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“Malfoy we’re supposed to be blending in.”
“Your point Granger?”
“You couldn’t have picked a more conspicuous car if you tried!”
“Actually, it came in eclectic blue. I can go back and switch it if you like?”
“Electric blue.”
“That’s what I said.”
Rolling her eyes, she resigned herself to the fact there was no point in arguing with him - not this time anyway. She supposed it served her right for letting him handle the majority of the planning while she was finishing off reports from her last case. His smug arrogance was getting under Hermione’s skin and it hadn’t even been three hours yet. She knew when she took the position in the Specialist Auror Department that there would be times she was sent on assignment, or to international conferences. She also knew Draco Malfoy was a highly skilled member of that particular department and since their friendship seemed to be going well, she didn’t think it would be a problem. But somehow it had never crossed her mind that she could be sent away with him. However with Ron’s recent discrepancies, she decided that some distance between herself and London might not be a bad thing. Looking at the sleek black Audi sportscar she couldn’t deny it’s appeal, or how appealing he looked leaning up against the side of it, ankles crossed and arms folded without a care in the world. All lean muscle and alabaster skin…
No. No no no. Stop that thought right there Hermione.
Pulling herself together she returned to the current situation, moving towards the driver's side. “Do you even know how to drive?” The exasperation was evident in her tone.
“You wound me Granger.” An expression of faux hurt crossed his face as he dramatically placed a hand on his heart.
“Well I don’t believe you and I personally would like to survive this trip, so hand me the key.”
“No, I picked the car. I’m driving.”
Fighting the urge to stomp her foot on the pavement like a petulant child, she grabbed the door handle and pulled. As expected, the car was locked and Draco’s smirk grew impossibly more arrogant as he whirled the keys around his little finger, still leaning against the car without a care in the world.
“Either you let me drive, or I leave you here on the pavement. What’s it going to be Granger?”
Despite the fact it was just before lunchtime and she was desperate to get settled into their hotel and spend the afternoon reviewing her notes before tomorrow’s conference, she refused to be blackmailed by him. Besides, she had the upper hand. “Well if you do that, you’ll have no luggage.”
Conveniently, his suitcase was shrunken down alongside hers in her definitely-not- illegally- extended leather handbag. Confident in the knowledge that he wouldn’t possibly want to be without his belongings, she was sure he wouldn’t leave her there. What she wasn’t expecting him to do was take two steps towards her, bend just enough to wrap an arm around her waist and hoist her over his shoulder before swiftly moving to the passenger side and setting her down in the front seat as she protested, beating her fists against his back.
“Do you need me to put your belt on too princess?”
Before she could even respond he had slammed the door shut and made his way to the driver's side. Shutting his door considerably softer than he did hers, he deftly slotted the key into the ignition and the engine quietly purred to life.
“Which pedal is for forwards?”
“Draco Malfoy, you let me dr-“ He cut off her shriek with a satisfied snigger as he shifted the car into gear and confidently pulled out of the parking lot. Realising she’d not even done up her seat belt yet she quickly put it on, glaring daggers at him as she did so. Much to her shock, he really was a confident driver. One hand on the steering wheel, the other resting on the gearstick, smoothly shifting every so often as they sped along the freeway at a speed she suspected was well above the limit. Normally this would’ve caused her to panic, but there was something about him that made her feel safe and she found herself quietly observing him. The sleeves of his white oxford were rolled to his elbows, his faded mark on full display. His hair was left to fall naturally, an ever so subtle wave to it that softened the rest of his sharp features. He was unfairly attractive, and he knew it.
“Like what you see Granger?”
Feeling the flush creeping up her neck she quickly trained her eyes forward, willing her voice not to further betray her embarrassment. “You wish.”
He turned his head to look straight at her, completely disregarding the road ahead.
“Oh I do.” He gave her his signature smirk, making no move to look at the road as he continued to speed along. Despite the heat creeping into her face, Hermione rolled her eyes and gave a disbelieving shake of her head.
“Eyes on the road Malfoy.” Ever so slowly he tore his eyes away from her and turned his head back, not once faltering in speed or steadiness.
“How did you learn to drive so well?”
“So you admit I’m a good driver?”
“I’m not saying it again. How?”
He let out a resigned sigh before responding. “Theo and I spent some time in America about a year ago. We had the telision on in the hotel and a muggle film was playing, it was two men racing cars and one was an undercover muggle auror of sorts. I don’t really remember much, just that the driving looked fun. Next day we hired a car and learnt to drive.”
“You’re telling me you watched Fast and Furious on the television, decided it looked fun and then taught yourselves to drive the next day? Where did you even get a licence?” She couldn’t help the disbelieving laugh that escaped her.
He replied somewhat defensively. “Laugh all you want Granger, I’ll find a pensieve and show you the memories.” Then added, “Theo’s good with documentation.”
