A/N: Okay, so one more after this one and then the wedding. :-)
"Draco, have you packed your toothbrush already?"
Draco turned around to see Hermione peeking over his shoulder while he randomly tossed things into his suitcase.
"Yes, Mother," he said, smiling at her.
"And how about extra soap? Sometimes people don't always have extra for guests, you know?"
"All toiletries are accounted for."
"Really?" she asked, crossing her arms.
"Yes."
"Then how come you haven't checked any of them off the list I gave you?" She held up a long list with only two check marks on it.
"It's all packed, I assure you," he said, looking back at his suitcase.
"While I fully believe in your competence, I would still feel better if you let me go through that bag and check everything off the list."
Hermione reached out for Draco's suitcase. He snatched it away from her and held it out of her grasp. "Hermione, you're being ridiculous. You can't control everything, you know?"
"No, I don't know. Now let me see."
Draco held the bag high over his head.
"Draco, this isn't funny. Let me see!" she demanded, leaping into the air and grabbing for the bag.
"Say the magic word."
"HEX!"
"Ah, ah, not that one," he said, wagging his free finger at her.
Hermione leaped for the bag again but, this time, Draco grabbed her around the waist. He tossed the bag far away from them and collapsed onto the bed with her in his arms. She struggled against him but Draco was not letting go. He held her tightly against him and silenced her with a kiss.
"Your seduction techniques are futile, Malfoy." She sneered.
"Mione," he whined. "Why do you keep trying to pick a fight when we're about to spend two whole nights away from each other?" He began playing with a strand of her hair. "If this is your way of trying to make me miss you then guess what … it's working." He raised his eyes suggestively before kissing her again. Hermione eased enough to kiss him back, but still kept her hands pressed firmly on either side of him.
When it ended they locked eyes. "I'm not trying to pick a fight," she said, crinkling her nose at him.
"Could have fooled me."
Hermione finally let herself fall limp and pressed her ear against his chest. "I honestly don't understand the point of these bachelor and bachelorette parties. All they do is encourage you to spend time away from the one person you are trying to be committed to for life."
"They exist so you can spend one of your last night's being single with your best mates."
Hermione raised her head. "But we're not single! You're not single, Draco," she said sternly.
"I know that." Draco eyed her curiously. "Hermione, you're not … worried I'm going to cheat on you, are you?"
"No!" she answered too quickly.
Draco stared at her coldly. "I cannot believe you're even thinking this right now. Why the hell would I cheat on you now, one week before our wedding, when I have been nothing but faithful since the day of our first kiss. Minus that minuscule amount of time we were broken up and I snogged Astoria."
Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"And that witch from Goyle's bachelor party. I didn't tell you that so you could hold it against me, you know?"
"Draco, it's not that I think you'll cheat. It's just that …" she sighed … "I know opportunity presents itself at these things and I don't want some other witch taking advantage of the drunken state you will undoubtedly be in."
"Oh relax. There is only one witch capable of taking advantage of me and she is not even going to be there," he said, kissing her cheek.
"You mean it?" she asked, looking at him desperately.
Draco rolled his eyes. "Of course, Hermione. As far as I am concerned there are only two women in the world. You … and everyone else."
Hermione smiled. "Damn you and your sweet talking." She leaned down and kissed him.
"And besides, I'm the one who should really be worried. You know how many men will hit on women at their bachelorette parties because they know there will be no strings attached?"
"Are you speaking from experience?" she laughed.
"Damn right I am!"
"You really are the worst kind of person."
"Ah, ah, Mione. Were, not are."
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
"Hermione, Draco, are you guys in there?" they heard Ginny call from the other room.
"Yes, we are!" Hermione called back to her. She started to climb off of Draco but he pulled her back down for one more kiss before letting her go.
"You are fully clothed, right?" That was Harry.
"Oh, who cares?" said Sophie, barging in through the door.
Draco noticed Harry cringe on the other side. He smirked to himself.
"'Ermione, are you ready?" Sophie asked, practically jumping up and down.
"Just one second."
