Even though they were not being outwardly angry, Malfoy kept his distance for the next couple of days. Recruiting in full effect since the failure in Glasgow. The death eaters only discussed logistics on a need-to-know basis, so Hermione must pick and choose which conversations to drop in on. She was making note of Lestrange's updates on the Parliament attack when Anthony walked in with the last arrivals of recruits. He looked perfectly in place death eater robes, except for the occasional survey he would do of the room, trying to find the tiniest thing amiss. He was looking for her. She was sure of it.
After the group's introduction, Anthony headed down the hall towards the hidden alcove they used on his previous visit. When she caught up to him, he was leaning against the wall, flipping through a copy of the Daily Profit. The alcove was so well hidden, she was not surprised he couldn't find it. She grabbed the sleeve of his robe through the invisibility cloak, and gently tugged him in the right direction. The hall was empty and he casted the silencing spell once they were concealed..
"You know if you plan on faking reading, you shouldn't flip through the pages so quickly," Hermione joked as she took off the cloak. It feels like taking off a mask.
Anthony grinned just as largely back to her. "There she is."
He pulled her into a friendly hug, and she felt some tension release. "By the way if anyone asks, you have never seen me cry. Ever. I fumbled on one word telling the Weasley's about you and Ron has been a pain in my arse ever since." He pulled back and gave her a quick peck on the cheek before letting her go completely. "That's from Ginny."
"Did you tell many people about me being here? After you left, I couldn't help feel like maybe it be better if it stayed a secret." She said nervously.
Anthony nodded. "Only McGonagall, Ron, Ginny, and Arthur. Ron ended up telling Seamus and George that you are alive and in hiding when they kept pestering as to why he was suddenly so happy. But they think you are at a different Order safe house lying low. Figured that'd be okay since Dolohov thinks you escaped anyhow." The tension she had been carrying around released even further.
"I can't believe you stopped the attack on St. Mungos," Hermione said to him, excited but more careful this time around.
"St. Mungos was all you. You have no idea how many lives have been saved, Hermione." A disturbing realization hit her, and she reached out and pushed back his left arm sleeve.
"Ah. Yeah. Got that bit over the weekend at Hogwarts. They do a whole ceremony in front of the students."
"I am so sorry, Anthony." She finally said, releasing him.
"It's nothing. I'll let you pick out the tattoo I get to cover it when this is all over." He transfigured a couple galleons into letters. "For you. There were too many messages for me to remember it all."
She wanted to rip them open, but she forced herself to pocket them. She pulled out her notes as well and handed them over. Careful to only include the missions of certain death eaters. She had already removed any information on Malfoy and his friends.
"I have something to ask of you," she said when she finished going over the priority of attacks. "If anything were to happen to Draco, I don't think I would be able to survive here much longer. And well-" she took a deep breath. "I wouldn't care to see him get hurt in any fashion. If a mission goes wrong that he is leading, there is no saying what Voldemort will do." Anthony remains silent, waiting for her to continue.
"You want us to stand down and let the death eaters win to protect Malfoy? Any idea how many people may die if we do that?" She looked away shamefully, and Anthony gave her time to explain herself. "Look, McGonagall has already restricted us to stunning spells when death eaters are masked. No one wants to risk Malfoy getting killed and losing you. But Hermione," his smile faded into something more sinister. "He is ruthless in battle. Nearly unstoppable most of the time. And he's not casting stunners."
She nodded, knowing that Malfoy has tremendous success carrying out his duties, but refused to take back her request.
"So, it's Draco now, huh?" He questioned her. "How are you so sure of his reasons for helping you?"
Hermione shook her head. He wouldn't be using her for a pawn, they are too far past that now.
"If he was up to something, I would have heard or seen it by now. He hasn't mentioned me to anyone. Not even his father."
"You hear all conversations between him and Lucius?"
"Well no, not exactly. They have most of their discussions in Lucius study. But there is no way I wouldn't have overheard anything if they had a plan about me."
