The Burrow – garden
Two days later, a rather hot day in July, the weekly Sunday lunch at the Burrow was on; Hermione, as well as Draco, was invited and expected to come. Their kiss on game night was of course discussed at length within the Weasley family the day after, at least as much as the hangover allowed them. So, that Sunday, Molly was of course up-to-date about everything that had happened.

"Draco, my dear! I didn't expect you today after what my boys seemed to have put you through on Friday."

"No harm done, really," Draco replied with a polite smile; he had arrived first because he wanted to spare Hermione the continuation of the questions and suggestions, though he was sure that most of them had come from his Slytherin friends.

"I know there's a bit more to you two than meets the eye, but my boys really shouldn't have done that."

Draco smiled. Molly had a keen eye for the small things, but he didn't mind because he knew she wouldn't go and tell everyone else about it. She might know a lot, but also knew that some things weren't hers to tell. "Can I help with something?"

"No, no, everything's ready. As soon as Hermione arrives," Molly replied with a knowing look, "we can put the food on the table and start eating, but thanks for asking. My boys never ask."

"Okay, I'll join the others." Draco stepped outside where his friends were sitting. Harry, Ron, and George looked as if they were still suffering from a hangover; Ginny, too, still looked rather hung-over, but very much alive when she shot him another of her glares. "What a lovely sight you all are. Been raised from the dead, Potter?" The only answer was a grumble. Apparently his office partner was not yet able to form coherent words.

"How can you be so chipper?" Ron asked, seemingly more awake than his fellow sufferers.

"I'm not chipper, I'm just enjoying the sight of you zombies..."

"Boys, help me carry the food outside. Hermione is here!"

"Mum, you don't need to shout!" George answered with a groan, then slowly got up, pulling his brother up as well.

Draco followed them inside. He was hungry after all, and he enjoyed listening to Molly scoffing at them for still suffering a hangover. He shortly glanced at Hermione, who held a bowl of peas and carrots in her hands, shyly smiling at him as a sign of recognising him.

Molly hurried her boys back outside with easier things while trusting Draco with the roast; Hermione followed him so close on their way back out that he could smell her perfume, as always just a hint of berries.

The lunch seemed to help the three zombies revive their spirits a bit.

"That was one wicked kiss between you two on Friday," Ron commented when he was getting some seconds.

"Kiss? Did I miss something?"

"Arthur, I told you that the boys forced Hermione and Draco to kiss each other during some stupid drinking game."

"Finally!"

"ARTHUR!"

"What, my dear?"

"Mum, please don't shout!"

"Molly, it's okay," Hermione intervened, enjoying the situation quite a bit. "It wasn't actually that bad-"

"You mean you basically devoured him, you little minx... Ouch, Mum!"

"George, mind your words."

"Stop hitting me. My head already hurts."

"Your problem."

Ginny leaned over to Hermione. "Was there any follow up to that kiss? You both looked like you wouldn't have minded..."

Hermione shook her head. "It was a kiss, nothing more, nothing less. No feelings involved whatsoever."

Ginny looked like she wanted to bang her head on the table for this answer. "There was definitely something there, my dear."

"She's right, you know," Ron added after swallowing his bite. "We never kissed liked that, and we were an item once."

"Ron, you were different. I still liked it very much with you..."

"It was never that passionate, though."

"You know that I'm sitting right here, next to you, Weasley. And I might have a say in it as well. When Granger says there were no feelings involved, then there were none involved. Not even on my side."

"One of the last times you were here, Malfoy, you both screamed sexual tension. You were bickering all the time, not mentioning all those moments when you tried make some sort of move on her and she called you out," Potter said, apparently finally able to form complete sentences. "Come on, half the time in the office you won't shut up about her. I know that because I have to share the room with you."

"I don't-"

"You do. And if you continue, I will request a new office partner..."

Although Draco avoided looking at Hermione, who was sitting opposite him at the table, he knew she was close to cracking up in laughter. It was just too funny how they were trying to convince them that there was a spark or something between them, way too much fun. He gently kicked Hermione in the shin.

"Bill wrote that he would try and come next weekend." Molly tried to change the subject. "He and Fleur seemed to have settled in nicely in their new house, as far as I know."

"She still works for Gringotts, right?" Hermione asked, jumping at the chance.

"Yes, apparently she was just granted a promotion to head of department or something similar. She'll probably let you know the details when you ask her in a week."

"Haven't seen her in ages, it seems. Definitely looking forward to seeing them again," Hermione replied. "How's Percy? Still in France?"

Molly nodded. "Ministry wants better international contact-"

"They just wanted him off their back, Mum. We all know his ambitions," Ron commented, not hiding his sarcasm.

"How's work?" Arthur asked. "Flaherty still bugging you with baby cases? You know, I could have a word with him if you want?"

"Flaherty is okay. He is a bit old-fashioned, but okay. He usually doesn't mind when Harry wants my input in a case. That way I get my fair share of interesting cases..."

