A distance thump registered in Hermione's sleep hazed mind. She groaned, burrowing further into her bed and pulling the comforter up to cover her face. Her conscious mind only surfaced for a moment before subsiding again. Suddenly, her blanket was pulled from her, jolting her awake and she turned and sat up quickly.

"Thief!" Draco yelled.

"What the bloody hell are you doing?!" shouted Hermione, her voice raspy from sleep.

The room was still dark. She must not have been asleep for more than an hour. Hermione started to scoot back towards the headboard. Draco was faster, and snatched her leg at the ankle and pulled.

Hermione yelped as she was yanked to the foot of the bed, looking up to see him looming over her.

"The fuck?- Malfoy!" she shouted, kicking her leg free..

The jumper had scrunched up as she was pulled and now her kickers and lower stomach were exposed almost to her navel. She recovered quickly, sitting up on her knees and moving the jumper down as she came face to face with him.

Without thinking, she shoved him but he was too quick, and grabbed her arm to pull her forward. The closeness distracted her, and she could feel the heat of his skin against the front of her bare thighs where she pressed against him.

It was a strong contrast to the sudden coolness on her back, and before she could even register, the jumper was yanked over her head and she fell flat onto her back as she tried to pull away.

The cold air washed over her front and Hermione moved one of arms quickly across her chest as she felt her nipples hardened. She was pulled between a heat of embarrassment and astonishment because what the fuck ?

Draco's eyes widened and he was struck. The jumper was still fisted in his hand, and he blinked a few times as Hermione's eyes tried to burn a hole in him.

"Are you mad?!" Hermione screeched.

Draco shook his head slightly. "Where are your clothes?!"

Hermione scoffed and threw her free hand toward the jumper, probably still warm in his mad, greedy hand.

Draco's brows furrowed. " Your clothes. This is mine."

Hermione managed to sit up, still covering at least the most revealing parts of her chest.

"Give it back, Malfoy."

"Still no manners, I see."

Hermione growled, adrenaline pumping through her. She pushed back up on her knees and suddenly was pressed against him again as her hand tried to reach the jumper. He just lifted his arm more to keep out of reach.

This was ridiculous, even for them. Especially for them. But Hermione kept awkwardly swiping for it with one arm as she covered herself with the other. Most of her body was flush against his as she practically climbed up him.

"Give it back!"

"No."

Hermione, modesty forgotten, used her other arm to wrap around his long, very big one and try to pull it down enough for her to reach the jumper with the other.

"You'll rip it half pulling it over you FAT HEAD!" Hermione yelled in his face.

She removed her eyes from the target to look at him and realized was struck by how close they were. She pulled back, over correcting and falling back onto the bed.

This time when she fell back, she was panting and punched the bed in frustration, gearing up to fire off at him again. Instead, Draco was still, save for the significant rising and falling of his chest. The jumper still clasped tightly in his hand, but now it hung by his side, seeming forgotten.

The warmth in her chest transformed from anger to something else as it spread through her. He stared, almost like he was in a trance. Hermione didn't have to look down to know she was wearing no more than knickers and socks, but for some reason she could bring herself to feel embarrassed. The caress of his eyes as they made their way back up from her legs to her bare chest left goosebumps in its wake.

They were continuing up, and Hermione feared what he would see in her eyes. His gazed changed, right as it got to her collarbone. His lips parted slightly as he took in a breath, like even though she laid there, frozen, she somehow caught him by surprise. That was until she realized what he was looking at.

"No," Hermione said, grabbing the diamond of her necklace in a possessive fist. "This is mine. It was a gift."

Draco's eyes finally flicked up to hers, and there was something in them she thought was long banished. A question she hadn't forgotten the answer to, but never imagined would be asked again.

It was nearly terrifying to move. Maybe she was still asleep after all and the bizarre situation she found herself in was just a dream. Maybe that was why when Draco's fingers wrapped around her ankle again, slowly and more intentionally this time, she let herself be pulled towards him.

