Song Suggestion: Christian French- "head first"

A/N: This is an epic length story where the world will reveal itself as it goes. Just because I haven't touched on something does NOT mean I haven't thought of it. (I do appreciate questions though, because occasionally they make me stop and think.) This is a single pov fic, and Hermione only knows a small fraction of what is really going on. So the "plot holes" will be filled when she exits her protected bubble.

A/N: I forgot to mention in the last update that the Prince of Egypt Easter Egg was the stick turning into a snake.

A/N: I know JK created a typical quidditch schedule, but she flipped it around sometimes, so I made my own. Also, in canon, Hermione turns 18 at the beginning of 7th year, so I didn't skip anything. Enjoy!

Standing ovation for my beta, MyPrivateInsanity!

Bee to a Flower

Grey clouds gathered above the quidditch pitch. Droplets of cold dew beaded on her skin as she watched from the stands. Hermione tightened her scarf, attempting to block out the November chill.

Players from both teams zoomed around the pitch, preparing for the game. The Slytherins were up against the Hufflepuffs today. On the opposite side, a few of the players in yellow huddled in a circle, discussing their strategies.

She found Theo first and waved; he looked nervous, hovering in one spot near the hoops. A flash of platinum blond hair rocketed by the stands, and Hermione watched Draco perform several daring flips and rolls right in front of her. Her heart beat pathetically fast in her chest. If she thought he looked handsome in dress robes, it paled in comparison to his quidditch uniform. He looked natural on a broom, as if born to the rigours of flying. After a minute of inspection, Draco caught her looking at him and smirked, blowing her a kiss. Beside her, Titus noticed the interaction and tensed.

"It never ceases to amaze me how much audacity he has. Flirting with you when I'm right fucking here."

"Just ignore him."

Titus examined the smile she tried and failed to hide. He wrinkled his nose and seemed disgusted at her excitement.

"I hope you're not impressed by a few flips on a broom."

"I've never seen you do them."

The words came out like a challenge.

An expression crossed Titus' face— one she'd never seen before and couldn't categorise.

"I haven't felt the need to show off. Maybe you're forgetting, but I was—"

"Quidditch captain. Yes, yes, I know. And Head Boy. Never beaten in a duel. Perfect in every way. I thought you weren't trying to show off?"

Titus gave a little snort of laughter.

"You've been around Theo too much— way too sarcastic for your own good."

She opened her mouth to say something, but the approach of someone in dark robes cut her off. She glanced up to be met with a frightening scowl.

"Mr. Nott," Headmaster Snape greeted. He gave a nod of his head to her. "And Miss Hermione."

He had an odd way of talking, drawing out the syllables as if he didn't like the feel of them in his mouth, with a patronising tone behind the words.

Snape sat down next to Titus, flicking the tails of his heavy robe over the seat. His dark hair hung limp and oily over his forehead, and a hooked nose took up much of his face.

"I hate to discuss politics here, but I need assurance we are in agreement for the next step forward," Snape said in a low whisper, keeping his gaze on the pitch.

Titus pondered that, taking his time to answer.

"I'm not sure there's enough evidence. There's no link to him from any of the sources. I could order Veritaserum, but I'd need to find a legal way to do it."

"He should have been in Azkaban from the beginning." The words came out with a hard hiss.

"I agree, but he was pardoned." Titus kept his eyes on Theo. Hermione found it odd that two men could have a whole conversation without looking at each other. "I know your history, and it makes you biased. You can't be a part of the investigation."

Snape clenched his jaw, giving a ferocious frown.

Hermione paid close attention, wondering who they talked about.

"I've waited long enough. A simple search of his home would reveal his allegiance."

"And what then? You have another motive."

"I'd take care of his estate."

"The muggleborn, you mean."

"Yes. She still has a few more years left of fertility, but I'd take her in even if she didn't."

"How magnanimous," Titus mocked. "If you're not aware, she has three children."