"She does, and her input is usually quite helpful. Which reminds me, care to stop by at my office tomorrow, Hermione? Ouch!"

"As long as it is about a case and not you trying to meddle in something that doesn't concern you..."

"I promise, it really is a case. Ginny, would you please stop! It is a case, stop kicking my shins!"

Then Molly provided them with dessert, serving Draco and Hermione bigger portions as if she wanted to make up for the behaviour of her family – and she considered Harry family as well.

"That's gorgeous, Molly," Hermione commented after she put the first spoon of Molly's famous chocolate pudding in her mouth. "One day, you will have to tell me how to make it..."

Everybody seemed occupied with the dessert, so Draco risked a look and a comment. "You'd be surprised what uses chocolate pudding can have, princess."

Hermione grinned. "I do have an idea... We could try it at one point."

His face lit up at the prospect, but he didn't dare to continue to talk in fear that the others might hear it. Instead he continued to caress her legs under the table.

While Hermione was innocently finishing her bowl, she let her foot wander upwards between his legs in respond to his caressing, not stopping when she reached his thighs. She heard him groan quietly. "I think, I'm going to fresh myself up a bit, it's rather hot today." After one last inviting stroke with her foot, she got up.

Draco waited two seemingly long minutes, before he got up as well. "Can I bring something inside?"

"Not necessary, my dear, you're a guest. The boys can clear the table later."

"Mum, since when is Malfoy a guest?" Ron complained.

"Ever since you had the biggest hangover in the history of the Weasleys. What did you boys drink to get so plastered?"

"You don't want to know, Mum..."

"I think I'll take a short round around the house, otherwise I might fall asleep at the table like those three zombies..." Draco walked as leisurely as he could around the house to the main door, where he slipped back into the house and upstairs, looking for Hermione.

The Burrow – first floor
Hermione hid on the first floor, and pulled him into the empty room as soon as she could. "What took you so long?" She was glad that he only had a simple shirt on, as she wouldn't have bothered with buttons today.

"I tried to find a good reason to get inside without it looking too suspicious..." He kissed her when she finally got his shirt off. Thank Merlin, her top was just as simple to get off. "You're not wearing anything underneath."

"I didn't bother with a bra in these temperatures, and the time limit we have here."

"I see. You were planning this..."

"Not really, just hoping for it."

"Me too, after last time." He kissed her, letting his hands roam over her upper body.

She moaned when he arrived at her breasts, and started stroking them. "I like your thinking."

"No talking." She slowly staggered backwards, pulling him with her.

"Fumbling?"

With a devious grin, she led his hand down, under the skirt she was still wearing.

"I most definitely like your thinking..." There was nothing under the skirt, no knickers, nothing. Sweet bloody Merlin! He first only brushed over her already wet folds, then let a finger delve in for some teasing, causing her to shiver. He smiled broadly when he heard her bite back a loud moan, then he pulled down her skirt. "Now, lie down."

"You get those off first," she keened, pulling his linen trousers with a teasing smile. "I can see that they've become rather tight."

"You lie down, I get them off." Seconds later, he had joined her on the bed, and kissed her passionately. Merlin, he loved the taste of her lips!

"Me, on top," Hermione breathed between kisses.

"That takes too long." Draco started kissing her neck instead.

"You take too long."

"I can't stop you from screaming that way." He was now at the spot where her neck joined her shoulder. That always made her weak.

"Good point," she purred when he continued to kiss that spot. God, she hated him for using that spot against her.

"So, me on top then," he teased, licking the spot once more before gently pushing her onto her back.

"God, yes," she moaned, spreading her legs. "You on top for today. But now, stop talking, start doing."

The Burrow – garden
"Anyone know where Hermione and Draco are? They left about fifteen minutes ago and still haven't come back," Arthur finally asked, since no one seemed to have noticed their absence so far.

"Hallelujah!" Ginny exclaimed. "They are probably snogging somewhere in the house."

"You don't know that for sure, sister."

"Give them another fifteen minutes, then you'll see. Hermione will probably have flushed cheeks with her hair completely in disorder, you know how unruly it is. And Draco will look ruffled, and won't stop grinning."

"Suddenly I'm not looking forward to going to the office tomorrow. I know he won't stop talking about today." Harry rubbed the back of his head, and sighed, though sounding more desperate than he intended.

"He likes her, that's all, my dear," Molly replied. "People in love can be annoying, especially those who still seem to be in denial."

"He has been annoying for about two years now..."

"And Hermione has never said anything about liking him back?" Molly smiled knowingly, amused that the others didn't seem to see the small signs, despite t hem being sometimes rather obvious.

Ginny shook her head. "You know how she is; she keeps her feelings very guarded."

"I don't think she would let Malfoy kiss her if there was nothing on her side," Ron mused. "She's way too honest for that."

"Maybe she just needs proper encouragement to express her feelings."

