Bimbo and the Beast

The bright sunshine streamed in through an opening between the peach curtains, slicing the air in the room like a knife, and landing across a pair of tightly shut eyes. Hermione Granger groaned and pulled the duvet up over her head. Peeking out from beneath the quilt, she forced her puffy eyelids open and stared at the small clock on her bedside table until the digits came into focus. 6.14am. With another groan, Hermione sat up quickly, causing her head to spin unpleasantly.

Glancing around herself, Hermione tried to discern where she was. Taking in the peach walls and dusky rose carpet, she realised she was in her bedroom at her parents' house. Hermione gingerly moved to sit on the edge of her bed with her bare feet on the cool wooden floor, hoping to ease the spinning sensation in her head that was accompanied by a sickening pounding feeling.

Picking up her wand she summoned a glass from her desk and filled it with cold water from the tip of her wand. Taking a sip, Hermione tried to figure out what had happened the night before that lead to her spending the night at her parents' house.

Various memories flooded into her mind in a random order. Dancing in a club; a smell of perfume; silver-grey eyes; the restaurant. Hermione hugged a cushion tightly to her chest as she tried to put the events into order. She could remember getting ready to go out, and a quick glance at the floor where her dress and shoes lay assured her of that. Then there was the restaurant, and sitting at the table by herself. She could recall Ron arriving late looking flushed, and the smell of perfume. And the lipstick mark on his collar, the thought crashed through Hermione like a tidal wave. A single tear slid from the corner of her chocolate brown eye and ran to the edge of her lips where she absentmindedly pulled it into her mouth with the tip of her pink tongue.

Hermione squeezed her eyes closed as she held the cushion to her as hard as she could. I will not cry over him again, she promised herself.

Suddenly her eyes flew open as another flash of a silver gaze floated before her on the insides of her eyelids. More memories seeped to the forefront of her mind. A blush crept over Hermione's delicate features as she remembered dancing by herself at the nightclub. Then there was a familiar face and a café. And then…

Oh my god! I kissed Draco Malfoy!

Hermione flung herself backwards onto her bed and pulled her cushion over her face. As she thought over the events again, she raised one corner of her soft fluffy shield and glanced over at her chair. Sure enough hanging on the back of it was Draco's black jacket.

What am I going to do? She thought desperately.

Draco Malfoy had returned home to a quaint generous sized cottage that he had recently purchased after being left alone in the middle of a dark deserted street. He had then sat up most of the night thinking over the peculiar events that he had been involved in only to fall asleep in the early hours of the morning on his comfortable black leather settee.

Draco's sleep was filled with dreams of a brunette goddess swaying her hips and gyrating before him, clad in a tight black dress and flashing the frilly lace tops of her stockings. Her skin glistened with sweet perspiration, and her chocolate brown eyes rendered him incapable of speech. He pulled the beautiful witch to him and she pressed her soft curves into his body. Her plump pink lips met his in a frenzied kiss, and the taste of her mouth and tongue sent his senses reeling.

It was with a start that Draco awoke to find his house-elf standing before him bearing an anxious expression. Dazed Draco glanced around himself, his mind still swimming with visions of his dream.

"M-master Draco, s-sir?" the house-elf stuttered. "Why did Master not sleep in his bed last night, sir? Tabby went to wake you sir, and you was not there in your room. Tabby was very worried sir, and I finds you asleep on the sofa, sir? Is you alright, Master?"

Draco stared at the house-elf standing before him, wearing a small sheet like a Roman toga, unable to let her rambling words sink into his whirring mind. Images of his very vivid dream were still fresh in his mind, and in his loins too he noticed as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

The longer Draco sat there staring straight through the stricken house-elf, the more worried and apprehensive poor Tabby became. A strangled whimper escaped her lips, pulling Draco from his reverie.

"Its ok Tabby, I'm fine," soothed Draco. "Although, I could really do with a large mug of strong black coffee, please?"