Her hair fanned out on the bed behind her, and her pulse was throbbing.

Fuck.

It was throbbing in places it shouldn't.

What was happening? Where was she?

He had not even touched her yet and she felt herself teetering on the edge. She thought she felt his thumb brush her ankle over her sock, but all of her nerves were on edge and misfiring. There was just Draco hovering over her, consuming her with his eyes like he was as starved as she felt.

In a flash, Draco stood up straight, releasing her and pulling his jumper off in one swift motion. When his shirt momentarily got caught and revealed a few inches of his abdomen, Hermione unconsciously wet her bottom lip, wanting to see more.

Yes, yes, yes . Hermione's mind was chanting but the words didn't leave her lips.

What she didn't expect was for him to gently lay the jumper over her, helping her cover up before snatching their Slytherin jumper off the ground and turning towards the door. Hermione's breath shook as she exhaled, holding the jumper to her chest and watching as he left. She shouldn't ask him to stay. Not after everything that happened. So, she didn't.

Once he was gone, she slipped his jumper on and it stared at the ceiling until the sun finally illuminated her window.

All of the voices murmuring on the first floor fell silent when Hermione exited the stairwell. The new recruits were still in the clothes they arrived in- a mixture of Death Eater robes and Hogwarts uniforms. A few took a few cautions steps back, reflexively reaching for their wands that were surrendered upon arrival.

A few people shuffled to the side as Blaise walked in from somewhere else in the house. Hermione drew a surprised breath, pleased to see him but noticing immediately that he looked like death warmed up.

"Granger, over here!" George called and Hermione waved him over, but kept moving towards Blaise.

" Granger , huh?" Blaise said sarcastically with a wink.

He was in worse shape than when she last saw him the night before last.

Hermione hugged him and the members around the room gasped and chattered excitedly. It was a tad performative, but she wanted to make her opinion on Blaise joining them clear. George appeared by her side, not giving Blaise more than a sideways glance and he filled Hermione in. After a few minutes of pointedly speaking around Zabini, George finally gave him a nod of acknowledgement.

"Weasley. How's Parkinson?" Blaise chirped with a flick of his chin, and George looked ready to commit murder. "Been ages since I paid her a proper visit."

"See ya, Hermione," George said, ignoring Blaise and walking to Parvati and Mcgonagall.

"My wand?" Blaise said loudly from across the room.

"In due time, Mr. Zabini," Mcgongall said.

Hermione turned more towards Blaise as people once again started talking amongst themselves. "After the briefing you'll be released and can rest."

"Calling me ugly?" Blaise snarked.

"Stop fishing for compliments, you," Hermione said playfully back. People were listening, she was sure, and she didn't want to say anything to expose him.

"When did you get here?" asked Blaise.

"Just last night," Hermione confirmed. "I'm on the left hall of the first floor."

"Our rooms that way as well. How convenient," Blaise said.

The note of teasing was too subtle for anyone for her to hear and her face burned. It would only make it worse to admit that she knew Draco's room was the lone one of the third floor. Maybe they were keen to share. That pacified Hermione more than the thought of him sneaking off with some girl in the middle of the night.

Hermione saw Mcgongall and Parvati wave her over from across the way and started to move towards them. As she was walking through the crowd, someone tugged gently at the back of her shirt to stop her. Hermione didn't have to turn around to know who. The pull released as soon as she stilled and Hermione decided to stand there and looked at the young man beside her and gave him an encouraging smile. He was probably a fifth or sixth year, but by the worry on his face, the last few years had not been kind to him.

"Hermione Granger will be replacing Hestia Jones. Those of you who have not completed your interviews will be meeting with her over the next week," Mcgongall announced to the room.

Most of the faces looking back at her were terrified. Some were looking at her with disinterest or contempt, but Hermione had learned to see through that defense years ago. There were about ten veteran Order members staying at the safe house, and the ones standing around the room welcomed Hermione enthusiastically. People stepped aside to give her more space to address the group. Except for those behind her, including the one leaning against the table directly at her back.

