Draco sat at the bar waiting for his friend. Thinking over his meeting with Hermione. He couldn't help be pleased about the whole jersey thing. His cock got hard just thinking about her wearing it. She obviously was more affected by him than she let on. She said she had enjoyed their night. And that he smelled good. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.
Blaise entered the bar looking for him.
"Over here!" Draco called for him.
"Draco, you selfish bastard. It's been too long!" Blaise pulled him in for a quick hug.
"Saw the paper," he winked at Draco.
"Merlin, Blaise. Yes alright, I'm marrying Granger."
"That's like every one of your wet dreams come true right?" He said with a smirk.
"So who'd they match you with? I didn't read how they were handling Gay couples."
"Well luckily for you, they're not forcing us to take wives. Otherwise you would have had some competition. I'd rather not say my match quite yet. I'm sure you'll find out in due time. Now why'd you really call me here. I know it's not just a social visit."
"Did you know she had a thing with Theo?"
Blaise shifted in his seat looking uncomfortable.
"Merlin, I need a drink for this."
"That's a yes. You knew Theo dated Hermione or whatever? He obviously fucked her. Tell me what you know."
"Draco, stop raising your voice. We're in public. I'll tell you. Okay. I'll tell you what I know."
Blaise took his Firewhisky from the bar and downed it quickly.
"First of all, how did you know? It's been a pretty guarded secret from what I can tell. I didn't find out without getting Theo utterly pissed off his ass. And even then, it wasn't the full story. Second of all, what makes you think they had sex? Compared you to an ex did she? Not measuring up?" He questioned.
Draco growled. "We haven't had sex yet, but she was more experienced than I expected at other things. The paper mentioned a Slytherin, and I asked Potter."
"Just how close are you and Potter these days," Blaise grinned suggestively.
"He's my roommate! Sod off! Tell me what you know."
"Okay okay! Well you know Theo hasn't been back since the war. First it was tying up his estates after his father died. Then apparently he met Granger when he was at his France residence. They were quite hot and heavy according to him. She extended her trip to be with him…" he paused, looking at Draco.
"Well what happened?" Draco demanded losing patience.
"I guess they went on a holiday to celebrate some sort of anniversary… damnit Draco, he was going to propose to her."
"WHAT?" He was furious now. He always hated that weedy bastard.
"She must have found the ring, or caught wind of the proposal, and she must have spooked, because she left without a word in the middle of the night. She didn't even leave the poor bastard a note. She's never spoken to him since. He was heartbroken, to tell you the truth."
Draco fumed.
"He was there that night you know." Blaise said as he drank more Firewhisky.
"What do you mean?"
"He came back to go to the dark party. Hoping she'd be there, and they'd get matched. But he was too late. He arrived 10 minutes after you both left."
"So they could have?"
"Well maybe. Who knows if they're really that compatible. Surely if she wanted to be with him she would have sought him out sometime in the last 4 years. I know what you're thinking, but don't go down that path. You're supposed to be with her. You were matched."
"Did he end up getting matched?"
"Yep! He matched with Luna Lovegood."
Balls. One of her best friends.
—
Hermione stood in front of the mirror holding out the dress he gave her. Damn his elegant taste she thought. It was beautiful. Periwinkle blue like the one she wore in fourth year. Surely the color was a coincidence. He hated her back then. This was the perfect dress to wear for dinner with his parents. Ginny, would do her hair and make up, she we was all set. She had time before her bath to read. She stared at the first edition copy of "Hogwarts A History." He really was very sweet when she thought about it. He knew her favorite book and sought out an extremely rare edition knowing it would please her. Her heart softened to the prick. She glanced at the note again.
Hermione
My deepest apologies for my behavior this morning. Please accept these gifts as a token of good faith between us. I thoroughly enjoyed our night together.
Draco
P.S.
Slytherin colors look amazing on you
—
"Hermione, you look gorgeous! Stop worrying so much."
"Easy for you to say. You get to have a lovely relaxing evening with one of the nicest wizards we know, whereas I have to have dinner with the devil."
"Lucius can't be that bad. His magic is being monitored by the ministry, it's not like he can hurt you. Well… at least not physically. I don't doubt his words might be slightly… unkind."
"Unkind? Really? Ginny these people are going to be my in laws. What if we can't make nice? What if I can't be around them? What will happen to our children?"
Ginny burst out laughing.
