A/N: Finally! It took me a while to get this out, but I hope the wait was worth it. Another dive into Draco's POV this time round. LMK your thoughts!

Chapter 20

Draco, too pre-occupied with his thoughts, hadn't realised that he had reached the room that housed the quidditch gear. He stormed in, hastily grabbing a few broomsticks and the quidditch box, all the while thinking of Granger. He felt so frustrated, and not just mentally. Granger really knew how to rile him, that much was certain, but now, he couldn't even bring himself to challenge her on it. One minute she had succumbed to his advances, only to turn him away suddenly. He was over it, and nothing had even begun. Decidedly, Draco came to the conclusion that he would treat her with indifference, since she definitely couldn't deal with his attention.

He scowled openly as he walked out of the room. Perhaps if he told her that Blaise already knew they had slept together, she'd get over whatever pre-occupation or reservations she was battling with. It didn't help that Blaise's journalist friend was hanging around either. Sebastian Parker was a rat.

He walked through the internal courtyard, looking up at Granger's window. She was standing there, staring out blankly. He looked away, not wanting to catch her gaze and walked ahead into the gardens.

"Draco, where's Hermione?" Padma asked as his presence became known. She was sprawled on a sun chair nearby, sunglasses on, staring out. He set down the quidditch equipment before answering.

"Probably getting changed," he offered. "Blaise, let's get the firewhiskey out. Sebastian, you drink firewhiskey?" he stated more than asked.

"Sure, why not," he shrugged, checking out the brooms.

"Alright, only a few though. I still want to be able to navigate myself on a broom." Blaise called the house elf and made the request. "What does my lovely fiancé want to drink?"

Padma lifted her sunglasses, eyeing her husband suggestively, before placing them back on. Blaise walked over, reaching down to plant a sweet kiss on her lips. "Plenty of time for that Padma, perhaps some butter beer to warm you up?"

"Sure," she replied indifferently, before smiling. Draco watched their exchange with derision.

"Anything for you honey," Blaise mocked, kissing her again. He caught Draco's eye, and sent him a look that implied 'you'd do the same' before his attention was caught by the presence of a newcomer. Draco turned to see Granger; she was wearing the same clothes except for a cardigan. Their gazes locked on each other for a brief moment before he turned away. The image she projected was what had caught him off guard the moment she had walked into his office that morning. She wasn't carrying the aura of the professional, she was stripped down to just Hermione Granger, which carried a new meaning now that they had been together.

"Is the room okay, Hermione?" Blaise asked.

"It's perfect," she replied warmly, sitting on the edge of the sun chair near Padma. Draco ignored the exchange and walked over to the bottle of firewhiskey that had appeared, pouring it into three tumblers before chilling them. He took a swig of his even as he passed the others around, eager to have it in his system. He was turning into an alcoholic. All thanks to Granger. He saw Sebastian approach her, as he sat down next to her facing the opposite way the on the same chair.

"So, how long have you worked for the Prophet?" he heard her ask. 'Indifference,' he reminded himself as he walked out of earshot, down the small slope that defined the boundaries of the entertaining area, toward the fountain that contained a small school of fish. He stared at them absently before gazing at the sculpture from which the water sprouted. It was a copy of the work of some muggle sculptor, he recalled Blaise telling him. It depicted a man chasing a woman, who was turning herself into a tree to escape his attentions. He grimaced at its relevance.

He heard the rustling of feet through the grass but did not bother turning to face the intruder. "What's up with you?" Blaise asked standing next to him, tumbler in hand.

"Why should anything be up?" he replied. He had Granger to thank for that. Blaise chuckled, causing Draco to turn and glare. "If you've got something to say, then say it," he bit out, feeling rather irate.

"Don't bite my head off. I get it."

"Get what?" Blaise smirked knowingly.

"Hermione," was all he said. Draco remained silent. "Seb is really into her," he continued. Draco snarled, his face contorting into an expression of distaste, mixed with a hint of jealousy. Blaise chuckled again.