"The Order is nothing like Voldemort's Army. You are free to leave at any time, but the memories of this place will not leave with you and the strength of the Order will not protect you," Hermione spoke firmly. "If you choose to stay, you will prove yourself. You will be useful. And you will treat other members with outstanding respect."

There was some murmuring, but no one took the opportunity to speak up, so Hermione continued.

"Don't expect any special treatment. There are no sacred people here. Listen to your leaders, and question them where you sit fit. No one is above the authority of the many. It will take all of us working together to defeat Voldemort once and for all."

"We can't fight without wands," one of the death eaters bit out.

"You'll gain repossession of your wands once phase one of your training is completed. The questioning process is exhausting on the mind, for all of us," Hermione said.

There were some scoffs at the questioning. Hermione didn't bother to point it out. Interrogation was the more accurate word, but it came with a negative connotation that Hermioen didn't want to introduce.

"If you get unobstructed access to our minds then we have some things to ask too. You said just before that we can question anyone," he snuffed again.

Hermione opened her arms. "Floor is yours."

Someone else in the room spoke up, the boy in front of her running out of courage.

"How can we be sure this isn't a trick? " A boy in his early twenties said. "We are a house full of traitors. Sitting ducks without our wands. Malfoy could be harvesting us to send to the Dark Lord."

"Malfoy could fool all you!" another spoke up.

Hermione stayed vigilant of movements in the room, and not a moment after she felt the person behind her rise did she see others in the room take a frightened step back. Hermione stepped to the side, seeing a disillusionment spell fade and Draco removed his hood, looking murderously at the former death eater.

Their heads fell down. Almost like a bow and Draco hardly moved an inch.

"Please, Burton, continue," Draco asked, calmly.

"I'm-I'm sorry, sir," Burton stuttered, looking at Hermione for help.

One of the young girls had tears fall from her eyes and her fingers trembled as she wiped them away. It was like they couldn't be certain he wasn't going to punish them for fleeing or murder them right where they stand.

"Answer the question, Draco," Hermione said kindly and Draco narrowed his eyes at her. She couldn't help but roll her own slightly and, by god, by the reaction you'd think she flipped him off.

"My defiance to the Dark Lord was publicly humiliating. While it would have been a brilliant strategy to catch everyone by surprise, perhaps you should ask yourself if the Dark Lord would ever agree to such a display of treason," Draco said, arrogantly.

"How long have you been a traitor?" another death eater asked.

"Hermoine was taken to my home as a prison after the Battle of Hogwarts. I've been working with the Order ever since," Draco said, plainly.

The shock rolled over the room like a wave, even a few Order members gasping in surprise.

"You're a murderer," a younger girl shot at him. Very bravely.

"I played my part well. So well in fact, that the Dark Lord had never once questioned my loyalty. You do well to remember that, Harris. You've quite an impressive ledger of your own," Draco said.

"Draco snuck into the dungeons to help us as well. Even when our escape seemed futile," Parvati intervened.

"I believe him, he saved us too," one of the girls that was up late with Parvati spoke up, her friend still by her side. "Carrow ordered our execution and Draco said he would do it. But he hid us away until we could escape."

"Malfoy helped me too." a young boy in Hogwarts robes spoke up. "When I failed a mission. I think he also helped Emery," the last bit he spoke to someone particular across the room.

"Emery is dead," they replied.

"Is she?" the young boy asked Draco.

Draco took a deep breath. When everyone kept waiting in bated breath he said, "She was alive last I saw her."

"I knew it," the young boy's voice cracked. "I knew I would feel it if she died. Where is she?"

"Somewhere in America. If she made it," Draco brushed off.

"We'll try and see if we can find her," Parvati offered, generously.

"Don't get unrealistic expectations. Many people have died. Most, in fact, if that is where you believe became of them," Draco said.

