Previously on Love Vessel Chapter 40: Easier Than They Thought
"Whatever. A soak will do me good."
So that's what she did. It was coming 10:00 when she stepped out of the tub. With a thought about Draco running through her head, Hermione was pleasantly surprised to find her wizard stretched out in the bed.
"Hello witch. Lovely nightdress. Come cuddle with me. Our closet is now fully stocked with my freshly laundered shirts. I left a bit of room in case you wanted to hand a few things."
Hermione laughed as she sauntered over to the bed. "I have a fast wand Mr. Malfoy. Any time I need more room, I'll jut swish and flick."
Draco smiled. He really did love this witch. "Bring that lovely arse to bed. You need your sleep. It's my understanding you have a very early start."
"You are quite right my wizard. 6:00 am will be here before I know it."
Hermione settled herself in and snuggled up against Draco's back. For a minute, everything was quiet. So quiet Hermione thought Draco had fallen asleep, but a soft nip on his back showed he was still awake. Hermione took the minute to make what she hoped was a redeeming statement.
"I'm going to be the best magical cook ever after I learn those secret recipes. Good night love."
Reaching back to grab Hermione's hand, an emotional Draco whispered. "That you will. Good night to you too love."
One of Draco's last thoughts before dropping off to sleep was, getting a wife might be easier than I thought.
/************************************************************************
Chapter 41: It All Makes Sense
Some sudden sound jolted Wesley causing him to call out once again. "Hermione? Is that you?"
No answer.
Getting out of his chair, Wesley happened to glance at his magical desk clock.
"9:30? What madness is this?" He asked himself as he bent over to scrutinize the device. "Have I been sitting here lost in thought for three hours? Impossible."
Wesley checked his own Wonder Wizard Watch to find it most certainly was 9:30. Impossible or not, he had passed the last three hours in some kind of funk. A few random thoughts passed through his head including was this some of the shite he had experienced as an Unspeakable? Losing time, moving time, adjusting time, rearranging time. All things that had been part of the DOM.
"Unbloodylikely." He grumbled as he made a check on his case to ensure everything was in place.
Wesley rose from the chair only to fall back into it. Running a hand through his hair, he muttered out loud. "My head is bloody heavy. I feel as though I've been hexed." He let out out fairly loud chuckle. "Me hexed? I need to stop this nonsense right now. I guess I'm just hungry, tired and anxious which can be rectified by a little food, a little sleep and hopefully a good day with Hermione Granger."
Grabbing his handsome case, Wesley headed to the lifts still feeling off wondering why he felt as though there was someplace he should be.
/*/
Witch two Geraldine and Witch three Joyce were listening to Mona go on about her earlier exploit. The two witches were stealing glances at each other because Mona rarely went on like she was doing at the moment. Wesley Corwin, Wesley Corwin, Wesley Corwin. All Wesley all the time. After all this time, their leader had found a wizard who had caught and held her attention. They pitied the fool.
"All's well that ends well," offered Joyce. "I imagine it was lovely to chat with a handsome wizard."
"Yes it was extremely lovely, but it definitely wasn't an end. It's the beginning. Too bad I have to take it slow. The wizard fascinates me. Not only his handsome countenance and his very fit body, but his mindset as well. He is a former Unspeakable. I think we'll fit nicely."
Geraldine was almost in a panic. Wizards had caught Mona's eye in the past, but not like this. Their leader was fairly gushing.
"Mr. Corwin sounds like an exceptional wizard, but…"
Mona turned to Geraldine with a direct stare. "But what, Geraldine. I have taken a liking to Mr. Corwin and I will be following up. Actually, I misspoke. He will be following up."
Both Joyce and Geraldine knew what those words meant. Mona had left her mark. Mr. Corwin was probably walking around wondering why he felt… strange. If the past was any prediction of the future, Mona had cast some drawing spell that would bring Wesley to her without her having to approach him a second time. All fair and legal.
Joyce and Geraldine nodded at Mona chuffed she had found an interest and relieved she had done so within Coven rules.
Not trying to get too far into Mona's business, but wanting a tad bit more information, Joyce asked a question. "Shall we expect Mr. Corwin to come knocking at our door in search of, well in search of…"
Mona grinned as she replied to Joyce. "Although I consider The Coven House my first home, I have, as do we all, a lovely home away from here which is where I will visit with Mr. Corwin. What's problematic is that he has just stepped into a new position and is partnered with none other than Hermione Granger."
