By the time Hermione was ready to admit to herself that she might have a problem, she already had a problem. It came in the lean form of one Draco Malfoy.

She was infatuated with the prat, going to see him every day. They were blowing off work, doing things that two former head students would never dream of doing. And now they were together and breaking all the rules. Her friends still wanted to know where she disappeared to all of the time.

"Tell them you're at work."

She glared in his general direction. "I've been missing work. If I miss anymore my boss will fire me."

He rolled his eyes. "Then use your brilliance and get another job. It can't be that hard with your blossoming resume."

"That's not the point. I love my job and I could never think of getting another. You don't think this sex thing is getting a little out of hand?"

Draco cocked an eyebrow, casually skimming his hands across her bare shoulders. It didn't help that they were naked in bed, having gone at it again.

"Do you?"

"I don't know," she sighed, sitting up. It felt like she was getting out of control, doing ridiculous things that even her new self found to be pushing the limit. "We have been doing this for quite some time."

"And we've been safe about it. We practice the right spells when they are needed and you take the same potion every month, so we should be fine. Unless you're having second thoughts about our game?"

She stood from the bed, dragging one of his sheets up with her. Why would she be having second thoughts now? It wasn't like this was a new thing, a new secret that she was keeping from her friends. They had been going at it for months, so what was the damn difference?

Oh right. She found him bedding down someone else the other day and found that it hurt her. How ridiculous was that?

"What are you doing here?" he inquired, sitting up in bed. Her honey brown eyes moved from the blond to his partner and back again. He was sleeping with one of the Greengrass'?

"I… got lost," she finished lamely, turning tightly on her heel as she marched from the room. There was no way she would lay down with him after this, at least not tonight. The harsh pull at her heartstrings bothered her though, and she could only wonder why that was happening.

"Granger," he called, following her from the room. He was still clad in silk boxers, but his arousal was obvious. "Something the matter?"

She looked over his lean frame, from the relaxed way he leant against the doorframe to his arousal down below. Hermione turned around again.

"You can't be serious Draco! Get back in here this instance or I'll leave."

The blond rolled his eyes, and she watched as he glanced back into the room. "It's a free country. Leave whenever you damn well please, but petty threats will not going to get me back in there any faster."

The exasperated woman in the bedroom practically screamed, but the blond didn't pay her any mind. He was more interested in the intruder. "So what brought you over here? I thought you said you had plans tonight."

"Things changed," she replied breathlessly. "I was supposed to go out… and then something happened."

"Something bad?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow at her expression.

"No… not exactly. Neville has been going strong with this girl Hannah for ages now. They've been happily settled but there were never any plans for a wedding in the future. He proposed today and all the girls went head over heels about it. I canceled my plans with Ginny strictly to avoid having to deal with it all."

"And you decided to come see me?"

"I thought you would be… less occupied."

He studied her face a moment before reaching back to shut the door. "Does it bother you that Astoria is here?"

"What? No… why?"

"Because it shouldn't," he replied, narrowing his eyes at her. "We're not in a committed anything, at least as far as I knew. There's been no plans to alter our setup, and you've said nothing about wanting anything more. As far as I understood you weren't interested in a romantic relationship."

Her cheeks colored a little at that. "Romantic?! No… no. It's just carnal Draco, nothing more. Come on now, go back to your girl. I'll just get out of here."

"Should I owl you later?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows. "We could have our own adventures."

"No um, no not tonight. I just remembered I have something to handle. But don't worry, we'll stay in touch and plan for something okay? Have fun Draco."

She had called him Draco twice that day without meaning to. They had never been on a first name basis, and when they finally met up again four days later they still weren't. It had only been a slip of the tongue in Hermione's opinion.

Draco wasn't so sure.

But the fact of the matter was she felt weird knowing he slept with other people. They were together so often it seemed almost impossible that he could. She had been loyal to him and never slept with anyone else-

Great, she made it sound like she was committed. If it was just sex though, she didn't owe him any sort of commitment. So why did she bother trying to?

Right, she was feeling strange lately. She wanted to spend more time with the blond, she enjoyed his company and their witty banter around the orgasmic sex. She was becoming attached to the person she fucked around with, and that could only spell trouble. If Malfoy was sleeping around with other people just four days ago then he certainly did not feel the growing connection that she did. Perhaps this was why the brunette stayed away from relationships as much as possible. Those things were bloody complicated.