"What?" Draco shot out again with exasperation. He was not in the mood for Blaise's all mighty relationship expertise. But, Blaise said nothing, instead giving him a manly pat on the back and walking off. Draco was infuriated. Since when had he become the subject of concern?

Draco downed the rest of his drink and walked back to the others.

"…it just doesn't seem plausible," Granger was shaking her head in response to something Sebastian had said.

"Hermione, you're speaking from a high level viewpoint, it's only natural for you to be defensive. You would have no idea about what low level Ministry advocates get up to. I have evidence to support that Ministry employees are leaking this kind of information, and at a price."

Granger was listening to Sebastian rattle on about some conspiracy he was trying to uncover involving Ministry figures who were consorting with private enterprise, but all Draco could see were the sneaking subtle touches he gave her, to her forearm, her shoulder, his absolute attention on her. Draco could not believe he had been reduced to this, glaring blindly at the instigations of another on the woman he had invited along for the weekend away. She hadn't even noticed his presence, which only served to rile him further.

Blaise was busy giving Padma his undivided attention. "I'm going out for a ride," Draco interrupted. All four of them turned to look at him in unison, but his eyes could only focus on one. Granger shifted slightly, realising her proximity to Sebastian, her expression seemingly discomfited. He didn't understand why she even bothered.

"Hey, not without me, I've been hanging out for a ride on the old broom all day," Blaise moved Padma's arm away from his neck and stood up. She huffed playfully. "Seb? Hermione? You guys want to go out for a ride?" Hermione looked up in horror at the suggestion, shaking her head absently. Draco couldn't help but react and let out a chuckle; it was obvious she had a fear of flying. He walked over and picked up a broom.

"Not all of us are experienced flyers, Draco," Padma reprimanded. He rolled his eyes at her mockingly.

"Hermione can fly with me," Seb suggested. Draco inwardly groaned at the cut throat opportunist. He could see Granger's confliction. Her expression was halfway between reluctance and obligation to exercise propriety amongst acquaintances.

"Do you have much experience flying with two people on one broom, Sebastian?" he asked, unable to resist his condescending tone. He saw Granger visibly relax at his interjection.

"A few times, it's not any different to flying solo."

"I don't think Gr- Hermione would appreciate your assumption," Draco responded curtly. "I, on the other hand, have taught flying, so if Hermione wants to give it a shot, I would probably be the best person to take her out." His gaze shifted to Granger as he said this. She appeared to at least consider his suggestion but he knew it was a long shot.

"Well, let's leave it up to Hermione to decide," Blaise offered as he grabbed two brooms, handing one to Sebastian, who seemed rather forlorn at the outcome.

"Uhm, I am not really confident being up in the air, I might sit this out with Padma," Granger finally proposed. Draco was not surprised and merely shrugged, feeling rather smug that Sebastian was out of the picture on this one.

"Don't forget the quaffle, Blaise," he directed before mounting his broom and shooting skyward, relishing the feel of his feet lifting off the ground and the cool breeze hitting gently against his skin. He looked out and saw Blaise and Sebastian approaching, tossing the quaffle back and forth to each other as they ascended. As they neared, Blaise broke the pattern and thew the quaffle over to Draco who caught it swiftly with one hand, tucking it under his left arm. It felt good to be holding a quidditch ball; he hadn't played in a while.

Draco looked down below and Padma and Granger, they seemed to be laughing about something. He could make out the red colour of her shoes and smiled. "So, Blaise, do you know if Hermione is seeing anyone?" he heard Sebastian's voice carry through the air. Draco turned his broom around to face them, shooting Blaise a wary look.

"I don't know, Draco sees her more than I do, maybe he knows," Blaise smirked knowingly, amusement apparent in his voice. "What do you say, Draco?"

"She's seeing someone," Draco stated with finality, shooting Blaise a heated glare to stop his subtle antagonising.

"Wonder who the lucky guy is?" Blaise continued to joke. Draco threw the quaffle at him with all the force he could muster. It was unfortunate that the former beater caught it swiftly.

"Some Ministry affiliate," he surmised, trying to end the conversation.

