It was a week into Easter break and Draco was regretting his decision to come home for the holidays. Normally he stayed at Hogwarts over Easter with his friends, but he'd come home in the hope of seeing The Dark Lady again. Despite his liaisons with a couple of girls in school, Voldemort's daughter was a constant presence in Draco's mind. Unfortunately Lucius had informed Draco that no meetings were due to be held over the holidays, meaning he wasn't likely to see the witch he had such a crush on.
Feeling bored and restless, Draco decided to head outside for a bit of fresh air. Normally he would go flying, but his broom was at school and his older brooms were either broken or not fast enough for Draco's liking. Heading downstairs, Draco was passing the front room when his mother called for him. Poking his head around the door, he found Narcissa untying a letter from an owl.
"Draco, go and tell your father he's got an owl from the Ministry and it's marked urgent." Narcissa said to her son. "He's in the garden."
"Why is he in the garden?" Draco asked. He thought his father was working in his study and wasn't wanting to be disturbed.
"He's got a visitor." Narcissa replied. "I'm sure she won't mind you interrupting them though." She added with a smirk.
Puzzled as to who could be visiting his father, Draco headed into the garden. It took him a while to spot Lucius and his guest in the vast gardens, but he eventually located them near the gazebo at the bottom of the garden. As he approached them Draco struggled to place the young woman with his father. From behind all he could make out was her jet black hair and he could see she had a good figure. When he got close enough to hear a laugh erupt from the witch, he immediately knew who his father's visitor was. It was The Dark Lady.
Draco took a second to compose himself, before clearing his throat and making his presence known. Both Lucius and The Dark Lady spun around to face him and Draco found himself staring into the face of the witch who'd haunted his dreams since New Year. While her hair was a different colour and was now curly, and her eyes a shimmering shade of blue, it was undoubtedly the same woman. Her lips still looked as tempting as ever and her figure was every bit as impressive as he'd remembered.
"Draco." Lucius snapped his fingers at his son, bringing him out of his thoughts.
"Sorry." Draco hastily shook his head and regained his composure. "You've got an owl from the Ministry. Mothers says it's urgent."
Lucius nodded and turned to The Dark Lady. "I'll have to go and see what it is."
"Of course." Hermione nodded. "You go, I'll be fine with Draco."
"I'm sure you will." Lucius chuckled. "I'll see you in a while."
After whispering something to The Dark Lady that Draco couldn't hear Lucius headed back towards the Manor. Whatever his father had said to Voldemort's daughter had clearly amused her as she was watching Draco with a smile.
"My Lady." Draco smiled. "I didn't expect to see you."
"So your father was telling me. According to him, you were very put out to hear I wouldn't be around." Hermione said, giggling as a slight blush graced Draco's face. "Is that not true?"
"It's true." Draco admitted. "I was hoping to see you again."
Hermione couldn't help the wide smile that graced her face at Draco's admission. "And why would you want to see me again?" She teased.
"Because I enjoyed the time we spent together." Draco replied honestly.
"I enjoyed it as well." Hermione said. "Maybe Lucius was right, after all."
"What did he say?" Draco asked warily.
"He said you have a crush on me."
Draco flushed again as he heard what his father had told The Dark Lady. "Bloody man, I'm going to kill him." He muttered in embarrassment.
"Was that not true?" Hermione asked with a pout. "That's a shame."
"Why's it a shame?" Draco questioned.
"Because I rather liked the idea of you fancying me." Hermione admitted.
"Really?" Draco smirked, suddenly looking so much more like his normal confident self. "You know, I never said father was lying. He was completely right, I do fancy you."
"Good." Hermione smiled.
"Is that all I get?" Draco quirked an eyebrow at Hermione.
"What were you expecting, some sort of admission that I fancy you?" Hermione chuckled. "You'll have to earn something like that."
"How would I earn that?" Draco asked.
"I don't know." Hermione shrugged a shoulder. "You'll have to use your imagination."
"How about we go for a walk." Draco suggested. "I can show you the maze in the daylight."
Hermione nodded and the couple began heading towards the small maze across the other side of the garden. They walked in comfortable silence as they crossed the lawn and entered the maze.
"I prefer your hair how you had it last time." Draco said suddenly as they entered the maze. "Black doesn't quite suit you."
"How do you know this isn't how my hair normally is?" Hermione asked.
"It's not." Draco shook his head. "It just doesn't feel right. I'm guessing you've got some sort of glamour on it, like you have with your eyes."
"How do you know my eyes aren't real?" Hermione questioned as the pair came to a stop.
"Just a hunch. Last time you were wearing a mask that changed them every fifteen minutes and now they're lovely, but like your hair they don't quite feel right." Draco answered. "I suspect your hair at New Year was more like your real hair."
"And what about my eyes?"
"I haven't decided yet." Draco replied. "But I'm sure one day I'll see the real you and find out."
"You're confident." Hermione chuckled, as they started to walk again. "What if I never show you the real me?"
"Then I'll have to get used to you looking different all the time." Draco shrugged. "But I am hoping one day you'll trust me enough to show me the real you."