"I'm aware," he drawled as if Titus was stupid. "The oldest is almost gone…thankfully. The boy has too much of his father in him. The girl is like her mother and has never misbehaved, and the third is still young enough it would be an easy transition for him. I'm prepared to treat them as my own. I might even make the youngest boy my heir."

Titus paused, eyes watching Theo take careful turns around the pitch as a warmup. Poor Theo looked petrified.

"The muggleborn won't be happy if you take her from her home."

"At first," Snape agreed. "But with James sent to Azkaban for supplying the Order with information, she wouldn't have a choice. It wouldn't be my fault."

Titus snorted.

"Yes, it would. You're the one demanding the investigation."

"She wouldn't know it was my fault," Snape amended, rolling his wand in his fingers. "I trust your silence on the matter when it comes time to ease the transition. James was an Order member in the war. He pretends to have given it up. I have no proof he's still active, but the suspicion is warranted, especially as activity has increased, and we know Sirius Black is alive. The information they sent in the last ultimatum sounds like someone from the inside has been supplying information, and James works for the ministry. If they succeed, they'll take all the muggleborns, including your ward."

Hermione froze at the mention of the Order, and Titus reached down his hand and grabbed hers, giving a squeeze to reassure her.

"Out of everyone, I understand the threat," Titus said in a low voice. "But I have to follow the rules. I can't just raid a pureblood estate on a whim. However… I promise to investigate it. If there's any evidence, I'll let you know."

Snape gave a slow nod.

"I will forever be in your debt." He emphasised the last word. "James deserves all that is coming to him."

Titus looked troubled.

"If it's a muggleborn you're wanting, there are a few Trials coming up you could compete in. Despite your age, you'd win in a duel, and your intelligence is well known. You'd succeed, depending on the other competitors."

Snape looked violent at the suggestion, lips pulled back to show his teeth.

"I don't want another muggleborn. What would I do with a girl half my age? I'm surrounded by the twittering idiots every day. Living with one would be a nightmare."

Titus gave a laugh, but he tilted his head.

"As you wish."

"Good day, Mr. Nott."

Snape stiffly rose and walked away.

Titus was still long after Snape left, as if turning the situation over in his head. When the whistle blew to begin the game, Titus kept her hand in his firm grasp.


Theo played terribly as a chaser. He got hit by a bludger at the beginning of the game. When he got taken out for the injury, his whole team seemed relieved.

The Hufflepuffs played dirtier than she expected, given their nature, but maybe Slytherins brought the worst out in people.

Draco kept his eye on the air, searching for the tiny flutter of the Golden Snitch. Occasionally, she felt his gaze shift to her, though she tried to ignore it. It still caused a flush to spread up her cheeks, wondering if he appreciated the time and effort she put into her appearance for their date.

The game bored her, so her mind wandered, thinking about her date later. And then her mind couldn't help but linger on thoughts she shouldn't.

Titus had let go of her hand long ago, but she still felt the warmth and the callouses. She wished to pick his hand back up again and trace the lines on his palm. She wondered how many women he'd touched with them. Did he slide them down their breasts, their hips? Did he—

Titus grabbed Hermione's arm, jolting her from her thoughts. Her eyes snapped up to see Draco's broom barreling toward them, too fast to move out of the way.

Instead of a collision, Draco pulled to a magnificent stop, just inches from her. He grabbed beside her ear, fingers trailing down her cheek, lifting a few strands of hair. Before she could react, he pulled back his hand to show the Golden Snitch fluttering in his palm, right in front of her eyes.

A devastating smirk tilted up his lips. "The snitch must have been attracted to beauty, like a bee to a flower."

Titus shoved him away. He wobbled on the broom but righted himself.

"Get the fuck away from her!" Titus stood up with his wand pointed at Malfoy. The entire stadium went silent with the confrontation, but Draco just rolled his eyes.

"I was just catching the snitch, Nott. Didn't mean to… unsettle you."

Hermione's heart raced, and a latent shot of anxiety raced through her.

"I'm not sure how you engineered that, Malfoy. But get that close to her again—game or not— and your father will have to reattach body parts."

