February 20th, 1999

Hermione resisted the urge to yawn while she continued to flip through this week's reading assignment absentmindedly. Only a few more pages, she told herself before she could call it a night. While it wasn't uncommon to find her neck deep in the library on a Saturday evening, it wasn't as frequent of an occurrence as of late. Today, she broke a consecutive streak of having weekend plans when she last minute declined an opportunity to go a new bakery opening in Hogsmeade.

Despite her friends' protests, she ended up staying behind, taking the evening to make up for her inability to concentrate this week. It didn't help that this week's assignments left much to be desired and the text they revolved around was dull and uninspiring. It was also physically heavy, which normally wasn't an issue. Except she ended up leaving her charmed bag at the Manor. In Draco's bedroom, to be precise. She anticipated having it returned to her come Monday. Only, she hadn't seen Draco since that night.

As soon as she'd returned to her dormitory that night, she passed out on her bed, completely worn from the evening activities. With all of the socializing, the dancing, and having been shagged the living daylights out of, she was proud that she managed to avoid collapsing in his floo. The following morning, she woke up entirely sated, albeit, more sore than anticipated. With the unexpected aches, she took her time getting ready with slow and careful movements and Ginny, who was in the process of waking, took notice. As Ginny grew more conscious, she became concerned for her friend. That is, until Hermione let out a sharp gasp and winced when she sat down.

Ginny's initial worry dissipated and her jaw fell to the floor when she realized the reasoning for her strange behavior. She stared in shock before giving an excitable squeal and heckled her with a slew of personal questions, all revolving around the same topic. A topic she was not looking to discuss first thing in the morning. Hermione's response was to chuck pillows at the redhead who easily dodged them while howling with giddiness and pride.

Since that morning, not a single word was spoken about their fornicating. Instead, they proceed about their day separately. Ginny went on to enjoy the afternoon with Harry and Hermione spent her day watching over the potion where she reread for the umpteenth time. She recalled when he mentioned he would be spending the day with his mother so she settled for sending him a simple enchanted message in their journal. She'd anticipated having to spend Valentine's Day alone, though not the following day. Or the next.

She frequented her journal where she made daily entries to him but much like the first night, nothing came from it. She did see Blaise and Theo several times throughout the week and without her asking, they'd brought up their missing companion. Unfortunately, neither of them had heard from him since that night at the manor. Nor did they seem to know the specific details of his absence. Only that it was family business.

Conveniently enough, she did receive letters this week from both Harry and Ron. She even got one from Pansy who'd been settling in London for the time being. Even so, the distractions went only so far in lessening her worry. Draco was never one to disclose more details than necessary but that didn't make her any less frustrated that he left when he did. As she sat in the library, she thought of ways to confront him regarding this matter when he eventually returned.

Her train of thought faded when someone approached her, placing themselves in the seat across. From where her book was placed, she could only catch a glimpse of flaxen hair. Out of reflex, a surge of fury surfaced though when she set her book down. Only to have it dissipate when she realized the person in front of her was not at all who she thought.

"Luna," Hermione stammered in surprise, "I-I thought—when did you—? "

"We just came back," Luna said airily, unfazed by the brunette's evident distress. "Everyone's gathered in the Great Hall if you cared to join us?"

"I wish I could, but I really need to finish this essay."

An essay that she had yet to start...

"Would you like some assistance? I'd be happy to keep you company—"

"I appreciate it, Luna but I don't want to keep you. I'll catch up with you all tomorrow, I promise."

Eventually, Luna nodded and bared a soft smile.

"I'll let them know you're busy until Monday." Hermione went to correct her but Luna had walked — or rather, skipped — away before she could argue. Deciding to take it as a favor, she returned to her lingering task at hand.

A few minutes passed and she was finally able to reach a decent part of the book. Then the sound of a chair scraping across the floor ripped her from whatever concentration she had. She pursed her lips, trying not to scream in frustration.

