A/N: So I was going to make you guys wait longer for this chapter, but I just reached 100 followers, and felt like that was call for celebration. :D
So, for all those who have been with me since the beginning, thanks for sticking it out with me. For those who are new, happy to have you! And for all the rest of you, well you're kinda like that awkward middle child, but I love you all the same. Now, on with the story.
Chapter 18 - Consequences
When he woke up, at first he was very confused as to why there was someone else in his bed, no, this was not his bed. He then recalled the events of the previous night, and looked down at Hermione, who was still sleeping peacefully, looking ever so beautiful. He smiled at her sleeping form, she looked well rested, which he was pleased to see, but found he was confused as to why she had asked him to stay in her bed. It was not as if he minded, he had quite enjoyed spending the night with her in his arms, he had just thought they had had an unspoken agreement that him comforting her in the wee hours of the morning was never to be mentioned, and she was not to wake up to find him in her bed once more.
He hoped that her reaction to his presence would be less violent than last time. Less pounding on his chest would definitely be a good thing, was a good morning kiss too much to ask for? Of course it was, he should not be ridiculous, whatever had happened between them before now what nothing concrete. He had no idea where they were in their relationship, all he knew was that she liked kissing him. If she likes kissing you, a good morning kiss really isn't too much to ask for he reasoned. No, that was out of the question, he doubted Hermione would take kindly to being randomly kissed when he was supposed to be giving her time to think. She didn't seem to keen on thinking over the holidays the voice returned, urging him to do something he knew would not end well.
"Good morning..." was the scratchy, groggy, voice that interrupted his thoughts. He turned slightly to see a now-awake, non-yelling, and non-hitting Hermione; this was a good start.
"Good morning to you too." He replied with a smile.
"You know, I've been thinking-"
"That's never a good thing." He interrupted cheekily.
"Watch it, Malfoy, or I won't finish my sentence, leaving you in endless torment over what I was going to say to you. And considering it was about to be said while we are in bed together, it will torment you." Her eyes narrowed, he gulped and visibly paled, which was a remarkable feat for one who's skin tone already closely resembled porcelain.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, please continue love." When she huffed and crossed her arms, his toned got more desperate. 'Hermione... please love..."
"Well, I was thinking..." she paused for dramatic effect "that I quite like waking up with you in my bed." She threw him a devilish grin.
"Oh do you now?"
"Yes."
"It could... be arranged for this occurrence to happen more often." He winked suggestively. "Though if anyone found out, you reputation as an innocent, prudish bookwork would be completely ruined."
"Is that what people really think of me?"
"Those who do not have the pleasure of knowing you like I do."
"And what do you know that they don't?" The devilish smirk was back, Merlin help him.
"I know you are capable of absolutely sinful behaviours, Miss Granger." He whispered huskily, and noticed her pupils dilate.
"Is that so Mr Malfoy?"
"Very so, there's no way innocent bookworm Granger would ever be attracted to someone such as myself, I'm what's known as a 'bad boy'"
"Does that mean you're responsible for my corruption?"
"Only because you let me."
"There was no letting involved Draco."
"I find it difficult to believe I could ever change you without you allowing it. You're too stubborn to allow any change without your permission." He smirked at her, and she responded by sticking her tongue out at him. "Very mature Hermione."
"Maybe I'm tired of always being mature and responsible all the time. Maybe I need a 'bad boy' to shake up my life, to not let me think everything through for once!"
"Better be careful, it tends to be the things that are the worst for people that they crave most. Once they've gotten it, they really don't want to give it up." He had moved so he was now whispering in her ear, his breath tickling her ear and neck.
"Well then I'll have to count on you to get me out if it gets too bad." She breathed
"Do you really trust me to inform you if you're too dependent on me? I'm the bad one, remember? The one that's trying to get you addicted. I'll be your drug dealer and your drug. Do you honestly think I would ever stage an intervention in that position?"
"No" she admitted. He felt his chest tighten, he had taken it too far. She then did a very surprising thing, she nibbled on his ear, he groaned at the unexpected contact. "But that's part of the thrill."
His heart seemed to stop for a moment, and then, once it came back, it was beating so hard that it seemed to be trying to escape his chest. He then registered the lovely warmth had gone, and there was Hermione, leaning against a wall that was much too far away from him for his liking. Her smile was also one that did not bode well for him.
He stared at the image of beauty before him, perplexed that she would even let the likes of him anywhere near her. She was one of the few he knew who were beautiful inside and out, and not in the slightest way fake. She did not change herself to please others, like so many in his life did, instead, she let those who were fine with who she was be drawn to her. She-
Tap tap tap.
He looked to the source of the noise, finding it to be an owl tapping at the window. He opened the window and let the owl in, wondering who could be sending him a letter this early in the morning. He opened the letter, immediately recognized the handwriting, and paled.
"Who's it from?" Inquired Hermione.
"My mother."
"Why's that so bad?"
"Maybe your parents send you letters on a regular basis, but mine only do if something is wrong." He scanned over the letter, already knowing what it was going to tell him.
"My father's going to Azkaban."
Yes, my plan is to now try to end every chapter with a mild to extreme cliff hanger, how am I doing so far? Please, if you have anything to say at all, drop me a review. I know it's easier to just go to the next story, I do it to, but please, if you could take the time to write a little comment about what you like, or what you don't like, tell me about all the grammatical mistakes I've made because I'm all on my lonesome in reviewing it, it will mean the world to me. I know where it's going for the next few chapters, but after that, I don't know! Should I end it soonish after they inevitably get together? Should I write about the oh-so kinda boring challenges couples face? Should I add in an unexpected and very plotty and mysterious twist? Tell me! Please! And if you have any ideas for said plotty and mysterious twist, tell me!
~End of mini rant~
Thanks for reading!
Always,
Shan :)
