Previously on Love Vessel Chapter 3: Draco
Draco,
I feel my remarks of last evening were rude and uncalled for. Please accept my most sincere apology. I would also like to extend a dinner invitation for tonight at 6:00 to make amends for my abhorrent behavior. I realize you were simply trying to assist me with my search which I appreciate. My search came to nothing as you can imagine. I would be grateful if you would still be willing to point me in the right direction. If time and temper permits, I'd really like to hear how you became acquainted with the book series.
I'm still in the same flat. If I don't hear back, I'll expect you at 6:00.
Hermione Granger
Draco laughed as he threw the letter down on the table. Granger was begging forgiveness. How novel. If she wasn't on his radar as a potential conquest, he would have thrown the bloody letter in the bin. But, she was, so he decided to accept her invitation, and, bring his copy of the book. In addition, if he was in a chipper mood by the time 6:00 rolled around, he might even bring some additional material. Just because…
"….Because I want to get in her knickers." He sung in a high falsetto voice just before calling for a fresh brunch setting.
When Welles appeared with Draco's second brunch of the morning, Draco gave orders for him to get one of their finest bottles of white wine from the cellars and put it under a chill spell.
"I've been invited out to dinner, and I'll be taking it with me tonight."
"Yes, Mr. Draco sir. I'll be doing that right away."
After a cursory glance at the materials strewn across the table, Draco smiled. It was looking like he'd be getting a leg up on that conquest thing for sure this evening.
/************************************************************************
Chapter 4: Good Girl Granger
Hermione was talking to herself. Actually, she was talking to herself but directing her conversation to BellaBlue.
"What else could I do? I know this is probably a big mistake, but I have to have that volume. It's mandatory."
Bella gave off a loud meow as she tried to climb into Hermione's lap.
"No sweetie. Mum has things to do. She can't sit here patting her sweet little darling. If Malfoy decides to accept our dinner invitation, I'll need to have something to feed the wanker. I'd feed him some of your pet food, but I don't want to leave you short, nor do I want him to vomit all over before I get my hands on the book. After maybe, but not before."
BellaBlue gave off a soft meow as though questioning her mum.
"Oh no," gasped Hermione, as she picked Bella up. "Please don't tell me you're falling for that arrogant git. It's you and me against the world. I will not stand for any treason."
Bella licked Hermione's hand, and after making a complete circle, settled in her mum's lap.
/*/
Hermione allowed Bella a few minutes of lap time before gently lifting the blue bundle from her lap.
"Have a nap love while mum puts together a dinner."
Hermione wasn't certain Draco would accept the invitation after the telling off she'd given him. However, on the other hand, Malfoy wasn't one to let a perfectly good chance of possibly getting into a witch's knickers go by. She was sure he'd turn up.
She wanted that volume, and short of jumping on his dick would do anything to get it. Hermione turned up her nose. Or kiss him, or let him touch me.
Seasoning a perfect leg of lamb, Hermione mumbled to herself that perhaps she wouldn't be getting volume 2. Then her good sense had kicked in. "Of course I'll be getting that bloody book, by fair means or foul."
/*/
Hermione had made the choice to cook the muggle way and was chastising herself for not doing it the magical way when one side of the lamb leg seared too quickly. "Whatever possessed me to cook the muggle way when I could have had this meal done in five minutes, without error? I feel like I'm back in Severus' third year class standing over a cauldron filled with a dark green mixture that should have been crystal clear. Bollocks."
Bella heard her mum venting and came to the kitchen to wrap herself around Hermione's leg.
"So sorry Bella love. Your mum has gotten so accustomed to magic, she's become shite at cooking the muggle way. I'm going to slow down a bit, because I'd like some part of the meal to be edible."
After the obligatory taste test, Hermione decided the cooking was under control and left the kitchen to read some more.
/*/
Instead of pulling out volume 1, Hermione grabbed volume 3. She may have browsed it before, but now she wanted to devour it. It was, as far as she knew, the final volume. It might not shed much light on what was going on, but it had to have some hints as to how this was supposed to end. Hermione pulled Bella beside her and began to read.