"Do you know his name?" Sebastian inquired. Blaise threw the quaffle at him to throw him off. Sebastian's reflexes were surprisingly good.

"What difference does it make?" Draco responded.

"Just intrigued, is all," he replied downtrodden. Draco could not help but smirk, catching the quaffle from Sebastian with ease.

ooo

Draco disembarked from the broom, noticing that Padma and Granger were nowhere to be seen.

"They're probably in the library," Blaise commented as he landed.

"I'm going to go shower," Draco replied. He had not expected to stay out for so long but they got carried away with their quidditch obsession, mimicking plays of their favourite teams. The only light source was from the lanterns around the palazzo, giving it an ethereal feel as night descended on them.

"I might see you guys in there," Draco walked through the courtyard, taking the stone staircase up to the second floor entrance. He entered his room, taking off the bulk of his clothing, leaving only his jeans and boxers. They had not quite caught on to the convenience of ensuites when the palazzo had been built. Draco exited his room and walked over to the bathroom door, opening it and stepping in. The cold tiles cooled his feet as he walked over to the shower and started the water, setting it at the right temperature before swiftly undressing and stepping in. It had been a long day, and the water on his back soothed the tension he had been carrying since his encounter with Granger. His thoughts diverted to her, as he pictured her straddling him in an unabashed move to make him speed up his ministrations. He could no longer deny what she did to him.

Stepping out of the shower, he grabbed the towel and tied it around his hips, casting a drying charm before walking over to the mirror and doing the same to his hair. He needed a shave, yet he was the least bit inclined to act on it. He couldn't even remember the spell.

The door suddenly opened, and through the mirror, he was Granger walk in. Her surprise was much more obvious as she practically jumped out of her skin as she caught sight of him. He smirked.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't realise you were in here," she turned to exit.

"Granger, I'm finishing up anyway. I was going to shave, but you saved me the trouble. I thought you were all in the library?"

"I was, but I decided I might turn in. It's been a pretty long day." He nodded, his back still facing her as he watched her through the mirror. Once again, he noticed her expression of indecision and inner conflict. He opened the cabinet and pulled out deodorant, spraying it under each arm before closing the it again. She was still looking at him, or rather through him.

"You alright, Granger?" She was acting strange.

"How do you do it?" she blurted without context.

"Do what?" He furrowed his brow.

"Shave. Muggle method or magic?"

He found her questioning strange and turned to face her. She seemed slightly taken aback by his move to face her, like she had grown accustomed to speaking to him through the mirror.

"Magic usually," he simply replied. She nodded, regarding him quietly for a few moments. "But I have had a momentary lapse in memory and can't recall the spell."

He leaned back against the basin, crossing his arms. She seemed to be deciding on something, he was in no hurry to leave as he gave her the once over. She owed him that much for his earlier torment.

"I think I can help," she finally said. Draco cocked an eyebrow, intrigued. Granger walked over, taking her wand out. To his surprise, she lifted herself up onto the counter top and gestured for him to face her. He had no qualms with obeying her in this instance. Their eyes were level as he looked at her expectantly, unable to resist his telltale grin that dared her to continue. She smirked back, lifting a hand to his cheek, rubbing it to assess the growth. He relished her touch.

"I only know one way of doing this," she directed before muttering an incantation.

"Shaving cream?" His face was covered with the stuff. "You really know how to emasculate the purpose of magic, Granger." She grinned back, looking at her handiwork.

"Don't move," she commanded, her stern tone deflected by her sly grin. He was rather enjoying himself as he watched her face concentrate on the incantation. She tilted his face to once side and ran her wand over his skin, a tingling sensation passed over him. She tilted his head to the other side and repeated her actions.

"Okay, now face me," she directed. He willingly obliged, regarding her closely. She seemed to shift in discomfort as she noticed his eyes on her while her gaze was fixed on his chin and upper lip.

"Stop it," she warned.

"Stop what?" he feigned innocence.

"I can't concentrate; do you want me to cut your lip by accident?"

