Warning: This chapter contains sexually explicit content. Do not read if easily offended.
Barely five minutes after Draco had left, Hermione looked up from her novel to see the flames flickering green once more.
"Are you absolutely mental!" were the first words out of Ron's mouth, his face flaming as red as his hair. Hermione had set aside her book at the first sign of his arrival, her hand clutched tightly around her wand as a precaution.
"Hello, Ron," she said calmly. "Would you like to sit?"
Despite his anger, Ron sat in the seat across from her. She noticed the newspaper bunched up in his hand, the photograph of her and Draco replaying over and over again. "You weren't joking about dating Malfoy?" he asked, his voice quiet. Hermione saw this as a warning sign.
"Yes," she replied slowly. "I am serious about seeing Draco. Ron, I'm not doing this to hurt or spite you. I'm genuinely interested in Draco."
"But you're interested in me," Ron protested, his brilliant blue eyes pleading desperately with her. Hermione felt her heart tug as he looked at her with such desperation.
"Ron, I love you. I really, really do. But not in that way," Hermione lowered her eyes to the floor. "What we had was never going to work. We loved each other, sure, but we're better off friends. You're more like a brother to me. I'm sorry."
Ron was silent for a long time. He just stared absently at the wall behind her, his hands clenched into fists at his side, one around the wand and the other around the newspaper. "Your brother," he finally said. "I'm like your brother."
"Yes," she said quietly, her voice tainted by sadness.
"That's it?"
"Yes," she repeated and his eyes met hers. "Ron, I'm-"
"No, it's okay," Ron hushed her. "I think I need to figure out how I feel about you. Up until now, you've always just been there. But I agree. I don't think we're right for each other."
Hermione felt the air rushing out of her in a great gust and she allowed herself to relax fully, her grip on her wand slackening. "I don't want to lose you as a friend," she clarified.
"You won't," his voice was defiant. "As long as you want me here, friend or boyfriend or whatever, I'll be here."
The wave of emotion that overcame Hermione at that point was one of the strongest she had ever felt. Her gratitude towards Ron was the frontrunner. She had never believed that he would accept a decision like this, and his adamant attitude at maintaining their friendship moved her almost to the point of tears. She didn't even bother trying to restrain herself when she flung herself into his arms.
"Thank you," she whispered quietly into his ear as he squeezed her tightly. "Thank you so much." When they broke apart, Hermione was embarrassed to find that the emotion had entirely overcome her and she was forced to brush tears away from her cheeks. "We just need to find you someone to be with," she laughed and he flushed all the way to his ears. "Somebody decent."
"Anyone in mind, 'Mione?" he asked. "Because I could really use a shag."
"Ronald!" she exclaimed and he laughed at her reaction. She had decided to give up on chastising him for shortening her name as long as it didn't catch on. "We'll figure something out, I'm sure."
The conversation continued until darkness had begun to fall, at which point Ron decided he should leave after Hermione had hinted at Draco's arrival. She was truly sad to see her ex-husband depart. She hadn't realized, prior to that day, how much she truly enjoyed his company when he wasn't trying to get into her pants. It had reminded her of their Hogwarts days, with their light, playful banter.
After clearing up the remnants of their afternoon snack, Hermione started to fix herself some dinner, and half an hour later she was curled back in her usual seat, a bowl of pasta on her lap and her novel propped up in her hand. Halfway through her meal, Altheda jumped up onto the arm of the chair and perched there, her purring the only sound to fill the room. Hermione was entirely content sitting there with her cat, a good book, and the blazing fire. The evening ended with a long, hot bath with two drops of jasmine oil and a good night's sleep.
"How is Hermione?" Narcissa asked Draco over tea, and the thoughts of their last encounter flooded his brain. Her body pressed against his. Grinding against each other. Their moans. Her skin against his. How much he bloody wanted her. He wanted her, and he would make her his very soon.
"Fine," he said nonchalantly. "She's back working at the library, but I'm seeing her on the weekend."
It was Thursday, and Draco honestly could not wait to see Hermione again. He hadn't seen her since the Sunday when their relationship had been announced, since she was at work, and had instead been helping Pansy move into her new apartment. He loved Pansy, sure, but he missed the intelligent conversation he held with Hermione, not to mention the snogging. The chatter he had with Pansy was always entertaining, but he missed the deep conversations he had with Hermione. He was well aware that he was in over his head with his feelings, but he couldn't change it now.
