She could hear faint chirping as she started to feel herself coming back around. Her honey eyes opened to see the curtains blowing in the wind from the open window. The morning light was already coming through above the ridge of the mountain range that rested just a little ways out of the village. The smell of spearmint seemed to linger faintly in her room.
She couldn't remember how she ended up in her bed. She remembered being in The Three Broomsticks and feeling very sick, but that's all she could remember, after that, everything was a blur. She gripped her white sheet tightly as she finally sat up in bed.
Her throat was burning, and she had no idea why. Had she gotten sick in the middle of the night? She wandered, she looked around the room, and saw her pants on the floor. She realized then she was still in her buttoned blouse from last night, but some of the buttons were down. She looked over to see her door open halfway.
Had she forgotten to close her door? She stood on wobbly legs and made her way to the door. She stopped in the doorway and noticed Malfoy's door was open halfway. Was he already up and about? She closed her eyes halfway as she listened. There were sounds coming from the kitchen, the radio was on as a newscaster was talking about the events going on in the wizarding world. The clatter of dishes being placed on the table, the sizzling of things being cooked on the stove.
She took a step back and closed her door. He must have been up for a while now. She stepped away and grabbed some clothing and her towel. She felt like a hot shower would help her feel better. She pulled on pajama pants so she could make it to the bathroom. Once in the bathroom she turned the water on and let it warm as she undressed. She looked at her body in the mirror and noticed small bruising on her arms and inner thighs.
"What happened?" She whispered before she looked away and got into the shower. She let her mind wander as she tried to relax under the warmth of the water. Something happened. She didn't know what happened after she told Ron she didn't feel good, and he didn't leave a note. She was surprised she didn't even receive an owl asking her how she was feeling. She ran shampoo and conditioner through her hair. Maybe he just got her home, then tucked her into bed and left, but why did she wake up to her pants on the floor?
She finished her shower, dried off, and used the blow dryer on her hair. She tamed her wild brown hair into a loose bun. She got dressed pulling on a new clean set of undergarments, a lilac-colored buttoned-up blouse with sleeves that went to her wrists, and a black skirt that rested above her knees.
She took her clothes to the hamper in her room and tossed them in before she headed down the stairs to the kitchen. She saw him cooking quietly in the soft glow of the morning light in the kitchen. She took a couple of steps back before he looked up. "Sit, eat." He spoke as he went back to the pan using the spatula to flip the French toast he was making.
She stopped as she looked over to the table and saw that there were two plates and two cups of orange juice. There was a plate of bacon, pieces of toast, with jams, and pieces of cantaloupe. She took a seat across from his seat as she watched him. She wasn't going to argue with him or ask him why. This was something he was doing and she didn't feel right asking why he was inviting her to join him for breakfast. "Would you like me to help with anything?"
"No, I'm almost done. You can go ahead and start eating." He spoke as he flipped the pieces of the French toast over one last time.
Hermione shook her head. "I'll just wait, I don't mind. I appreciate you making breakfast."
Malfoy didn't respond as he clicked the gas stove off. He placed the pieces of the French toast onto another plate and carried them to the table. He took a couple of pieces of bacon and two slices of French toast for his plate. Hermione took a couple of pieces of fruit and French toast onto her plate and ate quietly with Malfoy sitting across from her. If it hadn't been for the radio playing in the kitchen you could have heard a nail drop.
"I heard what you said yesterday." Malfoy finally spoke up.
Hermione dropped a piece of her cut French toast. "Oh, I hope I didn't come off the wrong way. I'm not sure what you heard."
"You defended me even though those two stated everything that I did, even to you." He didn't look up from his meal as he spoke.
Hermione frowned. "… I think that everything will take time as we learn to work together and accept everything that we have all experienced in the war. There are still a lot of fresh wounds, and a lot of people aren't ready to try to move forward. Some are still stuck. Ron is stuck in the past, Harry is trying to move on, but I know he's struggling."
"Do you think you are still in the past?" He asked curiously.
Hermione shrugged her shoulders. "I want to think I'm progressing, but I know I still have my fears."
Malfoy nodded as he looked up while taking a sip of his orange juice. "Do you fear me?"
