Previously on Love Vessel Chapter 24: Your Option Is Me
Seeing that everything had turned out well, Hermione felt she could safely interject a smart arsed remark. "Remember this for the future Malfoy. If or when you decide to chuck me aside, I have options."
Placing a searing kiss on Hermione's lips, Draco responded with a sharp comment. "First, I won't be chucking you aside. Second, you know my name. Stop calling me Malfoy, and last. No matter who crosses your path, your only option is me. Say goodnight to your daughter. We are headed for bed."
/*/
On the way to the bedroom, Hermione quickly related how Laurie suggested they cast a non-reproducing spell on Blue so she couldn't have any babies. Draco laughed but assured Hermione he would hack the head off any male Kneazle coming within fifty yards of his daughter. A grinning Hermione told him that's exactly what she'd said to Laurie.
Draco nodded as he separated Hermione from her clothes adding one last caveat. "There you have it. Like yourself, Blue's only option is me. Please stop moving. I'm trying to get you naked."
Hermione put her hands at her sides and stood stock still. "Happy now wanker? Perhaps along with practicing to be pleasant, you should practice fine tuning the way you remove clothing from a witch."
Draco's mind was on the sex he wanted not on the conversation so he responded with a simple okay.
Hermione reached out to give him a pinch. "Okay my arse. You won't be removing clothing from any witch other than me. As you told me, when it comes to relationships, I'm your only option."
/************************************************************************
Chapter 25: Going Head On
/**/
Wednesday morning, Theo was up almost before first light full of nervous energy. He planned to get through his day then take a portkey to Wales to see Jessie. Remembering Blaise's words, Theo smiled into the mirror. "Jealous much Zabini? I like the options I'm exploring. If all goes well, I'll be exploring those very options tonight."
Theo had just stepped into his boxers when an owl began banging against the window. Theo took a minute to button his shirt. In that minute, the owl seemed to be throwing itself against the window.
"Fucking menace. Hold on you bloody beast. I'm coming." He muttered.
The owl seemed to bang harder. When he reached the window, Theo snatched the owl by its neck as he retrieved the message. The owl tried to snap at Theo's fingers, but the premier Real Estate entrepreneur was too quick.
"Missed me you filthy bastard. I'll be having words with your owner as soon as I find out who it is. You might be headed for the boneyard."
Theo scanned the message and let out a sigh. Alejandro Romero was asking to have their meeting moved from Thursday to tonight. Theo's first thought was to return the message with a resounding no, but he didn't. He was a businessman who knew romantic interludes had to take a back seat to business if he wanted to remain at the top of his game. Besides, the money he made off deals with wealthy wizards would be what kept his romantic interludes funded.
Theo replied to Alejandro that this evening would be fine. Stepping into his trousers, he made a mental note to Owl Jess. He'd make it up to her on the weekend.
/*/
Blaise hadn't gotten much sleep the previous night. His mind was still on the party Saturday evening and the short conversation with Theo. How had two of the most eligible bachelors in London just up and left him behind? Draco and Theo, two wizards he thought would be chasing fit witches with him until…. Until? Until when? He didn't plan to get anywhere near anything wedding related, but it might be nice to have a witch he could count on. Blaise quickly rephrased. Perhaps it would be nice to have a witch who could count on him. Yes. That was more like it.
Letting out a loud sigh, Blaise turned his thoughts to his mother. She wanted him to come to Tuscany for the weekend to help sort out some bloody situation. He wouldn't say it out loud, but he was sure the situation revolved around some wizard who'd worn out his welcome but was too stupid to leave.
He began packing a case. "I might as well go to Italy sooner than later. Nothing good going on here in London at the moment. Perhaps I'll run into one of those lovely Italian options who will be agreeable to coming back to London on my arm."
Shaking his head, Blaise mumbled that he was becoming as barking mad as Draco and Theo. However, he only planned to stay in Tuscany for as long as it took to boot the blighter out on his arse. In addition, as much as it pained him to admit it, he wanted to bang around with Theo and Jessie. Perhaps even the great Zabini could learn something.
Taking one last look around, Blaise locked up then made his way to the International Portkey Office.
/*/
Hermione and Draco woke to find Blue happily ensconced in her spot at the bottom of the bed. Draco lifted his upper body then flopped back down.
