Chapter 12

Hermione inwardly groaned. If the man in front of her wasn't planning on closing his mouth any time soon, she had no doubt she would scream into his face. She had been sitting there for at least 3 hours straight in a meeting, listening to nothing but a monotonous representative from a charity with an impossible name to pronounce. She knew it was bad to be so negative towards something so important, but she couldn't help it: and Hermione could swear it was Draco Malfoy's smouldering gazes towards her that were the cause of the blush forming in her cheeks and lack of concentration that she was experiencing.

Malfoy chewed on his pen thoughtfully, as if pretending to listen carefully to the speaker, before his bright eyes swiftly glanced at the woman opposite him as he discreetely winked at her. Hermiones' blush deepened before she managed to throw him a glare, averting her attention back to the speaker.

He raised an eyebrow, a smirk rising on his lips. Oh this would be too fun.

Lazily, he flicked his wand from beneath the big table, his expression as neutral as the seven other people sitting around it as he directed it to Hermione's legs. There was a sudden gasp and a mass of heads rippled in her direction. But she wasn't looking back at them: she was looking at Malfoy, her eyes wide, her hands underneath the table as she felt her bare legs, a cold air hissing its way between them uncomfortably.

He only smiled charmingly at her, biting his lip to restrain himself from laughing when she dropped her pen to the floor, excusing herself to bend carefully and pick it up. When her head bobbed underneath, she noticed her knickers clutched tightly in his pale fist.

Her head immediately shot up from under the table, grateful that everyone else in the meeting hadn't noticed anything. Malfoy slowly scraped his tongue along his upper teeth in a mockingly sexual way, causing Hermione to stifle a giggle behind her hand as she sat properly in her chair, bending over so her hair concealed her pink face.

Malfoy could only admire her from his position, adoring how her soft, big curls gently scraped the table, glowing under the harsh bright lights. He quickly stuffed her knickers into his pocket, clearing his throat.

She leant back against the chair and bit her lip as she looked up at the speaker, nearly sighing in relief when he finally finished and applauding, not maintaining eye contact with Malfoy but knowing his eyes were staring intently at her.

"Alright, everybody. Well done." Their boss, William Red, announced, making everyone else take that as their cue to pack away their things. Hermione hurriededly did so, starting to move, before her colleague, Timothy Sacks, stopped her.

"Hey, Hermione," He smiled at her, handing her a file. "I was wondering if you could look over this for me?"

"'Course," She answered: perhaps a little too quickly. She swiftly smiled up at him before making to move again, only to have him hold his hand out towards her to stop her.

"Whoa there," He grinned at her, "You're in a rush!"

"Yeah, sorry," She felt her cheeks flush as out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Malfoy looking over at them. "Got work to do…"

"Ah, right. Look, I'm sorry for keeping you, but I was actually wondering-

"-Sacks, have you got my files ready?" Malfoy's voice suddenly boomed out, causing Timothy to turn around in surprise, before nodding and handing him the required files. "Good. Granger, can I see you for a minute?"

It took all of her power not to let out a sigh of relief and hug him senselessly. She only nodded and smiled apologetically to Timothy, pretending she'd rather stay with him when really, she could kiss Malfoys' feet. Following Malfoy out and into his office, she made to turn as she heard the click of the door, but not before she felt herself being pulled hard by her shirt and into Malfoy's arms, her words quickly turning into a groan as he bent his head and kissed her.

She pulled at his collar, tearing her mouth from his with a loud gasp to try to breathe, protesting when he tried to kiss her again. "Draco- No! We're at- Draco."

"Damn you Granger," His fingers bruised her hips as he crushed her to him, his searing hot mouth contiously pressing its way down her long, smooth neck. "Damn you."

He started to walk them to his desk, forcing her backwards until her back hit the edge and she was pushed to bend back- but Hermione didn't care. Wrapping her legs around him, she felt her breath come in short gasps as he hiked her skirt up her creamy thighs whilst his head moved down and between her breasts, licking her deliciously.

"Wait," She panted, trying to get back up and only groaning when he pushed her back down. "Draco, wait."

