A/N: An early chapter since I feel like I need to some good in order to invite good energy into my life today. How about some reviews to make my day brighter?
Conscience: *whispers* stop begging...
Me: *shrugs* Pretty please.
Chapter Five: Kiss Me First
It was truly a bright and joyous day as Draco watched with barely concealed glee as Granger almost made some Gryffindor first years cry in the courtyard after they came to her after getting their bags got covered with ectoplasm from dear old Peeves. At first, Granger seemed to be trying her best to be a consoling and understanding prefect, but after several minutes of incessant complaints and shrill cries, Granger had enough of it and turned into a banshee. Figuratively speaking of course. But still, it was such a wonderful sight to see when Granger became angry, her hair shot up in all directions and Draco couldn't help but think that she looked quite delectable when she lost control like that.
Ever the effective spy, Draco remained seated by the fountain, trying to read a book about Wizarding Romance Techniques cleverly disguised as a boring Advanced Potions textbook, as he made sure to listen in on the golden trio who were arguing a few feet away from him.
Draco's ears perked up as their conversation grew louder.
"Seriously, Hermione. What's got your knickers in a twist?" Ron asked rudely, shaking his head, obviously showing how much he disapproved of his best friend's actions.
Potter sighed, "Poor first years." Harry added, followed by a click of his tongue.
Granger crossed her arms defensively in front of her chest, "If you two are so concerned about those first years, you two should have helped me handle the situation!", Granger started, "But Noooo- you two just stood there and you dare comment about how poorly I managed that situation!"
Weasley then shrugged, "Well, they did call you specifically, didn't they?"
Granger glared at Weasley and she then uncrossed her arms and subsequently poked him in the chest, "Need I remind you Ronald Weasley that you are a Gryffindor prefect as well!"
Weasley raised his arms in defense as he shook his head, "Still, they didn't call me, did they?"
Draco scoffed, he really couldn't believe that Weasley was dense enough to tell the Gryffindor golden girl that seeing that she was already in one of her foul moods.
"Honestly, Ron?! Is that all you have to say?!" Granger shrieked.
Weasley cringed, "Okay, okay. You don't need to shout."
Potter just sighed, "Hermione?"
Granger calmly turned towards scarhead, but there was still a noticeable tick in her jaw. "Yes, Harry?"
"I know this might sound rather rude," Potter started, he glanced at Ron who was already looking quite put out. "But are you still on your period?"
Silence. Draco swore that even the birds chirping in the background stopped.
"I'm sorry Harry, but I think I might've misheard you," Granger's voice was eerily calm. "What did you say again?"
Weasly quickly looked at Potter and shook his head at him, as if signaling to him that it wasn't wise to repeat what he just said. Draco thought that it was proof that the weasel had a bit of a brain.
Silence again. It almost felt like Draco was witnessing a standoff.
"I mean…" Potter began, "Are you feeling okay? Maybe you're feeling a bit under the weather that's why your acting so odd lately?"
Weasley nodded at Potter's direction, as if approving of how well he dodged that proverbial bullet. Well, almost.
"Is that so, Harry? I could've sworn that you asked me if I was still on my period." Granger said, her eyes turning into slits as she finally turned her full attention on Potter.
Both boys swallowed nervously, it was obvious that they had just crossed a line after ignoring the signs saying 'Don't piss off Hermione Granger even more.'
Weasley let out a nervous laugh, "Hey Hermione, I just remembered I forgot my homework in the dorm."
The ginger menace quickly backtracked, and was soon off to who knows where. When Weasley was finally gone from their sight, Potter was still there looking a bit embarrassed due to Weasley running off.
Granger was about to speak again, when Potter cut her off. "Don't worry, Hermione. I'll go and get you some chocolates from the kitchens to make you feel better."
And then, he too ran away, just as fast as Weasley did. For a minute or two, Granger just stood there, not believing the fact that her two best friends just ditched her.
Draco, knowing that the show was definitely over, checked around to see if there were any other students near enough to hear what the trio were discussing. He felt quite pleased that no one else was around to hear that awfully embarrassing conversation between the three lions.
The Slytherin finally closed his book, and cleared his throat loudly. Loud enough that Granger finally noticed that he was there. Granger immediately glared at him as she finally took notice of him.
"Granger." He greeted her, followed by a nod.
"I suppose you heard that whole exchange, didn't you?" Granger asked rather coldly.
Draco just shook his head, "I'm afraid that I was too busy studying to hear whatever nonsense you were talking about."