Hermione turned to Draco and held out her hand. He rolled his eyes before picking up his suitcase and giving it to her. She used her wand to organize everything in it before looking through and checking everything off her list. When she was finished she looked at him and shook her head. "Draco, you forgot the extra shampoo I left out for you."
"Merlin forbid," he said. "It's not like Goyle owns shampoo or anything."
"Better safe than sorry," she said before going into the washroom and coming back with a travel-sized bottle of shampoo. While part of him wanted to not pack it, the proud part, he knew better than to pick a fight when she was already in a bit of a mood, so he caved.
Hermione went and picked up her suitcase, which had already been packed for days, and Draco did the same. He took her hand and the two of them walked into the front room where Ginny, Harry, Sophie, Phillip, Seth, Caroline, Luna and Astoria were waiting.
"Ladies," he said, addressing the five witches in the room, "I expect you all to keep a close eye on my girl here. If any man lays so much as an eye on her I expect you to hex his arse on the spot. Caroline, you know the best hexes. Perhaps you can give a quick lesson before you go out tomorrow night. I am sure they will all need it." He eyed Luna especially.
"Are you sure I'm capable of giving a lesson, considering I'm the only person in this room not in the wedding party?"
"Yes, yes, we know your feelings on the matter. And we are still not going to take the role of flower girl away from a two-year-old."
"But that is just the worst possible age for a flower girl. You know she's just going to wander down the aisle mindlessly while throwing a tiny amount of flowers. I could trail those damn petals along flawlessly."
"Oh, but Victoire looks so cute in her little dress!" boasted proud Aunt Ginny.
Caroline rolled her eyes. "My plans foiled yet again by the cuteness of a two-year-old."
Draco noticed that throughout all of this Astoria was sitting awfully quiet on the sofa. He leapt over the back of it and landed in the seat next to her. "Everything all right, doll?"
"No," she said under her breath. "Ron and I broke up last night." Her eyes started to gloss over.
Draco was about to ask for more information when he heard Sophie call, "Okay, time to get a move on! Ladies, to ze Floo, gentlemen, to … whatever means of transportation you 'ave decided on."
"That would be brooms," said Phillip. "Draco and I thought we'd play a fun little game of Quidditch tomorrow." He winked at Draco, who smirked towards Harry.
Hermione leaned over the back of the sofa and whispered to him, "Play nice," before giving him a kiss.
All of the witches headed over to the fireplace. "I was serious about that hexing tutorial," he reminded Caroline.
She saluted him before heading first through the green flames to the Labelle chateaux in the South of France. Sophie was next, after giving Phillip a sloppy goodbye kiss, of course, followed by Ginny, who did something similar with Harry but a lot less repulsive - except to Draco, who found it even more so - and then Hermione stepped forward. But before she could leave Draco got up from the sofa, grabbed her arm and twisted her around, giving her a kiss she would not soon forget about.
When they pulled away they were both breathing heavily. Draco stroked her cheek while staring deeply into her amber eyes. "There's only you in my eyes. Never forget that."
Hermione smiled. "I know. And only you in mine." He kissed her once more before he let her go and she turned back to the fire. "And for the record," she said, turning and giving him a mischievous grin, "I don't need Caroline to teach me any hexes. If any man gets within five feet of me I'll gladly give them a snake tongue in your honor." She winked before throwing in a handful of powder and stepping into the green flames.
"Merlin I love her," said Draco as she was sucked away through the fireplace. Astoria stepped forward as soon as Hermione was gone, but before she could throw in her powder Draco pulled her back. "Hermione has a Muggle phone that can reach me. Just ask her for it and she'll show you how to use it if you need to talk."
Astoria attempted to smile. "Thanks, Draco, but I'm going to try not to say anything. This is her weekend, and Salazar knows it will already be awkward enough with his sister there, considering she hates me and all."
"She doesn't hate you."
She sighed. "We'll see."
And with that, Astoria left. Draco turned around to see Phillip, Seth, and Harry all waiting. "This is your last chance to get out of this, Potter. Though, I should warn you, Hermione made sure I packed a camera to capture all of our shenanigans, which I'm sure is just her way of verifying your presence."
