Draco was anxious. He leaned against the wall a short way down from the Slytherin common room entrance and tried to look unaffected or bored. But his hand tapped a rhythm on the side of his leg and his eyes watched the stairs at the other end of the corridor like a hawk.
She was five minutes late. But he was sure she would come. Blaise tried to be sneaky last night and with lunch today. But Draco wasn't actually angry about it. It did seem to help his case.
However, he couldn't help but still worry slightly that she wouldn't come. That she'd talked herself out of it. An hour gave her plenty of time to. And he knew her swotty brain would absolutely try to.
He assumed she didn't eat much before her idiot friends showed up and she got self conscious about sitting at the slytherin table. So he went back into the great hall, collected a some sandwiches in a napkin, told Blaise not to wait up for him. Then he made a show of winking at Ginny Weasley and smirking at the others while he left. He was buoyed up a bit at the grin the she-weasel gave him before she turned back to her brother and boyfriend innocently.
But he could feel all that confidence slipping away bit by bit as the minutes ticked by and she still hadn't shown up. He checked his watch again. She was almost ten minutes late now. How long would he give her? He felt himself getting angry at the self-consciousness that was creeping in.
Finally he saw her descending the steps at the end of the corridor. She was dressed for winter flying and all his insecurities dissolved once more. He was momentarily annoyed at the fluctuations in his mood, all revolving around this little curly haired, brown eyed, know-it-all gryffindor. But he literally could not help it. She now consumed him. All his waking thoughts, and all his dreams. He was feeling powerless to stop it. And he knew, as he watched her walk toward him, that he didn't want to stop it.
She seemed unsure how to approach him and that made him smile. "Hello.." she said awkwardly, stuffing her hands in her coat pockets and stopping a few steps away from him. "I'm sorry I'm late. I guess the Prophet article has gotten around and I was stopped many times on my way down here. Exhausting." She shook her head. Her hair had been pulled back in two braids and the style was new to him. He reached out and touched the curls at the end of one on her shoulder, lifting it up a little.
"This is cute." He grinned and let the braid drop back down.
She rolled her eyes "it's so I can fit my hat on easier." She pulled a knit hat from her pocket and stuffed it on top of her head, pulling it over her ears.
His smirk widened as he took her in. She was here. She was ready to fly with him. And she hadn't intended to be late. And she was bloody gorgeous.
"Alright, enough with the smug faces. Let's go before we get ambushed by more gossips." She pushed him backwards by the shoulder and he turned with a chuckle.
He grabbed his broom from its place next to him against the wall and took her gloved hand before leading them down the corridor.
"You're a bit cheeky today, you know?" She said, squeezing his hand briefly as they walked. But she didn't let go.
"I wouldn't want you to get lost down here, Granger. The dungeons are no place for a Gryffindor." Draco smirked over at her as they approached a short wooden door. He let go of her hand to tug it open, revealing the snow covered mountainside beyond it. He ducked through the door and allowed her to pass before shutting it behind them.
He stood the broom up on the ground and leaned into it. "You know, I was thinking, it might be more comfortable if you just sit in front like last time. I think we have that position down." His eyes danced as he teased her.
She just laughed and pushed the broom to shove him off balance. "Uh uh. Now get on. Before I change my mind." She tried to look unamused but she couldn't hide the smile.
"Alright, alright, touchy..." he mounted the broom and allowed her to climb on behind him.
"Brooms are the most uncomfortable and unstable ways to travel." She grumbled. "How do you manage to keep it so steady?"
"Pure natural skill. Now hold on. Bit tighter there." He directed, even though she was clinging to him with all her might. She started to mouth off when he shot them upwards quickly and her words were cut off with a scream.
He stopped as they hovered above the castle to let her catch her breath. She held onto him and mumbled something into his jacket. "Sorry, didn't catch that." He said over his shoulder.
She lifted her head and said directly into his ear "I said I hate you."
He laughed out loud to the crystal clear sky and breathed in the frozen air. He looped smoothly around the castle before soaring gracefully over the lake and toward the mountains beyond. He had a specific picnic spot in mind.
