Hermione was in the middle of experiencing a time jump when a knocking sound brought her to full alertness. A few minutes ago Hermione had been drifting off to sleep in Draco's arms, when she felt the scene fading around her. Hermione was guessing the time jump had just shot her forward to the next morning as she was still in bed, the problem was she wasn't alone.
As the knocking sounded again Hermione wriggled out of the tight embrace of the man in her bed. As she got out of bed and pulled on her discarded nightgown Hermione couldn't help but look at a sleeping Draco. While they had fallen asleep together many times since their affair started this was the first time Hermione had woken up in his arms, normally he had snuck out of her room long before it was time for her to rise.
Tearing her eyes away from her sleeping lover Hermione hastily pulled the curtains around the bed. Gathering up Draco's clothes she shoved them in a nearby cupboard on her way to answer the door. As she opened the door and let in the maid bringing breakfast she hoped that Draco would either remain sleeping or if he did wake he would have the sense to remain silent.
After placing the breakfast on the table the maid asked if there was anything else she could do for Hermione. Trying not to seem eager to get rid of the girl Hermione politely refused the offer and ushered the maid back out of the room. Once she was gone Hermione re-locked the door and slumped against it in relief, very aware of how close she and Draco had just come to being caught.
At the sound of the curtains being opened on her bed Hermione turned round to see Draco emerging from the ruby hangings.
"I think I've slept in." He commented, noticing the breakfast on the table.
"As long as no-one else stops by this morning, I think we'll be okay." Hermione replied. "Are you hungry?" She asked, gesturing to the tray.
"Not particularly." Draco replied, heading in Hermione's direction.
As Draco stalked towards her, still naked, Hermione wanted to avert her eyes. Despite the numerous times she had now seen the blond man naked she was still flustered by the sight, this effect however was only internal as Queen Hermione had no problems with blatantly staring at her lover's body.
When he reached her, Draco pulled Hermione into his arms and engaged her in a passionate kiss. As she lost herself in the kiss Hermione forgot all about Draco's nakedness, it had gotten to the point that whenever he touched her she lost herself in the story and revelled in the feelings he produced in her. Still kissing her deeply, Draco pushed the sleeves of Hermione's nightgown from her shoulders, causing the material to pool around her feet.
Hermione stepped out of discarded material as Draco manoeuvred her towards the table. Bumping against the table Hermione found herself perched on the edge as Draco began kissing his way down her neck. Hermione tangled her hand in his soft hair as Draco moved further down her body, swirling his tongue around her sensitive nipples. When he then began making his way further south Hermione felt a pang of apprehension, although she wasn't sure if that was her response or the response of the Queen.
"Relax." Draco murmured as he continued to kiss lower on her abdomen, indicating that the apprehension was coming from both Hermione and her royal counterpart.
Hermione tried to do as Draco asked and instead of getting anxious over what Draco was about to do she tried to concentrate on the feelings he was creating. Despite trying to relax she couldn't help but be slightly nervous as Draco pulled her towards the edge of the table and spread her legs. However, the second his tongue hit her centre, Hermione forgot all about her apprehension as she moaned at the feeling.
Hermione felt Draco smirk at her reaction as she braced herself against the table. As Draco continued to kiss and lick at her throbbing centre, Hermione moaned wantonly as her hips automatically thrust up against Draco. Placing a hand on Hermione to hold her down, Draco added his fingers to the activity in between Hermione's legs. Minutes later Hermione was moaning Draco's name loudly as she suddenly climaxed.
Hermione collapsed back onto the table as she recovered from her orgasm. While she was catching her breath Draco settled onto a chair and began picking at the breakfast that was sitting on the table. After a couple of minutes Hermione sat up and smiled at her lover.
"I thought you weren't hungry." She said, watching as he picked at the food on the tray.
"I worked up a bit of an appetite." Draco grinned back at Hermione.
Hermione laughed lightly as she hopped off the table and straddled Draco's lap. Reaching her hand down in-between them, Hermione stroked Draco's manhood, bringing him to full arousal. When Draco was ready Hermione raised herself up and impaled herself on him, producing groans from them both.
"Now you can really work up an appetite." She grinned, before crashing their lips together.
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Hermione was in a cheerful mood as she said goodbye to King Albus and Queen Minerva. After the declarations of love the previous night with Draco, she was looking forward to returning to Slytherin. While she had thoroughly enjoyed her trip back home to Gryffindor, it was easier to sneak around with her lover back in Slytherin. Apart from Sir Ron, who was scowling on the side lines, the goodbyes were light-hearted as everyone knew in a few months they would be meeting again at the tournament.
Once the goodbyes were over, the party from Slytherin mounted their horses and set off back home. Once the group was on the path back home Sir Theodore and Ginny rode ahead whilst Draco and Hermione rode side by side a few metres behind them.
"How did you enjoy visiting Gryffindor?" Hermione asked her lover.
"Last night and this morning were definite highlights." Draco replied, flashing Hermione a wicked grin. "Last night, especially." He added, turning serious.
"Last night was special for me as well." Hermione agreed. "But how was the rest of your visit?" She asked.
"The kingdom is really nice, your father seems like a good man and most of the knights are really friendly."