Suspecting she was getting no more detail on how they acquired licences, she sputtered a laugh, “Fine, I’m going to hold you to that. But tell me, were you Brian or Dom?”
“The sexy undercover one, obviously.”
At that she rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the laughter that escaped her, after a moment Draco joined in. It had been like this between them for a while, when they weren’t driving each other mad, they actually got along quite well. Hermione couldn’t help but wonder what could’ve been different if they’d gotten to know each other earlier at Hogwarts. They lulled into a comfortable silence for a long while, until Draco spoke up in a slightly mocking tone.
“So how does your boyfriend feel about you spending time away with other men?”
The change in topic caught her momentarily by surprise, but she recovered herself quickly. “When I get a boyfriend you’ll have to ask him, though I’d like to think he’d trust me.”
“When you get a boyfriend? Aren’t you and Weaselbee basically married already?” Hermione, somewhat perplexed, said “You know Ron and I aren’t together.”
“Never did hear what happened there…”
“Well you don’t have to play dumb, you can just ask, you know.”
“Fine. What happened? I mean, everyone thought you were basically married.”
Apparently the cause of their breakup hadn’t reached everyone, Ron would be pleased. He’d practically begged her not to tell anyone, knowing the news would be bad for his image that he worked so hard to maintain. Maybe foolishly, Hermione had agreed. She didn’t have the time or energy for the drama, agreeing to tell everyone they’d mutually decided to go their separate ways. But there was something about Malfoy that compelled her to be honest.
“He decided leggy blondes were more his type.”
Draco seemed to tense at her blunt words, the tendons in his hand flexing around the gear stick as the muscle in his jaw ticked. She felt him accelerate just a touch harder as he spoke in a low and almost threatening tone. An odd response, she thought.
“He cheated on you.” It was a statement, not a question but she hummed her assent anyway.
“You don’t seem upset?”
She couldn’t help but sigh. At first she had been upset, the betrayal hurt. But the more she thought about it, the more she realised it was actually a bit of a relief - to be free of Ron and his limiting expectations, his childish outbursts and lack of desire to hold a meaningful conversation for more than five minutes if it didn’t involve quidditch. For the first time in three years she felt free.
“Because I’m not. Not anymore” She looked over at him then, a small smile playing on her lips as she took in his confused expression, clearly warring over whether or not she was telling the truth. “Don’t get me wrong, I detest what he’s done and I don’t think I’ll ever forgive him. But… I suppose it was a bit of a relief really. I didn’t realise how… unhappy I was. We should’ve stayed friends, we were better as friends.”
“Why did you stay with him for so long then?”
“It was just expected, everyone thought we would…so we did. It was ok at first, everyone was still running on adrenaline after the war. It was nice to have someone, you know? But after that…I guess that’s on me, I didn’t want to disturb the peace, we were all just starting to heal…it wouldn’t have been fair.” Hermione could feel his eyes on her then and turned her head to meet them. His gaze was penetrating, like he could see inside her to her innermost thoughts as he continued on down the freeway smoothly. She hadn’t shared her true feelings with anyone since she’d found Ron in their flat with his tongue down the throat of none other than Daphne Greengrass. It felt good to finally put them out there, and to Draco Malfoy no less. Oddly enough, she felt comfortable sharing them with him.
“Go on then, you clearly have something to say.”
He released a breath and returned his eyes to the road. “I think that’s the most pitiful Gryffindor shit I’ve ever heard.”
“How so?” She tried hard not to let her words come out defensively, but it was no use.
“You care too much about everyone else’s feelings. What about yours?”
“My-my feelings weren’t important, it was what was best for everyone. Besides, I was happy at the time.” Draco rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath that she couldn’t quite catch, signalling the end of the conversation as he pulled into the parking lot of a luxury looking muggle hotel. Hermione had been so engrossed in their conversation she hadn’t even noticed him pull off the highway and into the bustling Sydney streets. Their portkey had taken them to Canberra, they then had to drive to the Australian Ministry in Sydney so they would remain nondescript whilst staying at a muggle hotel.
Stepping out of the car and into the pleasant winter sun, Hermione took a moment to inhale the crisp air as she stretched out her limbs. Winter in Australia was a sight to behold, despite the frigid air and cold breeze tousling her curls the sun still shone down brightly, so unlike the dark and dreary English winters they were used to. Casting a subtle glance around, she reached into her bag to retrieve their suitcases and silently returned them to their normal size. At that moment Draco made his way around to her side of the car, taking hold of not only his own luggage but Hermione’s too.
“I can carry my own suitcase, Malfoy.”
“I’m sure you can, but no gentleman would let you and in case you haven’t noticed Granger, I am a gentleman.”
