DRACO

I've been stuck in this hell hole for a month now. Its funny how I always wondered where about this place was and now I wish I didn't. It's fucking cold all the time I can't get warm. It's in this place surrounded by mountains. It never just rains, it's always snow.

I miss Hermione too. More than I care to admit. People thought I was miserable in school, they have no idea compared to now. Most nights I just sit staring at the fire. I really need to get myself out of this funk. It's ridiculous.

My talk with Harry cleared a lot of things up. I now think I know why Hermione is so against relationships. Then the struggle on how to solve the problem was keeping me awake. I'm still not ready to let her go just yet. I'm glad she can't see me in this state. It would only strengthen her resolve seeing me hurt.

I sigh and check the clock. Two in the morning. Shit. I really need to get some sleep. The first task starts in a week. There is still so much to finalise. Making sure everything will be safe while entertaining.

I have a fitful sleep. I look in the mirror and groan. Black circles are under my eyes and a stubble is starting to show. I need to prefect my glamour charm.

I've just got out the shower and thrown a pair of jeans on when the door to my room flies open. I look up to see Padma come walking in. Her eyes roam over me landing on my still bare chest.

"Well hello Draco."

"What the fuck Padma. Can't you learn how to knock?" I walk over to my draws and pull out a t-shirt.

"And miss the show?" She's grinning.

"Why are you here?" I ask as I pull on my t-shirt.

"You don't have to cover up on my account, you know." I sigh, she's like this all the time. It's so tiring.

"Can you just tell me why you just barged in?"

"Emergency meeting between the three Ministries. Something has gone wrong with the first task."

I look at her puzzled. "How did you hear about this before me?" Surely me being the senior member I would hear first.

"I was on my way here when I passed that little French boy from their ministry coming here. I told him I would pass the message on." She shrugs.

I'm suspicious, I don't completely trust her. At this point though I need to hurry up and get to this meeting.

It's a long day. Out of everything that could have gone wrong this was the worst. We'd worked long into the night trying to sort out the problem. We were almost there but we all agreed we should all get some sleep.

I walk Padma back to her room as we talk over the day's events. I feel tired, bone tired. I think I might actually sleep tonight.

"You wanna come in?" Padma asks when we get to her room. "I have a bottle of fire whiskey."

"No thanks." Although I feel like I could use the drink I'm not sure I could put up with Padma. "I really need to get my sleep."

"That's too bad." I lean back into the wall opposite her. "I could use the company."

I know how she feels. I just nod my comprehension.

"Ok then. Goodnight." She says but I know it's not as innocent as she makes it sound. She's planning something.

Before I can figure out what it is she's in front of me pulling my head down to hers. I'm so shocked I don't resist. Then hear lips meet mine and for a moment the contact feels good and I kiss her back. Then it hits me that these aren't the lips I want. I pull back.

"Padma, I..." I start but she stops me putting her finger to my lips.

"Don't worry about it Draco. I just wanted to see how your lips felt." She grins at me before she walks into her room and closes the door.

Seriously, what the fuck just happened? I mean I know she'd been flirting with me but I didn't think she would actually make a move. Especially when I never gave her the impression I liked her, in fact it was just the opposite. Every time she tried to flirt with me I brushed her off. I don't understand what made her kiss me.

I realise I'm still stood outside her door. I push myself to move and head towards my own room, these women mess with your head. The woman I want is pushing me away and the one I don't is jumping on me.

When I reach my room I'm convinced I won't sleep. After my brief hope I now have too much running through my head. I strip and just fall onto my bed. I close my eyes and try to clear my head.

I must have been tired because I actually did sleep. I have strange dreams though. Dreams of my mother and father. I haven't thought about them in a while, so why I dream of them I have no idea. It's strange how detached I feel from them. They're my parents. I think in their own way they do love me but I just can't bring myself to forget what they have done to me. Could I forgive them? I'm not sure for some things I suppose I already have.

My eyes fly open in the morning and I'm panting. I can't remember the specifics of my dream but I know it involved my parents. I try to pull the dream from my subconscious but the harder I try the further away if goes. Something scared me in the dream but what was it?

I check my clock and realise I'm going to be late for the meeting. I jump out of bed and clean myself up. I grab the first things that come to my hand as I'm getting dressed. Despite my strange dream I actually feel a little bit more normal than I have in a while. I think it's because I actually slept.

It's late again by the time the meeting finishes. This time though everything is ironed out. The first task is saved. Once again I'm bone tired. While trying out save the first task today I've also been trying to avoid Padma. I could see her out the corner of my eye trying to catch my attention. I ignored her unless it was necessary.

After all my efforts she catches me in front of everyone and asks me walk her back to her room. How can I say no with everyone watching?

We walk in silence all the way to her room. I feel awkward but she seems to be fine. I'm walking along my hands in my pockets while she's bouncing along as usual.

"You want that drink tonight?" She asks when we arrive at her room.

I'm about to say no when the overwhelming urge to be numb and forget the last few weeks, months. "Ok." I say before I change my mind.