"I said tomorrow, Luna. I really need to get this done—"

"You know, despite our likeness in physical appearance, we aren't actually related..."

The low, frigid drawl rumbled and shattered her bubble instantly. Her book clattered onto the table, leaving no obstacles between her and her intruder. When she met his gaze, a shaky breath of relief made its way out before the once dormant rage began to surface.

"You've got to be shitting me."

Draco sat across from her, seemingly unharmed and neat as a pin. Except this time, something was different about him. That wasn't to say she'd never seen him this way before. No. He was different in that he was reminiscent of the boy she knew growing up — pretentious and snide, an overall rotten tosser. Not at all like the cultivated and reserved, and at times, cynical man she'd come to be captivated by.

"I don't think Madam Pince would approve of such language in her library," he teased in a lilt, crossing his arms as if to challenge her.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" she scowled, displeased.

"Thought I'd come see how you were," he retorted. "Heard you had a bad week."

"Well, you heard incorrectly," Hermione scoffed, rolling her eyes and perching her book back to its original position.

"Really? That's why you're reading a riveting tale such as the '12 Days of Nightshade?'" His nose crinkled. "Bloody hell, that's a terrible read."

She kept herself from smiling at the irony, knowing he would find out soon that it was a mandatory read for him as well. Her head remained tucked down to avoid his gaze, but not before catching the way his eyes kept darting to the few other students nearby.

"Don't you have other people to pester?" she quipped, playing along. "I'm sure your mates would appreciate it more."

"I hear the new bakery in Hogsmeade just opened." With how hopeful everyone was for her to come, they must have bugged him to acquire her.

Traitors.

"I'm aware," she stated flippantly, packing her heavy book away. "But as I told everyone else, I have a lot of work to catch up on so if you'll excuse me." With that, she stood from her chair and made a beeline for the exit. A few steps in, she heard him whisper and felt a shift around them. A notice-me-not charm. She gnawed the inside of her cheek, glancing at him when he came up beside her just as they passed through the doorway.

"You know Granger," his voice a low purr as he pulled her against him, heading toward a nearby alcove, "—if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were cross with me."

"What makes you think that?"

"Your behavior is considerably antagonistic, wouldn't you agree?"

"Would you rather I not speak?" she shot back, haughtily.

"I'd rather you tell me what's been bothering you."

She stopped in place. Now that there wasn't anyone nearby, she turned to face him. Where he beheld an earnest expression. "There's nothing to discuss."

He arched a brow at her, his voice turning low. "Are you actually doing this right now?"

"I was perfectly happy minding my own until you came along. If you'd just leave me alone—" She ignored the pang in her chest when the words left her lips.

There was no truth to them, as she'd missed him terribly. However, the week had been a long one and the last remaining thread was on the verge of snapping. They maintained eye contact as he leaned in closer, his very proximity testing her dwindling willpower.

"Do you really feel that wa—?"

"Yes," she blurted quickly. Too quick. His eyes narrowed.

Then, a transient chuckle escaped him in the form of a breath, grazing her cheek.

"I didn't realize I performed so poorly."

She would have laughed if it weren't for the slightest hint of uncertainty in his tone, leaving her completely baffled he could think that to be true. He'd been absolutely attentive and passionate and wonderful...

And that made it all worse.

"As I recall, I wasn't the one who disappeared for an entire week." Her voice was barely above a whisper, willing herself not to let loose any accidental magic from the swirling emotions caused by his proximity. "I think you've made it clear how you feel and far beyond me to demand an explanatio—hey!" In the blur, Draco had pulled her out of the alcove and led them down the hallway. Straight into the very same abandoned classroom where it all started.

"What are you doing?" Hermione demanded, furrowing her brow when he closed the door and muttered a locking spell.

Next came the silencing spell, and her shoulders deflated.

Pausing his movements, he seemed to bite back words and was considering his options before finally responding with, "I'm sorry."