"You think they are having private meetings and not planning anything between just the two of them?" It seemed so simple when he said it. "It's the Malfoys, Hermione. Lucius got out of time in Azkaban during the first war, I doubt he has not come up with a contingency plan this time around. And you… you would be a really good plan." The happiness she felt when she first saw Anthony has disappeared. She just wants this conversation to end.
"Draco wouldn't do that. I know that may be difficult to understand, so you'll just have to trust me."
They decide Hermione will slip the notes in Anthony's robes before he goes into the downstairs bathroom so he can quickly transfigure them inside. Anything he had for her will be left behind for her to retrieve. They also came up with various signals for Anthony in case they need to have a physical meeting again.
"How much do you hate the coin?" he said. lightly before they head out. "Ron is heat, and Ginny's zaps. Though, I am pretty sure Seamus got in a few too." Her smile easily returned, she loves the coin even more now that she knew what the messages meant. "Ginny was hoarding the line one day and Molly had to put Ron in timeout he threw such a fit," He laughed through his words and Hermione joined him. She remembered that day, she was so confused why all the signals were zaps instead of a mixture of both.
They say their goodbyes and Anthony goes over a few more subtle movements he can do to send her small messages. Mostly of them were just replacements for rude hand gestures, but she was thrilled with the thought of him acknowledging her on a daily basis.
Anthony was there to gather intel on the afternoon meeting and she was walking through the bedroom to read her letters on the balcony when she saw Malfoy digging through one of his trunks.
"Hey," he said, standing up straight when he saw her. "Sorry, I was trying to drop in without bothering you."
"It's fine. They're your rooms you can do whatever you like," she tried to sound impartial but her voice noticeably shook. She couldn't believe her luck that he chose to apparate straight into his room rather than walk in from the hall and realize she was missing.
He fidgeted with the small box he pulled from his trunk for a moment before surprising her by speaking again. "I only have a few minutes, my father is expecting me. But I- can we talk?" She nodded, not moving any closer or further away but allowing him to continue. "I'm afraid I haven't gotten much closer on the wards." He leaned against the post of his bed. Hermione used to love when he would relax and be more informal around her. Her stomach still fluttered at the sight of him, but now it was coupled with a stab that she may never truly have him.
"Would it be better if I stayed in a different suite? We could set up enchantments so that people couldn't just walk in. It may not be as effective as these, but at least you'd be rid of me," she had been thinking about it for a while. His floor was entirely private and vacant.
His face slipped, and he looked at her with disbelief and what she can only describe as dread. It's so painfully beautiful and she wanted to say something to cheer him up or make him laugh.
"No, you can't leave. It's better to stay here with me."
"How is this better? We hardly speak to each other, and you can't even look at me most days." She sat on the couch, feeling too exposed standing straight in front of him, "I shouldn't have crossed the line and I know it was my doing. I'd take it all back if I could, Malfoy. But I don't know how much longer I can survive here with you cringing every time we're in the same room."
He went to her then, and she was shocked when he knelt right in front of where she sat, his face only slightly lower than hers. She had never seen him this close other than the couple times they kissed, and she crossed her arms around herself to stop from touching him.
"I don't want to take it back," his words were rushed. Like he must get them out before he lost his nerve. "I don't know what to say. I'll just make this worse and you'll hate me even more."
He touched her, reaching out and grabbing her hip and upper thigh. Holding her in place like he was terrified she was going to leave. His eyes weren't holding back, they were so honest and open she had to squeeze hers shut to dull the pain. The action frees tears that fell down her cheeks, and Malfoy's hand reached up to brush them away.
"You are right. It's me who has it all fucked up. I just keep getting everything wrong." His voice was unwavering. "I've been cruel, and foul, and I've been so blind. But not you. You have always fought for what you believed in. Never been afraid to stand up to any little git who tries to tell you otherwise. And your magic it's…" She waited, holding her breath and leaning into his hand as he stroked her cheek while he struggled to find the words. "You enchant me."
