Previously on Returning To His Roots: Chapter 14
"I'm not sure Hermione will be traveling with us tonight. When I found out we would be traveling as a group, I sent an Owl releasing her from guide duty. I suggest we wait a few more minutes then get on with it. I'd also like to share another bit of information. There is a party I agreed to attend this evening. Perhaps we can all stop by. I have the directions."
There it was. He'd gotten it all out in six sentences or less. Now Draco and Hermione could continue talking.
/*/
The group waited five more minutes to see if Hermione would show, but she didn't. At 9:15, they left The Dorchester heading to Kew Gardens. They planned to make brief stops at the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Hampton Court Place and of course Kensington Palace. After that, they planned to end the night at one of London's premier Muggle dance clubs.
/*/
Draco fell to the back of the group. Hermione wasn't coming. Instead of spending time with her, he'd be following around a bunch of morons who'd probably rather be drinking and dancing in some pub or at home shagging each other. He couldn't wait for this little tour to be over.
/*/
By 11:00 pm, Desmond and Beth wanted to get back to the hotel. Theo and Padma were ready to head home as well. However, Ginny wanted to attend the party with Clarke and Wil. Blaise wasn't about to let Ginny go off alone, so he agreed to give the party a go.
Draco begged off. This night had been enough of a disappointment. He wanted nothing more than to get back to the Manor to plan out what he would do with his new town home. That's what he told himself, knowing all too well that the nothing more he really wanted, was to be somewhere starting off with Hermione.
He had done his waiting. It was time to act.
//
Returning To His Roots: Chapter 15
/**/
It was after midnight, but Draco who hadn't been able to sleep was in his father's study checking through the pamphlets and brochures. Draco was sure if the Wizarding technology Hermione mentioned had any merit, someone would have tried to get Lucius Malfoy involved. He had been sorting for fifteen minutes and was ready to give up when he spied a packet from something called American Wizarding Technologies. Smiling, Draco pushed everything else aside to concentrate on this particular bit of information.
"Not only is she beautiful and brilliant, she is forward thinking as well." He said referring to Hermione.
Draco hastily wrote out an owl to his father advising him he was interested in getting the Malfoy family onboard with developing technology. He went on to explain how he had come across a packet on the subject in the study finding it fortuitous as he had been discussing this very same matter with an interested colleague. After inquiring after his mother and how the holiday was going, Draco put the letter in an envelope planning to mail it later on that morning. Then he leaned back in the chair thinking about Hermione admitting if they had one of those mobile devices, he could be chatting her up right now.
"Time to reign it in Malfoy." He said to himself. "Talking to someone in the Wizarding world through some mobile device might sound promising, but right now, it is just a load of crap in a pamphlet."
/*/
Draco stopped by the kitchen to get a few leftover chicken legs before going upstairs. He had taken two steps across the hall when Elder popped up before him.
"Mr. Draco sir! Mr. Draco sir!" The elf exclaimed in a state of panic. "Mr. Harry Potter been trying to Floo Call you upstairs. Mr. Blaise and your welcome visitor has been hurt. He needin' you to get to St Mungo's."
"Potter trying to Floo Call me? Meet me in my rooms so you can explain while I dress." Draco shouted Apparating away before Elder could even nod. "What fuckery is this?" Draco shouted as he slipped into the clothes already laid out on his bed.
Elder explained what had been explained to him. Mr. Blaise and welcome guest Mr. Wil has been attacked by a Goyle. Mr. Wil is being helped, but Mr. Blaise is in trouble and Miss Ginny is being detained.
"Goyle? That lousy tosspot will not know another peaceful day if he's badly harmed anyone." Grabbing his wand and a long sleeved jumper, Draco Apparated to outside the storefront which cloaked the Wizarding hospital. Hurrying through the front door, Draco caused an uproar when the Admitting Witch didn't move fast enough.
Recognizing Draco's loud shouts, Harry, followed by MLE Officers Tracey Davis and Ron Weasley came running.
"Where are they? Is everything under control? Where's Goyle? I'll kill the bloody fucker."
Ron Weasley stepped up to tell Draco what he had said constituted a threat. If he wasn't careful, he'd be detained.
"Well detain me or get out of my way you addlebrained piece of shite. Blaise and Wil are injured. I want to see them. Where's Clarke in all this? Has he been hurt as well?"