Hermione looked up sadly at him. "It would be a lie if I said I didn't fear you, but it's not a lie that I working on moving past that part."
"Hmm, at least you are honest." He spoke as he smirked.
"You've helped us when you didn't have to, and I am grateful for that." She spoke taking a couple bites of her toast. "Is this the reason you made breakfast? To ask me about the conversation yesterday?"
Malfoy's smirk faded as he shook his head. "No, I have my reasons for making you eat a full breakfast."
Hermione tilted her head to the side, but nodded. She wasn't going to question him any further. She appreciated the good meal and the company. This is what McGonagall was hoping for, students reaching out to each other that were once divided. "Thank you for breakfast." She spoke out softly.
He nodded, he wasn't speaking up much now and just returned to his meal. Hermione finished her meal and stood from the table gathering her plate and cup. She placed her dishes on the counter before she filled the sink with hot water and soap. She was starting on the dishes and pans that were used to cook breakfast. She didn't ask him if he needed help cleaning and he didn't say anything about her cleaning. She placed the dishes in the strainer to dry.
Malfoy stood up and walked over to the counter and placed his plate and cup next to hers. "You don't look good? Were you up late with Ron?"
She looked up to him at him a little unsure to answer. "To be honest. I don't really know how I got home last night. I remember telling Ron I didn't feel good, but.." She frowned as she rinsed a plate.
"You don't remember anything?" He asked.
Hermione shook her head. "No, I really don't."
Malfoy nodded as he stepped from the counter. He seemed cautious now around her and she wasn't sure why. He was still distant from her in some ways. He cleaned the table and placed leftovers in the fridge. They were cohabiting to a degree, a lot more than she thought was manageable with their past. "Maybe you should rest today." He finally spoke putting the last bit of fruit away in a container.
"Maybe, I think I'll send a message out to Ron and ask him about last night." She placed the last dish into the strainer.
Malfoy nodded as he turned the radio off and headed back upstairs. She watched him leave. She felt like there was a missing piece of the puzzle. Did something happen last night that he knew about, and she didn't?
She went upstairs and wrote on a piece of scroll a quick message to send to Ron about last night. She headed back downstairs and stopped short of the door. She leaned down and saw the bag of boxed food. Ron must have gotten her home, but forgot their leftovers by the front door. She turned away and headed towards the backyard. She walked to the side of the house where there were a couple of nesting boxes for owls. She tied her scroll to her brilliant black owl and ushered her off. She walked to the side of the yard where she saw the abandoned garden. She looked everything over and over at the small greenhouse that needed a little bit of repair.
She felt out of place and a bit lost ever since she woke up this morning. It felt like time was missing she couldn't account for, her friend was missing, and the boy that was once an enemy ensured that she ate a full meal. Why wouldn't Ron leave a note or stay to make sure she was okay? It wouldn't have been a problem. They had slept and shared a bed before.
She wrapped her arms around herself as she took a couple of steps back before she walked back into the house. The house was silent again and when she made it to the top of the steps Malfoy's door was closed. He knew something that she didn't and he was not going to tell her. She frowned as she entered her room and closed the door. The rest of the night was silent between the two.
She returned back to school on Monday and was going about the day. She smiled when she saw Ginny and tried to catch up to her, but soon felt like Ginny was avoiding her. Hermione finally caught up to her she stepped right beside her. "Hey, is something wrong?" Hermione asked.
Ginny took a step back and avoided eye contact with her as she stopped. Other students walked around them in the busy hallway. "Nothing's wrong." She spoke.
Hermione tilted her head to the side. "It feels like you were trying to avoid me."
Ginny gritted her teeth. "Why didn't you tell me you were shacked up with Malfoy?"
Hermione's eyes widened at her comment. "We aren't shacked up we are sharing a dorm. we have our own rooms. The only things that we share in the house are the kitchen, a study, a living room, and a bathroom."
"That's not what Ron said." She murmured.
Hermione frowned. "I have no idea what he's telling you, I can't even get him to respond to my messages."
"Don't act like you don't know." Ginny looked at her upset.