"This is much more enjoyable when you're not trying to make me scream." She said innocently. He couldn't help where his mind went, though he chose to keep his mouth shut this time. "I love winter, snow covered trees and everything. It's so calming." She continued.
Draco turned his head to respond and they were inches away and he could see every freckle on her nose. He'd meant to say something but she distracted him. Her eyes sparkled as she squeezed his middle. "Watch where you're going." She chided. He chuckled and faced forward, but his heart leapt in his chest when she leaned her chin on his shoulder and squeezed him tighter.
He flew them up nearly to the peak and gently landed on the flat out-cropping. A place he'd frequented throughout his time at Hogwarts. He'd never brought anyone here before. But it was perfectly private and would wow her.
"You want to get off here?" She asked nervously without letting go.
"Yes, it's worth it. You won't fall, I promise." He took her hand from his waist and held it tightly while she stepped backward and practically hugged the rock wall.
"I didn't know you were so afraid of heights, Granger." He chuckled as he set the broom down and pulled out his wand.
"I don't make a habit of sitting on cliff edges. Sorry." She rolled her eyes.
He pulled out the bundle of sandwiches and a bottle of butter beer. "Hold these for a second?" He handed them over to her.
"Oh my god." She said, eyes wide as she took them. She looked at him like he'd just saved her entire family or something. "I'm starving." She blinked at him in disbelief. He just smirked as he conjured a thick blanket and cast a cushioning charm over the space for them to sit. Then he took the food from her, set it in the middle of the blanket before standing back up and holding his hand out for her to steady herself as she sat.
He got comfortable on the other side of the blanket before unwrapping the sandwiches and handing one over to her. Then opened a bottle and held it out too.
"Draco, this is..." she began. His eyes snapped over on their own at the use of his first name and she noticed. "Malfoy, sorry. I don't know why I..."
He grinned. "It's ok, Granger." He emphasized with a teasing smirk and leaned back on one elbow. He wanted to face her but be subtle about it. "I give you permission to call me by my given name. We have been through a lot this year." His heart flipped at the eye roll she gave him in response.
She sat up straighter and adjusted her scarf while she cleared her throat. "Well, I don't give you permission to call me anything other than Granger. And I was saying..." she continued, "that this" she gestured to the view below them "is lovely, but this..." she held up the sandwich and stared at it like it was the most incredible thing ever "is perfect." And she closed her eyes as she took a bite and groaned. Draco almost needed to adjust his pants.
"God, I'm fucking starving. How did you know?" She continued eating and making explicit sounds and faces as she did.
Draco chuckled, mostly to cover up how turned on he was getting by watching her eat like this. "I was there when you ran away from lunch." He took a bite of his own sandwich.
There was a beat of silence before she spoke, "I'm sorry for that. It wasn't that I didn't want to sit with you lot, I just didn't want to deal with... not deal with... I mean after last night I... well I'd seen Ron coming back from the upstairs party as I was going down and it was... ok. And then that edible and..." she was rambling and Draco couldn't help but stare at her mouth as he recalled the snogging that occurred between them in corridors not even twenty four hours prior.
The mention of her ex, and a not-unpleasant run in with him too, triggered a brief flare up of anger in Draco that he didn't want to give heed to. This was his place, his safe and peaceful, secret spot. The weasel needed to get out of both of their heads right now. "It's ok, Granger. I avoid Weasley at all costs too. No need to make excuses to me." He laughed when she reached over and shoved him by the shoulder.
Draco wanted to grab her hand and roll her on top of him and turn this picnic into a snog sesh, but he restrained himself so she could at least finish her lunch first. She took another bite of sandwich before she pulled out her wand and conjured a jar with blue flames that radiated a bit of warmth. She set the jar between them and continued eating.
"How was the rest of your night? Did you go back to the party?" She asked, picking up her butter beer and taking a sip.
Draco's mind briefly flashed through the hour after he'd dropped her off. He'd tugged one out as he replayed their night sneaking back up to Gryffindor, hiding in alcoves and groping each other. Presently, he blinked, taking a drink to give himself a moment to refocus. "Nah, I just went down to bed. It was pretty late." After a beat, he added, "what about you? Did Potters future wife get you safely to bed?"
