Hermione had been scrubbed, and rubbed, and instructed at just about everything beauty related for the last two hours. The magical esthetician went over skin types and potions to correct dry skin, she was quite impressed with George's hair removal cream, and even made a note to reach out to the twin. Narcissa taught her some hair charms and make up charms.
Hermione clenched her teeth and tried to ignore the awkward conversation that Narcissa was trying to start.
"Hermione dear, I noticed how close you and Draco seemed today."
"Um. Yes."
"Shall I gather that things have progressed to the next level?" She asked Hermione excitedly.
"Oh. Um. I don't know." Hermione tried to change the subject.
"Draco just seemed so relaxed with you today. Almost like that tension between you both got worked right out, all of a sudden."
"Err. Yes, we discussed things, we are moving forward nicely."
"Wonderful! Let's talk wedding dates!"
Hermione was tense again when she and Draco flooed back to her flat. He was gushing over how beautiful she looked.
"Thank you Draco but it came at a price."
"What?"
"Your mother was inquiring about our sex life."
"She what?"
"Oh in a roundabout way like you lovely Slytherins like to do. I was extremely uncomfortable. Does she talk to all your girlfriends about your sex life?"
"What? No. The only girl I've ever brought to meet her was Pansy, and that was just not how things were done between our families. I'm sorry that she made you feel uncomfortable. I think she just actually likes you and wants to plan the wedding."
"Yes I noticed that too. Smart lady, making me so uncomfortable that I picked a wedding date."
Draco chuckled, "well she has been dreaming about this since I was born, don't let her steamroll you though darling."
"As if I would let anyone steamroll me. No, honestly, she can plan what she wants as long as it's not too over the top. I really don't want to think about it."
"Ouch."
"You know what I mean…"
"Okay. Moving on after that terrible insult. What movie did you want to watch?"
Hermione got them drinks, they settled on butterbeer after the previous night, and popcorn.
"I was thinking we could watch Titanic. Have you ever seen it?"
"That boat movie? Why would I ever watch a movie about a boat that sinks?"
"Well coming from a huge Disney fan, I'm surprised you haven't watched it. It's mostly a romance."
"Romance?"
"Yes, it's considered to be quite the epic love story."
"I doubt it but go ahead and put it on."
The movie started. Relatively quickly so did Draco's questions.
"They're showing a naked drawing in this movie! Who is she?"
Hermione explained and the movie continued to play.
"Okay she's beautiful! She has hair like yours." He playfully bounced one of her curls.
"Do you think Leonardo DiCaprio is more attractive than me?"
"No Draco, I am much more attracted to you."
"You could have been a bit more convincing. He's practically a Malfoy, blonde hair, blue eyes. Oh he's poor."
Hermione chuckled.
The movie continued, "why won't she dump that Cal guy, she obviously likes Leo."
"His name is Jack but yes, she is trying to cover her family's debts."
"She's totally seducing him! Should I be watching this? She's really naked."
Hermione laughed as Draco blushed profusely.
"Can we do it in a car? I've never been in a car."
Hermione rolled her eyes at that one.
"Wait. So the ship is going to sink, but there aren't enough lifeboats? Hermione. Tell me Rose and Leo make it off this boat." He started biting his fingernails.
"Just watch the movie Draco. And his name is Jack."
"DO NOT LOCK UP LEO! He didn't do it!"
"DO NOT GET ON THAT BOAT ROSE!"
He was very invested in the movie.
"She got off the life boat! She's going to save him! Cal is a dick."
"Hermione. Tell me they get off this boat." Draco was standing now, pacing back and forth in front of the tv.
Hermione watched as Rose and Jack finally went into the ocean.
Draco sat back down on the couch.
"Good! They found a dresser! They're going to be okay! Wait, try fitting Leo on again! He can fit on the dresser." Draco crossed his arms.
"What? NO! Leo did NOT DIE! No!" Draco looked at the screen horrified while trying to keep the tears from escaping.
Not too much longer and the movie finished. Hermione turned off the telly and looked over at him. "So did you like the movie?"
Draco wiped his tears, "it was alright."
"Aw! You loved it didn't you?"
"YES OF COURSE I LOVED IT!"
Hermione giggled at him.
"Hermione?"
"Yes?"
"Can we name our future children Leo and Rose?" He asked seriously.
"Draco!" She laughed, "you can't be serious. His name is JACK anyway."
"I am serious. He is much more a Leo. I told you he is practically a Malfoy, and Leo is a constellation. It's perfect!"
"What about Rose? That would be breaking tradition." She teased.
"Well my mother is also named after a flower."
"We'll see Draco," she chuckled amused that he was so into the film.
"I'm serious. Leo DiCaprio Malfoy."
"Oh my gods, you silly man. I'm going to bed… are you? I mean do you want to…"
"Can I stay over?" He provided.
"Yes. I'd like that."
He followed her into the bedroom.
—
Later that night after changing into their pajamas, Hermione in Draco's quidditch Jersey, they got to talking in bed.
"So one thing that's still pretty blurry for me about last night was the tattoo shop. Whose idea was that? And what do the Patronus tattoos do?" He asked her.
"Well from what I can remember, it was you goading me about being such a goody goody, and then me saying how you would no sooner let a hair go out of place before doing something wild. Then we were trying to one up each other over past experiences, which only ended up turning us on quite a bit. Then I said I'd always wanted to get a tattoo and you decided we would do that together."
"Oh yeah. I sort of remember that." He pulled her over to his chest and kissed her nose. "When we had sex earlier I noticed something weird about the tattoo…" he trailed off.
