Hermione felt her nerves rattle through her body as Draco led her out of the spare bedroom and into the kitchen. She hid her surprise when she noticed the expensive muggle appliances. Was that a coffee maker she saw tucked in the corner? More wizarding homes were incorporating muggle technology, and it was refreshing to see this particular pureblood was no exception. Connected to the kitchen was a large living room that was filled with dark brown furniture, making the huge space warm and inviting.

"It's been a process, trying to learn how to use all of these," he gestured aimlessly. "Shelley has to step in often."

"Forget you were cooking?" she teased lightly.

"Something like that," he replied sheepishly. "I happen to be very adept at making tea. Can I make you a cup? Or would you prefer something a bit stronger?"

Mustering some courage, she grinned. "I'm pretty sure both would attenuate my nerves. Nevertheless, curiosity prevails. What does something stronger consist of?"

"I know Firewhiskey is your beverage of choice," he snickered, raising an elegant brow. "How about some of the Malfoy's finest bourbon? I think you'll enjoy it."

"I'll try anything once," she quipped. "But not too much! It's been ages since I've had some. My liver won't make it."

"Fair enough. Tell me what you think of my couches, I noticed you eyeing them up since you got here," he motioned to the living room.

She hummed noncommittally and took off towards the spacious living space. "Extra ice, bartender," she called over her shoulder.

"Of course," he muttered, adding additional cubes into the short glass. Hermione dropped onto the couch, groaning as she sunk into the soft leather cushions. She placed her wand to the side table and toed off her shoes before tucking her feet under her. Draco passed her a glass of bourbon and sat beside her. "To our bond," he said sarcastically, bumping his glass into hers.

"To our new bond," she murmured, watching their glasses meet across the couch. The liquid went down smoothly, and Hermione was grateful she had something to occupy her hands. She had no idea how in the hell they could be bound, it's not as though they had spent much time together in the last decade or so. And to think that perhaps someone had cast a contract against it was worrisome at best. She stole a glance over to Draco, who looked completely unaffected by the entire thing. She watched his chest rise and fall as he took slow powerful breaths. He looked as though he sat in the exact same place and contemplated the comings and going of life.

"Does it bother you?" he asked meeting her gaze. It took her a second to realize he had spoken, and when she refocused her eyes, she noticed he was rather amused.

"Does what bother me?" she asked distracted.

"Does sharing a bond with me bother you, Granger," he clarified. He was looking at her oddly, and she wasn't sure what to make of it.

"No," she said carefully. "Does it bother you?"

"Of course not," he sighed. He took another sip of his bourbon and set it onto the posh coffee table. "Although I did not factor this into the whole courting process."

It was her turn to raise a brow. "Courting? That sounds too formal."

"We aren't children anymore, or idiotic twenty year olds," he said rolling his eyes. "Is courting unacceptable to you?"

"No, no," she replied hurriedly. "I just don't know what that means. Muggleborn and all."

He moved closer then, his thigh bumping her stacked knees. She moved her glass to join his on the table and turned to face him. "It means a lot of things. For one, I am only seeing you. And you are to only see me."

"Well that's easy," she smirked. "We all know I have zero tolerance for that shit."

"Oh it is mutual," he murmured, grabbing her hands into his. "It also means that the end goal, naturally, is for us to marry. Although that is ways away."

"Hmmm. Are you sure you'd want to commit to a lifetime of this," she laughed pointing to herself. He grinned and brought her knuckles to his lips.

"The real question is will you be willing to tolerate me, Hermione."

Blushing, she squeezed his calloused hands and brought them up to her lips. "I can assure you I am more than capable."

"We shall see," he said, his voice dipping an octave. "I'm not sure what the bond means for us, but just so it has been said, I had no idea it existed and it has no influence on how I feel about you."

"I know," she said soothingly. "You are a good man, one that I like very much."

He leaned over and kissed her softly, her hands still encased by his. His lips were warm and soft as they moved over hers. She sighed into his mouth, feeling the heat of the bourbon and perhaps the bond, slowly fill her center. After a few moments, he reluctantly pulled away.

"I like you very much, Granger," he said still close. "There are other parts of courting I haven't covered yet."

"Oh?" she breathed.

He brought his lips to her cheek and moved slowly up her neck and to her ear. "There is getting to know one another, and getting to know one another."

"Now that is something I am well-versed in," she groaned as his teeth nipped at the base of her neck. His mouth moved to her collarbone and she tugged shamelessly on his shirt, desperate to bring him closer.

"Would you be opposed to such activities?" he mumbled against her skin.

"Need you ask," she huffed. He was torturing her with those damned lips and she wasn't sure if she'd be able to hold out any longer.

"I am a gentleman, Hermione," he chided as he wrapped his arms around her. Slowly, he moved her to her back and hovered over her, his warm breath uneven across her face.

