Hermione
As I take my seat across from Malfoy, my omega awakens from its dormant state from being with Theo, instantly attuned to his presence. The sound of his voice and the intensity of his gaze melt away my resolve, leaving me vulnerable to his charm. I attempt to focus, picking up a book momentarily before speaking.
"What are your thoughts on the decline of omegas?" I inquire, leaning in closer, my chin resting gently on my hand. The anticipation lingers in the air as I await his response, eager to hear his theories.
Malfoy's eyes flicker with thoughts, his own thoughts momentarily disrupted. He reclines in his chair, a contemplative expression adorning his face. With a slight drumming of his fingers on the table in thought. While I let him think, I'm taking in the sight of his long, elegant fingers, tracing my gaze to the exposed forearm from his rolled-up sleeve. Has he always had such nice hands?
"Well," he starts, his voice resonating with a mix of contemplation and intrigue. "There are several possibilities to consider." His eyes meet mine, a spark of curiosity igniting between us. "One was refuted due to you," he gives me a small smile. "Before our lake experience, there were several times when I definitely caught your scent but was confused because you're muggle-born and must be a beta. And maybe, alphas were starting to find betas appealing out of a form of preservation. A basic form of Darwinsim if you will. But now that I know you definitely aren't," his eyes darken and he leans forward, "so that theory is out the window."
"Apologies for any confusion," I say, mustering a small smile while cursing myself inwardly about the breathlessness. "I'm curious, Draco. What are your thoughts on Muggle-born being an omega?" I inquire, tilting my head slightly.
He leans forward, his eyes fixed on mine, his expression contemplative. "Now, that is truly enigmatic," he remarks, his voice laced with intrigue. "It's possible that the sheer potency of your magical ability, even with Muggle parents, sets you apart. It could be another manifestation of Darwinism, in a sense," he muses.
Now that could be something . However, even considering the immense power of some witches and wizards, there must be others who would possess the potential to present as omegas…
"Granger?" Draco's voice carries a hint of amusement, drawing my attention back to him.
"Hm?" I respond, momentarily lost in thought of his earlier responses.
"You've got a bit of ink," he remarks, pointing to a spot on his cheek.
Embarrassment floods my cheeks, and I quickly reach up to wipe it off. "Thanks," I mutter, hoping to have wiped the ink away.
"You missed," he raises an eyebrow and smirks playfully.
I hurriedly wipe again, hoping to remove the stubborn ink stain. I gaze at him with hopeful eyes and ask, "now?"
He shakes his head, a small chuckle escaping his lips. Retrieving a handkerchief from his pocket, he points his wand at it and utters a soft incantation. The cloth grows damp and holds it towards my face, "May I?
A nervous flutter runs through me, and my mouth suddenly feels dry. I nod slowly, unable to tear my eyes from his captivating gaze.
The cool, damp cloth gently presses against my cheek, and I can feel his touch as he rubs the cloth over the spot. His thumb brushes over the area lightly, leaving a tingling sensation in its wake. I can hardly hear his voice as he whispers, "there."
A shiver races down my spine as a surge of anticipation ignites through me. My breath catches in my throat, unable to contain the sudden rush of emotions. My omega seizes the opportunity, asserting its presence with a primal force.
The intimate closeness between us feels electrifying, and for a moment, time seems to stand still. The touch of his skin against mine sends a rush of warmth through me, and I find myself lost in the intensity of the moment. I can feel myself starting to get wet with slick and I'm thankful for the uncomfortable shorts. "Thanks," I whisper in response, leaning my head slightly into his hand.
"Anytime," he murmurs, his voice laced with a mixture of surrender and restraint. A flicker of awareness dances in his eyes. He shakes his head a bit as he realizes our predicament and carefully draws his hand back.
As disappointment seeps into the depths of my omega, I gather my inner strength and reinforce the walls of my occlumency. Clearing my throat, I shake off the lingering touch, redirecting my focus to the task at hand. "Anyway, any other thoughts on the scarcity of omegas or the reasons behind my representation?" I inquire, changing the subject.
Drago adjusts himself in his seat, his own disappointment subtly concealed. He clears his throat, regaining his composure. "To be honest, I'm not entirely sure. Your unique circumstances have challenged some of the existing theories I had," he admits with a chuckle. "So, Granger, what are your thoughts on this matter?"
Lost in thought, I think about his question. "Honestly, I'm not really sure. However, there must be a reason why omega presentations became less frequent over time," I reply thoughtfully. Snippets of information floating in my mind. "There was a time when omegas were more common, but something must have happened to bring about this change."