"Clarke is dead." Ron spit viciously at Draco. "Happy now you stinking slimeball?"
That was the wrong thing to say. Draco drew his wand and was only stopped from cursing Ron by a very agile Harry who knocked Draco's wand away.
"In the name of the Minister of Magic. You're under arrest." Ron snarled preparing to bind Draco. But before he could, Tracey told Ron to step down.
"These are extenuating circumstances Ron. And you purposely antagonized…"
"Incarcerous," shouted Ron. "Do your job and stay out of my face Davis or you'll be next."
"Now it's you who is threatening an Officer of the Ministry. Lower your wand or I will be forced to bind you. Cool that hot head and you'll realize you have arrested someone over words."
"He drew his bloody wand on me and I'm taking him in. Get out of my way."
"You'll have to go through me Ron." Harry said softly. "This is an emergency. Malfoy needs to get back there to see about his mates."
"You have no authority here Harry." Ron answered a bit uncertainly.
"I may not have any authority over this particular matter, but I am still an Officer of the Ministry, as is Draco. I suggest if you want to file charges, you wait until after he checks on Blaise and Wil."
"Thank you Harry." Tracey said before calling out Relashio to free Draco from the binds.
Draco was fit to be tied, but he strode away from Ron without saying a word. His mates were in trouble and Clarke was dead. That arsehole Greg must have used one of the old curses. Wil and Blaise could be in grave danger.
/*/
Both Blaise and Wil had lost a great deal of blood, Blaise more than Wil. Even after loudly arguing with the Healers, Draco wasn't allowed in the room because the patients were being worked on and the Blood Replenishing Spells weren't taking.
Draco paced. Blood Replenishing Spells. Blood Replenishing Spells. He kept repeating the words over and over in his head. The filthy bastard must have used one of Bellatrix's spells to wound Blaise and Wil and kill Clarke.
Draco was upset about Clarke, but Blaise and Wil were still alive. He had to find a way to help them. "What was the spell? What in Merlin's name was that goddamn spell?" Draco asked himself out loud not caring that people moving about the area were giving him strange looks.
He ran back down the hall to find Harry. It wasn't Bellatrix's spell. It was Snape's personal spell. Harry would know. It was a spell Harry had used on him.
"Harry! Mate. You need to come quickly." Draco called out to Harry who was standing by the front doors talking to Tracey. Ron was not around.
Harry raced down the hall to Draco and listened as Draco quietly explained what he thought Goyle had done.
"I should have thrown that degenerate in Azkaban when I had the chance," growled Harry barely keeping up with the fast moving Draco.
Composing himself so he didn't sound like a lunatic, Draco spoke to the Head Healer then stood aside so Harry could explain in full.
Harry spoke quickly and quietly. "The counter spell is a spell which requires a lot of power behind the wand and must be recited three times in a row. The first recitation will stem the blood flow. The second will help knit the wounds. The third will remove the worst of the curse. It might be too late, but Dittany should be used to reduce or prevent scarring."
With the Blood Replenishing Charms not working, the Healer agreed to try the Vulnera Sanentur Spell. Shouting for Healer Bulstrode, the Head Healer nodded in Harry's direction as he and Millicent entered Blaise and Wil's room.
It wasn't long before the Head Healer came out of the room pronouncing the spell a success. "A dark spell was used on those men. I will have to notify the Ministry. Thank you gentlemen. We couldn't have done it without you. The Dittany helped immensely. You may see your friends for a quick minute, but they need rest and constant Dittany applications. You've done them a great service, but do not overtire them." With a nod at both wizards, the Healer sat down at a desk to write up his notes.
/*/
Both Blaise and Wil had a grey look about them and both men had their eyes closed.
"Well. You finally made it here to check if I was still alive," croaked Blaise opening one eye "Wil and I thought we'd have to die to get your attention. Hello Harry. Where's an Auror when you need one? Have you checked on Ginny?"
"You need to take a page out of Wil's book and not talk so much." Draco ordered trying his best to make it sound like a suggestion. "The Healer only let us in for a minute."
A groggy Wil chimed in. "I'm lying here quietly so no one will know I've shat myself. If you don't mind me saying."
Draco and Harry gave brief smiles, but knew the situation was still serious.
