"I wonder if Harry is asleep."
"Glorious sleep." It's the night before the wedding, were at The Burrow and Ginny refuses to sleep. "Ginny you should really try to get some sleep. You're going to need it."
"Are you saying I'm going to look awful?" She's sat bolt upright now. "Oh Hermione it's useless I'm too nervous."
"Ok." I get up out of my make shift bed. "I'll go get us a drink of something to calm your nerves. How's that?"
"Ok." She sighs and flops back on her bed. "I'll try anything."
I laugh and make my way downstairs. I'm almost dead on my feet Ginny and Molly have had me running around like a headless chicken. The boys on the other hand have been deemed unfit to help by Molly. According to her they couldn't get anything right. I almost felt like making mistakes just so I could join the boys.
I reach the kitchen, but I don't stop I carry on outside. Arthur Weasley has a bottle in his shed. Harry told me not even Molly knows. I reach the door and push it open.
I stop in my tracks. There's a light on. I jump as Arthur shows his head around a shelf.
"Oh Hermione it's you." He chuckles. "I thought you were Molly for a moment there. How can I help you?"
"We'll Ginny can't sleep and Harry told me you have a little secret hidden in here." I dance on the spot nervous.
"Ah. Yes." He stands up and he has the bottle in his hand. "I'm a bit nervous myself."
"Actually I'm glad I bumped into you." I walk over to him.
"And why would that be Hermione?" He waves his wand and conjures two more glasses.
"Um, I'm not sure this will do the trick." I shift again. "So I was wondering if you had a sleeping draught I could put in her drink." I rush out and look at him. "No, I'm sorry it's a terrible idea. Molly said no when I suggested it too."
"Actually." He stops me. "I think it's a great idea. I was going to slip one into her butterbeer before she went to bed but I couldn't get near her." He laughs.
"Oh thank Godric." I laugh too. "If I don't get some sleep I'm not sure Ginny would make it to tomorrow."
"I have a few vials here I think." He started moving up the different rows of shelves. "Ah yes. Here we are."
I watch him walk back towards me and he puts the vile down as he picks up the fire whiskey and pours two glasses. "Now the question is, half a measure or a full one?"
"I think half a measure will do its already late. It wouldn't do to have her over sleep." Arthur laughs as he pours half into one glass. "Would you like the other half?"
"Actually I think I will. A good night's sleep won't hurt." I watch him pour the other half into the other drink. "Thanks Arthur."
"Yes, well, not word to Molly."
"About what?" I smile and he laughs.
"Go on off to bed with you."
I pick up the glasses and head back inside. I peak through the door first to make sure nobody else is up. The coast is clear and I run up the stairs.
"Finally." Ginny was still sat on her bed. "Where have you been?"
"I'd think you'd be a bit more grateful to the girl who just got you a fire whiskey!" I wave the two glasses in front of me.
"Oh my good Godric! Where did you get that from?" She stretches out her hands grasping for a glass. "Gimme."
I pass her a glass and watch as she throws back the drink in one. It only takes a few minutes for the sleeping draught to work. I watch as she flops back on to her pillow and starts to lightly snore. "Sorry Ginny." I whisper as I get myself into my own makeshift bed and drink my own and follow her into a dreamless sleep.
It turns out half a vile is perfect. We both wake up to Molly calling us to breakfast from downstairs. Ginny is that excited she doesn't even think about how she got to sleep last night. I don't mention it.
The ceremony is beautiful. I can't help but cry along with Molly when Harry and Ginny exchange vows. When they are pronounced man and wife and have their first kiss as a married couple I cheer and whoop with everybody else.
The wedding is at The Burrow of course. All Weasley weddings seem to be here. After the ceremony wands come out and the chairs move and tables appear ready and set for the meal. Ginny was able to convince Molly to bring in a caterer. Looking at Molly now, next to Ginny I can't help but think she doesn't regret it. Everyone is having a good time. Laughter is flowing around freely. The speeches were both heartwarming and funny.
Everybody seemed to love Draco's speech. I learn more about his time with Harry and Ginny. Even Ron seemed to like it.
I've eaten so much food, laughed too hard and cried too much I could have gone to bed right then.
"You ready to dance?" It was Draco. I was so entirely in my own world I hadn't noticed the dance floor appear and the tables move.