He stood up to tear his shirt off, causing her to purr in approval as she ran her hands down his amazingly well-defined chest, his own hands now tugging at her shirt so he could stroke her back with his fingers.

"Are you carrying out some sort of fantasy?" Hermione was breathless at his energy, her heart pounding with excitement at the predatorial lust in his eyes that he always had when they were together. He only smirked at her.

"Of course. Who wouldn't want to shag Hermione Granger on a desk at work? It just something she wouldn't do."

"We'll see about that."

"Mr Malfoy? Mr Malfoy, is everything alright?"

Hermione plunged herself under Malfoy's desk whilst he shushed her, hurrying to button his shirt. "Be there in a minute, Pratt!" He called, cursing when he realised he could've just used his wand. Flicking it, he tidied his appearance and felt his face drain away his uncomfortable warmthness so he was rid of his rosy blush. With another flick of his wand, he unlocked the door as he sat at his desk, pretending to be writing. "Come on in."

"Ah, very good Malfoy." Pratt entered with a stack of folders, looking irritable. "Look, I need you to go over these. You'll need to do them by tonight, I have an important meeting tomorrow and Polter's called in sick."

Malfoy raised an eyebrow. "Exactly how many files do you expect me to complete?"

"Ten."

"Too many," Came the swift reply. "I'll help, but they're not my cases. I'm not Polter's understudy, he can do his own damn work at home. The rest of us still work when we're sick."

"Look, Malfoy. Just do at least half, will you? I'll give you two days off."

"Make it three," Malfoy sighed, before accepting the files. "Have you let Red know?"

"'Course. He told me I'd have to ask you."

"Uh huh. Alright, I'll do half."

"Thanks. By the way, you wouldn't happen to know where Miss Granger is do you?"

Malfoy fidgeted in his seat, clearing his throat and trying to appear casual when he spotted a bush of wild hair brushing against his right knee. "Er…no. It's not like we work together. Why?"

"St Mungo's are trying to get a hold of her. And Sacks told me she was in here last..."

Malfoy coughed again, shifting. "Well, yeah, but then I sent her away."

"What did you need her for?"

Malfoy only raised an eyebrow at him again. "I don't think that's any of your concern, Pratt."

"Oooh, touchy. I was just curious. Sacks is rather besotted with her."

"Hmm," Malfoy tried to pretend he didn't care, but now found that he was the one that was curious. "Is he?"

"Yeah. Can't really blame him can you? I can barely concentrate when she trots by with that hot little ass of hers."

Malfoy clenched his jaw, but forced himself to keep his tone neautral. "That's a very… vivid description, Pratt. And hardly appropriate."

"You can't deny it though," Pratt plonked himself into a chair opposite Malfoy, watching him carefully. "She's sexy."

"...I suppose."

Pratt suddenly laughed, causing Malfoy's head to shoot up. "What's so funny?"

"You," Pratt chuckled, shaking his head. "Honestly, Malfoy, did you really think I hadn't noticed that you're dating Granger?"

"How… How did you-

"-Oh, only the sultry looks, the way you look at each other, the fact that she was at court with you and half the Ministry know gave me a clue…"

"Half the Ministry know? What do you mean they know?"

"Don't worry, it's just gossip. But anyone watching carefully would be able to guess. Plus your reaction has totally just convinced me."

"You were saying that all on purpose?" Malfoy couldn't help but smirk up at him, impressed. "Why, Pratt. That's bitchy."

"You really like her don't you?" Pratt asked softly after a moment of silence between the pair, his eyes warm with understanding. "I haven't seen you pay so much attention to a woman. You must like her."

"Of course. I'm dating her aren't I?"

"And…"

"What are you trying to get me to say, Pratt?" Malfoy finally put down some papers and looked at Pratt properly, trying to ignore his how his cheeks warmed at his words. "Of course I bloody like Granger, otherwise I wouldn't be her boyfriend."

"That's all I needed," Pratt announced, before standing up to swing around and walk towards the door. "You've never said you're her boyfriend." He called over his shoulder as he closed the door behind him. Hermione's head poked out from underneath the desk, her eyes looking into his.