A relieved Tabby swept into a low curtsy and bobbed out of the room, and came bustling back in bearing a silver platter upon which was balanced a deep mug filled to the brim with steaming black aromatic coffee.

Draco thanked the creature and with one final curtsy, Tabby disappeared with a crack. Settling back on the settee and cradling his mug in both hands, Draco contemplated his dream. There was a nagging feeling in the back of his mind and he figured it was trying to tell him there was more to it than just a fictitious dream. He blew the steam from the surface of the dark liquid and took a long slow gulp, letting the caffeine awaken his tired body and mind.

Suddenly he gulped back a mouthful of coffee too quickly and began to choke, burning the back of his throat in the process and causing his eyes to water. Draco took a deep steadying breath and blinked back the moisture that had gathered at the corners of his silver eyes. Oh, Merlin! That was no dream… Draco shook his head to be sure it was clear; it was, he had remembered correctly.

I snogged Hermione Granger!

After some careful consideration all of the events of the previous evening had flooded to the forefront of Draco's mind. He recalled spying her in the nightclub, buying her a drink, comforting Hermione through her tears… at this Draco felt an odd lurch in the pit of his stomach. Then he had taken her for coffee, and most unlike himself, Draco had completely ignored the attentions of the pretty waitress opting instead to focus on Hermione. He had even told her things about himself that he had never divulged to another living person. Then they had taken a walk down the dark street and Hermione confessed the source of her tears…

I could kill that Weasel! How dare he hurt her like that, Draco thought angrily as a wave of fury crashed through him, taking him completely by surprise. Seething, he slammed down his empty mug and stormed through the cottage to his room to freshen up. If I ever see his stupid freckled face again, I swear I will kill him!

Hermione spent the morning lounging around the small house where she had spent the early part of her childhood. Once she had began attending Hogwarts and her parents were able to work much longer hours, they had opened their own dental surgery in the heart of the city, with a trendy modern apartment above it where they lived most of time. Although they had kept the small family home that they owned on the outskirts of the city for use during the school holidays when Hermione returned home.

Unfortunately when Hermione had altered her parents' memories and sent them to live in Australia to protect them during the War, the practice had to be closed. And then when the War was over and Hermione flew to the other side of the globe to fetch them, she had found she was unable to lift the memory charm and had decided to leave them where they were as they seemed to be really happy with their new lives and identities.

So when she returned to Britain, Hermione's parents had been declared deceased and she inherited everything. With no use for the dental surgery or the apartment, Hermione had sold them, but she could not bear to part with her childhood home and she visited it whenever she needed to get away.

The house was small and Hermione had never entered her parents' bedroom since they had "vanished". But still she loved the house.

After taking a long hot shower to refresh herself and ease her brewing hangover, Hermione began to clean the house from top to bottom, or more accurately bottom to top. Hermione always found that cleaning was the perfect way to stop her mind from dwelling on things that caused her pain and confusion, and at that moment in time she needed escape from the pain of what Ron had done to her and a break from the confusion of her time with Draco.

Finally when there was nothing else she could possibly clean, Hermione returned to her room and changed out of her scruffy jogging trousers and baggy, bleach-stained t-shirt, and into a pair of dark denim jeans that hugged her backside nicely and hung low on her hips teamed with a pale pink gingham fitted shirt. She pulled her hair up into a high ponytail, a few curls had escaped and instead hung around her face. Taking a deep breath, Hermione picked up Draco's jacket from the back of her chair and Apparated away.

Arriving outside of a small wooden gate on the edge of a beautiful country garden, Hermione glanced up at the stunning cottage. It was of a generous size, with ivy trailing up one side of the red brick building. A trellis with pale yellow roses growing up it adorned the wall to the right of the front door, which just like the gate was painted a dark pea green.

Hermione smirked and rolled her eyes. Definitely Draco's house, she thought, noticing that there was a bench that was also painted in the same shade of a certain Slytherin's favourite colour.

