Hermione Granger was a liar. She didn't know that she was going to be handed so many drinks when the rest of her guests arrived, but she drank them. Now, she was just beyond tipsy and probably shouldn't be in heels. They were all walking down to the tented tables, and she was wobbling on hers rather shamefully.
Draco was walking next to her and listening to her gait. "Are your feet sore?"
She giggled loudly. "No, I can't walk in these things with drink in me," she declared with a snort.
He pulled her to one of the pathways next to the main walkway and found a bench. Draco's hands were on her shoulders as he sat her down. "Alright, Granger. Sit down, and I will take them off for you."
"Did you know that high heels were popularized in the 1500's?" she asked as he bent down in front of her.
"No I did not," he replied as he lifted her leg.
She huffed. "I don't usually let someone touch my feet. They look horrible," Hermione grumbled as his fingers ran over her calf.
He did not answer her as his fingers caressed her skin and found the latch. Draco hemmed as he released her foot. "One down," he told her.
"Your hands a very nimble, you know that?" she inquired.
His hands found her other leg and took more time running his fingers over her calf. She sighed, and he felt her lean back a bit. "Draco, you make shoe removal sinful." He found the buckle, and she sighed as the shoe fell away. "Thank you; I can actually walk now."
Draco erected from the ground after grabbing his cane and offered his hand. She took it, and he pulled her to her feet. "Feeling woozy still?" he asked gently.
"No, thank you. I will be glad to get some food in my stomach." She declared.
"Granger, can I do something unusual?" He questioned as she shifted on her feet.
"What is it?"
"Can I touch your face?" he requested.
"Oh, well- yes?" her voice sounded unsure, and he snorted.
"Let's go, Granger," he ordered and pivoted to leave.
Her hand caressed his arm. "No, it's alright," she told him, and he turned to her.
Hermione held still as Draco's hand touched her face. It was soft and explorative as his fingertips traced her hairline, running over her brows, and even his thumb grazed her painted lips. They parted for him, and he felt the heat coming from her cheeks. He couldn't tell if she was just warm from her drinking or if she was enchanted by his touch. At least until he heard the soft whimper, that she released when his fingers touched her neck.
"Hermione, would you allow me to kiss the birthday girl?" he whispered gently.
Instead of answering, she closed the distance between them. Draco bent down just enough to feel her soft breath from her mouth. He found her lips with his and discovered the sinful torture that was her. His brain shot with color, and he could feel his pulse thrum in his neck. Draco had to call on every last resolve to pull away from her when he did.
"You are beautiful," he told her and stepped from her. "Now, let's get you some food."
They walked together in silence, and he did not see what she had the displeasure to view. Hermione was walking next to him and avoiding the redhead who had her hands on her hips. "So, was that a birthday kiss or a preemptive snog?" Ginny snapped as they walked back on the stone pathway.
Draco tilted his head with a smile. "A birthday kiss. I promise, Ginevra if I were to snog her, we would not be going to get dinner right now."
Hermione rolled her eyes and gazed over at the Potter. Ginny mouthed something. 'What are you doing?' and the curly-haired witch shrugged and replied, 'I don't know!'
"Granger!" Zabini shouted, and she turned to see him jogging up. "You don't have a drink in your hand, let me get one for you."
Draco's hand possessively wrapped around hers. "No, Blaise, she is escorting me tonight. I need her to sober some."
"Oh, I am? Where is Charles?" she said as her cheeks turned scarlet.
"Right here, sweets. You do the Malfoy a solid and walk with him. He doesn't whine as much with you," Charlie declared approaching the annoyed Zabini. "You and I are going to spare. Show the boys how to be real boys, hm?"
Blaise looked at him with narrowed eyes. "Is this about me hitting on your girl?"
"Yes, but I promise I won't damage your pretty face and we will play by the rules. Come on, out on the grass," Charlie growled dangerously.
"A bit unfair, don't you think? You are military trained," Blaise groaned, and Charlie sneered at him.
The Weasley led him out past the tents to Hermione's horror. "What in the world?" She asked, and Ginny snorted.
Draco caught the tail end of Charlie's scolding. "Don't think I don't know that if she was seeing Malfoy that you wouldn't keep tryin' to drunkenly shag her. I am going to whip you into shape, boy."
He had never had a brother. Even a sibling to harass or feel akin to growing up. His Anguises were the closest thing to siblings he ever had. However, this was the first time he felt like someone cared for his interests without motivation aside from Hermione's happiness. That was quite brotherly if Draco could consider it anything.
"Anna, Penny, wait up!" Teddy shouted from behind, and Hermione snagged him.