"Our daughter is in the room. Did you forget to close the door behind you?"
With a yawn and a stretch, Hermione sat up and turned so she was sitting on the side of the bed. "I think Blue has learned how to turn the knob."
Raising up on his elbows, Draco glanced from Blue to Hermione. "No she hasn't. She's smart, but that's impossible. When did she learn…."
Hermione stretched again. "Calm down love. Of course Blue hasn't learned how to open the bedroom door. I let her in when I got up to use the bathroom. Brain a little scrambled this morning?"
"My brain is just fine thank you. Blue is listening to our every word. By this time next week she probably will have learned how to drag a kitchen chair up to the door and turn the knob." Draco snickered, falling back on the pillow once again. "I can't seem to get started. I need a kiss."
Draco hadn't gotten the last word out of his mouth before Blue rushed up to sit on his chest and rub her face against his cheek.
Hermione laughed out loud as she stood to prepare for her day. "Blue knows her Da wants a kiss. I think I might be inclined to believe she will be dragging a chair to the bedroom by next week. At the rate she is going, it might be sooner than that. Make yourself useful git. Go start breakfast. Unless of course Blue has already made it and it's waiting for us under a warming spell."
Draco gave Blue several pats before hopping out of bed to follow Hermione. "It's obvious I'm not going to get any of your morning love, so I want a kiss. I can't start my day without one."
Hermione opened the door starkers. "Come get one then Mr. I can't start my day. Kisses are just an excuse. You're just a lazy lout."
"Lazy lout am I?" He said, grabbing Hermione and kicking the door shut. "For that bit of verbal nonsense, I'm going to have some bathroom loving." Sitting himself on the toilet, Draco lifted Hermione so she was straddling him. As Hermione moved up and down on his rigid dick, Draco spread himself as best he could while grabbing Hermione's arse to help her move more rapidly. When he was close, he whispered in Hermione's ear to bend over the tub so he could get them finished.
Turning from the toilet in one movement, Hermione bent over the tub to let Draco slide in. Less than a minute later, they were both breathing heavily through their orgasms.
Straightening up, Draco gently slapped Hermione across the bum remarking that was what he called bathroom loving. "And please hurry up in here or you'll make us late." He added with a snicker.
"If I make us late it will have been well worth it. I love your bathroom loving Mr. Malfoy."
Hermione's words sent shivers running through Draco's body. He was hard pressed not to go back to the bathroom for more. Instead, he softly replied. "And I love everything about you Miss Granger."
Blue let out a soft purr before plopping down on her special spot. Her mum and Da were such animals.
/*/
Once he arrived at work, Draco only had time to collect his notes before he had to turn around and catch a portkey to Cambridge where he and George were scheduled to make a company presentation. Draco looked up to see George standing in the hall outside his office with a pained expression on his face.
"You look like you need a toilet George. We're due to step in front of a group of interested parties. Please shite and get back here so we can go."
George let out a croak of a laugh. "My arse is fine Mr. Malfoy. My thoughts not so much. Henry has explained….."
Holding up a hand, Draco stopped George mid-sentence. "At the moment, I'm more interested how well our presentation will go than in Henry's thoughts."
"But.."
"What did I just say George?" Snapped Draco. "Get your mind where it should be. I've had enough people stepping into my personal business. Let's get to Cambridge and show them what we've got."
"Of course Draco. Let's get to Cambridge."
An irritable Draco headed to the lifts thinking he'd probably have to duel Corwin to get George and Henry's minds off the topic. "Bloody, fucking arsehole." He muttered as he entered the lift.
George wasn't sure what Draco had just said, but was convinced it wasn't nice. Rather than take another raking over the coals, he remained silent. He felt better when he and Draco landed at the doors of Cambridge Conference Hall and his boss gave him a smile telling him let's go do this. Draco even joked that George's large commissions would get a boost if he could bring home some business.
Happy Draco was back to himself, George allowed himself to offer up a bit of humor. "Counting on it boss. I need a few new suits."
It was a pair of happy looking, handsome wizards who took the podium at 9:00 am sharp.
/*/
The presentation went very well with George being at his sharpest. Draco closed out the presentation confirming that he and George would be available for private chats in the Beacon Room at 11:00.
