Hermione reached up and gave him one more soft kiss before she moved off to find her friends. They were no longer in the corner where she had left them and she didn't see them near the bar. Her jaw dropped when she saw them dancing and laughing together in the middle of a group of people. Another quick glance and Hermione saw Blaise sitting in a chair with a girl on his lap. But, she noticed he ignored the girl completely and was instead staring intently at the duo on the dance floor. The look on his face was less than pleased. Picking her way through the crowd, Hermione reached them just as the song ended and a few people moved away.
As the next song picked up she joined them and asked, "Care to explain what happened while I was gone?"
Tala looked her up and down and joked, "Well, I would say someone got good and ravished, that's what."
Hermione laughed a little as she blushed, but continued, "Ha ha ha. Back to you two?"
Beth laughed, "We talked, Miss Butt-in-ski. And, thanks."
"So, everything's okay?" Hermione asked. "Just like that?"
Tala smiled at her, "Well, it took a little while, but I finally got her to admit she likes him."
"But, it's not like he feels the same," Beth stated.
"And, I told her she just has to shake him up a little and he'd be putty in her hands."
"But, I don't want to be just another notch to him," she said and then looked to Tala, "Sorry."
Hermione was surprised to see Tala shrug it off, "Let it go, Beth. I knew what I was doing when I hooked up with him. We've both moved on. You just have to get over it."
"I know," Beth said. "So, anyway, she suggested I show him my wilder side and dance with her. She seems to think he's going to join us any minute."
Hermione spun in a circle and found the object of their discussion. Then she shimmied back around and laughed, "Well, you do have him staring."
Tala reached out with a smile and took Beth's hips in her hands. "Okay, time for the final kill. Hermione get in front!" she demanded.
As the three girls formed a line and proceeded to dip and grind to the music. They allowed the beat to drive them and let their hands slide up and down their own bodies in time to the driving rhythm.
Suddenly Hermione felt an intense stare and opened eyes she hadn't realized had slipped shut. When her eyes met Draco's she felt seared by the raw desire she saw there. The feeling of sexual power flowed through her as she slowly ran her hands over her hips and up her ribcage. Then, without breaking eye contact, she moved her hands up to her hair and lifted it slightly off her neck and back, before allowing it to fall around her once again. She smiled to herself as his eyes left hers and followed the slow path of her hands back down her body. Just when she thought he would step forward to her, the music was suddenly shut off and the lights blinked.
Everyone froze and looked around as they tried to find the reason for the interruption. She almost laughed when she saw Blaise, wand in hand, staring at the three of them. Then, as if he had just realized what he had done, he relaxed his face and smiled at the rest of the room's occupants.
"Sorry for the interruption, everyone, but it's cake time!" he announced.
Hermione and Beth giggled when Tala said softly for only the three of them to hear, "Yeah right, cake, that's why he cut off the music."
With a flourishing flick of his wrist, Blaise lowered the lights completely and produced a large hovering cake in the center of the room near Draco. Another flick lit the many candles and then he slid a table under the cake to set it down. He moved across the room to stand near his friend and said loudly, "Happy birthday, D!"
Everyone broke out singing and cheering as Draco blew out his candles, and Hermione made her way through the crowd to him. She put her arms around him and hugged him from behind as he used his wand to slice and serve cake.
"Happy birthday, Draco," she said and kissed his shoulder.
He looked back at her smiling face and turned to whisper seductively in her ear, "You've been very naughty little girl, Ms. Granger. And, you will have to be punished."
She smiled sweetly up at him, "I have no idea what you mean."
"I'll be sure to remind you later," he said with a laugh.
For the next few minutes everyone ate and drank. Finally, the cake was moved off to the kitchen and the music was turned back on, but the lights weren't turned back up. People began to dance again and Draco took her out to the dance floor.
"So, you wanna try that again with me right here?" he asked with a smirk.
Hermione smiled innocently up at him and said, "Try what? I was just dancing."
Draco barely heard her answer though for the blood that started pounding in his head. Hermione once again moved and gyrated to the music. But, this time she held eye contact as she repeated her earlier actions. The difference? She used his hands instead of her own.
She grinned wickedly as she led his hands down to skim past her breasts and saw his eyes darken. But, when they reached her hips he took control and she let out a gasp as he spun her around and pulled her, almost roughly, back against him.
"You're killing me," he growled into her ear.
Her whole body quivered against him as his hot breath caressed her ear, but also from the feminine power surge she received when she felt the evidence of his desire against her. No one interrupted the dancing pair, but many noticed how lost they were in each other. And, several women in the crowd sighed out loud in envy at the looks that passed between the two.
Tala and Beth had moved to stand near the bar. They watched Hermione and Draco dance and while Tala's face was lit with a knowing smile, Beth's was more filled with longing. She forced herself to turn away from them and reached for a bottled drink. When her hand met another in the tub, she looked up into Blaise's eyes. They stared for a few seconds before Tala interrupted them.