It didn't stop the hope that filled the room and Hermione's heart started to break for each of them, because she knew Draco's words were true.

"So, Granger breaking in was your plan?" Burton asked.

"No," Draco barked and Hermione winced.

"It wasn't planned," Hermione admitted, trying to keep her voice light as Draco started fuming beside her. "Bit of a whim, really."

"You killed Greyback on a whim?"

"What a bloody whim…"

"It was idiotic," Draco snapped and Hermione glared at him. "The Dark Lord will be putting his initiative on pause while he seeks out his vengeance. And not just on me, but for everyone who fled his side. Perhaps, you should consider that more thoroughly before speaking to the only people standing between you and him with such disrespect."

Draco chided the former death eaters and they all nodded or bowed their heads in shame. Their instincts to follow his commands were still deeply ingrained.

Mcgonagall shared a few more details, different house rules and where the residents could find food and supplies. Hermione was grateful to see how eager they all were to rid of their black robes.

When they were finally excused, Hermione turned to talk to Draco, but he just stormed away, bumping her shoulder slightly on the way out. She knew he was still cross with her about the events at Hogwarts, but there was no part of her that felt sorry for it.

Hermione flopped on her bed after her shower, staring at the ceiling that she had gotten too well acquainted with. There were hours spent memorizing every detail last night as she waited for Draco to come into her room to see her. Or yell at her again. Anything really.

Not like she was stuck in a house with him for the indefinite future. Besides, they were strangers now. Strangers who knew each other very intimately in another life, but that was long over now.

She pressed her palm against her head, still slightly throbbing from the amount of minds she had to sift through. They worked late into the night, and Hermione's mind was splitting so badly that she was going to postpone anymore for at least a day or two. The recruits were all exhausted afterwards, but also in better spirits knowing that they were cleared and would not get turned out to the street. Some were extremely eager to get a chance to fight for the right side. It was just the energy they needed going into this next era of the war. Hopefully, the last one.

Hermione dried her hair, but left it loose in soft tendrils that reached past the center of her back. Today, she would try to get to know people as more than just an Order weapon. Most of them were terrified of her, and it would take time for any of them to see her as a person.

She selected a blue sundress to wear for the day. The sun was out and it was the first piece of clothing she purchased once she started wearing more combat clothing. The white trainers were really the only thing that looked complementary and she would likely be on her feet most of the day. The recruits got to select new items for their wardrobes yesterday, hopefully all of the different colors would be good for morale.

"Morning," Parvati said, opening her door.

Hermione made her bed and closed her drawer with a wave of her hand. "Morning. Breakfast?"

"If there's any left," Parvati said, moving out of the way. "I think our recruits were half starved."

"I'll send for more supplies," Hermione said as they walked down the hall. "I'll just go for tea now. My head is splitting."

"We're nearly there," Parvati said. "Then the real fun starts."

Hermione blew air through her lips. She was definitely not looking forward to training this group. Certain people more than others.

"You're in charge of camaraderie," Parvati muttered.

" Oh fuck me, " Hermione growled under her breath. "What about you?"

"Assessing skills and assigning training units."

"Please trade me."

"Nope," Parvati said with a pop. "You can start with Malfoy. Something tells me you'll be able to find him."

Hermione had been busy for the rest of the day prior and by the time she made it back in from the tower, everyone was already turned in for the night.

"No one saw much of him or Zabini, yesterday. Almost sounded the alarm," Parvati whispered. "Mcgonagall told us you're close with them both. Not that I hadn't suspected."

'Suspected' didn't really cover it. There was the night she and Neville collected her from Blaise after he broke her out of the House of Nott. All the nights she stayed in Parvati's room where she was sure she mumbled in her sleep. Parvati didn't look at her with suspicion, but caution. Waiting with open hands to catch all the pieces of Hermione when she shattered again.

Hermione stopped looking at Parvati."Thank you. For being there, and for never making me talk about it."

