Things were strained up in the office as Draco went to go check on Hermione. He knew that they spoke and they sounded light as they said their goodbyes to Teddy, Severus and Narcissa. However, there was something in the air. Draco couldn't place it as he fumbled around the office.
"No, we can send that today," she murmured into the phone as she tapped away on the keyboard. "Well, the sooner, the better I would assume. Not to stress, we will have its signature and sent out."
He listened to her shift in her chair, and he could hear the difficulty in her movements. "Yes, expect it within the hour. Goodbye," she finished, and the phone was put down a little rough.
Draco pulled his chair in the direction of the desk. "What's wrong?" he asked as he sat down at the corner of the desk.
"Nothing, just going through the motions, Malfoy." She mumbled and her fingers tapped at the keys.
"Granger, if anything, it is not work that is causing you strain," he declared, and she exhaled.
He felt her lean closer to him. It wasn't anything distinct, but almost like a human sense. The presence of someone entering your personal space. Draco could practically imagine her examining him. "Why do you think I want more kids?" she asked him, her tone was low.
"Why wouldn't you want more kids? You are a phenomenal mother. You are intelligent, and so quick it is scary," he declared, rubbing the side of his face to hide the heat in his face.
"Thank you for the compliment, Draco," she said, and her fingers brushed his hand on his knee. "You are going to make an excellent father."
"Yes, well, that remains to be seen." He muttered before clearing his throat. "Seems Charlie will come around and be a pretty good dad, hm?"
Hermione's hand pulled away, and she shifted. "Well, he is a great uncle. Teddy loves him," she remarked, and the sound of key clicking filled the room.
"Do you?"
Hermione snorted and stopped her typing. "That remains to be seen. He is a good man but, we may want different things."
"If he asked you to move to the next station with him and Teddy, would you do that?" Draco inquired with a timid voice, and Hermione huffed.
"Now, that was never talked about, Draco. He wouldn't have asked me that, he knows I won't uproot Teddy. Plus, who is going to keep you productive?"
Draco bent toward her and reached out for her arm. He touched her shoulder, and she jerked. "Hermione, you know we can talk about this. I feel like it is my fault."
"It isn't. I just don't talk about it with anyone. When I took Teddy I decided that he was enough," she said, but her voice wasn't convincing.
"Alexis, what time is it?" Draco declared.
"The time is one twelve pm," Alexis responded through the speakers on the desk.
"Granger, take lunch. You go see what Weasley is doing outside, alright?"
Hermione's dress rustled. "I have to send this out and then I will," she grumbled.
Draco's hand reached out and touched her thigh. He wasn't expecting to grab her there, but by her twitch, neither was she. However, she didn't swat at his hand or move it. "Draco?" her voice was shaky and low.
His fingers caressed her bare skin before pulling his hand away. "My apologies, Granger. I couldn't see where your arm was," he snickered with a smile.
He was stunned when her hand went to his face. It was gentle, and then with a sudden movement, she smacked him with a slight amount of force. He growled and snagged her arm in his hand, and he yanked her closer to him. "Now, that was not polite, Miss Granger."
"Said the man who groped me," she hissed, her breath caressing his face.
He felt the edge of her dress touch his knees as she was between his legs. He hadn't felt this tension before with a woman since he lost his sight. It made his blood rush as she stood there, her arm in his hand. Her breath was heavy, and he pulled her closer. "Granger, come here," he rumbled, and she lurched.
"I am going to take my lunch," she breathed and pulled from him with swift action.
He heard her heels thud against the floor in quick succession until it faded and the door sounded in the hallway. Draco scrubbed his face and readjusted in his chair. The chances of her wanting to be alone with him were slim now. He just sexually harassed her.
Hermione was practically running down the stairs. She grasped the front doorknob in her hand and flung it open with panic in her limbs. She needed air. She needed to breathe away from his cologne. Hermione needed to cool herself down from the burning feeling in her skin. Expelling a heavy breath, she walked down the stone steps. Married. He's getting married and having a baby. Stop!
Outside in the driveway, Charlie was shirtless and spraying down a dark green Aston Martin. Her temperature simmered, and she shuffled over to the freckled man. He was dripping wet, and when he caught her in his sight, he grinned brightly.
"Ello, sweets. Like your new ride?" he asked with a smirk.
"I do, it's a nice car," she replied, and he chuckled.
Charlie made a face and then sprayed her with the hose, covering her in cold water. "Charlie!" she screeched loudly.
Running at him she grappled for the hose and grabbed it from him. She cackled in manic joy and started spraying him in revenge. He tried to stop her as she soaked him only to pull her to the ground with him in laughter. They were in fits and being drowned by the hose until Charlie tossed it aside, releasing the trigger. His lips her on hers as she straddled him, her white dress clinging to her skin.