Though his tone was slightly mocking, she was still taken aback by the gesture, muttering her thanks as she quickened her pace to keep up with his long strides towards the entrance. Stepping inside the lobby it was obvious the ministry had invested more money into their accommodation than usual.The polished marble floor shone brightly, reflecting light off a grand chandelier in the centre of the ceiling. Hermione made her way to the reception desk, clearing her throat to get the attention of the receptionist who was making no attempt to hide the way she was openly ogling Draco. It was no use and she continued to flutter her eyelashes in his direction, though he seemed to be completely oblivious as he stared at the vending machine selling overpriced drinks in the far corner, seemingly perplexed. Maybe not quite as accustomed with the muggle world as she thought. Growing impatient, Hermione spoke up.
“Hi. We have two rooms, they should be under Granger.” Before the blonde behind the desk could reply, Draco spoke up. “Actually it’s under Malfoy. And just the one room.”
“Of course! Let me just have a look.” Came the receptionist's enthusiastic reply.
Hermione spun around to glare at him. “Why is it under Malfoy? And why do we only have one room?”
His reply was nothing short of condescending. “You didn’t really think the ministry would pay for us to stay at a place like this did you?”
“I…I don’t -” Before she could finish her sentence the receptionist was sliding a key across the desk to Draco, looking up at him from under her still fluttering lashes and letting him know that if he needed anything at all, she would be here until 6pm and free anytime after that. The clear double entendre in her words caused something to stir in Hermione’s chest. But it wasn’t jealousy. Definitely not that. Before she could even think, she reached out and snatched the key from the desk. “We’ll find our way from here - thanks.” With that she turned on her heel and strode toward the elevator, not bothering to check if Draco was behind her. As she turned to press the button on the elevator he stepped in after her, a picture of smug arrogance. Choosing to ignore him and the flush creeping into her cheeks, she looked down at the key to find they were in a suite on floor 84, the top floor. Punching the button on the wall she braced herself for what was to be the longest elevator ride of her life.
“She was nice wasn’t she?” Hermione couldn’t help but roll her eyes at his saccharine tone. Unfortunately Draco caught the action in the mirrored wall on his left. “What’s wrong Granger? You’re not jealous are you?” There was no hiding the warmth that was surely growing red on her cheeks. Glancing to her right she could see the numbers rising higher, but slowly…too slowly. 23, 24, 25…
“Why would I be jealous Malfoy?”
She hadn’t even noticed him move but when he responded his breath ghosted across the side of her face, his body now slightly behind her. He was so close she could feel the warmth of him against her back, the fingertips of his right hand gently resting on her right hip. “I don’t know Granger, but I’d love you to tell me.” He punctuated his words with a gentle squeeze of her hip.
33, 34, 35…
She tried to think of a scathing reply, she really did. Instead her words came out almost breathy and the heat from her cheeks was now making its way somewhere lower, much lower. He’s playing with you Hermione, he’s not actually interested. Unfortunately, telling herself that didn’t change the fact that maybe, just maybe she was a little bit jealous. “I’m not jealous.” His fingertips slowly trailed across her back to the centre of her spine, the thick wool of her cream knitted jumper doing nothing to dull the tingling trail left in their wake.
46, 47, 48…
“Really? You’re usually only that clipped when you’re talking to me.”
52, 53, 54… His fingertips continued trailing up and down her spine, stopping just before reaching the skin of her neck. “Well maybe you’re not as special as you think you are.” Her words still lacked the scathing tone she was going for.
At this he chuckled, a low sound that seemed to reverberate through Hermione’s body, touching on every nerve. “Don’t stress love, brunettes are more my type.” He was so close now she could almost feel his lips against her ear, the sensation causing her breath to hitch in her throat. Time seemed to slow for that moment as she revelled in the feel of him invading all her senses and robbing her of logical thought. He didn’t really mean it, there was no way. Draco Malfoy, the sole heir to the Malfoy fortune wouldn’t possibly lower himself to the likes of her. He was just bored… that had to be it.
The sudden ding of the elevator doors broke them out of their haze, Draco stepping back with a self satisfied smirk. Hermione sucking in deep breaths and trying to remember who she is, who he is.
~
Sitting on the soft mattress of the king size bed, Hermione found herself admiring the Sydney skyline through the floor to ceiling windows. She had spent the afternoon sitting there reviewing her notes for tomorrow's conference while Draco laid on the generous chaise lounge on the other side of the room, watching Godric knows what on the television. After recovering from the elevator ride, her anger had returned and she had spent the short walk to their room berating him for changing their accommodation. That soon changed as she stepped into the room and her jaw had just about hit the floor at the grandiose that awaited them. Of course Draco had been insufferable about it, his smirk so smug she wanted to smack it off his face. Or kiss, that would also work. Just as quickly as she recovered did she realise there was only one bed, but much to her surprise he had insisted that she sleep in it - “Gentleman, remember,” had been his quip.
