**Thanks to my new beta Tessa Cresswell for slowly editing this! Edited as of July 26, 2012.
Hermione came out of the room about an hour later, in looser jeans and a plain t-shirt. She had a heavy pile of books in her hands, and she nearly fell over when she bumped the couch arm, sending her books sprawling except for the bottom two. "Malfoy, your couch is too close to the pathway. People like meare going to run into it."
"Yes, people like you are Granger," he said, looking over her once. He'd taken off his shirt, becoming too hot in the tight apartment, and he noticed her eyes dancing over his body. His trademark smirk came out. "Enjoying the view Granger?"
"Hardly, you're so pale it hurts my eyes." She bent to begin to pick up her books.
"Tisk tisk Granger, and to think I was about to help you pick up all those books. Guess you ruined that one yourself."
"I can pick up my own books thank you."
He watched her ass as she walked over to the empty half of the bookcase and began setting the books in. The jeans were slightly loose and he could see the top of something red and lacey. "Got some slutty underwear hidden under there do you?"
She sat down on the ottoman next to her quickly, her cheeks a slight pink. "Would you quit that! If I wanted you to see my knickers I'd wander around in just them! Have some self control Malfoy."
He held his hands up. "And when have you ever seen me have self control around sexy women? We went to the same school Granger, and I know you know what my reputation was." He smirked. "Everyone did."
"Yes yes, yes the ever powerful and seductive Slytherin Sex God! Oh girls fell all over themselves to spend a night with you!" She had a look of disgust on her face. "But not me Malfoy, never."
He just shook his head, continuing to watch TV.
It was hours later when Draco saw Hermione again (but that was because he had walked to her room). The door was open and she was reclined back against several pillows with a book in her hands.
"Typical Granger, reading on a Monday night. Why don't you come to the bar with me? We'll find some lucky fellow to smash you."
She wrinkled her nose and looked up at him, closing the book. "I hardly think so Malfoy. I don't need a strange man playing around with me. Is that what you do with your nights? Have sex?"
"You mean to say fuck Granger, and yes it is."
"Sick Malfoy, why ever would you want so many women?"
He shrugged. "Everyone needs a hobby." He eyed her again. "Unless you want to take the place of one of them tonight and save me time."
She tossed the book at him. "Malfoy I am not some cheap whore." She stood up as though to retrieve her book. "Bring your hoe home but at least don't be so loud as to make me knock on your door and tell you to quit!"
"I see you're putting those new words to good use Granger." He picked up her book and handed it to her. "I won't make any guarantees, but it's a shame. I was looking forward to getting you." He smirked once again.
She gaped at him. "Get lost!" She hit him in the forehead with the book.
"Ok ok! Geese Granger I'm going!" He turned to go and glanced back. "See you later babe." He took off running to the front door.
"Stop calling me babe," she called after him, dashing to the front door and closing it with a definite click. She shook her head, returning to her bedroom to continue reading. It wasn't ten minutes later before she was out.
It felt like only minutes had passed when she awoke to the sound of loud groans coming from the next room. She rolled over, hoping she could block out the sounds, but it had no effect. She huffed, throwing off the pillow, standing up in her shorts and tank top, and stormed down to the next room.
"Malfoy!" She pounded on the door. "Malfoy open the door!"
The girl on top of Draco stopped what she was doing. "Who's that?"
He rolled his eyes. "My roommate."
She turned her head slightly. "You have a roommate?"
He sighed, rubbing his temples. "No shit." Her pounding continued and he sighed. "Get off me!" He pushed her and she quickly got off, wrapping herself in the sheets. He found a pair of shorts and quickly put them on before opening the door, not bothering to see if his partner were covered or not. He leaned against the door-frame.
"Yes Granger?" His hair was a mess, and Hermione could see the trashed girl behind him trying to cover herself.
"I told you earlier I don't want to hear you two...banging!"
"Sorry," he said with a roll of his eyes, "I don't ever know how loud they're going to be."
"Perhaps that's something you should ask before bringing them home next time!"
He straightened up to his full height then, towering over her. "This is my house Granger, not yours. I rented the room out to you, not the other way around. You have no business controlling my life, and I won't have it. You have a problem with the way I live? Then get out and find someplace else!" With that he slammed the door shut, leaving her fuming in the hallway.