"Hermione. You haven't even been on a first date with Draco. You haven't even shagged the bloke. Let's not worry about the children just yet. Although I do find it interesting how you don't seem to mind the Draco part of the equation."
Hermione sighed, "You're right. I'm not being reasonable. I'll get through tonight and force his parents to accept that this is the way things are. How did your talk with Harry go by the way?"
"Interesting."
"What?"
"Nice deflection. You almost had me forget that you didn't respond about Draco."
"Ginny! I don't know all right. I guess I'm not completely opposed to the idea. It could have been worse. Draco is good looking, successful, smart, driven, handsome, challenging, and seems to have changed since the war."
"You do realize you said he was good looking AND handsome as two of your reasons don't you? Just how badly do you want him Hermione?" Ginny teased.
Hermione blushed, "honestly? I can't stop thinking about our night together."
"Well then! Should I stay at Neville's tonight?"
"No! We're having dinner with his parents! It's not a date. He definitely won't be coming back here. You know I don't do that. At least… not anymore after you know…"
"My brother?" Ginny grinned.
"Ugh. Yes! I blame you for that by the way. I was keeping him away from you and Harry as you well know, and we were on a holiday!"
"You're too tense! I'm not mad about you sleeping with 30% of my brothers."
"You have to stop saying that whenever we bring up Charlie. Makes me sound like a Harlot."
"Technically it should probably be considered 40% since I'm quite certain Percy doesn't count as a viable option. But then again Bill is married so he shouldn't count either."
"Ginny! I really don't need this right now. I have to go, but I will see you tonight and I want to hear all about your date with Neville, as well as your conversation with Harry. Any last words of advice?"
"Drink all the wine." She waved as Hermione stepped into the floo.
"Malfoy Manor"
—
She stepped out into a vast library. Shocked she stumbled over to the walls to get a closer look.
"I thought you'd appreciate this room." Draco spoke. He stood by the door surveying her with a blank expression on his face. He was hard to read.
"Draco, I mean, Malfoy… yes, this is quite an impressive library. I would be eager to explore it at another time." She stumbled over her words as her nerves got the best of her and she smoothed her hands over her dress.
He smirked at her coming closer to her and leaned in near her ear, causing butterflies to dance in her stomach, "I too, would be eager to explore… it with you," his eyes lingered on the side of her neck before scanning her dress and burning into her chest. Her heart started to pound.
A small throat cleared, interrupting them. A house elf spoke, "Master and Mistress are waiting for you."
Draco offered her his arm and led her into the dining room, the smirk remained.
"Draco darling," she kissed her son, before turning to Hermione, "Miss Granger. Welcome to our home."
"Mrs. Malfoy," she held out her hand, "thank you for inviting me."
Lucius nodded in polite silence to them both before helping Narcissa into her chair, while Draco did the same for Hermione.
Draco took the seat across from Hermione.
"What can we get you to drink? fire whiskey? elf made wine?"
"Water is fine thank you." She replied.
Draco placed something on the table in Hermione's line of sight. She looked down and saw his wand on the table. Then she looked back at him at his face which was full of passion as he discretely bit his lower lip.
"Wine! I'll have wine, thank you." Hermione shouted and turned bright red. Draco winked at her before putting his wand in his robe once more. The audacity of that man, purposely flustering her in front of his parents.
The interaction did not go unnoticed to Lucius who cleared his throat and spoke, "Miss Granger. Let's not beat around the bush. You have entered into a marriage contract with my son from the Ministry, but we still need you to sign the Malfoy agreement. You are not an unintelligent witch, I assume, you would like to meet with our solicitor to protect your best interests?"
"Yes."
"I shall set something up for Tuesday. Draco and myself will also be there to protect the Malfoy assets."
"Look, Mr. Malfoy, I am not after Draco's money."
"Don't be silly girl,"
"Dear," Narcissa cut him off. "We have not even had our drinks yet. Surely, this can wait until dessert."
"Of course not, why should we pretend this is anything but business? The ministry made this match, forcing our son to marry a mudblood. We have no say in this, we don't approve, but we must accept the circumstances. Generations of pureblood lineage ruined. Not to mention that hair. Can you imaging a Malfoy grandchild with that hair? She must be refined and we have little time to assure she will not be an embarrassment to the Malfoy family name."
Hermione was shocked into silence.