"I don't, I don't even remember anything after the date out with him on Saturday night," Hermione spoke sadly.
"Ron said you were so sauced that he had to drag you home and you were babbling about getting to live with Malfoy. Ron just left you in your bed and took off. He said he didn't have to deal with you when you were like that. I don't blame him." Ginny stepped around Hermione and walked away from her. "If I was him I would have left you at The Three Broomsticks."
Hermione's heart was shattered as Ginny spoke to her and left her. She didn't remember even drinking half of her butterbeer. She wanted to go home because she felt sick. Something wasn't right. Why would Ron tell Ginny that, why would Ginny not ask her? Why was Ginny blaming her for something she didn't remember?
Malfoy stood a bit back, but he could see everything play out before him. Ron had tried to turn Hermione into the bad guy because of his actions. If Ron played everything just right Hermione would never know what he had attempted to do to her just a couple of nights ago.
Hermione lowered her head as students moved around her. Malfoy moved towards her, but stopped when she started to walk forward. She was trying to push herself now and try to act like the conversation didn't bother her. She stayed silent the rest of the day in their classes, she didn't even try to answer any questions. She just took her notes and kept moving through the motions. When the last class ended Malfoy stopped in front of her desk. "Are you getting anything from the library, or do you plan to go straight home?"
Hermione looked up to him a little unsure. "To be honest, I did, but I just want to go home."
Malfoy nodded as he moved to the doorway of the classroom and waited for her to gather her things. Hermione placed her books into her bags and headed out the door with him walking beside her. They didn't say anything as other students watched them walk the halls and out of the main castle towards their home. The walk was quiet on the dirt pathway. He was acting a little differently towards her, but he made sure to keep his distance. Something about him seemed like he was being protective in a weird way, but how he talked and acted was the complete opposite. She never argued with him or told him no, she always followed his lead.
She stopped short just as their village was coming into view. There was no one on the pathway, it was just her and Malfoy. "Do you know what happened to me?" She finally choked out. "I can't, I can't figure out the missing pieces."
Malfoy stopped and turned to face her. His face was emotionless. "Do you really want me to tell you?" He asked. "Will you trust what I say?"
She nodded. "Right now. You are the only one that's made sure I was ok even if it wasn't direct."
Malfoy waved her to follow him. "Something happened, I don't know what happened before I came into your room, but you weren't conscious." He took a deep breath. "He was on top of you and your pants were off and he was unbuttoning your blouse. I came in when I heard one of your books hit the floor. I knew something was wrong."
She followed right beside him. He knew this whole time what had happened to her, but chose not to say anything. Maybe he felt like it wasn't his place to say anything, but it wasn't Ginny's place to blast Hermione in the middle of the hall. "He was on top of me?" She spoke sadly.
"I got him off of you and forced him out of the house. I didn't know what he did, but I did force you to throw up in case it was some kind of potion. I stayed with you until I thought you were ok and I left to my room." He spoke, keeping his cold gray eyes off of her. "I don't want that Weasley boy in our house. He is not welcome after what he did."
Her footsteps stopped. He turned to look at her. She was silent, but tears were rolling down her cheeks. He took a couple of steps toward her and reached out with his left hand to wipe away a tear. "I don't know why he thought he needed to do what he did, but he did. What he did was so cowardly. I don't even see him as a man at this point. He was pathetic."
"I don't know why he would either." She finally whispered out. "I broke off the relationship for school, because I wanted a break so I could focus and finish. I wasn't planning on getting into a relationship."
"You have every right to do what you want and not be punished for it," Malfoy spoke as he moved and ushered her to follow him. Hermione wiped the rest of her tears away as she followed quietly behind Malfoy.
Malfoy had stopped Ron from going any further with her when she couldn't stop him. Malfoy forced him out and made sure she was okay after. He took it upon himself to protect her and after the next morning, he didn't know how much she knew about that night, but he made sure she ate a full meal after the ordeal. They entered their home and she went upstairs. Malfoy stayed downstairs and went into the kitchen to start cooking.
Hermione closed her door and slid down. She rested her head on her knees as she cried alone. A half-hour passed before Malfoy knocked on her door. "I made dinner, come down and eat a little bit." He spoke through the door before he walked away.