"What was all that about," the girl asked him as he came back in, and he had already completely forgotten her name. She sat up now that the door was closed, letting the sheet slip down to her waist, and although her tits were fantastic he felt absolutely no arousal. "Where were we?"
"Finishing," he said curtly, lying down and closing his eyes.
"But Draco-"
"I'm not paying you, this is a fling. You're not missing out on anything except getting fucked. Get over yourself and go to sleep. You have a problem with this then get out and go see if you can grab some pathetic sucker before the bars close. Perhaps he'll teach you how to give head correctly."
"Draco!" Now she was offended. "Don't talk to me like that or-"
"Or what? You'll leave? By all means, please do!"
She stood up, slipping clumsily into her clothes. She didn't bother putting on her shoes as she stormed out his bedroom door, nearly pushing Hermione out of her way as she grabbed her coat and departed from the apartment.
Hermione poked her head into the room, Draco's arms lying over his face. She smirked, stepping further into his room. "Your lady friend has left I see."
He bolted up, eyes flaring. "Get lost Granger. Keep fucking with my life and I'll kick your sweet little ass right back onto the street where it came from!"
She threw her hands up. "Ugh! This is my house too Malfoy!" She turned on her heel and walked out.
"Ha! It's been your house for a day!" He flopped back on the pillows.
"This is going to be a long, shitty time."
Two days passed and Draco went to his job, Hermione stayed home and read papers in her room, never coming out until dinner, and she didn't stay out for more than a half hour. Draco didn't have any other "lady friends" over, having lost his enthusiasm to go to bars and find some ass, deflated by the possibility of Hermione ruining another of his nights.
It was Wednesday the second day she'd been there, and Draco was feeling quite unsatisfied, and smoking almost a pack a day since his sexual life stopped. Returning home to his apartment flat he found to his surprise Hermione on the phone, talking loudly to somebody on the other end. This was the first time he'd seen her out before dinner since her arrival.
She was sitting on the couch, using the old landline, holding the telephone in one hand and cradling the other half in her lap. As he shut the door, she turned her body away from him, and he noticed the tight skirt she was wearing rode up to reveal more of her sexy thighs. He smirked, setting his jacket on the back of the couch, leaning over slightly to examine her exposed skin at a closer range, picking up on her conversation.
"I don't have the papers yet...No, I haven't gone to see him, that would be your job!...Ha, mine, that's rich! You're the one who still has to sign...No, I found a place I...No! Why would I want you here?...No...No...No, I have to go now." She hung up the phone, sighing for a moment before whipping her head around towards Draco who was grinning from ear to ear. "And whatever are you looking at?"
His smirk widened. "Nothing Granger, I'm just enjoying your creamy skin revealing itself to me."
Her eyebrows drew together, and her hands instinctively struck out to snatch up the blanket beside her, covering her upper legs. "Malfoy!"
He shrugged, his smile falling away. "Pity, I was rather enjoying looking at you, even if you are a Mudblood."
"Oh shut it," she said, standing and smoothing out her pencil skirt, which actually went down to her knees. Her white blouse was buttoned up except the top two which revealed a peak of cleavage if you were eye level, but let you see straight down the shirt if you were taller, such as Draco, whose smile returned as he gazed down her top. He was sure she didn't realize it was that revealing to him. She had on high heels, something Draco had not seen her in, and her hair was back in a messy bun. "I'm not in the mood."
His smirk faded a little. "You look almost professional, what's the occasion?" He sat on the back of the couch, looking up at her.
"I had a meeting with someone earlier," she said simply. "I don't want to talk about it right now." She brushed past him, making a beeline for her room, swinging her hips in an unconscious but seductive manner.
"Who was on the phone," he asked, prying his eyes from her round ass. She turned back looking at him with narrowed eyes. "You sounded upset is all."
"Since when do you care about anyone but yourself?"
"You're my roommate. Whatever problems you bring home will eventually become my own, and I don't need any more trouble." He stood and picked up his jacket. "Let's keep our personal problems private shall we?" He winked.
Her eyebrows squished together. "You're hopeless Ferret! Someone could stalk in and beat me alive and so long as it doesn't affect you, you would make no action to aid me!"