Almost instinctively she looks over at him, feeling his gaze already on her. He looks positively god-like with a hint of boyish innocence, though she suspects there’s not much innocence there when it comes to Draco Malfoy. When she meets his eyes he holds her stare, it’s intense and assessing, if she were anyone else she’d almost be intimidated. But she’s Hermione Granger, and she refuses to be intimidated by the likes of him. Besides, if she didn’t know any better she’d almost think there was a hint of something else in his stormy grey eyes, almost something akin to desire… you’re dreaming Hermione.
“Dinner?”
“What?”
“Dinner, Granger. I asked what you wanted for dinner, but you seemed to be floating around in the clouds. So, what do you want?”
Looking down at her watch she realised it was nearing 6pm and having skipped lunch she actually was quite hungry. “What do you feel like?”
“I asked you first,” was his childish reply.
“Fine. There’s a nice burger joint on the harbour, we’ll go there. Put your coat on, it gets surprisingly cold here.”
With only an eye roll, he did as he was asked and next thing she knew they were walking down the bustling street towards the harbour - thankfully no blonde receptionists in sight on the way out. It was a short walk, only a few hundred metres but they only got about twenty before Draco stepped around behind her to stand between her and the busy road, tentatively wrapping an arm around her waist to hold her close to him. An action so unexpected Hermione suspected she may lay awake for far longer than necessary analysing it tonight. What followed was a pleasant dinner in a secluded booth of the busy restaurant, filled with easy conversation and lingering stares…or was she imagining those? Yes, she had to be.
Though it was still early in the evening as they slowly made their way back to the hotel, the street was noticeably quieter but it didn’t stop Draco from placing his hand on her lower back and guiding her along next to him. Hermione couldn’t help but lean into his warming touch, her thoughts drifting back to their elevator ride earlier in the day - how on earth was she supposed to sleep tonight with all his confusing behaviour stirring up feelings she thought she had long quashed? She noted with mild disappointment that he didn’t repeat his earlier actions as they stood in the elevator this time, slowly moving higher and avoiding each other's eye. The sudden tension in the air was almost palpable and Hermione released the breath she didn’t realise she was holding as she stepped out of the elevator, Draco close behind her. She couldn’t help but feel relief when he agreed upon her insistence that he take the first shower, she needed the time alone to get her brain back in order. And lower her heart rate. And stop the constant fluttering that was happening in her stomach any time he was around…
Just when she thought she’d gotten herself together the man himself stepped out of the bathroom, nothing but a plush white towel secured low on his hips and skin still slightly glistening from the water. His damp hair had even more of a wave to it and Hermione couldn’t help but stare. She always knew he was fit, but gods, he was carved by an architect. His torso and chest was marred with faint scars, scars she recognised by their similarity to her own. They had fought in the same war, after all. Though she couldn’t help but marvel at the Sectumsempra scars that extended from just below his collarbone to his opposite hip. She knew they were there of course, Harry had been a mess after that fateful fight in the bathroom, she could only imagine the state Draco had been in. The sound of a throat clearing brought her back to the present moment and she realised she was still ogling him, no better than the receptionist. For goodness sake Hermione. Reluctantly dragging her eyes back to his face she was greeted by his amused expression, with a slight pink tinge to his cheeks. “The uh, the bathrooms free.”
Choosing to not take note of the almost shy tone of his voice and what that might mean, Hermione grabbed her toiletries and pyjamas and quickly made her way to the bathroom, uttering an almost inaudible 'thank you' on her way through the door as she felt the pink move towards her own cheeks. When did things get so awkward? One minute they were bantering away as normal, Draco going so far as to touch her in the elevator as he suggested she might be jealous. Absentmindedly Hermione began to strip and turned on the water, noticing the incredible pressure immediately. Dinner had been fine hadn’t it? He was a perfect gentleman throughout. She shivered slightly as she remembered the feel of his hand resting gently on her lower back. The conversation was easy and when she was around him she couldn’t help but feel content, safe, warm…and something else, something she wasn’t quite ready to accept yet… or maybe ever . But Draco seemed comfortable around her too, surely she couldn’t be imagining that.
So lost in her thoughts, Hermione didn’t even notice the fact that she’d turned off the water and was halfway through pulling on her pyjamas. The pyjamas she had packed when she expected to be in her own room…not sharing a room with Draco Malfoy. The floral cotton shorts were nothing too scandalous, the white fitted camisole however, left her feeling more exposed than she would have liked, the faint outline of her nipple visible through the soft cotton. Technically, she could slip her bra back on, but she couldn’t stand the thought of sleeping in it. She thought about transfiguring it into something less revealing, but her wand was still sitting on the nightstand and she wasn’t entirely confident in her wandless transfiguration just yet. Besides, she wasn’t the one to change their room arrangement, if Draco had a problem, it was his problem.