"Only most?" Hermione questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"For some reason Sir Ron wasn't my biggest fan." Draco retorted. "I can't imagine why."
"He would be even less of a fan if he knew just how close you are to me." Hermione said.
"That's something no-one will ever know." Draco sighed sadly.
Hermione sighed along with Draco. It pained her to know that she would never be able to show how important the man next to her was, and what he truly meant to her. Despite never being able to tell people about their love Hermione wasn't planning on letting Draco slip through her fingers. Even if they could only be together in secret, it was worth it for the happiness she gained by being with him.
The rest of the trip passed smoothly, for the main part Hermione and Draco were left alone to talk but after their first discussion they kept the conversation neutral so if Ginny or Sir Theodore overheard them they wouldn't hear anything incriminating. It wasn't until the last hour of the journey that Draco took the lead while Ginny dropped back to ride with Hermione and Sir Theodore brought up the rear.
When they arrived back at the castle, Hermione was surprised they didn't have a welcoming party, the only person waiting for them was Sir Blaise. When they alighted the horses Sir Blaise informed Draco that the King was busy in the council chambers but he wished to see him immediately. He also informed Hermione that King Severus apologised for not meeting her upon her return but that they would catch up over dinner.
While Draco headed off to see the King, Hermione and Ginny made their way to Hermione's chambers. Minutes after they arrived in the room a servant dropped Hermione's bags off at the room and Ginny began sorting them out.
"Is it weird that I missed this place and that I'm glad to be back?" Ginny asked.
"No." Hermione shook her head as she looked around her room. While her chambers at Gryffindor were nice, these ones were so much more luxurious and comfortable. "This place is home now."
"Is there anything else you want me to do?" Ginny inquired as she finished sorting Hermione's bags.
"Could you organise a bath, please?" Hermione smiled at her friend. "Then you can have the night off. Maybe you can catch up with Sir Blaise."
"Maybe." Ginny shrugged noncommittally as she headed for the door. "I'll see about your bath."
"Thank you, Ginny." Hermione said as she maid left the room.
Once she was alone Hermione pulled off her boots and settled on the window seat to wait for her bath. At times like these Hermione missed the more modern facilities, she would love to sink into a large bubble bath but after hours of riding even the small tubs here were appealing to her.
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"Did you enjoy your trip?"
Hermione looked up at King Severus's question. The couple were currently in the dining hall having dinner and so far he had been quite quiet. Hermione had wondered if something was wrong but now she suspected that he had just being waiting for the servants to leave before he engaged her in conversation.
"I did." Hermione replied. "It was nice to see my parents."
"How are your parents?" King Severus asked. "I trust your mother is feeling better."
"Mother is fine now, and father is also good. They're both looking forward to the upcoming tournament."
"So they'll both be coming?" The King inquired.
"Yes, I think so." Hermione replied. "Father normally attends tournaments and mother usually accompanies him."
"It'll be nice to see them again." King Severus nodded.
"I'm sure they're looking forward to seeing you. Father was asking after you." Hermione said.
"What did you say?"
"Not a lot." Hermione shrugged. "I said you were fine and sent your regards."
Hermione watched with interest as King Severus visibly relaxed. He'd been tense all evening and Hermione was beginning to suspect that he had been worried about what she had told her parents about him. She wasn't stupid and she knew that if she mentioned that their marriage hadn't been consummated, her father would be unimpressed and demand King Severus does his husbandly duty. Hermione really didn't want that to happen so she had no intention of ever saying anything, she was quite happy with people thinking everything was perfect in her marriage. Luckily for her the King seemed to be in complete agreement with her and he was just as happy keeping up the charade as she was.
"Did you discuss anything else with your parents?" King Severus asked.
"My father was most impressed with Sir Draco." Hermione said, deciding to sing the praises of her lover. "He's looking forward to seeing him compete in the tournament."
"Aren't we all?" The King smirked. "I'm very confident he'll win. It would be nice to have a home champion."
"Yes, it would." Hermione agreed, hoping Draco did in fact win the tournament.
"We'll have to be making preparations soon." The King said. "Will you be interested in helping?"
"I would love to." Hermione smiled genuinely at the offer. It was the first time the King had included her in anything official and she was pleased that he had finally given her something more constructive to do.
"Good." The King smiled, seemingly pleased that Hermione had accepted his offer. "Over the next week or so we should be receiving the documentation of official entrants. Our men will also need to be sorted out and officially entered into the tournament. Then there is the accommodation and everything to sort."
"Just tell me what you want me to do and I'll organise as much as I can." Hermione told the King.
The King nodded and for the next hour the royal couple discussed the tournament. As they talked Hermione couldn't help but notice a change in King Severus, now he was sure that she hadn't complained about him to her father he seemed much more at ease with her.
When the conversation was over the King walked Hermione to her bedchambers, as per their weekly routine. When they passed a couple of knights and a servant Hermione could swear he gripped onto her tighter and moved closer to her. Like always she got the impression that the walk was a carefully rehearsed show to convince people that at least once a week they were doing their marital duties. Considering what she was really doing in her spare time, Hermione was more than happy to act the part and convince the castle their marriage was a normal, healthy one, not a completely sexless one.