"What?" He asked her gruffly, but smiled at her, offering his hand to help her climb up and into his lap. She stroked his hair affectionately, shaking her head.

"Nothing."

"Ethan- Oh."

A tall, dark-haired man turned around with a frail, small woman standing next to him when Hermione walked in, removing his hands from his pockets and effortlessly smiling at her. "'Ello. You must be 'ealer Granger.

Her gaze switched from a very terrified looking Ethan, to an uncomfortable Sister Brown and finally, to the man with narrowed eyes. "Yes. And who are you?"

"Ethan's dad, ain't I." He gave a short, barking laugh, scratching the back of his head. "And this is my wife." He continued, indicating the nervous looking woman next to him, who nodded her head briefly at Hermione before looking down at the floor. "I be taking him 'ome now, if ye don't mind."

Hermione took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. "No. I'm sorry, but I'm afraid Ethan isn't well enough to leave yet, Mr…?"

"'Olden." Hermione took this as 'Holden'. "Why didn't ye know me name? I just said I'm 'is father ain't I?" 'E carries me name."

"Yes but," Hermione tried not to sound uncivil. "When Ethan was found in his... state, he was alone. It's been two months, Mr Holden. Why have you suddenly decided to turn up?"

"Look, I'm 'is father and I say he leaves now." Mr Holden told her firmly, ignoring the way his son sunk back into his pillow in terror. "Now I be taking 'im home."

"No," Hermione repeated. "He's staying here. And whilst he is, I'm afraid you and your wife will have to answer a few questions from the Ministry."

"I beg ye pardon!" His mouth opened as he took a few menacing steps towards her, causing Hermione to take out her wand discreetly, but stand her guard. "'E's my son! I know what's good for him!"

"I find it hard to believe that, Mr Holden, with the state Ethan was left in. I'm not letting him leave with you, in his condition, when you've had no attempt to contact him beforehand. Now leave, Mr Holden, before I call security. You and your wife will be dealt with by the Ministry."

"Dealt with?" He spluttered, his eyes widening with rage. "Now look 'ere-

"-Leave. Now." She repeated as she raised her wand. Mrs Holden tugged gently at his arm, making him move past her and towards the door, but not before swinging around to face Hermione once more.

"You've made a mistake, missy," He told her quietly, his face darkening. "That's my boy and you people 'ave no business in our affairs. Now I'll leave, but don't expect this is the last time we meet."

And with that, he swung on his heel, slamming the door behind him as they both left. Hermione let out a sigh of relief, before moving over to the bed.

"Ethan?" She said gently, sitting down on the bed and looking at the small boy. "Are you alright?"

He only nodded, a tear rolling down his eye. She sighed before lifting him into her arms, feeling his nose bury into her hair as she held him tightly, her eyes meeting Sister Browns' and knowing something was gravely wrong.

"He beats them. I've been in this profession long enough. His wife didn't utter one word- not one. Just looking down at the bleeding floor and didn't even greet her own son! The poor little lad was terrified too!"

"I wouldn't find that hard to believe, Sister Brown, but we have no proof." Hermione told her shortly as she rummaged in the cabinets, pulling out Ethan's file. "We'll leave it to the Ministry. You contacted the Department of Child Welfare?"

"Yes, Healer Granger, as soon as they left. I'll be damned if that poor lad goes with that monster! Two months! Two months he left him here! And he threatened you-

"-It was nothing, I assure you," Hermione almost chuckled. "After going through what I have in my life, it was a walk in the park. Why don't you take your break? Calm down a little, yes? I promise you I'll make sure Ethan doesn't leave with them. I'll work on it."

"Ah… you're right. Probably should." She rubbed at her temples before leaving, muttering to herself. Hermione chuckled again before opening Ethan's file, frowning as she always did when she saw it. Everything was the same. He wasn't getting much better and they had no information on him. Ethan was thought to be an orphan, but now here he was with parents. They all had tried to coax anything of his past from him but he'd remained tight-lipped and now she understood why. Sighing, she closed it, before turning to enter his room again.

Ethan was sitting up in his bed, writing in his diary with his small quill. She coughed to make her presence known- she didn't want to disturb his privacy. He swiftly looked up, his face breaking into a smile, before he put away his dairy.

