Chapter 15 – Too Much and Not Enough

7 April 2010

Enchantex Headquarters

Mia's office

New York City, New York

Hermione Granger

"And despite Majikktekku rising numbers, our stock is up four points. We have far superior technology and once Colton prefects the transporter we shouldn't have to worry about a bit of competition." Mychaelia states.

"Thank you Mac. Kelly how is the recruitment for new graduates going?" I ask.

She smiles and says, "We have 23 applicants from the Big 6 schools in North America. Depending on their M.A.S.T. scores we'll know more in June. I had an interesting applicant from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry come last night that I think we need to take a look at."

"No."

"Mia get over it they have changed their whole curriculum. Last year the I.C.W. reported they we at 81%. They are no longer the lowest school and we need more techs. This girl is a muggleborn and wants to relocate to America. She scored 95% on her Half M.A.S.Ts two years ago. Her father is a tech with Vodafone and she did an internship with them last summer."

I haven't hired one British person in the company since we started. I sigh, "Fine, I want to have legal draw up an air tight NDA."

Sasha huffs, "Mia I think we should consider lifting the ban. We could really cash out there. Their wizarding population is 5000 currently. That's a lot of money to just throw away and Majikktekku doesn't have scruples about selling their products there."

I shake my head, "We don't need that rock. Especially since we dropped the No-Maj line of phones, tablets, laptops and computers last year. The line out sold BlackBerry last year and we are on the climb."

Sasha huffs, "Fine we can table it for now. I just think…."

There's a knock on the door. My administrative assistant, Connie is at the door with a vase of white flowers. "I'm sorry to interrupt Ms. Granger, but these just arrived. I thought you would want them right away."

I reply with, "Thank you Connie. I appreciate it."

Connie is 59 years old, and she is the best admin I've had. She's punctual, efficient, and works late with no complaints. Though she does like to offer unsolicited love advise and hints at me needing to get married a bit too much.

Mac says, "Those better not be from Bradford. I thought you dumped that jackass for good when you caught him with his wife."

I shake my head, "It would be nice if men tattooed their married status on their foreheads. No I don't think they are from him, their…Hermione Roses."

Sasha flies out of her chair and grabs the roses from Connie and brings them to me and hands me the card.

She's bouncing up and down next to my desk. I didn't tell them about Malfoy being here on Monday. I didn't need to relive it.

Sasha excitedly says, "Wow! I've never seen such beautiful white roses before. White Rose's symbolize pure intentions. These are definitely not from Bradford."

I take the card fearfully knowing who they are from. Fuck!

Mia,

It was a pleasure to see you. I really need to talk to you. Please allow me the privilege of a visit. It's important. I'll be in New York until Friday at The Plaza.

Yours,

Draco

I throw the card at Sasha. "Fucking Twat! Yours, my ass!"

Sasha exclaims, "Mia, when did you see him? Was he why you went home early Monday. Mi, did you see him?"

I nod, "Yes we had a short meeting. He just wanted to discuss the part of the business that was left to me in my not grandmother's will. The stipulations are I have to personally go through her file cabinets on order to sell the business."

Kel says, "Hell Mia we will all go with you. I don't think anyone will try anything with a posse of bitches with you. We could grab the whole gang. They won't fuck with eight crazy Americans!"

I love them! "You guys are sweet, but no. I'm not going back there. That woman had 30 years to contact me. My father told me his parents died before I was born. Which means he lied or she obliviated him. Let's finish up this meeting, shall we?"

A couple of hours later I'm sitting at my desk looking at the card. Yours….What a dick move! No, he's Astoria's. It's important. It's important….it became our code for 'I'm serious. Please listen. Don't tell anyone else.' That bastard!

9 January 1999

Hog's Head Inn

Hogsmead, Scotland

Hermione

"I swear to Merlin's it's true! Adolescent girls are atrocious at whispering!"

We are all laughing. Theo has been telling us story after story of scandalous things he's overheard over the years. It's Saturday and Eighth Years have free weekends to come to Hogsmeade whenever they want. We have been sitting in a back booth for about almost two hours. It's Malfoy, Theo, Blaise, Padma, Pansy, Daphne and me. We are squished into a booth, and all about five butterbeers in. Malfoy has been sitting across from me, and has been quiet. He is watching me. His silver eyes are boring into my soul. I keep watching his hands and the way they are holding his beer bottle. He keeps caressing it and all I can think about is how I want his hands caressing me. I never knew someone taking a drink from a bottle could be a turn on, but the way his lips wrap around that bottle when he drinks is just too much! Fuck, and don't get me started on the way his tongue keeps wetting his bottom lip.

The last week he's been oddly affectionate. He's been sitting next to me in The Great Hall which he never did before. He used to always sit across from me or diagonally from me. He's hugged me a couple of times. In Potions, he put his hand on my thigh during the lecture and pulled me closer to him and wouldn't remove his hand. Last night, he pinned me against the counter in the kitchenette and leaned in. I could have sworn he was smelling me. He's held my hand a few times when walking down the halls. He's been complimenting me. He's called me beautiful no less than ten times. God, I want him.