"Thinking?" he asked from the bed, remaining where he was.

"Yes, I am actually."

"Do you want to share?"

No Hermione, don't do that. It'll make things odd between the two of you, and after catching him with Astoria that's the last thing that needs to happen. These clingy feelings inside will go away soon enough.

"No, I'm just thinking silly things. Would you care for some breakfast? I can cook this morning before I leave."

He smiled at that, standing from the bed as well to wrap his arms around her waist. "I would greatly appreciate that Miss Granger. Perhaps if it's stupendous I'll have to repay you."

Despite the conflicting emotions in her head, she could never say no to that. Smiling as bed she could, she turned and kissed her blond partner. "Alright, what do you want to eat?"

Work was terrible for Hermione that day. She couldn't focus on what she was doing. All her thoughts were centered on her blond bedmate and her conflicting emotions. Why did she have to feel something towards him? It would be so much simpler if they just kept fucking like wild animals. Her friends still hadn't caught on to that part.

Her door opened to her assistant, looking nervously into the office. With Hermione being absent so often lately she was quite busy, and he hated interrupting her. "Miss Granger?"

"Yes?"

"Someone is here to see you."

Hermione smiled, thinking perhaps it would be Draco. He had mentioned coming to visit her today over breakfast. "Let them in then."

"Right away Miss."

The door opened a few moments later but it was not to the face she was expecting. Actually, she found his presence to be rather annoying.

"Oh, it's you. I wish I'd known sooner. I don't have time to play your petty games Theo."

He grinned like a Cheshire cat, stepping into her office as he closed the door. "Oh, but can't you make an exception Hermione? You have been missing a lot of work as it is."

"Yes and it was a mistake on my part. I do not have time to argue with you. I have too many things to finish up. If you wish to talk to me again about shagging, something that is certainly not going to happen, then you're wasting your time as well as mine. Get out."

He continued to grin, stepping boldly across the office and around her desk to lean against her side, right next to the chair. She scooted away from him, narrowing her eyebrows.

"Can I help you with something Nott? If so, state your business now. I simply do not have time for this."

The man grinned, lazily rubbing two of his fingers together. "What do you think your friends would say if they knew you were sleeping around with Malfoy?"

"What does it matter? I'm not going to tell them anytime soon, and neither will you."

"Ah, ah, ah," he said, shaking a finger at her. "Who says I won't?"

"I do," the brunette snapped, fingering her wand. "Get out of my office. This is not the sort of business to discuss here."

He crossed his arms looking positively giddy. "You should be careful what you say to me Hermione. I could ruin your friendship with Ron and Harry."

The fact that he addressed her dearest friends by first name was bad enough, but the fact that he thought he could one-up her was just pathetic. After everything she'd been through, from being tortured in a war to moving to Australia, he thought he could best her with some petty threats?

She could see right through his transparent plan.

"If you think bribing me to sleep with you by threatening me with telling Harry and Ron about my deal with Draco then you severely underestimate me. I'm not going to fall for that kind of stupidity."

"It's not bribery."

She rolled her eyes. "Blackmail then. Whatever you want to call it Nott, it's not going to work. Telling my friends about my personal life is just poor sportsmanship. And it's not going to make me find you any more attractive."

"But it could stall your friendship with your best friends."

"Maybe," she shrugged. If he told her friends about Draco then she would handle that situation when the time came. "But nothing is going to convince me to lie down with you again. I don't know what your problem is Nott, but I'm tired of dealing with you. Now get out of my office before I call security."

His brow furrowed. "Ending our conversation so soon, are we Hermione?"

"It's not as if I need to be talking with you," she retorted. "I don't know why you're so infatuated with me since we only slept together once and you tossed me away afterwards, leaving me all alone in the room like a two-bit slut. You don't need to cling to me Nott. Sleep with some other hussy, someone who's going to give you the time of day. I've moved on to bigger and better things."

Nott's eyes twinkled then, causing her hand to inch towards the security switch. "And you don't worry that he's moved on from you?"

"Beg pardon?"

