Previously on Love Vessel Chapter 20: Love And No Murder

Grabbing Hermione's foot, Draco stared into her eyes. "You know my name. Stop calling me Malfoy. With that said, I will now guide us towards the bedroom where I will definitely fawn over what is mine. Say goodnight to our daughter because I will be closing the bedroom door."

Bending down, Hermione picked up Blue to tell her mum and dad wanted to say goodnight because their next stop was bed and sex."

Although Blue's ears stood straight up, when Hermione put her back down on the floor, she headed directly to her bed and settled in."

Draco grinned as he grabbed Hermione around the waist. "Our daughter has learned the subtleties of mum and dad alone time. Let's not waste it."

When they arrived at the bedroom doorway, Hermione made an out of the blue remark. "So, you love me? That was quite the unexpected remark, but I'm going to go with it because you're so handsome."

Draco had uttered those words in the heat of the moment, but he meant every word. It was just his misfortune to have said it out loud to the witch with the long memory. "Yes, I am handsome and horny as well. Let me relieve you of those pajamas."

Hermione stood still as Draco removed her pajamas but had the last word while gazing into his eyes. "I'll allow you to take those words back for now, but believe me. I won't forget them."

Pulling Hermione down on the bed, Draco waited until he had pushed into his witch before responding to her remarks. "I'm exactly where I want to be. For now, that will be enough. Wrap your legs around me."

And so she did.

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

Chap 21: Sunday Reckonings

Draco and Hermione slept in Sunday having gone to bed only several hours ago. They probably would have slept longer if not for Blue yowling at the door. Draco nudged Hermione but she pulled a pillow over her head muttering something that sounded like. "I'm sleeping Malfoy."

With an exaggerated sigh, Draco picked his boxers up off the floor and put them on before opening the bedroom door and picking up Blue. "Good morning little miss. Why are you so loud this early in the morning. Mum is still sleeping, so take it down a notch. If you promise to do that, I'll allow you a coveted spot on the bed."

Blue let out a soft purr.

"There's a good girl. Take your spot because Da is getting his tired arse back in bed."

Blue did a couple of full turns before plunking herself at the bottom of the bed, laying her head on her paws and closing her eyes.

Draco got back in bed and turned on his side. As soon as his head hit the pillow, Hermione pulled herself up against his back.

Reaching back to grab Hermione's hand, Draco mumbled softly. "Oh, all awake now that I've gotten your daughter situated."

Kissing Draco on his back, Hermione mumbled back. "Yup."

He simply sighed and closed his eyes.

/*/

The next thing Draco knew was Hermione shaking him to get up and have Sunday Lunch. "Get up you lay about. Ten minutes until dinner is on the table."

"Well. Since I have ten whole minutes, I'll just use nine of them to lay here resting my eyes."

"Funny Malfoy." Hermione retorted as she pulled the covers off Draco. "If you miss the time window, you'll be going home hungry."

"As if." Draco grumbled, pulling himself up so he was sitting on the side of the bed. "Who said I was going home at all?"

"The witch of the house and her daughter say so. We don't have time for wizards who lie around and won't come to dinner."

"We'll see," replied Draco, jumping up and grabbing Hermione around the waist. "Give me a kiss to get me started."

"I'll give you a kiss if you put that thing away." She said, pointing to Draco's erect member.

"Natural state love. Rub him. He'll go down by himself. Promise." Draco replied cheekily.

"Hahaha. Really? He'll go down by himself. I've heard that before Malfoy. While I'm always intrigued by your formidable weapon, I'm going to take a pass right now. Our dinner is nearly ready, and I'm hungry. Please go have a shower while I tidy up the bedroom."

Giving Hermione a quick kiss, Draco responded magnanimously. "Since you asked so nicely, I'll have a shower and be to the table within the nine minutes I could have used to rest my eyes."

"Get to the shower you git before I decide to Transfigure your arse into something disgusting. Now wanker." She threatened, summoning her wand.

Draco scrambled for the bathroom calling back over his shoulder. "I'm not afraid of that wand. I know you only mean to use it to tidy up. You may not know this being a Muggleborn and all. A witch is not allowed to Transfigure her wizard under pains of, I don't know, no more sex."