"I don't require your sympathies," she retorted, crossing her arms. "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

"Never said you couldn't."

"Is that why you didn't bother to tell me you were going to be gone?" His jaw clenched tightly. Clearly, he hadn't expected her to take a direct approached. Then, she crossed her arms. Subdued anger written plainly.

"You could have told me you were leaving—"

"I didn't know I was until after you left—"

"You could have journaled—"

"Wasn't allowed—"

"Well how bloody convenient—"

"It's the truth!"

"You could have sent Saphira!" She raised her hands in exasperation. "You could have said something, anything." She reached for him, tugging him closer by the collar of his sweater.

"Granger," he drawled, like he was lecturing a young child. "You are stretching my jumper—"

"You probably have fifty of these in your walk-in closet the size of my bedroom—"

"Actually, I only have the one but it is rather expensive so if you don't mind—" His tone darkened and grew harsh, aggravating her further. Nonetheless, she let go. "I had hoped my absence wouldn't have such a negative effect on you," he noted while smoothing out any wrinkles.

"You hoped?!" Even at her raised tone, he still didn't flinch. "This isn't just you disappearing randomly for a night because of one of your obligations. You were gone for a whole bloody week. A week without telling any of your friends or—" her voice cracked, the anger finally reaching its peak and spilling into desolation. She gnawed at her lip and turned away, refusing to let him see her in such a way.

"Granger, look at me." Contrasting her, his voice was low and calm, but the undercurrent of emotion he rarely showed sent a shiver up her spine. Even so, she ignored him and continued to evade his gaze.

"Granger."

Still nothing.

"Hermione."

Her breath audibly caught.

Her betraying heart clenched and she felt her reservations met away. All from the mere fact she'd never heard him say her name before.

"Look at me. Please."

A glimpse of hope flashed across her eyes when they met his stormy grays, concern peeking through the turbulent haze.

"I did try to send an owl that night." He cupped her face, stroking her cheekbones with a tenderness he at times struggled to convey. "Unfortunately, this was Ministry business pertaining to my family and I wasn't allowed to disclose anything or have contact with anyone else."

His words made her ponder. First Harry and Ron, and now the Ministry was making him keep information confidential as well? What were they up to?

"You could have led with that," she sniffed pitifully, and his lips twitched.

"Not when there were people around. We do have a secret to uphold, you know?"

She sighed, finally resigning into his embrace, her arms around his hips. His heartbeat was slow and steady when she set her head against his chest, nuzzling into soft cashmere.

"So it's been sorted?"

He hummed. "For now."

"Good. Because I swear to Merlin, Draco Malfoy, if you decide to drop off the face of the planet again without telling me—"

"Calm yourself, Granger," he snickered. "I have no intention of being summoned away anytime soon. I still have an entire week of what seem to be mind-numbing assignments to catch up on." He side-eyed her, a sly grin on the cusp. "Unless..."

She snorted.

"Absolutely not. You're out of your mind if you think I'm helping you after what you put me through this week," she retorted sharply, raising a single brow and crossing her arms.

Like a switch, the demeanor in his eyes shifted. Darkening with intent.

"I'm sure I can find ways to bring you around."

Like clockwork, a familiar heat rushed through her.

She hadn't been able to take time to appreciate his return until now. Throughout the week, she would think back to the memory of having him under her hands. When she could feel the weight of his solid body pressing her into his bed. The ghost of his light, feathery touch against her where the ache was the greatest. The solid part of him as it stretched her, reaching the deepest parts of her. It felt strange to know she was a select one of few who knew what he looked like beneath his many layers. Well, most of him anyway. Part of her wished she'd gotten a more thorough look at him that night but she ended up pushing the thought aside, deciding that there would be another chance later on.

With the way he was looking at her now, it would seem that chance might be coming sooner than she anticipated.

She swallowed thickly at molten steel.

"You know you don't have to drag us into a classroom every time you want to talk?"