"I said I would come and I meant it, Malfoy. Besides, we both know Hermione would not hesitate to use a killing curse on us both if I didn't."
"True statement," Draco smirked. "All right, men. Mount your brooms. We have a long journey ahead of us into forbidden territory."
"Forbidden?" repeated Seth. "I thought we were just going to your friend's house."
"We are. But it is also a Greengrass residence, and we all know how the Greengrass's feel about us blood traitors," Draco said, winking at Harry.
Polly screeched from the bedroom.
"Oh, right," said Draco, who had almost forgotten about the owl. "Guess she's coming too."
He went and let her out of her cage. Once she was free the four wizards and the owl went outside and mounted their brooms. They flew off towards what would undoubtedly be an unforgettable weekend filled with sports, booze, laughter and drama … of course.
XXX
The Greengrasses summer home was at the dead center of a huge forest. The grounds were pitch black at night and, by design, a little spooky. At one point they flew over something that looked like a bottomless pit which, after Draco pushed Harry off of his broom, they discovered was a lake.
The house was not hard to find since it was the only light in the sea of black. The estate was huge, possibly even bigger than their normal home. When they got there they knocked on the door and were immediately greeted by a house-elf who led them inside, except for Polly, who obviously planned on remaining outside for the weekend. The elf guided them towards the parlor. They could hear arguing voices from the other side of the door, but the second the elf's hand touched the handle they went silent.
Goyle and Daphne were standing in the center of the parlor, both of them looking a bit tense. Daphne tried to smile when she saw them. "Wow, you all must have flown incredibly fast. I was hoping to be gone before you got here."
"Sorry to kick you out of your own house," said Draco, smiling back at her.
"Oh, it's fine. Don't even worry about it. Pansy and I have been meaning to have a girl's weekend for a while now." Draco noticed Goyle roll his eyes. Daphne noticed too and her smile faded. "I'll just get out of your hair now." She stood on her tiptoes to give Goyle a kiss but, while she had been aiming for his lips, he turned his head and she hit his cheek instead. She sighed before leaving the room.
As soon as she was gone Goyle brightened up immediately. He looked curiously at Harry, who was still wet, and asked, "Go for a swim, Potter?"
"Yes. It was a surprise for me as well," he answered, glancing sideways at a smirking Draco.
"Perhaps you should go and get dried off before you stick your behind on any of my mother and father-in-laws designer furniture. Pinko, please show them to their rooms," he said to the house-elf.
Pinko nodded and headed for the doors to the back right of the room. The others began to follow, but Goyle reached out and pulled Draco back.
"You're this way, Malfoy."
"Ooh, do I get my own wing?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Unless you want to share a bed with Potter there's nothing for you over there," Goyle smirked. "I assumed you would want the nicest room available, which is this way."
"You assumed correctly."
Goyle led Draco through the doors to the back left of the room. They passed the kitchen along the way, along with several other closed doors, including one that was particularly plain and boring, which could only lead to a basement.
After several twists and turns through the halls, Goyle opened a door to a very Slytherin-esque room. "Daphne's parent's room?" asked Draco.
"Obviously."
"It's a shame Hermione isn't here. It would be fun to get a little 'Mudblood' on their sheets. Do you think they'd burn them?"
"Undoubtedly," laughed Goyle.
Draco threw down his suitcase and the two of them headed for the kitchen. Draco poured himself a glass of Mr. Greengrass's very expensive firewhiskey while Goyle went to see what was taking the others so long.
While waiting for him to return, Draco started wandering the hallway and looking at the various artworks scattered throughout it. The Greengrasses were more into abstract art than the Malfoys, who invested in realism paintings and old suits of armor. Some of the sculptures here were a little twisted, and almost demonic. It definitely wasn't his style.
Draco was all the way on the opposite side of the hallway than the kitchen when he heard a door open. He looked over to see Daphne walk out of a room with a small suitcase in her hand. She was wiping her eyes like she had just been crying. Without looking, she headed back towards the parlor. Draco followed after her.