Without breaking her gaze, he reached down to his shirt and dragged it up and over his head. Thank Merlin she was lying down. She would have collapsed from the sight of him. He was made of stone. His long torso was supported by lean muscle, and a dusting of blonde hair covered his chest and ran down across his abdomen. He was no longer that gaunt boy from Hogwarts tormented by his father and the Dark Lord. He was strong and full of life now.

She gasped and felt a new sensation touch her skin as his lips met hers again. It was warm and seeped into her in slow rolling waves. She felt it travel into her core and her magic flared, causing the hair on the back of her neck to rise. Draco moaned into her mouth and pulled her closer, his lips leaving hers only to take a deep breath. She took that opportunity to pull her sweater off, the heat of whatever this was almost stifling her. She thanked her lucky stars she wore her cute light pink bra instead of the boring workweek one. He ran his hands over her stomach, up to her breasts where he squeezed gently. Her hips bumped his reflexively and she could feel his hard length straining against his trousers.

He growled, grinding into her shamelessly. "You are fucking perfect."

"Touch me," she demanded. He lifted himself, his chest heaving as he stared her down with bright grey eyes. His parted lips were swollen from all of their snogging and his hair looked like he had spent the afternoon flying. She imagined she looked equally as disheveled.

Breathing deeply, he took a moment to take her in. His eyes roamed her body appreciatively. "Where would you like me to touch you, Hermione?"

Grinning, she grabbed her wand from the side table and ran it over her body, leaving her in the rest of her undergarments. Watching his eyes grow wide was absolutely priceless. He looked as if he wanted to devour her. Unable to hold out any longer, she ran her hand from his bicep to the edge of her panties and whispered "here."

Draco licked his lips and brought them to just above her belly button. She gasped as he trailed lazy kisses across her ribs and tried not to giggle as he rubbed her sides. He reached behind her and unclasped her bra, freeing her from the blasted contraption. Ten years ago she would've felt insecure, so uncomfortable that she'd probably try to cover herself. Now? She watched, empowered, as he gently caressed her, elegant fingers hesitating slightly before moving to her rosy peaks and pinching slightly.

She moaned and that seemed to unlock something inside of him. He lifted her up from the couch and flipped them so she now straddled his lap. Feeling his chest against her own sent another shockwave across her skin and she ground herself desperate for more friction. His hands slipped from her arse to her back and pressed her breasts to his waiting lips.

"You taste so good," he groaned against her skin. She could barely talk as he continued to suckle and nip at her. "I want to pleasure you. Teach me."

Hermione pushed against him roughly. He hit the back of the couch and she set upon tasting him, working her way from his strong jaw to his collarbone and lower. She ran her fingers across his chest, enjoying the way he sighed and leaned into her touch. His pale skin was flushed from their activities and she thought he never looked so damn good. She started trailing kisses on his upper abs when he grabbed her shoulders stilling her.

"What are you doing?" he managed wide-eyed.

She smirked at his dazed look. "Showing you what makes me feel good Draco," she replied innocently. "You'll need to lose the trousers though."

"Are you sure?" he said losing his nerve.

"No sex, as much as saying that pains me. I'm afraid we may blow the manor to pieces," she confessed. He chuckled and reached out to touch her. "But the rest?"

"That sounds like an excellent idea," he murmured.

She hopped off his lap and manually helped him out of his pants. He remained clad in a pair of black briefs and Hermione was tempted to just sit on him right then in there. He held her gaze, equally unashamed of his body, and motioned for her to come closer. Instead, she grinned and sprinted towards his bedroom, laughing as she heard him grumble and chase after her.

She barely made it through the door before she was lifted off the ground and thrown onto his large bed. His dark silk sheets felt delightful on her naked body and she sank deeper into the mattress as he crawled on top of her. He grabbed her arms and pinned them over her head as he fought to catch his breath. Gasping, he said, "Do you know how difficult it is to run with a hard-on?"

Hermione giggled as he tried to fight the smile tugging at his lips. As her arms were otherwise detained, she tried to bring her hips back to his. He hissed at the brief contact before grabbing both of her wrists with one hand and moved his other to her waist, stilling her. He moved to her center and cupped her gently, her body now under his full control. His magnificent fingers looked so good dancing over her. He let go of her wrists and said, "don't move or I'll bind them."

Well that was certainly arousing. She was so turned on she nodded overzealously, causing his lips to turn up in a smirk. "Are you sure no sex?"

He snorted and brought his hands to the top of her panties. "I'm sure I'll regret this in the morning, but no sex. Now, bum up please," he ordered. Sighing, she lifted her arse and watched as he slipped her last article of clothing down her hips and off. He rubbed her calves as he moved back over her. "Definitely regretting. You are a goddess."

"Please," she begged, needing his touch.