The damn book sounded like doom and gloom. It was so far off reality, Hermione wondered why she even wanted volume 2. She thought about it. This wasn't really dark magic. The whole thing seemed like…. like some fantasy. Worshipping the moon, orgies, a High Priestess and some powerful thing known as The Vessel.
Hermione threw the book aside to go see about the dinner. However, whether she believed it or not, there was power in play. The book hit the floor with a soft thud, but it was a thud loud enough to startle Bella whose back went up accompanied by a loud hiss.
Hermione had turned from the kitchen and was on her way back to check on Bella when she was pushed to the floor. Her wand was in the living room and it felt as though someone had a grip on her legs. Hermione shouted, Accio and her wand came flying into her hand. Moving nothing except her upper body, she called out a Reveal spell thinking she would deal with whatever appeared. And something did appear. Unfortunately for the thing/being/apparition, Bella wasn't going to allow anyone to hurt her mum. Moving at the speed of a kneazle, Bella jumped on it and dug in her claws. Suddenly Hermione's legs were free. She grabbed Bella and backed them into a corner.
Hermione was trembling, but she still leaned in to place a kiss on Bella's head.
"Thank you for trying to help me. I don't know what the hell is happening, but I'm sure as hell going to find out."
Hermione put Bella down on the couch as she went about the flat tightening wards and double checking that the floo was locked. When she was assured everything was in order, Hermione picked up the book she had thrown on the floor and placed it side by side with volume one. Once the books were side by side, a translucent blue flame seemed to dance over them. The appearance of this blue flame should have frightened, or, at least surprised Hermione, but it hadn't. Prepared for anything, a belligerent Hermione growled to the air around her. "If this is Cormac McLaggen calling himself trying to get back at me, I will hex him within an inch of his life." Hermione immediately felt foolish. There was no way Cormac would do something of this nature. Besides, he didn't have the power to bring it off.
As she and Bella sat there comforting each other, an Owl showed up at the window. Draco had replied accepting her dinner offer.
Hermione;
Thank you for the invitation. I look forward to sharing a meal with you. I have wine, and the book
I'll see you at 6:00.
Draco.
Hermione didn't know whether to be pleased or dismayed. She wanted the book. She just didn't want Malfoy. It was her fervent hope she wouldn't have to hex him… again.
/*/
Almost everything was settled. She would have a guest and the book. Now all she had to figure out was why someone or something was after her arse. To Hermione's credit, she wasn't frightened. In fact, something inside her had kicked in. She was not going to take any harassment lying down. She sat there flipping pages pitying the fool who came at her head on.
At 5:40, Hermione freshened up. She didn't bother to change into some beguiling outfit, because she wasn't trying to beguile anyone. Jeans and a jumper would do.
At 5:55, Hermione gave Bella the talk. She wasn't to rub up against Malfoy. She wasn't to claw his trouser legs. She wasn't to jump in his lap. She was only allowed to be a good girl who kept to her bed.
Bella looked at Hermione as if she had understood every word.
"Good. Now that we have that settled. Let's put out the good dishes. That will be my concession. Malfoy gets the good dishes."
Bella let out a sarcastic sounding meow as she climbed into her cat bed.
/*/
Draco rang the bell at 6:00 sharp. Hermione didn't want to start off aggravated, so she was glad he'd stepped through the door in a pleasing manner holding out an expensive variation of the white wine she liked so well.
"Come in. Thank you for the wine. I didn't realize I was so predictable."
Draco let a slight frown cross his face when Hermione said this wondering if the visit would be cordial or contentious. "You're welcome Hermione. As for predictable, you are anything but.
Hermione let herself smile. Mr. Malfoy had turned on the charm.
/*/
"Come on through Dra…." Hermione hadn't gotten out the entire sentence before Bella had come at a run bypassing Hermione to sniff Draco's shoes then wrap herself around his legs.
