All of Harry Potter and anything related to it are the sole property of J.K. Rowling.
(Each title is derived from a song that, I believe, complements the overall narrative, if not the individual chapter.)
Hogwarts 5th June 1997
Hermione's Point of View
I had been thinking about Draco's birthday for weeks, trying to come up with something I could give him that nobody else could. It was incredibly difficult to find anything. Towards the end of May, I had come up with an idea, and, thanks to Jomny, it looked like it would be able to happen. I was incredibly nervous about it, but hoped he would agree.
The day before, I had asked Harry if I could borrow the Marauders Map until Friday. He was taken aback and reluctant, but he handed it over to me. I was surprised when I only felt a little guilt at lying to him, but I knew exactly why he wanted it, and I couldn't let Harry see Draco on the map on his birthday.
On Thursday morning, I woke up and hoped I hadn't made a mistake, not giving him time to prepare. I wanted to surprise him, but I also knew he had things he needed to get done to stay safe.
"Good morning, beautiful," he said from behind me when he noticed I was awake and started kissing my neck and shoulder. I still got shivers at his touch and smiled.
"Happy Birthday, Draco," I told him with a grin, rolling over to look at him. His grey eyes sparkled with happiness and love.
"Thank you," he said, but I could see that he was distressed, and I knew it was because of his parents. He had received a letter from them the night before that had looked rushed but had still conveyed their love. He had been unhappy and worried most of the night because of it. I wished I could take away his pain and hoped today would help with that. I was determined to only make him smile today.
"I have a question to ask you," I told him, and he grinned.
"Anything you want is yours," he told me, and I laughed.
"Isn't that supposed to be the other way around? It is your birthday."
"I could work with that too," he said, bending forward to kiss me. I let him until he started for more. He frowned at me when I moved back.
"I really do have something to ask you," I told him.
"Okay," he said, and flopped back down on his pillow, looking disappointed, and I smiled at the expression. I sat up, pulling the blanket with me, so I knew he couldn't get distracted.
"Do you have anything important to do today? In fact, I am hoping you are free for approximately twenty-four hours," I told him. He sat back up, looking intrigued.
"I have to go check a potion but could be back by no later than ten AM," he replied, a smile spreading across his face.
"Can you dress in casual clothing?" I asked him.
"Okay," he agreed. "Are we going somewhere?" He asked and sounded a bit worried about that.
"Yes, and it's a surprise," I told him, kissing his worried-looking lips.
"We are going to be outside of this room?" He asked.
"Yes. I just want to spend some time with you that I get to remember for a while," I told him, and he grinned at that. "Jomny has helped me, so everything should be fine."
"Okay," he agreed again and then tried to kiss me again, but I slipped out of bed. "Where are you going?" He asked, sounding frustrated.
"Bathroom, of course," I told him. He flopped down into bed again, but with a long-suffering huff that had me laughing.
When he got back at ten, I was already dressed and ready to go. I was wearing a green cocktail dress that my parents had bought me for a function last summer. Jomny had had one of the laundry House Elves alter it for me, so it hung with ease over my belly. I decided to also wear the beautiful gold oval locket on the heavy chain that my parents gave me for my birthday, which hung down to rest between the cleavage I wished wasn't so obvious. I also wore black sandals with low heels and a matching cardigan that I put in my purse, a small black clutch that had an extension charm on it. I had pulled my hair back into a ponytail but it looked elegant with my curls tamed.
Draco stepped into the room and stared at me. And just stared.
"Don't you like it?" I asked him, feeling a bit nervous. I turned around slowly, so he could see all of it.
"You..." he stopped and licked his lips. "You look breathtaking," he told me in a low voice. I believed him.
"Thank you," I said softly, blushing. I sounded shy, even to my own ears. I walked over to him and kissed him lightly on the cheek. He wrapped his arms around me and hugged me tightly.
"You're welcome," he whispered in my ear. He kissed my neck, making me shiver with pleasure. I pushed away with a pleased smile, and I went over to the table and sat down on one of the chairs while he went to his trunk and started going through his clothes. Finally, he pulled out a suit.
"We are supposed to be casual, Draco," I reminded him gently.
"You don't look casual," he protested, sounding confused.
"This was the only dress I had in my trunk that still fit me even a little, and Jomny had to get it altered for me," I explained.
"Oh," he said, understanding. He frowned and looked back into his trunk.
"I can't believe I have to ask this, but what do you usually wear when you need casual clothes?" I asked him curiously.
"I have suits," he answered simply, making me laugh at his expression.
"I take it you don't own a pair of jeans?" I asked him amusedly.
"What are those?" He asked baffled, making me laugh even harder. He was so adorable in his cluelessness about Muggle things.
"You said you ride horses…" I tried to continue.
"No, I didn't," he interrupted me quickly. "I said I ride Abraxans. My family breeds them, and my grandfather was named for them."
"Anyway," I said, waving it away teasingly and grinning at him. "What do you wear while riding?"
"Riding clothes," he replied seriously, as if that explained everything. I couldn't help it, I laughed harder.
"A suit will be fine," I said through my giggles. He tried to look offended, but he couldn't hide the smile that tugged at his lips. He put the suit back on the bed, then reached in and pulled out a green tie to match my dress. He quickly changed into it and looked at me for approval.
"I can't possibly take you out there wearing that!" I told him with mock seriousness. He looked down at his black suit in confusion.
"What's wrong with it?" He asked.
"You will give old ladies heart attacks in the streets. Nope, it's just too sexy," I told him. He swooped down, taking my face between his hands, and kissed me hard.