Draco backed away, still clutching the snitch. He wore a smirk, eyes flashing like mercury, which told Titus he both engineered the touch, and he'd do it again if he wanted.

They both glared at each other, neither backing down, until the Slytherins began to celebrate their win behind him, releasing bursts of confetti in the air.

Draco gave another daring wink.

"Like a bee to a flower," he repeated, flying off toward his teammates.

Titus seethed next to her, reluctantly pocketing his wand. She'd rarely seen him so angry. The students and parents closest to them silently scooted away, giving him furtive looks as he clenched and unclenched his wand hand.

"I might just kill that spoiled wanker one day. If his father wasn't Lucius Malfoy, I would have already."


After the game, they exited the stands and went into the castle, waiting for Theo to get out of the infirmary.

Titus remained tense from the confrontation with Draco, frowning and with a hand on his wand. The veins in his hands raised as he clenched it hard.

Hermione touched his arm, worried about his anger. His eyes snapped down to her.

"It's okay," she said. "Nothing happened."

"He touched you."

"Barely. My cheek and my hair." She picked up his free hand and rested it against her cheek. "See, it doesn't mean anything."

His eyes searched her face, and he slid his hand away. The calluses pricked her skin.

"Touch always has meaning." Titus' expression once again hardened, looking down at the hand she had put on her face."I don't like how you look at Malfoy."

"I can't think he's handsome? He might be my future wizard."

Titus wore a disgusted snarl.

"It doesn't matter what you think of him. That little shite doesn't deserve you. He won't be your future wizard. I'll make sure of that. Lucius thinks he can corner me into what he wants, but I'm not one to be manipulated."

Hermione didn't like that. The trials were based on fairness. Three or more wizards competed, and the best won. She didn't think Titus should let Draco win, but she didn't think he should make him lose either.

"How would you do that?"

"I've had an idea, but I'm still unsure if I should proceed with it. There are a lot of variables to the plan that I need to smooth out."

"And you won't tell me?"

Titus gave a smile. It held a private edge to it, knowing a joke she didn't.

"One day, perhaps."

Hermione frowned, not liking him keeping things from her.

"I'm going to try and figure it out."

All of his anger melted away as he stared at her. He took a step closer to her, and she looked up into his face.

"Of course, you will," he said. "But I must warn you that you won't discover the plan in the library."

"That sounds like a challenge."

He looked like he might say more, but his eyes flicked up. He stepped away from her as Theo walked closer, looking dejected and with his arm in a sling.

"I'd say good game," Titus teased, "But you weren't in it but for a few minutes."

"That Hufflepuff targeted me on purpose," Theo protested.

Titus rolled his eyes and motioned to his arm.

"What did Pomfrey say?"

"I need to keep it on for the day to stabilise it, but it can come off tomorrow." He glanced at Hermione, revealing his nerves with his wide eyes. "Can I show Hermione more of the castle? I wanted her to see the giant squid."

"We need to be fast. I have to be back at the ministry in an hour."

Theo grimaced. Hermione wondered what Draco would do to Theo if he didn't hold up his end of the bargain.

"Don't you need to talk to Snape or something?" Theo asked.

"I already—"

"No, he needs to talk to me," a drawling voice said. Lucius and his cane clicked against the stone, until he faced Titus. "Run along while I speak with your master."

Titus pulled his lip into a silent snarl.

"They aren't going anywhere, and I have nothing to say to you. Draco is playing with fire. Any more stunts like that, and our deal is off, promise or not."

"The folly of youth." Lucius gave a flippant wave of his hand. "I'll speak to him." His eyes slid to Hermione, examining her as if he was stripping her of her skin and studying her bones. "But I didn't come over here to talk about Draco. The information I have is more… sensitive, and it's imperative I tell you about it today."

Titus turned serious—his work face— transforming from soft to hard. He glared at Theo.

"Go ahead and take her to the lake and to the library. I want her back here in an hour, and not a second later. And don't you dare leave her alone, or you won't like the punishment I'd give you."