"The bloody little traitor." Hermione remarked in a low voice. To Draco she sheepishly commented that BellaBlue seemed to like him.
Draco had been about to say something snarky about how all the witches loved him. Then good sense had prevailed and he had simply nodded.
There was nothing more Hermione could do other than pick Bella up and put her back in her bed. However, that really wasn't productive as Bella had jumped away from Hermione into Draco's lap before Hermione could say dinner is ready. Although it wasn't funny, Hermione let out a shriek of laughter as Draco jumped up from the couch trying to push Bella off his lap. Bella wasn't having any of it. She dug her claws into Draco's trousers and held on. By the time Draco was calm enough to pluck Bella off him, Hermione was doubled over in laughter.
Picking up her wand, Hermione cast a repair spell on Draco to rid him of the threads hanging from his trousers. "Yup. She really likes you." She said, trying to stifle her giggles.
Draco wasn't that amused. "The bloody beast nearly ripped my leg off. I seriously doubt she likes me. She was trying to kill me."
Under control now, Hermione told Draco to relax. It was simply a cat thing.
"How can I relax when it appears one of Hagrid's bloody experiments wants to gnaw on my legs?"
After another bout of laughter, much softer than the first outburst, Hermione reminded Draco that Bella was a female and he knew what effect he had on females.
Draco didn't bother responding because Bella had stopped clawing at his trousers and settled herself back in her bed.
/*/
Hermione apologized asking Draco if he like a bit of brandy.
"Make it a double and you have yourself a taker."
"Alright then. A double it is. Dinner is ready. I hope you like lamb. We can eat as soon as you've finished your drink. May I see the book?"
Draco drank his double down in one before pulling the book from his inside pocket. "This may sound silly, but perhaps you should proceed with caution. You now have all three volumes in your possession. No telling what they'll get up to now they are together."
Hermione gave Draco a strange look as she laid the book carefully down on the table. "If you mean the blue flame, I concur. It is strange, but we can discuss that as we eat."
A surprised Draco followed Hermione through to the kitchen where she put him to work carrying the vegetables into the dining room. He tried to ask her what she knew about the blue flame which was only privy to members of Fantasm, but she brushed him off, repeating they would discuss it over dinner.
/*/
Hermione watched as Draco wolfed down the food as though he was starving. "Not getting much to eat then Malfoy?"
Draco cracked a smile. "I get plenty to eat Granger. This happens to be a well done meal. I want to get it off my plate before the blue devil takes it off my plate."
Hermione laughed as she glanced over at Bella who was tensed up looking as though she had that exact idea in mind. Turning her attention back to the table, Hermione asked just what Draco knew about Being The Receptacle.
Draco finished chewing what was in his mouth before looking over at Hermione. "That Hermione is a long story. I'll have to start at the beginning if you want any of this to make sense."
"Then the beginning it is." Hermione replied, as she did a sweep of the dining room with her wand. "We'll talk in the living room. Make yourself comfortable. I'll be there shortly."
/*/
When Hermione got back to the living room, Draco was sitting comfortably with a drink in his hand and a very composed and relaxed Bella on his lap.
Draco looked at Hermione and shrugged. "She likes me."
Hermione sat down shaking her head. Her bloody little traitor had taken to Malfoy. Some females had little to no taste. However, she was eager to hear about the books, so she pushed Bella's traitorous actions out of her mind.
"Alright then Mr. Malfoy. The beginning it is.
/*/
Between sips of brandy, Draco explained how Being The Receptacle was a special set of books which had connections to a special sect in the magical world.. Hesitant to explain just what sect, Draco spoke about the books and how they were magical enough to cause mischief on their own, or in concert.
"On their own, or in concert?" Questioned Hermione as a few stray thoughts began to form in the back of her mind. "I've read about a ton of strange things in the magical world, but I've never read about or heard of books that attached themselves to a person, or banded together. Sounds like some dark shite."