"Witch," he muttered, his eyes shiny with happiness but still a little worried. "What is the plan?" he asked, and looked at the door with a frown.
"When we step outside that door, we are both going to cast a Disillusionment Charm on ourselves, and then I will lead the way. You just keep a hold of my hand," I told him with an excited smile. He nodded, but looked as if he really didn't think this was a good idea.
Once we were both invisible, and I had reminded him what we were doing, I found his hand; I felt amazingly shy about it but determined too. I took us out the front doors and down the path towards the whomping willow, dodging the occasional students and a teacher who crossed our way.
"Why are we here?" I heard his voice ask softly.
"You'll see," I told him, taking out my wand. "Immobulus," I said softly, aiming the spell towards a knot on the trunk that I knew would freeze the dangerous tree. The branches stopped moving and became as still as any other tree. I pulled him forward, but could feel his hesitation and reluctance in every step. Thankfully, he followed without complaint, even when we had to bend forward to walk through the dark, root-filled tunnel and I had to use my free arm to support my belly.
"Are we… is this the shrieking shack?" I heard him ask in astonishment.
"Yep," I answered with a bit of amused smugness, my eyes darting around the decrepit old building as memories of third year entered my mind. I turned and walked us towards a wall that looked solid and impenetrable. Without hesitating, I stepped through it, dragging Draco along with me. "Thank you, Jomny," I said out loud. Draco laughed.
"Are you telling me you just walked into a wall without knowing if you could get through it?" He asked in amazed amusement.
"Jomny said it would work, and I believed him," I said confidently as I continued to walk along, heading towards Hogsmeade.
"Where are we going?" He asked.
"We are going to London," I told him.
"Very well, but let me hold onto you while we go through the Floo. And I will be paying for the superior powder, not the inferior product the Weasel uses," he told me, sounding like his arrogant self. I found the tone didn't bother me anymore. It was just a part of him.
"That's fine," I said with an invisible eye roll for the continued childish name. I felt a thrill shoot through me when his arms wrapped around me, holding me tight to his chest when we were finally within the fireplace of the Three Broom Sticks. Nobody was really bothered by invisible people passing through the tavern or that the Floo flared to life a moment later. Madam Rosmerta didn't even have to check that a coin had been left because the fire wouldn't have worked otherwise. She was also used to the strangeness of her customers, and nothing much fazed her in her pub.
When we got to the Leaky Cauldron, Draco tried to steer me towards the back, where the entrance to Diagon Alley was. "No," I whispered, hoping only he heard me, and pulled him towards the front entrance. He literally froze before I got there.
"That… I can't…" he faltered, his voice barely audible. I turned and somehow found his invisible face with my hand.
"Trust me," I whispered. It took a second, but I felt him nod slightly. He gripped my hand tighter as we walked through the door, but the sun was nice and warm when we stepped outside. I turned us and kept walking invisibly along the sidewalk until we came to a busy street I knew to have taxis. I took us down a side alley and said gently, "You can remove the spell now." He was still inviable when I was visible, but he emerged a moment later and looked around nervously.
"Is this safe?" He asked me, his voice tense.
"Perfectly safe," I promised, smiling reassuringly. He looked down and saw my stomach, which was incredibly large under my dress. His eyes widened, and he reached out to touched it gently with both hands.
"Your clothes," he said to me, looking shy. He also looked at my cleavage, showing as it was in the V-neckline of the dress. He frowned and blushed, but wisely said nothing. It was strange how new this felt to both of us and yet it wasn't. We had barely spoken outside of that room and never spent any time alone together.
"I didn't want anything to be a lie out here. I want us to have a real day. A day we get to remember for a little while," I said, unaware I was echoing the words I had uttered before we left Hogwarts. I felt a surge of nervousness in my chest. This was like a first date, and yet logically, I knew that wasn't the case.
"Come on," I said, and I took his hand again. His fingers were warm and strong in mine; I felt a jolt of electricity run through me, and I wondered if I would ever get used to feeling his skin against mine. I dragged him towards a black taxi that was parked by the curb, but he stopped again when I had the door open. He looked at the car with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
"What is it?" He leaned down so he could whisper softly in my ear. I looked at him in disbelief for a moment, and then it dawned on me that he had never seen a car before. He had never been exposed to anything Muggle ever. At all! It was amazing to me how much he didn't know and how much I wanted to show him.
"It's a car. Think of it like a broom that multiple people can ride on or in, in this case," I explained. He still looked unsure, but I got in with my hand still in his, and he either had to let go or follow. He followed. I smiled at him in comfort.
Draco's Point of View
I felt overwhelmed by the noise and the crowds of people. I saw cars zooming by, buses (at least I somewhat recognised those) honking their horns, shops displaying their goods, and people acting bizarrely, in my opinion. The most frustrating thing was that I kept having to ask Hermione what everything was; however, she was happy to tell me and attempted to give comparisons to things I would understand when she could.
It was only because of everything I had written in my diary about us that I remained with her throughout the day. I was aware she deserved my trust, and I was determined to see this through.
She had the car driver drop us off at the largest store I had ever seen. And then she led me past more Muggles as they shopped, talked, and engaged in public acts of affection that I was cognizant would not be acceptable in Diagon Alley.
"They are just kissing, Draco," Hermione said with a shy smile, noticing my gaze directed towards the couple that appeared similar in age to us. I shook my head and continued to follow her.
Parents stopped holding the hands of children in public when they were old enough to go off with friends in my world. The fact that I was holding Hermione's hand now was more because I felt certain I would become lost in the crowd if I didn't. I also admitted to myself that I liked her hand in mine, but I was also conscious of my upbringing and that to show affection in public was taboo and déclassé.