He chuckled, grinning widely. "He slept with Astoria recently, didn't he? For a while it was rumored that he was just sleeping with you, and then all of a sudden he took up an old bedmate. He's moving on from you two Hermione, whether you like it or not."

"We'd have to be committed to move on from each other," she retorted, though her voice hitched at the end. How did he even know about that? "It's just carnal."

"It could be for us too," he said, wiggling his eyebrows. "I saw the two of you in the park the other day. Kinky, hmm?"

She could feel her cheeks tinging red, and one long finger jutted towards the door. "Out!"

"Angry I see?"

Hermione pulled out her wand, the other hand moving to flick the security switch. "Get out of my office Nott! Do not come here again!"

He held up his hands, though he knew he had gotten under her skin. "Fine, I'll go. But when you find your bed empty at night Hermione, remember me."

She collapsed down in her seat as the doors opened and two Aurors stepped in. One ushered Nott out who went without complaint, and the other moved to check on her. Once she had cleared things up they took Nott out, who grinned at her as she left. At least she told them that the prick was harassing her.

Laying her head on the desk Hermione groaned. Why did he have to come in and fuck with her head? She was doing just peachy until he butted in and ruined things! And now she had too many things to ponder before she saw Draco again.

Why did he have to bother her at work? She had too many things to catch up on.

Hopefully he didn't tell her friends though. That would just be another rollercoaster of drama that she couldn't handle right now.

She didn't see Draco that night. Frustrated with Theo, she decided it was time to be alone. It would give her the time and space she needed to think.

After a brief, unexpected floo call with Harry and Ron Hermione found a bit of peace. They didn't seem anymore curious than they usually were, and there were no questions about her relationship status. So far as she could tell Nott hadn't said a damn word to them. If luck was on her side he never would.

Sitting in her room alone Hermione couldn't keep her mind off Draco. Sure, there was the undeniable physical attraction between them that called her back to his body again and again. She knew she was attracted to his physique, that couldn't be denied. But why was she so focused on him.

Deep down she knew there might be something else there. They used to just have sex, carnal vigorous sex that drove them both to a state of utopia that they rode out for hours and hours. As time went on though conversations started up. They weren't just conversations about getting together again or jokes about banging, but actual conversations friends or even a couple might have. Looking back she couldn't really recall when the transition took place, but she knew things had shifted.

It was terrifying. She just wanted something carnal to keep her mind off of things, and she only got with Draco after a bit of hard-to-get playing. Now she thought she might be feeling something for him?

I am going to turn into the lovesick saps my friends have become. What's happening to me?

It would be easy if she was just physically attracted to Draco, but that didn't seem to be the case. Something in her mind changed gears and looked past the sexual desire she felt towards him. She was treading dangerous water, water that she might just tread alone.

He's been sleeping with other people, Greengrass at the very least. I'm just falling for pretty boy Malfoy. Why do I have to lose my level head now? I'm making myself into a bigger idiot.

Hermione wouldn't bother pondering how he felt about her. Draco was a very forward man, and if he wanted something more from Hermione he would outright say it. But he had said nothing, and she knew her additional feelings were one sided.

I just need to get my mind off of my conflicted feelings. I need to get back to the basics of why I slept with Draco to begin with.

Right… seduction, a toned body and killer eyes. I remember all that fondly.

Her hands traveled around her body, slowly working to remove the conflicts inside her head. Sex always did a good job of clearing her head, but since she was alone tonight it was going to have to be a solo gig. Since engaging with Draco in their game of sex she hadn't attempted playing with herself in quite some time.

She played with the soft peaks of her nipples, hardening the tips as she gasped. It wouldn't take long to get an orgasm this way with her head stuck on the handsome blond image in her head, and the memories of what he could do to her.

Her back arched a bit as she teased herself, hands playing just above where she desperately needed them to. It wasn't the sex filled night she was hoping for, but it would have to. Nothing could make up for the feel of Draco between her legs anyway.

"You're very quiet tonight."

It was true. Aside from their adventures in bed Hermione hadn't really said much of anything since arriving uninvited at Draco's flat. He didn't immediately question her arrival, but after the ages of silence he was beginning to wonder.

"How long do you think we can keep this charade up?" she asked, ignoring the small circles he was rubbing on her hips.