A brief silence settles between us as I bite my lip, lost in contemplation. I massage my forehead gently with my fingertips. "Maybe," I say, my voice soft and pensive, my eyes locked on the array of books and diaries before us. "These might have some insight or give us the right information to connect the dots. If it leads us to more questions or needing more information or in-depth knowledge we may have to venture into the restricted section…"
Draco's eyebrow arches in amusement at my suggestion, his eyes glimmering mischievously, "My, my, Granger, the restricted section?" Her remarks, his tone laced with curiosity and a hint of excitement.
A blush creeps up my cheeks at his remark, and I respond with a mix of defiance and playfulness. "Yes, Malfoy, the restricted section. It wouldn't be the first time I've snuck in. But will it be yours?" I ask, tilting my head slightly, my voice dripping with faux innocence.
A smirk dances across Draco's lips as he meets my gaze, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Not at all," he replies, his tone dripping with confidence. "I'm just surprised to see you willingly breaking rules when this is a year you don't have to."
"Well, if it means getting some answers," I reply, my voice filled with determination. I shrug nonchalantly, a hint of mischief in my eyes. "I'm willing to bend a few rules along the way. After all, knowledge and truth are worth the risk, don't you think?"
"I suppose I don't mind being a willing accomplice in this adventure of ours." He leans closer and lowers his voice. "Just promise me we won't get caught. I'm, as McGonagall says, 'on thin ice' this year."
My eyes widen and I quickly respond, "oh, Draco, I hadn't thought about that. You really don't have to join me. I'm perfectly capable of handling the restricted section on my own."
"Do you really think I would pass up the opportunity to witness your rule-breaking skills firsthand?" He smiles.
His unexpected support has my heart racing. The unexpected support sends a jolt of excitement through me, causing my thighs to press together instinctively. "Let's look through these before jumping to conclusions," I suggest, gesturing to the stack in front of us.
Draco nods in agreement, "you can take the ones that don't have spells with you. Although, there aren't many of those."
I wave off his concern. "That's alright, thank you." Opening the book I had chosen, I pick up my quill, ready to delve into the pages. "Shall we?" I ask, my eyes already scanning the words on the page with increasing speed.
Draco
I watch her as she settles into her seat, captivated by the sight of her honey-hued eyes swiftly scanning the page. I select a book from the stack and open it up, my gaze fixed on the words before me. However, my thoughts keep drifting to the way she leaned into my hand, the image of her straight white teeth digging into the plump flesh of her bottom lip and I find myself longing for her scent. I scent the air surreptitiously and a heavy weight settles within me as the faintest trace of amber reaches my nose. The primal instincts of my alpha stir, urging me to succumb to the allure of my sweet omega . I continue to pretend to read, digging my nails into the flesh of my thigh in a desperate attempt to regain control over the intoxicating pull.
The silence envelopes us, a comforting blanket as I engage in an internal struggle to keep my alpha at bay. Trying to immerse myself in the words before me, the scent of Hermione gradually intensifies, tightening its grip on my senses. The battle within me becomes suffocating, as if my alpha seeks to break free from its restraints. Lost in the struggle, I lose track of time, until a soft yawn escapes Hermione's lips, jolting me out of my internal turmoil.
I raise my gaze, observing the witch in front of me. Her eyes flicker lethargically, struggling to stay open. With each blink, her eyelids seem to linger a moment longer before opening. Leaning on her forearm, she gazes at the page, her slow movements betraying her fatigue. The sweetness of her scent only adds to the adorable sight. My precious omega , my alpha growls out.
"Hermione, it's time to call it a night," I murmur, offering her a drowsy smile.
She returns it with her own sleepy smile, her eyes filled with a mixture of contentment and weariness. "I think you're right," she murmurs softly, stifling a yawn. She closes the book gently and begins gathering her belongings, neatly placing them in her backpack.
As I pack the books away at a leisurely pace, I inquire in a hushed tone, "anything interesting in what you were reading"
"It's a diary, actually," she replies, her voice carrying a touch of intrigue. "It chronicles the love between an omega and her alpha. It's really interesting to have a peek into her thoughts and experiences, to see the depths of their connection, the challenges she faced…" She leans back in her chair as she waits for me.
I hum thoughtfully, my mind navigating the intricacies of omega dynamics. "I mean, traditionally , omegas and alphas would try to find their 'true mate'. A couple of these describe it as a 'profound connection that transcends superficial boundaries'," I explain, my voice laced with a touch of intrigue. "However, with heats and ruts and the unexpected bondings, at times, it can complicate the process of finding a 'true mate'."
Hermione's eyes brighten with understanding as she absorbs the information. "So this particular diary chronicles the journey of an omega who has found her true mate?" She asks, confirming the information.
I nod, a slight smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "Yes. In my family, some of the alphas found their true mate, or the pairings were arranged through arranged marriages."