A sensual chuckle passed through him, surpassing her defensive shields and going directly to her core. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't have more than talking in mind." She gasped as he tugged her closer. "And I don't particularly want an audience."

In a few short moments, she found herself being lifted onto a desk with a warm body stepping between her legs. Her breath was snatched in the seconds following when he kissed her with a ferocity she hadn't seen from him before. If she didn't know any better, she'd say the unexpected separation affected him as much as it did her.

"We're all alone now," he mumbled, peppering light kisses along her jaw between breaths. "Tell me why you're really upset."

Refusing to cave, she shook her head, unintentionally angling her head so he could kiss her neck.

"You sure?" His hands slid underneath her jumper, easing it upwards and over her head before tossing it aside carelessly. "You're awfully tense, love," he expressed, steadily kneading her lace-encased breasts.

Hermione moaned again, the heat of her cunt grinding against him.

"You aren't helping," she managed, fighting to keep her composure while he worked diligently with his talented hands and blessed soft lips.

"No? Anything I could do to make you feel better?" He murmured, dragging his thumb around the point of her nipple.

"Draco," she shuddered.

A guttural groan fell from his lips.

"I love it when you say my name like that..."

It was alarming how much being with him felt like instinct.

He rocked into her and curled his fingers into the cup of her bra, tugging at it and edging the lace down.

"It's not good for you to be this tense, Granger," Draco mumbled into the curve of her breast. "You should know better," he growled before opening his mouth, tongue flicking over her nipple. He caught the nub between his lips, sucking hard, and shifting his attention upwards just in time to watch her tilt her head back in a silent moan. Grinning, his hand trailed downward, dipping into the lip of her denims.

She whimpered when he bit down, grasping at his hair. "Didn't realize you cared."

"Have to. My grade depends on it."

Of course, she thought hazily. "There's always something in it for you." She felt his laugh vibrate through her chest.

"Catch on quick." His hand found its way between her legs and she keened at the faintest pressure. "Regardless, you shouldn't put yourself in this state. I worry," he feigned concern, flicking the button to her jeans open and pulling down the zipper.

In a swift motion, he peeled her denims down, leaving a pair of lacy knickers behind.

She knew she was cursed given how quickly he caught on to his effect on her, feeling all reason abandon her when he pressed the heel of his hand on her mound. His long fingers scraping the lace underneath as he curled them around her body. Tilting her head down to kiss him, she moaned against his lips.

"Gods," she breathed, eyes sliding shut while he resumed his delicious torment. He gave a dark laugh, his breath stirring her hair.

"What do you want?"

"Touch me," Hermione gasped out.

Draco laughed again and shifted, pulling the inseam of her knickers to the side. He trailed one finger along the folds of her cunt in slow, long drags that had her trembling.

"I am touching you."

"More," she said, her voice shaking.

Draco parted her labia and slid his finger from her clit down to rest on her entrance.

"Be specific," he commanded darkly.

Her entire body quivered as she clutched at his hair.

Years of gradual tension in these very same hallways, weeks of growing affection as they discovered something new in each other, days of missing him in his absence and finally. Finally, he was touching her. She'd momentarily forgotten why she was cross with him in the first place, forgot about anything outside this abandoned classroom. Her entire world narrowed to Draco. His warm breath on her shoulder, his stiff cock against her thigh, his skilled fingers teasing her.

The last of her restraint left with a flick against her nub. In that moment, need took over.

"Your fingers," she whispered. "In me."

He grinned, and she inhaled a sharp breath when he breached the fabric completely to slide an entire finger inside her.

"Did you miss me, Granger?" He taunted. "Is that why you were so worked up?" A second finger followed. "Why you've already ruined your pretty knickers?"

Dainty fingers gripped his jumper tightly as his own pumped languidly within her. She bit her lip, forbidding any sounds to escape and he voiced his disapproval.