"We've been at this for months now so… I'd assume for a few more before people really begin wondering. I mean Blaise already knows but he really could care less who I'm sleeping with."

"Nott knows too," she grunted.

His eyebrows drew together, and he adjusted his position to look at her more closely. "Who cares if Theo knows?"

"I don't."

"You certainly sound like you do," the blond replied skeptically. "Of course he knows about us. He slept with you before I did."

"And he's not going to keep his big mouth shut about it."

Draco frowned, sitting up in bed. "What's the matter with you tonight? You've been very frosty, and now you're bitching about Nott?"

"He's just been a pain," she replied, sitting up to match him. "I'm sorry I haven't been over for the past week but I've had a lot on my mind, alright?"

"You're touchy," he commented, not at all worried about fueling her temper. "What got under your skin doll?"

Her eyes flashed at his pet name for her. He only ever used it once, and had since supposedly learned to never use it again. "Nott got under my skin!"

He blinked several times at that, tilting his head to the side. "Is there a pun intended in that?"

She smacked his arm hard before climbing out of bed, grabbing the thin robe she now left over here. "Oh shut up."

"I think I won't. Something's bothering you and it has to do with Nott? I'm intrigued; tell me more."

"I think not," Hermione replied with an eye roll. "My conversations with Nott are none of your business."

"Ah, so there are lots of conversations with him then?"

"So what if there were? It's not like we're exclusive or anything!"

She turned, cheeks burning and mind swimming as she stormed to the bathroom, slamming the door shut as soon as she could. What the hell was wrong with her tonight?

From the bed Draco watched her, confused by what she had to say. They had only spoken once about being exclusive and it was when Astoria was over looking for some company. The conversation hadn't gone well, and he had hoped it was one they wouldn't have again for quite some time.

He stood realizing that was only a dream. Obviously she had things to discuss with him, and they didn't seem to be things that would wait. If the Hermione Granger was suddenly going to start acting emotional and strange then he was going to need some help before he could talk with her, and that help came in the form of a tall bottle in his cabinet.

She found him sitting on his sofa, a glass filled to the top on his left and one of those purple cigarettes in his right hand. He was sitting staring at nothing, intensely focused on something.

"Finished with your shower?"

Hermione hadn't expected to be seen immediately and was surprised when he spoke up to her. After their strange conversation she wasn't sure what to say to him. It was very apparent that he wasn't looking for anything other than a quick fuck with her, and the fact that she was mentioning anything else was pushing at his buttons.

She didn't blame him. They were supposed to be nothing other than fuck buddies anyway.

"Yes," she replied, moving to sit on the chair farthest from him. He glanced up then, eyeing her oddly.

"You don't need to sit so far away. I can't share my smoke nor my drink with you if I can't even reach you."

"Thanks, but I'm not interested," the brunette replied, lounging back. She still wore only the small silk robe and she noticed his eyes dancing over her form as they spoke.

"No, I suppose not," Draco said, snubbing out the cigarette. "You're interested in other things."

"Draco, please. Don't make this into something it isn't. We have a good thing going right now, why ruin it?"

He arched an eyebrow. "Because I'm not the one ruining it, it's you. You seem to have other ideas than our setup right now. What Granger, sleeping with me isn't enough? You have to be with me too?"

She could feel the vein in her right temple bulging. Not only was he sneering at her cruelly, but he wouldn't even address her properly. After the time they spent together, serious or not, he owed her that much.

"Hermione."

"Excuse me?"

"Hermione," she repeated, elongating every syllable for him to understand. "I don't care if you see me in a serious way or not! If we can sleep together and I can learn to address you by first name then you sure as hell can extend the same courtesy to me."

He arched an eyebrow a second time, surprised by her sudden tangent. If nothing else Hermione Granger would never ever let him treat her any lesser than she treated him. "Alright, fine. Hermione, why the sudden change of heart?"

She shrugged lamely, knowing it didn't suffice for an answer. "I can't tell you. I'm not sure why things need to change. I was really fucking happy with the way things were going! It was fine, the exact senseless, carnal relationship I wanted with no emotional ties. I was doing just fine until my head started fucking me over and over thinking things, until Nott butted his stupid head in-"

"Nott butted in?" he asked, curious now. From what Draco understood she hadn't slept with Nott, or really anyone, since they got together in their sexual relationship.