"Not true Granger. Hitting women isn't exactly something I find right to do."
"Ah, I see. The great Slytherin Sex God has a soft spot for women! I'm sure you save lots of girls from terrible male beings, and sweep them up into your pale arms and bring them home for your own reward!" She laughed, leaning against her door-frame for a moment. "But I, Mr. Malfoy, will not put out, and in return you will not aid me." She winked in return to his, still chuckling as she shut her door.
He rolled his eyes. "Arrogant bitch."
Night came, and Hermione stumbled from her room in a half daze as she rubbed sleep from her eyes. She walked to the fridge, making sure to pull her shorts down and her shirt up as she walked, pulling the bathrobe to her. Yawning, she opened the fridge, pulling out the milk, pouring herself a tall glass.
As she was putting it away, she heard the turning of a knob and spun around quickly breathing a small breath of relief as Draco emerged from his room.
"Granger? Whatever are you doing? It's nearly two."
"I was working," she said with a yawn, taking a long gulp of her drink. He had walked over to her, smiling.
"That's your idea of a late night drink?"
"I just needed something, my throat was parched."
"From?"
She shook her head. "Nothing."
He raised an eyebrow as he looked her over slowly. Her cheeks looked like they had just been streaked with fresh tears, but he didn't mention it. Her bathrobe had fallen open, revealing the low tank top underneath, and he could clearly see she had on no bra. The shorts cut off almost at her crotch, and he found his blood rushing to his cock, hardening by the second, and he turned away from her to the cabinets. The pajama wear seemed quite...revealing, even slutty for the stuck up know-it-all. "Are you sick then?"
"No."
"Throats don't go dry for no reason babe."
"Granger or Hermione Malfoy, never babe."
"Hermione Malfoy...hmm. Doesn't quite have the right ring to it." He pulled out a large bottle of scotch, popping the top off as he turned and lowering the bottle to hide his growing erection. "Babe fits you nicely though."
She rolled her eyes, looking at the bottle in his hands. Her eyes moved down momentarily to the growing bulge in his shorts, but she quickly pulled her eyes away, up to his well built chest, snapping them up finally to his face, which now had his signature smirk plastered on it.
"Ogling a bit Granger?" He tilted the bottle back, taking a swig and letting her get full view of the tent in his pants for a brief moment. "Enjoying yourself?"
"Hardly," she snapped. He nearly grinned again at her almost coyness, but it wasn't hitting home like he knew she wanted it to.
"Ah Granger, always one for crude remarks."
"No, that's your trademark Malfoy." She set down the now empty glass, pulling her robe closed again. "I'm going back to bed now."
"You should really consider a tie for that thing you know, it may be more sufficient."
"Yes yes, I'm quite aware." She pulled the robe tighter to her still, rubbing her arms just a bit.
"If you're cold there's always a nice warm bed in my room waiting for you," he said with a flirtatious wink.
"No Malfoy I am certainly not going to willingly join you in bed."
He shrugged taking another large gulp of his drink. "Then I recommend less slutty sleepwear. Although that is not lingerie, you're just asking to get fucked like that. The robe even compliments it." It was true, the skimpy silk robe was quite teasing as it hugged her scantily clothed figure. "Silks are cold in the winter you know."
"I know!"
"Then perhaps something thick would better suit you?"
"Yes, when I have the money I will certainly buy one."
"You must have some spare money to buy a robe! They're not horribly expensive."
"Perhaps for you Malfoy, but I have a very tight budget right now. Besides, my rent is due in four days and I have about eighty pounds and no job."
He raised an eyebrow. "Really now? No job? That doesn't sound like the over-achieving Hermione Granger I went to school with!"
"I'm temporarily unemployed then. I've been working at Hogwarts for the last few months-"
"Ha! The great Hermione Granger was fired from the very school she excelled in? That's brilliant!" Laughing he took two large gulps of his drink before re-corking it to return to the cabinet.
"I wasn't fired, I chose to leave."
"And why is that?"
"I don't want to talk about it Malfoy-" Hermione began.
"Hmm seems you don't wish to talk about-" Draco said, interrupting.
"It's personal- the point is-" Hermione continued, trying to speak over him.