Stepping out into the room she was greeted by a sight she wasn’t expecting. He was sitting up against the headboard of the bed, legs partially under the covers in a pair of grey sweatpants and no shirt in sight. His now mostly dry hair fell across his forehead as he looked down to read what appeared to her copy of Pride & Prejudice that she’d brought along for some light reading. Gods, if the sight of him looking like that didn’t do something to her insides. By some miracle she managed to shove those feelings aside and string together a coherent sentence, willing her indignation to rise to the surface.
“You said I could sleep in the bed.”
He must have been so engrossed in the book he hadn’t heard her step out of the bathroom, because at the sound of her voice his head shot up and his eyes slid over her form like a caress. Visibly swallowing his eyes landed back on hers, simmering with undeniable heat.
“I did.”
“Then why are you in the bed?”
“I never said where I was sleeping.”
His undeniably attractive smirk was back in place, she was flustered and he knew it. Smug bastard. The logical part of her brain told her to just make her way to the chaise, it was plenty big enough for her and technically he did pay for the room. The Gryffindor in her wanted to stomp her foot and argue with him for being an arrogant Slytherin git, but a tiny little voice in the back of her mind, which also sounded suspiciously Slytherin, told her to play his game. In a moment of Gryffindor bravery, Hermione listened to the little voice. Schooling her features into the most neutral mask she could manage, she made her way to the unoccupied side of the huge bed and slid under the covers turning her back to him, with a wave of her hand the lights went out. “Goodnight Malfoy.”
Seemingly thrown by her calling his bluff, he let out a shaky breath and murmured a 'Goodnight Granger,’ before sliding under the covers himself. The bed was big enough they could’ve comfortably placed a third person in it and still not touched. At least that’s what Hermione told herself as she attempted to fall asleep. But no matter how hard she tried to switch off, the proximity was electrifying, her mind replaying every time he made contact with her during the day. The feel of his hand on her back, squeezing her hip, his fingertips teasing along her spine…
“Granger you’re thinking too loud,” his voice came out low and almost raspy, sending a shiver through her entire body. “Are you cold?”
“No… No, I'm fine,” but as the tense and hurried words left her lips it was clear she was anything but. He let out an exasperated sigh but didn’t say anything more. Hermione closed her eyes and attempted to do what she always did, use logic to sort through her emotions.
Draco had been nothing but pleasant to her, of course he still loved to rile her up but there was never any malice to it, no accompanying sneer. If anything she enjoyed their conversations, the healthy debate and witty banter left her feeling stimulated and satisfied in ways she hadn’t been since Hogwarts. And physically she’d always known he was attractive, of course his attitude in school had always made her push those thoughts as far away as possible, masochism wasn’t her thing. But now…now things are different.
Hermione can remember clearly the day he stepped into her office, not long after she started at the ministry. He’d looked nothing short of terrified as he rapped his knuckles on the doorframe, asking if he could have a word. She’d been so surprised she’d sat there dripping ink across the report she was supposed to be writing for ten seconds before stammering “of course.” As the door softly closed the words began to pour out of him, apology after apology. As if the sincerity of his words weren’t enough, the shame and regret emanating from him had her feeling nauseous and she’d begged him to stop, promising he was forgiven. And it was true, she’d spent enough time after the war analysing everything that had happened to her and her friends, she needed to let it go. They were children and so was he. From that point on things had changed, it started with small smiles of acknowledgement as they passed in the halls that transitioned into a “Hey Granger.” It was around then that Hermione had begun to experience a slight fluttering in her abdomen whenever he was around, but she told herself it was nothing. She was with Ron, it was just nervous anticipation because she wasn’t used to seeing him around.
Then Harry, who had gotten to know Draco through his involvement with the DMLE, had started inviting him to their weekly drinks. At first it was awkward, but everyone warmed up to him, even Ron who apparently couldn’t resist any conversation involving quidditch. Around the time Hermione had moved into her own flat, without Ron , had been when she moved into the Specialist Auror Department. This meant she saw him everyday, from there things had evolved naturally into a friendship and the fluttering feeling was a near constant that she’d learned to ignore, because there was no way he felt remotely the same. But then they’d come on this trip and he’d made it impossible for her to ignore. She had to know. Rolling over to face him she was surprised to see him already facing her, his eyes flickered open at the sound of her movement. As if knowing she had something to say he didn’t speak, but held her gaze and patiently waited while she collected her thoughts, but all she could manage was one word.
“Why?”
He let out a frustrated huff and rolled onto his back, staring up at the ceiling as though the answer was written there. “You’re going to have to be more specific than that Granger.”