"The room is silenced for a reason." His touch was torture, and was pure bliss all at once. "I want to hear you," he rasped, earning a squeak when his other hand pinched a nipple. "Or do I need to bend you over my knee?"

She let out a tortured moan, her walls tightening around him.

"Oh? Sounds like you'd love that as much as me," he purred, coercing a sharp breath through her teeth when his fingers twisted inside of her, working through a slow rhythm. She felt the ache become lighter and lighter. Still, it wasn't enough to satisfy it in its entirely. Somehow, he seemed attuned to what she needed when he pulled back, extracting his long fingers before proceeding to roll up his sleeves. Watching him, she felt her walls spasm around nothing.

"Lay back." She did as instructed, propping herself on her elbows as his eyes took in her debauched appearance. It wasn't often she felt comfortable with most of her body being on display like this, much less in front of another person. Yet, for some reason, she never felt more comfortable in her own skin.

Draco resumed his position, bending down to nuzzle between her breasts.

"If it helps, I was also surprised by how fantastic you were," he admitted. She rolled her eyes and let out a scoff.

"You certainly know how to make a girl feel special," she retorted.

"My apologies," he feigned. "Did I say fantastic? I meant the worst. Gods, it was awful. So terrible, I had to force myself to ejaculate—"

"Are you quite finished?" Hermione blurted, her cheeks burning bright red much to his delight.

"Hardly." A trail of kisses were made along her stomach. Taking his time. "I've got an entire week to make up for."

"You're such an arse." She shivered as he progressed lower, his attention shifting to her heated core.

"Think I liked it better when you screamed my name," he sneered. At the turn of a new opportunity, her lips turned upwards into a smirk.

"Earn it, Malfoy."

"Mouthy little swot," he growled, making her yelp when he yanked her to him so her hips were at the edge of the desk. The next few seconds passed in a flash. By the time she processed her jeans hitting the floor, he'd reached around to unclip her bra. "I should say, I have one regret from our evening together."

"What's that?" She could feel the hint of insecurity creeping up within her, worsened by the fact that she was left in her underwear while he was entirely clothed. But any sort of doubt or negative thoughts she had were shot when his eyes flashed a wicked gleam.

"I never got the chance to taste you."

Her head jerked up with alarm.

"You, you're not—" she babbled, at a loss for words seeing him kneeling before her with his head between her legs. His expression nothing short of yearning and hunger. This...act in particular; she'd known of its existence but never bothered with thinking it would ever happen to her in the foreseeable future. Now, as he knelt and eyed her like a starving man, she didn't know how to process what he was preparing to do.

"Draco, wait—" She quickly tugged on his hair and in an instant, the confident, smug exterior vanished and was replaced with a look of concern. "I haven't, I've never—"

He smiled at her.

"How lucky for you. I'll be your first."

What followed was a faint hint of kisses along her inner thigh, edging closer and closer to where the ache was the greatest.

"Trust me, you'll like it," he assured when he could feel how tense she was still.

His eyes were black as he pulled her knickers to the side and took in the sight of her. Her own eyes widened when she realized he wouldn't take them off of her just yet.

He smirked and his tongue licked a broad stripe from her cunt to her clit before he plunged his fingers back into her. The feeling of his mouth on her and his fingers curling within her made her arms wobble.

She slumped lower, slamming her eyes closed when he suckled. Hard.

He dove in with intention, flicking and gliding along her clit before replacing his fingers with his tongue. Her back arched and she pressed his head closer, practically suffocating him but he didn't seem to mind. Instead, he bit out a low moan, and her eyes shot wide open.

The sight of Draco Malfoy on his knees and pleasuring her with his mouth made her consider getting a pensieve. It was a sight that would inevitably be her undoing.

"D-Draco, I'm going to—" she tried to convey, already breathless and boneless.

He was relentless, taking her plea as motivation to quicken his pace, bringing her to the edge. Pushing her to the brink until she had no choice but to fall.