He stood in the doorway and watched as she walked over to the fireplace and grabbed a handful of Floo powder from a pot to the side of it. Draco walked more into the room as she tossed it in.
Daphne stepped into the green flames and carefully said, "Zabini residence."
Draco was in the center of the room now and the two locked eyes for a split second before she was pulled away. He had never seen someone look so ashamed in all his life.
"Malfoy, what the hell you doing starting without us?" Draco's eyes focused just in time to see Seth yank his drink from his hands and chug the rest of it down. "Good stuff."
"Let the drinking commence!" shouted Phillip, walking in a quick circle before he realized he didn't know where the alcohol was being kept.
Goyle laughed before leading them all towards the kitchen. It was only then that Draco realized how truly fake his smile was. Goyle wasn't an idiot. He knew what was going on with Daphne but, hopefully, he didn't know who with, or that it was the same 'who' who had been trying to shag her sister less than a year earlier. Thank Merlin he had never succeeded. That would just be sick and twisted, like everything else in this house. Of course, Draco was no one to talk. He had shagged a few sisters in his day. Of course, most didn't know about it.
XXX
Draco couldn't sleep that night. Just after sunrise he grabbed his cell phone off of the nightstand and flipped it open. Since they had had so much free time at work lately while this whole thing with Zandicus got straightened out, Seth had bewitched another cell phone so both Draco and Hermione now had one. Without thinking Draco dialed her number.
After three rings someone answered, "Hello?" in a crackly voice.
"Morning, sunshine."
"Morning, Draco." He could almost hear her smile on the other end. "Missing me already?"
"I was missing you before we even left."
"Well, aren't you just as sweet as sugar."
Draco laughed. "Why are you talking like that?"
"Oh, I don't know. I'm tired. We were up until just a few hours ago giving facials and manicures and drinking champagne." A pause. "I really don't like champagne. I'll be so glad when this whole ordeal is all over and done with so I won't have to drink any more for a while."
"Ordeal? Is that what this is?"
"Mmhmm," she said with a yawn.
"I will punish you for that remark as soon as we get home."
"I'm sure you will," she laughed. "So are still going to play Quidditch today?"
"That's the plan."
"Make sure you play nice with Harry, will you? He's kind of been thrown into the snake pit over there."
"Not a pit. Just a lake."
"What?"
"What?"
He could just picture her rolling her pretty little eyes. "I repeat. Play nice."
"Yes, dear," he said. A pause. "Hermione …"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"You're welcome," she said confidently. "What for?"
"For never cheating on me with Blaise Zabini."
"Umm … okay." Another pause. "Don't tell me Daphne -"
"I'm pretty sure he knows she's cheating, but I don't think he knows who with. Do I say something?"
Hermione sighed. "No. I don't think so. It will only make him hurt more than he already is. Whatever's going on between them is their business. Unless he brings it up to you, you probably shouldn't mention knowing anything at all. It will only embarrass him."
"Yeah … I guess you're right," he said. "Sorry, for waking you, love."
"It's fine. You know I love waking up to the sound of your sexy voice."
"Always poking fun at me," he laughed. "You know, I'm lying in Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass's bed right now. I'd really love to shag you in it."
"I bet you would," she giggled.
"Maybe in the future. See you tomorrow, Mione. I love you."
"I love you too," she said, kissing into the phone. "And don't forget to take pictures!" she added before hanging up.
Draco lay there for a moment in silence before getting up and changing into his clothes for the day. He grabbed his camera out of his suitcase and headed to the kitchen, where he was happy to find Pinko already hard at work on breakfast. He sat down and the elf immediately brought him a cup of coffee.
Shortly after Draco was joined by Goyle, Phillip and Seth. "Potter not up yet?" he asked as they all sat down.
"I'd imagine not," said Phillip. "His room's right next to mine and I swear he was talking in his sleep all night long. Even took on different voices."
Draco laughed. "Really? What was he saying?"
"Couldn't make that much out, but it sure as hell kept me up all night. Where's the coff - Oh! Thank you," he said as Pinko plopped a mug of coffee in front of him.
"How'd Granger get you to invite him this weekend anyway?" asked Goyle. "I understand the whole groomsman thing but she must have mad debating skills to get you both to agree to this."
