Hermione was slightly disorientated as she opened her eyes to stare at a ceiling which most definitely was not the boring beige colour she was used to seeing. Memories of last night slowly filtered into her mind and she was hit with the realisation that she was laying in Draco Malfoy's bed. Last night had been a huge eye opener for her, he'd shown her new pleasures she had never experienced, Ron had not been at all bad but their love making had been based on love not passion. Sitting up she glanced around the room taking in her surroundings for the first time. He definitely had taste and money, she thought eyeing the beautiful emerald coloured curtains and antique furniture. As she continued surveying the room she gradually became conscious of the fact that she was in Draco Malfoy's bed, naked, and didn't care. A laugh escaped her as she thought about how absurd the situation was.
"Laughing is a good sign" Draco drawled from the door way, dressed in only black pants.
Hermione instantly grabbed the sheets, bunching them up around her chest, her face flushed as she wished the floor would open up to swallow her. Not caring about being in his bed was entirely different to actually having to face him.
"Let's not act all modest now Granger" He smirked, walking over to the bed and sitting beside her.
"Good Morning Malfoy" She said awkwardly, not letting go of the sheet.
"How about instead of exchanging niceties, we exchange some bodily fluids" he suggested lewdly, placing a hand on either side of her body and leaning forward until he was mere inches away from her face.
"I think we need to discuss some things "She replied hesitantly, putting a steadying hand on his chest.
"Don't overthink this Granger, just let things take their natural course" He went to lean in but was once again thwarted by her firm hand.
"May I ask what exactly the natural course involves?"
She was very confused by this care free Draco who was completely different to the brooding teenager she had known, and wanted clarification on what exactly he wanted from her. After all he had made passionate love to a mud blood, and now seemed perfectly at ease with it, she didn't know what she had expected but this was not it.
"I find you desirable, and I'm guessing you feel the same" He waited for her response before continuing.
She nodded in agreement, not trusting her voice after he had just admitted she was desirable to him.
"Let's just have fun for a while" He shrugged.
"No strings attached?" She clarified.
"Exactly, no wounded pride, no mess just a bit of fun and when it's run its course we can go our separate ways"
She knew what he was asking of her even though the idea was completely preposterous coming from him. A relationship (if you could even call it that), based purely on physical pleasure did sound very appealing. After the heart ache she had experienced in the past few months, the idea that she could have her cake and eat it too was simply too good to resist.
"Alright, but I have a few ground rules before we start anything"
"Amazing how level headed you can be while I'm almost bursting over here" he chuckled.
"You said it yourself, no mess so if we're going to make this work we both need rules" she pointed out, ignoring the fact one of his hands had started massaging her neckline.
"Since you're so intent on breaking the mood you might as well continue" He sighed, straightening himself up.
"Firstly I think it would be a good idea if we didn't tell anybody" She suggested, images of her friend's shocked expressions racing through her mind.
"Agreed, as much as I was thinking of what a kick my father would get out of it" He mocked, rolling his eyes.
"I think we should refrain from anything too personal "she continued, ignoring his sarcasm.
He simply nodded, wondering when she would be finished.
"Do you have anything you want to add?"
"No, Granger whatever you want is fine by me but I need you to promise me something" He said seriously.
"Alright, what is it?" she asked, curious.
"You have to promise me you will take the chance to have some fun instead of over analysing everything" He chuckled.
"I think I can manage Malfoy" she laughed.
"Now let's get to business shall we?" He leaned in once again, crushing her body under him as he captured her mouth in a passionate kiss.
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Ron was terrified, even more terrified then when he'd been on the run with Harry and Hermione or at the Battle for Hogwarts and he wasn't afraid to admit it. His mother busied herself with preparing the weekly family lunch, completely oblivious to her son's terror. Harry was no help to him either, too distracted with Ginny to notice the discomfort of his friend. Today was the day he would lay eyes on his ex-wife for the first time since their divorce and he didn't mind being a total coward when it came to it. It appeared that no one else shared his point of view, they were all simply happy at the fact she had decided to return to the burrow, after months of absence.
"Ron, stop fidgeting" Victoria chastised him playfully.
"Sorry love" He smiled, knowing he was over reacting.
She turned her attention back to the conversation she had been having with Arthur, leaving a supportive hand on his leg.
To be honest his terror mainly stemmed from the fact that Victoria would also be present whilst Hermione attended lunch. It wasn't that he was ashamed of her, far from it. As much as it had pained him to realise he no longer loved Hermione as he once had, he had never regretted the decision he had taken. It was just that his lover's presence in the room was going to be one big elephant.