"Would you like to have her over for lunch on Sunday?" Narcissa offered. "I was thinking that we could have a few of her friends over, as well as Pansy. Perhaps the Potters?"
Draco spluttered into his tea but regained his composure quickly. "Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm certain, Draco," Narcissa rolled her eyes and shook her hair out. "We all owe our lives to Harry Potter, and I've not yet had a proper chance to repay him since the War. That said, I feel the Potters would be much more comfortable if Hermione were here."
"Yeah, but Pans won't exactly be happy to be here with all the happy couples," Draco frowned. "She's still bitter."
"And she has every right to be," Narcissa said. "Mention this to Hermione when you next see her, won't you?"
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Draco asked Hermione for the millionth time as they sat in her lounge room, waiting for the other guests to Narcissa's lunch to arrive. Harry and Ginny, as well as little James, would all be arriving shortly, along with Ron. Pansy had, with great reluctance, agreed to attend the gathering but was going straight to Malfoy Manor.
"Yes, now stop fussing," Hermione rolled her eyes, clipping in her earrings in front of the mirror. "Everything will be fine."
"But what about Weasley?" Draco sneered, the distaste towards her ex-husband clear in his voice. "He'll fuck everything up."
Hermione rolled her eyes and returned to the couch. "No, he won't," she assured him. "It'll be fine."
Draco said nothing but crossed his arms tightly across his chest, staring at the flames. Hermione ignored his sulky attitude with another roll of her eyes and leant in against him. Against his attitude, Draco relaxed and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer to him. The flames began to crackle with more exuberance, a sign that someone would shortly be arriving by Floo powder, and Hermione pressed a chaste kiss to Draco's lips. "Be good," she warned him when she pulled back and he sighed but nodded.
The fire flashed green and Ginny stepped out, holding James tightly in her arms. The redhead's face lit up at the sight of Hermione, and James instantly reached out for his godmother. Harry soon followed, greeting Hermione with a peck on the cheek and Draco with a firm handshake which left both Ginny and Hermione beaming.
"Is Ron here yet?" he asked, looking around the room before seating himself next to Ginny. Hermione and Draco resumed their seats, this time with James on Hermione's lap.
"Not yet, but he said he'd be here," Hermione said, bouncing the cooing baby on her lap. Draco looked over at the child curiously, turning away quickly when Hermione caught his eye. "What?"
"Nothing," he said speedily.
"You can hold him if you like," Ginny offered and Draco's head turned slowly back to James. "He won't bite."
Slowly and carefully, Hermione transferred James to Draco's lap, where the blonde held the child awkwardly. James didn't fuss, but looked up at Draco with wide eyes, reaching for his face. "He likes you," Hermione noted and Draco nodded absently, looking at the baby carefully.
"Smart baby," he commented and Harry chuckled. "I'm not so great with the kids. Here, Hermione."
Hermione took James back from Draco and the group lapsed back into an easy conversation for a few more minutes before Ron arrived. The atmosphere following his arrival was distinctly tenser, and Hermione was all too glad when it was time to depart to Malfoy Manor. Handing James back to Ginny, they decided that Side-Along Apparating was the best method of transportation. Hermione let down the wards of her house for the time as they went off in groups, James and Ginny, Ron and Harry, and at last Draco and Hermione.
The grounds of Malfoy Manor looked as splendid as always. In the early spring air the weather was pleasantly cool and the flowers were bursting into life. The drive towards the front doors was lined with sweet smelling flowers and white peacocks roamed at random. Hermione could hear the delicate trickle of a nearby fountain, the sound almost musical when teamed with the chirping birds. Looking up at the sky, she noted it was nearly cloudless and the perfect blue.
"Nice day," Draco noted, repeating her actions.
Narcissa greeted the group with a disgruntled Pansy at her side, and they all moved out the back doors where a huge table had been prepared. In typical Malfoy style, the food was sumptuous and everyone ate until they could scarcely move. There were bowls of various salads, a variety of meats, poultry and fish cooked in delicious ways, and plates of fine cheeses and freshly baked bread. The food and drink were all delicious, and Hermione found herself thankful that she had decided to forgo breakfast that morning. Even Ron and Harry, who normally had appetites the size of elephants, were struggling through all the food. Dessert ended up winning out, however, with individual strawberry cheesecakes swaying everyone's resolves.