Hermione giggled to herself as she used several swish and flicks to clean the bedroom. Her wizard was such a prat.

/*/

Dinner was a very pleasant affair right up until Hermione questioned Draco about the extra witch who attended the party with Theo and Blaise. It took Draco several seconds to decide just how he should answer which gave Hermione time to continue her inquiry and quantify her opinion.

"I know I've already apologized for forming an opinion before knowing the facts, but the whole thing seemed so stealthy. Jessie was introduced as Theo's date while Gayle, I believe that is her name, was sitting there looking lost. She obviously wasn't with Blaise because he wasn't paying her any attention. Then there was that look she gave me….."

Hermione let her voice trail off as Draco laid his hand across hers. He spoke softly and never took his eyes off Hermione. "I have had dealings with Gayle in the past. She and I met when I accompanied Theo to Wales to see Jessie. I asked her out on three occasions. After the three dates, I moved on because I was no longer interested. That's basically the long and short of it. Despite the way things looked last evening, I didn't have any beforehand knowledge she would be attending the party. In any case, her being there had nothing to do with me or us. You were my date. I was with you. Initially, I thought Theo and Blaise had purposely set Gayle in front of me, but I know my mates better than that. It's not their style. But that's a matter I will discuss with them."

Gazing back at Draco, Hermione replied just as softly. "I'm proud to be dating you Draco. I'm even more proud you would share personal bits from your past when there isn't any need. You were the perfect boyfriend last night even when I was barking. Regarding Gayle, if you say she is a non-factor in our relationship, I believe you. However, if she wants to face me down in the future, then we'll have a problem. We are human Draco. We've had interactions with others which are now in the past. The important thing is for us to be true to each other as long as we are a couple. With all that said, Gayle can kiss my arse and Cormac can kiss yours."

Pulling her hand away from Draco's, Hermione used her wand to clear away while Draco remained in his chair amazed that the conversation was over without him having come to some bodily harm. Draco considered himself lucky even as he tensed up over Hermione's revelation about McLaggen. He remained tense for exactly two seconds. His witch now knew about his interactions with Gayle and wasn't standing over him foaming at the mouth with wand drawn.

"I'll second that."

"You'll second what Draco?"

"I'll second what you just said. Gayle can kiss your arse and McLaggen can definitely kiss mine. Now please put that wand down and come give me a kiss. A big kiss."

Hermione put down her wand and stepped over to Draco, but the ever watchful Blue beat her to him by swiftly skittering across the room to jump in Draco's lap.

Hermione laughed. "Will females be coming at you from right, left and center our entire relationship?"

Draco grinned as he stood then put Blue gently down on the floor. "You'll have to wait your turn young lady. At this very moment, I need to see to mum. Right mum?"

Gliding into Draco's arms, Hermione left a searing kiss on his lips. Draco tightened his arms around her, and eagerly returned the searing kiss.

"Was that kiss big enough for you Mr. Malfoy?"

A simple yes or no would have sufficed, but Draco decided to be expansive. "The only kiss that's big enough for me is the one you give when your body is under mine. However, I'll accept the kiss if that's all you're willing to give. Since I won't be lying around with you beneath me in the next five minutes, I'd like you to use this time to explain the Department of Magical Exceptions."

Hermione shrugged at Draco. "Fine. Although I consider it nosing into my private business, I'll be glad to share the little I know about my soon to be new department." Ensconcing herself in a corner of the couch with her feet in Draco's lap, Hermione happily explained what had been on the job application and the accompanying documents.

Draco liked what he was hearing. "Sounds as though Kingsley is making some defining moves which I wholeheartedly applaud, especially regarding the disbanding of the Department of Mysteries. What do those blokes do anyway? Time Turners, Veils of Secrecy, Tanks full of brains, entire rooms dedicated to Death and Prophecies. All those things should have been relegated to some deep, dark corner of The Ministry a long time ago."

Hermione grabbed Draco's face between her hands. "Thank you very much for your brilliant but unsolicited diatribe on what the Minister should have done and when he should have done it. You might do well putting in an application for the other open position."