Even though time had been made available for private chats, Draco and George were inundated with questions from several witches and wizards who seemed determined to speak to them before 11:00.
Draco hadn't gotten to where he was by letting anyone run over him. In a firm but friendly tone, he suggested they hold their questions until 11:00. Those who had been circling Draco and George got the picture. If they wanted to speak to Draco Malfoy or his top manager, they would have to wait along with everyone else. Draco excused himself from the crowd heading to a bathroom, after which, he planned to have a tea.
"I'll be back in a bit George. Let's have a tea. I'll meet you in the refreshment area."
"Excellent. I was heading that way." George replied.
/*/
Draco and George spent fifteen minutes in the refreshment area discussing business before heading to the Beacon Room. For the next two hours, they held private conversations with those seeking more information. At the end of it, the two men were on their way back to London with several commitments.
"I think our presentation went well."
"Indeed it did George. I'll leave it up to you to delegate our new business among the managers. Please be sure to involve a few of the Associates as well."
Involve some of the Associates? George was a bit surprised by that comment. Associates did most of the grunt work, but weren't positioned to oversee new business. George hoped Draco's comment didn't mean what he thought it meant. He was a top manager who liked his position and the perks it generated and that's the way he wanted to keep it.
George wanted to be clear on what Draco meant. "That's new. You want us to include Associates in this piece of new business?" He asked.
Turning a skeptical eye on his manager, Draco gave a somewhat sharp response. "That's exactly what I meant George. I didn't stutter. I expect they'd need to be trained up a bit, but it is what it is. I'm looking to bring a few more into the management circle."
George was now a little unsettled. Did this mean Draco was looking to train people up in case he had to sack current managers? This didn't look good. Whether it looked good or not, he and Draco had reached the portkey office.
Before touching his portkey, Draco gave George an order. "Meet me in my office George. We'll discuss this further. I want Henry there as well."
"Alright Draco. I'll see you shortly."
George apprehensively stepped up to get his portkey. Was this sudden change about what had gone on with Corwin? He knew Draco to be firm sometimes to the point of being rigid, but vindictive, no. It might be just as he said. He wanted to bring some Associates into the management circle.
George landed in front of the Malfoy Building three steps in front of Draco still wondering if he and Henry were on their way out.
/*/
The bit of bathroom loving had left Hermione in a very cheery mood. When Harry turned up at her office door to be greeted by a very cheery Hermione with a wide smile, he couldn't resist commenting.
"Good morning. Is that a smile on the face of the normally irritable witch? If so, may I commend the person, place or thing that has made her happy."
Hermione glanced at Harry. "Ah Harry. Still full of shite. Have you come to see what it will take to get that mouth hexed closed?" Asked Hermione still sporting a wide grin.
Sliding into a chair facing Hermione's desk, Harry shrugged. "As high as you're moving up the chain, it will still do you good to remember I'm the law. Threatening me might land you and Malfoy behind bars. I added Malfoy assuming he would come to your rescue and have to be shown the point of my wand as well."
"Jealous Potter?" Asked Hermione. "Instead of spewing that rubbish, I suggest you take a different tack. If you're good, perhaps one day someone will want to stand up for you."
"Don't you worry about someone standing up for me. I have a perfectly good witch who will stand up for me. Anyway, I stopped in because a couple of things have reached my ears so I've come to the source."
The source? Hermione didn't have a clue what Harry meant. "I'm listening Harry. Enlighten me."
"Alright. Has Wesley Corwin been making unwanted advances?"
This comment was the last thing she expected to come out of Harry's mouth. "Why would you ask something like that Harry?"
Harry gazed at his one time sister as if to suss out if she was trying to deflect away from the question. "As I said, some information reached my ears. Is it true?"
"No Harry. It's not true. Wesley Corwin is an arse who…." Then she thought about it. If looked at in the right light, Wesley's actions could be construed as making advances. She rephrased. "Well, it's somewhat true. Mr. Corwin asked me out. When I informed him I had a wizard, he kept pushing insisting I didn't have a wizard. Nothing I couldn't handle. I'm quite capable. Besides, he and Draco have had a conversation. Mr. Corwin now knows I have a wizard and who he is. I'm curious. From where did your piece of information come."