Geraldine let out a cackle and received a pointed look from Mona in return.
"Laugh it up Ger. With a few cosmetic spells, even the nosy, intuitive Hermione Granger will not be able to recognize me."
Both Geraldine and Joyce chuckled, but Witch Four Agatha who had entered the room at the end of Mona's statement made a humorous comment. "There aren't enough cosmetic spells in the magical world to keep Hermione from nosing. Although I wish you well in your endeavor Mona, I believe it will be a challenge."
"Hahaha. Just give Hermione a Time Turner to hold. She'll be fine." Parried Joyce.
After taking a sip of her tea, Mona smiled at each witch in turn. "When have any of you known me to turn down a challenge? That would be never. What you three should be asking is, can we help you in any way? Shall we visit your home and give it a good cleaning? Should we enlarge the bed?"
Geraldine, Joyce and Agatha grinned at the back and forth facetious remarks. Mona Russell had found herself an interesting wizard and nothing would deter her from following up, or as Mona put it, Wesley following up.
All four witches went about their Coven duties with smiles on their faces and the knowledge Mona might be away from Coven House a bit more than usual.
/*/
In Wales, Theo and Jessie were sitting on the couch discussing how things had almost gone wrong. Actually, Jessie was talking while Theo was deflecting.
"I want to make love to my Wales witch."
Jessie gave Theo the side eyes. "Are you listening to what I'm saying Theo? You saw something you thought to be out of order and you were ready to chuck it all."
Theo kissed Jessie on her ear. "It all worked out love. Nothing really to discuss."
Jessie felt differently. She and Theo were working on a relationship. There was no way she would be moaning and groaning beneath him without straightening out the misunderstanding. "It worked out this time Theo, but what will happen if my next brother comes to visit?"
"How many brother do you have Jess?"
"THEO! It doesn't matter how many brothers I have. What matters is the trust you have in me. Without trust, we are just a witch and wizard who meet to satisfy each other. I want more. I thought we had more."
Theo removed his arm from around Jessie and sat up straight. "There's no need to shout Jess. I hear all you are saying. What I can tell you is I made a snap judgment without thinking it through. I know you aren't that witch Jess, but my feelings got away from me. It won't happen again, especially now I know you have more brothers."
Jessie gave Theo an elbow to the ribs. "Wanker. Jayson is my only brother. Please don't lump me in with witches who are out for a good time. That's not me and never will be me. I want you for keeps Mr. Nott and hope you want me as well."
A thoroughly chastised Theo turned to Jessie cupping her chin with his hand. "I want you for keeps as well Jess. Perhaps that's why I got upset seeing a wizard's jumper laying on your couch and a whole, entire wizard standing in your kitchen doorway." Wrapping Jessie in his arms, Theo apologized again. "I'm sorry I almost acted the arse. I promise you. It won't happen again. But, for my sake and yours, please take your mobile with you at all times. You never know when your wizard will try to call or text."
Snuggling into Theo, Jessie gave a soft reply. "I can do that. I can also do other things."
"Yes!" Theo shouted. "I love other things."
"Okay then Mr. Nott. Follow me to the bedroom where I will show you my skills."
Theo was up in a flash. "He loved Jessie's skills.
/**/
Hermione was up at the crack of dawn on Tuesday banging around so loudly Draco lifted his head from the pillow to remark on the noise she was making.
"Please slow down love. The Merritt case will be there when you get there." He grumbled before plopping his head back down on the pillow.
Hermione smiled as she headed to the shower. Her irritable wizard was certainly irritable, but he was interested enough in her work that he remembered the name of her first case. Draco Malfoy could be trifling, but she loved every inch of him.
/*/
Even though Hermione was in and out of the shower in the max fifteen minutes, Draco had coffee and toast waiting for her. Blue was lying in her bed looking quite content which meant Draco had fed her in addition to laying out breakfast.
Leaving a sloppy kiss on Draco's cheek, Hermione thanked him for being such a good boyfriend.
"Yes, I am a good boyfriend. However, in this case, I did it to have you leave here in a decent mood. We wouldn't want you to pull your wand on Corwin. At least not on the first assignment."
"Funny Dr-aaa-c-o. Wesley and I have come to terms. We have agreed to be pleasant and respect each other."
Letting out a loud chuckle, Draco had to jump to his feet after spilling hot tea on his thinly covered privates. "Damn! I nearly burned off your favorite piece of me." He said, waving his wand to rectify the situation.