"Miss Hermine!"

She smiled at him before walking over and taking a seat next to his bed. "Hi Ethan. How are you?"

"Fine now, Miss Hermine."

"That's good. I need to talk to you Ethan."

Ethan immediately bit his bottom lip as it quivered, sniffing slightly. "Is it about my…my…"

"Ethan," Hermione immediately sat up on the bed to take his hands and squeeze them. "It's okay. You can talk to me about him. In fact, I need you to please. Because I care about you, and I don't want you to go back to a place where you don't feel comfortable."

He nodded at her, before she smiled at him assuringly. "Okay, good. Was that your daddy, Ethan?"

He nodded bluntly, hiccupping. She tried to resist reaching out to hug him tightly; he really was adorable.

"And your mummy?"

Another nod.

"Are they scary, Ethan?"

"Yes."

"Do they hit you?"

A pause. "My daddy does."

"Hard?"

"Sometimes."

"What times in the day did he hit you, Ethan?"

"At night time, Miss Hermine. When he smelt of smoke and… and-

"-It's alright, Ethan. You don't have to explain," Hermione had guessed as much. It was probable his father was drunk when he hit Ethan. "Does he hit your mummy too?"

"Yes… I hear scream… screaming."

He gulped hard, before shivering a little and tugging his blankets closer to him. She immediately registered he was beginning to get uncomfortable and squeezed his hand again. "Ethan, do you want to go back?"

He immediately shook his head, tears starting to run down his face. "No, Miss Hermine, I want to be with you!" He cried, before climbing out of bed and throwing his arms around her tightly. "Please don't make me go back, Miss Hermine!"

She held him firmly, stroking his hair as he shuddered with sobs against her, some tears rolling down her own face. She had never felt so heartbroken yet touched at the same time. She took a deep breath, before kissing his cheek, trying not to burst into tears. "Ethan, I promise you I won't make you go back, okay? I promise."

"Hermione." Harry sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Please tell me you didn't promise him that."

She glared at him, gritting her teeth. "Of course I promised him, because it's true. I'm not letting him go back and…and-

"-And what? You'll let him go into a foster home happily? Come on, Hermione, admit you've become emotionally attached to Ethan."

"I have not!" She protested, shaking her head in denial. "He's my patient! And he's being abused! Did you want me to send him back to his parents?"

"Well, no." Harry admitted with another sigh. "But I don't want you to drag yourself into this either."

"I'm his Healer, I have every right to 'drag myself' into it."

Sensing he would lose the argument, Harry nodded briefly and dropped it, biting his lip. "Alright, Hermione. I'll support you whatever. You know that. Just… be careful."

"I'm just trying to save my patient from abuse. It's my job."

He nodded again before looking at her uncomfortably, an awkward silence falling over them. He could sense she was stressed and he too, felt no other emotion. With the wedding looming too close for his comfort, he really was dashing around all over the place with last minute things to sort out and prepare.

"You… couldn't help me with this tie, would you?" Harry asked her hesitantly, his hands dropping as she looked up and slowly, nodded. Standing up, he offered her a small stool for her to stand on so she could reach him- he was becoming ever more taller and Hermione was too tired to tiptoe. She took his tie in her hands and started to knot it, finding herself starting to calm the more she progressed. He was looking at her sympathetically, and Hermione finally looked up at met his gaze before smiling a little at him. He only pulled her to him and hugged her tightly with a sigh.

"I'm sorry, Hermione. I think you're doing a great thing. Really. I just worry you do too much. You've had a lot to deal with. But I know you shouldn't just step aside and do nothing."

She kissed his cheek and said nothing, but he knew her too well to know it was her way of saying thank you. Finally, she spoke.

"I'm crinkling your shirt." Her voice was muffled as she pressed her nose into it, breathing in his familiar scent that was so comforting to her.

He chuckled. "It's alright. I won't tell Ginny."

"I'll curse you if you do."

He shuddered at the thought. "I promise I won't tell Ginny."

"Better."

"Hermione," Malfoy called as he apparated just inside her hallway. "Hermione?"

