Disclaimer: All canon characters, plots and situations from the Harry Potter series belong to JK Rowling. We make no profit from this story.
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A/N: Moving forward! I do apologize for the heavy chapter previously. It had to be done.
She Keeps Me Warm
Chapter Nine
"... I kissed a girl, her lips were sweet; it was just like kissing me {but better} …"
( I Kissed A Girl - Jill Sobule )
Draco took the steps two at a time, trying to keep up with the bushy head bouncing up ahead of him. Hermione was all but sprinting up the stairs, and he was briefly surprised by the small witch's stamina.
They'd reached the seventh floor in record time, and he lengthened his strides to reach her before she disappeared down a corridor to the left. He screeched to a halt, nearly slamming into her backside at her sudden stop. He glanced around, looking for a door. The only thing he spotted was a portrait of Barnabas the Barmy and some oddly dancing trolls hanging from the opposite wall.
He watched as Hermione began pacing before the stone wall with a look of concentration on her face. At her third pace, the wall shook slightly as a large door seemed to pop out of thin air.
"What in Salazar's na—" he began to exclaim but was cut off by Hermione yanking him by the arm.
"Ask questions later. We've got to get inside before someone catches us!" she huffed.
"Are you sure you know where you're going?" he spoke, the skepticism clearly evident in his voice. Hermione threw him a cold glare before pulling him through the heavy door.
oOoOoOo
Pansy lie on the bare floor in the middle of the massive room. She wasn't sure how long she'd been in there, but the groans of her stomach suggested it was well past dinner. The words of her father resounded in her ears, seeming to echo off the walls of the Room of Requirement.
"You are no daughter of mine… Your filth is not welcome in my home."
Pansy sat up, wrapping her arms around her knees. She wasn't sure how much longer she could sit in this empty room. It felt like every vile word that escaped her father's mouth were dancing around her - taunting her.
She stood up, doing her best to shake off the demons that swarmed her. Pansy surveyed the room. Inhaling deeply, she made her way to the oversized door.
I just need to see Hermione…
As the thought ran across her mind, the door to the large room opened. Pansy took a few steps back and pressed her hands against her throat, afraid that Pyrs Parkinson had found her.
"She has to be in here, Draco. It's the only place that we can't see on the map."
The sound of Hermione's voice brought back the emotions she'd been swallowing for the last several hours. Pansy's eyes welled up and her throat ached as she tried to choke back her tears. As they stepped into the room, she felt her knees buckle beneath her and she crumbled to the hard floor.
Hermione ran the short distance into the room and wrapped her arms around Pansy as she sobbed.
"Pans, shh…" she cooed softly. She felt Draco kneel beside her, where he began rubbing the girl's back in soothing circles. Pansy lifted her head, looking back and forth between the two.
Hermione's gasp was loud as she examined the girl. She placed a hand gingerly to Pansy's cheek, who winced at the touch. She glanced at Draco, who's face had hardened into a cold mask. There was a large purple and black bruise marring her left cheek, and a scattered red print around her throat where her father had nearly squeezed the life from her. The angry colors held a stark contrast against her pale skin.
"He did this?" Draco seethed through clenched teeth, the veins on neck nearly bursting from pressure.
Pansy eyes darted to Hermione, who was watching the scene with pity in her eyes. She quickly dropped her eyes, shame spreading through her at being so exposed.
She knew Draco would understand - he was of pure blood, but Hermione… her thoughts trailed off as knots twisted in her stomach. Hermione may not look at her the same if she knew her father tossed her around like a rag doll.
"Please, Draco. It's over. He won't be bothering me anymore," she whispered, eyes welling up again. She didn't want pity.
Both girls flinched when Draco's hand smashed into the stone wall. "Fuck, Pans!" A string of curse words fell from his lips as he cradled his now injured hand.
"Stop!" Hermione bellowed, standing and crossing the floor quickly. "This," she waved her hands frantically, "won't help Pansy!" She brandished her wand, reaching out for Draco's bleeding knuckles with a touch that was hardly gentle and casting an incantation to stop the bleeding and repair the cracked skin.
Even as Draco continued to seethe, muttering about Hermione the swotty know-it-all, Pansy could not stop the chuckle that broke from her lips. That chuckle morphed into wild laughter, and she slowly lifted her broken form from the ground and wiped the tears from her eyes.
Both Hermione and Draco stared at her incredulously, not sure whether they should be pleased she was amused or worried that she'd gone into full blown hysteria. "Will you two ever stop bickering?" She smiled, though it seemed out of place stretched across her discolored skin.
Draco faux-pouted, side eyeing Hermione before apologizing for insulting her. The girl's sickly sweet smile in response made him growl under his breath.
Pansy's features turned somewhat guarded as she approached the pair. "Maybe, " she mumbled, "I could come back to your dorm for a bit? I think I've spent enough time alone today."
Hermione grasped one of her hands gently at the same time Draco tossed an arm around her shoulder, giving each other a knowing look as they steered her towards the exit.
