose a dwelling. We'll work out the particulars and you're sorely mistaken if you honestly believe you'd be nothing more than a sex object."
It was much harder to put thoughts into words then he thought it would be. It had always been easy with Granger, but they'd never discussed anything of an intimate nature. Everything had changed in the blink of an eye and it would take time to adjust.
"I hate that all the answers aren't hidden away in some book," Hermione groaned and tightened her arms around his lithe waist. "I don't even know what you want," she lamented.
"I want to, oh yes, there it is," Draco smirked as he worked the clasp of her bra, "to release your breasts from their confines and give them the attention they're due. I want to inch up the ugliest skirt known to man and tug your knickers down your thighs. I want to suckle your neck and listen to your little pants as you open your legs for me."
"Uh huh," Hermione breathed, "and then?"
She bit her lip as she watched his pale fingers pull at her hardened nipples. She thought for a moment that she really should play harder to get, but it felt so wonderful, she berated herself for considering it in the first place. Hermione shuddered when hot lips brushed along her jaw while Draco also managed to tug on her knickers.
"I've discovered I'm quite fond of watching you come on my fingers. I want to see that. I want your hair free and your head thrown back. Would you like that, kitten?" Draco dragged his witch to the floor and hastily shoved her skirt over her hips.
"Yes, gods please," Hermione writhed against the rough carpet and yanked Draco on top of her.
Draco furiously thrust his fingers into her slick, warm heat; his eyes locked on her plump lips and flushed cheeks. He loved the way her eyelids fluttered. He loved the way her back would arch and present her begging breasts. He loved her wanton moans and the way she'd whimper 'please'. He loved—oh, gods be damned.
"Granger—"
"Not yet, not yet, almost, oh sweet Merlin, yes," Hermione moaned as her legs turned to jelly.
She didn't wait until his fingers withdrew. She leant forward and tore his belt from the loops. She shoved his dark trousers off his hips, along with his underthings, until his cock was freed.
"Slow down."
"No," Hermione shook her head violently. "I don't want to slow down. I want it. Give it to me."
Draco shrugged and hastily complied. Who was he to deny his witch her pleasures? He hissed in absolute pleasure the moment he sunk into her. He wondered how he'd managed to go so long without her wrapped around him and vowed not to do so again.
He threaded their fingers together and studied her hand in his. That heavy feeling in his chest made yet another appearance, yet rather than shoving it aside, Draco embraced it; as much as it terrified him to do so.
"Do you remember the first time I kissed you?" Draco grunted and slowed his thrusts.
"Why are you doing this now? K-keep going. Don't stop," Hermione begged.
"One kiss, one bloody heated kiss and that was it, Granger. You ignited a fire and I was fucking hooked," Draco stared down at her. "Look at me, kitten. Please? Do you—do you understand what I'm saying?"
Hermione forced her groggy eyes to open and stared into the depths of near black. She concentrated on the pressure of his palm against hers as she met his lazy thrusts. There was something there, she could feel it. As his forehead dropped to hers, Hermione felt a surge of emotion and was nearly set to tears.
Their breaths mingled together and it was deeper than a hurried shag. It was more than stolen kisses. It was suddenly everything and she was unable to deny the connection any longer. Her heart hurt with the effort to cast aside the gentle prod of his magic as it licked at hers.
She'd heard of this, read it even, but when faced with the overwhelming truth of it, Hermione baulked. It frightened her, if truth be told. Veela were magical creatures, but they were also completely human. Their magic tethered to their other half only once they had accepted it.
It wasn't simply a matter of Veela awaiting their mate's acceptance. They themselves had to accept the match in order for the bond to be completed. Hermione could feel the strength, the heat of it, burn against her palm, and nestle against her heart.
She knew if she were asked later, she wouldn't be able to describe the sensation. She wouldn't want to share it with anyone anyway. It was hers and it was beautiful.
Draco kissed her then and the salt of her tears was sharp against his tongue. His fingers were numb, yet he only held tighter, desperate to keep their connection. Nonsensical words of affection fell from his lips against her throat the moment he broke the kiss. It was too much. It was mind-numbingly overwhelming and then finally she clenched around him.
Her fingers dug rivulets on his back and he hissed with the sting of the sweat as it seeped into his battered flesh. He blinked down at her slowly and Hermione nodded. The relief made his limbs feel heavy, yet he managed to hold her close. With an elongated groan, Draco's release spilt forth and his shaky arms gave out.
"That was amazing," Hermione yawned. She immediately inspected her hand, though it was no shock it wasn't marred by an excruciating burn.
"I might be utter shite with words, but I like to think I'm pretty alright when it comes to show," Draco wiggled his pale eyebrows until she cracked a smile. "Now, tell me about these Muggle sex toys."
"I'll ask Luna to bring over some samples. She's got a shop in Diagon Alley," Hermione offered and tossed her bare leg over his hip.
