Previously on Love Vessel Chapter 7: Sacrifice
Hermione landed with a thud on the front stairs of Draco's flat. Seconds later, the door flew open and she was staring at the business end of Draco's wand.
A very surprised Draco glanced around before helping Hermione to her feet and leading her inside. "In most cases, a midnight visit by a witch in nightclothes might have a salacious meaning. However, by the look on your face, I believe otherwise. What have you found out?"
No matter the circumstances, Hermione was the witch who couldn't resist throwing out a taunt. "Have a lot of witches in night clothes turning up at your door then Malfoy?"
Summoning a bed sheet, Draco conjured a robe of sorts and draped it over Hermione's shoulders before responding to her sarcastic comment with a simplistic answer. "Not lately Granger. Counting you, the answer would be one."
Draco's response made Hermione smile.
"Have a seat. I would get tea, but it appears you could do with a wine. Then you can explain what has brought you half naked to my door. I'm hoping for the best, but expecting nothing of the sort. Back in a minute."
/*/
As Hermione waited for the wine, she watched Blue follow Draco from the room close on his heels. At that moment, it became clear her cat hadn't been trying to tear down their front door. She had been trying to get to Draco.
"Malfoy and his women." Hermione huffed in a low voice as she pulled the robe closed to cover her near nudity. With eyes down in her lap, Hermione wondered about the best way to tell Draco her news. Quickly was the word that flashed through her mind. So as soon as Draco placed the wine in front if her, Hermione revealed what she believed.
"The only thing standing in the way of our next step is a spell."
Not quite comprehending the meaning of Hermione's comment, Draco simply replied. "So you've found something then?"
Swallowing a huge sip of wine, Hermione softly remarked. "I think I have."
/************************************************************************
Chapter 8: Discovery And Discovering
Draco waited expectantly for Hermione to continue, but his partner, teammate, the witch he hoped to shag, took several more sips of wine before adjusting herself and the robe around her.
An involuntary sigh slipped out of Draco's mouth. "Even though you are quite lovely half naked, you needn't worry about any foul moves on my part. It's too late in the evening, and the parts which would perform any foul deed are tired and droopy. Please just tell me what you've found."
A few drops of wine dribbled down Hermione's chin as she laughed at Draco's last comments. "Just when I had thoughts of putting them to good use, I now know your parts are tired and droopy. Are you like Cinderella where some things don't work after midnight?"
Draco had to laugh at himself. "My comments didn't come out quite right. My parts work just fine when well rested. We can test them after all this, if you wish. May we get off this subject and onto what brought you and Blue here?"
Hermione set the wine glass down on the table. "There is a spell that we need. If called correctly, I believe the Receptacle will appear. However, before we get to that part, I suggest we duplicate all four volumes in case something goes wrong."
"Alright," answered Draco, beginning to feel Hermione's excitement and trepidation. "I can see the value in your suggestion, but please explain what drove you from your flat to mine."
"I was attacked again. Something bound and pressed me into my couch. It was horrible."
Draco was a bit skeptical, not about Hermione being attacked, but about the bits she had left out.
"What?" Snapped Hermione. "Why the look?"
"I'm not giving you a look. I'm simply wondering what precipitated the attack. We have both been attacked before, but for cause."
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Don't get salty. What I meant was, we were attacked because we attacked first, i.e., tossing the books, putting the books too close together, and/or spoke ill of whatever project we are supposed to complete. So please fill me in on the rest of what happened to you."
"To be truthful, I was feeling myself after coming to the conclusion that your vulgar Priestess needed my help."
Draco cringed as he quickly looked around. "Please refrain from intentionally antagonizing whomever. I happen to like my heart beating inside my chest not laid out beside me on the floor."
"Fine. I did shout out to whomever is behind all this to kiss my arse. Then I was attacked. You now have full details. Shall we get on with duplicating the books?"