"You have no idea," said Draco, finishing the last of his coffee. Pinko floated the pot over and poured him some more. "She actually cornered both of us at the same time. Made it hard to say how we really feel."
"You never had any problem telling Potter how you felt before," laughed Goyle.
"And I still don't … when she's not around. It's just not worth the punishment."
"Aww, does she take the shag away?" joked Seth.
"You know she does." Draco looked at the clock above the cupboard. "Well, guess I better go get Potty up," he said, standing up and grabbing his camera. "Maybe I'll capture a nice moment for her." He winked before leaving the kitchen.
Draco wasn't exactly sure where he was going, considering this place was a bit like a maze, but eventually he found the way to the bedrooms in this wing, which were all on the second floor. He heard rustling coming from behind one of the doors and, since everyone else was in the kitchen, it could only have been one person.
Without a second thought, Draco kicked the door open and snapped a photo. The flash was so bright that Harry rolled off the bed, pulling his sheets with him. The only thing was someone else toppled over too, in the corner. Draco looked over to see Ron shoot back up and stare wide-eyed at him.
"Oh hellllll no!" he shouted.
"Malfoy, I can explain this," said Harry, trying to untangle himself from his sheets.
"I admit, I always assumed you two were lovers, but you seriously had to go at it with him the weekend of my bachelor party? That is just sick on so many levels!"
"Shut it, Malfoy," said Ron, his ears turning bright red.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
Ron's cheeks turned rosy and he quickly turned away. Draco looked to Harry with a cold look for clarification.
Harry sighed. "He owled me last night saying he needed to talk, so I told him where we were and he Flooed over."
"Is this about Astoria?" asked Draco.
"She told you?" asked Ron, finally getting up the nerve to look at him.
"Of course she did. Though, she didn't exactly have time to go into detail. I knew it was only a matter of time until you screwed things up. You seem to have this incredible knack for dating girls who are out of your league."
"You see? This is part of the problem," said Ron, turning his attention to Harry. "Every time something goes wrong she goes and confides in him."
"Excuse me?" said Draco, furrowing his eyebrows. "You should be damn grateful I'm the one she comes to about you. Who do you think came up with that incredible idea for your birthday present?" He winked.
"Oh, I think I'm going to be sick," said Ron, turning ghostly pale.
"You and me both," said Draco. "Do you think it pleases me to have my fiancée's ex crash my bachelor party?"
"Don't worry, I'm not staying," said Ron, climbing to his feet. "I just needed to talk to Harry and I've done that so now I can go."
"Maybe I should go with you."
"I don't think so, Potter," said Draco, wagging his finger at him. "Hermione already reminded me this morning that we need to take lots of pictures." He snapped another. Harry rubbed at his eyes.
"Did you pick that wagging thing up from Hermione?" asked Ron, wagging his own finger. "She really seems to do that a lot."
"I probably did," he said, snapping a photo of Ron.
"But I don't think I should leave Ron alone. This breakup sounds like it might stick."
"It won't," said Draco.
"How do you know?" asked Ron, looking hopeful.
Draco shrugged. "Because you're going to marry her. That's what she says, anyway. Claims she's 'never felt this way about anyone'," he mocked while rolling his eyes. "What did your destitute parents do this time?"
"Hey!"
"Sorry. Struggling parents."
"They did nothing! It was her! She got mad when she found out my parents weren't going to the wedding and called them insolent!"
"They are insolent."
"I know that! But they're still my parents, so I defended them."
"Ooh." Draco tsked. "Bad move. You don't see me defending my parents when it comes to them and Hermione, do you?"
Ron's ears turned red again as he looked to the ground. "I should go." He made a move for the door.
"Hold on, Weasel," said Draco, grabbing his arm as he passed and pushing him back into the room. "As much as I hate to say it, you shouldn't be alone right now."
"Really … why do -?"
"We both know you're just going to go home and dwell on this until you come up with the perfect way to make it worse."
Ron glared at him.
"So this is what you're going to do."
Ron waited for him to go on, trying to hide his anticipation.