"We're talking Malfoy here. He's probably just as guarded about opening up."

"But he seems so charming," Molly replied.

"He's just charming with you, Mum," Ron replied. "He's still a git with us more times than not..."

"He knows not to mess with your mother," Arthur said, amused. Hell, even he didn't dare to mess too much with his wife, as much as he loved her. "But he's turned out to be a nice young man after that redemption program."

"Either that or Azkaban," Harry added. "And he told me once that he had wanted out for a long time. He really is a good partner at work, has a good knack to ask the right questions at the right time when we're talking to a witness." He let his hands run through his hair, trying to soothe his headache a bit.

"I'm not sure I get it all right how it's done between those rich families," Ginny contemplated, "but isn't he now head of the Malfoy family? I mean his father is in Azkaban for the rest of his life."

Harry nodded. "He lets his mother do all the representative work, probably to keep her occupied and that stuff off his back. He hasn't been to any social event if he could help it. Just visits his mother regularly, but probably more out of duty than love..."

"As mentioned, a nice young man, and he knows his manners," Molly resumed with a smile. "Always asks me if he could help me with something. You boys never ask..."

"Because you're our mum, you call us anyway," George replied with a smirk.

Not long after, Draco and Hermione came outside again, after having tried to smooth their clothes again as well as bring Hermione's hair back under control, so that there wouldn't be too many strands poking out of her tail.

"Like I said," Ginny commented rather drily when she saw them come through the garden door. "Flushed cheeks, ruffled hair, do I need to say more?"

"Looks like you finally did follow up to that kiss," George said, with a knowing grin. Harry and Ron said nothing, but from their faces it was clear that they were thinking along the same lines.

Molly just smiled, and Arthur nodded. They trusted Hermione enough to make a decent choice regarding relationships, and Draco was good enough.

"What? No, nothing happened, George! It was just comfortably cool inside..."

"And Malfoy didn't want to get a tan, right?" Ron commented.

"Well, one of us has to maintain a pale image, don't I? Red is just not my colour, you know..."

"We still have some pudding and fruits left, if you want some more." Molly pointed to the kitchen entrance.

Hermione and Draco sat back down, barely containing their satisfied grins, not minding a repeat next time.

Back home at Hermione's flat
A little while later, Draco and Hermione arrived back at her flat, as usual separately. This time, Hermione arrived first, as she wanted to take a cold shower, feeling a bit sticky with sweat. It had been so exhilarating to make love in the Burrow with the fear of being discovered. Merlin, not screaming out loud when she finally came had been quite an achievement, or the others would probably have come barging into the room to make sure she wasn't hurt; the image of her friends staring in utter disbelief at her lying underneath Draco made her laugh.

Draco arrived back home soon after she finished her shower. He had just taken off his shirt in the bedroom when she came out of the bathroom with only the towel covering her body. "Hey, you smell great." He came closer. "Always berries." A small kiss on her forehead.

"How much did they badger you after I was gone?" she asked, her eyes closed while enjoying the gentle touch of his lips.

"Well, mainly George wanted to know a few details. I hope you don't mind that I fed him a few bits. I think Ron and Harry are a bit shocked about what they think happened between us-"

"Which did. And I don't mind. Let them have a few juicy details, much more fun."

"True. We just should be careful that they don't go too far with their attempts."

"I know. We should let them know rather sooner than later because I find it increasingly hard not be able to touch you like I should be able to as your betrothed."

He chuckled at her use of betrothed. "Same here. What about we let them play for another month, then invite everyone for a reveal?"

"Sounds like a plan. I hope you know by then what you want to do with your flat. You basically moved in here."

"As I bloody should as your betrothed, but why not keep it as a secret hideaway, if our friends are a bit too noisy. I would even let you redecorate it."

"A small bet then? If I win, I re-decorate it. If you win, I only place a few of my sleepover things in a drawer."

"You know I'm going to let you win if you put it like that. What bet do you have in mind?"

"Well, their reactions will be rather easy to guess. I think Molly already kind of just knows-"

"She definitely knows something, as she told me in the kitchen before you arrived."

Hermione nodded. "But how about guessing how long the shock of the revealing lasts? You know, how long the silence will be until the first person reacts? Maybe even add who will be the first person to say something?"

"Like the idea." He put another kiss on her forehead. "Depends a bit on who we are going to invite. I can't account for my mother..."

"True. Can already imagine her face when she realises that her only son has tied it with a Muggle-born."

He chuckled, that was the image that might just be worth the hassle he was going to have to endure with her after the revealing. "You want some help with the hair drying?"

Hermione shook her head. "I think with those temperatures, I'll let it dry on its own. It's quite nice, cools my head a bit."

"Doesn't it frizz a bit too much if you leave it like that?"

"You'd be surprised how far a little magic can go in regards to my hair."

"Okay. I think I'll take a shower as well. And then what about going out to your favourite ice cream place? Discuss the bet a bit further?"