"Yes please. Let's. In fact, why not make two sets of duplicates. I'll keep one set here and the other you can take back to your flat. After that, we can discuss the spell you say we need."
"I say we need," huffed Hermione. "It's not about what I say. It's about what we need. If you remember, the book itself mentioned once we had all the books, we had The Receptacle. We have the four volumes, so it should be obvious The Receptacle isn't going to just pop up. We need a spell or charm."
Reaching out for his set of duplicates, Draco set them on the table before huffing back at Hermione. "There are tons of spells. Will we be pulling this particular spell out of the air, or will it simply fall into our laps?"
"Don't be an arse Draco Malfoy," snapped Hermione. "Of course the bloody spell won't fall out of the air. We are going to have to work to find it. Stop me if you find fault, but I believe the spell is somewhere within the volumes. My best guess would be the final volume."
"How do you know this?"
"I just know."
"It's all clear to me now. You just know. Honestly, you are beginning to sound like that prat Potter."
"Really Draco? Nothing more to spout than disparaging remarks about Harry? Why not use all that Malfoy brilliance to help us find the spell."
Blue must have felt the tension between Draco and Hermione because she came running from wherever she'd gone to yowl first at Hermione then at Draco. Both Hermione and Draco were taken aback and looked at each other in embarrassment.
"Sorry Blue. You're right. We should be finding what we need rather than be at each other's throats."
"I concur." Hermione replied softly, running her fingers through Blue's fur. "I've taken up enough of your time. Let's do this. Blue and I will take our duplicates home with us. Tomorrow after work I'll go over the copies to see if I can find something. Perhaps I can convince Cormac to help me out. I won't explain anything. I'll just ask for his assistance."
Even though Hermione was speaking in an soft, even voice, when she stood, Blue rushed to wrap herself around Draco's legs who had stood when Hermione stood.
Draco tried to keep his voice level as well, but Hermione was stressing his already tired arse out. "You may be speaking softly, but your words belie your tone. Are you angry because I asked a question? You're laughing then you're growling. Why don't you pick a mood and stick with it? We are trying to accomplish something here. Flinging McLaggen in my face doesn't help anything. He's a prat. I thought it was clear we have to do this ourselves."
Hermione kept her head down. Draco was just about ready to ask her to leave when he realized she was silently crying. Moving across the room, he lifted Hermione's chin. After wiping the tears away with his thumbs, Draco pulled Hermione into a hug.
"I realize you are in a vulnerable state, but I want to kiss you more than I've wanted anything in a long time. May I?"
Hermione who had laid her head on Draco's chest, lifted her head. "I'm not in a vulnerable state."
"There you go arguing again," teased Draco before crashing his lips against hers. Pulling his lips away, he kissed Hermione on the forehead then lightly rested his chin on her head. "What I say next will probably ruin this lovely atmosphere. However, I've ruined lovely evenings before. The parts of me that were tired and droopy have come back to life. I'm not saying this expecting you to fall into my overly large, soft bed."
Draco's words were affecting Hermione. She felt a warmth spread through her body as Draco finished his statement.
"I'm saying this because I want to put you on notice that after we have solved this bloody puzzle, I intend to pursue you with the intent of having a relationship. A relationship I might add, which will not include Cormac McLaggen. Now that I've gotten us completely off topic. May I escort you and Blue home?"
Okay, was all Hermione said which caused Draco to tease her once more.
"Okay. How verbose. Are you saying okay to me seeing you home, or are you saying okay to my prior comments?"
Hermione answered so softly, Draco had to lean down to hear her. "I'm sorry. I didn't hear you. Will you repeat it loud enough for Blue to hear"
Hermione looked up into Draco's eyes. "Okay to both Mr. Malfoy."
Draco gave Hermione a saucy wink. "You may call me Draco."
"Prat." Hermione replied as she bent over to pick up Blue.
"Excuse me. Did the person with whom you will soon be in a relationship hear you say prat? For that Miss Granger, I'll need at least one more kiss to reassure me."
