Previously on Love Vessel Chapter 16: Approaching The Witching Hour

What a prat I've been. Wining, dining and occasionally shagging a witch who all the time had her eyes on Malfoy. I hope Miss Granger never needs another favor because she won't get it from me. I'm done with her. I'm finished. She can kiss my bloody arse." Pouring himself a drink, Cormac continued to rant until an owl banging against the window caught his attention.

Grabbing the owl a bit roughly, Cormac received a nice bite for his trouble before the bird flew away. The owl was from Romilda who was inquiring why he hadn't made it to her flat to pick her up.

Cormac,

It's coming up on 8:30. You were supposed to pick me up at 8:00. What's going on? I've told all my friends you would be escorting me out tonight. I'll be pretty embarrassed if it is your intention to stand me up. If something has come up, you could at least had the courtesy to owl me.

Romilda

Cormac glanced at the message several times before hurrying to get dressed. He had lost Hermione. He couldn't afford to lose Romilda. What would he look like appearing at the Hogwarts Party without a witch on his arm. Before he stepped into his trousers, Cormac sent Romilda a three word response.

On my way.

As he checked himself in the full length mirror hanging from his bedroom closet door, Cormac admitted it was better to have a witch like Romilda in hand than no witch at all. With one last ruffling of his curly hair, Cormac apparated to the front steps of Romilda's flat.

He couldn't love the witch he wanted, so he would love the witch he was with.

/***********************************************************************

Chap 17: Before The Soiree

Blaise had given Theo an idea. There were a few witches in Wales who had shown interest in him instead of the witch eater Blaise, but Theo hadn't followed up too well. He'd had a few dates with a witch who didn't have any interest in banging around London, and him not interested in banging around Wales hadn't left much to build a relationship on. Perhaps now was the time to make another move on Jessica, (Jessie) Collier which is what Theo had done. As soon as he had the chance, Theo sent an Owl to Jessie asking her out for this evening and Saturday evening as well. Jessie wasn't a get around witch so the chance she would be free for two nights was plausible.

After sending the Owl, Theo hurried home to check his closet just in case Jessie's answer was yes. In a good mood over his possibilities, Theo casually muttered. "Take that Mr. Zabini."

It was a chance well taken because Jessie's answer was yes. She invited Theo to come through early so they could have a catch up. Theo was in and out of the shower, dressed and ready for a portkey to Wales in forty five minutes. When he appeared at the front door of Jessie's flat, she welcomed him like the lost flame he was.

Jessie wasn't one for pubs and clubs so they decided on takeaway. After the takeaway arrived, Theo and Jessie had their cozy catch up reconnecting over a lamb dinner with caramel squares as dessert. By the time their conversation was over, Jessie had accepted Theo's invitation to accompany him to the Hogwart's Party. There was some hand holding and a peck on the cheek as he was leaving, but Theo didn't push for intimacy. There would be time enough for that if things worked out.

As he landed back in his flat, Theo made a mental note to get up early to apply for the several portkeys he and Jessie would need to get back and forth from Wales. Satisfied all was in order, Theo turned on a cool shower. He may not have made any moves on Jessie, but he was still a wizard with needs. With the cool shower and his own ministrations, Theo was very relaxed when he pulled back the blanket to get in bed.

/**/

Contrary to his smart mouth remarks of the previous evening, Draco was up as early as Hermione on Saturday morning enjoying breakfast right along with her and Blue. "I don't like to eat and run, but there are things I need to get sorted before the witching hour of 1:00 pm."

Meow.

Hermione leaned down to give Blue a rub. "No worries lovely. Your da doesn't want to meet The Coven smelling of his girlfriend's sex."

Draco gave Hermione a sly wink. ""I believe I'll bring a bottle of my cologne to your flat in order to keep you under control. Perhaps I'll bring a large bottle in hopes you'll be too busy smelling it to make rude comments."

Hermione shrugged. "Suit yourself, but I'm a master of rude comments. Just ask anyone."

Draco laughed as he walked around the table to kiss Hermione. "I don't have to ask anyone. Thus, the large bottle of cologne. It's coming up on 10:30. I'd like to make a quick stop in Diagon Alley. I saw something I should have picked up while I was there yesterday. I know what I want so I'll be there and back in no time. Do you plan to clean up your guest before The Coven calls?"

"I do not," replied Hermione as she speared the last piece of egg off her plate. "The smellier the better. I'm sure Witch One will appreciate the humor. Off you go then Mr. Malfoy. Blue and I have things to do as well. I'm thinking of spelling my hair gold to match my dress."