The conversation, much to everyone's surprise, transpired easily. Discussion ranged from Quidditch, to ancient magic, to food, and Hermione was pleased to see her friends from both sides of the circle joining. Both she and Draco were shocked to see how amicable Ron and Pansy had turned out to be towards each other. By the end of the meal, they were joking easily between one another, a situation which made all of the guests raise their eyebrows. Their relationship at school had been less than desirable and they'd had next to no contact since school ended, so the friendly relationship which had begun to transpire was very surprising.
By three o'clock, conversation was still going strong but Hermione was wishing to stretch her legs. Whilst the others talked about Quidditch, a topic which she found extremely dull but was surprised to find Narcissa and Pansy were awfully engaged in, she excused herself and returned to the house. The tall building was cool, the tiled floors releasing much of the warmth the early afternoon sun was dealing out. She walked through the back room and into the even cooler Entrance Hall in search for a bathroom.
"Need a hand?" Draco's silky voice sounded by her ear and she jumped, whirling around to face him. "Sorry."
"Don't creep up on me like that," she frowned, and he apologized again. "Are you following me?"
"You may be surprised to know that Quidditch talk can get a bit tedious after forty-five minutes," he said dryly. "I'll lead you to a bathroom, and then we can figure out what we're doing from there."
A little confused by his words, Hermione allowed her hand to slip into his. He led her through a series of rooms and she was utterly baffled at the sheer size of the Manor. At last, after two sitting rooms, an informal dining room and a smaller, second kitchen, they reached the bathroom which Hermione visited quickly, Draco waiting outside so she would not lose her way back to the group.
When she exited the bathroom (which was incredibly lavish, she noted, with two sinks, marble floors and everlasting roses placed strategically around the room to give a lasting scent) Draco shocked her by his actions, which involved snogging her absolutely senseless on the wall opposite the bathroom door. Her arms had wound their way around his neck and her hands were tangled in his hair by the time they broke apart.
"Gods, I missed you," he admitted, this confession causing Hermione to pull his lips back to her own in a frenzy of kisses. In a display of raw strength, he lifted her off the ground and she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist, effectively hiking her dress up her legs in the process. Both had entirely forgotten where they were and the event they were supposed to be attending in favour of each other.
Pulling her away from the wall, Draco faltered minutely as he carried her, lips still firmly attached, from the hallway to the sitting room furthest from the gathering. They paused once more here, Hermione being pushed against another wall once again. She had never felt such raw passion from a lover, but it was something she was discovering she enjoyed.
"Where?" she breathed when Draco lifted her from the wall again. They were both certain of where this would lead, and neither seemed to care.
"Bedroom," he muttered in response, claiming her lips in another searing kiss. Their tongues once again battled for dominance until Draco finally one, his tongue once again exploring every crevice of her mouth. Knowing full well that he would be unable to wait until they were upstairs in his old bedroom to have her, he fumbled for his wand. Using the privileges of being a Malfoy in the family Manor, he apparated them both, still connected at the lips as well as various other places, to the old room.
Hermione pulled away with a gasp at the change in location, but her attentions were soon diverted elsewhere as Draco tugged her dress from her body. He set her back to the ground so she could step out of it, discarding her ballet flats in the process. Sensing that it would only be fair for them both to be in an equal state on undress, he quickly discarded his dark blue shirt and black slacks with the aid of Hermione, kicking off his shoes.
In a tangle of limbs the pair fell back onto his old bed. Draco wound his hands into her hair, caressing each curl with delicate fingers. Hermione's approach was rawer, her hands scratching softly at his back before moving to run down his exposed chest. He groaned as her hands brushed across his nipples and she grinned devilishly, retracing her steps.
"Minx," he growled, moving so he was positioned on top of her. She just grinned back at him and he removed his hands from her hair, instead using them to expertly remove her bra and fling it across the room. Her protests were cut off in her throat when he moved his hands to her exposed breasts, eliciting a moan as he touched the sensitive flesh. Lifting her head slightly, their lips met once again and Draco thought that he would never need eat again if he could only stay forever attached to Hermione's lips.
Hermione's hand trailed down and brushed against the front of his boxers and he bucked into her hand. With a smile she cupped him through the fabric and he moaned loudly into her mouth.
"I can't wait. You're sure?" he managed to get out and she answered with a kiss. Together they wriggled out of their remaining underwear and Draco pushed into her. They joined with a simultaneous, incredibly loud moan that no doubt carried from the room.