"Yeah, sure." I say shaking myself out of it.
I take the hand Draco offers me and I pull myself up. We stand next to each other as we watch Harry and Ginny have their first dance. I feel the grin on my face as I watch them turn on the dance floor and I don't care. They are great together.
I see Ginny wave to Draco and I. "That's our cue." He says taking my hand and leading me to the dance floor.
He takes my right hand in his left and his right arm circles my waist, pulling me close. He starts to sway to the music and I place my free hand on his shoulder. He brings his head down and presses his cheek to mine. I can smell his now increasingly familiar scent.
"It's been a great day, hasn't it?" He says to me.
"It's been fantastic." I say with a smile. "They make the perfect couple."
"That they do." I hear him laugh in my ear. "I haven't had the chance to say it yet, but you look beautiful Hermione."
"Thank you." I laugh. "You don't look so bad yourself."
"You really suit green." I feel his smile against my cheek and I roll my eyes.
"She only had green because red clashes with the Weasley hair."
"I do have to say I think you would look hot in a little red number." He's laughing but it earns him a playful slap ok his shoulder.
"Draco!" I laugh too.
"I only speak the truth." We dance in silence for a moment. "You know we'll have the house to ourselves for the next month. I wonder what we can do to entertain ourselves."
I pull back and look at him. I know what he's thinking and the way he looks tonight do I really want to say no? I have to though.
"Draco." I take a deep breath. "I'm not looking for a relationship."
"Who said we should have a relationship?" Now he's teasing me. "I was thinking more along the lines of we scratch each other's itch every now and again." He pulls me closer again and my chin rests on his shoulder. "Come on Granger you know you've thought about that night. I know I have. I really want to relive it again."
"Are you talking friends with benefits?" I laugh.
"Why not?" He shrugs his shoulders.
"Because it never works."
"I have a feeling you'd stop it before it went too far."
"What's that meant to mean?" I look at him again offended and I'm not sure what for.
"You said it yourself you don't want a relationship. I'm sure if you thought we were headed that way you'd stop it." Suddenly the music changes and he spins me round having to catch me as I come back towards me. "Just think about it."
I watch him bend down and he places a quick kiss on my lips and walks off. My body reacts to him. His proposition and his swift kiss have sent my heart racing. I need a drink.
I head for the bar and ask for a white wine. They don't have fire whiskey as it was Ron's choice of drink. I drink it quickly and grab another. I need to pace myself I refuse to get drunk tonight.
I stand and watch the dance floor slowly fill up. I smile as I watch my friends laugh and play around. Then Ron has broken away from the crowd and is motioning for me to join them. I shake my head at him laughing. The next thing I know he's by my side taking my wine from my hand placing it on the bar then dragging me to the rest of them. I give in and start dancing too.
The music changes and I'm dancing with Harry. I put my head on his shoulder.
"Are you ok, Hermione?" I hear the slight concern in his voice and I look up at him.
"I'm great Harry. Congratulations." I grin at him and his face breaks out in his own.
"I still can't believe it." He laughs. "I suppose it might take a while to get used to."
"I don't think it will take too long. You two belong together."
"So when are you going to start looking for someone." He gives me a mock serious look.
"Harry, I don't know." My mind briefly flicks to Draco's proposal. "I'm not ready yet there is too much going on."
"Well don't leave it too long. All of us good ones will be gone."
"Big head much?" We both laugh and carry on dancing.
The time goes too quick and before we even know it Harry and Ginny are leaving for their honeymoon. A month long trip around the world. My tears start again, I'm so happy for them.
Not long after they leave the party starts to break up and I help Molly start to clean up. Soon there are only four of us left helping. Molly, Arthur, Draco and myself.
It's not long though before I realize Molly and Arthur have snuck off.
"Where did Molly and Arthur go?" It was Draco and he made me jump talking from behind me.
"I don't know I've only just realized they are missing myself."
"Maybe we should leave too." I hear him get closer.
"I can't just leave everything like this." The place was still a mess empty glasses and bottles everywhere.
"Why not?" I turn to look at him. "Everyone else did. Come back in the morning to help."
"I'd feel too bad." I bite my lip uncertain. On one hand I want to help but on the other I really want to go home.
"Hermione." He says walking slowly closer to me. "Come home with me and I'll make you forget all about it."