Granger shook his head in disbelief, it was obvious to Draco that she wasn't convinced.
"So..." Draco started to say, "about my offer?"
For some reason, the intensity of Granger's glare lessened a bit, and it almost looked as if she was just tired. Too tired. It had been almost month since he decided to blackmail McLaggen, effectively removing Granger's weird stress relieving activities with the 7th year, and despite Draco's initial doubts of the real purpose of those trysts, he could finally see that Granger was quite serious when she said that shagging McLaggen was her own special way to relieve her stress.
Granger closed her eyes, and sighed. When she opened her eyes again, she walked towards Draco and sat just a few inches away from him.
"I really should hex you for being such a meddling snake, you know?" Granger muttered tiredly.
Draco just managed to laugh, "You don't need to suffer anymore if you just agree to my proposition, Granger."
"Just once?"
"Just try it, Granger." Draco responded, and then he leaned over to her whisper in her ear. "I can give you a sample tonight, I'm pretty good with my tongue."
He then quickly backed away with a boyish grin on his face, a grin which got wider once he saw that he was able to make Granger blush.
"What do you say, Granger? I'll let you sample the goods to help you decided quicker." Draco drawled. "If I still can't manage to convince you after tonight, then I'll promise to give you back your precious McLaggen."
Granger looked at him, the expression on her face clearly showing that she was seriously thinking about Draco's offer. After a while, she finally stood up and hooked her book bag on her shoulder. Before she left, she turned to Draco, her face now devoid of any obvious emotions.
"Meet me tonight at eleven. Don't be late."
And with her final words, Granger quickly left, leaving Draco speechless once again.
It was a quarter past eleven, and Draco felt like an idiot as he decided to keep waiting for Granger to appear. At the back of his mind, he imagined that the Gryffindor swot was just making a fool out of him since she knew that he was already a bit desperate about bedding her. But still, he did hope that she was just late.
He checked his pocket watch and realized that it was already half past eleven. His shoulders slumped as he finally accepted the fact that he had been stood up by Granger. A fact that he never expected in his life since he knew that Granger was very adamant in showing on time for her appointments. He stood from the chair, and stretched out a bit since he got sore from waiting too long in the dark.
The Slytherin was about to start walking to the exit, when somebody came running towards where he was at the Restricted Section. His heart sped up a beat as he laid his eyes on Granger, who was panting so hard as she stood by the small entrance with her wand casting a weak lumos. For a moment, Draco didn't know what to say as he just stood there and watched her catch her breath. It took a while before he finally noticed that Granger was only wearing mint green pajamas and a thin black cotton spaghetti strapped night shirt.
"Aren't you feeling a little cold with what you're wearing?" Draco asked, careful not to make it obvious how relieved he felt that Granger actually showed up.
"I was hoping you were going to keep me warm." Granger managed to say with a straight face, though he couldn't help but notice the slight turn of the corner of her lips.
Draco leaned back on the table and crossed his arms, "Thought you weren't going to show up."
Granger finally managed to catch her breath, and she finally dared to get closer to him. Draco grinned as he realized that she was wearing fluffy rabbit shaped slippers.
"Quite stylish," Draco quipped with a small smile grazing his face. "Your slippers, I mean."
"It's comfortable and cozy."
He just nodded, as if he understood her explanation. He did though, since he also had a pair of cozy black rabbit bedroom slippers in his dorm.
"Sorry I'm late. The girls in my room stayed up later than usual so I had to wait." She explained, looking a bit embarrassed.
He nodded again, thankful that it wasn't because she was having second thoughts about him.
And then there was silence again.
"So…?"
"Hmmmm."
"What do we do now?"
Granger finally chuckled, "Isn't this the most awkward thing that's ever happened to you?"
Draco just smirked, "It's definitely on top of the list, Granger."
The Gryffindor sighed, she flicked her wand and the glow from her wand finally immersed the entire room in darkness again. It was so dark that Draco couldn't even see the expression of her face any longer, all he could see was a silhouette and for some reason, it even added to the thrill he was already starting to feel.
"Tell me, Granger." Draco whispered as he gently pulled her closer to him, he then wrapped an arm around her waist and secured her place there. He grinned as he heard Granger's breath hitch. "Do you have anything in particular you want me to demonstrate first?"
His heart sped up as he felt the lioness' hands creep up his chest and clutch his shirt. She pulled him closer, close enough that her mouth was just beside his ear, as she whispered. "Kiss me first, and then you can show me how good you are with your tongue."