"Anything." Draco finished.
"I only have Galleons to pay you in and since that won't suffice for my rent money I'm more concerned about obtaining a job to pay you the rent so you don't kick me out." She paused for a single moment. "And you're right; I don't wish to talk about anything."
"I'm not picky Granger. Pay me in Galleons if you prefer, the money will still come to me and I will simply transfer it to the correct amount in pounds, which you could obviously do yourself if you weren't so stupid."
"It's not that I'm stupid, it's simply that I am unable to change my Galleons to pounds at the moment."
He raised an eyebrow, smirking. "We're in trouble are we Granger?"
She pulled on a piece of her hair, which was still neat, giving him the assumption that she hadn't even slept yet. "It's nothing...I'm going to bed now Malfoy."
"I agree," he said, walking behind her to the rooms. "I have a busy day tomorrow of sitting around, unless I get another shift since you made me miss my Monday job."
She just smiled at her door. "Goodnight Malfoy." She walked into her room, the door making a quiet click as it closed.
His eyebrows drew together, and he stared at the empty space for a moment. "Goodnight Granger?"
Hermione left early Thursday morning before Draco had even awoken, and he did not see her return until almost ten that night. When she walked in her makeup was smeared and a large purple-black bruise had formed on her cheek.
When she slammed the door shut Draco looked up from his spot on the couch, and rose up with a questioning look on his face as he studied her further. Her shirt was slightly torn and her jeans had dirt smears on them. The strap on her purse had been snapped off on one side and she carried it in one dirty hand. She tried to scurry past him but he intercepted her, grabbing her arm gently and touching the blossoming bruise on her cheek.
"What the hell happened to you?"
"Nothing," she said with a soft sniff. "I was just about to go and freshen up-"
"Freshen up," he said, turning her head from left to right to check for other marks. Again he saw the tear streaks on her cheeks. "You need a bath first and foremost, after you tell me what the hell happened."
"A small misinterpretation is all, I'm fine."
"People who are fine Granger don't come home looking like you." He tilted her head back, seeing the gentle red blood coming from a small cut. "Let me-"
"No! No, I'm fine Draco, just let me clean myself up, please."
He looked her dead in the eyes. "What kind of trouble did you bring back?"
"None! It's dealt with."
"What is?"
"Nothing!"
"Don't lie to me Granger, something's obviously wrong."
"Like I said, it's handled."
He shook his head. "Stubborn bitch," he said beneath his breath, but not quietly enough to slip past Hermione's hearing. She held his gaze. "At least let me help you!"
"No! I can handle this!" She spun away from him, nearly fell over, regained her balance, dropped her purse and didn't try to pick it up, and stumbled to the bathroom, slamming the door.
He threw his hands up, pressed them into his face and bit his lip to keep from cussing her out. He stomped to the front door and threw it open, peering down the hall in both directions. No one was there.
He sighed, shutting the door and pulling his pack out of his pocket. Lighting one of the cancer sticks, he inhaled deeply, trying to calm down. He wasn't going to get her to accept help if she didn't want it although it was fairly obvious she needed it.
"She has a fucking wand! Why didn't she use it? Granger's not exactly weak; she can throw a decent punch...who would want to beat her up anyways? Rapist? No, clothes would've been more torn. Thief? Doubtful, her purse would've probably been taken. Ex boyfriend? Only a complete asshole hits a girl, even I know that!"
He picked up her purse that was still lying on the floor, carried it to her room and threw it in. He was surprised to see how many papers were scattered all over, but figured it wasn't the best time to ask.
"If she doesn't get beat up again, don't worry about it. If the problem doesn't come back here, there's no issue. But if it continues, she's going to have some shit to answer to."
He wandered over to his room, flopped on the bed, put his cigarette out, and passed into an exciting dream with Hermione as the star character.
It was roughly six in the morning the following day when Hermione chucked the pillow at Draco's head.
"Malfoy!"
He stirred, rubbing his eyes for several seconds before finally opening them. Hermione stood in his doorway, arms folded in front of her beautiful chest. She had on a pair of lose jeans again and a long sleeve v-neck shirt. Her hair was pulled back into a firm ponytail.
"Granger," he said, sitting up. "What's wrong."