"They actually detained Ginny?" Asked an incredulous Draco. "What the…."
In his raspy voice, Blaise told them that his witch had become a thing of wonder after Goyle threw the first curse. I got it worse than Wil because Ginny hexed Goyle's arse and knocked him sideways when he went for Wil. I lay there bleeding proud as all hell of her. Luckily, Clarke was off in the dark with some witch when all this was happening.
"Clarke? Is Clarke alive? Fucking Weasley told me he was dead. I cannot stomach that ginger bastard. Where is Clarke? Why isn't he here?"
"Draco please," pleaded Wil. "Keep it down. My head is pounding. Clarke must be somewhere giving a statement. I really don't remember too much."
"Listen," said Harry. "Draco and I will go check on Ginny and Clarke and the others. You should be able to have a few visitors later today. I'll see you then. Rest well."
"See you later mates. I'm sure someone will have Goyle's head on a platter before the day is over."
"I hope so." Wil groaned trying to keep his eyes open, but not succeeding. "That bastard is a maniac."
Harry had pulled the door open and was about to step into the corridor when Wil spoke again. "This is all my fault. Betty Goyle, who is evidently the arsehole's sister, is the witch who invited me to the party. I put not only myself, but Ginny, Blaise and Clarke in danger by following after a bit of pussy. I'm sorry."
Blaise groaned as he tried to sit up but fell back down on the bed. "This was nobody's fault but Goyle's. How could you know Betty had a lunatic brother who would stir up trouble?
"Still….."
"Still nothing Wil. Just please stop talking. My head is now pounding. On your way out Draco. Please ask the Healer to bring us both a headache potion. Thanks."
/*/
Once outside St Mungo's, Harry told Draco he was going to have to wake Kingsley if someone hadn't already. "Dark magic five years later is not good. I had that bastard not once, but twice. He's no bloody good. Why don't you check on Desmond and Beth? If Clarke is at the Ministry, I'll see that he and Ginny get sorted. I know Ginny must still be there. If she wasn't, she would have St Mungos's in a state of uproar. If you don't mind, I'll check with you later at the Manor, so take down all the kill Potter wards."
Draco smiled as he extended his hand to Harry. "Those particular wards were taken down ages ago. Feel free to stop by. Thank you for your help."
/*/
Draco made his first stop The Dorchester. After waking Desmond and Beth and telling them the story, he suggested they come stay at the Manor until time for their Portkey. Desmond thanked Draco, declined his invitation, but asked to be taken to see Wil and Clarke.
Draco answered as diplomatically as possible. "Harry is seeing to Clarke who should be here shortly. As much as you want to see Wil. He is not allowed visitors until later this afternoon, but he is getting the best care possible."
Desmond couldn't contain himself and lashed out. "Best care possible? What a bleeding joke. The best care possible would have been to attend a party and come home drunk. Yet he's somewhere lying in a hospital bed not allowed visitors. He was with people he barely knew because you wanted to get home to.. To what? Your overly large, vulgar manor. Well. At least we now know what your friends get up to. Don't we?"
Draco said nothing, feeling as though he deserved a tongue lashing for deserting his friends, but Beth spoke up.
"Desmond is upset Draco. He doesn't mean half of what he is saying. At least I hope he doesn't because I seem to remember you being left behind at various places."
The bluster seemed to drain from Desmond as he listened to what Beth was saying. "You're right Beth. I'm worried about Wil and Clarke and I'm being a right, stupid arse. My apologies Draco. This is not your fault. Although it wasn't quite this serious, I do remember Wil and I leaving you at Treacher's where some thug wanted to knock you on your drunk arse. We are brothers and I should be thanking you for getting Wil care. Forgive me for my remarks."
The two men shook hands while Beth wrapped her arms around Desmond's waist. Draco had begun to explain more about Wil when the door opened and in came Clarke looking worse for wear.
"What a night." He said shaking Draco's hand then plopping down in a chair. "I felt like I was in a Muggle movie. Blaise's witch did some of the fanciest wand work I've ever seen. Unfortunately, the police or whatever they're called had to arrest her because I think she was trying to kill everyone in the flat. She was cool with a capital C."
Desmond, Draco and Beth couldn't believe what was coming out of Clarke's mouth. He'd had fun.