Grabbing hold to Hermione's wrists, Draco grinned at her. "No thanks love. No Ministry position for me. I'm very happy being the most important wizard at Malfoy Company. Besides, I don't think we could work together without you trying to lord it over me."

"Well. There is that," agreed Hermione. "I would definitely lord it over you. Just so you know. You might hear rumblings as I plan to lord it over Harry, Cormac, Anthony, and any other wizard who comes at me head on."

Pulling Hermione down on top of him, Draco shrugged. "I agree wholeheartedly. If any of those prats come at you head on, feel free to use your best lording skills. Be as obnoxious as you like."

Hermione pinched Draco's nipple before jumping up. "I'm a professional at work. I may have to throw my weight around from time to time, but the only place I'll be obnoxious is at home with you and Blue leaving my lovely reputation at the Ministry intact."

"Lovely reputation is it?" Questioned Draco. "I'm fairly certain Harry Potter the Auror mentioned something about…."

Leaning down to give Draco's other nipple a pinch, Hermione cut across him. "Never you mind what Auror Potter said. Harry likes to hear himself talk. When I get in my new position, I'm definitely going to liaison his arse up, down, and sideways. That will teach him to run his mouth."

Draco would always love to hear some, I'll give Harry what he deserves, story, but Hermione had started something. "I can't wait to hear about that love. However, in this particular moment, your simple pinches have led my mind in a more salacious direction. Would you accompany me to the bedroom where I'll be very glad to have your body lord it over mine for the next several hours?"

Hermione didn't hesitate. Taking hold of the hand Draco was extending in her direction, she allowed herself to be led into the bedroom where she would be more than willing to lord it over the fit body in front of her.

/*/

Relaxing after their sexual encounter, Hermione and Draco were discussing some of this and some of that when Blue appeared in the doorway. Their girl didn't make a sound as she padded back and forth in front of the bedroom door.

"Shame on you Miss Granger. You were the last one through the bedroom door and didn't think to close it. The way Blue is pacing makes it seem she's seen more than she should."

Stretching her arms over her head, Hermione offered a slightly different slant on the matter. "Blue was happily settled in her bed when we left the living room. I don't think she's seen anything. I think she has realized it is late and her mum is monopolizing all her Da's time. Your spoiled rotten daughter wants to be petted up before you leave."

Draco gave Hermione a side eye glance before reaching over her to retrieve his underwear. "Come Blue. Although I have no intention of leaving this very minute, I will pet you up if only to quiet mum down. Sometimes she can be obnoxious."

Hermione laughed out loud as she near sprinted to the bathroom. "Still going on about things that aren't your business? Here's a thought. Tend to your daughter before your offhand remarks get you in deep trouble with the witch you are dating."

"I can definitely do that my love, because I don't want to get on your bad side. Right Blue? We do not want to be turned into bones."

After climbing back into the bed, Hermione put one hand at the back of Draco's neck and the other in Blue's fur before letting out a soft sigh. Everything felt so right.

/*/

Once it had been settled that Theo was interested in more than just a shag every now and again, he and Jessie had spent a perfectly lovely Saturday night learning more about each other. They also had a somewhat awkward sexual encounter which Jessie explained away by telling Theo she wasn't used to sleeping away from home. The air had immediately cleared when Theo quipped he hadn't planned on letting her do much sleeping.

And he hadn't.

Sunday morning, the two shared brunch at the fairly new, fairly progressive restaurant situated mid way down Diagon Alley. The food was delicious and the conversation they shared was interesting. After finishing their meal, the pair decided to spend the rest of their afternoon and evening at Jessie's flat in Wales. One quick stop by Theo's to pick up the portkeys and ten minutes later they were walking through the doors to Jessie's flat.

/*/

Theo didn't have any qualms about making himself comfortable. He was an interested wizard visiting a witch who was reciprocating. He'd left any shame at home in London. Theo was stretched out on Jessie's couch with his head in her lap and a hand between her legs. Jessie had just spread her legs ever so slightly and let out a soft, sexual sigh when there was a knock at the door. Theo jumped up and hurried towards the bathroom to get his very firm piece of wizard meat sorted. Jessie walked across the room to see who had come knocking at her front door on a Sunday afternoon.

A familiar voice replied when Jessie called out who.