Working as one in the intimate dance, they formed a steady rhythm, each movement causing the delicious friction to spread through their bodies and light their veins on fire. They continued to move like that, each moaning and crying out with their movements. Their hands were everywhere, the feeling of such total intimacy a first for both. They had been in this situation before with others, but never with such power and completion.
Their act culminated in a final cry from both at the same moment, and Draco collapsed to the side of her, both completely spent and covered in a light sheen of sweat. His arm was still flung across her body as they lay there, gasping for breath. When they had finally recovered enough to move, Hermione rolled from the bed, ignoring Draco's heated gaze as she padded nude across the bedroom to retrieve her wand. She found her wand amongst the pile of clothes and cast the contraceptive charm on herself, her stomach glowing a soft purple for a moment afterwards.
"Come here," Draco murmured having pushed himself into a sitting position on the bed, still entirely nude. She complied, joining him in an instant.
"We should rejoin the party." They manoeuvred their way beneath the top sheet of the bed and she sighed contently as she leant her head against his chest.
"I imagine it's already broken up," he pressed a kiss to her hair. "I doubt they have any questions about our whereabouts anyway. They've probably figured it out by now."
"How?" Hermione frowned, tilting her head up.
"We weren't exactly discreet," his tone was dry and she rolled her eyes. "I didn't know you were a screamer."
Hermione pulled away from him, deftly rolling from the bed before he could register her movements. With irrationally angry steps, she yanked her clothing back on. "I'm glad you're entertained by the state I'm in during sex," she snapped, zipping her dress back on.
"Hermione!" Draco groaned, following in her footsteps. He pulled on his pants but remained bare-chested as he hurried after her. "What's the matter?"
She continued to walk away but he caught up quickly, grabbing her spinning her against his chest. "Let me go," she said quietly.
"What is wrong?" he demanded.
"We just had sex, and all you can say afterwards is that you didn't think I'd scream," she snapped. "That is what's wrong, Draco."
His eyes widened incredulously. "That?" he asked and she nodded once. "Christ, Granger, what did you want me to say? How connected and fulfilled I felt? How, when we kiss, the stars collide? Fuck, you know I don't do that sentimental bullshit."
Sensing how utterly irrational she was being, Hermione relaxed in his arms. "Maybe so, but did you have to be so vulgar about it?"
"Pardon me, Your Majesty," he commented sardonically, releasing her. "I'll refrain from speaking my mind in future." He turned away, returning to his old room with Hermione tailing behind a little bit hesitantly. "I don't bite. Not to hurt, anyway."
She flushed at his meaning but maintained eye contact with him as he found his shirt and buttoned it back up, leaving it untucked, crumpled, and with the top three buttons undone. When he was finished she approached, standing on tiptoe to press a warm kiss to his lips. "Thanks."
"Worth the wait?" he asked, pulling their bodies together again.
"Definitely," came the reply before he kissed her again, this time the exchange far more passionate. When his hands moved to unzip her dress again, however, she pulled away. "I have work in the morning," she reminded him, "and I think I'd like to walk straight."
"Call in sick," he suggested, trying to remove the garment again but she stepped fully from his grasp.
"I don't think so," she shook her head. "Sorry."
"Fine," he sighed, pouting like a petulant child. "I'll walk you to the Floo."
Walking down to the largest fireplace in the house, they encountered Narcissa who gave them a knowing smile before returning to her tea and conversation with Pansy. Draco and Hermione were informed that the others had left an hour earlier, following James disturbance by a rather loud ruckus somewhere on the grounds. Hermione flushed a brilliant shade of red at this statement and Draco shot his mother and best friend a glare as he ushered his witch from the room.
"This is absolutely mortifying," she moaned when they reached the main parlour. "Gods, your mother knows we had sex. Ron knows we had sex!"
Draco could hardly keep himself from laughing, but the sight of his witch's total distress kept the humour at bay. "It's alright, Granger," he said, pulling her against him. "We're all adults here."
"I suppose," she said, her brow still creased. "But still!"
After a few more minutes of reassurance that nobody would care that they'd gone off in the middle of the lunch, Draco gave Hermione a farewell kiss (and had tried to turn it into something more, despite her insistence that she absolutely had to work the next morning), already anxious for their next meeting.
A/N: Two updates in one day. You guys are so lucky I have no social life.