"She doesn't offer demonstrations, does she? I'd rather not—" Draco paused and quirked his head to the side.
Hermione scowled until she heard the office door slam open. She covered her mouth with both hands and desperately looked for her clothing. Draco smirked and simply shoved his button-down into her hands. She rolled her eyes and stuffed her arms into it before her ears picked up decidedly carnal noises.
"We shouldn't be doing this."
"Do you want me to stop?"
"Fuck no, definitely don't stop. Never stop."
"I think Potter and the Lovegood bird are going to shag on my fucking desk," Draco hissed into Hermione's ear.
"Hermione won't like it if—"
"She's not here. She's probably shagging Malfoy against a wall. Gods, I love your tits. I'm going to spread you across Malfoy's desk and fuck you with my tongue," Harry growled.
"I'd really rather you didn't, Potter."
Draco slowly climbed to his feet and smirked down at Hermione while she tugged his boxers up his weary thighs. Frankly, he didn't give an elf's arse if Potter saw his bits, but he also knew Granger wouldn't appreciate Lovegood taking a gander.
"Oh hello Draco," Luna waved enthusiastically from Draco's desk without the slightest care as far as her nudity was concerned. "Is Hermione there as well? I should hope so. It'd be strange to be starkers in your office without a partner, wouldn't it?"
"Potter is aware we can see him, yes?" Draco pointedly stared at the green-eyed wizard whose head was currently buried between Luna's breasts.
Hermione smothered an inappropriate bout of laughter and sidled into Draco's side. She was grateful her mahogany desk hid her bare legs, but she wished Luna had such propriety. She loved the witch, dearly even, but Luna's blasé nature was a bit much to take at times.
"I thought you would have left," Harry stated stupidly.
"That doesn't give you license to fornicate on my desk." Draco crossed his arms and averted his eyes from Luna's pert peaks.
"Technically it's adultery," Hermione quipped. "Luna, please."
Luna hopped off Draco's desk and shimmied into a purple monstrosity that hit the floor. It was the most shapeless garment Hermione had ever seen. She was actually speechless.
"Lovegood, Granger says you've got a shop that specialises in Muggle sex toys, is that right?"
"Oh yeah, it's great," Harry answered excitedly. "She's got this special lubricant and it warms up and everything. I didn't know things like that existed and when Luna stuck her finger in my bum—"
"Harry!" Hermione gasped and buried her face into Draco's bare chest.
"I did it again, didn't I?" Harry sheepishly asked Luna.
Draco pressed his lips to Hermione's temple in a rare show of affection and dropped his arm around her shoulders. She blinked in surprise and propped her chin on his chest to study him. Something between them had changed, though she was remiss to put a name to it. She realised he didn't need to say the words, she felt them, and that was enough.
"Malfoy?"
The office door thumped open and Blaise Zabini stumbled into the room. The serious furrow of his brow eased the moment he took note of the occupants. It was nary a moment later a dimpled grin made his dark eyes light in amusement.
"Blaise." Draco inclined his head in a curt nod.
"Malfoy. Mrs Malfoy. Potter. Mrs Potter, oh wait, you're not Mrs Potter. Whatever should I tell the Mrs Potter waiting by the lifts?" Blaise chuckled and crossed his arms.
"Bollocks!" Harry tore himself away from Luna and mumbled angrily as he stomped down the corridor. The last thing he wanted to deal with was his wife. He'd already submitted the proper paperwork to the Wizengamot. He couldn't wait until he was a free man once more.
"We've caught a case. Nott wants the team assembled. I'd suggest trousers," Blaise waggled his fingers and returned to the rows of cubicles just down the corridor.
"Luna," Hermione began.
"I can hear the judgement in your voice, Hermione." Luna tied a brilliant yellow and orange wide striped belt around her small waist and sighed. "I'm not his conscience. I don't even owe you an explanation. We had one night. He was beyond intoxicated. I doubt he even remembers it, but that doesn't matter! We were young and silly and it was laughter and fumbling in the dark and beautiful."
Draco quickly covered Hermione's mouth. He sincerely hoped she would not sink her teeth into his flesh. She didn't understand and how could she? Despite the fact she'd spent most of her life in the Wizarding World, there was still so much she didn't know. They weren't the sorts of things taught in books or even discussed in polite company and he supposed it fell on him to instruct her.
"Granger, it's different in the Wizarding World. I'm not," Draco groaned in discomfort, "condoning infidelity, so please try not to shout at me yet. Potter married Brown, but Lovegood, she—"
"He belongs to me," Luna spat with a ferocity Hermione had never heard. "He is mine and I am his. If she hadn't lied," Luna choked on the words, "he wouldn't have married her. He belongs to me."
AN: I'm aiming for weekly updates henceforth. Hopefully. God willing. Don't quote me on it.