"The others will figure it out soon," Parvati whispered back. "The Dark Lord's favored defected. everyone will want to know why."

"He did it, because it was the right thing to do," Hermione replied.

"Righteous Malfoy, then. Gag me," Pavarti mocked and Hermione kicked the bottom of her shoe and she giggled.

They were now near the common areas of the house and there were many people standing about. Hermione smiled politely and waved her greetings as they walked through to the kitchens.

"What is that?"

Hermione heard his strained voice from across the room and turned to see Draco standing against the wall, hand running down his face while Blaise chuckled beside him. Hermione looked around, but nothing seemed out of sorts.

As she approached, Blaise patted Malfoy's shoulder sympathetically which he batted away.

"Malfoy. Zabini," Parvati addressed. "Making yourself at home?"

"Our homes are much nicer," Zabini quipped. "So is yours."

"Well, you two step up your game and perhaps I will be able to see it again," Parvari replied.

"Says the girl who was just captured," Zabini teased. "How's the muggle?"

Draco looked around the room before he finally met Hermione's stare. It was so tense she felt a slight buckle in her knees. Blaise spoke so casually about the night at Hogwarts you'd think it was any other night. Draco clearly didn't share the sentiment. How could anyone when that night has changed everything. Hermione was not looking forward to the Advisory meeting once they all had time to come up for breath.

"Isla's doing well. She and Ron are tucked away for the time being. Bit traumatic for them, really," Hermione answered.

"Except Weasel couldn't be bothered to fetch his girlfriend himself," Draco spat.

Hermione opened her mouth to fire back but Parvarti cut her off.

"I need to start assessing talents. Can you herd some of you old mates to the back garden for me?" she asked the boys, effectively switching subjects.

Draco gritted his teeth for a moment before calling over her shoulder. "Mac, Titan. Get this lot to the back garden for a demonstration."

"Yes, sir," they both replied in unison, turning immediately and jestering for certain people to follow them.

Parvati's brows lifted in surprise. "Quite a talent you have there, Malfoy."

"It's obedience," Draco replied. "See how easy life is when you learn to follow orders?" Draco muttered to Hermione before walking past her, shoving her a little on his way.

She spun to call him out on it, tired of his fucking attitude when Parvati grabbed her hand and made her think better of it.

Hermione found a pocket of quiet in the servants kitchen. There wasn't any food in these cupboards, but Hermione did manage to find an old kettle and brewed herself some tea. Out of the window, she could see the team starting to demonstrate their skills. All eager to get a chance to use a wand, even if it wasn't their own.

The doors crashed open behind her, making her startle and she brought a hand out defensively. It was Draco again. By the time she recognized him it was too late to cast a tiny curse and write it off as reflexive.

"The main kitchen is on the other side of the house," Hermione said, turning back around to her tea. It was cold so she casted a quick warming spell until it was steaming again.

Draco ignored her, walking to stand next to her and grabbing the kettle to pour himself a cup. His arm reached across her chest, just a hair away from making contact and Hermione held her breath. She would keep her mind and her composure.

She must.

The tin of teabags was to her left and she grabbed it and walked away to put it back in the cupboard. Reaching high up on her toes to hopefully hide the stash for herself. Draco's footsteps were loud behind her, but she kept her eyes straight as he passed her on the way out of the door. That was until his giant fucking shoulder bumped against her back and she had to catch herself on the shelf to keep from tumbling over.

She snapped.

Pissed off to hell and clearly not thinking, Hermione turned and shoved at Draco's back with both hands as hard as she could while he was reaching for the door.

"You arsehole !" Herimone said, grunting with the force of it.

His teacup smacked against the door before spilling down his front and shattering on the floor. The next moment Draco was on her, charging until her back was against the wall next to the cupboards and Draco's fists hit the wall on either side of her head.

" Bitch ," he spat.

Hermione's hand was swinging, destined to make connection with the side of his face.

Instead Draco caught it. His hand wrapped against the soft, bare skin of her wrist.