She opened her eyes and he was so close. "You are one of the wittiest people I've ever met. So smart. So kind, so brave and…" he paused for a moment, biting his lip. "Forgiving?"
The last word was said with a small grin and she breathed out a laugh. It was all he needed, and he was closing the distance between them, kissing the paths of her tears and they continued to fall from her eyes.
"And so, so lovely." His lips brushed hers as he spoke, and she gave herself over.
Their lips fit perfectly together, and Hermione whined when she was forced to break it and take a breath around his mouth. He sucked her bottom lip between his while she gasped, and it's only a moment before they meet each other again.
He pulled her arms away from her body and moved them to wrap around his neck. Her knees on either side of him and he pulled her to straddle his lap where he knelt in front of her on the floor. It was electric. The pulses traveling throughout her body came together in the spot that craved his touch the most, and she rolled her hips against him to soothe it.
His moan; the sound and taste, took her breath away and she was gone. Their angle changed and now he was above her, refusing to release her mouth while she gasped around his lips. Her head and shoulders were resting on the couch while her legs wrapped around his body as their centers grinded together.
"So beautiful," he groaned while kissing her neck. "So fucking perfect."
His words sent her further into oblivion and she was touching every part of him her hands could reach. He had just grabbed her jaw and forced their mouths together again when a crack sounded from across the room.
"Get out!" He growled looking up behind them and covering Hermione more with his body. She clicked her tongue and smacked his arm without thinking.
"Neddy is sorry, sir." Neddy clearly was not expecting to barge in on this kind of interaction. "Err… good afternoon miss."
"Hi." She said sheepishly and tried to sit up, embarrassed of the compromising and admittedly awkward position her and Malfoy got themselves into. Malfoy tightened his grip and shot her a glare that had her stopping in her tracks.
"Out. Now." He said looking back at the elf.
"Yes sir, it's just err. Well Master Lucius is on his way up sir." Not a moment after the words left her mouth, Hermione felt the familiar stir of the wards in her stomach. Malfoy groaned and his head fell onto her shoulder as he tried to sneak in more kisses to her neck.
"It's okay." She said gently caressing his hair. "I'm not going anywhere."
He let out a frustrated sound one more time and then stood up and gently lowered her to the ground. He bent down to kiss her again when they heard a knock on the hall door.
"For fuck's sake!" he threw towards the door and Hermione giggled. He quickly summoned the box that he originally came to retrieve. "I wish I could stay, but-"
"It's fine, I'll see you tonight when you get back." Malfoy exhaled and kissed her again before she pushed him away. "Go on, you shouldn't keep him waiting."
He looked her over hungrily as he backed away until the last moment when he had to close the door.
"What is taking so long. Is it lost?" she heard Lucius say the second the door opened.
"Of course not, I'm not a child." Malfoy replied.
"Don't disrespect me boy. If you think she- "
"Not here. Let's talk on the way, we're already late."
Hermione didn't get to see Lucius' reaction to Malfoy's statement, but she couldn't bring herself to care.
Wandless practice proved to be difficult while she waited for Malfoy to return, as she couldn't stop herself from reaching up and touching her swollen lips. She stretched out on the couch and leaned her head back towards the ceiling, reliving their encounter from earlier in the day for what must have been the tenth time. It was like nothing she had ever experienced before. Like walking on the line between life and death but with no fear of falling.
A small thud pulled her from her memories, and she saw Malfoy dropping his death eater robes and mask on the floor. She stood quickly, feeling like she just got caught doing something she shouldn't. Her nerves hit her, and she waited for him to take it back. To tell her that it was not right and admit he didn't want her.
"Come here."
The million thoughts racing through her mind got ignored and she did as he said. Once she was within reach, he pulled her against him and all her fears were washed away. Hugging Malfoy felt different. The way his arms coiled and traveled firmer and lower on her back. It only lasted a moment before he kissed her, and she was right back to where she was before he left.
