"Pleased to see you again, Draco," Hermione said, trying her hardest to sound like she meant it, for the sake of their parents.
She was wearing a very dark green dress that only scraped her knees. The material was soft and satiny, and the neckline was cut into a deep V. It was backless and the only thing that held up the front was the tie on the back of her neck. The color matched the color of her eyes perfectly, and her hair was styled into a sleek almost-bun at her nape. The wine colored lipstick and deep green eyeshadow perfected the look. She tried to put the kiss from the day before out of her head.
"The pleasure is all mine," he replied. He couldn't stop thinking about he'd love to kiss away that lipstick, and rip that hair of that bun. He didn't know what to blame it on this time, though, since he had found a gorgeous young blonde at the bar the night before. He took her hand and kissed it. His father had told him to be perfectly courteous.
"You bet it is," she muttered. Then she smiled graciously at his father. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Malfoy."
"As it is to meet you, Miss Drake." He smiled back at her, and a shiver went down her spine. He scared her to death. "I heard that you and Draco go quite a way back."
"We… knew each other in school." She smiled again. "We came in close contact occasionally." She remembered punching him very vividly. And kissing him the day before.
"Yes." Draco stepped in, vividly remembering both also. "I apologize for the ways I mistreated you in school, Hermione." He bowed his head.
"I thought you were supposed to have done that before today," Lucius said sharply.
"I got distracted, Father."
"It's really no problem. I completely understand. In fact, I was also very busy yesterday." Her eyes bored into Draco's. "But be sure that it was really nothing."
"No, my business was probably just an excuse not to come."
"That's quite alright."
"And that's enough," Lucius put in, the sharp tone not leaving his voice. "Draco, why don't you begin unpacking your things in the guest room?"
As he walked off, Natalie spoke up. "Hermione, the guest room changed. It's now the one next to yours… Why don't you show him the way?"
On the way to the room, Hermione realized that the two rooms shared a bathroom. Now, that was going to be awkward.
"Here it is, and the bathroom is through there."
"Where's the other door go to?"
"A closet," she lied.
"Alright, then." He nodded. "I will see you later, then."
She left and went to her own room, laying on her bed. She heard a doorknob turn and jumped up at his voice.
"This doesn't look like a closet."
"Oh, you meant the other door in the bathroom. I had thought you meant in the bedroom."
"No. I didn't."
"Well, then, you can go back now."
"I can." He stayed, leaning against the door frame.
"Then why aren't you?"
"I don't feel like it, frankly."
"This is my bedroom, Malfoy." Her eyes were fiery and icy at the same time. "You need to get out."
He noticed the expression in her eyes. "Yesterday I said you were hot. Fiery, you know. You said I was cold. Like ice. When you mix fire and ice, you get—"
"Melted water," she said quickly.
"No." He was right beside her now, whispering into her ear, "You get steam."
She gave an involuntary gasp. Just a little intake of air. Just her eyes widening. Just her heart accelerating at the mental image. Just the memory of that kiss.
He smiled. "See you later, Hermione. And, by the way," he looked at her as he left, "call me Draco. This last name thing is getting kind of annoying."
Back in his own room, he almost screamed. Torturing her was not fun. It also tortured him. And if it wasn't just the dry run, since he had broken it last night, it was her. Damn it all. This wasn't going to work. He looked to the bathroom door. And realized he would be hearing her shower. Every day he remained here. His father had told him he would be staying a week. Or longer. Definitely not good. Seven or more days. Seven or more showers. This was going to suck severely.
Hermione wanted to get rid of the creeping feelings in her. She let the fabric of her dress pool at her feet, undid her bra, and slipped out of her other undergarments.
She walked into the shower, turned it on hot, let the water run over her.
Shit, he thought. She was in the shower. Now. Naked. And the only thing between them was an unlocked door. Neither doors had locks. He had checked.
And he did something he hadn't even thought about. He stood up and went into that bathroom, and said, "I was sure I heard this faucet leaking," as if he didn't know she was in the shower.
Immediately, the water turned off. It was a good thing she was done.
"Draco," she said slowly and calmly, "would you please hand me that towel?"
When he handed the dark green, fluffy towel to her, She pushed the curtain aside, and stepped out wrapped in it. Still, the towel wasn't very big, and some of her cleavage and most of her legs were quite visible. It didn't help matters when he watched a drop of water from her hair trace over her skin and disappear below the towel. He wished to be that little bit of water.
"What are you staring at?" She blushed, the color spreading throughout all her body that was visible. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to get dressed." She walked into her own room.