A Slytherin teenager was also more discreet on Valentine's Day than the rest of the school; the only day public affection was at the very least ignored by the more noble classes and only because it was a day of ritual celebration.
She took me into a store that had clothing, insisting that my suit was too much for a day around London. She had a young saleswoman assist in choosing clothing and then sent me off to test the fit of the stiff and uncomfortable clothes. I stepped out of the curtained area to find Hermione perched on a rather uncomfortable-looking chair, her hands gently rubbing her enlarged stomach. Even in her current state, she appeared beautiful to me. In that dress, she effortlessly eclipsed every other female we had passed today. I also hadn't liked how many of the males clearly agreed with my judgement.
"Oh no," she said at once in dismay as she looked me over. The saleswoman approached to ascertain the issue and then halted to cast her gaze upon me as well. They both had the same expression of amused fascination on their faces.
"What's the matter?" I inquired with a frown.
"I have never seen jeans look so wrong on somebody before, but that is just..." she trailed off, appearing confounded, yet the amusement was still evident around her eyes.
"Yes, that doesn't work at all," the young woman agreed, shaking her head. "Perhaps some slack and a button down," she suggested to Hermione, pointing at a rack of clothes nearby.
"Yes," Hermione agreed, and then made an attempt to rise, but it was a struggle. The woman took pity on her.
"Allow me. I'll be back in a moment," she told us, and we both nodded. Hermione reached into her bag and pulled out one of the granola bars that I had noted in my diary that Jomny made for her.
"Would you like some?" she inquired when she noticed I was still watching her. I shook my head. I was merely happy to watch her. Especially here, where I was certain no one would object to my attention. The woman was back a moment later and passed me soft grey trousers and a white shirt. I went back into the curtained area that barely offered privacy and came back out when I was dressed in them.
"That's better," Hermione commented with an approving nod, then met my eyes and turned her head slightly, a coy smile gracing her lips and a blush creeping up her cheeks. I liked that the sight of me could make her blush.
"Yes, it is. Now you just need a belt. Black, I think, so you don't need to change your shoes," the woman was saying. She reached behind a counter and retrieved one. I put it on as soon as she handed it to me. I went back into the room to make certain I had all my belongings and to put my wand holster on under the shirt. It didn't fit, so with a sigh of annoyance, I added an Extendable Charm and a Concealing Charm to a pocket and placed my wand in there. A light overhead flickered and dimmed, but I paid it no mind as I gathered my suit and holster.
"Oh, sweetheart," I heard the young woman saying to Hermione when I was returning. "You chose good, getting knocked up by him." The woman turned and cast me an ill-mannered, appreciative glance that had me frowning. She eyed me from head to toe, lingering on my arms and chest, which were outlined visibly underneath the uncomfortable Muggle shirt. Already I missed the Acromantula silk of my own shirt.
"Thank you," Hermione said, sounding shy still but also amused, even as she herself looked me over. I was glad she was happy with what had happened because I found it damned sexy.
"How tall are you anyway?" the woman queried me suddenly, ignoring that Hermione and I were merely content to gaze at each other.
"Six-foot-two," I retorted with a hint of irritation, then turned my gaze back to Hermione and queried, "Why are we speaking to this person?" The saleswoman appeared affronted and walked away, but Hermione chuckled and shook her head as if I had said something funny. She took my suit and holster from me and put them into her purse, then I helped her up from the chair.
We headed to the cashier to pay for my purchases, and I didn't like that Hermione had to use her baffling piece of hard card to pay for it. I didn't understand how it worked, especially as it was returned to her and appeared unchanged. Yet, they both gave the impression of accepting it as a form of currency, so I held my tongue. An older saleswoman came around another counter eagerly, putting her hands all over Hermione's distended belly and asked her all kinds of personal questions. Hermione responded without worry. I, on the other hand, was not pleased.
"Why do people keep talking to us and touching you?" I queried her as we exited the shop, and she gave me that amused grin again. She appeared radiant today, and I felt that surge of pride and protectiveness for her and our unborn son again.
"Muggles need touch a lot more than magical kind, I have noticed. Old people and babies have been known to die of lack of touch, and so a lot of us just accept a certain level of invaded personal space. Muggles also enjoy talking to each other and learning about each other's lives. We are very social creatures," she explained as we walked along the busy street.
"You are a witch, Hermonie," I reminded her, feeling out of place in this Muggle world.
"Mostly perhaps," she agreed, "but I was raised Muggle, and I like to see people holding hands and talking to a stranger is nice sometimes."
"Muggles are bizarre," I breathed out, not really understanding but taking her hand happily. I really liked this part, despite my conscious awareness that I shouldn't.
After the clothes shopping, Hermione decided we needed to get an early lunch and took us to a cart that sold food on the street. I was appalled by the idea, but she assured me that it was delicious. I wasn't convinced that mattered when I had to hold the sausage in the bun with my bare hands. I had never eaten without silverware before. She also bought something labelled 'Coca-Cola', which was a fizzy drink with a sweet taste. It was quite refreshing until it made me burp out loud, much to my embarrassment. Hermione laughed hysterically as I discarded our food and drink in sheer revulsion.
"I was eating that," she protested between giggles.
"That stuff is unacceptable as consumables," I declared to her, my voice dripping with disgust. She laughed even harder but otherwise didn't complain, even as I led her away. I would find us appropriate fare somewhere among these unrefined people that would not only cater to my particular tastes but also live up to the high standards I demanded.