"I'm sure one day you'll see the real me." Hermione said as they found the centre of the maze and she walked over to the bench and sat down. "I just hope I don't disappoint you."
"Why would you disappoint me?" Draco asked, joining Hermione on the bench. "You're gorgeous."
"You don't know me." Hermione laughed. "I'm not gorgeous."
"You are." Draco said. "True you might be hiding your real face, but not all of you is under the charm. Is it?"
"No." Hermione answered. "Just my hair and eyes."
"Interesting." Draco mused. "That means the rest of you is real. Those beautiful lips are all yours, not to mention your stunning figure."
"Is this you trying to get an admission from me?" Hermione teased with a smile.
"Maybe." Draco grinned. "Is it working?"
"Maybe." Hermione chuckled. "But I still need more persuasion to admit anything."
"Let's see if I can do anything to help with that."
Draco quickly closed the small gap between them and pressed his lips against Hermione's. At first Hermione thought the kiss was going to be a repeat of the sweet, chaste kiss they'd shared at New Year, but Draco soon banished those thoughts as his tongue swept over her lower lip, seeking entry to her mouth. Hermione opened up to allow Draco entry and his tongue set about exploring her mouth.
As they kissed Hermione's arm snaked around Draco's neck, her fingers tangling in the soft strands of his blond hair. Meanwhile Draco's hand cupped Hermione's cheek as he stroked her smooth skin. Reluctantly the couple parted and stared at each with lustful eyes. The lingering look lasted a minute or so before simultaneously the couple leant forward and reconnected their lips.
The second their lips touched the kiss was hot and passion filled. Hermione slid across the bench, closing the gap between them and pressing her body up against Draco's. As they were kissing, Draco's hand trailed down Hermione's body and she let out a quiet whimper when his hand brushed against her breast.
After a few minutes the couple once again parted in need of air. They did however stay incredibly close, with Draco pressing soft kisses to Hermione's cheek and jaw.
"You smell divine." He muttered.
"It's my perfume." Hermione answered. "It's uniquely made for me. My father had it specially made in Paris."
"So you're the only person with the scent?" Draco asked.
"Yes." Hermione nodded. She wasn't worried about Draco knowing about her perfume and recognising her from it as at school she either wore none or wore a subtler more flowery fragrance.
"It suits you." Draco said, raising his head and looking at Hermione.
"Thanks." Hermione smiled.
"So did I earn an admission yet?" Draco asked.
"I think you already know the answer." Hermione chuckled. "I don't go around kissing just anyone."
"I'm pleased to hear that." Draco smirked. "But I still wouldn't mind hearing you tell me that you fancy me."
"Why? So I can stroke you ego a bit more?" Hermione questioned. "You don't need me to help with that."
"Maybe not, but I would like to hear what you really think about me." Draco replied sincerely.
"I really like you." Hermione told Draco. Despite his normal confidence in himself she could sense that he wasn't quite as sure of himself with her for some reason. "You're very good looking, which I'm sure you already know. And I happen to think you're very sexy and I fancy you like mad."
Draco grinned widely at Hermione's admission and briefly reconnected their lips. "The feeling is entirely mutual." He whispered to her.
"Good." Hermione replied, wondering if he would feel the same way once he knew who she really was.
"So what happens now?" Draco asked. "About us, I mean."
"I'm not sure." Hermione admitted. "First of all we need to get the rest of the year over with. I'm sure we'll see each other over the summer."
"I'm sure we will." Draco said. "Did father tell you I want to join the Death Eaters?"
"Yes, he mentioned it." Hermione nodded. "I hope you're not sucking up to me so I'll put in a good word for you with father."
"Of course not." Draco tutted. "I don't need anyone to help me impress The Dark Lord. My actions speak for themselves."
"What actions are these?" Hermione asked.
"Do you not know about the part I played in getting Dumbledore sacked?" Draco questioned. "I helped bring down Potter and his gang, which lead to Dumbledore's sacking."
"That sounds impressive. Why don't you tell me about it?" Hermione suggested, eager to hear if Draco would tell her the truth.
Surprisingly Draco told Hermione exactly what had happened and had admitted following her for weeks in order to find out where Harry was meeting. Hermione did consider asking about herself to hear what he had to say about her, but remembering Lucius's advice she decided against it.
"I suppose I best get back." Hermione said once Draco had finished his story and she had flattered him a bit by praising his efforts.
"I guess." Draco sighed reluctantly.
Slowly the couple stood up and started to exit the maze. Once they were out of the maze they walked across the lawn and Draco accompanied Hermione to his father's study.
"Draco, before I go I want you to know something." Hermione said as they came to a halt outside the closed door. "I don't want you to think I'm not revealing my identity because I don't trust you, because I do. At the minute it's just too risky, but I promise I will tell you soon."
"There's no rush." Draco replied. "I'm happy just to spend time with you, whatever you look like."
Hermione smiled at Draco before leaning up and brushing her lips briefly against his. "I'll see you in the summer."
Draco nodded and watched as The Dark Lady slipped into his father's study. He heard the low sound of his father's voice through the door as he greeted Voldemort's daughter, but he didn't stick around to listen to their conversation. Instead he headed up to his room, a massive grin plastered all over his face.