"Father. You are speaking to my soon to be fiancé." Draco spoke, his brow furrowed, as he began to lose his temper.
"Whether or not you approve makes no difference. Hermione and I will be married. We will be bonded. We will have children together. Beautiful children with wild, unruly hair, and if you wish to meet them, I suggest you start apologizing, and make nice with her before you lose that chance. I will defer to HER judgement on whether or not they know their grandparents. Hermione, let's go." He stood up and walked over to her, offering her his hand."
"Draco, please," Narcissa begged, fear in her eyes, "please have reason."
Hermione took his hand, offering Narcissa a small smile, before glaring at Lucius. "I will see you Tuesday. Mrs. Malfoy, thank you for your hospitality."
They flooed back to Hermione's flat.
Draco stormed over to the sofa. "Hermione, I'm so sorry for his behavior. You didn't deserve that."
"Actually Draco, it could have been much worse. I don't doubt the business side of this arrangement could get quite messy."
"Hermione," he cut her off. " I don't want this to be all business." He paused, seeming like he was keeping himself from admitting something.
"Draco? Would you like to stay for a drink?"
"Yes. Fire whiskey please." He said, relieved.
She pulled an unopened bottle out and two glasses.
"Maybe, we should just get to know each other again. How does that sound? Why don't we take turns asking each other some questions?"
"Alright," he answered, "but after each answer, we each take a sip of the whiskey."
"Are you tying to get me drunk?" She teased.
"Not unless it's a lust potion," he winked back to her red face.
"Okay. I'll start. Why didn't you have sex with me last night. I was certainly willing."
"It wasn't the right thing to do. When we have sex, I want it to be because we both want it without being drugged. I have honor you know." He took a sip of his whiskey.
"Why aren't you seeing anyone?" He said.
"How do you know I'm not seeing anyone?" She answered, before responding, "of course. Harry." She rolled her eyes. "I had a bit of a rebellious streak a couple years after the war while I was traveling, once I returned, I wanted to focus on work." She sipped her drink. "Besides most wizards I've met are dull."
"Are you seeing anyone?" She asked.
"No, my main focus is work. I do date, but I haven't been in a relationship since Hogwarts."Sip.
"Were you upset to be matched with me?" He asked.
"No." Sip.
"Care to elaborate?" He responded.
"I believe it's my question...Were you upset to be matched with me?"
"No." Sip.
She laughed, smiling at his response.
"I find that hard to believe."
"Are you attracted to me?" He asked, staring into her eyes unrelenting.
She gulped and took an extra drink. "Yes." Sip.
He was closer now, too close, sliding over on the sofa.
"Are you attracted to me?" She whispered before closing her eyes prepared for the worst.
Instead of answering, he brushed his lips softly against hers.
"Yes." He breathed pulling back to survey her reaction. Sip.
"How many dates do you go on before becoming intimate?" He spoke softly into her ear, eyes locked with hers. She started to feel quite warm.
Hermione finished her drink. Gulping quickly to keep from answering "Usually 8, sometimes 5, one time one." She answered honestly.
He finished his drink and set it on the coffee table. His hand reached out and slowly caressed her cheek. Her heart beat sped up. He stopped at her chin, pulling her face forward to meet his in a deep, slow, passionate kiss. She brought her hands up to his face on his cheeks before dropping them behind his neck pulling him forward into her. He nibbled onto her bottom lip. She sighed as she opened her mouth. He pressed his tongue in tasting her. She met his tongue…
The floo activated. Ginny and Neville looked in shock at the couple on the couch. Neville gave a wolf whistle. Hermione jumped away from him, flushed and embarrassed.
"Damn," said Draco quietly to himself.
"Hermione! Great to see you!" Neville rushed over to hug her, breaking up the awkwardness. "Malfoy," he nodded towards the blond.
"Neville, I'm so happy to hear about you and Ginny. What a wonderful match." Hermione hugged him briefly still red from being walked in on.
"You have a room you know," Ginny said, and Draco laughed breaking up the tension.
"I should be going. Hermione," Draco said, rising up off the couch. He kissed her hand and left, leaving behind a tingle on her hand and in her heart.
Hermione lay in bed later that night thinking. Neville stayed over so she couldn't talk to Ginny and her mind was racing. Would she have shagged him tonight? Surely not. She had only had one, one night stand before and the circumstances were much different. She thought back to that night. That stormy, sexy night.