Theo gave a visible swallow. The flickering torches reflected off his glasses, so she couldn't see his expression, but she suspected he might be regretting the deal he'd made.


Theo didn't take her to the lake, though she did wish to see the squid and the mermaids. Instead, he took her along a maze of hallways, the ancient stones surrounding her like a comforting arrived at a giant painting of a fruit bowl. Theo reached forward and tickled the pear situated in the center, and it giggled, turning into a green door handle. Theo reached out and opened it, but he hesitated, crinkling his brows.

"Are you sure you want to do this? There are several nice normal blokes to date."

Hermione took a moment to think about it. Did she like Draco? She didn't know much about him, besides what they talked about in their letters.

But did she find him attractive?

Yes.

Oh, yes.

Just the thought of him in his quidditch uniform made her stomach tighten.

Like a bee to a flower.

Besides, another boy wouldn't dare go against Titus to date her or kiss her or touch her.

But Draco would.

Before she could answer Theo's question, Draco opened the door. The light behind him framed his hair, giving him a halo. His silver eyes pierced through her. He'd cleaned up from the game, freshly showered, wearing his Hogwarts uniform, but his cheeks still flushed a healthy colour from activity. He'd slicked his fair hair back and to the side in an attractive style.

The last time she'd been this close to him he'd been a boy, but this time, he looked almost a man. Nerves fluttered in her stomach. She'd thought a lot about this day, often taking out the multiple letters he'd sent her over the past several years to read over at night. After the first round of questioning, many of his letters were like diary entries. He still asked her questions, but he talked about his day, what he hated, what he liked, who he talked to, who he sat by. She answered him in kind.

She thought she'd feel comfortable around him, but the instant his silver gaze fell on her, he felt like a separate person from the boy writing her letters— a stranger.

"Nice normal blokes aren't as interesting as me." Draco turned to Theo and gave him a frown. "I'll bring her back in fifty minutes."

"Forty," Theo said. "We can't take chances. Titus has been on edge. He might kill you if he finds you with her, damn the consequences."

"He won't find her with me."

Theo hesitated, giving a glance to Hermione to see if she was okay, and then he walked a little way back and rested against the wall.

"I'll be right around the corner."

Draco turned to her with a crooked grin, eyes like a spark, ready to burn her. He grabbed her hand, and the contact jolted her. In all her life, she'd only touched a few people beyond her friends, Titus, Tabitha, and Theo. His hands were just as callused as Titus' were, but maybe more elegant with long fingers and trimmed nails. He brought her hand to his mouth and let his full lips rest against her knuckles.

"Let me show you a good time."

Hermione followed Draco into a room with five long tables. Pots and pans lined the stone walls. A large fireplace roared on the opposite wall. Stoves and ovens were in multiple locations. It smelled like sugar and fresh baked bread, a comfortable and homey place.

"The Hogwarts kitchen," he explained. "It's attached to the Great Hall." He pulled a parchment out of his pocket. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." He touched his wand to the paper, and the ink twisted and spread.

"The Marauder's Map?" Hermione asked, reading the title. She attempted to grab the parchment in curious excitement to study it, but he held it aloft.

"Not a chance, Granger," he said. "This is all mine, but I'll let you look, if you stop acting like such a greedy swot."

He brought it down and put it between them as he unfolded it to show a map of Hogwarts, with little footprints showing where each person was located.

"Brilliant!" Hermione wondered what charms were used to create it. "Where did you get it?"

"Stole it from Potter. Rather useful, I think. As long as we keep an eye on Nott's location, we'll be fine."

She saw Titus' footsteps alongside Lucius and Headmaster Snape. They were near the owlery.

"After tonight, you need to give that back to Harry," she said. If Harry was Theo's friend, then he was her friend.

Draco paused and tilted his head.

"You don't like that four-eyed bastard, do you?"

"And if I do?"

Draco made a terrible face.

"Theo's corrupted you. Potter's the bane of my existence."

"Only because he always beats you at quidditch."

The tops of his cheeks turned red.