"You're confident." I say and I watch the smirk form on his lips.
"Give me a chance to prove it's not misplaced." He's right in front of me now. He puts his hands on my hips tugging me towards him gently. He lowers his head slightly looking at me as though asking for permission.
I hesitate for a moment, then I think fuck it. I throw my arms around him and bring him close. I crash my lips to his, I don't want gentle right now. I want to work out the tension in my body and why not do it with Draco?
He responds with equal vigor, grasping my lower lip between his teeth and biting gently. I release a moan and push him closer with my hands in his hair.
"Do you have everything?" He whispers along my neck.
"I just need my purse. It has my wand in it." I whisper back and tilting my head to the side closing my eyes and taking in the feeling of his lips.
I'm vaguely aware of him taking out his wand and summoning my purse. Seconds later he's pushing it into my hand. "Ready now?" All I can do it nod back.
He wraps his arms around me and without removing his lips, which are now kissing my collar bone, he turns on the spot and we aparate home.
When we land I'm not entirely sure where in the house we are. All I know is I'm being pushed against a door with Draco's lips on mine, his hands roaming my body. I grab the lapels of his jacket and I'm pushing it from his shoulders pausing his exploration. He begins to take off his tie and I push away from the door reaching behind me to remove my dress.
"Oh no." He pauses me. "I'm taking that dress off you." He has a wicked grin on his face. "It's all I've thought about since I saw you in it at the dress shop."
He moves back towards me cupping my face in his hands and kisses me. The tickle from his fingers sending shivers down my spine. I fumble with the buttons on his waistcoat. His fingers move down my neck and over my shoulders. I gasp and moan at the feeling. In the end I give up on the buttons and just tug at the waistcoat and the buttons tear away.
I feel rather than see him push his shoes off with his feet. I reach for his belt and tug him closer to me as I undue his buckle. Seconds later I'm pushing his trousers from his hips. My hands reaching out to feel him. I hear him let out a hiss as I feel him through his underwear.
He breaks away as he takes his own shirt off and I don't remove my hands. He looks at me with heat in his eyes and I get a wicked Idea. I move my hands to the waistband of his underwear. Then I drop to my knees in front of him. Sudden realization crosses his face and he grins down at me.
I push down his underwear and he springs free in front of me. I take him in my mouth and I hear him moan and fall into the door bracing his weight on his hands. I work on him for a while before he moves and pulls away from me.
"My turn." He pants. "Stand up."
I do as instructed and he kisses me again. He pulls away and turns me round. He traces his fingers along my skin following the rim of my dress. I expect him to start undoing the lace on my dress but his hands move to my hair. He starts taking out the clips freeing my curls. It feels good after having them in all day. When he's done he runs his fingers through my hair. I moan.
He moves his fingers to the lace on my dress, finally, I think. He moves tantalizingly slowly. Eventually my dress falls to the floor and pools at my feet. I turn to face him now only wearing my knickers. His gaze licks at my desire and I'm almost ready to launch myself at him, but he gets there first taking my body in his arms.
He directs me towards the bed as he kisses me. I feel the bed at the back of my knees and he pushes me down. He climbs over me and trails kisses down my body as he slowly removes my knickers. His mouth reaches between my thighs and I gasp as he brings me closer to the edge.
"Draco, please." I beg. I need this more than I realized as he works his tongue faster. My hands fist in his hair as I climax and call out a garbled version of his name.
He doesn't give me much rest. He climbs over me and he's inside me before I've finished coming down. His movements ignite me all over again. My nails are clawing at his back as his kisses move to my neck. Moments after the first I'm careening over the edge again and he follows me.
"Shit Hermione." His voice muffled against my neck. I let out a low chuckle. He moves to capture my lips again.
He shifts us both so his arm is around my shoulder pulling me to his chest. As my head is resting on his shoulder my arm over his chest I start to drift off to sleep. I have a fleeting thought that I should leave, go to my own room but my eye lids are too heavy and they close and I'm asleep before the thought fully forms.
I wake at two o'clock in the morning still wrapped in Draco's arms. That's when I leave. I gather my clothes and head to my own room. I'm slightly reluctant but I can't let this…. Arrangement of ours become more than it is. Staying in his bed would start something. I can't let that happen.