She grins, turns and opens her door. I follow her in taking in her room. It's not much different from mine but she has tried to make it a little more homely. There are a couple bunches of flowers about the room and some colourful cushions.

I watch her from just inside her door after closing it. She walks in and kicks off her shoes and lets her hair down from the bun she had in. She reaches into a cabinet and brings out the fire whiskey with two glasses. She pours the drinks and passes one to me.

"Bottoms up." She says as she takes a sip of hers. I tip mine up and down it in one. "Thirsty?" She laughs and refills my glass.

I take the bottle from her and down my second glass just as quick. I look for a place to sit and find only the bed, as she has what I assume is laundry on her only chair. I sit down and pour my third glass. I look at Padma and see her smiling at me as she sips her own. This unnerves me and I down my third glass. It's horrible stuff. Hermione wouldn't appreciate it. Damn it. There I go again thinking about her.

I take a big gulp of my fourth. The lack of food and sleep has me feeling the effects already.

"Don't be so greedy." Padma laughs taking the bottle from me and refilling her glass.

I lie back and sigh rubbing my eyes. I feel the bed dip beside me but I don't look.

"I'm guessing you're so miserable because of a woman." I don't say anything I barely move. "It's not a huge leap Draco. You're a mess."

"Don't I know it?" I push myself up and finish my drink. Padma refills both our glasses.

"Who is it?"

"I'd rather not say." I don't want her to know. I can already imagine the rumours that would fly if she found out.

"You know that's not the way to curb my curiosity, right?" I laugh. I'm feeling better the alcohol is having the effect I want it to. "You know what they say about relationships ending right?"

"What would that be Padma?"

"Get back on the saddle." I look at her and she's grinning. She puts her hand my shoulder and moves it slowly down my arm. "I'd help you there."

My minds starting to become fuzzy and I watch slightly detached as she leans closer to me. She kisses me. It only takes me a second but I kiss her back. I can taste the fire whiskey on her tongue. I move my hand to her cheek and deepen the kiss. I pull away and look at her. Shit what am I doing? Do I really want to do this? I finish my drink and close my eyes.

Before I can think about it anymore Padma is climbing on to my lap. She doesn't give me a chance to object her lips on mine before I can react. My body takes over. I decide I don't want to think about anything anymore. I'm just going to let my body do what it wants and shut my brain off.

Padma moves her hands to my head and pushes me closer. She kisses me greedily and I do the same. I wrap my arms around her waist dropping my empty glass to the floor. I hear it smash but it doesn't filter through properly.

Padma reaches down and pulls my shirt off. She runs her hands over my chest before she kisses me again. I put my hand in her hair and pull gently so her head tilts up and I have access to her neck. I kiss and nip my way along her jawline. Padma moans and it almost makes me pause as a picture of Hermione flashes through my head. I push it down though. Hermione doesn't want me.

I let her hair go and move my hands to the hem of her dress. I slide it higher up her thighs and over her hips. I push her hips closer to me as I push my erection against her. She moans again and I pull her dress off her.

She eagerly helps me take it off. Her hands move to my chest as she kisses me and she pushes me down to the bed. Her hair frames my face. I brush my hands across her back and she breaks from my lips to kiss down my neck.

I've never really had a girl take control so much before. Hermione liked me to take the lead. No, I'm not thinking about her. I concentrate on Padma and her mouth on me as she travels lower, her hands on my buckle.

My pants and boxers are quickly removed and I spring free. Before I can process this properly I feel the hot warmth of her mouth envelope me. Sweet Salazar this feels good.

I let her carry on for a little while longer but I know if I let her do this for too long I won't last. I pull her up and kiss her before I flip her over and climb over her. She's removed her underwear without me even noticing. I reach down between her thighs and I feel how ready she already is. I kiss along her neck as I push two fingers inside her making her moan and arch into me. All thought of anything else leaves me.

I take my hand away and quickly push into her. Salazar it feels good. I set a steady rhythm and she's meeting me for each thrust. Her nails gently scape my back a she gets closer. I can feel her start to tighten around me. I feel the tingling in my back and I know I'm close too.

It's not long before she's calling out and I'm spilling into her. I lay there for a few seconds catching my breath before I roll off her and lay beside her.

I watch as Padma gets up and stretches. She's not that bad really. I don't want to start anything though and how do you tell a woman you've just slept with you don't want anything more?

Padma interrupts my thoughts. "Don't worry. I won't tell Hermione."

Wait, what? "Why would I worry about that?" My heart pounds. How did she know?

"Oh please. You think everyone in the office are idiots? It's so obvious you two had something going on."

Great, just great. "I thought you said you didn't know."

"I just wanted to see if you would tell me." She shrugs. I swallow and look at the ceiling. "I'm getting a shower you can stay or go. It's up to you."

I hear the door closes and I lay there for a second. So everyone knows. There was us thinking we'd kept the secret well. I shake my head to myself. I get dressed and leave.