She adjusts her backpack, anticipation gleaming in her eyes, "I can't wait to dive deeper into this diary," she confesses, her voice filled with eagerness.
As I secure my own pack, I cast her a meaningful glance. "I know our primary goal now is to uncover the factors behind the decline of omegas through these texts," I say, my tone softening. "But I also want you to gain a better understanding of what it means to be an omega and to explore the depths of your own identity."
A wave of amber and honey envelopes me, and my alpha stirs. A low rumble threatens to escape my chest, a subtle indication of the preference my alpha has towards her.
She looks at me with gratitude shining in her eyes, her words laced with sincerity. "Thank you again. I can't express enough how much I appreciate your support. It's nice to know that I'm not alone in this anymore, you know?"
Warmth unfurls in my stomach and I drink in the faint scent coming from her. "You don't have to thank me, Hermione. I'm sorry you've had to face this on your own until now." I reply, my voice filled with empathy.
She offers me a small smile, her hand reaching up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I don't know what your schedule looks like, but I'll be finished with the diary tomorrow. Could we meet again to exchange books or simply spend some time in the library, even if it's just for an hour?" Her request hangs in the air.
"Absolutely," I respond, rising to my feet. "After our lessons, we can either meet here in the library or find a spot by the lake where we can continue our discussions."
Her fatigue becomes evident once again as she stands beside me. "That sounds wonderful," she murmurs, her eyes reflecting her weariness.
Allowing my concern to surface, I offer, "let me walk you to the Gryffindor common room. Your potion seems to have worn off a bit and I can tell you're knackered." I bite down on my lip nervously. But I also chastise myself for wanting to spend a few more precious moments in her company.
A shy expression graces her features, and she instinctively covers her scent gland. "Oh, I should have reapplied after spending time with Theo. I'm sorry if it's uncomfortable for you."
I reassure her with a gentle smile, "I'll be fine, Granger. My concern is for your well-being. I wouldn't want you to be vulnerable or in any compromising situation, especially in your drowsy state." I playfully add, "so, for safety's sake, let me walk you to the Gryffindor common room." My smile widens.
"For safety," she agrees, her tired eyes brightening slightly. She takes the lead, heading towards the exit, and I fall into step beside her.
As we walk, thoughts of the conversation I overheard about Hermione's secret date to the ball resurface in my mind. Before I can suppress the impulse, the words slip out, fueled by curiosity, "are you excited for the ball? I heard the Weaselette is bringing Potter. Are you planning to go with the Weasel?" I immediately regret the question, realizing it may come across as insensitive or intrusive. I internally scold myself for my lack of tact and wait anxiously for Hermione's response, hoping I haven't overstepped boundaries. Also, I know she's not going with Weasley. She was on a date with Viktor Krum just last month.
Hermione peeks at me from the corner of her eye, "I actually ended things with Ron before coming back to school."
Good , my alpha growls in my head and I feel a deep sense of satisfaction from my alpha.
"So I'm not attending with Ron. But I did invite someone to join as my date." She says quietly.
I can't deny the flicker of jealousy that flickers in me and curiosity gets the better of me. "Anyone, I'd know?" I ask. I'm not entirely sure why I need to hear her say Viktor will be her date but I need her to.
Hermione meets my gaze, her eyes guarded yet determined. "I've asked Viktor Krum to accompany me." The words hang in the air, and I feel a mix of conflicting emotions swirl inside me.
Suppressing any signs of my inner turmoil, I manage a congratulatory tone saying, "That's great, Granger. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time." Deep down my alpha is snarling possessively but I quickly push those feelings aside. After all, I have my own plans for the ball with my financeé.
"Thank you," she says with a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes.
Sensing her unease, I decide to let the matter rest for now. "I'll see you tomorrow. Go get some sleep."
A small nod comes from her and she gives me a wave, "good night, Draco."
"Night, Granger," I nod, watching her walk towards the Fat Lady and disappear through the door.
As I walk towards my respective common room, I'm lost in thought, our conversations replaying in my mind like a broken record. I find myself thinking about the moments we shared, the lingering touches, and her sweet scent of amber and honey. Lost in my thoughts, I find myself torn between conflicting desires. My alpha urges me to claim her as mine but my rational side reminds me of Astoria. When I finally get back to my room, I lay out on my bed and try to unravel the tangled web of emotions that Hermione Granger has ignited in me.
Pulling out my ink-stained handkerchief, I bring it close to my nose and inhale lightly, savoring the lingering scent that clings to the fabric. A mix of emotions washes over me as I contemplate the ball and know I'll be seeing Granger on Krum's arm. My hold on my alpha in regards to her is weak and I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep myself in check when the time comes.
A soft groan comes from me and I roll over onto my side.
I'm fucked.