"I still want to know what this room is…" Draco muttered as the heavy door clicked shut, glancing over his shoulder to watch it vanish.
oOoOoOo
The weekend passed slowly with Pansy holed up in the Head's Dorm, sipping tea and accepting comfort and healing from Hermione and Draco. By midweek, she had all but moved in. Draco was quickly becoming accustomed to seeing the girls lounging on the couch in their free time, legs tangled and heads stuck in one of Hermione's large tomes.
That's exactly the spot he found them on Wednesday afternoon, whispering fervently in their cozy lounge since each had a free period after lunch. Taking their smiles at his entrance as an open invitation, he sank into a plush chair opposite their couch, tossing his feet onto the table before him.
"I'm bored," he spoke casually, quirking a brow at the pair. "Ménage à trois?" He held his smirk in place, even as Hermione scowled openly.
"Sorry love," Pansy untucked herself from Hermione's side, moving to pat Draco's arm as she passed by. "I'm not into vivacious blondes!" She winked at Hermione before slipping into the loo. Draco watched the spot she'd disappeared to for a moment longer, smile faltering.
He noted the way her eyes still looked haunted, even as she eased back into her seemingly confident, laid back self. He knew she was still hurting, and if he could pull his wand on the coward that is Pyrs Parkinson, he'd do it without hesitation.
News of the older aristocrat's visit spread quickly as the socialites clearly had nothing better to do than gossip. He'd received an owl early Monday from his own mother, inquiring if the latest scandal was true; he hadn't bothered to respond. The whispers were present in the halls, in class, and he assumed in the privacy of the common rooms. No one had yet to act out - not even Astoria Greengrass.
Draco's eyes wandered back to Hermione, who was speaking in huffed tones and clearly had no idea he had been spacing out.
" —would ever think for a second I would be interested in letting you get a leg up you've got another thing comi— " Her rant was cut short as the portrait hole opened to reveal a cheery faced Ginny Weasley.
Pansy strolled out of the lavatory at the same moment, throwing a glance at the girl before settling back down beside Hermione with a challenging glare that almost dared the redhead to say something. She received nothing but a wave and seemed to visibly relax at the non threatening newcomer.
"Gin! I wasn't expecting you…" Hermione's words trailed off as Draco interrupted.
"Ginny," he breathed, an uncharacteristic blush creeping up his neck. He cursed himself inwardly as he felt the warmth spread. He wasn't expecting to see her, and she seemed to have a habit of catching him off guard.
Pansy and Hermione shared a glance, both clearly questioning when the pair had gotten to a first name basis.
"I'm here for this bloke," she pointed at the male in question. "You really shouldn't share your password if you don't want unexpected company." Ginny grinned as she leaped onto the chair next to Draco's.
"When did you get chummy with Malfoy?!"
"Are you shagging a Weasley?"
"I'm not complaining…"
Hermione, Pansy, and Draco all spoke at once, causing Ginny to howl with the delight. Draco growled, narrowing his eyes at Pansy and snapping, "I don't question your choice of company!"
Pansy sighed, holding her hands up in front of her in defeat before grabbing Hermione's arm and pulling her from her spot on the comfortable sofa. The pair disappeared to Hermione's quarters, leaving Draco to handle Ginny alone.
He turned his eyes back to the girl and was pleasantly surprised to find her leaning close, eyeing him back. He couldn't stop himself from inhaling deeply, her scent too close to avoid.
She smelled clean, like soap with floral accents, yet earthy - grass and soil and completely herbal… the Quidditch pitch. He smiled as he caught wind of something slightly sharp.
Broom polish.
"Earth to Malfoy!" Ginny waved her hands in front of face before giving his cheek a light smack. "You've been staring at me with that goofy grin of yours for nearly a minute".
He shrugged, running a hand through his hair. He hadn't bothered to tie it back since he planned to lounge around until dinner hour came about. Ginny reached the small distance between them to run a strand of his fine locks through her fingers. "Willing to be seen in public with a lowly Weasley? Hogsmeade… " she mumbled.
He studied her briefly before trying to form a response. She was gorgeous, naturally; with long lashes, pink lips, and a smattering of freckles across high cheekbones, Ginevra Weasley had a cherubic aura that women would spend buckets of galleons to emulate.
"Like a date?" he questioned, suddenly nervous for her reply.
Please say yes, he thought hopefully.
oOoOoOo
Pansy rested her head against the wall behind the large canopied bed. She had absolutely zero life complaints in that moment as she gazed at the sight ahead. Hermione knelt on the ground, fiddling with a device she insisted would let her hear the goings of the common room. As she leaned lower, trying to slip a thin wire beneath the door, her skirt hiked higher, revealing much more skin than Pansy had yet to have access to.
"Stop looking at my arse, Parkinson!" Hermione shouted over her shoulder, amusement clear in her words. "Yes darling," Pansy mumbled absently, making no move to avert her stare.