"Yes well, in order for the Patronus tattoo to take, the couple has to be… quite certain about each other. The emotions involved have to be very strong."
She turned red before continuing, "once you get the Patronus tattoo, it creates a bond between the couple. The couple can't have sex with anyone else, the tattoo will offer a protection of sorts and give you insight to the other's emotions. The Patronus tattoo is very protective of the bond and the tie to the other person.
They're quite rare because both people getting the tattoo have to be on the same page as far as the emotional connection. Oh yes and the tattoos like when we have sex." She shrugged nervously.
"Oh really." He pulled her closer, "Well why didn't you say so?" He kissed her slowly, bringing her bottom lip in between his teeth.
—
They came out to breakfast with two extremely cheesy grins on their face, pausing every few steps to wrap their arms around each other and kiss. When they finally got to the breakfast table, Ginny was looking at them with an odd expression on her face.
"You two are totally smitten with each other aren't you?"
Hermione grinned. "So Ginny there is actually something I need to talk to you about."
"You're moving to the manor?" Ginny replied with a knowing smile.
"Well yes, actually. How did you know that?"
"Because I'm not daft. I knew you were going to eventually anyway and I figured after the engagement party that his family would have enough leverage to entice you both to move in early."
"That is exactly what happened. Do you think I'm an idiot?" She asked Ginny.
"I'm standing right here." Draco inserted.
Hermione waved him off with a cheeky grin.
"No, surprisingly I don't. It's obvious you both need to take the next step in your relationship before you get married, and you need time to work things out with Lord Malfoy."
Draco rolled his eyes.
"What if he's just terrible to me, and I hate it."
"Once again, standing right here." Draco grumbled.
"Then you politely tell them that it will not work for you to continue living there. Draco has just enough backbone to stand up for his fiancé."
"Hey!" Draco yelled as Ginny laughed.
"No you're right. One question. What the HELL is that photo doing framed on the wall?" She moved over to get a closer look at the newspaper clipping framed and hung up.
"Oh you mean the photo of you and Draco doing the Macarena that the Daily Prophet printed? Well, Harry gave that to me, and Ron, George, my parents, and even Percy. The whole gang really. He said to think of it as an early Christmas present." Ginny beamed while Draco chuckled at Hermione's embarrassment.
"Don't even try to take the photo out," Ginny continued after seeing what Hermione was attempting, "it's charmed so that only the giver can remove the photo. It's also unbreakable glass"
"Harry is a dead man." Hermione responded.
Draco laughed again before changing the subject.
"Ginny, have you ever seen the movie Titanic?"
Ginny looked at Hermione with a puzzled expression, "of course Draco. Hasn't everybody?"
"So you know of the greatness then."
"Draco found a new favorite movie. We watched it last night. He's obsessed with Leonardo DiCaprio."
Ginny burst out laughing.
"WHAT? I'm not obsessed with him, I just think he is highly attractive, very romantic, and should NEVER have died in the film. It was a tragedy."
"I agree Draco. He's a fox. Hermione looks like you've got competition!" Ginny giggled again and this time Hermione joined her.
"I am secure enough in my masculinity to say another man is attractive. He has classic Malfoy lines, I'm basically saying that I'm attractive at the same time. Besides sexuality is a spectrum. Everyone knows that."
"What?" Hermione asked.
"Well I believe that no one is strictly straight or gay. I think sexuality is fluid and on a spectrum. I can acknowledge other men are attractive and still consider myself to be a heterosexual but I would never say I am 100% heterosexual because I don't believe that exists."
"Wow." Ginny spoke raising an eyebrow at Hermione.
"It's a little too late to contemplating other sexes and other scenarios Draco. You're stuck with me. The Patronus tattoos sealed the deal. I'm the only one you get to have sex with until I die."
"Don't let him watch Romeo and Juliet with Leonardo DiCaprio. That might sway him even more on the spectrum."
Hermione giggled again.
"What is Romeo and Juliet?" Draco asked with interest.
"Another time love." Hermione answered, before turning red and trying to change the subject. "So I need to pack. You should head home and I guess I'll see you sometime. Anytime. Why don't you floo me. Whenever." She played with the quidditch jersey nervously.
Draco grabbed her hands and pulled her in for another kiss. "You're adorable when you're nervous." He replied, nuzzling her neck.
She pushed him towards the floo swatting his arse. "I'll see you later at the Manor." He bent down and kissed her hand before flooing over to Harry and his flat to start packing.
"So you're in love with him then." Ginny asked.
"Um."
"That's a yes. I'm so happy for you! Have you told him? Or was that awkward love comment the extent of it?"
"Ginny! It just slipped out."
"So you haven't told him how you feel at all?"
"He knows I'm crazy about him. We had a wonderful night together. So much sex." Hermione sighed dreamily.
"So why haven't you told him?"
"Because. Don't you think that the guy should say it first."
"I am shocked at you Hermione. Don't let the patriarchy win."
"No you're right, there's no reason for me to wait on a man to acknowledge my feelings. But what if he doesn't feel the same?"
"He practically let you brand him by getting that tattoo. I think he feels the same way."
"Maybe. I'm still nervous though. Things have been moving very quickly the last few days. All of a sudden, I'm tattooed, we had sex, I'm moving into the manor, and working with his father."
"YOU'RE WORKING WITH HIS FATHER? Are you insane?"
"It's a long story." Hermione sighed.
Ginny poured the coffee out for each of them, "spill." She said.