Draco snorted. "You wouldn't"

"You're right. I wouldn't, but it would be one way to bring attention to us. I bet they wouldn't stop talking about the beautiful golden witch being escorted by the somewhat handsome wizard. Just a thought."

Draco shook his head. "I'm sure the attendees will have enough to talk about without you spelling you hair gold. You know like, I wonder if they've shagged, or, does she take that big dick all at once or a bit at a time."

Hermione made a loud chuckle. "So, should I be on my guard against all those witches who know what is inside your trousers? I imagine there are plenty. Your only saving graces are that I'm good with a wand, and we are dating. I'm sure of the wizard whose arm I'll be on."

Although joking, Hermione's words caused a bolt of heat to run through Draco's body. His witch wasn't worried about other witches. She was sure of him which was a lucky break because there might be a fair few witches who could make rude remarks if they chose. He'd been a beast about some things in the not so long ago past. However, there would be no more discreet dating as long as he and Hermione remained a pair. "Thank you for your faith in me love. I look forward to giving the entire party something to talk about. My only hope is that McLaggen doesn't come at me with wand drawn or I'll be forced to duel him."

Hermione wrapped arms around Draco's neck, and laughingly replied. "You're barking. Harry will be happy to arrest you if you do. However, if Cormac comes at you with wand drawn, I'll duel him. Please be back by 1:30."

Taking one last kiss from Hermione, Draco gave Blue a pat on the head before heading to the door. "I'll see you both soon. Take care of mum Blue."

/*/

Hermione cleared up, but remained seated in the kitchen thinking about this and that including her new relationship with Draco. Now that he had approached her in the correct manner, she was sorry she had held him off for a year. Not only was he brilliant, handsome and charming, but he absolutely curled her toes when they shagged. She could do worse.

When the last stray thought wafted away, Hermione rose from the chair to get on with the business of getting herself ready to meet The Coven. She was surprised to find it was already 11:40. Hurrying into the bedroom, Hermione showered then dressed in a green pants set. No jeans in front of The Coven. She wasn't about to test their patience. Hermione saw to her hair last which was a mess. Mr. Malfoy had a fixation with running his hands through her hair, especially during sex. Although she loved the feel of his hands in her hair, his gestures always left a tangled mess. Like now. Hermione tried brushing it to no avail. She finally had to use a hair detangling spell to bring it back to some semblance of normal. "Perhaps I should start wearing a cap to bed."

As the words left her mouth, Draco appeared in the doorway. "Perhaps that hair should start acting like hair and you wouldn't need a cap."

Hermione turned and gave Draco a wide smile. "There are so many things I could say, but I won't because the end result of you pulling my lovely hair is a fantastic orgasm. Of course, I could use the little used Hands Off spell, but then where would you be? Now that you've had your telling off, shall we go get the smelly one ready for whatever?"

Draco smiled at his unruly witch and her formerly unruly hair. He had started the back and forth and gotten the telling off he deserved. "Well witch. Before we go see to Deidra, I'd like you to have this." Reaching into his pocket to retrieve a small packet, Draco brought it back to full size before handing it to Hermione. "For my witch."

Between grinning and fumbling, it took Hermione a minute to get the parcel open. When the item fell into her hand, Hermione glanced at Draco with a look that would have meant hot shag if they weren't pressed for time. "What is this material? It's beautiful Draco. I love it," she gushed as she placed the wrap around her shoulders. "It's the perfect dark gold color to enhance my dress. Come here. You deserve a kiss."

Draco wrapped his arms around Hermione and took his kiss, and whispered softly. "A beautiful item for a beautiful witch. Now let's get the former Priestess wrapped for travel."

"I concur. Fifteen minutes until countdown. Let's get her ready. Thank you again for the gift Draco. I'm going to feel like a queen tonight."

Not usually one to offer trite sentiments, Draco found himself speaking one. "You're my queen every night."

Hermione realized Draco Malfoy had just spoken from his heart and felt chills run up and down her body. "I'm his queen every night. This wizard is a keeper," she whispered as she followed Draco to the study.

/*/

The study smelled even worse than the previous day. Blue had taken one sniff and headed for the bedroom on a run. Draco cast an air refresher smell but allowed Deidra to remain as foul smelling as she had been for the last several days. Once she was wrapped, Draco used the Follow Me spell to get Deidra into the living room where several seconds later he felt himself being pulled into Apparition.