Hermione looked up from her knees and out her window. Malfoy was cold, but he was now making sure to protect her the only way he knew how to. She walked down a few minutes after and took a seat in her chair and looked over at the garlic chicken and rolls. There was a glass of milk poured for her. He was still at the counter finishing up one last thing. "Malfoy, I appreciate everything, but I don't want you to feel like you have to."
Malfoy looked back at her and shrugged. "Apparently from the conversation I overheard the Weasley girl say in the hallway, that we are shaking up together." He carried over the butter he sliced into small pieces. "So why not act the role at this point."
Hermione's cheeks turned bright red at the comment. "I told her we weren't though. We had our own rooms." Malfoy took a seat at the table and sliced the chicken placing a piece onto her plate and then took a piece for himself.
"True, but at this point I rather play the part to ensure your safety." He took a bite. "I couldn't stop my aunt from hurting you, but I will ensure and promise you that I will not let that Weasley boy lay another hand on you."
Hermione looked at him a little puzzled, it felt like Malfoy was no longer being protective, but possessive of her. "I think I can protect myself from him."
"I don't doubt that you could." He spoke with a smirk.
She looked down feeling a little flustered as she took a couple of bites of her chicken. "I wasn't trying to get you caught up in this, I didn't realize that you heard that and that others probably heard everything,"
He shook his head. "He was trying to hide what he tried to do to you with his family. At this point, I rather not hide the fact that we are shacking up." He chuckled.
She played a little bit with the last bit of chicken on her plate. "You just want to play this as a game?"
"Why not? It'll get everyone to leave you alone so you can study and for me, it'll cause a bit of ruckus in my friend group." He watched her as he smiled.
"I have nothing left to lose at this point, I don't feel like I have many friends even left. My studies need to come first and with you, I know I'll be able to get my studies done." She spoke softly. "What will this mean for us at school? Surely you wouldn't want to act like we are shacked up."
"Why not? Bad boy makes the smart pretty good girl fall for his charm after shaking up for a couple of weeks." He smiled.
Her cheeks turned an even brighter shade of red. He had just called her pretty. "So this shacked-up relationship you want to flaunt?"
Malfoy nodded. "Granger, would you like to join me in this alliance?" He reached out his right hand for her to take.
She hesitated for a moment, before she reached out and took his hand. "I do."
Weeks had passed and the two played the part well. They spent their spare time together unless Hermione wanted to study. Even at home the two often found themselves talking and sometimes arguing about their studies. He had his own time too, but he wasn't controlling when she wanted to do her own thing.
Over the last week, she started to work on the greenhouse and the overgrown plots. He would check on her from time to time especially when he knew others in the neighboring dorms could see them. Gardening was her little hobby that she seemed thrilled to work with between her studies.
He thought her taking up gardening was her way of coping with what Weasley had tried to do to her a few weeks ago. He knew she wasn't over it, she wasn't over the fact that she couldn't remember the attack. There were a few nights he found himself in her room for a moment. Rubbing her back until she fell back to sleep. He never stayed after she fell asleep, he always returned to his room.
Their fake relationship was a little different in the fact that some things were meaningful, and others weren't. They were both using each other for what they needed. They benefited from each other oddly enough. Ginny left her alone. Harry avoided her and took Ron's side in the situation. This truly gave her insight into how her friends viewed her based on Ron's words that were false, but now, she felt a sense of relief in her life.
She sat outside at the table with Malfoy as she wrote notes down with her quill. Malfoy snacked on his sandwich. "Eat a couple of snacks at least." He spoke pushing the container of sliced celery and peanut butter, there was still another sandwich if she chose to eat.
"Just one more minute, I don't want to lose my train of thought." She spoke before she felt him lift her chin leaning in. She blushed slightly as her honey eyes met his cold gray eyes.
"You can take a minute to eat, I don't need you crabby when we debate in class." He spoke, moving his hand away.
She grumbled, but took a piece of celery and used a knife to put a little bit of peanut butter on it before taking a bite.
He smirked as Ginny walked by. "Good girl." He spoke loud enough for her to hear.