Hermione took me to view some of what she referred to as the famous landmarks of London. We went to Tower Bridge, Big Ben, the London Eye, and Buckingham Palace. The latter one I had at least heard of. I was impressed by the architecture and the history of the buildings, but I was also getting bored by the crowds and the noise. I much preferred the quiet and the elegance of the magical world.
I also felt uneasy about the Muggle technology. I didn't understand how it worked and didn't particularly want to. I was also concerned that merely being a magical might cause damage, and I was afraid I might break something or cause a scene. People appeared to be everywhere, taking pictures with their cameras, while others were listening loudly to obnoxious music at decibels that, quite frankly, felt entirely uncalled for. I wondered why they needed the music while out in public anyway.
I also felt annoyed by the Muggle fashion. I thought it was too casual and plain. Some of the women were barely dressed. I missed my robes and suits. I felt like I was wearing a costume, and I hated it, but I cast my gaze towards Hermione, who appeared to enjoy everything. She was fascinated by the Muggle culture, and she was enjoying sharing it with me. She pointed out things that she found interesting or funny, and she made an effort to coax a laugh or a smile from me. Which she did, but perhaps not in the ways she intended.
She appeared so beautiful to me, and I liked how her hair shone in the sun and how her eyes sparkled with excitement. Even without having to read everything in my diary, I recognised my love for her, and I wanted to make her happy. Seeing her face light up with joy filled my heart with so much warmth.
Later, I was pleased to realise that I didn't care where we were or what we were doing. All that mattered was that we were together for now. I stopped, looked around to make sure no one was paying attention to us, and then leaned in for a kiss that shocked her, making a blush creep up her cheeks again. It was only then that I remembered that I had never kissed her outside of the room. My diary was so comprehensive that it was easy to believe that I had kissed her a hundred times, and yet this felt like a first kiss.
"What was that for?" she inquired shyly.
"I wanted to thank you," I told her, and she appeared delighted. Tentatively, I leaned down and kissed her again, sighing happily against her lips when she kissed me back, wrapping her arms around my neck. "I don't know how I became so lucky, but I am glad I did," I told her as I hugged her to me.
"Me too," she agreed with a sweet smile. "Come on. I want to show you my favourite park," she said, taking my hand and leading me to another car.
"Should you be walking around this much?" I questioned her with concern as we walked around the lovely park, which reminded me a bit of some of the gardens at Malfoy Manor.
"Yes," she replied at once, then added with an amused smile, "I'm sure you have Jomny following close by anyway."
"I haven't the faintest idea what you're referring to," I replied with excessive haughtiness, and then pulled her into a sideways hug that had her laughing again. I found myself chuckling along. I had thought I was so cunning, but I should have known someone as astute as Hermione would see through me.
"What now?" I inquired, noticing that the day was beginning to dim and the afternoon was coming to an end.
"I have one more surprise," she said, blushing furiously.
"Lead on, my lady. Anything that puts such an expression on your face must be worth observing," I told her, fascinated.
After another trip in a car, we arrived at a hotel, and I grinned despite myself. I attempted to rein in my anticipation, but the eyeroll she sent my way meant I failed dismally.
"Wait here," she told me when we got inside the elegant lobby, in a commanding tone that had me raising an intrigued eyebrow, but I nodded my agreement.
It was a spacious and bright space, with marble floors and walls that reflected the light from the crystal chandeliers hanging from a high ceiling. Plush sofas and armchairs were arranged around glass tables, inviting guests to relax and chat. I admired the paintings and sculptures that adorned the room, depicting scenes and figures from Muggle history and culture. I pondered vaguely what they meant and why they were so important to them.
I turned to check what Hermione was doing after a few minutes of wandering around. She was talking to a Muggle man in a uniform at the reception desk, nodding at something he said and shaking her head at another. He soon handed her a key, and she smiled kindly at the man. I narrowed my eyes at him when he peered back at her with admiration, but when he felt my eyes on him, he quickly turned to greet somebody else.
Muggles in suits (very different from the ones I own) and dresses were walking around, carrying suitcases and bags. They appeared busy and important, but I was aware they were insignificant compared to the wizards and witches I had grown up admiring. I quickly pushed that thought away with annoyance for even letting it enter my mind.
"Do you mind if we eat before going up?" She inquired softly, coming back to my side and taking my hand easily. Her touch sent a thrill through my veins, making me feel alive and happy. "I am starving, and the concierge told me they have a lovely restaurant here."
"Of course not," I said sincerely. "I'm hungry too." I didn't care about the food, the restaurant, or anything else. All I cared about was her and spending this time with her.
I was impressed. The hotel restaurant was elegant and cosy, with soft lighting and exquisite décor. Piano music filled the air with soothing melodies, creating a romantic atmosphere. The food was delicious and satisfying, and the staff were almost as attentive and courteous as House Elves.
I turned my gaze to find an elderly Muggle couple dancing slowly beside their table, so I decided it must have been alright... here. I had desired to dance with her for so long. I remembered how envious I had been of Victor Krum at the Yule Ball, a wizard who should have been disgusted to be the date of a Muggle born, as any good pureblood would have been. And yet, as I watched as he got to hold her and make her laugh, I had wished I was brave enough to have been in his position instead. But here, I didn't have to worry about the rules of Slytherin House or my parents' expectations, so I stood up and walked around the table to hold my hand out to her.
"What is it?" She queried, looking at my hand in confusion.
"Dance with me," I proposed.
"Draco, there is no dancing here," she protested.
"Yes, there is," I countered, gently coaxing her to her feet. The smile she graced me with served as an irrefutable indication that I had made the right decision. I wrapped my arms around her waist as best I could and pulled her close to me. The old couple smiled at us with approval as Hermione gave a delighted laugh and looped her arms around my neck. I kissed her softly on the forehead and whispered, "I love you."