"If you say it's fine, it's fine. It was just something overheard and relayed to me."
Hermione glared at Harry knowing no matter how much she pried, if Harry didn't want to divulge his source, he wouldn't. "Fine Harry. Keep your little secrets. You may tell whomever to keep their nose out of my business or they won't have a nose." She huffed, rolling her eyes.
"Come on Hermione. I had to follow up. It's my job. If Corwin is making unwanted advances on someone he'll be working with in the future, he should be straightened out beforehand."
"Hermione actually agreed with Harry. She just didn't like someone stepping into her business. "Thanks for looking out for me Harry, but if I run into anything I can't handle, I'll call Draco."
"Wrong answer Hermione. If there's something you can't handle, call me or one of my team. I'll arrest Malfoy just like I would anyone else."
"For fucks sake Harry. No one is going to be arrested. Wesley Corwin is a non-factor. Please let it go."
Harry held up a hand. "Alright Hermione. I get it. You can take care of yourself. I just wanted to be sure you're okay. Sill love me?"
"I never loved you Potter." Hermione was quick to reply. "Too clingy."
Harry laughed out loud. "Yes, I was that."
Hermione reached a hand out to her best friend. "I do love you Harry. Thank you for being a nosy prat."
"With that admission, I'll be going." Harry said, rising from the chair. "I also wanted to ask about Romilda Vane, but I seemed to have overstepped enough for one day."
"Stop right there Harry." Hermione admonished. "What has Romilda Vane to do with anything?"
"It's nothing. I'll see you later."
"I'll kill you with a curse if you walk out that door. Sit back down and tell me what's going on."
Harry didn't want to be killed with a curse so he sat back down.
"Now spill. Tell me what Romilda is complaining about now and what it has to do with me."
"She wants to register a complaint against you for accusing her of using love potion magic against Cormac. While love potions aren't considered illegal, we highly discourage their use. George Weasley and Lee Jordan have been warned several times about selling this particular item."
"What?" Hermione shouted as she grabbed her wand to close the door. "Register a complaint? The witch is barking." Even as she replied to Harry's rubbish, she was reminded of her conversation with Cormac. Although she hadn't come right out with it, she had implied he should watch the sweets he ate. "Sorry Harry. I have to plead guilty on this one. Cormac said some things so I said some things. Watch the sweets you eat might have been one of them."
Harry remained silent staring at Hermione.
"I wasn't being vindictive. I was simply warning the blighter. So, he ran back to Romilda and told her what I said. Prat."
Harry stood up once again. "Be that as it may Hermione. You know as well as I do you can't go around accusing people…."
"I didn't accuse anyone of anything. I didn't mention Romilda at all. However, if she wants to register a complaint, take it. Love potions are easy to prove. I'll embarrass her arse all over this Ministry."
Harry sighed. His sister sometimes got on his last nerve. "No one wants to see it come to that. I talked Romilda out of it, but don't warn Cormac about anything else. If he wants to walk around besotted, so be it. Please don't approach Romilda with this bullshite. Let this be the end of it."
"Alright Harry. As long as neither Romilda nor Cormac approaches me with bullshite, this will be the end of it. I will protect myself though."
Halfway out the door, Harry turned back. "Come on Hermione. What does that mean?"
Hermione stopped short of telling Harry she would ask George or Lee if a certain witch had purchased love potions. They might refuse her the information, but she could ask. "It doesn't mean anything."
"Good." Harry replied. "Because I'll arrest your arse if you use your wand with malice."
With a barely concealed grin, Hermione told Harry he'd better bring his team with him if he came to arrest her.
With a cheeky wink and a wave, Harry was out the door.
/*/
For the next few minutes, Hermione remained at her desk pondering the fact Romilda Vane was trying to come at her head on. She'd told Draco what she would do if someone came at her head on. At that time she had been referring to wizards. However, if a witch wanted to play, she'd get the same as any wizard.
"Oh look. My Wonder Witch Watch is showing 12:40. Time for lunch. Perhaps I'll take the long way around to see if I can run into Romilda." Grabbing her purse and wand, Hermione began a circuitous route around the floor. One which would ultimately land her at the lifts or in Romilda's path, either or.
/*/
Draco was preparing the speech he would give George and Henry. If bringing Associates up to management didn't wake up his two best managers, he didn't know what would. They were good at what they did, but perhaps there was better.