She snorted, "yes, Ginny got me up to bed." She seemed to recall something before she looked away quickly and took a drink, looking sheepish.
Draco narrowed his eyes and sat up a little, "what was that look?" He prodded, his curiosity running wild.
She wouldn't make eye contact, "I have no idea what you mean." She said innocently, taking another drink.
"There was a look. What goes on in the Gryffindor girls dorms, Granger?" He teased with a wicked grin.
"Oh stop that, nothing of what you're thinking, I'm sure." She swatted the air and rolled her eyes. "I just meant that gummy bear made me a lot more... honest than I thought. And I shared some things that I didn't even know I was thinking, let alone saying out loud in front of another person. So it was all just a weird... night." She finished, shortly. She cleared her throat and drained the rest of her bottle.
They sat in silence for a moment, Draco didn't really know what to say. And Hermione seemed to be uncomfortable with the pause so she continued. "I'm just... grateful that you took me home. I was... well." Another clearing of her throat. "You were there, so..."
Draco chuckled as he watched her shift uncomfortably. "Randy?" He supplied the unspoken word and his grin widened as he watched the blush spread across her cheeks before she covered her face with her gloved hands.
He kept chuckling as he stood and offered her his hand. She shook her head behind her hands "god, no. Just leave me here. This spot is actually quite nice, maybe just bring me a few books and a nice tent. I can live here quite comfortably, forever."
"Granger." Draco said forcefully, his hand still outstretched. She took a deep breath to collect herself before she relented, reaching up and taking his hand. She looked up at him. Her eyes big, her cheeks pink, her breath billowing clouds into the frosted air. Should he kiss her now?
No, she probably needs reassurance first. "I love randy Granger." He tilted her chin up so she would meet his eyes. "But for one god damn night I would like it if we were both sober, for once!" He squeezed her hand and emphasized his very frustrated point.
She laughed and leaned into him a little with the movement. He brought his arm up around behind her and held her against him. He was holding her in his arms now, and she had her hands on his chest, looking up at him, the smile fading from her face as she dropped her gaze to his lips. His heart beat faster as he looked at her mouth and felt that magnetic pull.
He forced himself not to move yet, and looked back into her eyes. He thought about what to say, that he would stop trying to rub shit into Weasley's face? That he would respect her boundaries and let her set the pace? That he wanted her, in whatever way she would give him? That he was in love with her?
Before he could even be startled by his own thoughts, she thankfully broke the silence.
"I really enjoyed last night though, it was fun and carefree. And I felt... really taken care of, and safe. With you." She paused and looked at her hands on his chest before she continued. "I always have, since that very first time. In the library. You've been so..."
He couldn't stand the praise. It felt too out of character. And it was making him uncomfortable. So he spun them around, pressed her up against the rock wall, and kissed her.
She opened immediately for him, the kiss was passionate and fiery. She pushed forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning up into him. He held her close with one arm wrapped around her waist and held the rock with the other hand, to keep them steady.
When they finally broke free, he leaned his forehead against hers, catching his breath. "I'm not a bloody Gryffindor." He stated forcefully.
She chuckled as he stepped back. Taking a deep breath, she leaned against the mountain, hands behind her, and looked up at him.
"It just sounded like you needed reminding of that." He smirked as he said it and picked up his broom. He vanished the blanket and everything with his wand. He mounted the broom and held a hand out for her to do the same behind him.
"Wait! I have so many questions. What is this place? Do you come up here often? How did you find it?" She began looking around and rambling off questions, so he took advantage of her distraction and slipped the tip of his broom handle between her legs, grabbed the front of her coat and yanked her to him, making sure to hold onto her as he kicked off the cliff and soared into the air.
She flailed in panic as she screamed at him but she got her legs around his waist and held onto his shoulders tightly. "You arse!" She yanked on the back of his hair and it sent a shockwave of pleasure through him.
He laughed out loud and soared them around the valley, the castle out of sight again. "That's it, love. The violence and rage..." he was laughing as she yanked his hair harder and she shrieked as he plummeted them toward the trees. He leveled them out and hovered in the air, letting her catch her breath.
"NEVER again!" She didn't relax her grip on him but her breathing evened out a bit.