She peered back at me happily, a blush evident on her cheeks, but whispered back, "I love you too." She then rested her head against my shoulder and swayed with me to the music.
She got all nervous and shy again when we stepped into what she assured me was an elevator, but bore little resemblance to the ones I had encountered. I had to admit to having butterflies in my own stomach. I was aware we shared a bed every night now, thanks to my dairy. However, reading about it and experiencing it, I was certain, were going to be completely different. I reached out and took her hand once more, hoping to give her a bit of comfort while searching for my own courage.
When we got into the room with the bed, we both stood there awkwardly and then glanced at each other and laughed at the absurdity of it all.
"I ah… I need to use the restroom," she admitted with embarrassment.
"Of course," I said with understanding. Even I was astute enough to understand that pregnant witches took bathroom breaks more often.
She was at the door when she turned back to me and said, "You can get in the bed if you want," and then all but bolted into the bathroom. I gave a soft chuckle but was nervous too, so I understood the impulse.
I removed all my clothing with great care and even folded them before placing them on a chair. I stood there, in an unfamiliar room, naked, and for a moment felt very foolish. I had read about the things I had claimed to do with her, and now I felt anxious. I felt like a virgin. 'Or almost virgin', I thought as I felt a surge of disgust as Pansy entered my mind. None of the others were important enough to even give a thought to.
Dismissing Pansy from my thoughts, I pulled back the covers and climbed in. I had forgotten the light in the ceiling and thought the lamp by the bedside would be enough. I reached over to where I had placed my wand and waved it to make the room light go out. There was a bang, and everything went dark.
"Hades!" I exclaimed with fervour, raking my free hand through my hair.
"What was that?" Hermione queried, opening the door. She had a towel wrapped around herself, and her hair was down and looking wild once more.
"I used my wand," I admitted, and she laughed. She then stood there, bathed in the light from the bathroom, appearing as indecisive as I had felt mere moments ago.
"Come hop in the bed, Hermione. The night is getting cool," I told her gently.
"I'm…" She frowned and stood where she was.
"What is it?" I inquired softly.
"I'm not beautiful like you, Draco," she confessed, her tone laced with anxiety and fear.
"Are you joking?" I retorted, taken aback. "You are the most beautiful witch I have ever seen," I told her truthfully.
"But..." she began, her gaze dropping down to where her hand was resting on her large belly. The other had a tight grip on the towel, keeping it in place. There was nothing for it. I had to be the brave one. I tossed the covers aside and walked over to her. She blushed madly and went to turn her head, but caught herself and cast her gaze upon my face instead.
I took her face in my hands and said, "That is my baby, and I find you sexier than you can imagine. I also want to go and kill every Muggle or wizard who has ever even contemplated touching you. Even that Muggle downstairs was unmistakably conscious of how much I wanted to hurt him for even daring to lay his eyes on you. You make me so crazy, Hermione."
I was barely finished speaking when she was kissing me. I felt the towel fall between us, and her skin against mine made me groan. Her breast with her tight nipples felt perfect against my chest but her stomach made it impossible to get as close to her as I wanted. I carefully stepped us back until my legs hit the bed, and then I had to break the kiss. She appeared shy again when I saw her naked in the soft lighting coming from the bathroom.
"Beautiful," I told her. She gave a small smile but didn't respond. I pulled back the covers on this side and helped her get in before walking back around the other side, striving not to be perturbed that my cock was leading the way.
"You are beautiful, Draco," she told me when I sat back down next to her, and I grinned at her, feeling smug at her admiration.
"Let me simply hold you for now, Hermione. Even if we don't... ah... make love," I said shyly, endeavouring not to be crude just now. Strangely, I found that term more embarrassing than fucking or just sex. "This will have been the best birthday, because I got to spend it with you."
"Thank you," she said, and then leaned towards me and pressed a kiss to my chest, which was the closest part of me to her at the moment. We both sucked in our breaths and waited to see what else happened. I moved down in the bed a bit more and turned fully towards her; I could just discern her eyes watching me even in the dark shadows.
I put my hand on her face and whispered into the darkened room, "I love you."
"I want you, Draco," she whispered at once. "I don't want you to just be happy to have spent time with me." I had thought my cock was hard a minute ago, but it became painful at those words from her.
"Okay," I managed to say, and had absolutely no clue how I sounded so calm. I leaned forward and kissed her, and she kissed me back, pressing her hand to my chest. Slowly, she relaxed and moved the hand up, her fingertip ending up in my hair at the base of my neck. She was trembling a little, but so was I. I wondered if it was in anticipation like mine was, as I brought my hand up and took a generous breast in my hand. I ran my thumb over a hardened nipple, and she gasped, and I shuddered as pleasure shot through me.
I moved to kiss her collarbone, and she tilted her head back as if she had already anticipated my desires. I kissed lower and then took the nipple in my mouth and sucked, making her gasp. I grinned at the sound.
"Roll onto your back so I can kiss the other," I told her, and she complied at once. I set in and licked and sucked until she was moaning continuously in her pleasure. I also gave a lick up the valley between them merely because I really wanted to. "Roll the other way," I told her, still having the presence of mind to remember the notes I had written in my diary. A significant part of me still harboured the hope that we would find a way to be together in the future.
I pulled the pillow out from under my head, folded it, and placed it between her knees. She began shivering again. "Are you alright, Love?" I inquired, the term of endearment slipping out effortlessly, as if it were the most natural thing to say.
"Yes," she whispered again.
"I'm going to rub myself on you now," I told her.