"What is Ginny doing here? How could she not tell me about Mal— oh Merlin! She's asked him to Hogsmeade! She literally just— oomph!" Hermione fell sideways, curling into the fetal position as Pansy magicked the bed pillows to hit the girl repeatedly.
"Who bloody cares if the two are shagging or not. Come here," Pansy uttered the words with a grin that was nearly indecent.
The pillows ceased their assault, and Hermione slowly stood from her position on the floor and moved towards Pansy with nervous steps. Kicking off her shoes, she crawled on top of the duvet and settled in.
"Present," she squeaked, sounding much like a Firstie during her very first roll call of the school year. Pansy chuckled at the girl's skittish behavior.
"We haven't gotten a chance to really be alone… what with Draco and your Gryffindors always around…" she began, scooting closer and reaching for a strand of Hermione's unruly curls. "I sometimes worry you're second guessing this whole thing."
Her words were muffled as Hermione grabbed the back of her neck, effectively toppling her over before pressing their lips together.
If Pansy had questioned the girl's attraction before, she had no need now.
Hermione worked her tongue gently along the seam of Pansy's lips, requesting access and further catching the witch off guard with her assertiveness. She should have known Hermione Granger half assed nothing.
Pansy mewled, opening her mouth to let their tongues intertwine. She could taste the lingering sweetness of strawberries, a snack they'd been enjoying in the common room before Draco's interruption.
Father must have killed me for I am in Heaven, she thought, amused by the day's turn of events yet annoyed that her father's presence seemed to penetrate even her happiest of thoughts.
Shaking him from her mind, she refocused on the perfect creature before her. Hermione reluctantly broke the kiss, resting their foreheads together. She pecked Pansy's lips once more before sitting up fully and straddling the Slytherin girl below.
Pansy's eyes darkened as she watched Hermione yank her vest over her head, catching it on her massive mane and finally discarding it to the floor. She proceeded to unbutton her shirt slowly, letting it fall from her delicate shoulders.
Hermione Granger was a vision in black lace, her tan cleavage flushed pink as she tried to fight off the timid blush at being so exposed. Pansy reached out, running her hands from the hollow of the girl's throat, down the front of the brassiere and along her stomach.
"Hermione… " she whispered, her strangled word caught up in the lust of the moment.
Gripping her hips, Pansy pulled Hermione downward, and both girls whimpered in pleasure at the contact. The ever brave Gryffindor ground her hips against the witch, and Pansy stifled a moan as she felt warmth pool from her center.
She let her hands wander, grazing over the curve of Hermione's arse before gently kneading the ample flesh. Hermione let out an encouraging groan as she dipped her lips to Pansy's neck, nipping the skin lightly. She smacked her playfully before pushing Hermione back to remove her blouse.
"Pans… are you sure we should?" Her question hung in the air, but it was clear the witch was every bit as excited as her counterpart.
Feeling valiant, Pansy reached behind and unhooked her own bra, allowing the flimsy material to drop.
"We don't have to do anything you don't want to." She watched the hunger grow in Hermione's eyes, feeling her heart race under the witch's heated gaze.
Pansy Parkinson was not the bustiest girl at Hogwarts, but she was smooth and lean and had a birthmark on her right breast that begged to be kissed. Her nipples pebbled as Hermione did just that.
Her goosebumps spread further when Hermione tweaked her opposite bud in her fingers, twisting and pulling gently as her mouth moved to envelop the right. Pansy gripped her curly tresses, so full of lust that she had no room to be embarrassed as she felt the familiar tightening behind her naval.
Hermione hadn't even touched her, not truly, but the feeling of her warm mouth was enough to push the Slytherin towards the edge.
"Guys, I really need to— AHHHH!" The loud voice of Draco Malfoy interrupted her so close descent, and both girls whipped their head towards the sound.
"Oh my GODS!" Hermione screamed, throwing her arms over her chest to cover herself, accidentally exposing Pansy's bare chest to the intruder. She grabbed the nearest pillow, holding it over herself and willing her temper not to explode.
"What the fuck are you doing, Draco!" she bellowed, face heating under his shocked glare at their compromised position. Before he could answer, a shoe was soaring past his head, narrowly missing his face.
"Get OUT!" Hermione screeched, grabbing her wand and flipping it wildly, forcefully shoving Draco out of the room and slamming the heavy door shut. Pansy remained on the bed, still partially shocked when Hermione's laughter broke through her fog.
Soon they were both howling, completely taken over by a fit of giggles that had them nearly crying. Pansy was slightly pissed that Draco hadn't had the least bit of common sense to knock, but also relieved that things hadn't gone further. Hermione deserved more than a quick tumble with her roommate sitting just outside the door.
"That was slightly mortifying," Hermione gasped, finally reining in her hysterics.
"I think it's safe to say our relationship won't be anything less than interesting," Pansy grinned.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
oOoOoOo