A smug Hermione gave a smug reply. "Oh Merlin! Then what would I do with you?"
Blue let out a loud yowl.
"Careful Miss Granger. My daughter doesn't want to hear that kind of talk. She knows you'll never get rid of me with or without bits."
Gliding across the kitchen and landing in Draco's arms, Hermione gave a quick response. Both you and Blue are correct. I'll never get rid of you, especially with your wonderful mouth."
Wrapping Hermione in his arms and planting a torrid kiss on her lips, Draco told her he knew that.
Slipping out of Draco's arms, Hermione headed for the bedroom. "Time for this lovely witch to get dressed. What would you like for dinner?"
Draco had made plans in his head to have a meet up with Blaise and Theo to work out what had happened at Minerva's party. They were his mates and had known him a long time. He should have known they would never try to throw a witch in his face. He should have mentioned it at Sunday Dinner but it hadn't been the right time or place.
"I'll text you about dinner. I'm going to try to catch up with Blaise and Theo at lunch. If I can't manage that, I'm going to have a meet up after work."
That's different thought Hermione. "Alright love. Let me know. I actually don't know what time I'll get in. Be that as it may. Please leave food and water out for your daughter and give her litter box a cleaning. Thank you for breakfast. See you later. Love you."
"Love you more Miss Granger." But Draco was speaking to an empty room. Hermione was gone.
"How do you like that Blue? Mum left us without so much as a kiss or a rub."
Blue sat up on her hind legs and let out a series of purrs.
Draco answered her. "I know. I know. We have to get mum straightened out. Right after I shag her socks off." The last added in a very low voice.
/*/
Draco still had a bit of time before he needed to get ready so he took a few minutes to think over the last words Hermione had spoken to him the previous night. "I'm going to be the best magical cook ever after I learn those secret recipes." His witch had thoughts of becoming a Malfoy which was good because he had plans to make her a Malfoy.
"Just not today." He muttered while doing a stretch before heading to the shower.
It was time to get his day started.
/*/
From the time Hermione entered DME she felt there was something going on with Wesley. However, after asking him twice if everything was okay and him assuring it was, she just shrugged it off thinking perhaps he had a case of the nerves. She could relate. For all her time at The Ministry and as much experience as she had, she was a bit on edge as well.
By 7:45, everything was in order and they were ready to get to the Merritt scene. There were also three smaller cases they would try to get to that day. It would be a full day.
/*/
Even though he had surreptitiously cast cooling charms over himself, Wesley Corwin former Unspeakable was profusely sweating. Why, he didn't know. The Merritt case wasn't as difficult as the easiest case he'd had in DOM. In addition, he was feeling like shite. Not regular shite, but shite shite.
To his dismay, Hermione had noticed.
"Hello Wesley. Alright over there? I think we're finished here. Seeing that it is only 1:30, might I suggest we check out the other three cases. If they are simple, we can get back to the offices and tidy up the ends. Amazing, We might be able to close four cases on our first day out."
Wesley gave Hermione what passed as a smile. "Sounds good. Let's do this."
Hermione smiled. It seemed as though her partner might not last. He was falling apart and it was only their first day. She had expected more from a former Unspeakable.
/*/
To their delight, Hermione and Wesley had finished up all four cases and were back in the DME offices by 3:00 pm. The additional cases had basically been throw away cases MLE could handle. Anyway, it was a great day for DME.
After everything had been wrapped up and sent to the CW, Hermione had a suggestion. "We seem to be ahead of the game Wesley. Let's have a bite to eat before we review the cases that have come in."
Wesley, who was still trying to shake off strange feelings had another idea. "I'm not really hungry. Perhaps just a tea Hermione. I'd like to get everything ready for tomorrow because I have an engagement this evening, and please, call me Wes. It seems so formal when you call me Wesley."
Hermione gave Wesley a look. "Alright partner, Wes it is. However I would be remiss if I didn't mention that ours is a business relationship. Cutee names aren't necessary."
Wesley laughed. "I thought we had all that settled. We are partners nothing more. A name should not matter."
"Duly noted sir. From here on out, I'll call you Wes. You may call me Hermione."
Both partners laughed out loud.
Being the good partner, Hermione went down to Food Services to get the tea.