Then his lips crashed onto hers.

The ground caved in on itself. The world surrounding them started to fade to black, and there was nothing left to be done but surrender to it.

The kiss was hard and all Hermione could hear was the sharp breath Draco took as he pressed his lips even harder against hers. She was weightless. Her legs were useless beneath her, truly having failed this time and Draco was the only thing holding her up.

Holding her down?

Holding her.

Their lips parted, just enough to not be touching and Hermione panted straight into his mouth. Draco's hand was still tight around her wrist, pinned to the wall above her head. With the other wrapped around her waist to keep her from sliding down the wall and into a puddle on the floor. She tried to pull her hand free, wanting to reach out to him before he inevitably pulled away.

" Please ," her voice begged against his lips.

His mouth was on hers again. Pressing and sucking on her lips like a man starved. His hand finally released her wrist to hold her face, fingers pushing into her hair as his tongue entered her mouth. Consuming her ravenously, and Hermione could do nothing but whimper and need.

The pulse in her wrist was throbbing as much as it was between her legs and she reached for his trousers. Trembling finger failed to free the button and Draco pulled her hand away, bringing it together with the other and locking them above her head again.

Her toes were hardly brushing the floor, but the uncomfortable stretch was short lived and Draco grabbed her thigh and lifted her so that both of her legs wrapped tightly around his waist.

Her lungs were burning and Hermione turned her head to gasped for breath for the moment before Draco's lips chased hers.

Fuck. What was wrong with her? She had been kissed before. Touched. But nothing aches like this. Nothing hurts as sweetly when it isn't Draco taking her.

Her hips moved on their own, rubbing against his cock that wanted her just as desperately. Pressing against his tight trousers. The sensation changed, but Hermione couldn't stop chasing the feeling even with Draco's hand coming between them to open his trousers. Once his cock was freed she could feel it through the thin layer of fabric of her panties, hard and throbbing. Draco hooked his finger, pulling them to the side and then he filled her with one hard thrust.

Hermione's head fell back against the wall as she gasped. Draco's head fell to her shoulder, where he muffled his groan and thrusted forward again to get deeper.

"More," Hermione gasped.

The next few thrusts were just as amazingly devastating, fucking away any remainant of resolve Hermione possessed. His hand on her thigh slipped under her dress and gripped her ass. Their mouths meeting again and he fucked her with his tongue just as thoroughly. Finally, he released her wrists and her arms surrounded him, desperate for leverage to meet him thrust for thrust.

Her mind had fled. Wits forgone. But there was no fear. Not an ounce of worry fluttered through her entire body because it trusted Draco's to know what to do with it.

He pulled down the shoulder of her dress until her breast and nipple was exposed, He groaned, breaking their kiss to look down and watch his large hand fondling her soft, sensitive, skin. He started to slow his thrust, getting more shallow as he kissed down her chest. But Hermione wanted his mouth on hers. Wanted to feel all of the things he refused to tell her. So she pushed her hand through his hair and pulled his lips back to hers and he obeyed immediately.

Tremors shook her legs and Hermione knew she was getting close. Then she closed her eyes and leaned her head back. She had gotten used to this over the years. Leaving the moment and going to a place that would help get her over the edge.

"Look at me," Draco rasped, pushing a fist into the back of Hermione's hair and tightening. The sting made her moan, and once her eyes met his she tensed, squeezing his cock and dangerously close to coming. He was fucking her hard and fast but never had she come so quickly. Yet she was seconds away, racing forward and the Draco she saw staring back at her wasn't the one who was empty and cold. "Stay with me."

Hermione whimpered, and Draco released her hair to cradle her face affectionately. He kissed her quickly, reassuring her but only breaking their gaze for a moment. So she could look into the eyes of her Draco. The one she thought was lost forever.

Draco's eyes fluttered, his hips faltered and it sent Hermione over the edge. Her orgasm radiated through her and wrecked everything in its path. She cursed and cried and she did her best to keep her eyes open but it was impossible when all her senses demanded her attention between her legs.