"Edward Lupin, you do not almost shove people to catch up to your friends, understood?" she snapped, and Draco turned to them speaking as they stopped.
"But-"
"Edward!" she hissed, and Draco felt the tension in her arm.
"Teddy, apologize. Go on, kid. Don't make your mother mad the day before you go to school," Draco encouraged, and the boy sighed.
He was huffing but did as he was bid. "Sorry, Aunt Ginny. Sorry, Uncle Harry," he murmured.
"Alright, go ahead. That's responsible of you," Hermione responded, and the boy clapped before his small footsteps sounded down the path. "Thank you; sometimes he just needs encouragement outside of my guidance." Hermione sighed.
"You are a spectacular specimen of a mother, Granger. Never doubt your abilities," he told her and heard loud heels behind them. "Speaking of spectacular mothers, I believe mine is coming this way?"
Hermione hummed agreement. "Narcissa, you have been quite busy?" she asked as the woman came into view behind the Potters as they approached the tents.
"I was having the most delightful conversation with Molly Weasley. She wants to have Frederick's wedding here at the estate!" Narcissa declared with a glorious wave of her hand.
Hermione's scowl was deep set. "Fred is getting married? To who?" she questioned, and the Malfoy matron smirked.
"Hermione, don't pull my garbs. Everyone has been talking about it all day long now that it is public news." She responded, and Hermione let go of Draco's arm.
"What news? What is going on?" she questioned harshly.
Molly was seen waddling down the stone path with Astoria in arm, and they were talking rather animatedly. The matriarch was waving her hand around to the hedges, and Astoria was bobbing her head pleasantly. "Astoria isn't pregnant with Draco's child… she is- oh!" Hermione's face bloomed darkly in the flickering light.
"Isn't it just wonderful, Hermione? Fred is going to marry Astoria, and she is having his baby," Ginny said carefully, and the curly-haired woman gasped, covering her mouth.
Astoria and Molly finally reached their small circle, and she frowned. "Why does Hermione look like she is choking on something?" Astoria asked, concern on her face.
"How! How did this happen! I mean congratulations!" Hermione exclaimed, and Astoria chewed her bottom lip before speaking.
"Draco figured out how to break the contract so that I could marry Fred," Astoria murmured, and Hermione's legs grew weak.
"Woah now, Granger. Too much too fast. Let's find you a seat," Draco declared as his arm coiled around her waist.
She jerked as if he shocked her and panted. "No, I just need so air. Air," she huffed and grasped Ginny's hand, yanking her off toward the pond.
It was as if she was tugging a sled and she was gunning for the win. Ginny groaned loudly as they stopped well out of hearing range. "Ginny. What is going on?" Hermione gasped and ran fingers over her face.
"Draco was working on it since he knew the baby wasn't his. He is sterile. I wouldn't believe it myself if it wasn't the reason he knew about the baby," Ginny murmured, and Hermione cried in shock.
"All this time? He made me believe he was going to marry her!" she shouted, and Ginny raised her hands, signaling to keep her voice down.
"Hermione, why is this so upsetting for you?" the redhead questioned and her cheeks tinted.
"It isn't; I am not. I am happy for them both. It just is stunning," Hermione sighed, finally catching her breath.
"I know that you're attracted to him. I know you care more about him more than just a boss. It is alright to feel oddly free and scared by this news," Ginny murmured, and Hermione's eyes widened.
Charlie came bounding over with a smile. "Hello sweets, sis. What is going on?" he asked, and Hermione's lips parted.
"Oh, we were discussing how Fred and Astoria are getting married," Ginny declared with a wave.
Charlie grinned and nodded. "Quite a scandal. I heard Draco had the man by the ballocks and now they are going to get money every month as income from the Greengrasses. That Malfoy is slicker than an eel. I am quite pleased that he made my brother happy. It doesn't matter where you've been; it's where you're going that matters." He paused and his smile softened. "Isn't that right, sweets?"
Ginny noted the shift in his brother's body language and paled. "Well, I am going to go find Harry and tell him everything is great." She waved and walked off, glancing a few times back at them with a sad expression.
Hermione stared at him, and her breath hitched. "You are breaking up with me." Not a question.
"Yes, I am. You don't want me, Hermione," he said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I don't?" she asked, and he shook his head.
"No, and it is high time I move on as well. I don't want to be a dad. I love being an uncle, but we both know where this is going to go. You want a family," He sighed, and her eyes welled up.
"But- Charlie. Why are you doing this tonight?" she retorted and he approached her.