Seeing the looks on their faces, Clarke was quick to explain how Harry had got him sorted with MLE and informed him that Wil and Blaise were doing fine. "We'll be able to visit Wil by 11:30 this morning. I'm going to my suite. I need to get a few hours sleep. Even Pepper-Up Potion can't help me right now. I'll see you all a bit later. Don't leave for the hospital without me."
"Alright Clarke. We'll wake you at 10:00. Have a good rest."
"By the way." Clarke said turning back to face his friends. "I don't mean to make light of Wil's predicament, but perhaps this will teach him not to follow every witch who gives him a pat down. Sorry for the language Beth. See you later."
/*/
After Clarke left, Draco apologized again for intruding telling them he would return at 11:15 to escort them to St Mungo's.
Desmond walked over to Draco and put one hand on each of his shoulders. "Thanks for being there for us mate. We'll meet you in the lobby at 11:15. Merci vilmal."
"Bitte mate."
/*/
Draco arrived back at the Manor around 4:00 and went directly to bed leaving orders with Elder to wake him at 10:00 am.
All this bullshite, he thought before dropping off to sleep to dream about some strange flat, an infirm witch, mobile devices and Hermione Granger.
/*/
Elder woke Draco at 10:00 on the nose. Even though he'd had six straight hours of sleep. Draco sat on the side of his bed feeling as though he hadn't had any sleep at all. Looking at himself in the bathroom mirror, Draco thought his red eyes made him look like a Ukrainian Ironbelly. A quick Red Out Spell cleared the red out and he was ready for a nice, hot shower.
Ten minutes later, Draco stepped back into his bedroom to find that Missy had laid out tea, sausage, eggs and toast on his side table which he wolfed down ravenously.
/*/
Clarke, Desmond and Beth were waiting in the lobby bags in hand when Draco arrived.
"We'll shrink these down when we get to a private area. Didn't want to give the Muggles anything to ponder." Desmond joked quietly. "Bills have been paid. We have Wil's things as well. Our Portkeys are scheduled for 7:45 pm. If Wil isn't allowed to take a Portkey, he'll have to remain behind until he is allowed. If you don't mind, we will take you up on your offer of lodging at Malfoy Manor until tonight."
"That's fine." Draco acknowledged with a gesture. "Now let's get to St Mungo's before Wil thinks we've deserted him."
/*/
Even though Wil and Blaise were progressing well enough to be moved to private rooms of their own, the Head Healer had insisted they stay roomed together. The less people who knew about the dark spell, the better.
The Head Healer led the group to room 1F, A&B leaving them at the door. It was a large single room split in two by a heavy curtain pulled around Blaise's bed.
Draco pushed his head through the curtain to greet Blaise and immediately pulled back. Ginny was snuggled beside Blaise and they both appeared to be sleeping.
It was at that moment that Draco's perception of Ginny changed. She was exactly where she should be. With her wizard. A small sigh escaped Draco's lips as he wondered if a certain witch could ever care for him that much.
Draco turned when he heard someone mention his name to face a much more lively looking Wil.
"Looking good there my friend. What are the Healers saying?"
"Shouldn't you already know that? I told them you were my husband." Wil joked weakly.
The others laughed as Draco pitched his voice a little higher and answered Wil. "Well love. If Clarke, Desmond and Beth weren't here, I'd climb right in that bed and show you what a good husband can do."
Clarke laughed loudly which elicited a hiss from the other side of the room. "You lot over there. There is a sick wizard on this side who is trying to sleep. Keep it down."
Draco grimaced as he responded to Ginny. "Sorry Ginny. How's Blaise?"
"Rather than shout. I'll come out."
Draco grimaced again. As did Clarke who didn't want Ginny to come waving her wand.
"Hey Wil. You're looking better by the hour. Hello everyone. Hello Draco. You missed a lovely party. Especially the part where the fucking Goyles tried to kill my wizard. How must you feel him having been your best mate at one time?"
"That's enough Ginny." Blaise said standing with a tight hold on the curtain. "If you have something to say to Draco, please save it for another time or Clarke, Wil and Desmond will get the wrong impression. We've all had those friends in our youth we wouldn't acknowledge now. Goyle is one of those. If you would be so kind to come over here to help me back to bed. I'd be ever so grateful."