"Of course not," he replied, trying to keep a straight face but did not take his eyes off her. Draco took in every detail of her face, her long eyelashes, shapely eyebrows, radiant skin, before averting his gaze to her lips. They were slightly parted and very inviting, which only stirred recollection of their encounters.

Without realising, he leaned in and kissed them gently, forgetting that he still had shaving cream on his face, his hand came up to gently grasp her hips. She wriggled away, smiling.

"Patience, Draco," he was instantly aroused by her tone but said nothing and let her finish. She had a bit of shaving cream on her upper lip; he brought his hand up and wiped it away with the pad of his thumb.

"Don't know how that got there," he simply said. She nudged him gently, rolling her eyes before bringing her hand up to his cheek. She rubbed it again, testing her work. He guessed she was done, her smile of satisfaction a dead giveaway.

That was his cue to kiss her again. She didn't back away. He felt like he had just won the battle.

His kisses were fierce as he gripped her waist. He couldn't help feel the need to punish her slightly, just enough to hint at his earlier frustration. She seemed to sense it as her legs came to wrap themselves around his waist, urging him closer. He attacked her jaw and neck, loving the feel of her soft skin against his lips, sucking gently at the base of her neck, along her collarbone. Her fingers were combing through his hair. He couldn't help but moan against her skin, as his own fingers came to the base of her top, goading it upward and all the way off.

She was kissing along his jaw as his hands fumbled with her jeans.

"Lift up slightly," he said as he pulled at her jeans. She brought her hands to her sides and lifted toward him, her hair was dishevelled around her face. He was going crazy and hastily tugged them off. They were now back to where they had left off after lunch, he kissed her with relief, one hand running through her curls as his other hand traced over her full breasts. He needed to have her naked in front of him.

Fingers on her bra clasp, he expertly undid it, pulling it off her, as he brought his lips down to lick and suck at her peaks. He loved her slight pants and soft moans as he concentrated on her breasts, his hands and lips working to elicit more of those delightful moans and her desperate please. Her hands came to the edge of his towel and he felt it being pulled off him. Smiling against her, she knew how to make her readiness known.

He released his hold on her, bring his hands to her waist once more and looking at her silently. Her lips red, body bare, she was the very image of his desires.

"You're beautiful," he didn't even hear himself say it, but he must have, for her to hitch her breath like that. His thumbs circled down to the waistband of her very scant panties. He wrapped one arm around her waist, lifting her slightly as he tugged them off. She let go of her hold around him and let them fall to the ground.

Bending down on his knees, he spread her legs, taking in the scent of her arousal. Her fingers held onto his hair as he brought his lips down on her, licking at her sensory nub. She instinctively arched into him, her grip on his hair tightening. He alternated between licking and sucking, running his tongue along her, before flicking it into her entrance. He could not contain his own arousal as her moans filled the room. Concentrating, he worked on her, bringing her to climax around his tongue before gently sucking on her nub to let her ride it out. He knew his unrelenting attention would leave her feeling extra sensitive, but it was his way of showing his annoyance.

He came up, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand as he grinned at her with satisfaction. "That was just the entrée," he stated matter of factly. "I'm not done with you yet," he teased. She was too busy composing herself to respond. Draco lifted her off the counter, her legs instinctively wrapping themselves around him once more. He could feel her heat against him but composed himself, instead focusing on kissing her again, as her tongue invaded his mouth wantonly.

Walking them over to the shower, he stepped in, pressing her against the wall as his other hand worked the taps. The water cooled them at first before heating up and tingling against their skin.

"I thought you already had a shower?" she questioned, half smiling.

"I have, but didn't you want one, Hermione?" he replied as he thrust into her. Her mouth opened in surprise.

"That… was… the plan," she replied between breaths, her lips catching his as she came down on him as he thrust up in a heated rhythm.

"Well, I'm glad… I could be…of assistance," he replied against her mouth, smiling. His hands toyed with her nipples as he worked her up into frenzy once again. Her walls were clenching around him, she was close. Picking up the pace, he finally heard her call out his name, it drove him over the edge as he released into her. Her fingers curled into his hair, as she came down from her high. He lifted her up, letting her stand under the running water. She looked at him with half-lidded eyes. He smirked as he reached for the shampoo bottle and squeezed some into his hand.