With one last deep breath for courage, Hermione pushed open the gate and made her way to the front door, where she tapped the knocker twice. Whilst she waited, Hermione bent to smell one of the roses.

"Beautiful, aren't they?" came a deep voice from the doorway.

Hermione started and jumped back a couple of steps. Glancing up at the man standing in the open door way, her mouth went dry and all she could do was stare at him for several seconds. Feeling the jacket starting to slip from her arm, Hermione quickly came to her senses and held it out to him avoiding his gaze choosing instead to stare at the hem of his left trouser leg.

Hermione cleared her throat. "Thank you for lending me your jacket. And for the coffee, and listening to me…" her voice trailed off as her confidence failed her.

She felt Draco reach out and take the jacket from her outstretched hand, as he did so his fingers brushed against her own causing her to pull her arm back as though she had received an electric shock from his touch; which in all honesty is exactly how she felt.

"You're welcome," he stated, and Hermione could hear the smile in his voice causing her to look at his handsome face. "So, how did you find me here?" he asked conversationally.

"Oh, I um, stopped by the ministry, and Blaise told me. I hope that's ok?" she looked at him apprehensively, suddenly feeling that this was the worst decision she had ever made. But that feeling abated quickly as he smiled once more.

"It's fine, Hermione. Would you like a tour? I've not long moved in."

Hermione blushed at the intense look that Draco gave her. "I um, well, that is…" she stuttered.

Draco relieved her of her awkwardness. "Maybe next time?" he offered.

Hermione heaved a sigh of relief and smiled at him. "That would be good." They looked at each other for a moment, before Hermione broke the spell. "I had better be going. Good bye Draco." She gave him a small wave and walked quickly back down the path. She looked back him and saw him leaning against the doorframe casually. The last thing she saw before she Apparated back to her own apartment was him wave at her with a grin displayed on his handsome face.

Draco watched Hermione turn on the spot and disappear with a faint pop. He continued to gaze at the place where she had been standing only a moment before for a few seconds, until he heard a small cough from beside him. He looked down to see Tabby giving him a curious look with her large green orb-like eyes.

"I sees that you has your jacket back now, Master. Should Tabby go launder it for you, sir?" the house-elf asked with her squeaky voice.

Draco brought the jacket up to his face and inhaled deeply. He could smell Hermione's sweet perfume on the dark fabric. Not knowing what made him do it, Draco shook his head. "No thank you, Tabby." And he climbed the stairs to his room still clutching his jacket tightly to him, leaving a bewildered Tabby to close the front door.

Once in his room, Draco sat on the edge of his large four-poster bed with his jacket laid carefully across his lap. He fingered the fabric gently and shook his head. What is the matter with me? He thought. Never in his life had a mere female brought forth this kind of reaction from him. But then, Hermione was no 'mere female'.

As his mind wandered once again over the events of the previous night, namely watching Hermione dance, holding her in his arms and, of course, that kiss, Draco realised that a cold shower would be required.

Draco then spent the rest of his day catching up on paperwork in his study, stopping only to use the bathroom and to eat lunch, which he requested Tabby bring to his desk. It wasn't that he enjoyed paperwork, quite the opposite was true; he loathed it, but it seemed to be the only thing that would take his mind off of that darned witch.

There was a light tap at his door, and with a grateful sigh at the interruption, Draco put down his quill and massaged his aching hand. "Enter," he called. The door opened and Tabby stepped into the room.

"Master told Tabby to tell him when it was 6 o'clock, sir. And 6 o'clock it be now. Sir's favourite dress robes is pressed and hanging in Master's room ready. Would Master be needing anything else from Tabby, sir?" Draco shook his head and thanked the house-elf. She dropped into a low curtsey and backed out of the study, closing the door behind her.

Draco stood and stretched his arms above his head to encourage the blood flow to his stiff limbs. He headed to his room to shower and change for a Ministry gathering that Blaise had invited him to that consisted of a sit down dinner followed by drinks and dancing.