Ginny only glared at the two as she hurried by. Hermione watched as she shook her head. "Even if I told her what her brother did. She would never believe me."
"She'll die on that hill with him," Malfoy spoke as he started to clean up. "It's almost time for class to start."
Hermione nodded as she gathered her items into her book bag and took another bite of celery before he put the lunch away. "Malfoy, can I ask you something?"
He looked at her curiously as he placed their food container into his bag. "What is it?"
"Do you want to go with me to a shop to get some seeds?" She asked curiously as they started walking towards their class. "You don't have to if you don't want to."
"Yeah, we can go to Diagon Alley this weekend." He spoke, looking ahead as they walked down towards the basement.
"I was thinking maybe a nursery out in the countryside." She spoke softly as they entered the classroom.
He thought for a moment before he opened his textbook. "Is this a muggle thing?"
She frowned. "I mean, it's not magical…" She shook her head. "It's ok. I can just go see and get some magical plants from Diagon Alley."
He frowned as he watched her pull her textbook out and move to start getting ingredients for their potion. "I just, I've never really gone shopping in a muggle store before." He finally spoke as he stood to help her cut the ingredients, she brought him.
"It's no different from magical shops." She lifted a brow. "Your family really avoided anything muggle-related, didn't they?"
"Yes." He lifted his head and smirked. "I can say though I have been trying a bit of muggle-born lately."
Hermione blushed as she heard one of the Slytherin boys make a gagging sound. Malfoy shot a quick glare at the dark-haired boy who looked away quickly. "So, it's a weekend date then?" She spoke loud enough for Ginny to hear.
Hermione chuckled as Malfoy smirked. This was a game for them to see how uncomfortable they could make others. Except deep down she was starting to fall for the blonde bad boy. She also knew this wouldn't last, he did keep up the role even when others weren't around, but in a way, she felt like he was looking at her as his possession. That she belonged to him and him alone.
The two walked along the pathway as they headed home for the evening. The sky that was once clear of any clouds this morning was now filled with storm clouds above. She felt a few sprinkles fall on her cheeks. "Let's pick up the pace." He spoke as Hermione followed his pace. A loud crack could be heard above as a flash of light streaked across the sky. The clouds opened up and poured. The two started to run the rest of the way home. Malfoy opened the door and let Hermione in first before stepping inside.
Both stood in front of the door dripping head to toe. "I feel like a drowned rat." She spoke as a puddle of water formed where she stood.
Hermione started to pull off her black pullover sweater. Malfoy started to pull off his jacket and unbuttoned his shirt. "Go upstairs and get in the shower to warm up."
"Wouldn't it make more sense to undress down here?" She spoke as she started to unbutton her jeans. "I don't want to get water all over the house, what if someone slips?"
Malfoy looked over at her as she tried to pull her wet jeans down her legs. She blushed when she realized she was watching her now. Malfoy stepped over to her, he moved his hands to the hem of her jeans then walked her back to a wooden bench by the door. "Sit." He murmured. Hermione walked backwards and took a seat on the bench. He leaned down onto his knees. He removed her flats, socks, and slowly and carefully pulled her jeans down to reveal silky black panties.
She shivered at his touch as she felt him slide his hands up her legs and to her thighs. She was dripping with water still. Her breathing picked up as she met his gaze. "Malfoy?" She whispered out.
He let his hands trace up her thighs to her waist. He took hold of her white shirt that clung to her slender form. "Does the bra match the panties?" He teased as he pulled her shirt up over her head.
She didn't have time to answer as she felt her shirt being pulled from her body. Her bra did match her panties. She watched as he smirked at her sitting in front of him in her vulnerable state. He leaned down and placed his lips against hers. She didn't fight back against his kiss she moved into the kiss. His hands moved back to her hips resting above the lace of her panties.
She reached over and wrapped her arms around his neck holding onto him. He started to tug at her panties. A gasp escaped her lips as her cheeks flushed a light pink as she looked up at him after the kiss was broken. "Go shower." He growled out under his heavy breathing.
He moved his hands away from her panties. As she stood heading back up the stairs. She turned about halfway and looked down at him. "What about you?"