Before Ginny helped him back to bed, Blaise told Clarke, Desmond and Beth it had been a pleasure to meet them and they would have to come back when there were no maniacs on the loose.
/*/
Draco and the others visited with Wil for several hours before Desmond and Beth went to have lunch. Clarke who remained behind asked Draco if Goyle really had been his best mate at one time.
Draco had no intention of lying. "Yes. He and a bloke named Crabbe were my very best mates when I was in school. All three of us were arseholes. Crabbe died, I changed, but Goyle remained the same. The Aurors will find and deal with him. No worries. Speaking of which, has anyone from the Ministry come to take your statement Wil? In case you can't make it back for a trial, they will need a statement to be read into the record. Fact is, I shouldn't be discussing any part of it with you as the case will surely come to OTS in the near future.
When the Meals Witch came in with Wil and Blaise's lunch, Draco and Clarke excused themselves so he could eat in peace.
Ginny came out from behind the curtain taking Draco by the arm. "I apologize for my remarks. I was thinking and speaking at the same time. Very hard for me to do." She said laughing. "Do you mind if I accompany you all to lunch?"
"We don't mind at all. Be back in a bit." Draco called out to Wil and Blaise. Then the four headed to the lifts.
"By the way Draco. Harry told me Ron tried to arrest you this morning. He's such a shite, but he's my brother. What can I do?"
Clarke looked as though he wanted to comment on yet another out of control brother, but he didn't. He kept his thoughts to himself.
/*/
The four found Desmond and Beth still having lunch. Desmond mentioned that he and Beth had been discussing what to do in case Wil wasn't able to get authorization to take a Portkey back with them. Beth thought Wil could take a plane, but Draco quickly explained atmospheric pressure might reopen his wounds. They seemed to be out of options. The consensus was everyone other than Wil would return home, hold the fort and Wil would come when he had a Healer's release.
Fork in hand, Ginny offered some advice. "Why don't you all hold on until you hear what the Head Healer has to say. There is a charm that will wrap Wil's injured parts so he can travel. But again, that would be up to the Healer. Check before you give up.
When the group got back to the first floor, the first thing they did was confer with the Head Healer who was agreeable to sending Wil home in a Partial Stasis Charm which would keep his injuries protected. He told them that the Healers had done everything they could. It was now up to Wil to rest. The Healer thought it would be fine for Wil to have the charm cast, be discharged with instructions to rest until time to have the charm cast again just before catching his Portkey.
Wil was all for it. Within thirty minutes, Wil had the first Partial Stasis Charm cast and was discharged into Draco's care. Once they were all sure of the Apparating directions to Malfoy Manor, they said their goodbyes to Blaise and Ginny and were ready to head out.
Desmond, Clarke and Beth were much more at ease now that Wil was coming home with them. No one wanted to say it out loud, but they had severe reservations about leaving Wil in London.
/*/
While his friends were talking, Draco stepped away to tell Missy to prepare dinner with dessert to be served at 5:00. Then he had gone to the study to Owl Hermione. He hadn't been able to contact her all day and wanted to let her know he hadn't forgotten about their date. Elder took the message to the Owlery while Draco spent a few minutes thinking how lovely it would be to have Hermione as loyal to him as Ginny was to Blaise.
It might never happen, but he could hope. First he had to get a date.
/*/
Dinner was a great time with Clarke regaling them with his story of Rebecca's party. Everyone was laughing when Draco left the table to check to see if Hermione had returned his Owl. She had. The message wasn't very long or detailed, but Draco had his answer. Hermione hadn't forgotten about the date either. She did mention their date might not happen for a while as half her staff had been involved in an incident and she was debating on whether to sack them all.
Draco smiled at the note in his hand. He could hear Hermione cursing the lot of them out. He didn't envy any of them especially Rebecca, Boot and Finch-Fletchley. A Ministry Official had nearly been killed. Dark spells had been cast. Because the incident happened at Rebecca's house, she would catch the brunt of everyone's displeasure. Not that she could have known Goyle would act like an arse, but because he had been invited in the first place.
/*/
Draco was still studying Hermione's note when Elder entered the room to tell him someone was at the front gates. Pulling out his wand, being careful not to let those in the dining room see Draco told Elder to bring the guest through the wards to the front door. He thought it was Goyle at the door looking for shelter. If it was Goyle, shelter was the last thing he would find.