He eyed her appreciatively and glided his hands across her stomach. His long fingers slowly touched her folds and she felt her magic flare at his touch. He looked up at her in alarm. "Are you okay?"

She nodded although she honestly wasn't sure. Her body felt overcome with a fever, though it was not unwelcome.

"Tell me how you like it," he whispered as his thumb found her clit. She gasped and grabbed the bed sheets on either side, her body an instrument for him to play.

"Just like that," she cried out desperately as he applied more pressure.

He slowly rubbed her and dipped a long elegant finger inside. Her body ignited as he began working her slowly, his eyes flickering from hers to where his hand glided in and out of her center. "You're so wet sweetheart," he murmured. "Do you like it like this? Or should I add another?"

Hermione barely heard him over the blood rushing in her ears. She heard herself cry, "please, Draco" as she gasped from pleasure, the heated coil winding tightly behind her naval. He pressed another finger inside her and turned his hand, curling both fingers forward. She was so close and the fire from him and her magic rushed her forward towards that summit.

"Draco…" she moaned wildly.

"Come for me," he commanded and tapped that evasive spot deep within her with his two digits.

His magic struck her core like a rubber band and suddenly, she fell.

It was nothing like she ever experienced. The orgasm was almost unbearable and she heard herself sob as she climaxed. He smoothly pumped his fingers in and out as she road her wave of bliss. Every cell in her body felt ignited. He pressed a hot kiss to her mouth as he stroked her through her pleasure.

When she finally came down from her high, she noticed Draco was staring at her with a mixture of affection and awe. As she pulsed around his fingers a few moments more, she noticed his bed was enveloped in a soft blue light. Once he withdrew from her body, the light faded and disappeared completely.

"That was… amazing," she said reaching up and kissing him softly. He held her close as she tried to catch her breath.

"I'm glad," he replied hoarsely.

"I have a thousand questions," she confessed. "But right now I want to touch you..."

He nodded and stood, slipping off his boxers. Hermione nearly fainted as she saw all of him for the first time. Of course he would have a perfect cock. He was long and thick and bloody flawless. She tugged him forward and brought him back down beside her.

"Running has served you well," she said tracing her hands over his oblique muscles. He groaned and bucked his hips. "You feel so good, but I wonder what you taste like."

She moved to kneel between his legs and he grabbed her thigh, stopping her. "What are you doing?" He asked breathlessly, looking afraid but incredibly turned on all at once. His eyes grew even wider and he swallowed slowly. She thought his Adam's apple looked delectable as it moved across his throat.

"If I were a proper witch, I'd say I'm going to pleasure you with my mouth," she smirked. "But I am far from that, Draco. I hope you don't mind." He quickly shook his head no, though his eyes remained wide with anticipation. She wrapped her right hand around his base, encouraged by his soft moan and tightening grip on her thigh. "I'm going to suck your cock. You made me feel so incredible, it's the least I can do."

He let out a big breath as she took him between her lips, tasting as she slowly made her way down his shaft. He went rigid and grabbed her hair up off her neck. There was no way he'd fit entirely in her mouth but she was sure she could make this work. She found an easy rhythm that had him groaning incoherent things. His grey eyes fluttered, as she tasted him.

"Fuck Hermione," he moaned deeply. "That feels amazing."

She hummed in agreement because there was possibly nothing better than having him in her mouth. There was something so arousing in having a strong man moan sweet nothings while you pleased him. It was empowering to bring someone so independent and often stubborn to jumbled words, although she imagined he felt the same while touching her. His soft velvety skin tasted slightly salty, though it was mixed with the delicious taste that was inherently Draco.

Around his bed she saw the faint blue light appearing and assumed he was close. Who knew she'd be experimenting while pleasuring him. As if on cue, she felt her magic surge through her hands and find his core, racing towards him like lightning.

"Hermione, I'm going to-"

She gripped him tightly and cupped his balls, causing him to swell and come inside her mouth. She stroked him a few more times until his grey eyes met hers. Staring him down, she swallowed.

Draco pulled her up and onto his chest before kissing her deeply. His pale skin was still flushed pink from their passion. "Bloody hell," he choked out. She hummed in agreement and snuggled closer to him. "That was…"

"Magical?" she teased.

He laughed breathlessly and kissed her again. "I'm guessing the light show has never happened before?"

"No," she sighed. "Although I feel better, like I let off some of that pent up energy."

"I've never experienced that before" he said sleepily. "Thank you for the magical orgasm."

Hermione giggled and pinched his side lightly. They lay in comfortable silence as they enjoyed the afterglow. Her mind was so hazy from her orgasm; she found it hard to concentrate on what the fuck just happened. He drew lazy circles along her ribs as they rested.

After about twenty minutes, the fog finally started to lift and Hermione began assessing the aftermath. "I felt my core magic reach out to yours," she pondered out loud.