His hands traveled lightly over her arse and then grabbed her bare legs to wrap around his waist. With her back against the wall he could press against her harder. She could feel him, hard within his trousers and she shifted her hips so that the bulge rubbed against the throbbing point between her legs. A groan escaped him and then suddenly he was ripping his mouth away.
"We don't have time, Nott and Zabini are on their way up."
"Why?" she said, harshly.
"Because they hate me." He pressed them together again and pulled her Slytherin jump to the side to kiss her collarbone, "I'll kill them all tomorrow."
Her body slid down his and he took a step back and stared at her, panting and leaning slightly against the wall.
A curl fell out of her braid and he tucked it behind her ear before walking away to clear the evidence of her from the study. She picked out a book to take with her into the bedroom, a farce really since she would be listening in to every word that they say. Malfoy expected it too as noticed the novel and then rolled her eyes. He kissed her one more time before heading back into the study, kicking his robes to the side as he walked through the door.
"Got any gin?" Theo asks.
"Here sit, I'll get it for you." Blaise's voice rings out next.
"You baby him too much. It'll interfere with his healing," Goyle pokes at his friend and she hears Malfoy snicker.
"I'll take a whiskey neat," Malfoy calls from his chair.
"Piss off."
Theo had only stayed in the room across the hall for one night, leaving in the morning to his home once the potions took effect.
"So, what did I miss?" Theo's voice was still raspy with trauma.
"First initiation ceremony this weekend. It was… interesting," Goyle offered up first.
"Yeah, what's that about? I heard a bloke from our mission took the mark. How the fuck did he manage that when I had to do a year of service before I was even considered?" Theo asks.
"Different times I suppose. The reports came back that they performed well enough individually. The Dark Lord can't really afford turning away more bodies." Goyle suggested.
"Makes sense. Tear us apart for failing orders all while rewarding the bottom feeders that were on the same team," Blaise spat out sardonically. "And your father just granted them access to the Manor? What happened to keeping this place high security?"
"My father follows orders. Regardless of how nonsensical they are." This comment had the other boys silent.
"We all follow orders, mate. To question it would be an action against the Dark Lord." Theo's tone at the end of his statement inflected like a question.
"And your little off-the-record excursions are in support of the cause?" Malfoy threw back harshly.
Blaise answered for him. "We do what is expected of us. Are you suggesting that we don't notice your little excursions during the day? Funny, I don't believe I have ever heard you present a debrief of them in any of our meetings. Care to do so now?" From what Hermione has observed about Blaise, he didn't take kindly to threats. "Don't hear you questioning Greg here. He's around less than all of us combined. Have at it Goyle, what have you done lately to declare your support for the cause?"
"I have spent nearly every day with Crabbe and Goyle since I was a boy. I trust him more than I trust my own family. It's you two that have always seemed to only come around when you felt like it."
"Oi. Let's take it easy, Gentleman. We are all very pretty. No need for petty rivalries," Theo tried to ease the tension.
"Is this why you wanted us up here? To question our loyalty? Merlin Draco, you really have lost touch haven't you. Do you even think for yourself anymore?" Blaise wasn't pulling any punches. "If you truly find our lack of enthusiasm so troubling, you should have let Dolohov finish us off when he had the chance."
"Zabini!" Theo nearly shouted.
"Did you not just admit yourself that the Dark Lord's orders are nonsensical?" Blaise was shouting now.
"I meant it." Malfoy says calmly, "I assume you agree?"
The silence was ringing through the room. The right answer was simple, they should defend the Dark Lord. Yet, no one spoke up to do so.
"What the fuck are you playing at, Malfoy?" Blaise finally stated.
Draco hesitated and Hermione held her breath, not sure what she was going to hear.
"Has anyone ever told you Voldemort's real name?"