"Theo is getting on my last nerve. Potter is just abnormally lucky." He took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. Hermione realised he might be a little nervous. "This is going badly." He groaned. "Fine, I'll stop pranking Potter for a month. Would that make you happy?"

"And the map?"

He grimaced, as if she asked for his first-born child.

"I'll consider it." He led her to one of the tables, containing two goblets of pumpkin juice and cauldron cakes— her favourites. He'd paid attention to her letters, it seemed. She wondered if he reread them obsessively like she did.

Hermione sat, taking a bite of her cake before she even relaxed. Draco took a spot opposite to her, staring at her as she inhaled the dessert, paying attention to her mouth.

"What have you planned for this date?" She sipped the pumpkin juice.

"Something I promised you long ago."

He pulled a box out from beside him and set it on the table. Upon unfolding, it revealed its contents to be Wizards Chess—an expensive version with silver and gold-plated pieces with diamonds for eyes. A bit too gaudy for Hermione's taste, but she knew fine craftsmanship when she saw it.

"You remember that?"

"I remember every interaction of ours."

That made her a little wary.

"I won't go easy on you," she warned.

"Don't play nice," he said. "Blaise is terrible at chess, Goyle is dumb as a Pygmy Puff, and the elves always let me win. I want a real challenge for once."

"Will you cry if you lose to me like you do with Harry?"

Something dark sparked behind his eyes. It made the blood thrum in her veins.

With a flick of his wand, the pieces stood at attention. The horse pawed at the ground in agitation.

"I only possess one good intention, and it's hanging by a thread," he said. "I've waited years to have you alone again. One more statement like that, and your mouth will be too occupied to deliver any insults. Now, do you want to play or not?"

Hermione clenched her thighs together at the thought of what he promised. She almost said something else, wanting to know where it would lead them. But she really did want to play chess too.

She slid a pawn across the board, starting the game. Draco seemed surprised by her initial move.

The fire snapped in the background as they played, the only sound besides marble scraping against marble and the crack of the pieces as one slaughtered the other.

The game didn't last long. Draco believed he was good at strategy, but she learned chess from Katie, who had quite the mind for the game.

"Checkmate," she said after only thirty minutes of intense playing.

He blinked.

"There's no fucking way." He rubbed his eyes. "No one wins against me."

"Except me."

His eyes flicked up, darkening, as if he wanted to consume her. Hermione stopped breathing with the tension, spine snapped straight, just waiting for the moment the subtle string exploded between them.

"Except you." Something sunk in his expression, as if falling. "It seems you're always the exception."

A beat of silence, and then he lunged across the table, shoving his gold-plated chess set out of the way. It clattered to the ground as he grabbed the sides of her face and pulled her into a brutal kiss that seared across her body. He tangled his fingers in her hair and groaned into her mouth, while climbing over the table, mouth still attached. He stood and yanked her up with him. Both hands travelled down her back, following the curve of her bottom, and then down to the back of her knees, just like her fantasy. He lifted and spread her legs, curling them around his waist, keeping his hands on her thighs as he walked. Soon her back pressed against the stone wall in between several frying pans. The weight of him felt glorious pressed tight against her.

He broke the kiss, trailing his lips to her neck, right under her ear like he had in the Astronomy tower, and she gasped at the feeling. Every touch sparked like a jolt of magic.

"I'm not going to allow anyone else to win you," he groaned against her skin. "And once you're mine, I'm going to give you everything."

"Hm," she replied, tilting her neck up so he could have better access. The heat of his tongue replaced his lips, and she curled her fingers into his clothes with a frantic energy. "Viktor Krum also put his token in. He wants to give me everything too."

She knew he smiled by the way his lips twisted near her throat.

"You always know just the thing to rile me up," His hands slid up her thighs, pushing her dress up as he went, until it pooled around her waist. She wore green knickers just for him, but he didn't look down, transferring his hands to her hips.

She'd never had the bare skin of her thighs touched. Her body erupted in goosebumps.