"Hey Blaise," she smiled. "Nice party!"
He glanced over at her and returned her smile, "Yeah, thanks. I see you two are having fun."
Beth nodded, "Oh yeah. You?"
He nodded and winked at them, "You know me."
Tala chose that moment to back away, "Oooh, there's Jeremy, he promised me a dance or two. See ya."
Before either could say anything she was gone.
Blaise popped the cap on his drink and moved around the bar to lean back against it next to Beth.
"So, why aren't you dancing?" he asked.
Beth shrugged, "No reason. You?"
He looked down at her and answered honestly, "Actually, I've already danced with everyone twice and I'm tired." Then he laughed, "D warned me against starting any girlfights at his party, so I have to either stop or work my way through them all again."
Beth nodded and refrained from reminding him that he hadn't asked her to dance at all. She simply sipped her drink and watched the party in front of her.
"I didn't know you could move like that," he laughed down at her. "Nice moves by the way, babe!"
Beth felt the blush creep up her neck and laughed nervously, "I guess."
"Yeah," he continued, oblivious to the undercurrents around them, "you two were hot out there." Then he turned and leaned down close to whisper conspiratorially, "So, who's the unsuspecting bloke?"
She looked up at him with startled eyes and stuttered, "What?"
"Oh come on," he laughed and slung an arm around her shoulders. "I know you. That wasn't normal. Don't get me wrong, you looked great out there, but you haven't danced all night. Then you two run off for a while and when you come back you're like a little sexy, spitfire out there. So, who is he? The guy you're trying to catch?"
Beth almost laughed at how wrong he had gotten things, but couldn't over the lump of failure lodged in her throat. She reminded herself that he saw her as just a friend and changed the subject painfully, "So, you and Tala, huh? Why didn't you tell me?"
"She's fun, but nah, too tiring," he shrugged against her. Then he took another pull from his bottle and winked, "Nice little butt on that friend of yours though."
Beth smiled and looked away. She glanced around the room looking for an escape and found one as she saw Hermione and Draco heading in their direction. When Hermione raised a brow at his arm around her shoulders, Beth shook her head quickly and stepped out of Blaise's embrace.
"Thanks again B, this is a great party."
"Anything for you, D. Glad you're having fun. Need another drink?"
Draco nodded and they walked around to the other side of the bar. Hermione moved to lean back against the bar and nudged her friend with her hip.
"You okay?"
Beth nodded and sighed quietly, "Yeah. But, Tala was wrong."
"How do you mean?"
"Well, it worked enough that he thinks I'm out to catch someone, but he missed the fact that it's him," she said with frustration.
Before Hermione could reply they were interrupted by the same good looking guy Tala had danced with earlier. With the words, "Hey there, you little hottie. Name's Dave. Let's dance," he pulled Beth with him to the dance floor.
Beth's nervous laugh trailed behind her as she was dragged across the room. Hermione watched her fend off his roaming hands for a few minutes before she felt someone brush by her. She looked up in time to see Blaise head in their direction and felt Draco lean down to nuzzle her neck.
"What are you thinking so hard about?" he asked.
"Them," she sighed.
Draco followed her line of vision and answered, "So, you see it, too?"
Neither spoke as Blaise approached the dancing couple. But, then he seemed to think better of it, shrugged, and turned to join some guys playing a drinking game nearby.
"See what? That Blaise is a great, big, oblivious, oaf?" she laughed.
"Hey, that's my oaf your insulting," he laughed with her.
The next morning Hermione woke to a searing headache. She squinted her eyes open and found herself in an unfamiliar bed and bedroom. Her hands flew to her body and she tried to recall the end of the evening. With a sigh she remembered stumbling in with Draco and falling across his bed. Then she smiled and closed her eyes once again as she relived the feeling of him slowly stripping her and then redressing her in one of his shirts. But, she giggled a little when she remembered that he had then stripped down to his boxers, pulled her down with him on the bed, kissed her quite thoroughly and then promptly passed out across her chest.
The light laugh reminded her of her headache and she reached out blindly for her wand. When her hand hit air, she opened her eyes again to see where he would have put it. It was only then that she realized she was alone. Swinging her legs off the bed with a groan she sat up and saw the note and her wand on his pillow.
Morning Beautiful,
Blaise and I are out there cleaning up the mess. No need to rush out. Relax. But, there's coffee, tea and breakfast sandwiches when you're ready. Take your time.
Yours,
D
PS: I liked waking up next to you.
Hermione smiled and used her wand to cast a pain-relieving charm on herself. After a short shower she felt more like herself and put on the tee shirt and shorts he had left out for her. With her hair up in a loose ponytail she opened the door and the noise made her jump back a bit. She hadn't realized they had placed a silencing charm on the room for her, so that they could blast music as they cleaned. She heard them on the other side of the loft yelling back and forth to each other.