"Alright," she agreed. I took myself in hand and hissed as the tip of my cock touched her wet opening. I couldn't believe how ready she was for me. Nevertheless, I rubbed up and back, up and back, coating my cock in her juices until she was making little purring sounds.
"Now," I said, and shoved myself deep. She tensed, and I froze, contemplating what had happened while striving not to let my eyes roll into the back of my head. Once I found my voice, I queried, "What is it?"
"This is going to sound stupid, but I was expecting it to hurt for a moment there," and then she laughed, making interesting things happen down below. I had to grit my teeth, so I didn't cum right then.
"You feel so fucking good, but if you don't stop laughing, I am going to cum right now," I told her, and she gasped and moaned all at the same time. "That was the sexiest noise I have ever heard," I told her sincerely, and she laughed again. "Oh, Salazar," I said, and I did start to cum, so I began to move frantically so I could ride the whole orgasm to completion. She began to moan too, but it wasn't enough for her. "Sorry," I muttered, a bit embarrassed.
"My fault," she gasped out.
"Completely disagree," I told her, then leaned forward so I could kiss her neck, back, and shoulder. She began to relax, and I didn't want that, so I reached over her leg and found the nub I was undeniably certain was between her legs. I could feel where my cock was sunk deep inside her with the edge of my hand, and it had my eyes rolling into the back of my head again as I hardened anew inside of her.
"Oh," she said in surprise, and it was my turn to chuckle.
"I hope you didn't think that was the whole show," I said smugly.
"Well, I kind of hoped not," she confessed, and I laughed again.
"Are you ready, Love?" I inquired, deciding I liked using the endearment I'd only ever read that I use.
"Yes," she whispered again. I pulled back slowly, and straight away she moaned in pleasure, and I totally agreed.
"You feel so good gripping me," I told her as I pushed back in and began to gently rub the nub that had her jerk in surprise and push her arse harder against me. I sped up, pumping in and out and rubbing, getting faster as I did. She began to make a keening noise just before her internal muscles commenced to grip and release me. "Oh, fuck," I said in more pleasure than I thought possible, and then my eyes were rolling back in my head again as I shuddered and groaned loudly.
When she could speak, she said breathily, "Let's do that at least ten times tonight." I laughed again with more happiness than I thought I would ever feel again.
"I fucking love you so much," I told her, pulling her closer to me.
We didn't manage ten times, but it wasn't due to a lack of effort, and the sun was beginning to come up when we finally ceased. I held her close, her head resting on my shoulder, as I began to doze.
"Draco," I heard her whisper sleepily.
"Yes?" I managed to get out, barely awake myself.
"No killing anyone," she told me, shocking a sleepy laugh out of me. I turned and kissed her head.
"No promises, Love," I said, but she was already asleep.
Hermione's Point of View
On Saturday, I was in the library and getting rather annoyed with the group of fifth year Hufflepuff girls, who seemed to be the only ones besides me not watching the final Quidditch match of the year between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. The girls were wasting more time chatting than studying, and I was astonished that Madam Pince hadn't come over to scold them for disrupting the silence of her library.
I cast a look towards the older witch, but she appeared to be engrossed in her own reading at her desk. I frowned at her in irritation because normally the faintest of sounds attracted her attention. It was only because I was looking in that direction that I noticed Draco enter, but he went down the aisle containing books on Astronomy without sparing me a glance, appearing not to see me.
I returned my attention to my own book, 'Cryptomancy: Unraveling the Enigma of Ancient Manuscripts', hoping to resume my reading, but another loud laugh from the group interrupted me again, and I growled.
"Sorry, Hermione," one of the girls said to me kindly, and most of the annoyance I felt faded away at the tone. I didn't have any friends in Hufflepuff, but they were always polite to me. The others in the group glanced over at me at their friend's apology and nodded. I realised that if I wanted peace, I would have to relocate. Apparently, Madam Pince had chosen to take a day off for the first time in her life.
"Pay me no mind," I said in a hushed tone. "This particular book is proving to be quite a challenge," I fibbed, and they all seemed to buy it. Gathering my belongings, I used a levitation charm to float the library books behind me as I navigated the aisles to return them. Just as I levitated the final book into its rightful place, unseen hands encircled my waist, causing me to startle. But before I could react further, an invisible kiss was planted on my neck.
"It took you an eternity to seek me out," Draco drawled, his voice barely above a whisper.
I whispered back honestly, but with a pleased smile on my face, "I didn't know I was supposed to come looking for you."
"You cut me deep, Granger. I can't get you out of my thoughts, and yet you dismiss me for mere books," he retorted, feigning injury. I chuckled a little at his teasing.
"Honestly, this is too reckless. Have you considered the consequences if we're caught like this?" I breathed happily despite the danger and couldn't resist tilting my head a little more as his warm lips trailed more kisses down my neck. I shivered at how good it felt but quickly regained my senses and said, "Someone might see us." He muttered the Disillusionment Charm, and I felt the cold sensation fall over me, knowing he had rendered me invisible as well.
"Now we wont," he replied with a soft laugh and turned me with his hands. I reached out to find his invisible shoulders and lifted onto the toes of my shoes so I could kiss his chin. He quickly lowered his face, his mouth finding mine. I allowed the kiss only for a moment, then dropped back down on my feet.
"This is dangerous," I reminded him softly.
"We're safe for now. Practically the whole school is at the Quidditch match, even my fellow Slytherins," Draco asserted, his voice carrying a note of certainty. I knew he was right, but I still felt anxious.
"Nevertheless, we should not be doing this here," I said to him, but moved nearer so I could embrace him tighter.