Even though Draco knew what was scheduled to happen, he was still caught off balance by the speed of it all. As soon as his feet hit solid ground, he looked around for Hermione.

"No worries Wizard Malfoy." Stated a female voice. "All is well. If you'll take two steps down, you'll find your partner waiting."

When Draco did as asked, he found himself standing next to Hermione who reached out to take his hand. They stood on some type of landing which overlooked a smooth, flat floor. A floor on which The Coven had seen fit to drop the still restrained and smelly Deidra. Hermione glanced at Draco and gave him a wink. Draco knew his witch was in her glory. The Coven obviously agreed with her methods.

A voice began to speak. "Greetings Hermione, Draco. Welcome to the quarters of The Coven. We'd first like to thank you both for bringing Deidra to us. She was a hard one to track down. Then, the whole of us would like to apologize for what we had to do to get your attention, but it was necessary. For the record, we'd like either or both of you to explain how you managed to catch the foul smelling Deidra. You may begin at anytime."

Draco gestured for Hermione to speak. And speak she did. Starting from the day Blue jumped into her arms at The Menagerie, Hermione explained every detail including turning Deidra into a bone. When Hermione mentioned having turned Deidra into a bone and back, there were some hushed whispers from the witches of The Coven. Hermione smiled to herself thinking perhaps Deidra would end up a bone after all. At the end of her recitation, Witch One waved her wand and the four volumes of Being The Receptacle zoomed into Hermione's hand.

"The books are yours to keep. Do not worry. All charms and spells have been removed, so they are simply a lovely set of books. The last item on our agenda is the future. Myself and the other witches of The Coven would like to invite you Hermione to join us. We welcome your brilliance and intuition. You may speak."

Hermione again glanced over at Draco before offering any comments. He made a small shrugging motion with his shoulders, so Hermione shared their decision. "Thank you Witches of The Coven for your invitation. However, Draco and I have discussed this matter and come to the conclusion that neither of us care to be involved with either The Coven or Fantasm for the future."

A different witch spoke this time. "Actually, Hermione, Draco. This is the answer we expected. Just know that Deidra will not be returning to Fantasm in any position. We appreciate your frank answer and would like to wish you and Draco well. This ends your part in our, what we shall call, The Meeting of Retribution. Shortly, you will find yourselves back in the place we found you. Thank you again."

In what seemed like seconds, Hermione and Draco were back in Hermione's flat with an overly excited Blue running around their heels. Hermione picked Blue up to cuddle her so she would calm down.

While Hermione was cuddling Blue, Draco happened to glance at his Wonder Wizard Watch, and shouted out in surprise. "Hermione love. We've been gone for hours. It's coming on 6:30."

"6:30? It seemed as though we were only there for minutes. We should be getting ready for our debut. Why don't you go get ready. I'll just put our books away, feed Blue then get ready myself. Wasn't it fascinating to watch The Receptacle be turned back into our books? I'm glad we didn't have to sacrifice them after all."

Draco actually didn't care one way or the other about the now harmless books, so he answered with a simple me too as he headed for the door.

Setting Blue down, Hermione took the four volumes and placed them in a top spot in the study, after which, she fed Blue then went off to get ready for the soiree.

/*/

Even though time was short, for Draco, the getting ready was a small thing. As always, his preparations were in order. His suit, shirt, tie, underwear, socks and shoes were lying neatly across his bed. As he doused himself with the cologne, Draco smiled. Nothing like a sure thing to keep his witch at his side. He smiled again when he realized Hermione would go wherever she wanted regardless of cologne. He was also chuffed when he realized that his dark brown suit had thin lines of what could be described as gold thread running down it. The fates were working in his favor.

A bit of trepidation ran through Draco as he was putting on his shoes and socks. What if some arsehole made a remark to Hermione. He definitely wouldn't stand by and let it go unchallenged. But what could he do? As much as he had joked about it with Hermione, he couldn't draw his wand, or go muggle and punch a person on the nose. Questions, questions. He'd just have to hope no one was unmannerly enough to step out of line. One quick session with his hair and Draco judged himself ready to meet the masses.

/*/

Blue sat on the bed watching her mum flit from on end of the room to the other. Unlike Draco, Hermione's outfit was spread over multiple places. Her dress was in the closet. Her shoes were still on the shoe rack. Her underwear was still in the drawer. The jewelry Hermione planned to wear was locked away in a chest. Luckily, Hermione planned to go barelegged because she hadn't thought to purchase any stockings. Obviously, she could have conjured a pair of stockings, but she was rushing around and didn't think about it. When she finally stepped into the shower, she had to let out a huge breath. She had never been this uncoordinated in her entire life. Perhaps she wasn't as ready to meet the world on Draco's arm as she pretended. As she conditioned her hair, Hermione hoped that no one (Cormac) would be foolish enough to approach her with his nonsense in front of Draco. Hermione sighed again. She was being foolish. Cormac was a prat, but he wasn't a fool. She hoped.