She pulled away and gazed down at him. "You know, you are beautiful, Hermione?"
Squirming, she snorted and shook her wet hair. "You are silly, Officer Weasley."
"If I have to leave for three months, would you come with me?" he whispered, and she shuddered away with a frown.
"What?"
His face turned guilty, and his lips thinned. "I got a call from my commander. I go in on Monday to find out where I'm going. It's a temporary command until I get reassigned to somewhere local."
"Charlie, I can't just leave my job. I can't just get up and go," she said with a strained voice.
"Just three months. I will probably be based down south. It could be a nice vacation for you. Teddy is at school I'd pay for it," he insisted and stroked her cheek. "I think we could be something, ya know?"
Climbing off him, she cupped her arms to her body. "Can we talk about this when I am not working? That would be rather irresponsible."
His face morphed into a knowing when he sat up. "Alright, sweets. You get some food and possibly a towel. I am going to finish the car. I will run into town and grab supplies for a nice dinner." He declared climbing off the ground.
She smiled and closed the distance between them. "Alright, hero. I'll see you tonight? I'll bring Teddy home with me. I imagine Narcissa is going to buy more than something small for him."
Charlie kissed her lips gently and ran her hand over her damp cheek. "You are more than I deserve, Hermione. I hope you know that."
She shook her head and pressed her face harder against his hand. "You are wrong, Charles. I will see you later," she whispered and kissed him again before pulling away.
Hermione wandered back toward the house, glancing back to see Charlie continuing with his job. There was sadness in her steps. Charlie was leaving. Even if it was just for three months. He was going to leave, and she didn't want to go with him. Maybe a bit of distance after their unexpected romance would be good. Things were moving too quickly.
When stepped inside, her shoes squelched as she walked into the dining room. "What is that god awful sound?" Draco growled as he sat at the table.
"Seems Miss Granger is soaking wet," Ramsey mused as she came into view. "Shall I get you a towel?"
"Please, and maybe something dry?" she questioned gently.
"I have some things from Hogwarts that would fit her, Ramsey. Go ahead and get her some gym clothes. I am sure she will be satisfied with such until her dress is cleaned." Draco declared.
"Right away, Sir," Ramsey declared with a nod and passed Hermione to the hallway.
"Had a run in with a hose monster, Granger?" Draco teased and she loomed.
Hermione shifted and stood next to him. "Yes, but I won with wit and cunning," she retorted and he chuckled.
"Is your pretty dress ruined?"
"You don't know if it is pretty, Malfoy," she hissed and he laughed.
"If you are wearing it, then it is likely pretty. Don't take that as a play, I can already feel your wheels turning. I am just being honest."
Hermione smirked and sighed. "How do you make even a compliment seem like an insult?"
"It is a gift. Are you hungry? I had him set you plate just in case."
The woman moved next to him and sat in the wooden chair. "Thank you." She started to eat and realized how hungry she was.
Draco sipped his glass and paused his actions. "About earlier," he started and she hemmed.
"No, let's not. Let's not say anything more about that, please? We both were tense and sometimes when people work together closely things happen," she said with a pleading voice.
"Okay, as long as you don't think I was affronting you in any way. I cannot see so this is harder sometimes. I- it- of course, it- you know?" he stumbled for the words.
Her hand touched his arm. "I know. I wasn't offended, Draco. It's alright and I promise not to cause problems for you and Astoria. I will tell you if you are close to crossing a line. Sometimes they are hard to see even with sight." Hermione's voice was tender.
Draco laughed and nodded. "I am so relieved you understand. It's like I have been blindly walking before I even lost my sight. What would I do without you?"
"Not be doing your job well enough, that's for sure. Don't worry, Draco, I am not going anywhere any time soon," Hermione snickered.
Ramsey came back into the room and held a large fluffy towel with green and silver clothing. "Miss Granger, would you like to change?" he offered and she nodded, letting go of Draco's arm.
She took the clothing and towel from the butler and disappeared down the hallway. He waited to hear the bathroom door shut lightly. "Did you get the tight shirt, Ramsey?" he inquired.
"Yes, sir. The only one left in your wardrobe," Ramsey declared.
"And the sweats are the green one's with my house emblem?"
"Yes, sir. The very ones. Shall I retrieve anything else for you?" Ramsey questioned.
"No, you did well. Thank you," Draco responded and lounged in the chair.
He heard the butler's footfall fade and the swinging door sound. Draco dug in the recesses of his mind for a curly-haired woman. He replaced her graduation gown with his gym clothing and inwardly groaned. Yes, he liked that. The Gryphem princess in his colors. Laying on his black sheets. He resituated himself and his lips stretched slightly. If he couldn't have her, he could surely fantasize about her… he did before, he would again.