This repartee felt so right to Hermione. Feeling empowered, she went to stand directly in front of Draco. "Okay."
Grabbing her face between his hands, Draco kissed Hermione not once but twice. "I'd better get you home, because in another five minutes, my parts will begin to work on their own." He whispered against her lips before grabbing his wand and turning them all into Apparition.
/**/
It was very early Tuesday morning, but the trip to Hermione' flat was quick. When they landed, Draco took the liberty of asking for one more kiss, which Hermione granted. Before leaving, Draco apologized for disparaging Harry.
"No problem. He'd definitely disparage you," replied Hermione with a grin. "Shall we meet around 6:30 this evening? I'll be taking my copies to work with me. Perhaps I'll run across something relating to the spell. If I do, you'll hear from me before 6:30. Have a good day."
"Good idea. I'll try to do the same. As far as Potter goes, I may have apologized, but he's still a prat to me. I'll see you tonight. Bye Blue. Take care of mum."
/*/
Hermione held her copies of the volumes to her chest and squeezed. She and Draco were knee deep in a mystery and she was feeling warm over his advances. Not exactly advances because she had welcomed them. "Unimaginable," she chirped to Blue. "I have agreed to give Mr. Draco, arrogant, uptight Malfoy a chance at a relationship."
Purr, purr, purr, meow.
Hermione grinned at her baby. "You agree lovely. Thanks for the vote of confidence. I guess that makes it unanimous. Right now though, your mum needs to get her arse in bed. I'd like to be able to keep my eyes open at work.
Meow.
/*/
When Draco arrived back in his flat, he headed straight for his bed where he had laid with his eyes wide open thinking how Hermione Granger had agreed to give him a chance. He had finally drifted off with thoughts of him and Hermione finding The Event, The Receptacle, The Vessel and whatever other bloody thing thrown into their paths together. Together they could be formidable.
/*/
Hermione was walking through her department when Cormac called out to her. "Hallo Miss Fantasy Faire. How are you? I was meaning to call to see if you would like dinner this coming Thursday."
Hermione backed up as Cormac invaded her personal space. "No thank you Cormac. I have an important project I'm working on. I'll be busy."
"You're always busy or tired or….."
"Complaining because I'm living my life yet you continue to ask. Sounds like bit of a conundrum."
"It's only a conundrum if you continue to act this way. We make a great couple Hermione. Give us a chance."
"Sorry Cormac. I'll be too busy, too tired and too arbitrary for quite a while. If you'll excuse me, I have four volumes of important material I need to review by this evening. Have a good day."
"Fine," huffed Cormac, striding off in the opposite direction. "Be arbitrary, but don't expect me to wait around until you aren't."
Hermione shrugged as she made her way down the hall. "Okay."
Whether it was Draco's early morning comments, or she'd just tired of Cormac, Hermione wasn't sure. What she was sure of was Cormac wasn't anywhere near as interesting as he'd once been.
Whichever it was, Hermione gave another little shrug muttering softly. "Bye boy bye."
/*/
Tuesday was fairly busy for both Hermione and Draco, so neither had gotten a significant amount of studying done. For the most part, the duplicated volumes remained where they had originally been placed.
/*/
Draco normally didn't leave Malfoy Company most nights until after 7:00. However, this evening he was due at Hermione's by 6:30. An appointment he intended to keep. Draco landed in his flat at 5:50 where he immediately summoned Welles and gave him an order.
"Listen old boy. I'll need you to use your elf magic skills to quickly review this book to find any hidden messages. I am specifically looking for a spell hidden among the words, and I'll need it before 6:30."
"Yes Mr. Draco sir. I'll be trying."
Pop. Welles disappeared, more than likely to do as asked in the small room at the back of the flat Draco had designated as Welles' own space.
While Welles scoured volume four, Draco showered, dressed then dosed himself quite liberally with the cologne.
"Can't hurt." He said, smiling into the mirror while straightening the collar of his shirt. "Can't hurt a bit."