Once he was ready, he let Tabby know that he was leaving and not to bother waiting up for him (even though she always did) and made his way onto the deserted lane that lay beyond his green gate. There he turned on the spot and Apparated to the alley behind the Ministry of Magic.

Hermione huffed loudly. She didn't see why she still felt obligated to go to the stupid Ministry function. But Ginny had arrived at her flat and after a lengthy talk during which Hermione told her everything, including her run-in with Draco but conveniently forgetting to mention the kiss, Ginny had persuaded her to go to prove to the world, to Ron and most importantly to herself that Ronald Weasley had not won. Plus being an Assistant Head of a department within the Ministry she really did have an obligation to attend.

Hermione glanced at the vivacious red-head beside her. Ginny looked fabulous for a woman with a young infant. Thankfully her mother had volunteered to look after young James overnight to allow Ginny and Harry to enjoy an evening out together, the first since little James had been born. Now standing there wearing a figure-hugging floor length bottle green dress (to match Harry's eyes) and with her long flame red hair hanging freely down her back, she looked simply stunning.

Stepping back from the mirror to take in the full effect of her appearance, Hermione was very pleased that Ginny had insisted she wear the outfit that Hermione had purchased during their last shopping spree together a few weeks previous. The dress was gorgeous. It was made from a deep Gryffindor-red satin; the top part comprised of a tightly fitted bodice, with gold embroidered detailing and gold corded straps; the bodice made her trim waist appear even smaller and pushed her breasts up to form a jaw dropping cleavage. Beneath the bodice hung the flattering a-line skirt, made from the same crimson satin but without the embroidery, it reached Hermione's dainty ankles allowing her petite feet clad in subtle gold high heels to be seen. Hermione had once again twirled her hair up into a sophisticated French twist, allowing a few stubborn curls to fall around her face, which bore subtle make-up to enhance her features.

Overall Hermione was quite impressed with her reflection, adding a gold bangle to her left wrist and hanging a gold pendant around her neck so that the golden rune rested just above the valley of her cleavage. She grinned at Ginny, who beamed back, relieved to see her best friend smile again. She handed Hermione her sheer creamy-gold shawl, picked up her own emerald green shawl and asked, "Ready?"

Hermione draped her shawl around her arms, picked up her gold beaded handbag and tucked her wand inside it. Taking a deep steadying breath she nodded slowly. "I guess so."

Ginny looped her arm through Hermione's and with one last reassuring smile she Apparated them both to the Ministry, where Harry was waiting for his wife and best friend.

Once inside, Hermione felt extremely awkward. She hated being a third-wheel to her best friends and was then relieved when it was time to sit down to dinner. She found that was seated at a table with Harry, Ginny, and seven older people from various offices around the Ministry. As always the meal was delicious as at these events the Ministry hired in the very best chefs.

Unfortunately Hermione's night was not destined to run smoothly. At the end of the meal, she, Harry and Ginny made there way through to the adjoining room where a bar and dance floor had appeared, as well as a scattering of small tables. But as they entered the room Hermione was distracted by the two figures now approaching them.

"Hey Harry, Ginny," rang out a familiar voice. Hermione glared as a grinning Ron stopped in front of them, with a tall, leggy blonde hanging off of his arm. "I wanted to introduce you both to Katherine."

"Please," said the blonde in a high-pitched girly voice, "Call me Kat." Hermione fought the urge to roll her eyes. 'Kat' shook hands with Ginny and then Harry. "Oh my goodness," she exclaimed, her eyes alighting on Harry's forehead. "You're Harry Potter!"

Hermione and Ginny shared a look as the girl giggled manically. She then turned to Hermione. "And you would be…?"

Ginny leapt to Hermione's rescue, seeing the discomfort in her best friend's features. "This is Hermione Granger."

Kat stared at Hermione for a second, looking her up and down with a slight frown on her face. Hermione took this opportunity to take a good look at Ron's new 'girlfriend'. She was wearing a hot pink strapless mini dress that only stayed up because of the size of her barely concealed breasts. Her hair was very blonde and very big. And her face was way too made-up.