Fred stuck his head around the door way, shooting Ron a mischievous look.
"Hermione's arrived"
"Oh good, I'll go welcome her" Molly smiled, abandoning what she was doing instantly.
Ron stiffened immediately, noting the happiness on his mother's face as she left the room. It was an open secret that she had not agreed with her son's decision to leave the girl she had adopted as a second daughter, and though she hid it well she still had yet to warm to Victoria.
"It'll be fine mate" Harry gave him a quick pat on the shoulder.
"My bets on Hermione hexing him" Fred joked, earning disapproving looks from everyone at the table.
"Everyone Hermione's here" Molly announced, as though everyone hadn't known.
Ron was struck at how great Hermione looked as she stepped in behind Molly, a huge smile on her lips as she greeted everyone.
"Hello, hope I didn't miss anything" She laughed, sitting herself across from Harry.
"So nice of you to join us, dear" Molly fawned, placing gentle hands on Hermione's shoulders.
Ron was irked at such a blatant gesture, unconsciously placing a hand on Victoria's, and squeezing it.
"It's been a while" Harry agreed.
"So what's everyone been up to?" Hermione asked, not looking at anybody in particular.
"Well Ron's been doing a great job down at the shop" Fred smirked, enjoying the looks of disdain that were shot his way.
"That's great Ron" She said sincerely, smiling at him.
"Yeah, works been ok" Ron replied awkwardly.
"You're too modest Ron" Victoria interjected, shooting him a loving smile.
"He was always too modest" Hermione agreed, a chuckle escaping her lips.
The entire table sat in shocked silence, Fred eyeing Hermione oddly wondering why she was so upbeat sitting at a table with her ex-husband's family and the woman he had replaced her with.
"Come on everyone, can't we all put the past behind us and enjoy the delicious food I'm sure Molly has prepared?" She asked, rolling her eyes.
Almost at once the table erupted in conversation, the ice having been broken.
Over the next few hours Ron found himself relaxing as everything seemed to return to what it had been prior to the divorce, Hermione had even involved Victoria in polite conversation which was a start.
As lunch drew to a close Hermione said goodbye to everyone, giving Molly a big hug. Ron waited until she left the room and followed her wanting to talk to her privately without his family listening in.
"Look Hermione" He began.
"Ron, its ok you don't need to say anything" She interrupted him.
"I just wanted to say it's good to see you" He smiled, giving her a playful punch in the arm.
"It was good to see you too" She laughed.
"You look great by the way, I don't want to stick my nose in your life, but whoever he is, I'm glad he's made you happy"
"He's nothing, Ron but thank you" She shrugged, a little caught off guard by his words.
Ron nodded, waiting until she had apparated before joining the others, his thoughts centred on which wizard Hermione was seeing.
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"How was lunch with the Weasels?" Draco drawled.
"Isn't that a bit of a personal question?" Hermione asked, stretching out beside him on the bed.
"I was merely being polite Granger, what they do does not interest me in the least" He scoffed, rising out of the bed and putting on some pants.
Hermione watched as he dressed, a feeling of disappointment flooding her as he walked into the bathroom. They had been sleeping with each other for weeks now, and always it was the same routine. They made love, he got up and left her, sometimes they would remain in bed conversing about non important topics but never touching. He had never held her or showed her any affection other than when she first arrived, and though she knew this was the way things were supposed to be, she couldn't help pining for some sign from him. Ron's words came back to her as she wondered if Draco was indeed responsible for her change in temperament lately.
"What are you thinking about?" He interrupted her thoughts, emerging from the shower already clothed.
"Nothing in particular" She lied.
"I could hear the cogs in your head turning from the bathroom" He laughed.
"It was nothing important really, what are your plans for the weekend?" She asked, hoping to change the subject.
"I'm glad you brought that up, I'm heading to the islands for work" He revealed, sitting on the edge of the bed as he put his shoes on.
"That sounds nice" She barely succeeded in hiding her displeasure.
"I want you to come with me" He continued, not turning around to look at her.
"Come with you to the islands, isn't that a bit risky?" She asked, elated and irked at the same time as he continued to sit with his back to her.
"No, I'm only meeting with some foreign wizards on the Friday, we'll have the rest of the weekend alone" He shrugged; only now turning around.
"What if someone sees or worse your father" she was cut off in mid-sentence.
"Granger remember you promised to take chances, well here's the opportunity"
"Fine but I'll join you afterwards; I'll need to leave things in order at work first"
"Sounds good, what is it you do by the way?" He asked, only half joking.