Draco stowed his wand when he saw Elder return with Harry in tow.
"Ah." Harry gloated. "The wards may have been adjusted, but the sentinel with the wand still waits patiently for the prey."
Draco grinned as he reached out to shake Harry's hand. "Perhaps you'll learn to trust me one day Potter. In fact, seeing there is a chance you and I might find ourselves on the same OTS Team, I'm sure of it. Come on inside and join us for some dinner."
"I'd love a bit of dinner, but I need a private word."
"Not more bad news I hope." Draco commented dryly. "Has Goyle managed to escape the Aurors or worse, injured someone else?"
"No news on that front yet." Harry answered calmly. "I've spoken to Anthony Goldstein who assured me Kingsley has issued a Full Auror Alert. Unless Goyle has left the country, it's only a matter of time before he's captured. Harry went on to share a bit more news before the two wizards headed to the dining room."
If Draco understood Harry correctly, Rebecca's flat was closed off until Rick Walters and his OTS team could get there to gather evidence. No flat. Possibly no Job. This Rebecca had given up a lot for a party. In addition, Betty Goyle was being detained so MLE could interrogate her. There was a last bit that had made Draco smile on the inside. Evidently, Terry Boot who had been at the party with a date had been knocked on his arse. The only one to draw a wand against Goyle had been Ginny.
What a wanker, Draco thought to himself.
Harry only stayed long enough to have dessert with the group as it was almost time for them to prepare for their Portkeys.
/*/
Draco's Owl had been a nice surprise considering what was going on. Hermione had received an Owl from Justin advising her that there had been some trouble at Rebecca's party. He had explained in full detail how Gregory Goyle had gone mental and attacked Blaise Zabini and a wizard named Wil Baker. The message had gone on to say that the whispers were Goyle had used dark magic.
She had been sitting on the couch considering sacking the lot of them. However, when she thought it over, Hermione knew sacking wasn't the answer. Justin and Terry would be humiliated enough on their own than they'd be over anything she could do or say. The problem was none of her people who attended the party would be able to work the case, because they were part of the case. Then Hermione realized she was acting as though her group was the only Wizarding Prosecutors in London. They weren't. And because most of her top staff had been involved, the case would probably be handed to Jack Dillard.
Dammit!
When her head had cleared a bit, Hermione dashed off a short message to Draco telling him she hadn't forgotten about their date cautioning him it might not be for a while. Hermione tried not to let her annoyance spill over to the message she was writing, but wasn't sure she had achieved her goal. She had first thought to hold on to the letter and mail it out via General Owl Services on Monday, but prying her lazy arse off the couch she used her own solitary owl to send it. Like Draco, Hermione could definitely see the benefit of having a mobile communications device.
Hoping a nice, warm soak would take her mind off what would greet her in the morning, Hermione gathered some of her sexy smelling bath salts and hair care products then slid into a tub full of suds. Hermione charmed the hair care products to remain in her hair while she soaked. Every time the water cooled down, she spelled it back hot. Two hours later, she rinsed her hair and stepped out of the tub feeling like a very sexy smelling prune. After drying herself, Hermione stood in the middle of her bedroom starkers as the day she'd been born and dabbed a tiny bit of oil through her hair. Then, instead of drying it or twisting it into a knot, she let her hair fall down her back in damp, shimmering waves.
Hermione had just finished pulling on the half shirt and shorts she used as pajamas when her doorbell rang.
Has to be Terry, she thought throwing on a light robe and heading to the door. No matter how angry he is with me, Mr. Boot has come to fall on his wand. He'll be lucky if I don't run him through.
/*/
At 7:30, Draco cast another Partial Stasis Charm over Wil's wounds while the others gathered around all talking at once. Wil was still in some pain, but more than glad to be going home with the others.
Draco accompanied the Swiss group to the main London Portkey Office to see them off. He had been glad to see them come, but was equally as glad to see them go. One of the best Wizarding cities in the Wizarding World had been quite unkind to his visitors. Fucking Goyle and his twit of a sister had seen to that.
A germ of an idea had begun to form as he stood there watching each of his friends step up to the Portkey. It was a wild idea that might not turn out well, but he was going to try anyway. Back at the Manor, Draco sat down at the desk in his study and opened the pamphlet from American Wizarding Technologies he'd found the previous night. For the next fifteen minutes, he absorbed as much information as he could. Then he was ready.