She waved a hand. "Oh, he's just desperate. He was trying to blackmail me-"

"And you just let that happen?" Draco asked, jumping in before she could finish. He didn't much like the sound of that.

"No you twit! I'm not that daft. Now would you let me finish please?"

"Oh sure, sure. But how exactly was he going to blackmail you?"

Her cheek colored a bit, remembering Nott explaining her park adventure to her in detail back in her office. "Well um, he saw us in the park you see. The night it was foggy."

"Bastard."

"Hey, it's our fault for being so out in the open, even when it is foggy. Anyone could have seen us, not just Nott."

"Still. It bothers me that it's Nott more so than if it was just a passerby. He's into that kind of thing Hermione, and he likes to watch it too."

Disturbed, she wasn't even going to question that. She got the feeling if she did she would only be super creeped out. "Okay… well, he saw us and he got this ludicrous idea to blackmail my affair with you and hold it over my head that he could tell my friends. He if tells them then it will be super uncomfortable, but I'm not breaking the law or doing anything bad by sleeping with you. It's a matter of choice, one I prefer to keep private for now. If he tells them then I'll have to endure a lot of speeches, but it's not life ending. I think he's just gone too long without a good shag."

They sat in silence for a minute, Hermione's words sinking in. Draco seemed to be nulling things over. "It's odd that Theo's gone to such extremes to get you to sleep with him. It's strange. He never hangs onto a girl for so long."

"It's not the first time he's tried," she said with a sigh. "When we returned to that bloody pub of yours he tried once while I was off looking for the loo. I told him to shove it."

Draco frowned. "Weird."

"I don't understand it either. Is it a jealousy thing or something?"

"Why would Theo be jealous unless he had a thing for you?"

"Maybe he does. Is he still all about blood superiority?"

"Only in his girlfriends. He could care less about who he shags so long as he gets some. But usually at the pub I'm the one that attracts the newcomers. He gets to sleep with the women after I'm finished usually. They never seek him out first."

She quirked an eyebrow. "Really? He told me it was the other way around."

To that Draco could only laugh. "Hardly! But I suppose he wouldn't want to tell the truth about that. When you came it was different. I knew you weren't about to waltz over and bang me, even if I was thinking about it. You couldn't even stand the fact that I was there. I didn't have that much of a chance really, so Nott got you first."

"Maybe that's why Nott is so enthralled with me," she mused. "Because I slept with him first for once."

"He'll get over it," Draco replied optimistically, though he seemed a bit unsure. "He just has to find someone more appealing. It'll steer his mind clear."

"And how long do you think that will take?"

He cringed. "How should I know?"

She dropped her head to rest against the soft chair. They had gotten off topic now, and though she didn't complain a part of her wished that they would go back and discuss things. Try as she may she needed to know exactly where they stood with one another. Once she was certain she would know how to feel about everything.

Unfortunately he seemed just fine dropping the conversation as he chugged down the end of his drink. She found her eyes lazily dragging over his body, the way the men at his favorite pub would lazily look her over. He was very nice to look at, and near-naked was one of her favorite looks on him. His modesty was only hidden by a thing pair of boxers. It appeared neither of them was that concerned with getting dressed that morning.

He set his glass back on the table, standing to extend a hand in her direction. "Come. We should eat."

Hermione followed his lead, taking the outstretched hand as he pulled them towards the kitchen. His hands danced low on her body as she opened the fridge to dig out something edible, and she knew already that his thoughts were drifting elsewhere.

At least if he didn't return her unexpected feelings she had the sex to fall back on. She just wasn't sure their carnal relationship would last once they talked about their feelings.

Feelings.

Those damn feelings were going to ruin her entire setup, and she knew deep down that they wouldn't just go away. Somewhere between the sex and drinks she saw another side of Draco Malfoy, a soft side that pulled her heart in.

Hermione knew what she wanted out of this. But she didn't believe anymore that Draco would ever want the same.

A/n: It's been a bit, I know. Sorry for the wait. Also, sorry for the lack of sex here. There's a bit more to come!

There are 1-2 chapters left depending on how I write the next chapter. Until then dearies!