"Nothing." She hesitated. "Walk with me to the coffee shop across the street?"
He fell back against the pillows. "You woke me up at," he checked the time, "six in the morning to walk you to a coffee shop. We have coffee here!"
"I wanted to get out for a bit."
"Then go yourself," he replied, rolling over.
"I need help."
"Getting coffee?"
"Picking something up."
"Ah yes," he said with a yawn, sitting up and stretching. "I'm sure the precious scone you so badly want to get is worth waking me."
"You have work later."
"Yes I do Granger, thanks for remembering."
She sighed. "Take me tomorrow then?"
"Oh no no no Granger, you got me up and this is a onetime deal, take it or leave it."
"I'll take it then."
"Now why am I escorting your sweet self across the street?"
"I figured you would be mad if I went myself. It's the only place I desire to go to today. After that I'll leave you be."
He shrugged. "Fair enough Granger." He walked towards her and tilted her head back. You may consider cleaning that cut once more."
Friday night was the result of two twenty-one year olds in bed by nine. Saturday came and went, with Hermione hidden in her room except for breakfast and dinner, and Draco going with a neighbor to a nearby bar till nearly midnight, before returning to the apartment without a tramp on his arm and he crashed on the couch.
Sunday morning the phone in the living room rang at promptly nine.
Draco picked up the thing in a rush, crabby at the irritating awakening and rudely began the conversation with a blunt, "What?"
"Who the fuck is this?"
"Why don't you tell me wise-ass, you are on myphone after all."
"Is Hermione there?"
"Depends, who wants to know?"
"Malfoy!" He ignored the caller, pressing the cool phone to his naked chest and staring up at Hermione's panicky face. "Who're you talking to?"
"That word is better known as whore Granger."
"Who is on the phone? Do they want to speak to me?"
He narrowed his eyes. "What's so important Granger? And why do your contacts feel the urge to call at this ungodly hour?"
"Let me have the phone!" She lunged at his chest for it, but he extended his arm and the angle she had put herself in left her about five inches short of his wrist. She had leaned too far, and fell over onto his naked chest, ass straight up in the air.
He laughed. "HA! I always knew you'd fall for me Granger!"
"That's a terrible line Malfoy...give me the phone!"
"How about a sweet little kiss and I'll consider it?"
"Ugh!" She leaned forward to snatch the phone, putting too much of her weight on one side of his body and they both tumbled to the floor, narrowly missing the coffee table. Draco dropped the phone, catching himself before his full weight hit her on his forearm and his hand, his face almost in direct line about hers. They both heard the thud as the phone toppled from its table, hitting the ground and disconnecting.
He smirked down at her, her same pajama top having been pulled down. "I rather like this position Granger."
"Ugh, you pig." She hit his chest, and he reluctantly pushed himself up off of her, standing and collecting himself. She scrambled to her knees and picked up the phone, setting it back on the table and then dropping her head onto the couch. Her shorts had been pulled up in the back a bit during their little rolling match, and he could almost see the very bottom of her ass cheeks. "Did he leave a name?"
"You're positive it was a he? Expecting a call I see."
"Did he say anything," she asked, flipping her head and hair around to face him. Tears of frustration had formed in her eyes.
Draco stopped trying to be coy. "Just that he wanted to speak to you. I was only giving him a hard time."
She stood up, rubbing her temples. "Please Draco, for god sake, if someone, or even the same guy calls again, please for the love of god don't give him a hard time. Please, please don't make it harder for me."
"Make what harder," he asked, but she was already rushing to her room. A moment later the door slammed shut. He sighed, sat down, and turned on the television in front of him.
By ten the next morning Draco was dressed and getting ready to send the rent money. He needed Hermione's soon, so he could transfer her money into the pounds he needed before sending. Hermione though, had not been seen since the previous morning.
He stood, walking to her bedroom door. "Granger," he said knocking. "Granger, I'm going to need your money by one in order to send this." He didn't hear anything. "Granger?" He tested the door handle, and was surprised to find her room unlocked. He pushed it open.
Hermione was nowhere to be seen. A note was set on her desk, written in purple ink.
Be back by 5:30. Here's my money, take it.
Beneath the note he found the rent payment for the month, as well as next month.