She couldn’t take it anymore, the frustrated and confused energy she’d been swimming in all day was coming to the surface at an uncontrollable rate. “Why are you in the bed? Why were you so chivalrous at dinner? Why do you keep touching me? The elevator…what was that about? And this room, why did you pay for this room? Why are you flirting with me? You are flirting with me aren’t you?” By this point she was sitting up in the bed facing him breathless from her outburst, and covers pooled around her waist. Calmly, he rolled to face her, propping himself up on one elbow. Though his tone was smooth and drawling, his features gave away his irritation.
“Granger if you can’t figure out the answer to all those questions I don’t know why they call you the brightest witch of our age.”
Letting out a noise of frustration she made towards the edge of the bed, his evasiveness driving her mad. Before she could make her escape his hand shot out and wrapped around her wrist, turning to look at him she could see the irritation had left his face, leaving a look of almost pleading. “Hermione please.”
The sound of her first name rolling off his tongue made her heart stutter for a moment before she regained her ire. “Why can’t you just tell me?”
“Because there’s no way you could ever feel the same way!
“I didn’t…I don’t want to risk the friendship we’re building. And you were with Weaselbee, I could tell you weren’t happy, you know? And then you broke up but…there was still no way. There’s still no way. But when you confirmed today that you weren’t seeing anyone I just, I got carried away with the possibility. I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable.”
Sitting up he looked away, breathing deeply now that the words were out. It hit her all at once how oblivious they’d both been. Dancing around each other in fear of rejection. It was obvious now, he was confident and cocky because he thought she wasn’t interested, then shy and standoffish when she did show genuine interest. In that moment she made a decision, he’d been honest with her, she owed him the same. Slowly sliding over towards him she sat cross legged facing him, slowly reaching up she placed her hand on his cheek, gently turning his head toward her. “You’re wrong, Draco.”
Still avoiding her gaze he replied. “Don’t say things you don’t mean.”
Taking the other side of his face in her palm she held firm until he looked up at her through long thick lashes. “I told myself there was no way you’d ever be interested in me.”
“Granger I mean this with no offence, but there’s no way you’re the brightest witch of our age, bloody boy wonder could tell I was interested. Even told me to stop being a prat and ask you out. And his girlfriend, Merlin, don’t even get me started on that Weasley.”
“So you’re not just bored?” At this his head shot up and he reached out to clasp her hands before they fell to her lap.
“That's what you thought? That I just want you because I'm bored?” He shook his head and let out a low chuckle.
“Hermione, I want you to consume my time. I want to bring you your morning tea and watch you chew on your lip while you decide which task you need to prioritise, I want to listen while you drone on about ancient runic translations. I want to know how your day was and what you dream about. I want all of you, all the time. It’s been bloody distracting really.”
By the time he’d finished speaking Hermione had no words. She held his gaze for a second longer before launching herself into him, wrapping her arms around his neck as their lips met. His arms wrapped around her, one hand snaking under her camisole and up her spine as he gently rolled her onto her back, settling himself between her thighs. The kiss was consuming, as their lips moved together with fervour Hermione felt like she was floating outside of her body. A caress of Draco’s tongue across her lips quickly brought her back to herself as she opened her mouth to him. They remained like that, contently exploring each others mouths for what felt like hours but Hermione was sure it was only minutes. Slowly, Draco began placing open mouthed kisses along her jaw before stopping to murmur in her ear.
“I want you Hermione.”
The velvety smooth tone combined with his words was enough to send a pleasant shiver down her spine. “Then take me, Draco.”
He let out a low groan and it was like something in him snapped. His lips were back on hers with bruising force before he rolled to sit himself against the headboard with Hermione straddling his lap. The feel of his erection beneath her was heavenly, she wanted more, no needed more. Draco’s hands made their way up her sides, lifting the fabric as he went until the camisole was being tossed across the room.
“Fuck Granger, you’re so perfect.”
She couldn’t help the breathy whimper that escaped her at his reverent words. He trailed open mouthed kisses down her neck before he lavished her breasts, paying equal attention to both as he licked and sucked. Slowly, she forced herself to pull away from his ministrations and slid herself down his legs and off the bed. It was torture to remove herself from his embrace, but something in her needed this. She needed him to know how bad she wanted him too. He peered up at her dazedly through hooded eyes, a question on his lips and a look of concern. Now standing at the end of the bed she silenced him as she began to shimmy her pyjama shorts down to the floor, leaving her in just her underwear. She gave him a moment to take in the sight of her before sliding the black cotton and lace to the floor and stepping out of them. His reaction to her was nothing short of an ego boost, his jaw clenched and his pupils blew till she could only see a sliver of grey around them. Seemingly of its own accord, his hand made its way down the waistband of his sweatpants where he now gripped his still covered cock.
“Hermione.” It was only one word but it felt like a thousand.