"There she is," Draco breathed, so quietly that it sounded like a prayer. One that is said in gratitude after begging for mercy. Draco's hips slowed and he caressed Hermione's cheek, over the sweat and tears and pushing the wet strands of hair from her face. He rested his forehead against hers, hips moving fast and hard again, but said so fondly. "There's my girl."

All of the time he had her convinced he hated her seemed to evaporate. No matter how gallantly he would try in the future to make her believe it again, she never would. His words may be persuasive, but his touch only spoke the truth. Draco's body would always betray him in its loyalty to her.

She felt herself start to coil again and she moaned, completely willing but too exhausted to do much more than lean against the wall and let him fuck her. His moves became erratic suddenly, and then he was shoving his cock as far as it would go. Groaning and holding her tightly as he shot his cum deep inside her.

His kiss turned slower. As Hermione began to return to her mind, she started to become aware of her body. Her legs were tired and sore where she had them wrapped around his waist, and he helped her gently lower them to the floor, hand trailing up the back of her thighs to her ass to touch her as long as possible. When he finally removed his hands, her dress fell back down passed her hips.

Their lips separated, and Hermione's breath was trembling and hitched. Draco held her face again, stroking her cheek with his thumb and Hermione pressed a gentle kiss against his lips because she wasn't ready for it to be over. Their lips separated again. Draco leaned forward the next time, but there was a hesitancy that told it was going to be the last.

It ended after a few precious moments, and then Draco's eyes fell. Hermione righted the shoulder of her dress, feeling suddenly exposed. Draco watched as he pulled his cock out of her, still hard and shiny with both of their release. Hermione sucked a breath once he was out, and Draco reached between her legs to put her panties back in place, running his palm over the material once before stepping back.

He turned around as he tucked himself back in and closed his trousers. His large hands pushed through his hair and Hermione could do nothing but stare at what a tragic marvel it all was.

"I'm sorry," Draco said, his words jarring her.

He turned to look at her and she was still panting, looking freshly fucked against the wall and his lips parted. Hermione furrowed her brows, confused and at his unexpected words.

"For…" He gestured towards her shoulder and then at the room and cabinet to her side.

"Oh…"

She didn't know what to say. Was him rudely bumping into her just a few minutes ago? Did it even happen or matter?

"I just…" Draco confessed and it had been so long since honestly laced through his voice. "I wanted to touch you."

He looked over her shoulder, his throat bobbing as he swallowed nervously. Yes, this was her Draco. Stupid still, but in a way that was charming.

"Well," Hermione said and he looked at her. She bit her bottom lip, trying to hold back a grin and shrugged casually. "It worked."

Draco wiped his hand over his mouth, but Hermione could see the grin he was trying to hide and it made her smile fully.

Draco shook his head and looked away. " Cheeky ."

Hermione couldn't help but laugh a little. It ended with a sharp gasp as she felt a rush of cum drip out of her. She squeezed her thighs tighter together and Draco's eyes dropped to them, tongue wetting his bottom lip.

He cleared his throat, eyes not moving from the hem of her dress like he was trying to catch a peek of it dripping out of her. "We should probably-"

"I know the contraceptive charm," Hermione rushed, cutting him off.

Draco stiffened. His eyes darkened, she could tell even before he dragged them up her body to stare into her.

"Do you?"

His words were cold again and it sent a shiver down her spine. She must have been mad. Because the murder in her voice sounded like it was for her, instead of against her, and she didn't hate it as much as usual.

Footsteps started to echo towards the door and voices followed soon after. Hermione waved her hand quickly, righting herself in all the places people could see and rushed through the door right as a few recruits were walking in.

She didn't cease until she made it back to her room and grabbed her wand from her side table. She could do most spells without it, but this one she wasn't willing to get wrong. She wasn't stupid.

Hermione completed the charm and then fell onto her back and told herself again.

Not stupid.