He was on the last button of his shirt as he looked up at her. "I'll take a shower after you." He moved his arms and let the shirt fall to the ground.
"You don't want to join me?" She whispered out.
"Is that a request?" He asked as he unbuttoned his black slacks and didn't break eye contact with her.
She bit her bottom lip as she hurried up the steps. Malfoy smirked as he took this as a game. He pulled his slacks off and headed up the stairs chasing after her in just his white boxers. She didn't make it to the top step as she felt him wrap his arms around her waist. "You think you can outrun me." He whispered into her ear.
She giggled when she felt his warm breath in her left ear. He turned her around and pushed her back up against the wall next to the bathroom door. He leaned down and kissed her passionately again. She leaned into the kiss and blushed when he rubbed against her. She could feel his hard member threatening to escape his boxers. He broke the kiss again and smirked. "I won't ask you again to get in the shower."
"Or what?" She responded.
He growled out under his breath. "Do you want to try me?"
"I'm not scared of you." She whispered.
He smirked. "You live up to the Gryffindor title."
"You live up to your Slytherin name by how cunning you can be." She whispered.
He let go of her hips and forced her into the bathroom with him shutting the door behind them. She went to step back, but he took her left hand quickly. "Not so quick." He spoke as he turned the warm water on. The pipes rattled as water started to spray out from the head. "Do you want me to remove the last bit of your wet clothing or should I?" He leaned into her ear again.
She bit her bottom lip. "I see he spoke." He reached behind her and undid the clasp of her bra. He picked her up careful and placed her on the bathroom counter. His hands traced along her hips and started to tug on her panties. He watched her get nervous. He leaned in and started to kissing the left side of her neck before slowly nibbling at her flesh leaving a small mark behind as he pulled her panties down and off of her body. He leaned down and pulled his boxers down and let them fall to the floor. He turned the light off to the bathroom leaving the two in complete darkness.
He moved his right hand between her legs as he continued to kiss her neck. He inserted his index finger into her gently then a second finger. She jumped, but he let out a soothing growl. "You wanted to try me right?" He whispered, but he stopped his motion as he waited.
Her breathing picked up she was a bit nervous. This was new to her, but she trusted him. He did stop even though she didn't say stop. He was watching and paying attention to her body language. "I'm not scared of you." She whispered out under her breath.
He proceeded now as he played with her, teasing her as he reached up with his left hand grasping her breast and fondling it like clay. She moaned out when he went deeper into her. His body arched against her hearing her moan.
He pulled his fingers out, he lifted her from the counter, and led her into the shower. He pulled the curtain closed. He pushed her up against the cold white subway tile, he lifted her and forced her to wrap her legs around him as he lined himself up with her. "Scared yet?" He whispered.
"You wish." She whispered back. He smirked when he heard her words. He forced his way into her and started to rock his hips into her slender form. She cried out at first, but as soon as his movements started, she started to pant at each thrust. Her arms wrapped around his neck. Her breasts bounced at each movement he made into her body. Her breathing was heavy as she felt the warm water trickle down her face from the shower head.
"Good girl." He spoke as he continued to thrust into her tiny framed body. He slid his hand up her neck, his fingers moving and lacing into her hair pulling her hair roughly. She cried out under her moan, but didn't tell him to stop. His other hand gripped tightly to her right hip. He was kissing up her neck and around her chin. His warm breath matched that of the hot water that fell against their bodies.
He continued his movements before he let go of her hair and moved his other hand to her left hip. He was holding her firmly before he thrusted into her one last time this time pinning her against the wall as he pumped into her a couple more times before holding her in place. His head resting on her right shoulder. Both Malfoy and Hermione were breathing heavily. The sound of the water was the only thing that echoed in the bathroom.
Her eyes opened halfway, she couldn't see, but she felt herself coming back around. Everything seemed to happen so quickly, a game of threats turned into a dare. Malfoy moved and let Hermione down gently. Her legs felt weak, but he didn't quite let go of her yet. He moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her chest. "Not yet." He whispered as he stepped into the water with her.
"I'm still not scared of you." She spoke softly.
"I see that." He spoke firmly.