He eyes and the way they are watching me is driving me mad. He just sitting there all nonchalant while I'm practically squirming. God, he's beautiful!

I excuse myself to the loo. I don't know what I'm doing! I splash cold water on my face. Pansy and Daphne keep saying he really likes me. They dared me last Sunday to go in the Common Room and sit on his lap. After three shots of firewhiskey, I did it. I couldn't believe I actually did it. It would have been perfect if Harry hadn't ruined it.

Harry has been back around lately and hanging out with us quite a bit. God, I missed him. Over the summer I stayed away. I settled my parents estate and sold their dentist practice. I sold the house and the beach property. I inherited over thirty million quid. I didn't know my parents had so much money. I helped rebuild Hogwarts during the day and stayed with Andromeda at night to help with Teddy. I miss Teddy so much. I visited with them over the holiday. Andromeda has made up with her sister. That's good for her, but it kept me from talking to her about Malfoy. That would have been awkward.

I chanced a trip to Dagworth Castle to see if I could find Viola. The entire castle was empty. All the furniture, the art, and other questionable treasures were all gone. I went to the magically enlarged aviary and all the birds were still there. The parrots Sirius used while he was 'on the run', the three phoenixes, every type of owl, three bald eagles, the golden snidgets, the many colorful fwoopers, the thunderbird named Ford, and Buckbeak. They aren't hungry, and were thriving, but the castle was empty. I looked at the stables and the two abraxans were still housed there. I thought Viola lived there. Her elf was, Hester was always there. It's all very confusing.

Anyway, back to Harry. He's been really great this week. He alternates where he sits, and Ginny has tried to be cordial. I don't trust her. Ron still won't speak to me, but he's not insulting me either, so that's been a nice change. Harry has been hanging out with us in the Common Room and the library. He's even had a conversation with Malfoy.

Ahhh….Malfoy, he's driving me to insanity. I'm still wary if he really likes me, but I'm starting to think he does. I mean, would it really hurt just to test it out. I'm 19 years old, I promised I would try to have a normal year this one time. Malfoy has been the most normal part of my year, which I guess isn't normal at all.

I finish up and wash my hands and head back to our table. Susan has joined us which means there's nowhere for me to sit.

I walk up to the table, and Susan makes a move to get up and I say, "Hey! It's alright. I'll go to the bookshop for a bit, you can hang out with everyone. We should just get a bigger table."

Malfoy grabs my hand and I look at him. Then he spreads his legs to where his knee is sticking out from the booth. "Mia, you can sit here."

I look at him and those eyes are looking in mine and I'm under his spell, and he licks his bottom lip again, and I say, "It's ok, I don't want to bother you."

He then he let's go of my hand and puts it around my waist and he pulls me to him. "Mia, I want you to sit on my knee. Stay here with us, please."

So I take a seat and he keeps his arm around my waist and pulls me tighter. I say, "Thank you, Malfoy."

He looks in my eyes and he's so close and he starts running circles where his hand is, and says, "Draco, it's Draco, Mia."

I smile, "Draco. You're right we are friends."

He licks that bottom lip again and says, "What if I want to be your best friend?"

I smile, "You pretty much are my best friend, right now."

He smirks and licks that fucking lip again, "Hmmm…What if I want to be more than your best friend?"

I'm confused, "I'm not sure I know what is above a best friend."

He smirks again, "No I suppose there's not much above that is there?"

I laugh, "You're being silly, how much have you drank?"

He pulls me closer and I swear we are the only two people at the table. "I've drank enough that I'm going to tell you something, and you're going to believe me. It's important."

I smirk at him and say, "Oh, this is serious, indeed."

He licks his lip again and says, "Love, I'm very serious right now."

He called me 'love' again! Oh! My! God! "Alright, Draco tell me what is so important then."

He took a strand of my loose hair in his hand and twirls it around his finger, and tucks in behind my ear and caresses my cheek, and softly says, "I want to be more than your friend, I want you to be mine."

WHAT??? "Draco, but…"

He places his finger over my mouth, "Shhhhh…I know that great big beautiful brain of yours is going to come up with every excuse why I shouldn't want you, but your wrong, love. You are everything I ever wanted."

I freeze. How can this be happening? What do I even do? "Draco, I-I'm scared. What if you find out just how bad I am at this stuff. I-I never had time for this kind of thing. I don't want to lose you as a friend."

God his beautiful eyes are looking into my soul and I feel so lost in this moment. This moment feels bigger than anything I ever experienced. I chance to look around and everyone is truly ignoring us and here I am with Draco in our own little world and I am so scared.

He grabs my chin so I look at him, "Mia you can't lose me, you're the one that found me. I have to take this chance. I have to tell you how much I want you to be mine, but if you decide that you only want to be my friend. I'm still your best friend."

I look into his eyes and the sincerity is so apparent, and God I want that. I want him so much and all I can do is nod. In a barely there whisper I say, "Draco…I want you, too."

He smiles and we are looking at each other. I still can't believe he likes me to. How is this happening? Did I fall asleep? He's so fucking beautiful. He caresses my cheek and says, "You're so fucking beautiful."

I take a deep breath in and say, "I was just thinking the same thing about you."