"Me too," he sighed rolling to face her. He smiled brilliantly and kissed her shoulder softly. "I think it helped...expedite each of our climaxes."

"I agree. It felt like I was being overcharged with electricity again, but in the best way," she commented carefully.

"Who knows what would have happened if we had… you know."

Hermione laughed as he blushed. Merlin, he was in so much trouble. "No Draco, I have no idea what you're talking about," she teased grinning. He growled and rolled on top of her, his naked body flush against her. He had the most wicked smirk on his face and she wasn't sure if she should be turned on or apprehensive.

"This," he grinned and rubbed his newly formed erection against her. "Best behave, young lady."

If she weren't so satisfied she would've wrapped her legs around him and said fuck all waiting to hell. Instead, she smiled up at him and hugged him tightly to her body more intimately. He kissed her gently this time, his tongue lazy as it sought her own. When they finally came up for air, he grinned and caged her between his elbows.

"So how did you like the full tour?" he asked smugly.

She smirked and tilted her head up to lay a soft kiss on his neck. "Very satisfying."

"I'm so glad," he mumbled against her hair. "Is it safe to say the Malfoy heir has made the team?" Although he was smiling his eyes were wary, as they were the night along the Thames.

Wrapping her arms around his back, she pulled him closer and reveled in how perfectly they fit together. He was still hard but did not press into her. Thank Merlin one of them had control.

Running a hand through his hair, she asked "are you sure you understand what being on my team means?" He kissed her forehead in reply. "We won't be able to have a normal relationship. It will have to be kept amongst our friends and family. I travel a lot in the spring to other governments. I'm stubborn. I am always followed by an Auror during the week."

"And?" he asked unimpressed. "We are not normal, Hermione. Never have been."

"I know. I just don't want you to jump into something you aren't fully informed about." She was trying to control her breathing so he couldn't tell how nervous she was.

He stared down at her, his eyes warm as they looked into her own. Hermione felt a slight heaviness enter her heart and sighed into his lips. He pulled away and surveyed her again. "There is no book on how to date someone like you, Hermione. You have always been exceptional; I've always been a complete arse. I will do all I can to make you happy."

"I want to make you happy too," she admitted. "I'm confident we'll figure out this bond business, cure lycanthropy, fight a bit, make up, and maybe even settle down."

"That sounds like time well spent," he replied heavily. "Your positive the timing of things isn't horrid?"

"There is never a good time to start new beginnings. I think people who focus on time often miss all of the good things occurring right in front of them," she laughed.

"So we agree," he said, tucking that rogue curl behind her ear. She nodded and he looked pleased with her reply. He kissed her forehead then began moving down her body, his arms moving her legs over his shoulders.

"What are you doing," she asked tensing.

"Making sure my time is well spent. We've got much research to do on this bond and getting to know each other." She looked down at him, failing miserably at hiding her amusement and arousal. "Besides, I learn best when I am hands on. Don't you agree?"

His hot breath raced over her center and she felt like she was going to fall apart before he even started. Bloody hell. "I'll never correct your methods, Malfoy," she teased. Her laughter quickly turned into a moan as his tongue traced her outer lips slowly.

"You are going to be very tired tomorrow, young lady," he chuckled against her. She groaned again as the vibrations shot straight to her core. "Best relax and let me continue my research," he said before grabbing her clit between his teeth and gently tugging.

"Fuck," she swore. "I need more."

"If you're patient," he said noncommittally. She groaned again as he slipped two fingers deeply inside of her. "You taste delicious, love. I am never going to grow tired of devouring you, I hope that's alright."

"Mmhmm," she gasped as he pumped her. "Merlin that is fantastic." He continued to work her body, bringing her so close to that edge before easing up. He was truly getting to know what she liked, trying various things, as he tasted her. It was impossible not to be vocal at this point. When she thought she might actually pass out, he grabbed her thigh with his free hand and squeezed tightly. This orgasm, unlike the first, felt like a free fall. She cried out his name over and over as his magic blanketed her. He kissed his way up her body until reaching her lips to share the unique taste of them both.

"I don't deserve you," he sighed climbing behind her and bringing her back flush against his chest. He waved his hand to bring the covers over them. She grabbed his forearm; the one scarred with the remnants of the Dark Mark, and brought it tightly to her chest.

"And I don't deserve you. We're both lucky in that." He kissed her hair and held her closely.

"Stay the night," he said a few minutes later.

"That was happening regardless, I can barely walk," she teased.

He laughed and snuggled deeper into the pillow. "Goodnight beautiful."

"Goodnight Draco," she yawned, her eyes heavy and her heart full.

Who knew research could be so exhausting?

A lemon for your patience. So sorry for the delay in updating! I've been traveling internationally for work this past month and have had no energy to post. I hope this makes up for it.

Please review! It means a lot to read your feedback, especially after writing this chapter on a red eye back to the states.

xo MistAccio613