"Noth-ing," Draco mouthed carefully.
Ron looked confused. "W-wha -"
"Give her some space. Let her have a chance to actually miss you. You'll be forced to see her next week anyway," he winked. "Make amends then. Tell her what a git you are. She seems to like that."
"I'll think about it," said Ron, making another play for the door.
Draco grabbed and pushed him back again. "Didn't I just say you shouldn't be alone? We're playing Quidditch and we could use one more. I was going to make Phillip sit out. The wizard may be huge but he's bloody awful at sports. He can be on your team," he said, smiling at both of them.
"I don't have a broom."
"Please, stop with the excuses. We are in the house of someone who played Quidditch in school. Do you really think he doesn't have extra brooms lying around?"
Ron eyed him curiously. "What are you playing at, Malfoy?"
Draco took great offense to this. "I am trying to be nice!"
"And Hermione would kill you if she found out you let him leave?" smirked Harry.
"Exactly. Now, get dressed, Potter," he said, eyeing the wizard in his boxers with disgust. "I'm sure breakfast is already cold, since I've been up here talking with you two idiots for too bloody long."
Draco left them alone and headed back to the kitchen. He was right about breakfast being cold, but Pinko heated his up for him. He warned the others about Ron, so they could all give him the proper looks of disdain when he arrived. They did not disappoint. Draco gave a satisfied grin. He loved loyalty.
As soon as everyone ate they all gathered their brooms and headed to the backyard, where the Greengrasses had a miniature Quidditch pitch set up.
Since they didn't have enough people to fill all positions, they decided to have one person on each team play both Seeker and Beater; Draco and Harry, obviously. Goyle and Ron were the Keepers, and Seth and Phillip were the Chasers. Pinko was given the camera and instructed to snap photos from the sidelines.
For the first hour of the game the Snitch did not show itself. Draco spent the majority if his time hovering near Ron while humming 'Weasley Is Our King' to psyche him out. It worked well enough until Seth got hit in the head by a Bludger and yelled at Draco to focus.
"Sorry, mate!" he said before winking at Ron and flying off.
When the snitch finally did show itself both he and Harry spotted it, but it was closer to him and he almost had it, until a Bludger came out of nowhere and knocked into him, making his broom spin and fly right into Harry's. It was harder than they thought it would be to play both positions. After that the Snitch was lost.
It was another two hours before it showed itself again. By this time the score was 340-280, Team Draco. Phillip was as awful as Draco thought he would be but, unfortunately, Ron was a better Keeper than he remembered him being. The scores were never going to get that far from each other so, evidently, it was up to the Seeker to win.
When the snitch reappeared it was just above Harry's left ear. Draco tried not to stare too much since the other wizard was looking down and oblivious to it. He remembered something similar happening in their second year, only then it was in reverse order. Now was the time to redeem himself.
Just then a Bludger headed in their direction. Draco flew up to meet it and wacked it in Harry's direction. He dodged it, leaving the snitch alone. Draco took this moment to dive for it. It headed towards the ground with Draco close on its tail. He could hear a swooshing sound just behind him, which could only be Harry. With the ground getting closer and closer, Draco reached out his hand, his fingertips just grazing the snitch as he knew it was time to pull up or die - or at least get seriously injured. But he pushed forward anyway, snatching the snitch just in time to turn his broom so he skidded across the ground instead of landing head first on it. At least a few cuts and bruises would be better than brain damage. Even then the victory and chance to gloat would still have been worth it.
"Woo! That was for second year, Potter!" he shouted before giving the snitch a kiss.
Seth and Goyle flew down and they all slapped hands before taking a victory lap around the pitch. Harry and Ron looked a little sore but Phillip was just laughing at them. "Hey! There's no sportsmanship in showboating!"
"You only say that because you lost!" Seth shouted down at him.
While Draco didn't mind sharing his victory with his teammates, he was reluctant to mention to them the real reason he was so excited over his win. In the ten years they'd known each other, this was the first time Draco Malfoy had ever beaten Harry Potter at Quidditch. And you know what? It felt pretty damn good.