/*/
If house elves felt pressure, Welles was feeling it. His master had designated him a task which he might not be able to fulfill. He was almost three quarters of the way through the book and hadn't found anything. This result was not something he wanted to report to Mr. Malfoy. As he held his hand over the next page, the very first sentence appeared odd. Welles could see the words clearly, but he could also see a different word superimposed over the sentence. Convenio.
Hoping this word was what Mr. Malfoy was looking for, Welles appeared in front of Draco.
"Have you done it then Welles? Show me what you've found."
Welles held out the book open to the page where the word had appeared.
"What's this nonsense? I don't see anything." Then Draco thought about it. Elf magic was more intricate. "Revelio." Draco called out, and the word appeared. "Can it be this simple? Simple my arse, It took elf magic to uncover it. Be that as it may, I have something to present to Hermione. Thank you Welles. I'll be out for the better part of the evening, but some sandwiches put aside won't be refused."
"I'll see to the sandwiches Mr. Draco sir."
Pop. Welles was gone.
Draco was chuffed…. with reservations. Even if Convenio was the correct spell, what were the correct wand movements? What would happen if the spell worked? A thousand things were bumping around in Draco's head as he stood at Hermione's door.
/*/
Hermione and Blue met Draco at the door.
"Right on time Mr…. Draco. Have you eaten?"
After closing the door behind himself, Draco remained in the same spot causing Hermione to glance back over her shoulder. "What? What Draco?"
Draco smiled but remained silent not moving from the spot.
Hermione let out a small yelp as she hurried over to stand in front of him. "You've found something. Tell me. Please. Say something. Tell me now, or, or I'll, I'll hex you."
Draco grinned at her. "If you hex me, you'll never know what I found. Rather, what Welles found."
"Are you really doing this?" Sniffed Hermione, grabbing Blue up then plopping down on the couch. "I think you're messing with me. You haven't presented anything because you didn't find anything. Perhaps we should put all this joking aside and get to work."
Draco let out a small gasp of surprise. Hermione was using reverse psychology on him.
"Alright. Alright." Draco replied, pulling the duplicate of volume 4 from his inside pocket and holding it out to Hermione as he placed the originals down on the table next to the other original volumes being careful not to let them touch each other. "I'm not having you on. I believe Welles really did find something. Check page one hundred ten, first sentence."
Grabbing the book, Hermione turned her gaze to where she had been directed, but didn't see anything other than words in a sentence.
"There's nothing there." Hermione replied waspishly.
Grabbing the book, Draco snapped back at Hermione. "Stop acting as though no one is as smart as you. Of course there's something there. All you have to do is reveal it. Revelio."
As Draco shouted the spell, the word appeared superimposed over the others. Convenio.
Hermione grabbed the book back. Lo and behold, there was something there. Even as the word appeared, Hermione disputed Draco's interpretation.
"The spell looks more like Conexio than Convenio." Holding the book up then down then sideways, Hermione finally decided Draco was right. The word did appear to be Convenio. Pretending her little snip of bad temper never happened, Hermione casually asked Draco to show her the wand movements.
Shrugging, Draco told Hermione he had done the hard work it would now be up to her to determine the correct wand movements.
Still smarting over Draco's crack about her thinking no one was as smart as her, Hermione summoned her wand and answered Draco with a simple swish and flick as she called out, Convenio. Nothing happened. There was no sign of any Receptacle.
Disappointed, Hermione glanced over at Draco. "Perhaps the movements are more intricate."
Hiding a grin behind his hand, Draco commented. "Perhaps. I'll have that bit of dinner now. Maybe we can discuss wand movements over the meal."
"Or perhaps you can have Welles find them." Hermione mumbled in a very low voice. In a louder voice she invited Draco to come through to the kitchen, which he did, not wanting to miss a chance to make Hermione Granger eat her words.
Blue obviously found no fault as she quietly followed Draco and Hermione to the kitchen.