She walked out of the bathroom, wearing nothing more than a small towel and frown on her face. "Draco? I thought you were working in the office?"

"I was," He put down his briefcase before taking off his cloak and bending to kiss her cheek. "I actually bloody finished. So I thought I'd come here."

"Want to stay over?" Hermione asked as she took his hand and gently pulled him to her kitchen. "I can cook something?"

"That'd be nice," He smiled at her as he wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her damp shoulder as they walked over to the stove. "Although I'll help. What did you want to eat?"

"You pick. And yes, we're doing it by hand." She added as she picked up her wand and murmured a spell so she was swiftly wearing a pair of shorts and a shirt.

He chuckled as he rolled his eyes. "Fine, it's not like we're tired from work or anything."

"Cooking is relaxing," She insisted, opening the fridge to take out some vegetables and cheese before summoning the rest of the ingredients with her wand, watching as they flew out of the cupboards and landed neatly on the worktop. "Come on, we can make lasagne."

He brightened at the idea. "I like lasagne."

"Yes, Malfoy. I know."

He smirked at her before rolling his sleeves up, raising an eyebrow as he held a parsnip. "Er… what do I do with this?"

"Wash it?"

"Oh… right."

Hermione chuckled, before beckoning him to join her at the sink. Together, they started washing the vegetables as they talked of their day, Hermione carefully telling him of Ethan but instantly relaxing when he assured her she was doing the right thing. When she told him to start to cut the vegetables, he lazily flicked his wand and grinned at her, causing her to roll her eyes.

"Malfoy, that's cheating."

"It is not. Who says magic is cheating? Besides, the quicker we do this, the quicker we can eat and then make out- I mean... go to sleep... innocently."

She laughed just as he winked saucily at her, taking out her wand to finish the work. "Fine, but now I'll have to find another way to wind down."

"I can think of something."

He pressed his fingertips against her back before pushing her shirt up so they rested on bare skin, smiling with satisfaction when she moaned pleasurably. Slowly starting to massage her, he bent his head to press light kisses along her skin, pushing her shirt further upwards.

"So, I take it you're relaxing?"

She opened one eye lazily to look up at him with her eyebrow raised. "Maybe."

He chuckled. "Definitely."

She only murmured a reply he didn't catch as continued to massage her gently, biting his lip a little. "I've been thinking, Hermione…"

"Oh dear, this isn't good." She giggled as he poked her in protest. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry. What were you thinking of, Draco?"

"Well. After Pratt and I talked, I started to think. That... He was right."

"About?"

"About how I feel for you."

"Which is?" She turned her head to tease him, but her smile faltered when she saw him on his knees beside her on the sofa that she lay on. "Oh Merlin…Draco. What are you-

He bent his head down and suddenly realised his position, starting to blush. "No-no! No, I'm not proposing...I… I just wanted to be next to you…I actually just wondered if you'd move… move in with me."

She couldn't help but smile widely at him, causing him to let out a sigh of relief. "Oh good, you're not going to be upset I'm not asking you to marry me," He continued nervously with a bite of his lip, indicating that he wasn't entirely sure this was true. She let out a chuckle and turned to lie on her side as she looked at him.

"Of course I'm not upset. It's way too early to think of that, and you've only just got a divorce. I'm rather relieved, actually. Not that I…I-

"-Hermione," His blush deepened. "Just forget about proposals, and answer my question. Will you move in with me?"

She turned to rest on her back as she gazed up at him thoughtfully. Slowly, her hand came out to stroke his cheek before she pushed herself up to kiss him sweetly.

"Of course I will, you idiot."

A/N: Big love and thanks for:

Sarah Liz B (I wasn't fooled by the B!), HotWolfGirl, Keke Koorime, CheshireCat23, BeneHime1124, nature love 95, penguinlover250, flower123, StarKidBeach, Epixie, Orange-Coyote, bbspoke1017

You all blow me away with your reviews- they're so supportive and really do keep me going. I could not ask for better reviewers, I really couldn't.

The wedding next! Stay tuned: And review s'il vous plait , J'adore le reviews!