"Like you, I want some memories out of the room for now," he told me, his voice carrying a hint of uncharacteristic vulnerability. It didn't stop his hands from sliding up and cupping my breasts.
"Draco!" I exclaimed and glanced nervously around the library, even though we were invisible. "This is not appropriate here," I objected but moaned, making him laugh when he pinched my nipples through the material of my school robes.
"Do you suppose the books will take offense?" Draco queried, his fingers deftly working on the buttons of my blouse. I made an attempt to bat his hands away, but he merely chuckled in response, his laughter echoing in the quiet around us.
"Stop that," I hissed as one of his hands managed to find its way into my bra, where he squeezed the breast.
"Very well. How about a broom cupboard?" He suggested. He removed his hand, and it was my turn to laugh.
"Absolutely not!"
"You are hurting my feelings, Hermione. I thought you loved me," he whispered in a pouty voice.
"If you wanted a witch who would fool around in a broom cupboard, you should have chosen someone else," I told him, but I lifted up and pulled his head back down towards me and kissed his invisible lips again. "I may not be a pureblood, Draco, but I am far from common." He stiffened for a moment, and I feared I had offended him with those words. I was about to apologise for my thoughtlessness, wondering when I would ever learn to stop being so blunt and tactless, but he spoke before I could.
"You're right. You're far from common. You're extraordinary," Draco said, his voice barely a whisper.
"Are you trying to seduce me?" I asked with a relieved whisper and kissed his lips again while running my fingers through the back of his hair. I felt him chuckle against me and hold me closer.
"Absolutely," he replied.
"I am not a broom cupboard kind of witch," I told him, but was getting a little carried away with giving him invisible kisses and feeling his chest against mine.
"Alright," he said suddenly, and stepped away from me. One of his hands had travelled down my invisible arm until he reached my hand. He held it and led me deeper into the library.
"What are you doing?" I murmured.
"Not taking you to a broom cupboard," he said, his amusement firmly in place.
"Draco," I tried to protest again.
"Hush," he said, sounding much too amused with himself. We reached a dim corner with a desk, and he spun around and lifted me onto it before I knew what he was doing. "Now kiss me," he commanded.
"For that tone alone, I should tell you what you can go do to yourself," I told him, but I didn't resist his hands that were holding me in place.
"I'd rather do it to you," he stated, his voice carrying a hint of determination. I felt a gentle pressure on my legs as he spread them so he could step into me. He then cast a silencing charm wandlessly, but I sensed it go up, and I knew no one would hear or see a thing.
"We really should not be doing this here," I said, repeating my earlier words, as his hands snuck around me so he could press our lower halves closer together. I gasped to feel his hardness against me. It felt so good, but as I glanced at the shelves of books, I was almost overcome with guilt.
"I disagree," he said, grinding himself against me, and I moaned in pleasure, completely against my will. He laughed again.
"You are certainly in a good mood today," I said softly still. Others may not be able to hear us, but we were still in a library. I kissed him as he had asked just a minute ago.
"I am in a good mood because I have you in my arms, and I intend to make you scream my name," he said smugly, and I felt his hands skim up under my skirt and over my stockings until his fingers were touching the bare skin of my upper thighs.
"You can't be serious," I said scandalised, leaning back from him. "We're in a library, for heaven's sake."
"Your natural habitat," he teased playfully, and then a finger hooked into my knickers and rubbed against me. He hissed in a breath at the same time I did at the wetness he found. "Who would've thought studying was such a turn-on?" he mused lightheartedly.
"Well, books are very simulating," I teased him right back, but in this moment, I wanted to be able to touch him as well. My hands, however, were holding the sides of the desk now, and even though my stomach was perfectly concealed in these clothes, I still couldn't bend past it.
"Clearly," he said, as he sank two fingers into me. I gasped and shivered at the same time, and then moaned as he continued to move them expertly in and out. "You make me so hard, Hermione," he breathed out, making me whimper at the thought of that.
"This isn't fair. I can't touch you," I whispered on another moan.
"I'll let you make it up to me later," he said, and I heard the sound of his zipper lower. "Now should I continue with my fingers, or do you want my cock?" he asked. I almost didn't want to answer. I really did think it was wrong to do any of this here, but as he continued to pleasure me, I was finding it harder to argue against it.
"I want you," I answered softly.
"Good," he said, sounding very arrogant. He removed his fingers and heard him hum in pleasure a second later. "Delicious," he commented, and I shivered again at that just before I felt him find my knickers again and hold them to the side as he guided himself towards me. I sucked in a breath as the warm head of him touched my wet skin and then whimpered as he sank into me so slowly that I could feel his penis stretching me as he went.
"You feel so fucking fantastic," he groaned, and then drew back almost as slowly. My body was already shaking from the pleasure. It was a strange sensation to be blind to what was happening, having to rely on touch and sound alone. I wished I was brave enough to say his words back to him. I had to lay back on the desk, even as I kept my grip on the edges, but I braced my feet on the desk, and this way at least I could move my hips and help him.
"That's it, Love. Fuck me hard," he said encouragingly, and just like that, my orgasm started gripping and releasing him in waves that just kept on going and going and going until finally he found his own release a few minutes later while I kept making more noise than I intended. He laughed exuberantly when we were done while still buried inside of me.
"What?" I whispered, still breathless, my heart beating hard.
"When I said I was going to make you scream my name, I didn't imagine you would almost bring the library down around us. For a moment there, I genuinely feared the Muffilato Charm wouldn't hold up," he told me, his voice filled with a smug satisfaction.
"You are exaggerating," I informed him. My voice may have been raised a little, but surely it wasn't that loud.