/*/
While Hermione was gone, Wes tried to make sense of what he was feeling. Never in all his time at The Ministry had he felt this way. Like someone was controlling his thoughts. As he sat there trying to make sense of it all, a sudden peace came over him. The strange feelings were gone. Wesley didn't question anything. He was just glad he was back to himself. By the time Hermione got back, he was ready to jump in with both feet.
/*/
Draco had a few things to take care of so he hadn't had time to text Theo and Blaise until 10:30. Blaise had a prior engagement and Theo sent a text explaining he was in Wales and wouldn't be back to London until late that evening.
Draco returned the texts saying he would catch up with them another time. His thoughts turned to his witch and his daughter. Although it was delicious, lamb was coming out of Draco's ears. Tonight he wanted something different. A quick review of the menus in his top drawer made him think of steak. Tonight he wanted steak, mashed, gravy and asparagus. Instead of contacting Hermione who he surmised was very busy, Draco stepped out of the building and apparated to his flat.
/*/
Welles was chuffed when his employer landed in the flat. Mr. Draco was there to request his services. The elf was even more chuffed when Mr. Draco asked him to prepare the dinner at home explaining they would be having company. Welles wasn't sure why the dinner would not be at Miss Granger's flat, so he just listened and got ready to prepare. Even though he didn't have the right to hope, he hoped the blue animal would be coming to dinner as well. He liked the blue thing and the blue thing liked him.
"Alright Welles. I have to get back to the office. Miss Hermione might run late but I believe the dinner should be ready at 7:30."
"Yes Mr. Draco. Dinner will be ready at 7:30. Thank you for allowing me to serve you."
Draco nodded. "Be careful Welles. You are beginning to sound like a house elf when we both know you are my assistant. Additionally, I'll be sending a package. You may open it and put it where you see fit."
Welles took a deep breath. His employer was such a good wizard. "Yes sir. I'm being careful not to sound like a house elf. I'll be seeing to your package."
With everything he needed to accomplish accomplished, Draco prepared to apparate to The Pet Menagerie where he planned to purchase supplies for Blue to be kept at his flat. His witch would be so surprised. He would definitely be getting some Granger loving this night.
Once he was back at Malfoy Investments, Draco got right back into his work knowing Miss Granger was in for a surprise. He spent all of ten minutes reveling in the fact he would surprise Hermione before texting her they would be having dinner at his flat. Rather be safe than sorry.
Hermione replied in one word, perfect.
/*/
Jessie was at work and Theo was relaxing with a bit of muggle telly laughing at the shite muggles thought interesting when an Owl began banging against the window. Without hesitation, Theo received the Owl. This was his witch's flat, why not. The Owl was from Jayson who was just checking on her well being. Jay wanted to know when he could come back to visit her and Theo and bring his mum and dad. A warm feeling went through Theo. The brother wanted him to meet the family. That he could do. Theo started to reply then thought about it. He was ready, but what if Jess wasn't ready. Instead of sending a reply, he laid the message aside to be discussed later. His witch would have the last say.
Not used to lying about, Theo had begun to feel like a lazy lout when Jessie came through the door arms wide and looking for a kiss.
"Hello wizard. I hope you've started dinner because I'm famished."
Jumping up from the couch, Theo grabbed Jess up in a hug. "No love. I haven't started dinner. It was my intention to remain stretched out being a lazy lout until you got home."
Without removing her cloak, Jessie snuggled up against her wizard telling him that he was her lazy lout. Theo helped her take off her coat before pulling her down beside him.
"Your lazy lout was perceptive enough to collect an Owl that turned up."
"Really? You're here. I just left Gayle. Who would be Owling me?"
"Jayson. He wants to have another visit."
Jessie laughed. "I guess he really like you."
"I concur since he wants to bring mum and dad when he returns."
Jessie just shrugged. "I thought it might be too soon to meet your in-laws, but if you are willing, so am I. Be warned. Matilda and Aaron Collier take a hard line on everything."
Theo smiled as he left a kiss on Jessie's shoulder. "Then we will be a match because Theo Nott takes a hard line on everything as well."
All Jessie could do was smile. Her London lad wanted to meet her family.
/*/
It was coming up on 6:30. Mona Russell was pacing. Wesley Corwin should have found his way to her door by now.
Mona was chastising herself. "Calm down witch. Your wishes will come to fruition. You've seen to it. As long as the overly ambitious Hermione Granger hasn't held him up with Ministry bullshite, he should be here in 3-2-1."
Ring.
Mona smoothed down her dress and fluffed up her hair. Wesley Corwin was at her door.