Kat looked Hermione in the eye with mild surprise. "So you're the brainy one right? You're prettier than I thought you would be for someone so, well, brainy!"

Anger flared in the pit of Hermione's stomach and she narrowed her eyes as she watched Ron lean in close and whisper something into Kat's ear causing her to laugh like a drain, a semi-clogged and very annoying drain.

Ginny threw her brother a death-stare for being so insensitive and even Harry was looking extremely annoyed with his red-haired best friend. Ron was however completely oblivious, as he continued to whisper into the ear of the girl on his arm. She laughed again and then launched herself into his embrace and planted a very wet kiss on his lips.

Tears pooled in the corners of Hermione's chocolate eyes as she watched this bimbo make out with her ex-fiancé right in front of her. Her mind began to whir, wondering if this was the woman Ron had had the affair with.

Ron finally pulled away from Kat with a noise that resembled a plunger being pulled from a drain. His face was flushed and there was pride shining in his eyes. He smiled smugly, glancing at Hermione before pulling his date onto the dance floor where they grinded and gyrated against each other in a most disturbing fashion.

Hermione turned her back to the dance floor and marched straight for the bar at the back of the room. When she reached the counter she ordered a Firewhisky, a triple shot of Firewhisky. When the bartender placed the glass in front of her she downed it in one and immediately ordered another.

Sitting by himself in a dark corner of the room, Draco watched Hermione storm to the bar and begin knocking back shot after shot of Firewhisky. He couldn't believe that Weasley was that careless and cruel as to flaunt that piece of trash in front of her. He threw a disgusted glare at the couple now eating each others faces off in the middle of the dance floor.

Turning back to face the bar, he saw Potter's wife approach her tentatively and place an arm around her friend's shoulder. Hermione shrugged her off and plastered a false smile onto her face. Nodding her head to reassure the red-head, Hermione was then left alone to drown her sorrows.

Draco watched as she swayed on the spot. This was the second night in a row that he had witnessed her drink herself into oblivion. As she teetered carelessly on her high heels, Draco swept up to her, took a firm grip on her upper arm and led her out of the Ministry.

"What – Draco, where are we going?" she asked in confusion, her voice trembling with pent up tears and her words slurring slightly.

He released his grip, somewhat reluctant to lose bodily contact with her. "I figured you needed some fresh air," he said kindly as he watched her lean on her forearms on a nearby railing. She nodded and lowered her head in silent contemplation.

Draco used that moment as an opportunity to study her. His eyes raked over her body, studying every curve and dip as the crimson fabric shimmered under the light from a nearby shop front. Draco smiled slightly, very much appreciative of how snugly the bodice of the dress fitted her feminine form. With the angle at which he stood from her, Draco could not see her face as it was still lowered towards her clasped hands, but instead he had a fantastic unrestricted view of her cleavage. He stared at the pendant that glinted tauntingly at him from its resting place just above the dip of the valley of her delicious breasts. He was overcome with a sudden desire to remove the pendant and replace it with his tongue.

Come on Draco, he urged himself, shaking his blond head to clear it, Pull yourself together!

He moved to stand beside Hermione, and mimicked her body language and leaned forward onto the railing. He turned his head to look at her face and was surprised to see no trace of tears this time.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

Hermione smiled, making Draco's stomach somersault. "To be honest," she said softly, "I feel a bit sick."

Draco laughed. "I'm not surprised," he said. "Coffee?"

Smiling once more, Hermione slid her hand into the crook of his elbow. "Sounds good," she replied. Draco grinned at her, enjoying the sensation of her small hand on his arm as he could feel the warmth of it through the sleeve of his robes.

A/N: Many appologies for the delay, but we had lost our internet connection and my laptop has been poorly and I can't yet afford to get it fixed.

But to make up for it I have also written a oneshot of Draco's dream. Please read and review!