Tonight she wanted to look sleek, so after stepping out of the shower, Hermione applied a bit of Sleek-Easy to her hair. The effect was amazing. Even without being styled, her hair was hanging straight down with just a faint bit of curl. Hermione grinned at herself in the mirror. "We are going to look so good together Mr. Malfoy. They are going to have to give us a prize. For several seconds, Hermione chastised herself for not wanting to wear an outfit which complemented Draco's. They would have been fierce. Oh well, another time she told herself as she stepped into the gold dress. Turning herself in front of the full length mirror, Hermione found fault with the panty lines and quickly removed her knickers. Turning again, she pronounced herself perfect. With a few quick turns of her wand, the sleek, upswept bun was in place. To top everything off, Hermione put on the Tiger Eye jewelry set her mother had given her so long ago. Her mother had purchased the golden with bands of dark brown set to counteract all the strange happenings that seemed to follow her daughter around, insisting tiger eye would bring harmony and balance to Hermione's life. Whatever they were supposed to bring to her life, Hermione only knew at that moment the set went perfectly with her outfit.

/*/

To pass time until Draco came to collect her, Hermione first cuddled with Blue then had a wine, checking her Wonder Witch Watch between sips of wine. It was 8:15. She began to wonder what was keeping Draco. Finally, at 8:35 Blue went running to the door. Draco was in the vicinity. Determined not to let her annoyance show, Hermione plastered a wide smile on her face.

When Draco came though the door, the first thing he noticed was the fake smile on Hermione's face. Not wanting to ruin the evening before it started, he ignored it. "Hello love." He said, kissing Hermione before petting Blue. "You look amazing."

Hermione couldn't remain annoyed, especially after seeing Draco's choice of a suit. He had chosen a suit that complimented her outfit to the fullest.

Replacing the fake smile with a real one, Hermione threw her arms around Draco's neck. "You look so handsome in your lovely suit. Although I'm surprised you chose one of the most current styles. No top pocket. Now that's a scandal."

Draco reacted by squeezing Hermione to him and whispering in her ear. "I couldn't have the most beautiful witch in London on my arm and not be properly current. She would never let me hear the end of it."

Hermione loved Draco's compliments and couldn't let them pass without a giggle and a comment. "It's been said that Draco Malfoy only dates the most beautiful witches in London. I'll now have to consider that a statement of fact and not some idle rumor."

Kissing Hermione's nose, Draco offered his clap back. "Not trying to start an argument are we Granger?"

Giving Draco a wink, Hermione responded with a cheeky answer. "Not at all, and don't call me Granger. I have a first name. Use it."

Draco stepped away from Hermione to let out an extremely loud laugh before responding to her cheek. "Touché Hermione. Touché."

Hermione moved closer to leave a sexy kiss on Draco's lips and cheeks. "Now you have lipstick all over your face. Will you leave it like that, or clean it off? Your choice."

Draco hurried to look in the mirror. Sure enough there were lip prints across his mouth and cheeks. He hadn't even noticed Hermione was wearing lipstick. Shame on me, he thought as he gave a quick flick with his wand to remove the traces of Hermione's lip prints.

Walking back into the living room, Draco grinned at Hermione. "Nice job of marking your territory Hermione. Shall we be on our way?"

Grabbing onto Draco's arm, Hermione grinned up at him as they reached to touch the aluminum can sitting on the living room table. "Be a good girl Blue. Mum and da are out for the evening. Next stop, the Hogwarts gates."

"On three then," remarked Draco, just before he and Hermione were whisked away.

/*/

They landed at the end of a fairly long queue of handsomely dressed witches and wizards where Draco happened to spot one of The Daily Prophet's mangy photographers. Giving Hermione's arm a slight nudge just before leaving a kiss on her forehead, Draco whispered in her ear. "Prophet ghoul at 5:00. Hold still."

As the flash went off, Hermione and Draco turned in unison so the prat could get a lovely photo of their smiling faces.

Hermione and Draco sped up to catch the queue which had begun to move rather rapidly. Murmuring to each other, Hermione declared, "Now that's the way to start a soiree."

Draco simply nodded.