/*/
The harsh words Hermione had for Terry Boot faded from her lips as she threw open the door to find not Terry but Draco.
"Hello. I hope I'm not intruding." He said holding up the American Wizarding Technologies folder so Hermione could read the name. "Wil, Desmond, Clarke and Beth have gone. I was sitting at home reading over this bit of information I found on my father's desk and remembered how important this technology business is to you. So I thought we might discuss it. Your hair looks lovely all wavy like that. May I come in?"
An astonished Hermione automatically stepped back to let Draco through.
"Have I left you speechless yet again?" He asked with a perfectly straight face. "I'm getting very good at that."
"I. How? I'm..." Hermione stammered, willing herself not to blush as she realized she was standing half naked in front of Draco Malfoy. Closing her front door, Hermione rushed from the room mumbling that she should put on something more appropriate.
As he watched Hermione rush from the room, Draco murmured very softly. "Don't put on extra clothing on my account. What you do or do not have on is perfectly fine. Right little dragon?" He remarked, glancing down at the growing swell between his legs cautioning his dick that this was not the time.
In the bedroom, Hermione was almost in a panic. What must Draco think of me throwing open my door in almost nothing but my underwear? I'm sure the word tart is floating around his head right about now. Fanning herself with her hand, Hermione again willed the blush away.
By the time the red had drained from Hermione's face, her good sense had returned. Why was she in a panic? Draco had turned up at her flat unannounced. Who did that? With a flounce of her lovely, wavy hair, Hermione returned to the living room ready to straighten out her uninvited guest.
/*/
Draco had begun to grow restless. Perhaps this hadn't been his best idea. Actually, he must have been thinking with his arse to do something this stupid. Draco went to stand thinking he should try to bow out as gracefully as possible.
Too late. Hermione was back.
Draco tried to speak first, but like some 1st year professor, Hermione held up a hand. "I'm not sure what you're trying to do Draco, but turning up at my flat in the middle of the night is unacceptable. Our friendship may bloody well fall apart if you are going to do this sort of thing on a regular basis. I like my privacy. Respect it. Respect me. Don't do it again. With that said, I appreciate the fact you are interested in new technology, but the pursuit of new ideas doesn't mean we forego good manners."
The plan hadn't worked.
Draco stood holding the American Wizarding Technologies folder off to the side. The need to cover his growing swell had quickly vanished with Hermione's telling off. "You're right Hermione. I apologize for my lack of good judgment. When you advised me of your very full schedule, I thought I would get this information to you before you stepped into tomorrow's storm. We'll speak another time. Have a good night."
Hermione hadn't hexed him or shouted at him. Draco thought she might be wavering. Putting one foot in front of the other, Draco headed to the door as slowly as possible hoping Hermione would call him back.
She hadn't. She went one better. Just as he reached the door, she asked about Wil.
"It would seem you're not the only one who has forgotten their manners. I should have asked about Wil sooner. How did he make out? Went home with all his appendages, did he?"
"Yes he did. Thanks for asking." Draco answered without turning away from the door. "The Healers at St Mungo's allowed him to go home under a Partial Stasis Charm."
"Really? A Partial Stasis Charm."
Hearing the excitement in Hermione's voice, Draco made a mental note. He now knew two things that excited Hermione Granger.
"I haven't heard anything about that spell in years." Hermione continued, either forgetting or ignoring the fact she had just been angry with Draco. "So that must mean the spells Goyle cast were indeed dark magic."
When Draco didn't answer, Hermione realized she was keeping him from leaving. "I've already chucked you out. Yet I'm keeping you here with my questions."
Draco put his hand on the knob to go, but Hermione stopped him with a statement and another question. "Since you are already here. Shall we get to work on mobile technology so you can ring me before popping up unexpected?"
Draco smiled as he turned away from the door, not only because she invited him to stay, but also because she expected to see him at her door in the future. "We can do that. Besides, I have been thoroughly reprimanded about turning up at your door uninvited. It will not happen again."
Glancing down at the floor so Hermione couldn't see the happiness in his eyes. Draco thought to himself, I wonder if she'll consider this a first date.
His plan had worked. Only by the bare skin of his teeth, but it had worked.
"Ah technology."