Draco didn't want to go there. The dark shite was in the past. Way in the past. The last thing he wanted was for his name to be attached to anything dark, nor did he want Hermione to start looking him in that light. So, he decided to tell the truth. "The sect I spoke of was/is a secretive one. Not just anyone is allowed. You have to be invited. I've been a member for the last five years." Trying to downplay the aspects of the sect, Draco explained it as just a fun group.
Hermione gave Draco the side eyes. "Just a fun group? A fun group which includes books that act on their own, invisible beings that push people around? Somehow Malfoy, that's not my idea of fun. I'm a modern witch so I understand some things are beyond comprehension. However, I'm still at a loss what this has to do with me. I simply bought some books, and suddenly I'm embroiled in a situation. Am I being targeted because I purchased the books? If so, I'll be glad to dispose of them after I've read them all, in order."
Draco cleared his throat. He was seeing an opportunity. He had been assigned the task of getting The Vessel to The Priestess, and here was the brilliant Hermione Granger at his disposal. Her questions could play right into his needs. "I don't think you're being targeted Granger, but perhaps if we work together, we'll get to the bottom of it."
"We'll? We'll get o the bottom of it. What it? I simply want to know if I'm being targeted. Was it a plot for me to find these particular books? If so, I'll call in MLE and have them arrest that bastard book seller."
That was something Draco didn't want. No MLE or Aurors. If they got on the case, the entire sect could be dragged into the open. If that happened, it would mean severe punishment for him. Punishment even more severe than sleeping with The Priestess, and he didn't want that. Draco thought it was time for him to share even more. Turning to face Hermione, he told her about his directive.
/*/
After Draco explained his directive to find The Vessel and bring it to The Priestess, Hermione became restless and a bit belligerent.
"Ridiculous!" Hermione had shouted. "Are you telling me this sect/group is involved in slavery? I give you a hard time Malfoy, but even I would never think of you as a slave trader. That's vile."
Draco saw where this was going and had to turn the conversation. "There are things you couldn't understand."
Wrong thing to say.
Hermione jumped up from the chair. "I don't understand? Which part? The part about you tracking down people to bring back to your Priestess. This is bull shite."
Not knowing if Hermione was volatile enough to hex him, Draco stood as well "Slow down Granger. I'm no slave trader. The Vessel is not a person. It is an object. An object needed for a ceremony. I don't know any more than that."
Bella had sat up in her bed looking from Hermione and Draco as if to say, I've taken to you Malfoy, but I will protect my mum. She only settled down when Hermione and Draco sat back down.
/*/
Draco knew he had upset Hermione, and was ready to call the whole thing done. "I've upset a pleasant evening," remarked Draco. "I apologize. That wasn't my intention. I thought we could help each other, but I was mistaken. I'll find the bloody Vessel on my own. You may find out on your own how you tie into it all. Thank you for the dinner. It was lovely."
As Draco made his way to the door, Bella began emitting soft growling noises. Hermione rushed to pick her up. Bella jumped out of Hermione's arms to rub herself against Draco's legs now emitting a loud yowl. Draco tried to step around Bella, but as he moved, so did she. Draco finally reached down to pick Bella up to hand her to Hermione.
Hermione took Bella from Draco. "She does like you Draco. Perhaps Bella knows better than her mum. Please stay. We may be able to figure things out."
Draco hesitated. He didn't want to argue over every third word out of his mouth. He had been given a mission which he either fulfilled, or suffered the consequences. Draco decided to stay, but had some words for Hermione.
"I'll stay to try and sort this out, but you need to know I take offense over you calling me a slave trader."
Hermione sighed. She had let her mouth operate without engaging her brain. There were strange things going on and she needed Draco's help to sort them out. "I apologize for using those words, especially when I don't have the full story. Please forgive my impudence. Let's start again."
Bella jumped out of Hermione's arms and headed for her bed. After what appeared to be a scathing look directed at Hermione then Draco, she put her head on her paws and closed her eyes.