Draco wouldn't admit to still being angry over their interaction with Corwin, but some part of him was. As many witches as he had dated, never had he stood at the bar of any establishment discussing what had gone on between them. It was reprehensible. If George and Henry thought nothing of it, he didn't need them representing Malfoy Company Investments. However, he wasn't going to cut off his nose to spite his face. They would train up three Associates just in case. Draco looked up and Henry and George were at his door. He intended to go at them head on.
"Hello boss. I hear the presentation went well," offered Henry, taking a seat.
George who still didn't know what to expect simply nodded.
"It went very well Henry, but that's not why we're here. I've had some thoughts. I'd like to see three of our current Associates moved to the management track. You and George prepare a list of six for me to review. I'll choose three to be trained up."
Henry shifted in his chair. "Bringing up Associates? Who will do the training?"
Draco stared directly at Henry. "I apologize if I haven't made myself clear. Current managers will train the Associates. In my opinion, you, George and Roscoe should each take one. After the three are chosen, set a few seminars, do some networking, train them up."
Henry glanced at George wondering what this was really about. He, George and Roscoe had been Draco's top managers for over three years. Why the change now? He wanted to know so he asked.
"Are you thinking of moving the top managers around?"
Draco gave a straight faced reply. "Not at the moment Henry. Right now I'm trying to get three additional managers trained up. Get me the six names as quickly as this afternoon. I'll make the choices and we'll proceed from there.
Both Henry and George did nothing more than nod on the way out. For the moment, they'd have to believe their boss didn't have any intention of pushing them out the door.
/*/
The Owl message from Theo was waiting for Jessie when she arrived home from work. Laying it aside, Jessie put away her coat and purse thinking the only reason Theo would be Owling was because he wasn't coming. And she was correct. He'd had to reschedule a meeting with an important client so he wouldn't be coming through.
Sigh.
Summoning her wand, Jessie set the kettle before rereading the message. Her mind would have gone to a difficult place when Theo explained he wouldn't make it to Wales during the week had he not added a postscript. He expected to see her at his door after work on Friday, and she should plan on spending the weekend.
It was true she had expected to spend her Wednesday evening with Theo. However, she had the weekend to look forward to. As she sipped her tea, Jessie made mental notes of what she should pack. Something sexy. Something casual. Something fancy and plenty of underwear. Then she thought of the old witch's trick. The no underwear trick. It was said a wizard wouldn't leave the side of his witch if he knew she wasn't wearing underwear. Jessie didn't know if it was true or not, but she would see. She'd bring two sets of underwear no more.
Jessie thought of even more things as she soaked in the bath, but ended up tossing all the nonsense aside. She wouldn't be playing any tricks on Theo because she didn't want him playing any tricks on her. Her mind was set. She'd pack what she thought she needed. If she left anything out, she would visit one of the lovely, London shops. It was a good thing she had an entire day to get herself in order.
Giggling as she pulled her night gown over her head, Jean told herself, if I'm very lucky, I might not need clothes at all.
/*/
Hermione arrived home about ten minutes before Draco. She was using the bathroom but Blue met him at the door. Leaning over, Draco picked up his ball of blue fur.
"Hello love. Has mum made it home yet?"
Blue jumped from his arms and made a run for the bedroom.
"I'll take that as a yes." He said, following behind the Kneazle. "Good evening Miss Granger. Your amazing wizard has arrived. Shall I come in to wash your back?"
Pulling the bathroom door open just a bit, Hermione gave a snappy reply. "You won't be washing anything. I'm using the toilet git. Besides, the only reason you want to get in here is too bend me over the tub."
Pushing the door open farther and leaning down to kiss Hermione's lips, Draco replied with a great big grin. "I really wanted to wash your back. Bathroom loving is for mornings. Don't forget to wash your hands. Blue and I don't want any of that bathroom pee all over us."
Hermione pushed the door closed but not before telling Draco he could pound sand because he wouldn't be getting any kind of loving bathroom or otherwise.
"We'll see about that. Won't we Blue? Mum cannot resist my charms."
Blue snuggled down into the couch without so much as a meow. Once started, her mum and Da could go back and forth for hours. She just had to go with it.