"So, did she leave with him?" Blaise called out.
"I have no idea. What the hell is that under the sofa?"
"Looks like pizza," Blaise laughed. "Dave's kind of a player, you know."
"Takes one to know one," Draco called back as he aimed a cleaning spell at the floor under the couch. "Beth's a big girl, B, she can handle herself?"
"I know," Blaise called back from the kitchen. "It's just, I don't know, I just don't see him as her type, I guess."
Hermione chose that moment to make her presence known and walked over to slap Draco's upturned butt, "Morning boys!"
He straightened quickly in surprise, but then turned, grabbed her and tossed her down on the sofa. She giggled as he tickled her lightly and nuzzled her neck.
"Stop, stop, stop," she gasped.
He did and then lowered his head to kiss her slowly and more thoroughly, "Morning."
"Mmmm, good morning," she sighed against his lips.
They broke apart when Blaise said, "You two wanna get a room?"
They pulled apart after one more kiss and she joined them in putting the apartment back together. They talked about the party, the people she had met, the friends they had caught up with, and the gifts Draco had received. Both noticed that Blaise wouldn't talk about Beth or Dave anymore though. And, she and Draco shared a silent smile at that fact.
Hermione dropped her grocery bags on the counter and adjusted her cell phone to her other ear, "You took him home with you?!"
Beth laughed, "Good gracious, no! I let him apparate me to the corner of my street, that's all. I didn't want him to know exactly where I lived."
Hermione began emptying her bags, "So, uh, you like him? Dave, that is?"
"Sure. I guess. He seems nice enough. And, you have to admit, his body is pretty damn near perfect. I don't get this whole Quidditch thing, but it sure does a body good," she giggled.
"Okay, so what about Blaise?" Hermione asked.
"What about him," Beth huffed. "He's Blaise. Playboy. Sex fiend. Ladies' man. Eternal friend to muggle me."
"Ah Beth, I.."
"What, Mione? I know what I am and I know that he doesn't see me like that. I think I just had too much to drink last night, that's all. I let my emotions get away with me."
Hermione shook her head, "If you're sure? I mean, you seemed pretty upset. And, this morning Blaise said…"
"What?"
"Well, he kind of implied that he and Dave were a lot alike. You know, playboys."
Beth laughed, "Takes one to know one."
Hermione smiled to hear Draco's words echoed, but then Beth continued, "Well, he might be a little like Blaise, but at least he doesn't see me as just a powerless 'friend'."
The hurt in her voice seeped through and caused Hermione to frown for her friend, "Did he say that?"
Beth sighed heavily, "No. Not in so many words. But, come on. He's a wizard. All his friends are witches and wizards. I'm just this normal girl who comes along with the package that is you."
"Beth, I seriously don't think that is how he sees you," Hermione tried to soothe her.
"Whatever. It doesn't matter any more. I'm over it."
When Hermione didn't answer she said more forcefully, "I am! And, I have a dinner date to get ready for, so I need to get going."
"With Dave?" Hermione asked.
"Yep. He said he couldn't wait too long to see me again."
Hermione shook her head and said, "Well, have fun. And, be careful, okay? Don't let him apparate you back to his place or anything."
Beth laughed, "Yes, Mom. I'll call when I get back, okay?"
"Okay. Talk to you later."
When Hermione hung up and had finished putting her things away, she decided that it was time for a nap. She had stayed longer than she'd planned at the guys' loft and the lack of sleep was starting to catch with her.
It was dark in her apartment when she woke up, and she realized she had slept a lot longer than she had originally planned. She still had papers to grade and two lesson plans to write before she returned to work on Monday. Plus, there was her dinner date with Draco Sunday night. There first time really being alone together. She smiled in the darkness and thought about what the next night might bring. With a happy sigh she flicked her wrist to bring the lights up and her gaze fell on the picture on her dresser.
The smile slowly slid away as she realized she hadn't thought about Ron and their need to talk for almost a full day.
"Ron, that's it. I gave you a week. It's time you talked to me."
Author's Notes
Thank you to the following for making my story a Favorite, marking an Alert for it, or added me as a Favorite Author (that one still blows my mind!):
hoTTpINkfREaK00, x-Lazart-x, gwiz, SICOTICBITCH, saynomore15, MiaRWeasley, AshleeSlyhterinPrincess, celtic enchantress, engaged-n-underage, genivieve, hiddenstarz, jessicasheckler, Amour toujours, ginnyginny, green123, cemicool, CGMoonlight, ChastityMorrows, classygyrl, crystallightwings, dawntodusk08, em-z-paiger, Etherealspring, hpdork22, Justice's Quill, LadyLex13, Little Toaster, livin-in-a-cardboard-box, mhaj78, MissDitzy, Mrs.Malfoy-Zabini, NeonStraw, Riley Black, Satannpink, Shortycake09, todraw, and X-miss black-X, EvryflvrLisha