He unscrewed the cap of the Firewhiskey and poured a double measure into the tumbler before slamming the bottle down on the counter.
Glass in hand, he groused as he sat down on the couch next to her and felt the liquid burn the back of his throat as he took a large gulp.
Tumbling the glass in his hand, he watched her out of the corner of his eye.
Things had been awkward between them all day but he tried to push away intoxicating images of a very wet and very naked Hermione Granger in the shower, her delicate little fingers working away as she writhed under the water.
He shook his head in an attempt to make the haunting apparition leave his mind as it tugged on the fringes of his sanity. This case was getting to him and she wasn't exactly making his life any easier, however unconscious she might be to her effect on him.
Next to him, Hermione sat, eyes closed, her head leaned back, chestnut curls pouring like a waterfall over the back of the couch, hand gently massaging her forehead in an effort to soothe the migraine that threatened to take hold.
Malfoy finished his Firewhiskey and dropped the glass down onto the coffee table.
"Do you mind?" she winced next to him, opening her eyes to glower at him.
"Sorry" he muttered, picking up the file that sat open in front of them.
"Three Black Notices, all major cities, although the killer it seems has switched to ports, all female victims, all with the cause of death as Sectumsempra, all seemingly identical to the killing in London. Four victims in total. And not a single fucking lead" he complained, placing crime scene photos side by side, the Netherlands Black Notice in his hand.
"That is why I am sitting here with a migraine building, so please don't slam bottles and tumblers down on the tabletops" she muttered, eyes closing as she went back to nursing her head.
He stole a look at her and thought how tired she looked. This case was wearing them both down.
"Do you want a pain potion?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.
She considered this a moment.
"No, it's the sort of migraine that requires sleep. Do you mind if we leave sorting out Rotterdam until tomorrow?" she asked, not opening her eyes.
He glanced at his wristwatch. It was 23:15.
"Yea, sounds like a good idea, it is rather late" he muttered, realising just how late it was. They had come back to her room to work on the case after dinner in the hotel restaurant to find a Ministry Owl tapping furiously at the window with a summons. The liaison had greeted them upon arrival with a case file and a Black Notice from Interpol. They had returned to her room after the short briefing.
"We better go to bed" he continued, pushing the papers back into the file.
Hermione's eyes snapped open, and she threw him a look that he instantly caught, realising what he had said.
"That's not what I meant" he quickly reassured her, watching her visibly relax.
She made to stand, but her eyes glassed over as dizziness overcame her and she lost her balance.
His years as a house-team seeker had honed his natural instincts and quick reflexes, and he caught her arm before she crashed down into the table, saving her from bodily injury.
"Hermione…" he started, concern apparent on his face. Her complexion quite ashen, her eyes half closed, she looked as though she wasn't entirely conscious.
He stood up to try and help her balance, and felt her tremble.
Lifting her up into his muscular arms and carried her bridal style to her bedroom, kicking the door that had been left ajar with his foot. Placing her down on the bed gently, he heard her whimper, her eyes fluttering open for a brief moment.
"Malfoy?" she moaned, her voice barely audible. If he hadn't been on the edge of her bed, leaning down over her he might not have heard her.
He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand and pressed the gentlest of kisses to her forehead.
"Go to sleep Granger"