Her mouth fell open. Her hips bucked upward. Her heels dug into his back and she gripped onto him for dear life. Draco's groan rumbled into her, his fingers digging into her hips, pulling her to him. Jaw slack and cunt spasming, she came fast, screaming his name until her voice broke.

Her head fell back and she slumped onto the desk, her legs falling limp on his shoulders.

Somewhere in the background, there was a soft muttering of a cleansing charm and the loss of his warmth as he stood and towered over her.

"That was the hottest thing I've ever seen," he muttered, nipping her earlobe and rubbing his stiffness against her drenched knickers, the length of it hard and hot through his trousers.

She glanced down and stared at the sizable bulge. Still dazed, she reached forward, running her fingers along it. The reaction was almost instantaneous. Pleased when he let out a breathy sigh, she gave him a gentle squeeze and felt him twitch. Her hands worked in conjunction to unbuckle him, motivated to not let anything hinder her from seeing him to completion.

"Granger," he prompted hoarsely. She didn't respond verbally when she pulled his buttons open. Or when her hand slipped into his trunks. "Wait, you don't have to—fuck."

His voice was lost when she wrapped her fingers around him. And when she pulled him out, he looked about ready to collapse.

Her grip remained loose and for a moment, she simply observed as she wasn't given the chance to before. Now, she could see how much of him there was. Making her wonder how he managed to fit last time and willing anything to have him inside her again.

Relying solely on instinct, she followed what he seemed to react positively to. When he inhaled sharply or when his grip on her tightened. When he buried his face in her hair as her hand traveled. Long glides, shorter pumps, firmer at the base and lighter near the head.

She could feel the blood coursing through the silky smooth skin beneath her fingertips. Could see it in each throb as she stroked him. The way she adapted and utilized new methods like she were taking him on as a school assignment, and it was clear she was set on exceeding his expectations.

"I need you," she breathed delicately, tightening her grip and gradually picking up speed. He seized her hands, instantly stopping her movements.

"Turn around," he demanded gravelly. "Hands on the desk."

She did as he instructed, listening to his movements as she braced herself for what came next.

"Tell me," he said from behind, steadily dragging her drenched knickers down to fall to her ankles. "Did you let Red know about our evening together?"

Her brow furrowed. "Ginny? No, I-I didn't—" She felt the blunt head of him graze her inner thigh before it rested outside her folds.

"I know she knows, Granger." He held her hips firmly when she tried pushing back into him. "I didn't have to read her thoughts when she kept glancing at my crotch all night."

"But I didn't—oh!" Without preamble, Draco pushed into her. This position felt different, gave him more control.

Left her wanting more.

"You were saying?" He asked with a lift as she trembled, tightening around him.

"S-she figured it out. I was sore the morning after." A soft mewl escaped when he finally slipped back to push into her again.

"Did you tell her it was because you didn't let me prep you properly?" He rocked against her, moving slow, pulling out halfway and sliding back in. "Because you were too impatient for my cock?"

Dropping her head back with a quiet whimper, she arched into him, taking him deeper still.

It felt too good, like a current rushing through her, and his palm flattened against her spine.

Like last time, she wanted more.

Everything all at once.

She loosened around him and he slid fully into her, his hips flush to her own. The delicious stretch made her moan, her head nearly falling forward on the desk.

"You aren't allowed to leave ever again," she threatened in between his thrusts, high off the feel of him.

Draco let out a boyish laugh. He spread his hands over her abdomen and his head fell onto her shoulder.

"If it were up to me," he muttered, pushing deeper into her, "—I'd never leave."

Hermione sighed happily at the thought, a small smile working across her face when he tilted her head back to kiss her.

A lone hand slid up to knead her breast.

She moaned into his lips, her nails digging into his clothed thigh. He was going to make it so she felt him everywhere for days, and it still wasn't enough.

Not even close.

He pulled back, changing the angle slightly.

"You're already about to come again, aren't you?"