"Good afternoon Jess. It's me. Open up."

Jessie opened the door to let Gayle through. "Good afternoon to you Gayle. How are you doing? Feeling better? You missed a lovely party."

Gayle glanced at her friend to see if she was having her on. "Come on Jess. You know there wasn't anything wrong with me. I just didn't want to be the extra wheel. It was nice to catch a glimpse of Draco even though he had Hermione Granger attached to his hip. Those London lads are nothing more than womanizers. They go for the knickers, and after getting into them, make themselves scarce."

Jessie felt a flush from her neck to her hairline as she tried to hush her friend.

Jessie's flat wasn't that big. From where he was standing outside the bathroom, Theo could clearly hear every word. Although it wasn't a requirement, Theo waited for Jessie to step in to set Gayle straight. She hadn't failed him.

"Gayle. Please stop. You're talking nonsense. The London lads are no worse than any other lads."

"I'm talking nonsense am I?" Gayle asked, raising her voice. "You were there when Draco Malfoy asked me out. All three times. What was he playing at?"

It was at this point that an aggravated Theo stepped back into the living room confronting Gayle in a gruff voice. "Good afternoon Gayle. I don't mean to interfere, but I find it interesting you are here shouting at Jessie because Draco Malfoy didn't follow up instead of confronting the wizard himself. If you want answers about Draco Malfoy, contact Draco Malfoy. You very nearly ruined a lovely evening I had planned for Jessie by acting petulant and sullen. Draco was right there in front of you. If you thought there was something to shout about, why didn't you shout at Draco then? Your choice of words makes it sound as though you are not only disparaging Draco but me as well, so I'll tell you this. You aren't Jessie and I'm not Draco. The time Jess and I spent together last night and today has been very pleasant. I enjoy her company. However, if you and she share the same type of thoughts, perhaps this London lad should make himself scarce. Thank you for spending time with me Jess. I had hoped we'd be doing it again."

Gayle stood mute in the middle of the living room as Theo headed to the door, but Jessie was quicker than that.

"Stop where you are Theodore Nott. The time to leave my flat is when I ask you to leave not before. We were having a lovely chat and planned to have Sunday supper together. Nothing has changed. Please pour us a drink while I show my ill mannered friend to the door."

An embarrassed Gayle spoke up. "I know the way to the door Jess. My apologies Theo. My silly rant has nothing to do with you. In fact, I was just letting off a bit of steam. Draco Malfoy owes me nothing, and I won't be confronting him. If you two will excuse me, I'll leave you to yourselves. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Gayle. We'll talk tomorrow after work." Jessie nudged Theo with her hip. He wished Gayle goodnight as well.

/*/

As Theo and Jessie sat there enjoying their drinks, they discussed the Gayle situation. It wasn't a long discussion. Just long enough to clear the air of misconceptions.

"So lovely one." Theo commented charmingly. "Is it clear I intend to keep visiting Wales where I will wine, dine and sex you until you tell me to stop?"

"Just Wales?" Asked Jessie all wide eyed. "Perhaps I'll want to be wined, dined and sexed somewhere like….. London."

Theo grinned. "Then London it will be. Any time you like. Perhaps we'll share a date with Draco and Hermione so you can gather information to take back to Gayle." Theo added cheekily as he pulled Jessie into his arms. "I know we are waiting for supper to be done, but I've had an interim idea." Leaning down so his mouth was at Jessie's ear, Theo whispered a few words before extending his hand.

The few words obviously had an effect on Jessie as she gripped Theo's hand and dragged him towards the bedroom. "Come on Mr. Nott. I want to remind you what a Wales witch can do for the right wizard."

With a wide smile covering his face, Theo let himself be dragged along as he offered a simplistic remark. "Thank Merlin I'm the right wizard because I'm thrilled with what this Wales witch can do."

Jessie grinned like a madwoman as she closed the bedroom door with her bum. Her last words before Theo laid her gently down on the bed. "I can't speak for anyone else, but this particular London lad is alright in my books."

Theo let out a loud groan as he removed their clothing. "Please save your accolades for later. I'm trying to sex a Wales witch here."

Throwing her arms around Theo's neck, Jessie remained silent. She could definitely save her accolades for later.