He smirks, "Pfft, I'm very debonair and ruggedly handsome."

I giggle, "And humble too. No, I know most men take offense to being called beautiful, but you, Draco Malfoy are beautiful. Your mind and the way you think about every angle of a situation. Your kindness. I'm not sure your kind to everyone, but you are kind to me. When you genuinely smile, it brightens everything about you. Your eyes and the way they seem to penetrate my very soul. God, Draco everything about you is so beautiful."

He smiles, that genuine smile that brightens up everything, "So Mia, I have an important question."

His eyes are pure fire and he takes my breath away.

I nod. He licks his bottom lip again and leans closer to me, and says, "Are you going to kiss me or not?"

I swear I can't breathe. I look up and before I know it he stands up and he grabs ahold of me around my waist and apparates us outside and he guides me to the side of the building and pushes me against the wall with his whole body. He places his hand on my cheek and asks again, "Mia, are you going to kiss me or not?"

And fuck I want nothing more and I lick my lips and I look into his eyes. He's so close and I take a deep breath and I lean up and press my lip to his. He tastes like butterbeer, apples, and something that is the most delicious taste I have ever tasted. He takes a hold of my thighs and lifts me up, and I wrap my legs around him. God he feels so good. He's devouring me and I want so much more and I roll my hips and I feel him right where I need him. This kiss is everything. For the first time I feel powerful and confident in what I'm doing. He's sin and heaven all at once. I don't ever want to stop. It's too much and not enough all at once.

I'm hot everywhere, and it's freezing outside. He pulls back and looks at me and says, "Fuck Mia!"

He releases me then Accio's our cloaks. Then he takes my hand to apparates us to the Hogwarts gates and grabs my hand tight and pulls me along with him until we are back in the Common Room and he doesn't stop. He takes me to the staircase to the right of the stairs and doesn't stop until we are to his door and he pulls me in. He shuts the door and wards it and silences the room. He takes my hand and guides me to the bed.

He sits on the edge and pulls me between his legs. He's holding me tight against him and I'm feeling really nervous. He takes his hand and cups my cheek, "It's ok, love, I just want to be able to kiss you properly in a warm room and without the risk of our friends interrupting. Can I kiss you?"

Before I know it I'm climbing in his lap and place my legs on either side of his and he's so close. I kiss him and this feels so much better and he pulls my cloak off vanishes his to the other side of the room. He leans back and pulls me with him and I feel him between my legs. He shifts us so we are at the head of the bed and he lays his head on his pillows. He turns so we are on our sides and were tangled up in each other.

He pulls away and searches my eyes. "Mia, will you be mine?"

I search his eyes and they are so full of emotion, and I feel my unrequited love may actually be reciprocal. "Draco, I've been yours longer than I could ever admit to."

He smiles, "Mmmm…I know there are things you aren't ready for and I'll never pressure you. Will you let me make you feel good?"

I bury my head in his chest, "Draco, I'm scared. What if…."

He kisses me again, "Mia, you are so fucking perfect. Tell me why your scared my brave, beautiful girl."

I kiss him again and say, "I spent all this time fighting a war and preparing to survive. I never made time for anything else. We've talked some about what I went through, but I just scratched the surface. No one has ever really wanted me before and I'm quite lost on how to handle all these feelings I have for you."

He smirks, "Mia you are wanted, but no one has ever wanted you more than I do. We can go as slow as you need. We can lay here and hold each other. Merlin Mia, I waited so long for you. Now that I have you in my arms I'm not sure I'll ever let go.

Waited as long? "How long have you been feeling this way?"

He smirks, "Since that first week back in September. I'll admit I was a twat to you in the past. That first night when you were so conflicted over my shirt and you shared a part of your soul with me. I thought you were adorable, by the end of the night, I wanted to know more, I wanted to know everything. I know you hold back from me. I know you have secrets you are unable to share. I have a feeling your big secrets created this brilliant, compassionate, strong, forgiving, powerful girl. I want to know what every part of you tastes like. I want to know what you think about when you avoid eye contact. I want you to tell me what you are thinking and not hold back from me. There isn't any part of you, I don't want to be mine. Fuck Mia, you've been driving me mad."

I realize there isn't anything I want more than this man. All my fears and all my insecurities have been so foolish. I trust him, he's shown me his mind. He has shown me his heart and damn if I don't want it. He has been the best friend I have ever had and I need him like I need my magic.

I sit up and I vanish my clothes to the other side of the room and I lay down and I put my arm around his neck and say, "Draco, now this is important. Are you going to kiss me or not?"

He licks his bottom lip and pulls away to look at me. He devours me with his eyes and then with his mouth.

7 April 2010

Enchantex Headquarters

Mia's office

New York City, New York

Hermione

Fuck! Those are dangerous thoughts. Fucking douchebag. This is important. Dammit!

I look at the clock and it's almost 5 p.m. I don't want to do this, but it's the nice thing to do. He was my friend once. I suppose I could hear what he has to say.

I get my phone out and pull up the portkey location and portkey to The Plaza. I go to the room number he left on the card and pace back and forth for about 10 minutes. Then I square my shoulders.

Knock, Knock*