Her eyes flickered open, looking at him wildly. With a wicked grin, he muttered;

"I can feel you fluttering around me, Hermione—"

Like clockwork, her eyes grew glassy and her breaths became gasps.

His movements grew sharper and his steady pace became erratic.

"Oh Gods, Draco—" she keened in a breathy whisper as she sucked air into her suddenly starved lungs.

"That's it." His voice was rough, his movements more wildly erratic and she could tell he was getting close. "Let me feel you."

When she came for the second time, it crashed over her like a drawn-out wave. Long pulses of pleasure coursing through her with him fucking her though it. It wasn't long after when she felt him twitch and a welcome warmth gradually spread through her. The stillness that followed fell over the room, along with the sound of their harsh breaths.

As they recovered, he fell forward so she could feel his heart racing.

"How are you so good at this?" Hermione implored, breathlessly.

Fully anticipating a cocky retort, she was surprised when Draco grew uneasy.

"Do you really want to know?"

Despite being hesitant, she nodded.

Exhaling deeply, Draco pulled away and grabbed her jeans from the floor, placing them beside her on the desk. While he adjusted himself, she took a minute before standing up, leaning against the desk for stability. "A few months after Pans and I broke up, I got into an arrangement with another witch."

"What sort of an arrangement?" She tread carefully, watching as he fought a wall from sliding into place.

"No attachments. Strictly for pleasure," he reported plainly while sliding his belt into the loops and Pansy's words fell over her.

Don't worry. He's gotten considerable practice since then.

"You kept it simple," she said softly, recalling his earlier words.

Draco nodded slowly, wanting to say something except his gaze was fixated on her lower half.

The movement from standing upright caused their combined fluids to leak from her and it began to drip down her legs. Judging by the feral expression he wore, she'd say this was something worth filing away for later.

She took her time adjusting her undergarments and pulling up her bottoms, trying to process the newfound knowledge. She paused when she eyed her jumper in his hands, a silent question in his gaze. Wordlessly, she lifted her arms and let him pull the garment over her head. And when his hands fell to her waist, he tugged her closer.

"You need to know it was a different time and very unique circumstances. Even so," he tilted her chin upwards to redirect her downward gaze, "—I can't change what's happened in the past, Hermione."

Gods, she couldn't get over how lovely her name sounded in the low tremors of his voice. When it wasn't laced with malice or mirth, but rather of affection and sincerity. It made it so easy to forgive him for anything.

"I understand," she said, dusting his shoulders and pressing out any wrinkles she may have caused. "I suspect the needs you sought to satisfy at the time were very different from now."

He nodded, watching her.

"Yes. Unequivocally so."

She let out a deep sigh after a moment.

"Fine. I'll do it."

He raised a brow, clearly not expecting that response. "What?"

"I'll help you with your assignments," she further explained, returning to their original topic from earlier. "Can't say I've made much progress, myself. And don't think you're in the clear. There's nearly an entire week you have to make up for," she stated, pointing a stern finger. To which, he flashed a cocky grin.

"Give me a few minutes and I'll happily give it another go."

"You're incorrigible!" She laughed, poking him in the chest. "No more distractions. I still need to get a proper dinner."

"Hmm," he pondered, reaching behind him. "What if we had dessert first?"

"Later, Draco. Right now, I'm starv—" She trailed off when a flash of purple caught her eye.

A surge of happiness rushed through her when she recognized the bag she'd left in his bedroom and she had the sudden urge to kiss him blind. Still, she restrained herself and eyed it precariously.

"Don't worry. Your extension charm still works," he assured, noting her hesitance.

"How do I know if—?"

"It's not cursed, poisoned or set to explode," he droned, holding it out between them for her to take.

When she did, she felt something soft hit her hand through the fabric.

"Go on. Open it," he goaded, a handsome smirk on display.

She loosened the drawstring, feeling her heart finally burst when the scent of fresh pastries hit her senses.