Slowly she crawled her way back up the bed, settling in the space between his legs. Running her hands along his thighs until she was able to reach up and tug at his waistband until his impossibly hard cock was free of its confines. Before she could lose her nerve, Hermione wrapped her hand around his shaft and bent to place a kiss on the head, already glistening with arousal, before taking as much of him in her mouth as she could. She noted with mild concern that he was in fact not an inconsiderable size. Relaxing her jaw, she began to find a rhythm, using her hand to make up for what she couldn’t fit in her mouth, and pulling away every so often to alternate between licking and kissing up his length. The groans pulled from deep in his chest were all the encouragement she needed. Daring to glance up at him through her lashes, she couldn’t help but feel a little smug. Draco Malfoy was looking at her through hooded eyes in pure awe, like he thought she might not be any more than a figment of his imagination. As though confirming that thought, he uncurled his right hand from where it was curled in the sheets and tucked an errant curl behind her ear, before settling his hand at the back of her head firmly but without force.
“Fuck, Granger.”
His deep rasping tone had her curling her toes as she looked up at him once more. Before she could even react, he had pulled her off him and smoothly manoeuvred her underneath him. She only had a second to process the change before his lips were back on hers and he was kissing her deeply, only pulling away when they were both out of air.
“That mouth of yours Granger…positively sinful. But as much as I enjoyed that, the first time we do this I’m going to be coming with my cock buried deep in that pretty pussy of yours. You’ll let me do that won’t you?” Even if she was capable of speaking at that moment, her mind couldn’t have provided her with a single coherent thought anyway. Not when Draco was painting pictures like that in her head. Slowly, he pulled away and stood off the bed, kicking off his sweatpants and boxers.
“I need to hear you say it Hermione, use your words.”
“Y-yes.”
“Good girl.” She couldn’t help the breathy whimper that escaped her at his praise. Draco seemed to relish in the effect it had on her, if the smug smirk he wore was anything to go by.
“Look at you, laid out for me. You don’t know how many times I’ve imagined this with you. Always you. Only you.”
His reverent words did something funny to her insides, but her mind refused to communicate with her mouth and all she could do was reach her hand out to him and hope that the look on her face communicated her need. Draco understood her, as he always seemed to, and slowly he made his way back up the bed, kissing her deeply before making his way across her jaw and down her neck. Eventually he was placing gentle kisses across her breasts and down her stomach, stopping just above her heated core. Before she could comprehend what was happening he placed an open mouthed kiss against her, before plunging his tongue inside her entrance. Hermione let out a startled gasp, instinctively tightening her thighs around his head. Her hands scrambled for purchase, her left curling in the sheets and her right in Draco’s impossibly soft strands.
She couldn’t help the obscene chorus of moans and gasps spilling from her lips, not while his mouth was working her into a state of pure ecstasy. His tongue made its way to her clit, circling and teasing with expert precision while his fingers slid inside her, finding that spot she could never quite find herself. With every curl of his fingers and caress of his mouth she could feel herself getting closer, she couldn’t help but wriggle and squirm, trying to decide if she needed more or less. Feeling her movement, Draco placed her leg over his shoulder, opening her up to him further as his free hand splayed across her stomach, holding her still. With the change in position, Hermione chanced a look down at him. The sight alone was enough to send her over the edge. At that moment Draco looked up at her through his thick, dark lashes. Holding her gaze, he gave her a small smirk before sucking her clit between his lips as his fingers curled just so. Her head flopped back against the pillows and she felt her entire body tense as her orgasm rippled through her.
“Draco..I…I’m..”
“That’s it Granger, come for me. I want you to come all over my tongue… need to taste all of you.”
She couldn’t even finish her sentence as her breath left her in a silent scream while he mumbled against her. His fingers were replaced by his mouth once again as he kissed and sucked her gently through her orgasm, taking every last drop of her. “You’re fucking transcendant Hermione,” he said, before sucking clean the fingers that had just been inside her. The sight combined with his words was enough to have her walls fluttering with need.
“I need you inside me Malfoy, please.”
In an instant he was back over her, his throbbing cock resting against her abdomen as he gazed at her with an intensity she’d come to associate with only him.
“Are you sure Granger? Because if we do this there’s no going back for me, I’m yours. You're mine.”
His hint at possessiveness would’ve sent her running if it were anyone else, but from Draco she relished in it. Never before had anyone made her feel so desired, wanted, worshipped . Reaching down she aligned him with her entrance, the feel of him against her slick core sent another wave of arousal over her.
“I’ve never been more sure, please Draco.” She was practically begging but she couldn’t find it in herself to care. At her response he let out a low groan and slowly began to push inside her until he was fully sheathed. She couldn’t help but hiss at the slight pinch as she adjusted to take him. Slowly the pain began to turn into a pleasurable stretch and she pulled his face down to hers, kissing him deeply before pulling away just enough to murmur against his lips.