"I'm a healer, Malfoy" She rolled her eyes.
"Handy to have around" He smiled, before apparating without a goodbye.
Hermione wanted to scream obscenities at the spot he had just been standing; she hated this cold indifferent side of him which seemed at odds with the loving man who held her in his arms. If she got nothing else out of this arrangement, she was determined to break through that icy exterior.
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The weekend turned out to be one of the happiest moments in Draco's life. He had thought about asking her to come with him all week but had hesitated, pondering the implications of such an invitation. It was true he had grown quite fond of Hermione over the past few weeks, enjoying her company but that didn't change the fact that whatever they shared was not going to last forever. To drive the point home he had received a visit from his father a few nights ago, once again hounding him about his single status. Sooner or later he would have to step up to the plate and marry a pureblood witch and leave Hermione behind. A feeling he couldn't discern gripped his stomach at the thought of losing her, not only did he enjoy how she felt in his arms but he had grown accustomed to her company.
She had arrived late on Friday night, and since then they had spent the days in each other's arms only leaving the resort room to go for walks along the beach, where Draco had decided to hold her hand. It was the first time he had touched her outside the bedroom and it felt good so he didn't bother trying to read too much into it.
"Back to reality" Hermione sighed, kicking off her sandals and collapsing on the bed.
"We still have an hour or so" He winked, falling in beside her.
"Is that all you ever think about?" She swatted him playfully.
"Come here" He gestured, wrapping an arm around her so that her head lay on his chest. After an initial stiffness he felt her body relax against his, making him oddly content.
"We can't keep doing this, you know" She sighed, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Are we over thinking again?" He asked, brushing the hair from her face.
"You have to realise that this will have to end" She continued.
"I know that Granger but for now can't we just enjoy ourselves?" He felt his chest tighten as he waited for her reply; he was not ready for this to end.
"Alright, but I would like to change one of the rules slightly"
"Go on" He answered.
"I think it's perfectly acceptable now that we're friends to discuss our personal lives with each other" She blurted out.
He could feel the stiffness returning to her body; obviously she was pretty nervous about his reaction.
"I guess that's fine" He agreed.
"Ok" she said nonchalantly
"So how was lunch at the Weasels?"
She got up quickly, turning to grab a pillow. He just managed to get away from her before she launched the pillow his way, barely missing him as he collapsed in a fit of laughter.
"Granger just let go"
"No Malfoy, if I'm going to die then so are you" She screeched.
"If you continue choking me the way you are, we will both die when I pass out from lack of oxygen!" He yelled at her, trying to see where he was going.
Hermione took deep breaths and closed her eyes for a moment, wishing to summon every ounce of Gryffindor courage she had.
Slowly she lowered her arms from around his neck, wrapping them around his waist instead as she tentatively opened her eyes. The sight of the clear blue skies did nothing to avail her of the deep terror she felt at being on a broom with Draco, high up in the clouds with no safety net.
"You're hurting me again" He warned.
"I can't help it, I have a deep fear of heights!" she yelled at him.
"Really, so I just imagined you on a broom during the battle of Hogwarts" He taunted.
"That was different and you know it, I was out of my mind with fear last thing I was thinking about was my fear of heights!" She argued.
"Geez you are one highly strung woman"
Hermione remained silent knowing she was acting childish but not being able to help it. It clearly had been his idea to take an afternoon ride on the broom even after she had had hotly protested. It'll be fun he'd said, I bet I can get you to enjoy it; he'd continued ignoring her protestations and pretty much had hauled her onto his broom.
"If you focus on the actual scenery you'll quickly forget all about the broom" He said quietly.
She didn't reply but took his advice looking around at the countless low clouds which they continuously flew through. She had always wondered why Jasmine had been so eager to ride the magic carpet in Aladdin; evidently she had been focusing on the scenery. She felt some of the fear leave her as she became engrossed with the setting sun on the ocean noticing the way the waves glimmered beautifully resembling diamonds.
"Better?" He asked.
She replied by placing her head against his back and closing her eyes, relishing the warmth and closeness.
"Let's head back" He said shortly, returning to the garden behind his house.
Although she had enjoyed herself a little, she was still very glad to have both feet on the ground.
"I really think the Gryffindor courage is a load of hogwash" He provoked her.
Narrowing her eyes she went to land a punch on his arm but was thwarted when he reached down and grabbed her waist, capturing her mouth in a passionate kiss.
"AHEM" Someone cleared their throat shocking both of them into reflexively jumping away from each other.
Hermione was horrified when she saw none other than Lucius Malfoy standing there, and he did not appear amused.