"Because I don't want you to be sad tomorrow when you see I am gone. I thought about it tonight, and I think it would be best if I do this now and leave. I love you and know if that if I did this to you while you were alone, you would collapse. I know you are going to hate me for a long while, but that is a chance I am going to take." He finished, and she choked on a sob.
"You are leaving me because you don't want children?" she cried, and he nodded slowly.
"I am leaving because you do and would give that up for me." He confirmed.
"But, Charlie," she started, and he waved her off.
"No, Hermione. I know you do. I hear how you talk with Gin about it. I am not your Mr. Right. I was just Mr. Right-Now," he replied and scrubbed his face. "I am going to go. I told Harry I was going to do this so don't feel like you don't have someone to talk to about it. I hope that when everything is said and done you understand why I did this," he sighed heavily and swallowed.
She was flabbergasted and felt a chill run through her. "You just bounced in and out of my life, just like that?"
He cringed at the icy voice she had. "Yes. I am sorry. Goodbye, Hermione." He said and walked away.
Hermione watched him dash up the stairs and past the last of the guests. His red hair was like fire in the lantern light as he finished climbing the small hill and disappear into the house. Charlie was gone, and she felt empty. Inhaling slowly, she swallowed her sadness down and wiped her face to finish her party.
O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O
She was giggling, stupid drunk. Many of the guests from dinner had already left, and she was in the drawing room with the Malfoys, the Potters, Astoria, and Fred. Hermione felt relief as Marcus offered to drive her and Teddy tomorrow with his girls to the train station. They lived down the way, and it would be nice to see Teddy off with them. A nice change of experience for them both.
Teddy was in bed, and she was laughing against Ginny as they talked about pranks they pulled on Draco. "Or that time I convinced him that white paint for the lawn could be mixed properly for clothing so he tried to dye his shirts and they ruined. I even spat scientific garble at him," Hermione snickered, and Ginny caressed her cheek.
"You truly were the more maniacal Gryphem, Hermione," Harry retorted with a bright grin.
Narcissa was covering her smile as Draco scowled deeply. "You were a pain in the arse then and even more so now, Granger." He growled, and Hermione sighed.
"You did happen to get me a few times, Malfoy. Like that time you put superglue on my seat. It ripped my tights and almost took my knickers with them as I stood up after class." She murmured.
Draco belted out wicked laughter. "Oh, that was so wonderful. There you were, fifteen and snotty. When you stood up after something I said something sharp, all I remember is hearing 'rip!' and you trying to cover that pert arse of yours."
"Draco's summers were filled with comments such as, 'blasted Potter,' 'wretched Weasleys' and 'deranged Granger,' it was almost cute if it wasn't for the dark spew of obscenities that would follow," Narcissa mused and handed a book over to Astoria. "There he was at three years old. My father was very pleased with how he kept the Black nose and jawline."
Astoria sighed, rubbing her belly. "He was so cute. What happened, Draco? How did you become such an ugly man?" she snickered, and he bristled.
"Now, Astoria, I did receive a cover in Glamour for Sexiest Man Alive back five years ago." He snapped, and the Greengrass covered her giggle. "I am going to get another drink, and hopefully you will behave yourself when I return."
Draco found his direction and maneuvered toward the dining room. He knew the drinks were still on the table and wouldn't be cleared until tomorrow when the housekeepers came. He decided on a detour to the bathroom, so he didn't have to hobble around too much. Not that he felt embarrassed as much about his lack of sight, but he still wanted to enjoy the conversation without constant refocusing on where he needed to go.
He was rinsing his hands and rubbing his face gently. Tonight went far better than he thought. It was an excellent party, and he could hear that she had a great time. The door sounded, and he turned to address the person, but they climbed on the counter, yanking him to their lips. It was feverish and sexually charged; something he was not used to feeling.
"Draco," her voice was breathy as they pulled from his lips.
"Hermione?" he asked, and she kissed him again, making the loud thunk of his cane on the floor muted.
Her tongue was in his mouth and her legs tightly coiled around his hips. It was as if every atom in his being was charged as he returned the kiss with vim. Her sighing in his mouth. Her arching in his arms. The way her center ran over his waist in a tempting fashion. If he didn't let his brain catch up, he was sure they would be shagging in the bathroom.
Draco pulled away and gulped. "Hermione, how sloshed are you?" he inquired.
"Enough. Take me to bed, Draco. Please?" her voice was sultry and made him inwardly growl.
"Hermione, you are drunk," he stated softly.
"I don't care, please?" she whimpered, running her hand against his pants.
He knew he was going to regret his next decision greatly.