"I take it you wash your hair when you shower?" he asked nonchalantly. She pushed him back against the wall, her hands on his chest as she kissed him again.

"Careful, Granger! I have shampoo in my hand." He brought it up and let it fall on her head as he began to massage it through her hair. She closed her eyes.

"Turn around," he whispered. She obliged as he continued to lather the shampoo through her hair, slowly circling his fingers along her scalp.

"Why are you washing my hair?"

"Thought I'd return the favour for your shaving expertise," he replied definitively as he directed her under the running water once again, rinsing her hair. She was so pliant against his touch, he was astounded. The whole intimacy of the situation was unlike anything he had experienced.

Finally, she turned to face him, smiling lazily. "Who would have thought that Draco Malfoy had such a gentle streak," she tilted her head to the side as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Does that mean you're not interested in Mr high and mighty Prophet writer?" She scrunched her face as if he had said something ridiculous.

"What, Sebastian?" He nodded, feeling stupid for his implied admission. She laughed. "Is that why you think I was not into it earlier?"

"You tell me."

"No, I just had a moment," she replied timidly, letting go of her hold on him. He watched her wash quickly; her back facing him before turning the water off and stepping out. She grabbed the nearby towel and wrapped it around her. He stepped out after her, picking up his abandoned towel off the floor and wrapping it around him once again. He cast another drying spell, as he watched Granger head over to her bag and pull out a tube of something, squeezing it into her hand before rubbing it through her hair. She caught him watching her.

"It helps tame my curls," she offered.

"Does it tame your thoughts too?" he could not help responding. She frowned.

"What does that mean?"

"What's freaking you out so much?" She sighed.

"I guess I just never expected that we would end up having this kind of relationship." It was his turn to frown.

"Granger, I can't explain how it's come to this, but I'm attracted to you, in a big way. I never expected it either," he shrugged. "Isn't that what makes it more interesting?"

"True," she smiled. "How do you suppose others will react?" So that's what it was.

"Granger, when we decide to let people know, we will deal with it. If it comes to that, then let it happen. For now, I'm happy to shag you senseless," he couldn't help himself. "Is Hermione Granger blushing?" he chuckled and walked over to her.

"No, it's just hot in here," she defended, nudging him. He wrapped his arm around her neck and pulled her into him, kissing her forehead.

"Sleep in my room tonight, Granger," he heard himself request.

"Malfoy, I'm exhausted, I really want to have a good rest," she replied.

"Quit defying me Granger, when I say sleep, I actually mean it. You've done a good job of exhausting me also." He squeezed her closer, goading her acquiescence.

"Okay, I'll hold you to that. I just need to grab some clothes from my room." She really was testing his patience.

"It's more fun to sleep naked, didn't you know?" he replied with utmost sincerity, she almost nodded out of habit before realising what he said.

"Malfoy! I'll meet you in your room." She pulled away from his hold and walked out of the bathroom, shutting the door gently behind him.

It was as if their encounter was some surreal dream.

He followed soon after and walked back to his room, pulling on a pair of boxers before falling into his bed. He lay on his back, his hands tucked under his head as he stared into darkness, suddenly feeling uncertain about whether or not she would come. What was happening to him? Any other woman and he could care less if she stayed or not. Here he was, requesting that Granger spend the night in his room, even after their heated escapades in the bathroom. He sighed out loud, trying to force himself to feel indifferent if she decided not to show.

Draco was dozing off finally, in a halfway state of awareness and altered consciousness that would shortly over when sleep consumed him. He distantly head the door click open, some light shuffling and the bed move gently as a body slipped under the covers.

"Hermione?" he whispered through the haze of his sleepy state.

"Hmmm?" was all he heard, as his arm came out to grab hold of her person. He pulled her close to him, her warmth finally pushing him over the edge into a satisfied slumber.


A/N: Awww....:p