“Fuck me now please.”
“You and that mouth are going to be the death of me witch” he groaned, before pulling almost all the way out and thrusting back into her. She met his long, deep strokes with a subtle lift of her own hips as she attempted to meet him thrust for thrust. Draco alternated between kissing any part of her he could reach and babbling words so delightful she wondered if he even knew what he was saying.
“Taking me so well Granger”
“Better than I even dreamed”
“Fuck, you’re perfect”
“I’ve wanted this for years Granger, you have no idea”
“No one can have you now Princess… mine”
Princess. It wasn’t said with the slight sarcasm of earlier that day, but with a hint of possessiveness that managed to successfully heat her blood, especially when he was groaning the word ‘mine’ after it and hitching her leg up higher around his hip, allowing him an even deeper angle. Her hands tightened on his shoulder blades as he hit that spot inside her just so , she was certain her nails would be leaving little indentations in his skin. Bringing her hands down to cup his jaw she lifted his lips to hers again, kissing him deeply and allowing herself a moment to soak in the fact that this is really happening. Draco Malfoy wants her as much as she wants him. She can feel it in the way he’s touching her, with as much of his skin in contact with her as possible as he thrusts into her. She can hear it in the confessions falling from his lips. And she can see it, as he pulls away from her kiss to gaze down at her, those storm cloud eyes say more than any words could. Without breaking eye contact, he sneaks a hand down and she feels his fingers circling her clit. The effect is almost instant and she feels her body begin to quiver beneath him, as she moans and whimpers without abandon.
“Fuck Draco, I’m so close.” The gravelly moan that escapes his throat and the way his hips slam into her with slightly more force tell her that he’s just as close.
“That’s it Granger, come for me. Need to feel you to come all over my cock.” His titillating words paired with the overwhelming sensations of their bodies rubbing against one another, his skilful fingers on her clit and his deep thrusts is enough to send her orgasm crashing into her. She comes with a fractured moan and his name on her tongue. Not a second later she feels Draco’s hips still as he empties himself inside her, burying his head against her neck with a guttural groan.
Minutes pass as they stay connected, both breathing hard. Slowly Draco pulls out of her and falls down next to her. Summoning his wand he casts a scourgify over them both before pulling her in close and wrapping an arm around her. Snuggling into his side, Hermione didn’t think she’d ever felt so content, but there was a tiny niggling part of her brain that had to know, had to be sure before she gave her heart away.
“Did you mean what you said?” She felt his lips press ever so gently to her forehead before he spoke.
“I meant all of it, but I have a feeling you’re referring to something specific?”
“When you said you were mine…did you really mean it?” He let out a deep sigh before leaning down to capture her lips in a soft, lingering kiss.
“Granger I’ve been yours for longer than I care to admit, probably longer than I even realise… and definitely longer than you think. I meant every word of what I said, my heart belongs to you now. That is, if you’ll have me of course?”
His soft spoken words and the hint of insecurity in his voice made her heart leap. Placing her hand on his cheek she pulled him down to her, kissing him gently before murmuring against his lips. “I want you Draco, and I’m yours.”
The slight tension melted from his body at her words as he pulled her into him even tighter. His next words surprised her. “I have to confess something, but you can’t be mad.” She felt the tension in her own body as she pondered his words, but before she could even allow her mind to overthink the words came tumbling out of him, accompanied by a pink tinge to his cheeks.
“We didn’t really have to drive here today, we could have just taken a direct portkey. I just thought driving might impress you, since it’s a muggle skill. I wanted you to see that I really have changed, and well I thought you might find it attractive, since the muggle women on the telision seem to. And before you say anything just remember that I did catch you checking me out while I was driving, so it must’ve had some effect. Plus look where we've ended up.”
She couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled up her throat, between the confession and his nervous rambling, he was adorable. Hearing her laughter he let out a groan and used his free arm to cover his eyes. “Draco Malfoy, do you mean to tell me that you took the long way here just so you could impress me with your driving skills?”
“Did it work?”
She pondered for a moment, feeling her own cheeks flush. “Well, yes but that's not why I-”
He cut her off then as he rolled back over the top of her, looking down with the smuggest smirk that only he could wear so attractively. “So I am a good driver then?”
She let out a low growl but before she could respond his lips were on hers again and with each caress of his tongue the question faded from her mind. After a minute or two he pulled back a fraction to whisper against her lips “Do you think I’m a good driver Hermione?”
Mindless from his kiss she let out a dramatic sigh, entirely unable to lie to him after his strategic play. “You are such a good driver Draco. It shouldn’t be legal for you to look that good while driving.”
“I knew you were checking me out.”
“Shut up” she said without any real irritation as she cut off his satisfied sniggers with a deep kiss of her own, basking in the satisfaction of knowing she could do that whenever she pleased.