"How little you think of me," he responded with amusement and affection. I felt him pulled out of me and then felt him wipe at me with what I had to assume was a handkerchief.
"Thank you," I murmured, grateful for the clean-up but not rising to his bait. "Help me sit up," I instructed him, and felt his hand find mine before he gently helped me sit back up. He then lifted me off the desk while my free hand went to support my stomach instinctively.
"Never thought I would do that in a library," he remarked, and laid an invisible kiss on my forehead.
"Me neither," I said, feeling a surge of shame and self-disgust at what we had done now that it was over. A library was sacred, and we had contaminated it with a bit of reckless indulgence.
"Don't be upset," he whispered, and felt his hands, gentle and reassuring, cradle my face.
"How did you know?" I asked so softly that I wasn't sure he would have heard me.
"Because you're you, and you've always been one to abide by the rules. Now, I've led you to break one of your own. I'm sorry," he said, and there was a genuine note sincerity to his voice.
"Not completely sorry, I hope," I said, trying to make light of it, though I was sure my voice gave away my upset, not to mention I also felt a little sick now that guilt was surging through me.
"I will never feel remorse for what we've just done, but I am sorry for leading you to compromise one of your own rules," he told me.
"I don't think it is my own rule, Draco. A library is a place of learning, a place to seek knowledge. There are younger students who come in here, and I would hate for them to walk in and see something like that," I told him earnestly, my hands holding tightly to his biceps.
"I wish I could tell you I care about that, but I don't. I was certain they wouldn't hear or observe anything. All I care about is your feelings. Will you forgive me?"
"Do you promise not to do this again?" I asked.
"No," he said at once, and my mouth fell open at the word. He was still holding my face, so he bent down and kissed me, pushing his tongue into my mouth and rubbing it along my own. I thought about not responding, but despite the guilt, it was a battle I didn't want to win, and with a sigh, I stepped into him once again and surrendered to the moment.
After a little while, I said softly against his lips, "I'm not forgiving you then." I then continued to kiss him, and he chuckled into my mouth while deepening the kiss even more.
With a sigh that hinted at reluctance, he pulled away, ending the kiss. "We ought to cease, or I am going to give you more reason not to forgive me," he admitted, sounding pleased with himself.
"Oh, Merlin. How do your lips make me lose all sense of reason? Are you positive you don't have any Veela blood?" I asked, almost accusingly, and he laughed loudly.
"Considering the nonexistence of male Veelas, I can assure you that I am not one of those birds. However, it pleases me greatly to hear you say you like my kisses," he told me, lowering his voice again. I rested my forehead against his chest, and one of his hands found its way to my hair, cradling the base of my head and kneading gently with his strong fingers. His other hand traced a path up and down my back. I was glad he hadn't taken offence to my poor choice of words. I knew he was uncomfortable whenever the topic of blood purity arose between us, but I found myself inadvertently broaching it time and again.
"There must be something wrong with you," I mumbled towards his chest. "I don't behave like this. We are in a library, and somehow, I keep losing track of that," I confessed, as guilt flooded me again, but even I could tell it was weaker than before. His laughter echoed softly in my ears, followed by a gentle kiss atop my head.
"What's your plan for the rest of the day?" he asked. I turned my head to rest it on his chest, and he drew me in closer for a hug against his unseen body.
"I found it impossible to focus on my studies with the Hufflepuff girls chattering incessantly nearby, so I thought I would go down to see how Harry and Ron are faring with the game," I admitted, then added, "I'll attempt to find Neville and sit with him." He remained silent for a while as he caressed my back and neck soothingly, but I wished I could see his face to have some idea of what he was thinking.
"Are you planning to attend the Gryffindor celebration afterwards?" he asked me softly.
"That sure they will win?" I asked with a bit of surprise but held tighter to him, enjoying the feeling of his warmth against me.
"Is there ever a time when Potter doesn't triumph?" He questioned, his voice unexpectedly devoid of the usual scorn.
"I'll go for a while, but they tend to be very boisterous, and I don't fancy being with a bunch of overenthusiastic Gryffindors at the moment. They are not the most cautious people," I told him, my tone matter-of-fact.
"Should I have Jomny keep dinner for you?" He asked me, his voice hesitant now, and I fell silent as I pondered why he suddenly sounded so uncertain.
"Yes please. And tell Jomny to bring more of those steamed vegetables," I told him, remembering my note from Valentine's Day. It felt like that was so long ago. Things have changed so much since then.
"I will," he said, a note of relief evident in his voice. He muttered a counter-spell to the Disillusionment Charm, and a sensation of warmth spread over me. His invisible hands were still on my face, so I knew he had cast wandlessly again. "Remain safe, Love. I will see you later."
"Alright," I whispered, and touched one of his hands that held my face, missing seeing his grey eyes. His hand slid out from under mine, and then he was gone in the next moment. I took a calming breath as I looked around this part of the library in guilt and then headed for the exit, where I would call for Jomny, and asked him to pop me down to the Quidditch pitch.
Author's notes: -While Draco Malfoy's official biography doesn't specify his height, his father, Lucius Malfoy, stands at 6'3". Therefore, it's reasonable to presume that Draco might eventually reach a similar stature.
: - While it's understood that Dumbledore has the ability to detect when individuals depart the castle, I'm exercising creative freedom to propose that the castle wouldn't monitor the movements of 'Adults'. Given that Hermione and Draco are now considered adults under magical law, their movements wouldn't be automatically monitored. I believe Dumbledore would only be aware of their departure if he made a conscious effort to detect their presence within the castle.
: - ARandomGirlInRavenclaw, ForsakenKalika, and Banshee Barb. Thank you all once again for reading.