When he kissed her again, she opened her mouth, enjoying the taste of him. It seemed he was content to continue like this, but she wanted more—wanted what she'd been thinking about for months. And if she didn't try it now, she might never get the chance again. With a flicker of courage born of pure desire, she grabbed one of his hands and tugged it sideways, dragging it lower.

"What are you doing?" Draco's eyes snapped up, and he pulled his hand away, studying her.

Hermione froze in a moment of instant mortification. Maybe he didn't understand what she was doing.

"Well, sometimes I—I mean, when you touch—"

"No, I know what you're asking me to do. I just didn't realise you'd know—"

"I just want to experiment." Merlin, her face felt hot. This was embarrassing and not how it played out in her mind.

"I'm just checking if you're sure?"

Was he an idiot? She was the one who put his hand there. She didn't want to go slow. She wanted to burn and explode. Her curiosity compelled her, and her body urged her forward. There wasn't a single part of her mind that wanted to stop.

"If you don't start right now, I'll finish it myself."

"Bloody hell," he groaned, eyes rolling back in pained disbelief before he focused on her once more.

His hand trailed down, but right before he reached his destination, her body spasmed with an odd fear. Doing this by herself was one thing. If he'd kept his mouth shut, she probably could have continued off pure adrenaline. But he'd stopped, and her brain caught up.

"Wait," she said.

He stopped instantly. The heat of his fingers hovered right over the spot she usually touched. If she pushed forward, she knew it would bring her relief from the tension that was starting to feel like pain. His hand trembled, as if he felt the same mixture of excitement, desire, and trepidation. "I think—I don't know if I— I'm sorry."

"Don't be fucking sorry." He placed his hand back on her hip. "You're allowed to change your mind. Everything is up to you."

A shot of disappointment went through her. Mostly, at herself. She'd wanted him to touch her. She'd planned for it, body taut with tension, wishing to experience the sexual freedom that Titus seemed to enjoy. But the reality was messier than what her brain conjured, filled with consequences and a living human that had his own thoughts and desires.

"I don't want this to be anything serious," she explained, saying her biggest fear out loud. "I'm not ready for— not until things are certain. You understand, right?"

He gave an ugly sneer and looked like he might respond, but there was a knock on the door. She knew it was Theo.

Malfoy didn't let her go, fingers digging into her hips. He leaned forward, pressing their foreheads together.

"It won't be long until the next game," he said as if to comfort himself. "My father promised to create another diversion so we can meet."

Lucius helped arrange the meeting. Or maybe he just indulged the plea of his only son. She'd thought something was odd about his interruption.

"I need to go," she said.

"Give me a moment." He breathed hard and gave her a soft kiss, a sharp juxtaposition to the last one. "The things I have to do to get you alone— the years I have to wait—and I only get a fraction of the time that I want."

The intensity behind it—the obsession—made her wary. But, despite that, a low thrill bloomed in her stomach, feeling on the edge of danger, like dangling in the air on a broom.

"One day, I won't have to let you go," he whispered.

She almost corrected him, annoyed with his certainty.

"But today you do." She shoved at his shoulders until he let her go, and she stepped out of his hold. Instantly, she missed his body heat. The imprint of his hands remained on her hips.

She walked to the door, giving one last look over her shoulder. He glanced down at his hand— the one that had hovered over her knickers— and then he met her stare with a dark expression.

"Next time, I'd like to taste you."

Hermione blushed, unsure what he meant, but it sounded filthy in a way that made the blooming warmth in her stomach spread along her lower body. She tried to shake it off as she exited the room.

When she walked out, she found Theo. He shook his head at her appearance.

"You don't need to tell me you kissed him," he said. "Let me fix it, or Titus will have my head."

Theo touched up her makeup and hair.

"Did you have fun?" He asked when he finished.

"Very much so. I murdered him at chess."

"That's my girl," Theo said proudly. "I rely on you to curb his ego."

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a parchment. Even though she'd crumpled it, the page straightened again. She handed the map to Theo, having stolen it from Draco during the chess game.

"Give this back to Harry."

She wished she could view Draco's reaction when he discovered it gone.

He really should pay closer attention to his belongings.