"I'm sorry," he tugged the back of her jacket to get her to look at him again. He was grinning wildly despite his apology. "I won't do it again, I promise."
She had her legs wrapped around his waist tightly but she relaxed her grip and looked back at him. "Fucking wanker." She breathed out, with little anger. Then she squeezed his hair again but this time she was pulling his face toward hers.
He nearly let go of the broom as she kissed him hard and breathless. She stopped just short of humping him again. She pulled back, barely able to catch her breath. She was shivering as she looked into his eyes.
"You're freezing." He said, watching her closely.
She bit her lip and blinked a few times. Her body still trembling. She looked away and nodded, leaning into him again but this time she rested her chin on his shoulder and waited for him to fly them back.
He tried to think of a place, a way to get her to spend more time with him. An empty classroom maybe? Somewhere warm and without any other people to interrupt them. His imagination was running wild. He flew them back to the dungeon entrance that they had left from and touched down gently.
She unwrapped herself from his torso and stood shakily on the ground. He kept an arm out to steady her.
"You didn't make me love flying." She pouted as she stumbled backward, holding onto his forearm.
"I will next time." He smirked, and her eyes shot to his at the promise.
She looked exasperated but she couldn't hide the grin as she shook her head at him. She wasn't shivering anymore at least.
He tugged the door open and gripped his broom at his side while he held it for her to enter the castle. She passed through and he followed her a few steps before she stopped and turned.
"That was fun, Draco." She sort of turned and he felt the good bye coming. He wasn't ready for it though. "My favorite part was the sandwich. You have no idea how much I needed it. I nearly cried when I saw it." She grinned up at him.
"I know." He smirked and leaned against his broom, all his attention on her.
She glanced at his mouth again before clearing her throat and turning. "I promised Ginny we could work on an essay together." She began to step away and Draco followed.
"Great, I have to work on that essay too." He swung the broom over his shoulder and walked down the corridor with her.
She laughed and bumped him with her shoulder. "I didn't say which essay."
"Oh. You didn't?" He teased and she shook her head at him. He opened his mouth to say something incredibly charming and clever to her, something to keep her attention on him and to keep her smiling like that. But his entire quidditch team rounded the corner in full gear, heading for the door they'd just come in. He'd completely forgotten about his quidditch practice. Their last one before the Christmas holiday.
He sighed heavily "fuck, I forgot." He muttered for her to hear before the team approached them.
"Draco, there you are." The sixth year captain eyed his broom before glancing over at Hermione. "Ready for practice?" He asked, choosing to ignore her.
Draco stood aside, gesturing for them to continue. "Yeah, I'll follow you out." The team walked past and he rolled his eyes back toward Granger, trying to show her how annoyed by this he was. She just smiled back.
"I'll find you later, then." He conceded.
"Sure." She smiled and gave him a small wave, turning to leave.
He glanced down the corridor, making sure the team were out of sight, before he grabbed her arm and yanked her back to him, kissing her deeply. She gasped as their lips met, but she melted into him immediately. This was good. He needed to make sure she knew, he was only interested in her in this way. He was not about to be friend-zoned. They weren't casual hang out buddies. This right here is what he wanted. And he would remind her of that every chance he got from now on.
He let go abruptly and relished in the winded breathless look that his kiss left on her. He smirked before turning to join his team. "Later." He called over his shoulder. And he watched her stand there and grin at him, lifting her hand in a wave goodbye.
He felt really good right now. Maybe a quidditch practice was just what he needed. As soon as he stepped out the door he jumped on his broom and sped off as fast as he could go, streaking past his team and lapping around the pitch twice before everyone else finally made it. He caught ten snitches in record time, all the while daydreaming about working on essays alone with her in the library.
A tiny part of his brain flashed an alarm bell, warning him about getting obsessed. But it was drowned out by the constant replay of the memory of her lips and the sound of her laugh.
His thoughts were interrupted by his quidditch captain, "ok, ok! You can catch the snitch, we've got it! Go be keeper while we run some plays!" He shouted out to Draco before turning to his chasers and discussing tactics and Draco flew off to the other end of the field. He checked his watch as he went. For the first time ever, he looked forward to practice being over quickly.